Assessment of the Level of Knowledge about Chronic Renal Failure in 271 Hypertensive Patients in Brazzaville

Background and Objectives: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is now a global public health problem. In low- and middle-income countries such as the Congo, access to dialysis is low and inequitable. The prevention of CKD involves raising awareness among patients at risk, such as those suffering from arterial hypertension (AH), by improving their knowledge of CKD. The objectives of our work were to determine the level of knowledge about CKD among hypertensive patients and to identify the factors associated with a low level of knowledge. Methodology: We conducted a 3-month descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study from 1 August to 30 October 2023 in 3 large public hospitals in Brazzaville (capital of the Republic of Congo). We included: hypertensive patients aged 18 and over who had freely consented to participate in our study and were able to answer the questions on the survey form. Patients with known hypertension who had been followed for less than 3 years and those with known chronic renal failure were not included. Results: The mean age was 58.4 ± 14.4 years (29 - 88 years). There were 121 men and 150 women (sex ratio = 0.8). All the patients were educated;37.2% with a higher level of education and 13.6% with primary education. 24 patients (9%) had a good level of knowledge about CKD and 153 (56%) had poor knowledge. A good level of knowledge was associated with the duration of hypertension, intellectual level and the existence of associated heart disease. Conclusion: Our study reveals a significant lack of knowledge about chronic kidney disease among hypertensive patients in Brazzaville.

Effects of health concept model-based detailed behavioral care on mood and quality of life in elderly patients with chronic heart failure

BACKGROUND With the intensification of social aging,the susceptibility of the elderly population to diseases has attracted increasing attention,especially chronic heart failure(CHF)that accounts for a large proportion of the elderly.AIM To evaluate the application value of health concept model-based detailed behavioral care in elderly patients with CHF.METHODS This study recruited 116 elderly CHF patients admitted from October 2018 to October 2020 and grouped them according to the nursing care that they received.The elderly patients who underwent health concept model-based detailed behavioral care were included in a study group(SG;n=62),and those who underwent routine detailed behavioral nursing intervention were included as a control group(CG;n=54).Patients’negative emotions(NEs),quality of life(QoL),and nutritional status were assessed using the self-rating anxiety/depression scale(SAS/SDS),the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire(MLHFQ),and the Modified Quantitative Subjective Global Assessment(MQSGA)of nutrition,respectively.Differences in rehabilitation efficiency,NEs,cardiac function(CF)indexes,nutritional status,QoL,and nursing satisfaction were comparatively analyzed.RESULTS A higher response rate was recorded in the SG vs the CG after intervention(P<0.05).After care,the left ventricular ejection fraction was higher while the left ventricular end-diastolic dimension and left ventricular end systolic diameter were lower in the SG compared with the CG(P<0.05).The post-intervention SAS and SDS scores,as well as MQSGA and MLHFQ scores,were also lower in the SG(P<0.05).The SG was also superior to the CG in the overall nursing satisfaction rate(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Health concept model-based detailed behavioral care has high application value in the nursing care of elderly CHF patients,and it can not only effectively enhance rehabilitation efficiency,but also mitigate patients’NEs and improve their CF and QoL.

Acute Renal Failure in the Elderly in the Nephrology Department of Aristide Le Dantec Hospital in Senegal: About 45 Cases

Introduction: The incidence of acute renal failure (ARF) increases with age. In Senegal, few studies have described the epidemiology of ARF in the elderly. The aim of our study is to establish the epidemiological profile of elderly patients with ARF, identify the causes of ARF in the elderly and assess treatment and prognosis. Methods: We conducted a descriptive and retrospective study over a five-year period from 2011 to 2015 involving patients aged 60 and over, treated for ARI during the study period. Data entry and analysis were done on Epi info 7.3. Results: We included a total of 45 patients. The prevalence of ARF was 3.34%. The mean age was 70.31 years (60 - 83) and the sex ratio was 3.5. Phytotherapy was found in 68.9%, hypertension was found in 68.9%, and diabetes was found in 31.1%. Prostate hypertrophy was found in 53.4% of patients. Pre-renal ARF was the most common (46.6%). Most of the cases, 66.67%, were at Stage 3 of KDIGO. The most common etiologies were respectively tumor (35.5%) and infection (20%). The most common complications were respectively hyperkalemia (33.3%) and hyponatremia (33.3%). Recovery was complete in 62.6% of cases, partial in 37.8% of patients and 13.3% of patients ended up on chronic hemodialysis. Mortality was 4.4%. Conclusion: Herbal medicine, hypertension and diabetes are frequently associated with ARF in the elderly. This justifies increased monitoring of the elderly subject with these conditions in order to subject him to early and appropriate care.

