High prevalence of CKD is present in severe OSA patients without hypertension or diabetes. Significantly positive correlations were found between severity of OSA and renal function impairment.

Background: Recent investigation has shown that on-line hemodiafiltration (HDF) can reduce the amount of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) deemed necessary to reach the target hematocrit. The aim of this study was to analyze the potential effect of on-line HDF on rhEPO resistance in relation to iron utilization and anemia-related parameters, when compared to conventional hemodialysis (HD). Methods: Ninety-two chronic uremic patients were treated with conventional HD and then shifted to on-line HDF. Measurements of various erythropoiesis-related parameters were collected during HD and on-line HDF periods for statistical analysis for erythropoietin resistance. Results: Patients treated with on-line HDF switching from conventional HD significantly contributed to the reduction of EPO dose to reach a higher mean hematocrit level (31.8 ± 4.4% vs. 29.5 ± 3.9%, p < 0.001) and a reduction of the serum ferritin level (322.5 ± 268.4 vs. 544.9 ± 642.4, p < 0.001). The median EPO/Hct ratio was greater in the HD period (504.6 ± 310.1) than in the on-line HDF period (307.6 ± 334.4) (p < 0.001). These results indicated a reduced EPO resistance and improved iron utilization by on-line HDF. By multiple regression analysis, the significant predictors of EPO resistance are ferritin, transferrin, albumin, and TACurea (Time average concentration of urea) in HD treatment. In on-line HDF modality, in addition to ferritin and albumin, the duration of on-line HDF is a negative predictor in EPO resistance. Conclusion: When on-line HDF is recommended to chronic dialysis patients, long-term use of this technique provides an efficient means of achieving the goal of an elevated hemoglobulin by reducing EPO resistance, improved iron utilization and may further improve the quality of life.

On-line HDF offers a better cardiovascular stability and clinical improvement. Thrice weekly on-line HDF offers a significant benefit when compared with lower frequencies of HDF per week and high-flux HD.

BackgroundStroke complications can occur not only in the acute ward but also during the subsequent rehabilitation period. However, existing studies have not adequately addressed the incidence of various complications among stroke in patients undergoing rehabilitation using a longitudinal method. We aimed to investigate the longitudinal impact of age on complication rates in patients undergoing inpatient stroke rehabilitation at different disease stages.MethodsFive hundred and sixty-eight first-time stroke patients transferred to the rehabilitation ward between July 2002 and June 2012 were included in the study. Patients were stratified into age groups for comparison: <65 years (young), 65 years to <75 years (younger old), and ≥75 years (older old). In total, 30 different complication types were recorded for analysis.ResultsConstipation, shoulder pain, symptomatic urinary tract infection (UTI), and fever were common complications during initial stay in the rehabilitation ward, and incidence was >10% in all three age groups. The frequency of incidence of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) was higher in the younger old (17.9%) and older old (20.6%) groups than in the young group (4.1%) during initial stay in the rehabilitation ward (p < 0.001). The incidence of UGIB was higher in the younger old (8.04%) and older old (8.33%) groups than in the young group (0.19%) during subsequent stay in the rehabilitation ward (p = 0.011). The incidence of symptomatic UTI was higher in the younger old (21.0%) and older old (20.0%) groups than in the young group (11.5%) during initial stay in the rehabilitation ward (p = 0.019). The incidence of symptomatic UTI was higher in the older old group (29.17%) than in the younger old (9.21%) and young (3.14%) groups during subsequent stay in the rehabilitation ward (p < 0.001).ConclusionsAge does not affect every complication type. UGIB and symptomatic UTI occurred more frequently in stroke patients aged ≥65 years during their stay in the rehabilitation ward.