Search

Background The neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and monocyte–lymphocyte ratio (MLR) in the peripheral blood are used as indicators of systemic inflammation and predictors of cardiovascular (CV) diseases. Aims To study the relation between both NLR and MLR and the prediction of cardiovascular events (CVE) in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on regular hemodialysis. Patients and methods In all, 70 ESRD patients on regular hemodialysis were followed up for 12 months. NLR, MLR, and their individual components were determined at baseline and in the follow-up months. The changes in NLR and MLR after 12 months were compared. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein and echocardiography studies were done at baseline and after 12 months. Major CVE were recorded. Results Total leukocyte, absolute neutrophil, and monocyte counts were significantly increased over time. The presence of valvular calcification was associated with an increase in both NLR and MLR (P=0.004 and 0.001, respectively) after 12 months. The mean monocyte counts were significantly higher in patients with CV complications. The baseline monocyte count was the best to predict CV complications with a cutoff point more than 0.54 × 103/µl (sensitivity 100%, specificity 73.85%) in the receiver-operating characteristic curve. Conclusion In ESRD patients, leukocyte counts are in a dynamic change. There was no significant change in NLR or MLR over time and their changes could not predict the occurrence of CVE. The monocyte count is an excellent predictor of CV diseases. The presence of valvular calcification is associated with increases in both NLR and MLR over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is strongly associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD). It is an independent risk factor for developing CKD and significantly increases morbidity and mortality in CKD patients. Treatment with newer direct-acting antiviral (DAA) regimens in patients with CKD is showing conflicting results as regards safety and efficacy. Objectives: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of DAAs and their impact on kidney function in CKD patients. Patients and Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study on 100 CKD patients stages 3-4, receiving treatment for HCV at MASRI (Faculty of Medicine Ain Shams University Research Institute), with two different DAAs regimens (sofosbuvir/daclatasvir with or without ribavirin and ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir [OMV/PTV/RTV] with ribavirin), completed over six months follow up. Serum creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and proteinuria were followed during and after treatment. Results: Sustained virological response (SVR) was achieved in all patients. Improvement of eGFR (8-15 mL/min/1.73 m2) and proteinuria was found in both study groups. Acute kidney injury (AKI) was uncommon; it occurred in three (3%) patients, out of them, two patients showed complete recovery. Adverse events were common (43%), but serious adverse events were uncommon (2%). Conclusion: DAA regimens were effective and well-tolerated for HCV infected patients with stage 3-4 CKD, where viral clearance caused improvement in eGFR and proteinuria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Assessment of access recirculation (AR) is crucial to dialysis efficiency and there is thus a need for a method yielding a highly accurate, fast, easy and economical measurement that can be applied in any dialysis clinic. Non-urea based dilutional methods are more accurate than urea based methods and avoid problems with cardiopulmonary recirculation, but they require expensive specialized devices, which limit their applicability. Patients and Methods: We used simple dilutional method of AR based on the determination of serum potassium [K+] in two samples. A prospective study was performed in a Dialysis Unit at El Sahel Teaching hospital, Cairo, on End stage kidney disease patients on regular Hemodialysis through a functioning Arterio-venous fistula. Results: Access recirculation was found in 42% of studied patients. There were Highly Significant positive correlation between access recirculation, pre / post dialysis blood urea, basal k, and parathyroid hormone level. In addition, there were highly significant negative correlation between AR, Urea reduction ratio and KT/V. Conclusion and Recommendations: Potassium dilution method is one of the most simple, specific, and economical way to measure access recirculation and can easily be performed in any dialysis unit. We recommend more research should be done about hemodialysis adequacy, access recirculation and how to improve it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Assessment of access recirculation (AR) is crucial to dialysis efficiency and there is thus a need for a method yielding a highly accurate, fast, easy and economical measurement that can be applied in any dialysis clinic. Non-urea based dilutional methods are more accurate than urea based methods and avoid problems with cardiopulmonary recirculation, but they require expensive specialized devices, which limit their applicability. Patients and Methods: We used simple dilutional method of AR based on the determination of serum potassium [K+] in two samples. A prospective study was performed in a Dialysis Unit at El Sahel Teaching hospital, Cairo, on End stage kidney disease patients on regular Hemodialysis through a functioning Arterio-venous fistula. Results: Access recirculation was found in 42% of studied patients. There were Highly Significant positive correlation between access recirculation, pre / post dialysis blood urea, basal k, and parathyroid hormone level. In addition, there were highly significant negative correlation between AR, Urea reduction ratio and KT/V. Conclusion and Recommendations: Potassium dilution method is one of the most simple, specific, and economical way to measure access recirculation and can easily be performed in any dialysis unit. We recommend more research should be done about hemodialysis adequacy, access recirculation and how to improve it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]