Efficacy and safety of Nafamostat mesylate in patients with endstage renal failure

BACKGROUND Recent studies on dialysis anticoagulation therapy in patients with renal failure have shown that Nafamostat mesylate,a broad-spectrum potent serine protease inhibitor,has strong anticoagulation and anti-fiber activity.AIM To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Nafamostat mesylate in patients with end-stage renal failure.METHODS Seventy-five patients with end-stage renal failure who received hemodialysis at our hospital between January 2020 and August 2021 were selected and divided into the observation group(Nafamostat mesylate for injection,n=33)and control group(heparin sodium injection,n=32).General patient data,indicators of clinical efficacy,dialyzer hemocoagulation parameters,coagulation function indices,and hemoglobin concentration and platelet count before and after treatment,and the occurrence of adverse reactions after treatment were compared between the two groups.RESULTS The two groups showed no significant differences in general patient data(P>0.05).The post-treatment effectiveness rate in the control group was lower than that in the observation group(P<0.05).The two groups showed no significant difference in the number of patients in grade I(P>0.05),while the number of patients in grade 0 was lower in the control group,and the number of patients in grades II and III was higher in the control group(P<0.05).The post-treatment prothrombin time,activated partial thromboplastin time,thrombin time,and international normalized ratio values in the control group were higher than those in the observation group,while the fibrinogen level in the control group was lower than that in the observation group(P<0.05).The two groups showed no significant difference in the platelet count and hemoglobin level before and after treatment(P>0.05).The total number of post-treatment adverse reactions in the observation group was lower than that in the control group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Treatment of patients showing end-stage renal failure with Nafamostat mesylate can significantly improve therapeutic efficacy and has high safety and clinical value.

Comparative efficacy of traditional Chinese herbal injection for chronic renal failure:A systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Objective: To conduct a systematic review and network meta-analysis(NMA) for the comparison of the efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal injection(CHI) combined with Western medicine(WM) and WM monotherapy for chronic renal failure(CRF).Methods: Eight databases were searched from inception to August 30, 2022. Randomized controlled trials(RCTs) regarding the comparison of CHI-WM combination therapy and WM monotherapy were included. Literature search, risk-of-bias assessment, and data extraction were conducted by 2 reviewers independently. NMA was performed by Stata 14.0, R 4.0.4 software, and the latest risk of bias assessment tool 2(RoB 2).Results: A total of 53 RCTs were finally included, involving 4445 participants and 16 CHIs. RoB 2 showed that 2 of these studies had a high risk of bias. Tianqi injection(TQ) + WM was the most effective in reducing serum creatinine(Scr) level. Xingding injection(XD) + WM was the most effective in reducing blood urea nitrogen(BUN) and cystatin C(Cys C) levels. Guhong injection(GH) + WM had the highest endogenous creatinine clearance rate(Ccr). Shuxuetong injection(SXT) + WM was the most effective in improving the clinical effective rate. Danhong injection(DH) + WM resulted in the lowest 24-h urinary protein quantity(24 h-UPQ), while Danshen injection(DS) + WM led to the lowest blood uric acid(UA)level. Shenfu injection(SF) + WM was the most effective in increasing hemoglobin(Hb) level.Conclusion: CHIs-WM combination therapy is more effective than WM monotherapy in treating CRF.Considering all of the indicators, SK + WM may be the optimal treatment option for improving renal function in patients with CRF.

Detection and clinical significance of immune function, inflammatory factors, Hcy, SF and β2-MG in elderly patients with chronic renalfailure

Objective: To explore the detection and clinical significance of immune function, inflammatory factors, Hcy, SF and β2-MG in elderly patients with chronic renal failure. Methods: We selected 95 elderly patients with chronic renal failure treated in our hospital from March 2016 to December 2017 as the observation group, and 100 healthy elderly patients were selected as the control group during the same period. The levels of immune parameters, inflammatory factors, Hcy, SF and β2-MG levels were compared and analyzed. Results: The levels of IgA in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group, while IgG, IgM, C3, and C4 were significantly lower than those in the control group. The levels of hs-CRP and IL-6 in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant. the levels of Hcy, SF andβ2-MG in Observation group were significantly higher than that of in the control group, the difference was statistically significant. Conclusions: Elderly patients with CRF have low immune function, high inflammation level, high expression of Hcy, SF and β2-MG. The diagnosis of these indicators is of great significance for the early diagnosis, prevention and prognosis of elderly CRF patients.

