Plasma fibrinogen associates independently with total and cardiovascular mortality among subjects with normal and reduced kidney function in the general population.

BACKGROUND: The contribution of novel risk factors to mortality in chronic kidney disease remains controversial. AIM: To explore the association of plasma fibrinogen with mortality among individuals with normal and reduced kidney function. METHODS: We identified 9184 subjects, age 40 and over from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988-94) with vital status assessed through 2006. Plasma fibrinogen was modeled as continuous variable and in quartile groups (0 to <7.7, 7.7 to <9.0, 9.0 to <10.5 and ≥ 10.5 µmol/l) with total and cardiovascular mortality across categories of glomerular filtration rate (eGFR); <60, 60-90, >90 ml/min/1.73 m(2) using Cox regression. RESULTS: In multivariate analysis, the adjusted hazard ratio (HR) per 1 µmol/l (34 mg/dl) increase in fibrinogen was 1.07 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04-1.09] for total mortality and 1.06 (95% CI 1.03-1.09) for cardiovascular mortality. The adjusted HR for total mortality was 1.05 (1.01-1.09) for subjects with eGFR 60-90 ml/min/1.73 m(2) and 1.06 (1.02-1.10) for subjects with eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m(2). Subjects in the highest quartiles within each eGFR category; >90, 60-90 and <60 ml/min/1.73 m(2) experienced HRs of 1.45 (95% CI 1.03-2.03), 1.35 (95% CI 1.00-1.83) and 1.72 (95% CI 1.14-2.58), respectively, compared with subjects in the lowest quartile group. The patterns were similar for cardiovascular mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma fibrinogen associates with mortality among subjects with mild to moderate kidney impairment as it does in subjects with normal kidney function and should be considered a therapeutic target for cardiovascular risk reduction.

Transferrin saturation ratio and risk of total and cardiovascular mortality in the general population.

BACKGROUND: The transferrin saturation (TSAT) ratio is a commonly used indicator of iron deficiency and iron overload in clinical practice but precise relationships with total and cardiovascular mortality are unclear. PURPOSE: To better understand this relationship, we explored the association of TSAT ratio (serum iron/total iron binding capacity) with mortality in the general population. METHODS: The relationships of TSAT ratio with total and cardiovascular mortality were explored in 15 823 subjects age 20 and older from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988-94). All subjects had vital status assessed through to 2006. RESULTS: During follow-up, 9.7% died of which 4.4% were from cardiovascular disease. In unadjusted analysis, increasing TSAT ratio was inversely associated with mortality. With adjustment for baseline demographic and clinical characteristics, the TSAT-mortality relationship followed a j-shaped pattern. Compared with the referent group [ratio 23.7-31.3%: hazard ratio (HR) =1.00], subjects in the lowest two quartiles, <17.5 % and 17.5-23.7 %, experienced significantly higher mortality risks of 1.45 (1.19-1.77) and 1.27 (1.06-1.53), respectively, whereas subjects in the highest quartile, >31.3 %, experienced significantly higher mortality risks of 1.23 (1.01-1.49). The pattern of association was more pronounced for cardiovascular mortality with significantly higher mortality risks for the lowest two quartiles [HR = 2.09 (1.43-3.05) and 1.90 (1.33-2.72), respectively] and highest quartile HR = 1.59 (1.05-2.40). CONCLUSIONS: Both low and high TSAT ratios are significantly and independently associated with increased total and cardiovascular mortality. The optimal TSAT ratio associated with the greatest survival is between 24% and 40%.

Independent and conjoint associations of gout and hyperuricaemia with total and cardiovascular mortality.

