Background Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and immunosuppression, such as in renal transplantation (RT), stand as one of the established potential risk factors for severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Case morbidity and mortality rates for any type of infection have always been much higher in CKD, haemodialysis (HD) and RT patients than in the general population. A large study comparing COVID-19 outcome in moderate to advanced CKD (Stages 3–5), HD and RT patients with a control group of patients is still lacking. Methods We conducted a multicentre, retrospective, observational study, involving hospitalized adult patients with COVID-19 from 47 centres in Turkey. Patients with CKD Stages 3–5, chronic HD and RT were compared with patients who had COVID-19 but no kidney disease. Demographics, comorbidities, medications, laboratory tests, COVID-19 treatments and outcome [in-hospital mortality and combined in-hospital outcome mortality or admission to the intensive care unit (ICU)] were compared. Results A total of 1210 patients were included [median age, 61 (quartile 1–quartile 3 48–71) years, female 551 (45.5%)] composed of four groups: control (n = 450), HD (n = 390), RT (n = 81) and CKD (n = 289). The ICU admission rate was 266/1210 (22.0%). A total of 172/1210 (14.2%) patients died. The ICU admission and in-hospital mortality rates in the CKD group [114/289 (39.4%); 95% confidence interval (CI) 33.9–45.2; and 82/289 (28.4%); 95% CI 23.9–34.5)] were significantly higher than the other groups: HD = 99/390 (25.4%; 95% CI 21.3–29.9; P < 0.001) and 63/390 (16.2%; 95% CI 13.0–20.4; P < 0.001); RT = 17/81 (21.0%; 95% CI 13.2–30.8; P = 0.002) and 9/81 (11.1%; 95% CI 5.7–19.5; P = 0.001); and control = 36/450 (8.0%; 95% CI 5.8–10.8; P < 0.001) and 18/450 (4%; 95% CI 2.5–6.2; P < 0.001). Adjusted mortality and adjusted combined outcomes in CKD group and HD groups were significantly higher than the control group [hazard ratio (HR) (95% CI) CKD: 2.88 (1.52–5.44); P = 0.001; 2.44 (1.35–4.40); P = 0.003; HD: 2.32 (1.21–4.46); P = 0.011; 2.25 (1.23–4.12); P = 0.008), respectively], but these were not significantly different in the RT from in the control group [HR (95% CI) 1.89 (0.76–4.72); P = 0.169; 1.87 (0.81–4.28); P = 0.138, respectively]. Conclusions Hospitalized COVID-19 patients with CKDs, including Stages 3–5 CKD, HD and RT, have significantly higher mortality than patients without kidney disease. Stages 3–5 CKD patients have an in-hospital mortality rate as much as HD patients, which may be in part because of similar age and comorbidity burden. We were unable to assess if RT patients were or were not at increased risk for in-hospital mortality because of the relatively small sample size of the RT patients in this study.

Objective:Cinacalcet is a calcimimetic drug that acts via calcium-sensing receptors (CaSRs) and increases the sensitivity of CaSRs on the parathyroid gland; thus, it lowers calcium and phosphorus levels as well as parathormone levels. Prolongation of the QT interval is recognized as a risk factor for the development of ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death. Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are sensitive for QT prolongation and torsade de pointes more than the normal population. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of cinacalcet on the electrocardiogram (ECG), particularly changes in the QT interval, in patients with ESRD.Methods:Thirty-seven patients (21 males and 16 females) undergoing maintenance hemodialysis for at least 12 months were included in this retrospective study. Patients receiving cardioactive and antiarrhythmic drugs and those having a history of any cardiac or cerebrovascular events, active malignancy, and infections were excluded. Baseline ECG measurements of patients were performed over the newest ECG measurements that were obtained within 1 month before initiating the cinacalcet treatment, and the ECG measurements of patients after the cinacalcet treatment were performed according to the most recent ECG that was taken within the last 1 week in the clinic. We recorded the heart rate and QT values of patients before and after treatment and then calculated the corrected QT values (QTc). The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) ver. 21.0 was used for statistical analysis.Results:The mean age of patients was 52.24±14.49 years. Prolongation of QTc was statistically significant compared with the baseline QTc value (baseline: 396.62±42.04 msec; after treatment: 404.97±43.47 msec; p=0.031). We found a positive correlation between the prolongation of QTc and treatment dose of cinacalcet (p<0.005, r=0.560).Conclusion:Clinicians should be very careful for life-threatening cardiac side effects while increasing the dose of cinacalcet treatment in hemodialysis patients who have a borderline or prolonged QTc interval.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

ObjectivesMetabolic acidosis is a common disorder seen in course of chronic kidney disease (CKD). In this study, we aimed to investigate the association of Base excess (BE), Anion gap (AG) and Delta Ratio with progression of CKD, renal replacement therapy (RRT) requirement and mortality in patients with stage 3–5 CKD.MethodsA total of 212 patients with stage 3–5 CKD were included in this study. Patients were divided into two groups according to the baseline BE level. Patients were also grouped according to the delta ratio such as non- AG, High AG and mixed type.ResultsMean BE level was significantly lower (−4.7 ± 4.0 vs. −3.3 ± 4.3; p=0.02) in patients with CKD progression. The patients in group 1 (n: 130) (Be<−2.5) revealed more CKD progression (%53 vs. %32; p=0.002), and RRT requirement (%35 vs. %15; p=0.001). Baseline BE <−2.5 (odds ratio, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.16 to 0.91; p<0.05) and baseline GFR (odds ratio, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.90 to 0.97; p<0.001) were independently related to RRT requirement. Delta BE was independently associated with mortality (odds ratio, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.85–0.96; p<0.01).ConclusionsLow BE levels were associated with CKD progression and RRT requirement. BE change is associated with mortality during the follow-up of those patients.

Vaspin is an insulin-sensitive adipokine secreted from visceral fat tissue, and belongs to the serine protease inhibitor family. The relationship between vaspin level and coronary artery disease is not known yet. We aimed to investigate the relationship between serum vaspin levels and degree of vessel involvement in coronary angiography in patients with stable angina pectoris. Methods: The patients were chosen from those who had coronary angiography with the diagnosis of stable angina pectoris. Patients with previously diagnosed chronic heart disease, chronic liver disease, renal failure, thyroid dysfunction and any systemic infectious or malignant disease, patients receiving immunosupressive treatment and those who did not give informed consent were excluded from the study. Serum vaspin measurements were performed using an East Biopharm enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) kit using the sandwich ELISA method. For determination of the severity of coronary lesions, the modified Gensini score was used. Results: Eighty-eight patients [34 female (38.6%) and 54 male (91.4%)] were included in the study. Vaspin levels were similar in male (1.17±1.54 ng/L) and female (1.09±1.23 ng/L) patients (p=0.46). There was no correlation between vaspin levels and the number of vessels involved (p=0.75). Vaspin levels were similar in diabetic and nondiabetic patients. Conclusion: Vaspin may not be a sensitive marker of the degree of vascular lesions in patients with stable angina pectoris. The underlying cause is probably lack of significant changes in inflammatory cascade and oxidative stress in the involved group of patients.