Transport characteristics of patients on automated peritoneal dialysis may not affect their lipid profile

Introduction: End-stage renal disease patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis usually have significant hyperlipidemia. The peritoneal membrane permeability and residual renal function [RRF] may affect lipid profile in these patients

Objective: To study the correlation of lipid profile with peritoneal membrane transport characteristic and RRF as well as cancer antigen [CA]-125 in patients on automated peritoneal dialysis [APD]

Materials and Methods: The present study is a retrospective analysis of forty end-stage renal disease patients on APD. Lipid profile [total cholesterol, serum triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein], serum albumin and CA-125 were correlated with various peritoneal membrane transporters, assessed by peritoneal equilibration test [PET]. Lipid profile was also correlated with residual renal function and KT/V

Results: The study included 21 female and 19 male patients on APD. The duration of peritoneal dialysis was 18-70 months. There was no significant difference in lipid profile at baseline and at one year in patients with different peritoneal transporter status. There was no correlation between lipid profile and residual renal function as well as CA-125

Conclusion: The findings suggest that there is no relation of lipid profile with peritoneal membrane transporter status and residual renal function in patients maintained on automated peritoneal dialysis

Bone mass measurement using quantitative ultrasound in healthy Saudi women. A cross-sectional screening

To study the prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis in healthy Saudi women, a community-based screening was carried out. Three thousand and two hundred sixty-nine women in the young women in peak bone mass [PBM] age group and 3131 in the postmenopausal age [PMA] group were screened using Achilles Insight [GE, USA]. Subjects included in the study were healthy and residents of eastern province. The screening was conducted between January 2006 and December 2007. The study took place in King Fahd University Hospital, Al-Khobar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In the PBM age group, 2090 [63.9%] were normal, 791 [24.2%] were osteopenic and 388 [11.9%] were osteoporotic. Osteopenia was more common in single urban women compared to those who were married and living in rural areas [p<0.01 and p<0.001]. Women with college education had significantly normal bone mass than women with less than high school education [p<0.01]. In the PMA, 948 [30.3%] were osteopenic and 720 [23%] were osteoporotic. Osteopenic was more common in women in urban areas as compared to industrial and the rural areas [p<0.01]. Those women whose education was less than primary had significantly more osteoporosis when compared to women with college education [p<0.001]. In the PBM, 11.9% were osteoporotic and in PMA group 23% were osteoporotic. Factors that influenced the risk for osteopenia and osteoporosis included level of education, number of children, and place of living

Unresolved issues and current concepts in management of primary glomerulonephritis

The successful treatment of primary glomerulonephritis [GN] presenting with nephrotic syndrome in adults depends heavily on an accurate diagnosis. A successful diagnosis depends on a correct approach, combining light microscopy, immunofluorescence, and other special staining of renal biopsy material examined by a trained nephropathologist. A good clinical history and serological tests easily rule out possible secondary causes [for example, infection, autoimmune, metabolic or toxic] in most cases. Unfortunately, these procedures are not put into practice in most cases in developing countries, resulting in missed diagnosis and unnecessary steroid and immunosuppressant therapy with its inherent morbidity. Following the emergence of IgA and IgM nephropathies as very common forms of glomerular disorders in some countries, immunofluorescence has become absolutely necessary for their diagnosis. Moreover, a recent meta-analysis has defined different treatment protocols for minimal change nephropathy, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, membranous nephropathy, and IgA nephropathy for a better outcome. This article emphasizes and elaborates on these issues for proper management of primary GN

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome among a noring community

To evaluate the relation between snoring and the presence of obstructive sleep apnea [OSA] in terms of relevant health parameters and questionnaire responses. Selective random sampling within a household survey in the cities of Al-Khobar and Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia over a 3 month period during the year 2000, was carried out. One hundred and fifty-two persons, aged 17-62 years, with a positive history of snoring as determined by the spouse or other members of the family were selected. The presence of OSA was determined using the Epworth sleepiness scale [ESS]. The predictors included age, gender and body mass index. Snoring was found to be more associated with OSA as suggested by ESS in the study sample. The severity of snoring and its pattern are more associated with apneic patients. Snoring is common and may be a serious medical problem. This study revealed that snoring is associated with symptoms suggesting OSA syndrome as detected by ESS. The family doctor and his team should be aware of the condition, using simple screening test such as ESS, improves the patient care, and finding of suspected cases