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In patients with diabetic nephropathy, lowering blood pressure and reducing proteinuria by over 30% correlates with a slower progression to kidney failure. We compared two different angiotensin receptor-blockers in a double blind, prospective trial of 860 patients with type 2 diabetes whose blood pressure levels was over 130/80 mmHg or who were receiving antihypertensive medication(s) and who had a morning spot urinary protein to creatinine ratio of 700 or more. Patients were randomized to telmisartan (a highly lipophilic agent with a long half-life) or losartan (with low lipophilicity and short half-life). The primary endpoint was the difference in the urinary albumin to creatinine ratio between the groups at 52 weeks. The geometric coefficient of variation and the mean of the urinary albumin to creatinine ratio fell in both groups at 52 weeks but both were significantly greater for the telmisartan compared to the losartan cohort. Mean systolic blood pressure reductions were not significantly different between groups at trial end. We conclude that telmisartan is superior to losartan in reducing proteinuria in hypertensive patients with diabetic nephropathy, despite a similar reduction in blood pressure.Kidney International (2008) 74, 364–369; doi:10.1038/ki.2008.204; published online 21 May 2008 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective:: This study evaluated the effectiveness of an escalating-dose regimen of trandolapril in subjects with stage 1 or stage 2 hypertension. Methods:: This was a 26-week, prospective, open-label,multicenter study in Canadian primary care centers. Subjects with hypertension who were treatment naive or whose disease was uncontrolled on current first-line antihypertensive monotherapy were treated with trandolapril for 26 weeks alone or in addition to their current treatment. Uncontrolled hypertension was defined as systolic/diastolic blood pressure (SBP/DBP) ≥140/90 mm Hg in subjects with no other risk factors or ≥130/80 mm Hg in subjects with diabetes or kidney disease. Trandolapril therapy was initiated at 1 mg/d and was titrated as required to 2 or 4 mg at 4 and 9 weeks after initiation of treatment, respectively, in those not achieving BP targets. At 14 weeks after treatment initiation, subjects not achieving BP targets could receive a combination of trandolapril 4 mg plus a calcium channel blocker (verapamil 240 mg) with or without a diuretic. Primary outcome was the percentage of patients reaching target BP after 14 weeks. Results:: A total of 1683 subjects from 192 general practice clinics across Canada completed the 14-week trandolapril dose-optimization phase, and 1650 completed the full 26-week follow-up. Mean (SD) age was 56.6 (12.6) years, and 49.2% of the subjects were men. At baseline, 82.4% (1359/1650) of subjects were antihypertensive-treatment naive. At the trial end, 73.4% (95% CI, 70.9–75.9) of subjects achieved a target level of SBP/DBP <140/90 mm Hg. The mean (SD) reductions in SBP and DBP were -21.5 (14.0) and −11.9 (9.1) mm Hg, respectively (P < 0.001), and −22.4 (14.0) and -12.7 (9.0) mm Hg, respectively (P < 0.001), at 26 weeks. A total of 343 predominantly mild, nonserious adverse events were attributed to the study drugs, reported by 252 (15.3%) of the 1650 subjects. The most frequently reported nonserious adverse events were cough (6.3%); gastrointestinal disorders (2.3%), predominantly nausea; and headache (2.1%). No serious adverse events were attributed to the study treatment. Trandolapril was generally well tolerated. Conclusions:: A titration-based, escalating-doseregimen of trandolapril was effective and well tolerated in the management of these subjects who were antihypertensive-treatment naive or whose disease was uncontrolled on a diuretic or a calcium channel blocker in this open-label, uncontrolled, multicenter study. Overall, 73.4% of subjects achieved their target blood pressure goal (<140/90 mm Hg). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study compared the efficacy and tolerability of eplerenone and enalapril in 499 patients with stage 1 or 2 hypertension who were randomized to receive eplerenone or enalapril for 6 months in a 3-step titration-to-effect study. After 6 months, patients whose diastolic blood pressure (BP) was <90 mm Hg had their dosages down-titrated were followed for an additional 6 months. Diastolic BP was the primary end point. Eplerenone was as effective as enalapril in reducing both systolic BP (eplerenone, −14.5 mm Hg; enalapril, −12.7 mm Hg; p = 0.199) and diastolic BP (eplerenone, −11.2 mm Hg; enalapril, −11.3 mm Hg; p = 0.910) at 6 months. BP reductions at 12 months were also similar between groups (−16.5/−13.3 mm Hg for