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Objective: Dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is gold standard of bone densitometry, but quantitative ultrasound (QUS) of bone is less expensive and portable. This study was designed to assess its usefulness in secondary osteoporosis diagnosis. Materials and Methods: There were 200 secondary osteoporosis cases (rheumatoid arthritis, hemodialysis, kidney transplant patients, and levothyroxine users) and of those, their phalanx QUS results were compared with normal controls. Also, the QUS and DXA results were compared to find any correlation of these methods for diagnosing osteoporosis. Results: There was not significantly different results compared with normal controls, except for those of hemodialysis patients ( P = .00). Also, the comparison of QUS with DXA results showed no significant correlation except in hemodialysis patients, in both spinal and femoral regions ( P = .023 and .21, respectively), as well as the levothyroxine group’s spinal region ( P = .005). Conclusion: These results suggest that QUS of phalanx may be useful in screening secondary osteoporosis but for establishment of diagnosis, DXA measurements are still needed.

Purpose: To assess the efficacy of interferon-beta1b (INF-beta1b) in combination with favipiravir in early treatment of patients with COVD-19 pneumonia. Methods: This prospective non-controlled study was performed on admitted patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 disease to Amir-Alam hospital. The diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia was based on positive RT-PCR test from nasopharyngeal samples and typical spiral chest CT scan findings. At the time of this study, there was the shortage of efficient anti-COVID drugs especially “Remdesivir” due to sanction of Iran. All the patients received subcutaneous IFN-beta1b plus favipiravir. The patients with severe infection received intravenous dexamethasone. Those who underwent invasive or noninvasive mechanical ventilation, at the admission onset, were excluded from the study. Results: One hundred and eighty-two patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 pneumonia were included in this study. Among182 patients, 90 cases had moderate and 92 had severe pneumonia. Twenty-one cases with severe pneumonia and 14 cases with moderate pneumonia were transferred to ICU to receive invasive or non-invasive mechanical ventilation. The mean duration of hospital ward admission and ICU stay was 10.69±7.54 and 5.45±2.72 days, respectively. One hundred and seventy-four patients (80.7 %) recovered completely and discharged without need to ICU admission. The response rate was the same in patients with moderate and severe pneumonia. Nine cases (4.9 %) were passed away. Diabetic patients had higher mortality rates. Conclusion: This study showed the efficacy of IFN-beta1b plus favipiravir in early treatment of patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 pneumonia who did not need to mechanical ventilation.

To investigate the efficacy and safety of oral N-acetylcysteine (NAC) for preserving residual renal function in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Randomized, multi-center, parallel-group, open-label clinical trial (Registration No. IRCT 2014071418482N1). 54 patients who have been undergoing hemodialysis for at least 3 months and had residual urine volume >100 ml/24 h were randomly allocated to NAC or no medication. Residual renal function evaluated by (1) estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR), (2) 24 h urine volume, and (3) renal Kt/V. GFR and Kt/V was determined at baseline and after 3 months. 24 h urine volume was measured at baseline, after 1, 2, and 3 months. Intention-to-treat analysis was performed on 47 patients (NAC = 26, control = 21). GFR in patients receiving NAC improved, whereas in the control arm a decline of 1.0 ml/min/1.73 m2 was recorded (3.59 vs. 2.11 ml/min/1.73 m2, effect size = 17.0 %, p = 0.004). For 24 h urine volume, the between-group difference after 1 month was significant (669 vs. 533 ml/24 h, effect size = 15.4 %, p = 0.004). After 3 months, 24 h urine volume in the NAC arm was on average 137 ml higher than in the control group, and the difference reached near significance (673 vs. 536 ml/24 h, p = 0.072). In the follow-up visit, Kt/V was higher in the NAC arm but the difference did not reach statistical significance (0.81 vs. 0.54, p = 0.152). Three months treatment with NAC appears to be effective in preserving renal function in patients undergoing hemodialysis and the medication is generally well-tolerated.

Low vitamin D levels have been linked to metabolic syndrome in the general population. In the present study, the relationship between inadequate serum concentrations of vitamin D and metabolic syndrome in patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing hemodialysis was explored. In a cross-sectional setting, 145 patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis were enrolled. Metabolic syndrome was defined using the International Diabetes Federation criteria. Serum concentration of 25(OH) vitamin D was determined by a commercially available enzyme immunosorbent assay method. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 53.1%. The prevalence rate of severe vitamin D deficiency ( 30 ng/mL) 29.0%. With the increasing number of metabolic abnormalities, vitamin D levels significantly decreased (P for trend = 0.028). Among the components of metabolic syndrome, vitamin D deficiency was significantly associated with central obesity (odds ratio [OR], 95% confident interval [CI] = 2.80, 1.11-7.04, P = 0.028). A positive, but nonsignificant association between vitamin D deficiency and raised fasting plasma glucose was noted (OR, 95% CI = 2.40, 0.94-6.11, P = 0.067). Both vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency were significantly associated with an increased likelihood of having metabolic syndrome (P < 0.05). In a final model controlling for age, sex, and parathyroid hormone levels, vitamin D deficiency increased the odds of having metabolic syndrome by more than threefold (OR, 95% CI = 3.26, 1.30-8.20, P = 0.012). Low levels of vitamin D are frequent among hemodialysis patients and are associated with the metabolic syndrome.

