Correlation between Residual Renal Function and Hypertension in Regular Haemodialysis Patients

Objective: To evaluate the correlation between residual renal function and hypertension in regular haemodialysis patients. Background: Initiating chronic dialysis treatment gives end-stage renal disease patients a new lease on life. However, the annual mortality rate in dialysis patients is ~20% and quality of life is substantially reduced. Patients and Methods: This study was carried out on a reasonable number of subjects on regular haemodialysis divided into two groups. All were given informed consent and, the study was approved by the ethics committee of Menoufia University. Results: There was significant relation between presence of residual renal function and hypertension in patients with ESRD on regular haemodialysis, but the relation between residual renal function and control of hypertension is not statistically significant. 40% of group 1 were hypertensive, 66.7% of group 2 patients were hypertensive, the interdialytic weight gain mean was 1.42 in group 1 and 2.37 in group 2. Control of hypertension was achieved in 63.6% of group 1 patients by one drug, 27.3% patients by 2 drugs;however 9.1% of patients need 3 drugs to control their blood pressure, while in group 2 40% of patients were controlled by one drug, 45% with 2 drugs and 15% need 3 drugs to control blood pressure. Conclusion: There is significant relation between presence of residual renal function and hypertension in patients with ESRD on regular haemodialysis, but the relation between residual renal function and control of hypertension is not statistically significant.

The Efficacy and Safety of Saxagliptin in Haemodialysis Patients

Introduction: Good glycaemic control without causing excessive hypoglycaemia reduced the risk of macrovascular and microvascular complications in type 2 DM patients on regular haemodialysis (HD). The objectives of this study were to assess the efficacy and safety of add-on saxagliptin to insulin therapy in blood sugar control compared to insulin therapy alone in diabetic patients undergoing HD. Design and Methods: In this prospective open-labelled randomized controlled trial, HD patients with type 2 DM and on stable insulin therapy with HbA1c 7% - 13% were randomized to receive add-on saxagliptin 2.5 mg once daily to insulin therapy or insulin therapy only for 12 weeks. Results: 24 patients were randomized into each arm equally. Baseline and week-12 serum HbA1c, fructosamine, fasting blood glucose (FBS) and mean self monitoring blood glucose (SMBG) were comparable in the groups. Reduction of HbA1c and mean SMBG were significant in both groups. There was a significant drop in fructosamine levels (p = 0.004) and trend of lower FBS (p = 0.097) in add-on saxagliptin group but not in insulin alone group. The incidence of hypoglycaemia was the same in both groups. Conclusion: Add-on saxagliptin to insulin is comparable to insulin therapy alone in blood sugar control in regular HD patients and is safe and generally well tolerated. Add-on saxagliptin group may have more persistent and less fluctuation of glucose control compared to insulin only group.