eplerenone, −14.8/−14.1 mm Hg for enalapril; p = 0.251 and 0.331, respectively). Withdrawal rates for adverse events (eplerenone 7.9%, enalapril 9.3% at 6 months) and treatment failures (eplerenone 23.3%, enalapril 22.8% at 6 months) were also equivalent. Approximately 2/3 of each group had normal BP with monotherapy treatment at 6 months. BP response was independent of renin levels in the eplerenone group, but not in the enalapril group. Both agents reduced albuminuria in patients who had an elevated value at baseline, with significantly greater improvement in patients treated with eplerenone versus enalapril (−61.5% vs −25.7%; p = 0.01). Both agents were similarly well tolerated, and there was no increased incidence of any sexual adverse events in the eplerenone group. Patients taking enalapril had a higher rate of cough. Both agents increased serum potassium levels, but <1% in each group reported adverse events from hyperkalemia. Eplerenone was as effective as enalapril as monotherapy in patients with stage 1 or 2 hypertension, was more effective in reducing albuminuria, and was well tolerated for 12 months. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Even within the normal range, aldosterone levels are linked to end-organ toxicity and mortality in patients with hypertension. Treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin-receptor blockers does not sufficiently reduce plasma aldosterone levels.Objective: This study was conducted to assess the long-term safety profile and efficacy of the selective aldosterone blocker eplerenone.Methods: This was a multicenter, open-label, uncontrolled trial in patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension. After a 1-week washout of previous antihypertensive medications, eplerenone was initiated at 50 mg once daily; the dose was titrated to a maximum of 200 mg/d to achieve a diastolic blood pressure <90 mm Hg and a systolic blood pressure <140 mm Hg. Thereafter, another antihypertensive agent could be added and titrated once, or another agent could be substituted for eplerenone. Eplerenone treatment was continued for up to 14 months in a subset of patients.Results: Five hundred eighty-six patients were enrolled in the study. Their adjusted mean blood pressure (BP) at baseline was 150/96 mm Hg. The majority (80.4%) were white; 51.5% were male and 48.5% were female; 62.3% were between the ages of 45 and 64 years and 21.7% were aged >64 years. Three hundred eighty-five patients (65.7%) completed the study; 98 (16.7%) were withdrawn due to treatment failure (only 4.8% of them after month 4), and 40 (6.8%) were withdrawn due to treatment-emergent adverse events. Four hundred thirty-three of 582 (74.4%) patients in the intent-to-treat population achieved BP control during eplerenone treatment: 261 (44.8%) received eplerenone monotherapy and 172 (30.0%) received eplerenone plus another antihypertensive agent.Conclusions: Eplerenone therapy was effective in the treatment of mild to moderate hypertension over a 14-month period, either as monotherapy or in combination with another antihypertensive agent. Use of eplerenone was well tolerated in the population studied. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We examined the relationship between anxiety sensitivity, alcohol and nicotine use, and drinking and smoking motives in a nonclinical university population. Participants (n=293) completed the 16-item Anxiety Sensitivity (AS) Index and a drinking and smoking history questionnaire. Sixty percent of participants completed the Drinking Motives Questionnaire and 29% completed the Smoking Motives Questionnaire. Level of alcohol and cigarette consumption was not related to AS but was related to motives. AS was directly related to coping-related drinking and moderated the relationship between level of smoking and mood-related smoking motives. Although AS may be more predictive of coping-related drinking motives than of level of alcohol consumption, given the relationship between these types of drinking motives and abusive drinking, high AS individuals might be an at-risk group due to their reasons for drinking. In addition, striking differences were found between drinkers who smoke and those who do not smoke, suggesting that this subgroup may also represent an at-risk group of drinkers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Hyperhomocysteinemia, anticardiolipin antibody status, and risk for vascular access thrombosis in hemodialysis patients. Background. Vascular access failure is an important cause of morbidity in end-stage renal failure patients on hemodialysis. Currently, little is known about risk factors that predispose certain hemodialysis patients to recurrent access thrombosis. Hyperhomocysteinemia (common in