Characteristics of parathyroid glands usually determined by ultrasonography such as its total weight or volume might be a good indicator for the induction or suppression of parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion from these glands. In the present study, we investigated the relationship between the volume and blood supply grade of the parathyroid glands, and its PTH secretion. Study subjects included 52 consecutive patients with the secondary hyperparathyroidism undergoing maintenance hemodialysis therapy referred to dialysis wards of the Imam Khomeini and Amiralam University Hospitals in Tehran. Serum intact PTH (i-PTH) was measured by an ELISA assay. The parathyroid glands characteristics were identified by ultrasonography that was performed simultaneously with blood collection. Parathyroid blood flows were evaluated by power-Doppler color imaging. There was no significant correlation between the total mass of the glands and serum concentration of i-PTH. No significant correlations were also observed between both total central and peripheral parathyroid glands blood flow and serum i-PTH level. Dialysis duration and serum alkaline phosphatase were significantly correlated in a positive manner with i-PTH level. Furthermore, serum level of i-PTH was not correlated with the total signals of glands blood flow in a multivariable linear regression analysis. Serum secreted i-PTH level might not be predictable by a total mass of parathyroid glands as well as their blood supply.

Although the efficacy of hepatitis B vaccines in patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis (HD) treatment has been documented, the persistence of immunity in this population remains largely unknown. In this study we evaluated the persistence of hepatitis B vaccine immunity in HD patients. We followed 37 hepatitis B vaccinated HD patients (following a four-dose vaccination schedule of 40 μg injections intramuscularly in the deltoid muscle at 0, 1, 2, and 6 months) for up to one year to evaluate the persistence of immunity (as indicated by serum levels of hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) equal to or higher than 10 IU/L). One year after vaccination, 18.9% of patients had lost their anti-HBs (transient responders), while 81.1% still had detectable antibodies in the serum (persistent responders). From 81.1% of persistent responders 11.5% and 88.5% were weak and high responders, respectively. There was no significant difference between persistent and transient responders regarding age, sex, or nutritional factors. We did not find any factors that related to maintaining protective levels of anti-HBs in HD patients. It seems that an antibody titer above 100 IU/L following vaccination is necessary in order to maintain that level of antibody one year later.

Low vitamin D levels have been linked to metabolic syndrome in the general population. In the present study, the relationship between inadequate serum concentrations of vitamin D and metabolic syndrome in patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing hemodialysis was explored. In a cross-sectional setting, 145 patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis were enrolled. Metabolic syndrome was defined using the International Diabetes Federation criteria. Serum concentration of 25(OH) vitamin D was determined by a commercially available enzyme immunosorbent assay method. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 53.1%. The prevalence rate of severe vitamin D deficiency (5 ng/mL) was 3.4%, mild vitamin D deficiency (5-15 ng/mL) 31.0%, vitamin D insufficiency (16-30 ng/mL) 36.6%, and vitamin D sufficiency (30 ng/mL) 29.0%. With the increasing number of metabolic abnormalities, vitamin D levels significantly decreased (P for trend = 0.028). Among the components of metabolic syndrome, vitamin D deficiency was significantly associated with central obesity (odds ratio [OR], 95% confident interval [CI] = 2.80, 1.11-7.04, P = 0.028). A positive, but nonsignificant association between vitamin D deficiency and raised fasting plasma glucose was noted (OR, 95% CI = 2.40, 0.94-6.11, P = 0.067). Both vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency were significantly associated with an increased likelihood of having metabolic syndrome (P 0.05). In a final model controlling for age, sex, and parathyroid hormone levels, vitamin D deficiency increased the odds of having metabolic syndrome by more than threefold (OR, 95% CI = 3.26, 1.30-8.20, P = 0.012). Low levels of vitamin D are frequent among hemodialysis patients and are associated with the metabolic syndrome.

Objective. Posttransplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) is a common and serious complication of renal transplantation. Estimates of the incidence of PTDM after renal transplantation vary between 2% and 54%. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the incidence and risk factors for PTDM among our renal transplant patients. Patients and Methods. In this study we evaluated 121 nondiabetic patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) who underwent kidney transplantation for the first time at our centers since 2005. All patients received the same protocol of immunosuppressive therapy. PTDM was defined according to the clinical practice recommendations of the American Diabetes Association. Results. At 12 months following renal transplantation, 9.9% of patients developed PTDM. Patients with PTDM were significantly older (P .013) and had higher body mass index (P .001). There were significant differences (P .05) between PTDM and non-PTDM patients with respect to systolic blood pressure, serum triglycerides (TG), peritoneal dialysis as renal replacement therapy before transplantation, and duration of pretransplant dialysis therapy. Upon multivariate analysis, serum TG, systolic blood pressure, and body mass index were associated with PTDM (P .05). Conclusions. The incidence at 12 months of PTDM among our renal transplant recipients was 9.9%. The most important factors associated with PTDM were serum TG, systolic blood pressure, and body mass index.

