Female Sexual Dysfunction in Peritoneal Dialysis and Hemodialysis Patients

Background. Sexual dysfunction (SD) is a common problem in end-stage renal disease (ESRD). In contrast to basic and clinical research in the field of male SD, the sexual problems of women have received relatively little attention and are often under-treated. We evaluated sexual function in female ESRD patients using the validated Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and relation with QOL, depression, and some laboratory parameters. Methods. 117 ESRD patients (85 peritoneal dialysis [PD], 32 hemodialysis [HD], mean age 48.5 ± 13.9 years) were enrolled. All patients had been dialyzed (PD or HD) for more than three months. In addition, an age-matched married control group of 48 subjects (mean age 47.1 ± 12.7 years) were enrolled in the study. All patients were asked to complete three questionnaires of the FSFI, Beck Depression Index (BDI) and SF-36. Results. Female sexual dysfunction was found in 80 of the 85 peritoneal dialysis patients (94.1%) and all of the HD patients (100%), but in only 22 subjects of the control group (45.8%). A significant negative correlation was found between total FSFI score and age (r = ?0.288, p = 0.002), BDI score (r = ?0.471, p < 0.001), mental-physical component score of QOL (r = ?0.463, p < 0.001 and r = ?0.491, p < 0.001, respectively) in PD and HD patients. The rates of depression were 75.3, 43.8, and 4.2% in the PD and HD patients and control subjects, respectively. Conclusion. Female sexual dysfunction is common problem ESRD. This problem especially related with depression and QOL. Thus, sexual function should be evaluated in female subjects to determine its impact on quality of life.     

The Affecting Factors and Comparison of Tuberculin Skin Test in Peritoneal Dialysis and Hemodialysis Patients

Compared with the general population, patients with chronic renal failure have increased tuberculosis (TB) prevalence and mortality rates. In this study, we aimed to investigate tuberculin skin test (TST) positivity rates in hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients and the factors influencing TST positivity. Ninety-two HD patients and 44 PD patients who had been on HD and PD treatment for at least 3 months were recruited into the study. TST was administered in all patients. Positivity was defined as an induration diameter >10 mm. At least 5 mm of induration following skin testing together with a chest radiography indicating previous infection was defined as latent TB infection. TST positivity rates, diameter of TST indurations, and serum albumin levels in HD patients were higher than the PD patients. TST induration size was not correlated with any other parameters in both HD and PD groups. TST-positive patients had higher albumin levels and lower leukocyte count than the TST-negative patients. In TST-positive patients, albumin level was correlated with the duration of dialysis but TST induration size was not correlated with the lymphocyte count and albumin level. In our study, TST positivity of patients was found in 30.4% of HD patients, 9% of PD patients, and 23.5% of total patients. It is still recommended to use TST for the screening test of TB. We found a significant relationship between TST and albumin level. It should be remembered that TST response may be lower in PD patients, especially in cases in which TB is suspected.     

The Prevalence of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Chinese Hemodialysis Patients Is Higher Than That in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients

Background. Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is common in dialysis patients, and an independent predictor of mortality. While recent studies have shown no differences in mortality between the two most common dialysis modalities, hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD), their impact on LVH is controversial. We thus performed cardiac ultrasound studies in prevalent dialysis patients receiving either HD or PD and compared LVH. Methods. We included 48 HD and 62 PD patients receiving treatment for at least three months in our dialysis center. All patients underwent echocardiographic examination and blood pressure measurements immediately following therapy. Volume status was assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Results. There was no baseline difference in demographics or comorbidities between HD and PD patients. As expected, extracellular water (ECW) in post-HD patients was significantly lower than that in pre-HD and PD patients, while cardiac output (CO) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) were higher in pre-HD than that in post-HD or PD patients. There was no significant difference in CO or SBP between post-HD and PD patients. Left ventricular mass index (LVMI) was markedly higher in HD patients as compared to PD patients. Thus, the prevalence of LVH according to the Framingham criteria was 68.8% in HD patients and 45.2% in PD patients. Subgroup analysis showed similar results in the patients who had been on single-modality dialysis for at least two years and in the anuric patients. Finally, in a linear regression model (r² = 0.364, p < 0.001), SBP, treatment modality (to be in HD), and ECW were all independent predictors of LVMI. Conclusions. In a cross-sectional analysis of prevalent Chinese patients, we found a higher LVMI and a higher prevalence of LVH in HD than in PD patients. As LVMI was associated with high blood pressure and volume overload, we suggest that in these patients, PD may preserve more physiological hemodynamics even during long-term therapy.     

