Dawlat Sany

Glycated albumin versus glycated hemoglobin as glycemic indicator in hemodialysis patients with diabetes mellitus: variables that influence.

UNLABELLED The significance of glycated albumin (GA) compared with casual plasma glucose (PG) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was evaluated as an indicator of the glycemic control state in hemodialysis (HD) patients with diabetes. In HD patients with diabetes (n = 25), the mean PG, GA and HbA1c levels were 192.9 + 23 mg/dL, 278.8 + 43 μmol/L and 5.9 + 0.5%, respectively, which were higher by 43.9%, 67.04% and 18%, respectively, compared with HD patients without diabetes (n = 25). HbA1c levels were significantly lower than simultaneous PG and GA values in those patients in comparison with the three parameters in patients who had diabetes without renal dysfunction (n = 25). A significant negative correlation was found between GA and serum albumin (r = 0.21, P <0.05) in HD patients with diabetes, whereas HbA1c correlated positively and negatively with hemoglobin (r = 0.11, P <0.01) and weekly dose of erythropoietin injection (r = -0.19, P < 0.01), respectively. Although PG and GA did not differ significantly between HD patients with diabetes and with and without erythropoietin injection, HbA1c levels were significantly higher in patients without erythropoietin. Categorization of glycemic control into arbitrary quartiles by GA level led to better glycemic control in a significantly higher proportion of HD patients with diabetes than those assessed by HA1c. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that hemoglobin in addition to PG emerged as an independent factor associated with HbA1c in HD patients with diabetes, while PG, body mass index and albumin were an independent factor associated with GA. CONCLUSION it is suggested that GA provides a significantly better measure to estimate glycemic control in HD patients with diabetes and that the assessment of glycemic control by HbA1c in these patients might lead to likely underestimation as a result of the increasing proportion of young erythrocyte by the use of erythropoietin.

Outcome of individualized dialysate sodium concentration for hemodialysis patients

To evaluate the individualization of dialysate sodium (Na + ) concentration in hemodialysis (HD), we studied 40 stable chronic HD patients in a single-blind crossover design. They underwent 36 consecutive HD sessions with the dialysate Na + concentration set at 138 mmol/L, followed by 36 sessions of dialysate Na + set to match the patients average pre-HD plasma Na + levels. We multiplied the midweek pre-HD measured Na + by the Donnan coefficient of 0.95 (individualized Na + ). Pre-HD Na + dialysis sodium levels were nearly constant, with no variation between the two phases and a mean of 137.45 ± 2.04 mmol/L. Post-HD serum Na + was significantly higher during the standard phase (139.7 ± 2 mmol/L) than during the individualized phase (137.1 ± 1.6 mmol/L). Also, interdialytic weight gain (IDWG) was significantly more reduced during the individualized phase (3.25 ± 0.56%) than during the standard phase (3.94 ± 0.92%), P <0.001. Episodes of distressing symptoms including headache, muscle cramps and hypotension were significantly less frequent in the individualized phase. The mean of the pre-HD and post-HD systolic and diastolic blood pressures significantly decreased during the individualized phase, and we could reduce the doses of antihypertensive drugs in 10 (33.33%) patients. Individualized dialysate Na + concentration was associated with a decrease in IDWG and dialysis hypotension and related symptoms and better BP control in stable chronic HD patients.

Frequency and risk factors of contrast-induced nephropathy after cardiac catheterization in type II diabetic patients: a study among Egyptian patients.

Abstract Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is the third leading cause of acute kidney injury (AKI) in hospitalized patients. Diabetes mellitus remains a consistent independent predictor of contrast nephropathy. Aim: To determine frequency and predictors of contrast-induced nephropathy after cardiac catheterization in type II diabetic patients. Patients and methods: The study included 200 type II diabetic patients who underwent cardiac catheterization; serial measurement of serum creatinine and creatinine clearance (Before contrast exposure and 48 h), creatinine clearance was calculated using Cockcroft–Gault formula. Contrast-induced nephropathy was defined as rise in serum creatinine 48 h after contrast exposure of ≥0.5 mg/dL or increased >25% compared to base line creatinine. Results: incidence of CIN in type II diabetic patients was 21.5%; incidence of CIN in diabetic patients with microalbuminuria was 17%, while incidence of CIN in patients with macroalbuminuria levels was 26%. There was a statistically significant difference between the patients who suffered from CIN post-procedure and patients who did not suffer from CIN regarding the ejection fraction and age with low ejection fraction and older patients in CIN group. Multiple logistic regression analysis for CIN predictors showed that pre-contrast serum creatinine to be the strongest predictor for being at risk of contrast-related, followed by age, and lastly albumin/creatinine ratio. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that diabetic patients, despite having a normal baseline creatinine are at an increased risk of developing CIN post-coronary angiography, patients at risk of CIN are older patients with high pre-contrast serum creatinine and high urine albumin/creatinine ratio.