Summary Background: Hepatitis B vaccine is effective in protection against hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in haemodialysis (HD) patients, but the antibody response is variable in this population and the persistence of immunity in them remains largely unknown. In this study we aimed to evaluate the efficacy and long-term immunogenicity of hepatitis B vaccine in HD patients. Methods: In this study, we initially offered HBV vaccination as double dose, four vaccine series schedule (40 μg injections intramuscularly in the deltoid muscle at 0, 1, 2 and 6 months) to 54 HD patients who were negative for hepatitis B core antibody and did not receive any dose of HBV vaccine previously. Serum levels of hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) tested 1–2 months after completion of vaccination. Then we follow the patients up to 1 year after primary vaccination to evaluate the persistence of immunity (as indicated by serum levels of anti-HBs higher than or equal to 10 IU/l). Results: After primary vaccination, 87% of patients developed anti-HBs levels above 10 IU/l. 27.8% and 59.2% of them were weak responders and high responders respectively. 13% of patients were non-responders. After 1-year follow-up, 18.18% of responders had lost their anti-HBs (transient responders). All of them were initially in weak responders group and had lower anti-HBs levels. Conclusion: We found an average percentage of seroconversion after primary HBV vaccination in HD patients. Our study also supported this fact that an antibody titre above 100 IU/l following primary vaccination is necessary to maintain that level of antibody 1 year later.

We studied 122 women with a transplanted kidney to evaluate their reproductive performance. 15 of the patients were either post-menopausal or underwent hysterectomy and 33 were unmarried. Of the 76 married reproductive age women, 10 (13.1%) were infertile. Three had male factor infertility, three had ovulatory problems and in four cases, the cause was uncertain. Six of these patients were actively treated by ovulation induction with or without IUI and two of these patients became pregnant. The remaining four patients refused treatment for infertility. We conclude that the incidence of infertility among kidney transplant recipients is similar to the general population, but they are less motivated to be treated for infertility.

To investigate the incidence of unwanted pregnancy among kidney transplant recipients, we studied 86 pregnancies in 64 women with a transplanted kidney. Twenty-five pregnancies were unwanted (29.1%). Pregnancy was terminated by induced abortion in seven patients, and four pregnancies were lost due to spontaneous abortion with one intrauterine fetal death. Only 13 (52%) pregnancies resulted in a live birth. Most of the unwanted pregnancies occurred in women using coitus interruptus (92%) as the only method of contraception. It is concluded that because fertility greatly improves after kidney transplantation, it is necessary to have a family planning counseling session before surgery. If a patient is not interested in future pregnancy, an effective method of contraception should be offered. A woman who has decided against childbearing in the future may decide to have a tubal ligation at the time of transplantation surgery.

Leptin is the protein product of the obesity gene, which is produced in fat tissue. It was originally thought to be involved only in the regulation of food intake and energy balance. We aimed to investigate the relationship of serum leptin levels with bone mineral density (BMD) and biochemical markers of bone turnover in patients on hemodialysis (HD). This study included 72 patients (43 males and 29 females), whose mean age was 55.1 ± 11.4 years, mean body mass index was 23.13 ± 2.75 kg/m 2 and mean duration on HD was 5 ± 3.4 years. The BMD values were calculated using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) at the femoral neck and lumbar spine. Blood samples were taken for leptin, intact parathyroid hormone (I-PTH), bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP), calcium (Ca), phosphate (P) and albumin. The leptin levels were higher in females than in males (22.3 ± 19.6 vs 20.8 ± 23), but this difference was not significant. The serum leptin level had a strong positive correlation with Ca levels in the female patients (r = 0.659 and P = 0.01) and a negative correlation with albumin levels (r = -0.461 and P = 0.01). No correlation was found with age, BMI, duration on dialysis, BMD and serum levels of PTH, BAP and P for the entire patient group or either gender separately. The serum leptin level was significantly lower in females with PTH >300 pg/mL when compared with patients with PTH = 100-300 pg/mL (86 ± 85 vs 47 ± 48) (P = 0.011).Women with BAP

Purpose: Our purpose was to investigate reproductive performance among kidney transplant recipients. Materials and Methods. We studied 126 kidney transplanted women 15 to 68 years of age including 33 who were single and 93 who were married. Results. Infertility was seen in 10.4% of those who desired pregnancy, a rate similar to the general population. The most common method of contraception was coitus interruptus (56%), 22% of patients had tubal ligation, 6% had husbands who had vasectomies, 14% were using condoms, and only 2% used oral contraceptives. Among 33 pregnancies, 16 were unintended (48.5%). Most of the patients with unwanted pregnancy were using coitus interruptus (93.7%). In the group with unintended pregnancy, abortion was induced in three, spontaneous abortion or intrauterine fetal death occurred in six, and only seven pregnancies resulted in a live birth (43.7%). Conclusion. Kidney transplantation greatly improves fertility, so those who do not desire pregnancy should be protected by an effective method of contraception.