维持性血液透析和持续性不卧床腹膜透析患者生命质量及其影响因素分析

目的:探讨透析治疗患者的生命质量及其影响因素,为提高患者生命质量提供依据.方法:对31例持续性不卧床腹膜透析(CAPD)患者和29例维持性血液透析(MHD)患者,应用生命质量量表(MOS SF-36)、自评抑郁量表(SDS)、家庭功能问卷(Family APGAR)和社会支持评定量表(SSRS)进行测评调查,分析评价维持性透析患者生命质量及其影响因素.结果:60例维持性透析患者生命质量8个维度分值,均显著低于一般人群,CAPD患者躯体功能(PF)、情感角色(RE)2个维度分值以及主观支持得分均显著低于MHD患者;本组研究对象抑郁指数0.519±0.097,45%患者自评轻至中度抑郁状态;维持性透析患者生命质量影响因素主要有年龄、透析持续时间、费用来源、抑郁、主观支持和支持利用等.结论:抑郁在维持性透析患者中常见,CAPD和MHD患者生命质量明显下降,其影响因素除疾病本身外,还包括社会角色的转变和心理压抑.根据透析患者实际情况,采取个体化干预措施,可改善患者生命质量.     

Nutritional Treatment of Hemodialysis and Peritoneal Dialysis Patients

Abstract: The success of hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis therapy is essentially dependent on adequate nutrition. Malnutrition represents one of the main factors in morbidity and mortality of dialysis patients. The main causes of malnutrition are insufficient energy intake, insufficient protein supply, loss of amino acids by dialysis, the uremic state of metabolism, catabolic stress of underlying diseases, and endocrinological disorders. For successful long-term chronic dialysis therapy, it is very important that patients be in an anabolic nutritional state when entering the dialysis program. In this paper, the nutritional needs of dialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients (fluid restriction, protein intake, energy supply, electrolyte balance, vitamin intake) are discussed to prevent the catabolic state.     

Atherosclerosis Risk Is Higher in Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis Patients Than in Hemodialysis Patients

While it has been reported that myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular disease are more common in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients than in hemodialysis patients, some studies have not supported these results. The aim of this study was to compare CAPD and hemodialysis patients with regard to atherosclerotic changes and to assess which factors might be responsible for atherosclerosis in dialysis patients. Group 1 consisted of 65 CAPD patients, and Group 2 consisted of 109 hemodialysis patients who were age-, gender-, and duration-of-dialysis-matched with CAPD patients. We used ultrasonographic measurement of carotid artery intima media thickness to identify atherosclerosis. Known risk factors for atherosclerosis including hypertension, smoking, serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)], albumin, intact parathormone, fibrinogen, and C-reactive protein were determined in all patients. More atherosclerotic changes were seen in CAPD than in hemodialysis patients. Of all the atherosclerosis risk factors, only serum total cholesterol, LDL-C, and Lp(a) levels were significantly higher in patients on CAPD.     

Furosemide-Induced Increase in Urinary and Peritoneal Excretion of Uric Acid During Peritoneal Dialysis in Patients with Chronic Uremia

Intermittent peritoneal dialysis was performed in 17 patients with chronic uremia in order to observe the effect of furo-semide added to the dialysate on urinary and peritoneal elimination of uric acid. Two kinds of dialysate were used: moderately hypertonic (osmolality, 431.2 mOsm/kg of water) and slightly hypertonic (osmolality, 368.9 Osm/kg of water). Significant increases in urine volume, urinary and peritoneal excretion of uric acid, and renal and peritoneal clearances were found. The increase in urinary excretion of uric acid exceeded that of urine volume. These findings were interpreted to be the result of furosemide action on renal function after being transferred through the peritoneum into the blood stream with the concomitant increase in the uric acid shift from the circulation into the peritoneal cavity. We concluded that the addition of furosemide is useful in increasing uric acid elimination in patients with chronic uremia.     