The value of serum FGF-23 as a cardiovascular marker in HD patients.

Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) is a recently discovered regulator of phosphate and mineral metabolism and has been associated with both progression of CKD and mortality in dialysis patients. To evaluate the association between serum FGF-23 levels and echocardiographic measurements in long-term HD (HD) patients without cardiac symptoms, we studied 90 consecutive patients treated in a single HD center (51 males, 39 females; mean age 41.5 ± 14.2 years, mean HD duration 71.2 ± 14.2 months). Comprehensive echocardiography was performed after HD and blood samples were obtained before HD. The serum FGF-23 level in dialysis patients was 95.7 ± 88.4 pg/mL. In univariate analysis, serum calcium levels (r = 0.33, P <0.05), serum creatinine (r = 0.34, P <0.05), serum albumin (r = 0.35, P <0.05) and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) (r = 0.33, P <0.001) were correlated weakly with the FGF-23 levels. Neither s. phosphorus nor calcium x phosphorus product correlated with FGF-23. In univariate regression analysis, only LVMI [β = 0.42, P <0.05, confidence interval (CI) 0.3-4.3], serum calcium (β= 0.87, P <0.001, CI 0.8-7.3), serum albumin (β= 0.87, P < 0.001, CI 0.8-7.3) and serum creatinine (β= 0.67, P <0.05, CI 0.5-6.5) significantly correlated with FGF-23. FGF-23 was identified as a factor that is weakly associated with LVMI. Thus, FGF-23 alone may not be a parameter that can be used for evaluation of the cardiac status in HD patients.

Hepcidin and regulation of iron homeostasis in maintenance hemodialysis patients

Hepcidin may play a critical role in the response of patients with anemia to iron and erythropoiesis-stimulating agent therapy. To evaluate the factors affecting serum hepcidin levels and their relation to other indexes of anemia, iron metabolism and inflammation, as well as the dose of erythropoietin, we studied 80 maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients treated with recombinant human erythropoietin and their serum hepcidin levels were specifically measured by using a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In linear regression analysis, ferritin was found to be a significant predictor of hepcidin levels in all the study patients. In the absence of apparent inflammation, serum hepcidin levels correlated exclusively with ferritin levels in MHD patients, and it was also an independent marker of inflammation as highly sensitive C-reactive protein.

Screening for depression and associated risk factors among Egyptian end-stage renal disease patients on haemodialysis

BackgroundDepression is prevalent among end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on haemodialysis. ObjectivesTo study the rates of depressive disorders among Egyptian haemodialysis patients with ESRD and to point some putative risk factors associated with depression in this population. MethodWe assessed a cross-sectional sample of 300 Egyptian ESRD patients on regular haemodialysis using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Mood Module of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM IV Axis-I disorders (SCID-I), the activity of daily living (ADL), and assessed the level satisfaction with social support. Results45.3% screened positive for depressive symptomatology using the BDI; however, only, 8.3% fulfilled the DSM-IV criteria for major depression, 7.3% had dysthymia and 13.3% had mood disorder due to general medical condition. Despite these high rates of depression, merely 9.5% were diagnosed and received antidepressant treatment. Medical comorbidity, longer duration on haemodialysis, ability to work in the preceding six months and the perception of unsatisfactory social support correlated significantly with depression. ConclusionDepression is common among Egyptian ESRD patients. It is therefore, important to increase patients and clinicians’ awareness, improve the recognition by routine screening, and to develop strategies for early intervention and treatment of clinical depression in this vulnerable group.

Assessment of cognitive dysfunction in kidney disease.

Cognitive dysfunction includes reduced mental alertness, intellectual impairment, decreased attention and concentration, memory deficits and diminished perceptual-motor coordination. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients may suffer from cognitive impairment, which may decrease an individuals quality of life, increase resource utilization and result in suboptimal medical care. This study was carried out on 120 patients with different stages of CKD from our nephrology outpatient clinic divided into three groups: Group I: 50 CKD patients, stage 3 and stage 4; Group II: 50 end-stage renal disease patients on regular hemodialysis with K t/v >1.1; and Group III: 20 acute kidney injury patients, followed-up till their renal functions stabilized besides Group IV: 20 healthy subjects served as controls. All patients underwent laboratory investigations and psychometric tests, which include trial making test part B, digit span test, digit symbol test and mini-mental state examination. There was a significant difference of mean values of cognitive function tests in Groups I, II and III on comparing them with Group IV. Stage 3 CKD scored better than stage 4 CKD, which was worse than hemodialysis patients, and lastly acute kidney injury patients had mild cognitive impairment, which was restored after recovery. We found an association between hemoglobin and cognitive function tests score in the studied groups. The degree of cognitive impairment was associated with the severity of CKD, and dialysis improved cognitive performance.

