It has been postulated that hyperparathyroidism in chronic renal failure results from hypocalcemia, occurring, in part, from phosphate retention and/or deficient 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3] synthesis. However, many studies have failed to demonstrate hyperphosphatemia or low 1,25-(OH)2D levels in patients with mild renal failure. We measured creatinine clearance (CCr), fractional excretion of phosphorus (FEP), and serum phosphorus, ionized calcium, and plasma N-terminal PTH, and 1,25-(OH)2D concentrations in 21 normal subjects and 51 patients with renal failure. Patients with mild renal failure (Ccr, greater than 40 mL/min.1.73 m2) had normal mean serum phosphorus and ionized calcium and decreased mean 1,25-(OH)2D levels compared with those in normal subjects. In patients with moderate renal failure (CCr, 20-40), the mean ionized calcium level was normal, plasma PTH levels and FEP were elevated, and the decrement in 1,25-(OH)2D was more pronounced. The mean ionized calcium level was decreased only in the group of patients with severe renal failure (CCr, less than 20). The 1,25-(OH)2D values correlated positively with CCr and negatively with the log of plasma PTH and serum phosphorus concentrations. Log of plasma PTH correlated negatively with CCr and positively with FEP. The ionized calcium concentration correlated very weakly with CCr and the log of the plasma PTH level. These data demonstrate the presence of hyperparathyroidism, normocalcemia, and 1,25-(OH)2D deficiency in renal failure and are consistent with a role for 1,25-(OH)2D in the suppression of parathyroid activity through as yet unidentified mechanisms.

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Objective To examine gram-negative exit-site infection and peritonitis rates before and after the implementation of Staphylococcus aureus prophylaxis in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. Design Prospective data collection with periodic implementation of protocols to decrease infection rates in two PD programs. Patients 663 incident patients on PD. Interventions Implementation of S. aureus prophylaxis, beginning in 1990. Main Outcome Measures Rates of S. aureus, gram-negative, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa exit-site infections and peritonitis. Results Staphylococcus aureus exit-site infection and peritonitis rates fluctuated without significant trends during the first decade (without prophylaxis), then began to decline during the 1990s subsequent to implementation of prophylaxis, reaching levels of 0.02/year at risk and zero in the year 2000. Gram-negative infections fell toward the end of the 1980s, due probably to the implementation of better connectology. However, there have been no significant changes for the past 6 years. There was little change in P. aeruginosa infections over the entire time period. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is now the most common cause of catheter infection and catheter-related peritonitis. Conclusions Prophylaxis against S. aureus is highly effective in reducing the rate of S. aureus infections but has no effect on gram-negative infections. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is now the most serious cause of catheter-related peritonitis.

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Ferritin represents a prognostic marker for βT patients and a predictive factor for progression to endocrine dysfunctions. Intensive chelation therapy allows the reversibility of hypothyroidism.

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Objective To determine whether gender, race, diabetes, peritoneal dialysis (PD) modality, and comorbid conditions influence loss of residual renal function (RRF). Design Retrospective study of incident PD patients, using database of prospectively collected demographic, laboratory, and clearance data. Setting Peritoneal Dialysis Registry of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Patients The study included 184 continuous ambulatory PD and automated PD patients who had at least two 24-hour urine collections for glomerular filtration rate (GRF) between April 1991 and March 2000. 836 urine collections were analyzed. Outcome Measures Loss of RRF was defined as the slope of the decline in GFR as measured by the average of creatinine and urea clearances in 24-hour urine collections. Stepwise forward regression was used to identify demographic and laboratory factors associated with loss of GFR. Spearman correlations were used to assess the significance of associations. Results The median rate of decline of renal function was –0.17 mL/minute/month. Gender, race, diabetes, automated PD, peritoneal equilibration test, protein equivalent of nonprotein nitrogen appearance normalized to body surface area, and serum albumin did not predict loss of RRF. Cardiac disease was the only variable affecting decline of RRF ( p = 0.045). Conclusion Modality of PD and patient demographic factors do not contribute to the rate at which RRF is lost in incident PD patients. Additional study of the factors contributing to the decline and maintenance of RRF is needed.