Once- vs Twice-Daily Tacrolimus: Survival Rates and Side Effects: Single-Center Experience.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine whether de novo, prolonged-release tacrolimus- (PR-tacro) based immunosuppressive regimen affected graft and patient survival when compared to an immediate-release, twice-daily, tacrolimus- (IR-tacro) based regimen in kidney transplant recipients. We also aimed to determine the difference between the frequency of side effects, including diabetes control, in study groups. METHODS: A total of 115 standard risk kidney transplant recipients were enrolled in this single center, retrospective study. Fifty-two patients received PR-tacro and 63 patients received IR-tacro as a calcineurin inhibitor. The primary outcome measures included incidence of graft loss and delayed graft function (DGF), biopsy-proven acute rejection , graft and patient survival, and creatinine clearance. Secondary outcome measures included the incidence of non-adherence, drug-induced tremor; post-transplant diabetes mellitus diagnosis rate; and control of diabetes in pre-transplant diabetic patients. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics and mean tacrolimus trough levels were comparable between groups. Incidence of graft loss, DGF, and graft and patient survival were similar between groups (P > .05). Mean creatinine clearance level was also similar (P > .05). Mean serum levels of fasting glucose (P < .05) and A1C (P < .05) were lower in PR-tacro group when compared to IR-tacro group. Post-transplant diabetes mellitus diagnosis rate was also lower in PR-tacro group when compared to IR-tacro group (P = .040). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that there is no statistically significant difference between PR-tacro and IR-tacro in terms of patient and graft survival, DGF, and biopsy-proven acute rejection rates in kidney transplant recipients. Post-transplant diabetes mellitus frequency is lower in non-diabetic patients, and glucose metabolism control is better in diabetic patients.

Fabry Disease Prevalence in Renal Replacement Therapy in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Fabry disease (FD) is an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder resulting from lack of alpha-galactosidase A (AGALA) activity in lysosomes. OBJECTIVE: In this multicenter study, we aimed to evaluate the prevalence of FD in renal transplant (Tx) recipients in Turkey. We also screened dialysis patients as a control group. METHODS: All Tx and dialysis patients were screened regardless of the presence of a primary disease. We measured the AGALA activity in all male patients as initial analysis. Mutation analysis was performed in male patients with decreased AGALA activity and in female patients as the initial diagnostic assay. RESULTS: We screened 5,657 patients. A total of 17 mutations were identified. No significant difference was observed between the groups regarding the prevalence of patients with mutation. We found FD even in patients with presumed primary kidney diseases. Seventy-one relatives were analyzed and mutation was detected in 43 of them. We detected a patient with a new, unknown mutation (p.Cys223) in the GLA gene. CONCLUSIONS: There are important implications of the screening. First, detection of the undiagnosed patients leads to starting appropriate therapies for these patients. Second, the transmission of the disease to future generations may be prevented by prenatal screening after appropriate genetic counseling. In conclusion, we suggest screening of kidney Tx candidates for FD, regardless of etiologies of chronic kidney disease.

No harmful effect of dialysis-induced hypotension on the myocardium in patients who have normal ejection fraction and a negative exercise test.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the effects of dialysis-induced hypotension (DIH) on the myocardium of patients who have a normal ejection fraction and normal treadmill stress tests. METHODS: This study included 26 end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients with DIH, 30 ESRD patients without DIH (non-DIH), and 30 control subjects. Mitral-myocardial systolic velocity (MSV), the mitral E'/A' ratio, the left ventricle filling pressure index (E/E' ratio), tricuspid-MSV, and the tricuspid E'/A' ratio were calculated. RESULTS: Biventricular systolic and diastolic functions were impaired in dialysis patients. The mitral and tricuspid MSV were similar between DIH and non-DIH patients (8.03 ± 0.90 cm/s vs. 8.31 ± 1.68 cm/s, p = 0.896, and 13.27 ± 2.97 cm/s vs. 13.15 ± 2.37 cm/s, p = 0.980). Mitral and tricuspid E'/A' were similar between DIH and non-DIH patients. (1.30 ± 0.53 vs. 1.16 ± 0.56, p = 0.695, and 0.70 ± 0.24 vs. 0.68 ± 0.33, p = 0.976). Likewise, the E/E' ratio was similar between DIH and non-DIH patients (8.20 ± 2.83 vs. 8.28 ± 2.53, p = 0.990). CONCLUSION: Although biventricular systolic and diastolic function is impaired in dialysis patients compared to controls, DIH episodes did not have an adverse effect on the myocardial functions.