BACKGROUND: Gout and serum uric acid are associated with mortality but their simultaneous contributions have not been fully evaluated in the general population. PURPOSE: To explore the independent and conjoint relationships of gout and uric acid with mortality in the US population. METHODS: Mortality risks of gout and serum uric acid were determined for 15 773 participants, aged 20 years or older, in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey by linking baseline information collected during 1988-1994 with mortality data up to 2006. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression determined adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for each exposure and all analyses were conducted in 2011 and 2012. RESULTS: Compared with subjects without a history of gout, the multivariable HR for subjects with gout were 1.42 (CI 1.12-1.82) for total and 1.58 (CI 1.13-2.19) for cardiovascular mortality. Adjusted HRs per 59.5 µmol/l (1 mg/dl) increase in uric acid were 1.16 (CI 1.10-1.22) for total and cardiovascular mortality and this pattern was consistent across disease categories. In the conjoint analysis, the adjusted HRs for mortality in the highest two uric acid quartiles were 1.64 (CI 1.08-2.51) and 1.77 (CI 1.23-2.55), respectively, for subjects with gout, and were 1.09 (CI 0.87-1.37) and 1.37 (CI (1.11-1.70), respectively, for subjects without gout, compared with those without gout in the lowest quartile. A similar pattern emerged for cardiovascular mortality. CONCLUSION: Gout and serum uric acid independently associate with total and cardiovascular mortality. These risks increase with rising uric acid concentrations.

Demands for vascular access in a renal dialysis unit: implications for a regional vascular unit.

BACKGROUND: The development of regional dialysis units and the expanding indications for dialysis has led to increased demand for vascular access surgery. Consequently, the provision and maintenance of access, and the management of related complications has created a considerable burden on vascular surgical units in hospitals providing renal replacement therapy (RRT). AIMS: The objectives of our study were to review our experience with a variety of vascular access modalities for haemodialysis and to quantify the associated surgical workload. METHODS: We reviewed our experience in a consecutive group of dialysis patients who had access surgery for RRT in a regional hospital setting. RESULTS: Between January 1995 and January 2000, 69 patients entered the long-term dialysis programme in the Mid-Western region (population = 320,000). Of the 158 procedures performed, 138 (87%) were for access creation, and 20 (13%) related to access revision procedures. Twenty patients (29%) developed a total of 30 access related complications. Vascular access procedures accounted for 10% of the vascular surgical workload (1598 procedures) in the five-year period. CONCLUSION: Vascular access is an important part of the haemodialysis services and surgical expertise should be available at local level to cope with likely demand.

Alcohol use and negative consequences among American college students in West Germany.

Numerous investigations have recently focused on the prevalence and causes of problem drinking among American college students. The present study examined alcohol consumption and negative consequences due to drinking among 216 American college students at an American university in West Germany. American students in Germany reported a substantially higher frequency and amount of drinking, along with higher rates of negative consequences as compared to their stateside peers. The data are discussed in terms of the relationship between the American collegiate life-style of alcohol abuse and life in an alcohol-permissive society. Recommendations for changing the collegiate norm of alcohol abuse are presented.

Haemodynamics of carvedilol in normal subjects compared with propranolol, pindolol, and labetalol.

Single doses, in log steps, of carvedilol from 12.5 to 200 mg, propranolol 40 to 320 mg, pindolol 2.5 to 20 mg, labetalol 50 to 400 mg, and placebo control were given randomised double blind to six healthy volunteers. Noninvasive measurements of blood pressure and heart rate were made supine, standing, and during cycle exercise 1 and 2 h postdose. All drugs produced a dose-dependent reduction in exercise heart rate, but this was greater for propranolol and pindolol than for carvedilol and labetalol at the dose studied. Exercise systolic blood pressure was similarly reduced but there was less separation in the dose response curves between the various drugs. Supine and standing heart rate was reduced only by propranolol, but supine systolic blood pressure was reduced by carvedilol (50, 100, and 200 mg), propranolol (40, 160, and 320 mg), pindolol (5, 10, and 20 mg), and labetalol (400 mg). Standing systolic blood pressure was reduced by carvedilol (50, 100, and 200 mg) and pindolol (2.5 and 20 mg). The effects of carvedilol on resting blood pressure suggest additional blood pressure lowering properties other than the pure beta-antagonism of propranolol. Effects on exercise heart rate and systolic blood pressure were similar to carvedilol (12.5-200 mg) with labetalol (50-400 mg), but changes in resting systolic blood pressure were less consistent with labetalol.

Tuberculosis affecting a cadaveric renal allograft.

Tuberculosis is one of the more serious infections complicating renal transplantation. Although the incidence appears to be low, a dose of prednisone greater than 10 mg daily has been associated with a more severe form of disease. A case of tuberculosis with renal allograft involvement is described with documented bacteriological and radiological involvement in which treatment was successful with anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy. Deterioration in renal function did not occur. The prophylaxis of patients undergoing transplantation with a history of tuberculosis and the features, diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis affecting a renal allograft are discussed.