patients with renal failure) predisposes people with normal renal function to recurrent and early-onset venous thrombosis, although the effect on vascular access thrombosis is currently unknown. Previous studies have suggested that high titers of IgG anticardiolipin antibody (IgG-ACA) predispose hemodialysis patients to access thrombosis. This cross sectional study was designed to assess for an association between two predictive variables, hyperhomocysteinemia and elevated titers of IgG-ACA, and vascular access thrombosis in patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis. Methods. Risk factors for vascular access thrombosis were documented, and the number of episodes of access thrombosis was recorded for the previous three years in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Midweek predialysis total homocysteine and IgG-ACA levels were measured in all subjects. Results. Of the 118 patients who were enrolled, 75.4% had a native arteriovenous fistula. Episodes of vascular access thrombosis were recorded for the previous three years; 34 (28.8%, 95% CI 20.9 to 37.9%) patients had 72 episodes of access thrombosis over the period of risk. Mean homocysteine levels were not significantly different between these 34 patients (28.6 μmol/liter, 95% CI 24.5 to 32.7) and the patients who had no episodes of graft thrombosis (29.8 μmol/liter, 95% CI 26.7 to 32.9). Sixty-seven unselected patients had IgG-ACA levels drawn for analysis, and all assays were negative. The only variable that was associated with a higher risk for graft thrombosis was the type of vascular access placed (odds ratio... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the management of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Usage of cyclosporine A at doses to maintain serum levels; Stages in the evolution of the glomerulopathy; Prevalence of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis among patients with glomerulonephritis.

Examines the conservative treatment in slow deterioration of renal function. Effect of an intervention on the deterioration of the renal function; Rate of deterioration of the renal function; Importance of the reduction of blood pressure.

Examines the hypothesis that hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal responses to stress vary across gender, contributing to gender differences in the prevalence of depression in adolescents. Gender differences between depressed and control adolescents in adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol response to two ovine corticotropine-releasing hormone (oCRH) tests.

Presents a study on thyroid hormone concentrations and behavioral problems in adolescents with depression. Method and procedures; What results show; References.

Abstract: Diabetic nephropathy is a leading cause of renal failure requiring replacement therapy. Diabetic nephropathy is typically characterized by persistent microalbuminuria progressing to nephrotic syndrome, a progressive decline in glomerular filtration rate, and hypertension. Diabetic nephropathy prevention strategies may involve early angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor treatment and the control of diabetes to reduce glomerular hypertension and hyperfiltration. Treatment strategies include the use of ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), and cholesterol-lowering agents. Early intervention is key to the prevention of more severe renal outcomes. Although intensive and early control of blood pressure (BP) is key to renoprotection, the class of antihypertensive has an important bearing on outcome. There is evidence for the efficacy of ARBs in preventing the progression from microalbuminuria to overt nephropathy (urine protein excretion >500 mg/day) from the IRbesartan in patients with diabetes and MicroAlbuminuria (IRMA 2) Study using irbesartan and the INcideNt to OVert: Angiotensin II receptor blocker, Telmisartan, Investigation On type 2 diabetic Nephropathy (INNOVATION) Study using telmisartan. For the management of overt nephropathy, the findings of the Reduction of Endpoints in NIDDM with the Angiotensin II Antagonist Losartan (RENAAL) Study and the Irbesartan in Diabetic Nephropathy Trial (IDNT) demonstrate that losartan and irbesartan, respectively, reduce the time to doubling of serum creatinine levels and development of end-stage renal disease. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Examines the effect of high-dose oral vitamin B[sub12] and folic acid on peridialysis total homocysteine levels in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients in Alberta, Canada. Decrease of screening homocysteine levels; Mean reduction of homocysteine levels after therapy; Investigation on risk of atherosclerotic vascular events.