Relationship between serum osteoprotegerin and vascular calcifications in hemodialysis patients.

Background: Uremia is a vasculopathic process, and both cardiac calcification and vascular calcification seen from the early stages of chronic kidney disease. Osteoprotegerin could play a crucial role in atherosclerotic plaque formation, maturation and calcification. The goal of this study was to determine the relationship of serum osteoprotegerin with vascular calcification in patients with end stage kidney disease who were maintained on regular hemodialysis.

Urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin as a marker for disease activity in lupus nephritis.

The neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) has been emerging as a novel biomarker of acute kidney injury while its value in lupus nephritis is uncertain. The aim of this study was to assess urinary NGAL levels as a marker for disease activity in patients with lupus nephritis.This study included 70 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients; 50 with active lupus nephritis (LN) and 20 without as well as 20 matched controls.

Relation of fibroblast growth factor-23 and cardiovascular calcification in end-stage kidney disease patients on regular hemodialysis.

More than half of deaths in end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients are due to cardiovascular disease. Elevated fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) was found to be associated with mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients and correlates with peripheral calcification. Aortic calcification is associated with coronary artery calcification.

Impact of Uraemic Pruritus on Quality of Life among End Stage Renal Disease Patients on Dialysis.

Introduction: Uraemic pruritus is significant complication in (ESRD) patients and substantially impairs their quality of life (QOL). ESRD is a bothersome problem with attempts being made to increase the survival of patients on dialysis.

Aim: An attempt was made to compare the QOL of haemodialysis patients and suffering from uraemic pruritus with the QOL of those on haemodialysis but with no presenting uraemic pruritus.