Epidemiological and Clinical Aspects of Chronic Renal Failure in the Medical Department at the Hospital of Sikasso

Introduction: Chronic renal failure is a real public health problem because of its prevalence, the cost of its management and the high morbidity and mortality rate associated with it. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency, causes and main aggravating factors of chronic renal failure in the medical department of the hospital of Sikasso. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional, retrospective, descriptive study conducted in the medical department of the Sikasso hospital from January 1, 2021 to November 30, 2022. It covered all the records of patients with chronic renal failure hospitalized in the department during this period. The MDRD formula was used to estimate the glomerular filtration rate. The KDIGO 2012 classification was used to stage CKD. Results: Of 820 patient records reviewed, we retained 197 records. The mean age of our patients was 42.25 ± 10 years. The male sex represented 114 (57.9%). The socio-economic level was considered low and precarious in 79.8% of cases. The frequency of chronic renal failure was 24%. The reason for hospitalization was mostly hyper creatinine > 185 μmol/l (92.4%). Herbal medicine was reported in 103 cases (52.3%). Medical history was hypertension 101 cases (51.3%), undocumented gastro duodenal ulcer (UGD) 14 cases (7.6%), hypertension and diabetes 11 cases (5.1%), diabetes 8 cases (4%), lower limb edema 9 cases (4.6%). Hypocalcemia was 147 cases (75.6%) with hyper phosphoremia was 153 cases (77.7%). Hemoglobin level was: <6 g/dl, 44 cases (22.3%);between 6 - 8 g/dl, 77 cases (39.1%), from 8 - 10 g/dl, 54 cases (27.4%). The etiologies of CKD were vascular nephropathy 106 cases (53.8%), interstitial nephropathy, 44 cases (22.3%), glomerular nephropathy, 33 cases (16.8%), diabetic nephropathy, 12 cases (6.1%) and polycystic kidney disease 2 (1%). CKD was classified as stage 5, 171 cases (86.8%), stage 4, 11 cases (5.6%), stage 3, 13 cases (6.6%) and stage 2, 2 cases (1%.) Dialysis was performed in 1095 (5.3%) of our patients. All these patients started dialysis with a central line. Conclusion: This study reveals the high prevalence of chronic renal failure in the department and above all the late diagnosis at very advanced stages. This imposes policies of prevention and effective management of the responsible diseases.

Effects of paricalcitol combined with hemodiafiltration on bonemetabolism-related indexes in patients with diabetic nephropathy and chronic renal failure

BACKGROUND Diabetic nephropathy(DN)is frequently seen in the development of diabetes mellitus,and its pathogenic factors are complicated.Its current treatment is controversial,and there is a lack of a relevant efficacy prediction model.AIM To determine the effects of paricalcitol combined with hemodiafiltration on bonemetabolism-related indexes in patients with DN and chronic renal failure(CRF),and to construct an efficacy prediction model.METHODS We retrospectively analyzed 422 patients with DN and CRF treated in Cangzhou Central Hospital between May 2020 and May 2022.We selected 94 patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria.Patients were assigned to a dialysis group(n=45)and a joint group(n=49)in relation to therapeutic regimen.The clinical efficacy of the two groups was compared after treatment.The changes in laboratory indexes after treatment were evaluated,and the two groups were compared for the incidence of adverse reactions.The predictive value of laboratory indexes on the clinical efficacy on patients was analyzed.RESULTS The dialysis group showed a notably worse improvement in clinical efficacy than the joint group(P=0.017).After treatment,the joint group showed notably lower serum levels of serum creatinine,uric acid(UA)and blood urea nitrogen(BUN)than the dialysis group(P<0.05).After treatment,the joint group had lower serum levels of phosphorus,procollagen type I amino-terminal propeptide(PINP)and intact parathyroid hormone than the dialysis group,but a higher calcium level(P<0.001).Both groups had a similar incidence of adverse reactions(P>0.05).According to least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression analysis,UA,BUN,phosphorus and PINP were related to treatment efficacy.According to further comparison,the non-improvement group had higher risk scores than the improvement group(P<0.0001),and the area under the curve of the risk score in efficacy prediction was 0.945.CONCLUSION For treatment of CRF and DN,combined paricalcitol and hemodiafiltration can deliver higher clinical efficacy and improve the bone metabolism of patients,with good safety.

