Hepatitis B and C in dialysis units in Kosova

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are important causes of morbidity and mortality of hemodialysis (HD) patients. This study aimed to investigate the epidemiological and clinical features of HCV and HBV infections in six different HD units in Kosova.</p> <p>Five hundred and eighty-three end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients on maintenance HD from six HD centers in Kosova (358 female, 225 male, mean age 54,8 years (16–66) were included in this study. Data from databank of the National Blood Bank in Prishtina, as well as the data from the databank of the Transfusion Centers in Regional hospitals in Prizren, Peja, Gjilan, Mitrovica and Gjakova were taken in this study. Clinical data such as age, sex, HBsAg and anti-HCV antibody and primary causes of ESKD were examined.</p> <p>Serological markers for HBV and HCV were determined with immunoenzymatic assay (ELISA).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The T-test and x²test were used to analyze the significance of the results. Among our HD patients HBsAg and anti-HCV antibody prevalence rate was 12%, respectively 43%. Chronic nephritis was a more frequent cause of ESKD among our HD patients. With unknown etiology were 23, 5% from them.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>HBV and HCV prevalence in our HD patients is still high. These data emphasize the need for stricter adherence to infection control, barrier precaution and preventive behaviors with all patients.</p

Hemorrhagic Fever with Acute Renal Failure: A Report from Kosova

Acute renal failure (ARF) is a well-known complication of hemorrhagic fever (HF). We studied patients with HF and ARF who were treated in our department for two years between March 2005 and the end of December 2006. The age of the patients ranged from 17 to 71 years. The incidence of complications in the study patients was acceptable and similar to that reported in the literature of Balkan region. Our study shows that the efficacy of the overall results in the treatment of these patients in our center is comparable to the published data in the country from the Balkan region

Predictors of Increased Left Ventricular Filling Pressure in Dialysis Patients with Preserved Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction

Aim To study the left and right ventricular function and to assess the predictors of increased left ventricular (LV) filling pressure in dialysis patients with preserved LV ejection fraction. Methods This study included 63 consecutive patients (age 57 ± 14 years, 57% women) with end-stage renal failure. Echocardiography, including tissue Doppler measurements, was performed in all patients. Based on the median value of the ratio of transmitral early diastolic velocity to early myocardial velocity (E/E’ ratio), patients were divided into 2 groups: the group with high filling pressure (E/E’>10.16) and the group with low filling pressure (E/ E’≤10.16). Results Compared with patients with low filling pressure, the group of patients with high filling pressure included a higher proportion of diabetic patients (41% vs 13%, P = 0.022) and had greater LV mass index (211 ± 77 vs 172 ± 71 g/m3, P = 0.04), lower LV lateral long axis amplitude (1.4 ± 0.3 vs 1.6 ± 0.3 cm, P = 0.01), lower E wave (84 ± 19 vs 64 ± 18cm/s, P < 0.001), lower systolic myocardial velocity (S’: 8.6 ± 1. 5 vs 7.0 ± 1.3 cm/s, P < 0.001), and lower diastolic myocardial velocities (E’: 6.3 ± 1.9 vs 9.5 ± 2.9 cm/s, P < 0.001; A’: 8.4 ± 1.9 vs 9.7 ± 2.5 cm/s, P = 0.018). Multivariate analysis identified LV systolic myocardial velocity – S’ wave (adjusted odds ratio, 1.909; 95% confidence interval, 1.060-3.439; P = 0.031) and age (1.053; 1.001-1.108; P = 0.048) as the only independent predictors of high LV filling pressure in dialysis patients. Conclusions In dialysis patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction, reduced systolic myocardial velocity and elderly age are independent predictors of increased left ventricular filling pressure