Cardiovascular complications in diabetic patients undergoing regular hemodialysis: a 5-year observational study

Diabetes Prevalence, Treatment, Control, and Outcomes Among Hemodialysis Patients in the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries

INTRODUCTION

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a leading cause of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). We provide the first description of DM prevalence, related outcomes, and the hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)/mortality relationship in national hemodialysis (HD) patient samples across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

METHODS

We analyzed data from the prospective Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS) in the GCC (2012-2018, N = 2274 HD patients ≥18 years old). Descriptive statistics were calculated, and all-cause mortality was analyzed for patients with DM versus without DM and by HbA1c levels in patients with DM by Cox regression with progressive confounder adjustments.

RESULTS

DM in the GCC ranged from 45% to 74% in patients with HD by country. Patients with DM were 13 years older (59.9 vs. 46.7 years) and had greater body mass index (BMI), shorter median years on dialysis (1.5 vs. 3.0 years), and higher comorbidity burden. In patients with DM, insulin use was 26% to 50% across countries, with variable oral antidiabetic drug use (2%-32%); median HbA1c levels were 6.1% to 7.5% across countries. Patients with DM (vs. without DM) had higher crude death rates (15.6 vs. 6.2 deaths per 100 patient-years, mean follow-up 1.3 years) and adjusted mortality (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.72 [95% CI 1.23-2.39]). In patients with DM, mortality was lowest at HbA1c 6.5% to 7.5%, with mortality particularly elevated at high HbA1c >9% (HR = 2.13 [95% CI 1.10-4.10]).

CONCLUSION

Patients with DM in the GCC have high comorbidity burden and mortality rates despite a relatively young mean age. In GCC countries, a holistic strategy for improving diabetes care and outcomes for HD patients is needed at the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels.

Impact of Hemodialysis Duration on Coronary Artery Calcification Among Hemodialysis Patients Who Underwent Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Our study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and impact of coronary artery calcification (CAC) on hemodialysis (HD) patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We enrolled 211 HD patients who underwent PCI (men: n = 155, age: 71 ± 1 0 years). Severe CAC was defined as calcification with an arc of 360° on intravascular ultrasound. Multivariate analysis was performed to determine the predictors of severe CAC. The impact of severe CAC on target lesion revascularization (TLR) was evaluated. Patients with severe CAC (46%) had a higher incidence of diabetes mellitus (DM) (79 vs 59%, P = .003) and longer HD duration (7.7 vs 3.4 years, P < .001) than those with non-severe CAC. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that DM, HD duration, and angiographic calcification were significant predictors for severe CAC (odds ratio 4.42, 1.13, and 6.62; P < .001, P < .001, and P < .001, respectively). After the median follow-up period of 580 days (interquartile range, 302-730 days), Kaplan-Meier curve analysis revealed that severe CAC was associated with an increased risk for TLR (χ² 12.7; P = .002). In HD patients with CAD after PCI, DM and HD duration were significant predictors for severe CAC. Furthermore, severe CAC was associated with an increased risk for TLR.

Quality and quantity culture effectively restores functional and proliferative capacities of endothelial progenitor cell in end-stage renal disease patients

BACKGROUND

Endothelial cell dysfunction plays the crucial role in initiation and propagation of obstructive arteriosclerosis which ultimately causes arterial obstructive syndrome. Additionally, severe endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) dysfunction is always found in those of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. This study tested the hypothesis that a novel method, named "quality and quantity (QQ) culture", could successfully improve the EPC proliferation and function in ESRD patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) were isolated from age-matched control subjects (i.e., normal renal function) (group 1) and ESRD patients (group 2), followed by culture in either conventional EPC culture for one month or in QQ culture for 7 days, respectively. The result showed that as compared to the conventional EPC culture method, the EPC population and M2-like population/ratio (M2/M1) were significantly enriched in QQ culture both in groups 1 and 2 (all p < 0.001), but these parameters did not differ between the groups. As compared with conventional EPC culture, the angiogenesis capacity and colony formation were significantly increased in QQ culture (all p < 0.001), but they showed no difference between groups 1 and 2. In RAW264.7 macrophages treated by liposaccharide, the gene expressions and ELISA findings of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β/IL-6/TGF-β) and inflammatory mediator (iNOS) were significantly reduced in QQ culture than in conventional EPC culture in groups 1 and 2 (all p < 0.001), but they showed no difference between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated that QQ culture enhanced number, proliferation, and angiogenesis of EPCs and anti-inflammatory capacity in ESRD patients.

[Atherosclerosis of peripheral arteries in patients with coronary artery disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus]

AIM

To study the features of atherosclerosis of peripheral arteries in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) depending on the presence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and to identify factors associated with multifocal atherosclerosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study included 140 patients (77 men and 63 women) with CAD (mean age 62.0 (56.0-66.0) years). The first group included 70 people with CAD and T2DM, and the second group included 70 patients with CAD without T2DM. All patients underwent duplex scanning of the carotid and lower limb arteries (LLA). Local vascular stiffness of the common carotid artery (CCA) was assessed by ultrasound scanning. The Peterson elasticity modulus, distensibility and strain of the CCA were determined. The ankle - brachial index (ABI) was measured by the Doppler method.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

In the group of patients with T2D, there were statistically more patients with atherosclerotic plaques in both carotid arteries and LLA. Also among patients with T2DM the severity of stenosis of carotid arteries and LLA at all levels was significantly greater. Local carotid stiffness was higher in the first group of patients. The proportion of individuals with reduced ABI.

