Reinhard Kramar | Danube University Krems (original) (raw)
Papers by Reinhard Kramar
Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation
ABSTRACT
Zeitschrift für Kardiologie
Cardiac involvement in AL-amyloidosis due to a multiple myeloma is present in up to 90% of cases.... more Cardiac involvement in AL-amyloidosis due to a multiple myeloma is present in up to 90% of cases. We present two patients with cardiac symptoms in whom a hematologic disease could be diagnosed because of suspicious cardiac finding. The leading symptom was dyspnea. The routinely performed laboratory tests, especially the erythrocyte sedimentation rate and the electrophoresis, were normal. After exclusion of coronary artery disease an infiltrative cardiomyopathy was suspected because of the echocardiographic examination with marked left ventricular hypertrophy, the restrictive flow pattern at the mitral valve and the electrocardiogram with a low voltage in limb leads and absent R waves in left precordial leads. Further, hematologic workup confirmed the production of light chains due to a myeloma. If the echocardiographic examination and the electrocardiogram raises the suspicion of an infiltrative cardiomyopathy as the cause of dyspnea, an immunofixation should be done in spite of normal laboratory tests to confirm or rule out the presence of a light chain disease due to a myeloma.
Wiener klinische Wochenschrift
We report on a twenty year-old male patient who presented with sudden onset of flaccid paralysis.... more We report on a twenty year-old male patient who presented with sudden onset of flaccid paralysis. After exclusion of central nervous system involvement, marked hypokalemia pointed to the diagnosis of hypokalemic periodic paralysis, which was completely reversible on oral and parenteral potassium substitution. A provocation test with glucose and insulin administration leading to hypokalemia and incipient paralysis of the limbs confirmed the diagnosis. Pathogenetically, this syndrome is characterized by an excessive shift of potassium ions into the muscle cells. Therapeutic measures include potassium-sparing diuretics, beta blockers, acetazolamide or diclofenamide. In less severe cases, oral potassium may be sufficient to reverse the symptoms.
Wiener klinische Wochenschrift
Since 24-hour blood pressure monitoring seems to be superior to occasional blood pressure measure... more Since 24-hour blood pressure monitoring seems to be superior to occasional blood pressure measurement as far as risk stratification is concerned, we compared the two methods in patients with secondary hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy. In 26 haemodialysis patients (12 male, mean age 54 +/- 13 years), the mean occasional blood pressure values during haemodialysis were 147 +/- 18/82 +/- 9 mmHg, the mean 24-hour blood pressure values were 145 +/- 21/ 85 +/- 13 mmHg, during the day 145 +/- 23/86 +/- 13, during the night 143 +/- 25/81 +/- 13 mmHg. The nocturnal reduction of mean blood pressure was -3.6 +/- 7%. Both methods of blood pressure monitoring showed a significant correlation with the relevant echocardiographic parameters of left ventricular hypertrophy, cardiac mass and interventricular septum diameter. Patients with and without a nocturnal reduction in blood pressure could not be differentiated by the mean occasional blood pressure values. Therefore, 24 h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring seems warranted in this high risk group, especially to monitor antihypertensive drug therapy.
Clinical nephrology
The objectives of this study were to evaluate the specific effect of the ACE-inhibitor lisinopril... more The objectives of this study were to evaluate the specific effect of the ACE-inhibitor lisinopril on myocardial mass and diastolic function in uremic patients using a protocol designed to leave blood pressure unchanged. Nineteen hemodialysis patients (7 males; mean age: 55 +/- 13 years; mean time on dialysis: 44 +/- 35 months) received lisinopril for 6 months in addition to their preexistent antihypertensive treatment regimens (mean: 1.4 +/- 0.8 drugs). Doses of antihypertensive drugs were adjusted to keep both systolic and diastolic blood pressure stable. Nine patients were withdrawn from lisinopril treatment after 43 +/- 33 days because of hypotension (n = 4), withdrawn consent (n = 3), stroke (n = 1) and cough (n = 1). Seven of them were further studied as controls. Ten patients received 6.4 +/- 4 mg lisinopril as a mean for 6 months. Mean myocardial mass, calculated by M-mode echocardiography, was 324 +/- 103 g before, and 313 +/- 79 g after 6 months of lisinopril treatment. In the control patients, myocardial mass was 318 +/- 110 g initially, and after 6 months, it was 334 +/- 159 g. Early and late transmitral diastolic flow velocities were not significantly influenced by lisinopril. Throughout the study, both the systolic and diastolic 24-h mean blood pressure levels remained stable (systolic: before: 145 +/- 19 mmHg, at 6 months: 147 +/- 17 mmHg; diastolic: before: 87 +/- 12 mmHg, at 6 months 87 +/- 10 mmHg). Thus, no specific effect of lisinopril on regression of myocardial hypertrophy or improvement of diastolic function could be observed within a 6-month period in this small group of hemodialysis patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation
Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation
