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Introduction: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) has emerged as an important outcome measure inpatients with CKD. The lack of prospective studies on HRQoL and its relation with hyperphosphatemia control measures among pre-dialysis patients necessitated the need for this study. Methods: This is a prospective, randomized, controlled, open-labelled studythat was conducted for one year on 120 CKD stages III and IV patients divided equally into three groups: Group 1, in which patients under went dietary phosphorus modification; Group 2, in which they were administered calcium-based phosphate binders; and Group 3, in which they were administered non-calcium-based phosphate binders. Patients were assessed for HRQoL, fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF 23), intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), phosphorus, and nutritional status, and dietary phosphorus control strategies at 0, 6, and 12 months. HRQoL was measured by using the 36-item Short Form Survey (SF-36) that included a physical component score (PCS) and mental component score (MCS). The scores is ranging from 0 to 100. Higher scores indicate better health status. Usingthe two-wayand one-way repeated measure ANOVA, we analyzed equality of group means, time intervals, and interactions. Results: At baseline, the mean PCS and MCS were equal in three groups. PCS improved significantly (P < 0.00) from baseline to one year in all the three groups: ingroup 1, the PCS score was 66.5 ± 13.5to 75.1 ± 9.76; in group 2, it was 68.9 ± 11.80 to 77.2 ± 7.50; and in group 3, it was 66.2 ± 12.16 to 73.8 ± 9.27. Initially, MCS declined substantially on the sixth month but recovered afterone year. Multiple regression analysis in 13 associated parameters yielded R² of 13.7% and 18.1% in PCS and MCS, respectively, indicating little contribution of various parameters. Conclusion: There has been a significant positive change in PCSs in three hyperphosphatemia management groups over a period of 12 months. Among the three study groups, the incremental changes in PCS and MCS scores were insignificant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Since COVID-19 has been announced as a pandemic, outcome of dialysis patients in terms of morbidity and mortality from India is lacking. We studied the clinical, epidemiological features of COVID-19 along with outcome in terms of mortality in our dialysis cohort. Methods: Data of End-Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD) patients who were admitted in COVID-19 designated hospital block as positive and suspected patients from 1st April 2020 to 31st July 2020 was retrieved. Data about epidemiological characteristics, clinical features, mortality outcomes of COVID-19 positive and negative patients were analyzed. Results: A total of 97 ESKD patients were admitted during the study period, of which 44 (45.4%) and 53 (54.6%) patients were found to be COVID-19 positive and negative respectively. The mean age of COVID positive patients was 46 years with 54.5% being female. Only three patients (6.8%) remained asymptomatic throughout the course of illness. Amongst COVID-19 positive, 20 (45.45%) were severely ill while 18 (40.9%) were having mild illnesses. Breathlessness (65.9%) and fever (61.4%) were common symptoms. The death occurred in 17 (38.6%) and 25 (47.1%) COVID-19 positive and negative ESKD patients respectively. 14 (82.3%) patients who expired amongst COVID-19 positive were having severe illness and significantly more were associated with negligible residual renal function. Conclusions: Breathlessness and fever were common symptoms amongst COVID-19 ESKD patients. Very few patients remained asymptomatic in our cohort and significantly more mortality is observed in severely ill patients and those with negligible residual renal function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dietary deficiencies of folate and other B vitamin cofactors involved in one-carbon metabolism, together with genetic polymorphisms in key folate-methionine metabolic pathway enzymes, are associated with increases in circulating plasma homocysteine, reduction in DNA methylation patterns, and genome instability events. All of these biomarkers have also been associated with pre-eclampsia. The aim of this review was to explore the literature and identify potential knowledge gaps in relation to the role of folate at the genomic level in either the etiology or the prevention of pre-eclampsia. A systematic search strategy was designed to identify citations in electronic databases for the following terms: folic acid supplementation AND preeclampsia, folic acid supplementation AND genome stability, folate AND genome stability AND pre-eclampsia, folic acid supplementation AND DNA methylation, and folate AND DNA methylation AND pre-eclampsia. Forty-three articles were selected according to predefined selection criteria. The studies included in the present review were not homogeneous, which made pooled analysis of the data very difficult. The present review highlights associations between folate deficiency and certain biomarkers observed in various tissues of women at risk of pre-eclampsia. Further investigation is required to understand the role of folate in either the etiology or the prevention of pre-eclampsia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]