Characteristics, Management, and Outcomes of Surgically Treated Arteriovenous Fistula Aneurysm in Patients on Regular Hemodialysis

BACKGROUND

To investigate the clinical characteristics, surgical interventions, and outcomes of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) aneurysms, we retrospectively analyzed patients on regular hemodialysis (HD).

METHODS

We conducted a cohort study of all patients with HD access who presented with AVF aneurysms and underwent operative procedures over a 11-year period. Patients' demographics, comorbidities, vascular access characteristics, management of aneurysms, complications, and outcomes were analyzed.

RESULTS

Of the 700 end-stage renal failure patients, 530 patients were maintained on HD (130 through PermCath and 400 through AV access in terms of AVF and arteriovenous graft). We identified 129 patients who developed AV aneurysms, and 40 of them required surgical interventions (24 men and 16 women) with a mean age of 58 ± 14.6 years. The 40 patients who developed AVF aneurysms underwent 43 surgical interventions. The majority of aneurysms were presented with thinning and ulceration (82.5%) of the overlying skin. Thirty-four patients had true aneurysms and 6 had pseudoaneurysms. The aneurysmal AVF comprised 26 brachiocephalic fistulas, 9 radiocephalic fistulas, 3 brachial artery grafts, 1 ulnar-basilic fistula, and 1 Fem-Fem graft at presentation. Patients were treated mainly with ligation (13; 32.5%), excision and repair with graft interposition (15; 37.5%) or vein interposition (11; 27.5%), and end-to-end AVF (1; 2.5%). The median follow-up postsurgery duration was 53 months (range 1-192) and the median duration from fistula creation to the surgical intervention was 52 months (range 4-182). On follow-up, 34 patients continued on HD, while 5 underwent renal transplantation and 1 shifted to peritoneal dialysis. The overall all-cause mortality rate was 37.5% and the leading causes of mortality were sepsis/pneumonia (60%), myocardial infarction, and heart failure (40%).

CONCLUSIONS

In HD patients, the rate of AVF aneurysmal formation is high with a significant rate of morbidity and mortality. Therefore, timely and appropriate evaluation and surgical intervention are crucial.

Association of peripheral arterial disease with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in hemodialysis patients: a meta-analysis

Background

Recent studies have shown an association between peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and increased risk of mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients; however, the estimates vary widely and are inconsistent. It is necessary to elucidate the degree of mortality risk for PAD patients in HD population.

Methods

PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and Cochrane Library (from inception to September 4th, 2016) were systematically searched for cohort studies assessing the association between PAD and mortality in HD patients. We calculated the pooled risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) of all-cause and cardiovascular (CV) mortality using random effects models. Subgroup analyses were conducted to explore the source of heterogeneity.

Results

The search identified 2,973 potentially eligible records and 10 studies (n = 32,864) were included. Our meta-analysis revealed that PAD significantly increased the risk of all-cause mortality (RR 2.15, 95 % CI 1.67–2.77, n = 32,864) and CV mortality (RR 2.99, 95 % CI 1.66-5.38, n = 31,794) in HD patients after multivariate adjustment. Subgroup analyses showed the study design and follow-up time might be two sources of heterogeneity.

Conclusion

PAD may be a prognostic marker of all-cause and CV mortality in HD patients. More attention should be paid to diagnosis and management of PAD in HD patients.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12882-016-0397-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

T-cell cytokine gene polymorphisms and vitamin D pathway gene polymorphisms in end-stage renal disease due to type 2 diabetes mellitus nephropathy: comparisons with health status and other main causes of end-stage renal disease

BACKGROUND

T-cell cytokine gene polymorphisms and vitamin D pathway gene polymorphisms were evaluated as possibly associated with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) resulting from type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) nephropathy.

METHODS

Studies were conducted among hemodialysis (HD) patients with ESRD due to type 2 DM nephropathy, chronic glomerulonephritis, chronic infective tubulointerstitial nephritis, and hypertensive nephropathy as well as in healthy subjects. A frequency distribution of T-cell-related interleukin (IL) genes (IL18 rs360719, IL12A rs568408, IL12B rs3212227, IL4R rs1805015, IL13 rs20541, IL28B rs8099917, IL28B, and rs12979860) and vitamin D pathway genes (GC genes: rs2298849, rs7041, and rs1155563; VDR genes: rs2228570, rs1544410; and RXRA genes: rs10776909, rs10881578, and rs749759) was compared between groups.

RESULTS

No significant differences in a frequency distribution of tested polymorphisms were shown between type 2 DM nephropathy patients and controls. A difference was found in IL18 rs360719 polymorphic distribution between the former group and chronic infective tubulointerstitial nephritic patients (P trend = 0.033), which also differed in this polymorphism from controls (P trend = 0.005).

CONCLUSION

T-cell cytokine and vitamin D pathway gene polymorphisms are not associated with ESRD due to type 2 DM nephropathy in Polish HD patients. IL18 rs360719 is probably associated with the pathogenesis of chronic infective tubulointerstitial nephritis.