To survey bone mineral disturbances in the hemodialysis (HD) population in Europe and current cli... more To survey bone mineral disturbances in the hemodialysis (HD) population in Europe and current clinical practice in Europe for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) in HD patients. First, to estimate the prevalence of Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (K/DOQI) guideline achievement in a representative sample of European hemodialysis subjects. As part of this objective, we will investigate the prevalence of achievement by type of dialysis, type of center and time on dialysis (less than or greater than 1 year). Among new dialysis subjects (less than 1 year), we will evaluate prevalence of K/DOQI target achievement until the end of the study. The study will run for 3 years. Second, to estimate the association of bone mineral markers (parathyroid hormone [PTH], calcium [Ca], serum phosphorus [P] and calcium phosphate product [CaxP]) classified by achievement of K/DOQI targets with mortality and overall cardiovascular hospitalization. Third, to characterize the longitudinal changes in bone mineral markers. As part of this objective, we will describe the patterns and predictors of bone mineral markers and achievement, with K/DOQI targets, using repeated measurements on individuals over time. First, To estimate the association of bone mineral markers (PTH, Ca, P and CaxP) classified by achievement of K/DOQI targets with specific cardiovascular outcomes, parathyroidectomy, manifest bone disease (including incidence of symptomatic bone fractures), hospitalizations and vascular access. Second, to evaluate the additional value of albumin and hemoglobin levels in conjunction with bone mineral markers in the prediction of mortality and clinical events.
Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation
Peritoneal dialysis international: journal of the International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis
Background. Anaemia is prevalent in kidney transplant recipients (KTR), and only few KTR with ana... more Background. Anaemia is prevalent in kidney transplant recipients (KTR), and only few KTR with anaemia receive treatment with erythropoietin. Some have claimed that this undertreatment might contribute to suboptimal outcomes such as mortality and cardiovascular events in these patients. However, no evidence is currently available that anaemia is actually associated with such risks in KTR. Methods. We merged two cohorts
Clinical transplants
The Division of Transplantation at the Medical University of Vienna, Austria was established by D... more The Division of Transplantation at the Medical University of Vienna, Austria was established by Dr Franz Piza, who performed the first deceased donor kidney transplantation in Vienna in 1965. During the next 43 years, 4,849 transplants were performed at this unit. Data were analysed in the time period 1993-2006 for 2,165 deceased donor transplants (1,734 first and 431 regrafts) and 263 living donor transplants. Long-term follow-up was available for more than 95% of all grafts and all recipients had at least 9 months of follow-up. Two- and 6-year graft survival rates were 81.4% and 66.3%, respectively, for first deceased donor grafts, 76.1% and 61.8% for regrafts and 91.5% and 79.1% for living transplants. Appropriate immunosuppression, HLA matching and crossmatching supported by solid basic scientific research have proved successful in achieving good graft survival at our unit.
Nephrology, dialysis, transplantation : official publication of the European Dialysis and Transplant Association - European Renal Association, Jan 11, 2015
This study examines the time trends in incidence, prevalence, patient and kidney allograft surviv... more This study examines the time trends in incidence, prevalence, patient and kidney allograft survival and causes of death (COD) in patients receiving renal replacement therapy (RRT) in Europe. Eighteen national or regional renal registries providing data to the European Renal Association-European Dialysis and Transplant Association Registry between 1998 and 2011 were included. Incidence and prevalence time trends between 2001 and 2011 were studied with Joinpoint and Poisson regression. Patient and kidney allograft survival and COD between 1998 and 2011 were analysed using Kaplan-Meier and competing risk methods and Cox regression. From 2001 to 2008, the adjusted incidence of RRT rose by 1.1% (95% CI: 0.6, 1.7) annually to 131 per million population (pmp). During 2008-2011, the adjusted incidence fell by 2.2% (95% CI: -4.2, -0.2) annually to 125 pmp. This decline occurred predominantly in patients aged 45-64 years, 65-74 years and in the primary renal diseases diabetes mellitus type 1 ...
Wiener klinische Wochenschrift
Nephrology, dialysis, transplantation : official publication of the European Dialysis and Transplant Association - European Renal Association, Jan 13, 2015
Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in Austria, ... more Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in Austria, accounting for a high burden of morbidity and mortality. In this nationwide study, we aimed to evaluate the incidence and fate of patients with DKD-ESRD over time. Data (collected annually) from the Austrian Dialysis- and Transplant Registry were analysed for the development of ESRD due to DKD from 1965 to 2013. Over 48 years, 8322 and 22 975 patients with ESRD due to diabetes and non-diabetes, respectively, entered dialysis. While DKD-ESRD-patients were not dialysed until 1974, in 1975 seven type 1- and one type 2-diabetics started dialysis (1.06 per million population-PMP). In the mid-eighties, DKD-ESRD-patients increasingly were accepted for dialysis (1986: 14.53 PMP, 1996: 31.16 PMP). After a peak incidence of 415 diabetic ESRD-patients in 2006 (50.19 PMP), numbers decreased continuously thereafter (2013: 299 patients, 35.73 PMP). Mean age at start of dialysis increased over time and...
