Significance of acPWV for Survival of Hemodialysis Patients.

Background And Objectives: Abnormal arterial stiffness (AS) is a major complication in end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients treated by dialysis. Our study aimed to determine the significance of AS for survival of prevalent dialysis patients, as well as its association with cardiovascular parameters or vascular calcification promoters/inhibitors or both and AS.

Materials And Methods: The study involved 80 adult hemodialysis patients.

Increased Glomerular Filtration Rate in Early Stage of Balkan Endemic Nephropathy.

: A previous study indicated that Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN) patients in the early stage of the disease had significantly higher creatinine clearance (Ccr) than healthy persons. The aim of the study was to assess whether tubular creatinine secretion affects Ccr in early stages of BEN and to check the applicability of serum creatinine-based glomerular filtration rate (GFR) equations in these patients. : The study involved 21 BEN patients with estimated GFR (eGFR) above 60 mL/min/1.

How common is Balkan endemic nephropathy among immigrants in endemic regions?

Purpose: In the early 1970s, a number of authors described the development of Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN) in immigrants in endemic regions. The aim of this study was to examine whether immigrants in endemic regions are suffering from BEN today.

Methods: The study involved 193 residents of two endemic regions divided into three groups: two groups of native residents-(1) members of BEN families, (2) members of non-BEN families, and (3) immigrants, who had moved from non-affected settlements to the endemic regions of Kolubara (38 years ago) or Semberia (20 years ago).

Comprehensive geriatric assessment: comparison of elderly hemodialysis patients and primary care patients.

Backgrounds: The quality of life and survival of elderly depend not only on their age but on many social and health factors. In the present study, comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) was made in elderly patients on regular hemodialysis (HD) and those without chronic kidney disease recruited in primary health care in order to compare their sociodemographic characteristics, physical health, functional ability and social support.

Method: The 106 HD patients and 300 primary care patients aged 70 years and more were studied.

Today Balkan endemic nephropathy is a disease of the elderly with a good prognosis.

Background: The outcome for Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN) patients diagnosed in 1992 was analyzed in 2006 with the aim of detecting factors associated with disease progression and patient outcome.

Methods: In 1992 BEN was detected in 119 patients (53 males, 56.9 +/- 13.