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio compared to N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide as a prognostic marker of adverse events in elderly patients with chronic heart failure

Background The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte （N/L） ratio has been associated with poor prognosis in patients with heart failure, but it has not been compared with N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide （NT-proBNP） in elderly patients with chronic heart failure （CHF）. We sought to make this comparison. Methods A total of 1355 elderly patients with CHF were analyzed. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the variables associated with atrial fibrillation （AF）. Cox regression analysis was used to assess the multivariable rela- tionship between the N/L ratio, NT-proBNP level, and subsequent major cardiovascular events （MCE）. Results In the multiple logistic regression analysis, the N/L ratio was demonstrated as a risk factor for AF in elderly patients with CHF [odds ratio （OR）： 1.079, 95% confi- dence interval （CI）： 1.027-1.134, P = 0.003]. The median follow-up period was 18 months. In a multivariable model using tertiles of both variables, the highest tertile of the N/L ratio was significantly associated with MCE [hazard ratio （HR）： 1.407, 95% CI： 1.098-1.802, P = 0.007] compared with the lowest tertile. Similarly, the highest NT-proBNP tertile was also significantly associated with MCE （HR： 1.461, 95% CI： 1.104-1.934, P- 0.008）. Conclusions In elderly patients with CHF, the N/L ratio is one of the important risk factors for AF and it is an inexpensive and readily available marker with similar independent prognostic power to NT-proBNP. The risk of MCE increases 1.407-fold when the N/L ratio is elevated to the highest tertile.

Depression and chronic heart failure in the elderly： an intriguing relationship

Chronic heart failure and depressive disorders have a high prevalence and incidence in the elderly. Several studies have shown how depression tends to exacerbate coexisting chronic heart failure and its clinical outcomes and vice versa, especially in the elderly. The negative synergism between chronic heart failure and depression in the elderly may be approached only taking into account the multifaceted pathophysiological characteristics underlying both these conditions, such as behavioural factors, neurohormonal activation, inflammatory mediators, hypercoagulability and vascular damage. Nevertheless, the pathophysiological link between these two conditions is not well established yet. Despite the high prevalence of depression in chronic heart failure elderly patients and its negative prognostic value, it is often unrecognized especially because of shared symptoms. So the screening of mood disorders, using reliable questionnaires, is recommended in elderly patients with chronic heart failure, even if cannot substitute a diagnostic interview by mental health professionals. In this setting, treatment of depression requires a multidisciplinary approach including： psychotherapy, antidepressants, exercise training and electroconvulsive therapy. Pharmacological therapy with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, despite conflicting results, improves quality of life but does not guarantee better outcomes. Exercise training is effective in improving quality of life and prognosis but at the same time cardiac rehabilitation services are vastly underutilized.

Additive Benefits of Twice Forest Bathing Trips in Elderly Patients with Chronic Heart Failure

Chronic heart failure （CHF）, a clinical syndrome resulting from the consequences of various cardiovascular diseases （CVDs）, is increasingly becoming a global cause of morbidity and mortality. We had earlier demonstrated that a 4-day forest bathing trip can provide an adjunctive therapeutic influence on patients with CHF. To further investigate the duration of the impact and the optimal frequency of forest bathing trips in patients with CHF, we recruited those subjects who had experienced the first forest bathing trip again after 4 weeks and randomly categorized them into two groups, namely, the urban control group （city） and the forest bathing group （forest）. After a second 4-day forest bathing trip, we observed a steady decline in the brain natriuretic peptide levels, a biomarker of heart failure, and an attenuated inflammatory response as well as oxidative stress. Thus, this exploratory study demonstrated the additive benefits of twice forest bathing trips in elderly patients with CHF, which could further pave the way for analyzing the effects of such interventions in CVDs.

