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Background The utilization of short-term daily hemodialysis has increased over the last few years, but little is known on its effects on the control of serum phosphate and fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) levels. Methods We therefore performed a cross-sectional study to compare FGF23 levels as well as other biochemical variables between 24 patients undergoing short daily hemodialysis using the NxStage System® and 54 patients treated with conventional in-center hemodialysis. FGF23 levels were measured using the second-generation Immutopics® C-terminal assay. Results Short daily hemodialysis patients were younger than patients on conventional hemodialysis but there were no differences between groups in the duration of end-stage renal disease nor in the number of patients with residual renal function. A greater number of short daily hemodialysis patients received vitamin D sterol therapy than did conventional in-center hemodialysis patients while there were no differences in the use of different phosphate binders and calcimimetic therapy between groups. Overall serum calcium, phosphorus and intact parathyroid hormone levels were similar between groups. While serum phosphorus levels correlated with FGF23 concentrations in each group separately [r = 0.522 (P < 0.01) and r = 0.42 (P < 0.01) in short daily and conventional in-center hemodialysis, respectively], FGF23 levels were lower [823 RU/mL (263, 2169)] in the patients receiving short daily hemodialysis than in patients treated with conventional hemodialysis [2521 RU/mL (909, 5556)] (P < 0.01 between groups). Conclusions These findings demonstrate that FGF23 levels are significantly lower in short daily hemodialysis patients and suggest that FGF23 levels may be a more sensitive biomarker of cumulative phosphate burden than single or multiple serum phosphorus determinations in patients treated with hemodialysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between blood pressure and neuropsychological functioning in a group of 15 male hypertensives (mean age = 51.2 years) was studied. Thirteen of the 15 subjects showed cognitive deficits on a battery of neuropsychological tests. More significant negative correlations were found among test scores and systolic pressure than diastolic pressure. Stepwise multiple regression analyses confirmed significant relationships between both systolic and diastolic blood pressure and neuropsychological status. Following biofeedback training, subjects in whom blood pressure decreased the most showed the greatest improvement in Category Test performance. Findings suggest that level of systolic pressure is a sensitive predictor of hypertensives' intellectual and cognitive status, that it may be better than diastolic level, and that decreasing blood pressure is predictive of reversal of at least some of the cognitive impairments associated with hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]