Medicina
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Comparative Study
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in Hemodialysis: Survival Comparison and Mortality-Related Factors.
Background and Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the outcome of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) by comparing the survival among HD patients with SLE, diabetes mellitus (DM), or other diseases in the Korean population. We also analyzed the factors affecting the survival of SLE patients undergoing HD. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study analyzed laboratory data from a national HD quality assessment program and claims data. ⋯ In the SLE group, age, the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) score, hemoglobin, serum creatinine levels, and systolic blood pressure (SBP) were associated with patient survival. Conclusions: This study showed that HD patients with SLE had better patient survival than those with DM and comparable survival with those with other diseases, except SLE or DM. In addition, age, CCI score, hemoglobin, serum creatinine level, and SBP were associated with survival in HD patients with SLE.
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Background and Objectives: The accumulation of fat in the body, especially visceral fat, is associated with various cardiometabolic conditions such as diabetes mellitus and fatty liver. The reasons for the accumulation of this fat are diverse. Some studies, also in the working population, have shown a clear association between sociodemographic variables and health habits with scales that assess overweight and obesity. ⋯ These values are higher in smokers. A multivariate analysis shows that the variables most influential in increasing the risk of high levels of both body and visceral fat are age and low levels of physical activity. Conclusions: The profile of a person at high risk of having elevated body and visceral fat levels is an older male with a low socioeconomic status who smokes and leads a sedentary lifestyle.
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Background and Objectives: Bone and mineral disease (BMD) is a prevalent complication of advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD). The risk of fractures can be assessed via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and quantitative computed tomography (QCT). This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of two imaging modalities in identifying bone mineral status in individuals with pre-dialysis chronic renal disease and to assess their correlation with bone turnover markers. ⋯ In addition, our study found that TRACP5b had a strong negative correlation with the DXA L1-L4 Z-score. Conclusions: This study revealed that QCT may be more sensitive than DXA for detecting low bone density in pre-dialysis CKD patients. Additionally, DXA may overestimate lumbar spine BMD in this population, and the strong negative correlation between TRACP5b levels and the DXA L1-L4 Z-score highlights the potential role of biochemical markers in assessing bone status in CKD.
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Observational Study
Relationship Between Perilesional Skin Condition and Survival in Terminally Ill Patients with Pressure Ulcers.
Background and Objectives: In the context of palliative care, the aim is to alleviate suffering and improve quality of life, with particular attention to PUs, which have a significant impact on quality of life and survival. This study examines the relationship between perilesional skin condition and survival in terminally ill patients with pressure ulcers (PUs). Materials and Methods: A descriptive and observational study was conducted in two hospitals in Valencia with a sample of 100 terminally ill patients. ⋯ In addition, a positive correlation was found between Barthel Score and survival, suggesting that patients with greater functional independence have a longer life expectancy. On the other hand, the negative correlation between total lymphocyte count and survival suggests that lymphocytopenia may be a marker of adaptive immunosuppression. Perilesional tissue epithelialization, overall functionality and serum albumin levels are key factors in predicting survival, highlighting the need for a comprehensive palliative care approach to optimize quality of life and prolong survival in terminally ill patients with PUs.
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Background and Objectives: Hypertension (HTN) constitutes a significant global health burden, yet the specific genetic variant responsible for blood pressure regulation remains elusive. This study investigates the genetic basis of hypertension in the Jordanian population, focusing on gene variants related to ion channels and transporters, including KCNJ1, WNK1, NPPA, STK39, LUC7L2, NEDD4L, NPHS1, BDKRB2, and CACNA1C. Materials and Methods: This research involved 200 hypertensive patients and 224 healthy controls. ⋯ In addition, rs880054 was associated with clinical characteristics such as triglyceride levels and cerebrovascular accidents (p-value > 0.05). Conclusions: Our findings reveal a significant link between the rs880054 SNP and an increased hypertension risk, suggesting that variations in WNK1 may be crucial in regulating blood pressure. This study provides new insights into the genetic factors contributing to hypertension and highlights the potential of WNK1 as a target for future therapeutic interventions.