High flux hemodialysis in elderly patients with chronic kidney failure

BACKGROUND Hemodialysis is an advanced blood purification technique to manage kidney failure.However,for conventional hemodialysis,the high prevalence of dyslipidemia may cause cardiovascular diseases and an increase in mortality.Moreover,toxins accumulating in the body over time may induce some complications.High flux hemodialysis can effectively improve disease indexes and clinical symptoms.AIM To investigate the efficacy of high flux hemodialysis in elderly patients with chronic kidney failure(CKF).METHODS A total of 66 elderly patients with CKF who were admitted to our hospital from October 2017 to October 2018 were included in the study.According to the therapies they received,the patients were divided into a study group and a control group with 33 patients in each group.The study group received high flux hemodialysis and the control group received conventional dialysis treatment.Kidney function,toxin levels in serum,and complications were compared in the two groups.RESULTS Before the treatment,there was no significant difference in kidney function,β2-microglobulin,or blood urea nitrogen between the two groups(P>0.05).In contrast,kidney function was better in the study group than in the control group after the treatment(P<0.05).In addition,the study group had significantly lower parathyroid hormone and serum cystatin C than the control group(P<0.05).The incidence of complications was 8.57%in the study group,which was lower than that of the control group(20.00%;P<0.05).CONCLUSION High flux hemodialysis may improve kidney function and reduce toxin levels in serum and the incidence of complications in elderly patients with CKF.

Beta-blocker therapy in elderly patients with renal dysfunction and heart failure

OBJECTIVE To assess the role of beta-blockers(BB)in patients with chronic kidney disease(CKD)aged≥75 years.METHODS AND RESULTS From January 2008 to July 2014,we included 390 consecutive patients≥75 years of age with ejection fraction≤35%and glomerular filtration rate(GFR)≤60 m L/min per 1.73 m^2.We analyzed the relationship between treatment with BB and mortality or cardiovascular events.The mean age of our population was 82.6±4.1 years.Mean ejection fraction was 27.9%±6.5%.GFR was 60-45 m L/min per 1.73 m^2 in 50.3%of patients,45-30 m L/min per 1.73 m^2 in 37.4%,and<30 m L/min per 1.73 m^2 in 12.3%.At the conclusion of follow-up,67.4%of patients were receiving BB.The median follow-up was28.04(IR:19.41-36.67)months.During the study period,211 patients(54.1%)died and 257(65.9%)had a major cardiovascular event(death or hospitalization for heart failure).BB use was significantly associated with a reduced risk of death(HR=0.51,95%CI:0.35-0.74;P<0.001).Patients receiving BB consistently showed a reduced risk of death across the different stages of CKD:stage IIIa(GFR=30-45 m L/min per 1.73 m^2;HR=0.47,95%CI:0.26-0.86,P<0.0001),stage IIIb(GFR 30-45 m L/min per 1.73 m^2;HR=0.55,95%CI:0.26-1.06,P=0.007),and stages IV and V(GFR<30 m L/min per 1.73 m~2;HR=0.29,95%CI:0.11-0.76;P=0.047).CONCLUSIONS The use of BB in elderly patients with HFr EF and renal impairment was associated with a better prognosis.Use of BB should be encouraged when possible.

Effect of adjuvant levosimendan therapy on neuroendocrine hormones and cytokines in elderly patients with chronic heart failure

Objective: To discuss the effect of adjuvant levosimendan therapy on neuroendocrine hormones and cytokines in elderly patients with chronic heart failure. Methods: A total of 100 elderly patients with chronic heart failure who were treated in the hospital between March 2014 and March 2017 were divided into control group and levosimendan group by random number table, each with 50 cases. Control group received clinical routine therapy for chronic heart failure, and levosimendan group received routine therapy combined with adjuvant levosimendan therapy. The differences in serum levels of RAAS indexes, thyroid hormones, myocardial damage indexes and endothelial function indexes were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. Results: At T0, there was no statistically significant difference in serum levels of RAAS indexes, thyroid hormones, myocardial damage indexes and endothelial function indexes between the two groups. At T1, serum RAAS indexes PRA, AngⅡ and ALD levels of levosimendan group were lower than those of control group;serum thyroid hormones TT3, TT4, FT3 and FT4 levels of levosimendan group were higher than those of control group;serum myocardial damage indexes cTnⅠ, H-FABP and NT-proBNP levels of levosimendan group were lower than those of control group;serum endothelial function index NO level of levosimendan group was higher than that of control group while ET-1 level was lower than that of control group. Conclusion: Adjuvant levosimendan therapy for elderly patients with chronic heart failure can effectively adjust the secretion of neuroendocrine hormones and reduce the myocardial and vascular endothelial damage.

Simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation for end-stage renal failure in type 1 diabetes mellitus: Current perspectives

Type 1 diabetes mellitus(T1DM)is one of the important causes of chronic kidney disease(CKD)and end-stage renal failure(ESRF).Even with the best available treatment options,management of T1DM poses significant challenges for clinicians across the world,especially when associated with CKD and ESRF.Substantial increases in morbidity and mortality along with marked rise in treatment costs and marked reduction of quality of life are the usual consequences of onset of CKD and progression to ESRF in patients with T1DM.Simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant(SPK)is an attractive and promising treatment option for patients with advanced CKD/ESRF and T1DM for potential cure of these diseases and possibly several complications.However,limited availability of the organs for transplantation,the need for long-term immunosuppression to prevent rejection,peri-and post-operative complications of SPK,lack of resources and the expertise for the procedure in many centers,and the cost implications related to the surgery and postoperative care of these patients are major issues faced by clinicians across the globe.This clinical update review compiles the latest evidence and current recommendations of SPK for patients with T1DM and advanced CKD/ESRF to enable clinicians to care for these diseases.

Evaluation of chronic kidney disease in chronic heart failure: From biomarkers to arterial renal resistances

Chronic kidney disease and its worsening are recurring conditions in chronic heart failure(CHF) which are independently associated with poor patient outcome.The heart and kidney share many pathophysiological mechanisms which can determine dysfunction in each organ. Cardiorenal syndrome is the condition in which these two organs negatively affect each other, therefore an accurate evaluation of renal function in the clinical setting of CHF is essential. This review aims to revise the parameters currently used to evaluate renal dysfunction in CHF with particular reference to the usefulness and the limitations of biomarkers in evaluating glomerular dysfunction and tubular damage. Moreover, it is reported the possible utility of renal arterial resistance index(a parameter associated with abnormalities in renal vascular bed) for a better assesment of kidney disfunction.

Effects of Helicobacter pylori infection on gastric epithelial cell kinetics in patients with chronic renal failure

AIM： To evaluate the effects of Helicobacter pylori infection on gastric epithelial cell kinetics in patients with chronic renal failure （CRF）. METHODS： Forty-four patients were enrolled in this study and divided into four groups with respect to their Helicobacter pylori （H pylori） and CRF status. Groups were labeled as follows： la： normal renal function, H pylori negative （n = 12）, lb： normal renal function, H pylori positive （n = 11）, 2a： CRF, H pylori negative （n = 10）, 2b： CRF, H pylori positive （n = 11）. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was done in all the patients involved in the study. During endoscopical investigation, antral biopsy specimens were taken from each patient. In order to evaluate the cell apoptosis and proliferation in gastric epithelial cells, Bax and proliferating cell nuclear antigen （PCNA） labeling indexes （LI） were assessed with immunohistochemical staining method. RESULTS： For groups la, lb, 2a, and 2b, mean Bax LI was identified as 34.4±13.7, 44.1±16.5, 46.3±20.5, 60.7±13.8, respectively and mean PCNA LI was identified as 36.2±17.2, 53.6±25.6, 59.5±25.6, 67.2±22, respectively. When the one-way ANOVA test was applied, statistically significant differences were detected between the groups for both Bax LI （P = 0.004 〈0.01） and PCNA LI （P = 0.009 〈0.01）. When groups were compared further in terms of Bax LI and PCNA LI with Tukey＇s HSD test for multiple pairwise comparisons, statistically significant difference was observed only between groups la and 2b （P = 0.006 〈0.01）.CONCLUSION： In gastric epithelial cells, expression of both the pre-apoptotic protein Bax and the proliferation marker PCNA increase with H pylori infection. This increase is more evident in patients with uremia. These findings suggest that uremia accelerates apoptosis and proliferation in gastric epithelial cells.