Plasma Ghrelin Levels Are Associated with Coronary Microvascular and Endothelial Dysfunction in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients

Cardiovascular (CV) disease is the main cause of death in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients, and endothelial dysfunction (ED) is an early sign of vascular pathology. Ghrelin, a gastric peptide with CV actions, has been shown to inhibit proatherogenic changes in experimental models. However, another peptide hormone, leptin, may mediate deleterious effects on the CV system. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between plasma ghrelin and leptin levels, and their association with coronary microvascular and endothelial functions in PD patients. Twenty-four (14 females and 10 males; mean age 44 ± 12 yr) nondiabetic PD patients, between 18 and 70 years of age, were enrolled. In addition to demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters, plasma concentrations of ghrelin and leptin were evaluated. Endothelial functions of the coronary arteries were determined by coronary flow reserve (CFR) measurement using transthoracic Doppler echocardiography (TTDE). A CFR value of < 2 was used as an evidence for ED. When the study group was divided according to CFR measurements as CFR < 2 and ≥ 2, there were no significant differences considering age, gender, etiology of renal disease, body mass index (BMI), duration of dialysis, PD modality, PD solution type, history of peritonitis, mean arterial pressure, ejection fraction, and biochemical parameters between the two subgroups. Plasma ghrelin levels (129.4 ± 82.1 pg/mL) in patients with CFR ≥ 2 were significantly higher than those in patients with CFR< 2 (63.3 ± 35.8 pg/mL) (p = 0.03). However, no significant differences in plasma leptin levels were found between these groups [31.39 ± 37.81 ng/mL vs. 63.95 ± 72.83 ng/mL (p = 0.28)]. No correlation existed between plasma ghrelin levels and age, BMI, duration of dialysis, mean arterial pressure, ejection fraction, plasma leptin levels, and biochemical parameters. Decreased plasma ghrelin levels may contribute to the development of atherosclerosis in PD patients by causing ED.     

Pulmonary Hypertension in Dialysis Patients

Cardiovascular complications are encountered frequently in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. The study was designed as a prospective cohort study and a total of 105 dialysis patients, 77 hemodialysis and 28 peritoneal dialysis patients, were investigated. All patients had undergone M-Mode Doppler echocardiography every 6 months by which their systolic pulmonary arterial pressures (sPAPs) and left ventricular mass indices (LVMIs) were recorded. Thirty-nine (37.1%) patients had pulmonary hypertension (PHT), that is, a mean sPAP of more than 35 mmHg. The frequency of PHT was higher in peritoneal dialysis patients but the difference was insignificant (p = 0.08). However, the frequency of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) was found to be significantly higher in peritoneal dialysis patients than in hemodialysis patients (p = 0.001). When patients with and without PHT were compared, the duration of dialysis (p = 0.02), hemoglobin (p = 0.01), HbA1c (p = 0.03), and serum albumin levels (p = 0.003) were found to be significantly higher in patients with PHT than those without PHT. In conclusion, although nonsignificant, we found a higher prevalence of PHT in peritoneal dialysis patients when compared with hemodialysis patients. This might be due to the significantly higher prevalence of LVH, hence hypervolemia, in peritoneal dialysis patients. The prevention and treatment of PHT in dialysis patients is very important for the improvement of survival in these patients. Hence, the increased prevalence of PHT in ESRD patients necessitates understanding the multiple and interacting factors, such as LVH, serum albumin and hemoglobin levels, and control of diabetes, that might contribute to this pathology in these patients.     