Effect of Activated Vitamin D on Glucoparameters in HCV Seropositive and Seronegative Patients on Chronic Hemodialysis

Introduction: Many studies support the role of vitamin D in the pathogenesis of both types of diabetes. Pancreatic tissues express the vitamin D receptor (VDR) and vitamin D-binding protein; some allelic variations in genes involved in vitamin D metabolism and VDR are associated with glucose intolerance, defective insulin secretion, and sensitivity. Epidemiological links have been established between type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Aim: To explore the possible therapeutic potential of pharmacologic doses of 1-α-hydroxy vitamin D therapy in improving pancreatic β-cell function in HCV seropositive hemodialysis (HD) patients. Patients and methods: Twenty HCV seropositive HD patients and 20 HCV seronegative patients as control group were randomly selected from HD units. 1-α-Hydroxy vitamin D therapy was administrated in the dose ranged from 0.25 to 0.5 μg/day for 3 months. Corrected total serum calcium, phosphorus, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH) vitamin D], 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D, and glucoparameters [fasting blood glucose, glycohemoglobin test (HbA1c%), homeostatic model assessment (HOMA)-insulin resistance, and HOMA-β-cell function% (B%)] were measured under basal conditions and after 3 months of therapy. Results: There was highly significant improvement in the concentrations of fetal bovine serum (FBS), serum insulin, HbA1c%, 25(OH) vitamin D, and HOMA-β-cell function in HCV seropositive and HCV seronegative groups after oral 1-alphacalcidiol therapy (p < 0.001). Positive correlation exists between the percentage increase in serum insulin and that in HOMA-β-cell function versus 25(OH) vitamin D (p < 0.021 and p < 0.027, respectively) in HCV negative group. Conclusion: 1-α-Hydroxy vitamin D oral therapy may improve glycemic control in HCV seropositive and HCV seronegative HD patients.

Microalbuminuria and pegylated interferon in hepatitis-C patients

To determine the relation between hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 4 and microalbuminuria in relation to hepatic histology and viremia in the absence of cryoglobulinemia and to examine the effect of treatment on microalbuminuria, we studied 400 HCV genotype-4-infected patients who were tested for microalbuminuria, albumin creatinine ratio (ACR), urea, creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). The parameters were measured again in the HCV patients after six months of treatment with pegylated interferon and ribavirin. Microalbuminuria was detected in 56 (14%) HCV-positive patients. There was a highly significant reduction in the microalbuminuria levels among the HCV-positive individuals after six months of therapy (P <0.001). Microalbuminuria was significantly associated with older age [Odds Ratio (OR): 1.1, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.0-1.2, P = 0.01], elevated creatinine (OR: 0.09, 95% CI: 0.01- 0.7, P = 0.02), high modified Histological Activity Index score (OR: 1.5, 95% CI: 1.1-1.5, P = 0.004) and increased viral load (OR: 2.8, 95% CI: 1.1-6.6, P = 0.01). Sustained virological response (SRV) was achieved in 272 (86%) patients. The individuals with SVR had lower microalbuminuria post-treatment (P = 0.56). We conclude that HCV infection can be associated with microalbuminuria, which can be reduced by the use of a combination therapy of pegylated interferon-ribavirin.

Association of conjunctival and corneal calcification with vascular calcification among hepatitis-C-seropositive hemodialysis patients

Disorders associated with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) have been reported including cardiovascular, metabolic, and central nervous system diseases. Since chronic HCV infections may be curable, their identification as causal contributors to cardiovascular risk could offer new perspectives in the prevention of cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between HCV and aortic arch calcification (AAC) and corneal and conjunctival calcification (CCC) in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients; further, we assessed the correlation of CCC with vascular calcification. A total of 100 patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) in our hospital were included in this study. Patients underwent a complete ocular examination including intraocular pressure, and CCC was looked for by slit lamp and fundoscopy. CCC was graded according to modified Porter and Crombie classification system described by Tokuyama et al. Helical computerized tomographic chest examination was used to evaluate the grading of AAC. Demographic, hematological, biochemical, and dialysis-related data were obtained. There was significant difference between seropositive (n = 51) and seronegative patients (n = 49) regarding grading of AAC and CCC (P <0.001). Significant positive correlation was found between grading of CCC, AAC, age (P <0.001), duration on HD (P <0.001), HCV-antibody positivity (P <0.001), serum calcium level (P <0.001), serum phosphorus level (P <0.001), calcium × phosphorus product (P <0.001), and i-parathormone level (P < 0.001). In addition, CCC grading positively correlated with AAC. Our results suggest that patients undergoing HD infected with the HCV have high degree of CCC, AAC, and mineral metabolism disorder. The strong correlation between CCC and AAC indicates that CCC evaluation is an easy, fast, non-invasive method, and might be used as an indirect indicator to detect vascular calcification in patients undergoing MHD.