Wireless capsule endoscopy in the investigation of patients with chronic renal failure and obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (preliminary data)

AIM： To investigate the role of wireless capsule endoscopy （WCE） in detection of small bowel （SB） pathology in patients with chronic renal failure （CRF） and obscure bleeding. METHODS： Consecutive CRF patients with obscure bleeding were prospectively studied. Patients with normal renal function and obscure bleeding, investigated during the same period with WCE, were used for the interpretation of results. RESULTS： Seventeen CRF patients （11 overt, 6 occult bleeding） and 51 patients （33 overt, 18 occult bleeding） with normal renal function were enrolled in this study. Positive SB findings were detected in 70.6% of CRF patients and in 41.2% of non-CRF patients （P〈0.05）. SB angiodysplasia was identified in 47% of CRF patients and in 17.6% of non-CRF patients. Univariate logistic regression revealed CRF as a significant predictive factor for angiodysplasia （P〈0.05）. Therapeutic measures were undertaken in 66% of the patients with the positive findings. CONCLUSION： According to our preliminary results, SB angiodysplasia was found in an increased prevalence among CRF patients with obscure bleeding. WCE is useful in diagnosis of gastrointestinal pathologies and in planning appropriate therapeutic intervention and, therefore, should be included in the work-up of this group of patients.

Doctor-led intensive diet education on health-related quality of life in patients with chronic renal failure and hyperphosphatemia

BACKGROUND Secondary hyperparathyroidism,renal osteodystrophy,and cardiovascular adverse events can occur if long-term hyperphosphatemia is not corrected,leading to the adverse prognosis of patients with chronic renal failure.Besides the use of phosphorus binders,clinical control measures for hyperphosphatemia in these patients should also incorporate diet control.AIM To observe doctor-led intensive diet education effects on health-related quality of life in patients with chronic renal failure and hyperphosphatemia.METHODS We assessed 120 patients with hyperphosphatemia and chronic renal failure on hemodialysis admitted to our hospital(July 2018 to March 2020).The control group(n=60)was given routine nursing guidance,and the observation group(n=60)was given doctor-led intensive diet education.The changes in EQ-5D-3L scores,disease-related knowledge,and compliance scores before intervention and 3 and 6 mo after intervention in the two groups were recorded.The levels of serum parathyroid hormone(iPTH),calcium(Ca),phosphorus(P),calciumphosphorus product(Ca×P),serum creatinine(Scr),and blood urea nitrogen(BUN)before intervention and 3 and 6 mo after intervention in the two groups were assessed along with patient satisfaction.RESULTS There was no significant difference in blood iPTH,Ca,P,Ca×P,Scr,or BUN levels between the groups before intervention.After 3 and 6 mo of intervention,the blood iPTH,Ca,P,and Ca×P levels in the two groups decreased gradually(P<0.05),but there were no significant differences in Scr or BUN.The blood iPTH,Ca,P,and Ca×P levels in the observation group were lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).The satisfaction rate in the observation group after 3 mo was 93.33%and after 6,90.00%,which was high compared with the 80.00%and 71.67%,respectively,in the control group(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in EQ-5D-3L score between the two groups before intervention.After 3 and 6 mo of intervention,the visual analogue scale score of the two groups increased gradually(P<0.05);and the scores of action ability,self-care,daily activities,pain and discomfort,and anxiety and depression decreased gradually(P<0.05).The overall EQ-5D-3L score in the observation group was better than that in the control group(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in diseaserelated knowledge or compliance scores between the groups before intervention.After 3 and 6 mo of intervention,the scores of disease,diet,and medication knowledge and compliance in the two groups increased gradually(P<0.05).The scores of disease-related knowledge and compliance were higher in the observation group than in the control group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Doctor-led intensive diet education can improve patient satisfaction and the quality of life in patients with chronic renal failure and hyperphosphatemia and promote low-phosphorus diet behavior.

Detection of the Level of Urinary FPA in Chronic Nephritis with Renal Failure and Its Clinical Implication

The level of urinary FPA was assayed by high per formance liquid chromatography (HPLC ) in 42 normal controls, 57 cases of chronic glomeru-lonephritis, including 24 with normal renal function, 12 with renal insufficiency and 21 with uremia. Their levels were 24. 40± 10. 30 μg/L, 26. 99±5.77 μg/L,38. 81±6. 28 μg/L, 79. 74± 18. 76 μg/L, respectively. The level of urinary FPA in renal insufficiency function group was significantly higher than those of the con-trol group and normal renal function group (P<0.01). The patients with uremia presented dramatically higher level of urinary FPA than those in the renal insufficiency group (P<0.01). A positive correlation was found between the level of urinary FPA and the blood creatine (r= 0. 9120, P<0. 01 ). It was suggested that a hypercoagulable state existed in the patients with chronic nephritis with renal failure, in which the severity was closely related with the occurrence and development of the disease. The urinary FPA could serve as a good indicator for renal function.