Exploring Biomarkers Beyond Exercise Testing: The Impact of Smoking on Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Health among CKD Patients

Background: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) patients often face complex health challenges, including cardiovascular and pulmonary issues. Smoking is a recognized risk factor for these conditions, but its specific impact on CKD patients remains less understood. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we investigated the relationship between smoking habits and cardiopulmonary health among CKD patients. We examined baseline characteristics, including demographics, medical history, and biochemical markers, in a cohort of CKD patients. Cardiopulmonary parameters were assessed during exercise testing, including oxygen consumption, ventilation rates, ventilation-perfusion matching markers, and oxygen saturation levels. Results: Our findings revealed no statistically significant differences in cardiopulmonary parameters between smokers and non-smokers within the CKD patient population. This suggests that the relationship between smoking and exercise capacity in CKD patients is complex and influenced by multiple factors. Our analysis of demographics, comorbidities, and medication history provided critical context for interpreting these results. Conclusion: This study contributes to our understanding of the intricate relationship between smoking habits and cardiopulmonary health in CKD patients. While smoking is recognized as a risk factor, its specific impact on exercise capacity within this population may be influenced by individual variables. Further research is needed to explore these relationships in larger and more diverse cohorts. These findings underscore the importance of considering multiple variables when assessing the impact of smoking on the health of CKD patients

Ten-year Investigation of Clinical, Laboratory and Radiologic Manifestations and Complications in Patients with Takayasu’s Arteritis in Three University Hospitals

Background: Takayasu arteritis is a condition of unknown aetiology that affects the aorta and its primary branches. The disease has been primarily recognised and described in Asia. The aims of this study were to identify the main clinical, laboratory, and angiographic features of Takayasu arteritis in Iranian patients over a 10 year period from 2000 to 2010. Methods: Data were obtained from angiographic and medical records of patients treated at Shahid-Rajai, Taleghani, and Loghman Hospitals during the above-mentioned time period. The criteria for definitions and findings were those proposed by the American College of Rheumatology. Results: A total of 15 patients were identified. The median age at presentation was 36 years and 73.3% of patients were females. Fever was the most common presentation. According to “modified” National Institute of Health criteria, 44.7% of patients were in the acute phase of disease with systemic symptoms such as fever, weight loss, and elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Immunological markers such as antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (C-ANCA) were absent. The tuberculin test result was positive in 40% of the patients. Vascular bruit was present in 86.7% and hypertension was detected in 53.3% with 13.3% having associated renal artery stenosis. The angiographic manifestations were classified as; type I, cervicobrachial type (26.6%); type II, thoracoabdominal type (20.0%); type III, peripheral type (6.6%); and type IV, generalised type (46.7%). Coronary arteries were involved in three cases, pulmonary in two and renal in two. Conclusion: Based on our findings, the most common clinical, laboratory and angiographic findings were fever, increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and stenosis, respectively. Because of dangerous consequences of this disease, attention to fever and increased ESR, especially in young women may be helpful for physicians to prevent diagnosis delay

An End-Stage Renal Disease Patient with Invasive Fungal Rhinosinusitis

Mucormycosis is one of the invasive fungal infections particularly in immunocompromised patients with impaired host defense. It is characterized by fungal rhino sinusitis with invasion of adjustment structures including brain, pulmonary, or gastrointestinal systems or can be presented as a disseminated disease. Predisposing factors are diabetic ketoacidosis, neutropenia, corticosteroid or deferoxamine use, iron overload, malnutrition and skin macerations. We present a known case of end-stage renal disease patient under hemodialysis without history of diabetes or other risk factors listed above, who admitted because of fever and diagnosed with invasive rhino -sinusitis mucormycosis.</p