Reduced Plasma Zinc Levels,Lipid Peroxidation,and Inflammation Biomarkers Levels in Hemodialysis Patients: Implications to Cardiovascular Mortality

Despite the fact that low plasma zinc (Zn) levels play important roles in the oxidative stress, the relationships between lipid peroxidation and inflammation biomarkers with low plasma Zn levels have not been investigated in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the Zn plasma levels, electronegative LDL [LDL(–)] levels, and inflammation markers as predictors of cardiovascular (CV) mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Forty-five HD patients (28 men, 54.2 ± 12.7 years, 62.2 ± 51.4 months on dialysis and BMI 24.3 ± 4.1 kg/m²) were studied and compared to 20 healthy individuals (9 men, 51.6 ± 15.6 years, BMI 25.2 ± 3.9 kg/m²) and followed for 24 months to investigate the risks for CV mortality. LDL(–) levels were measured by ELISA, plasma Zn levels by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, C-reactive protein (CRP) level by immunoturbidimetric method, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) levels by a multiplex assay kit. HD patients presented low plasma Zn levels (54.9 ± 16.1 μg/dL) and high-LDL(–) (0.18 ± 0.12 U/L) and TNF-α (5.5 ± 2.2 pg/mL) levels when compared to healthy subjects (78.8 ± 9.4μ g/dL, 0.10 ± 0.08U/L, 2.4 ± 1.1 pg/mL, respectively, p < 0.05). Zn plasma levels were negatively correlated to TNF-α (r = –0.49; p = 0.0001) and LDL(–) (r = –0.33; p = 0.008). During the 2 years, 24.4% of the patients died, all due to CV disease. Analysis by the Cox model showed that high CRP, TNF-α, IL-6 levels, and long duration of HD were significant predictors of mortality. In conclusion, reduced Zn levels were associated with lipid peroxidation and inflammation, and we confirm here in a Brazilian cohort of HD patients that inflammation markers are strong predictors of CV death.     

Brain Natriuretic Peptide and Its Relationship to Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Patients on Peritoneal Dialysis or Hemodialysis Less Than 3 Years

An increase of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels is commonly observed in patients on dialysis. Increased circulating levels of BNP are related to future cardiac events and associated with shorter survival in patients on chronic hemodialysis (HD). During the first 1 or 2 years on dialysis, patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD) have been shown to have an improvement in left ventricular hypertrophy, blood pressure, and volume status. This study compares BNP levels and cardiac status of PD and HD patients without cardiovascular disease and on dialysis for less than 36 months. The correlation between plasma BNP concentration and findings of echocardiography before HD scans were examined and compared with findings of PD. Twenty-two HD patients (15 men, 7 women; mean age, 52.5 ± 13.9 years) and 19 PD patients (10 men, 9 women; mean age, 47.6 ± 11.3 years) were studied. There were no significant differences between HD and PD patients with regard to age, gender, duration of dialysis, left ventricular mass, left ventricular mass index (p > 0.05). Plasma BNP levels were markedly greater in HD patients (467.8 ± 466.5 pg/mL) than those of PD patients (143.1 ± 165.2 pg/mL). Urine output was significantly higher in PD patients compared with HD patients (p < 0.05). A positive correlation between systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and plasma BNP in HD patients (r: 0.653, p: 0.001; r: 0.493, p: 0.023, respectively) was detected. Additional studies are needed to investigate whether lower BNP level in PD patients is an advantage.     

Applications of the Redy® Sorbent System to Hemodialysis and Peritoneal Dialysis

The application of sorbent technology to the treatment of uremia has been limited by the inability to adsorb urea adequately. Conversion of urea to ammonium carbonate and adsorption by zirconium phosphate provides a practical means of removing urea. This combination, together with hydrated zirconium oxide and carbon, removes uremic waste products from dialysate. Over 1500 patients are undergoing maintenance hemodialysis with this system. The dialysate composition can be modified for the treatment of patients with acute renal failure. This sorbent system is now being used for the regeneration of peritoneal dialysate. Twenty patients have undergone a total of 90 dialyses, each of 4 to 24 hours duration. One home patient has been solely on this system for two months. The application of sorbent technology to peritoneal dialysis may be the most promising approach to a wearable dialysis system.