Phosphorus Is Associated with Coronary Artery Disease in Patients with Preserved Renal Function

High serum phosphorus levels have been associated with mortality and cardiovascular events in patients with chronic kidney disease and in the general population. In addition, high phosphorus levels have been shown to induce vascular calcification and endothelial dysfunction in vitro. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relation of phosphorus and coronary calcification and atherosclerosis in the setting of normal renal function. This was a cross-sectional study involving 290 patients with suspected coronary artery disease and undergoing elective coronary angiography, with a creatinine clearance >60 ml/min/1.73 m2. Coronary artery obstruction was assessed by the Friesinger score and coronary artery calcification by multislice computed tomography. Serum phosphorus was higher in patients with an Agatston score >10 than in those with an Agatston score ≤10 (3.63±0.55 versus 3.49±0.52 mg/dl; p = 0.02). In the patients with Friesinger scores >4, serum phosphorus was higher (3.6±0.5 versus 3.5±0.6 mg/dl, p = 0.04) and median intact fibroblast growth factor 23 was lower (40.3 pg/ml versus 45.7 pg/ml, p = 0.01). Each 0.1-mg/dl higher serum phosphate was associated with a 7.4% higher odds of having a Friesinger score >4 (p = 0.03) and a 6.1% greater risk of having an Agatston score >10 (p = 0.01). Fibroblast growth factor 23 was a negative predictor of Friesinger score (p = 0.002). In conclusion, phosphorus is positively associated with coronary artery calcification and obstruction in patients with suspected coronary artery disease and preserved renal function

Anterior chamber depth during hemodialysis

Carolina Pelegrini Barbosa Gracitelli,1 Francisco Rosa Stefanini,1 Fernando Penha,1 Miguel Ângelo Góes,2 Sérgio Antonio Draibe,2 Maria Eugênia Canziani,2 Augusto Paranhos Junior1 1Ophthalmology Department, 2Division of Nephrology, Federal University of São Paulo – UNIFESP, São Paulo, Brazil Background: Exacerbation of chronic glaucoma or acute glaucoma is occasionally observed in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) because of anterior chamber depth changes during this therapy. Purpose: To evaluate anterior chamber depth and axial length in patients during HD sessions. Methods: A total of 67 eyes of 35 patients were prospectively enrolled. Axial length and anterior chamber depth were measured using ultrasonic biometry, and these measures were evaluated at three different times during HD sessions. Body weight and blood pressure pre- and post-HD were also measured. Results: There was no difference in the axial length between the three measurements (P = 0.241). We observed a significantly decreased anterior chamber depth (P = 0.002) during HD sessions. Conclusion: Our results support the idea that there is a change in anterior chamber depth in HD sessions. Keywords: anterior chamber, hemodialysis, axial length, acute angle-closure glaucom

Bowel Habits and the Association With Uremic Toxins in Non–Dialysis-Dependent Chronic Kidney Disease Patients

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between bowel habits and microbial-derived uremic toxins p-cresyl sulfate (PCS) and indoxyl sulfate (IS) in patients with non–dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease (NDD-CKD). Design and Methods: This is a cross-sectional analysis including 43 nondiabetic NDD-CKD patients (58% men; 59.0 ± 13.5 years; estimated glomerular filtration rate, 21.3 ± 7.9 mL/min/1.73 m 2 ). Bowel habit was assessed by the Bristol Stool Scale (BSS <3, characterized by hard consistency of stools and/or low frequency of evacuation and BSS ≥3, representing a more regular bowel habit) and by the Rome III criteria. PCS and IS (serum, free and total; urinary, total) were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Dietary intake was assessed by the 3-day food records. Results: The frequency of constipation assessed by BSS and Rome III criteria was 33% (n = 14/43) and 35% (n = 15/43), respectively. The BSS <3 exhibited higher PCS, independent of renal function and dietary protein-fiber ratio (β [95% confidence interval {CI}]: serum, total PCS = 1.54 [1.06-2.23], P =.02; serum free PCS = 1.40 [1.00-1.97], P =.05; urinary PCS = 1.78 [1.10-2.90], P <.02). According to the Rome III criteria, a tendency for a higher serum total PCS (β [95% CI]: 1.39 [0.95-2.03 μmol/L], P =.09) and a significantly higher urinary PCS (β [95% CI]: 1.80 [1.11-2.94 μmol/24 h], P =.02) was found in constipated participants. No effect of a compromised bowel habit (Rome III criteria or BSS) was found on IS. Conclusion: Constipation may lead to production of PCS in nondiabetic NDD-CKD patients.No Full Tex