Nephron extra, 2012
Uromodulin-associated kidney disease (UAKD) is caused by uromodulin mutations and leads to end-st... more Uromodulin-associated kidney disease (UAKD) is caused by uromodulin mutations and leads to end-stage renal disease. Our objective was to examine the epidemiology of UAKD. Data from all UAKD families in Austria were collected. Patients included in the Austrian Dialysis and Transplantation Registry (OEDTR) with unclear diagnoses or genetic diseases were asked whether they had (1) a family history of kidney disease or (2) had suffered from gout. Patients with gout and autosomal dominant renal disease underwent mutational analysis. Kaplan-Meier and Cox analysis was employed to estimate time to renal failure. Of the 6,210 patients in the OEDTR, 541 were approached with a questionnaire; 353 patients answered the questionnaire. Nineteen of them gave two affirmative answers. In 7 patients, an autosomal dominant renal disease was found; in 1 patient a UMOD mutation was identified. One family was diagnosed through increased awareness as a consequence of the study. At present, 14 UAKD patients...
Transplant international : official journal of the European Society for Organ Transplantation, 2007
In kidney transplant recipients (KTR), C-reactive protein (CRP) has been shown to be associated w... more In kidney transplant recipients (KTR), C-reactive protein (CRP) has been shown to be associated with increased mortality, but data on this association within the high-sensitivity (hs) range of CRP (<5 mg/l) are lacking. We prospectively studied 710 prevalent and stable KTR over >6 years. We thawed frozen plasma and measured baseline hs-CRP using an ultrasensitive assay. Detailed clinical and demographic baseline characteristics were available for study. We stratified patients by quartile of hs-CRP within the hs range (<5 mg/l), and also included KTRs whose hs-CRP was above the hs range (>5-10 and >10 mg/l). We used multivariate proportional hazards models to test for independent associations. After careful multivariate adjustment, we found a J-shaped association between hs-CRP and mortality. Compared with KTR whose hs-CRP was in the second lowest quartile of hs-CRP (0.06-1.26 mg/l), patients in the lowest quartile (<0.06 mg/l) had more than twice their mortality ri...
Transplant international : official journal of the European Society for Organ Transplantation, 2007
Disturbances in calcium and phosphate metabolism have been linked to increased mortality in hemod... more Disturbances in calcium and phosphate metabolism have been linked to increased mortality in hemodialysis patients, but not in kidney transplant recipients (KTR). We enrolled 733 KTR from the Vienna General Hospital into this study. Detailed demographic, clinical, laboratory, and transplant-related information was collected at baseline. We used the Austrian Dialysis and Transplantation Registry for follow-up. Using multivariate proportional hazard regression, we examined the independent associations between serum calcium, serum phosphate, and calcium phosphate (CaPO(4)) product with the outcomes of death from any cause and kidney allograft loss. Over a median follow-up of >6 years, 154 patients died and 259 kidney allografts were lost. Associations with serum calcium, phosphate concentrations, and CaPO(4) product concentrations were found for allograft loss, but not for patient mortality. Patients in the highest quintile of phosphate concentration and CaPO(4) product had an increa...
Clinical Kidney Journal, 2014
Background. This study provides a summary of the 2010 European Renal Association-European Dialysi... more Background. This study provides a summary of the 2010 European Renal Association-European Dialysis and Transplant Association (ERA-EDTA) Registry Annual Report (available at www.eraedta-reg.org).
Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation
ABSTRACT
Zeitschrift für Kardiologie
Cardiac involvement in AL-amyloidosis due to a multiple myeloma is present in up to 90% of cases.... more Cardiac involvement in AL-amyloidosis due to a multiple myeloma is present in up to 90% of cases. We present two patients with cardiac symptoms in whom a hematologic disease could be diagnosed because of suspicious cardiac finding. The leading symptom was dyspnea. The routinely performed laboratory tests, especially the erythrocyte sedimentation rate and the electrophoresis, were normal. After exclusion of coronary artery disease an infiltrative cardiomyopathy was suspected because of the echocardiographic examination with marked left ventricular hypertrophy, the restrictive flow pattern at the mitral valve and the electrocardiogram with a low voltage in limb leads and absent R waves in left precordial leads. Further, hematologic workup confirmed the production of light chains due to a myeloma. If the echocardiographic examination and the electrocardiogram raises the suspicion of an infiltrative cardiomyopathy as the cause of dyspnea, an immunofixation should be done in spite of normal laboratory tests to confirm or rule out the presence of a light chain disease due to a myeloma.
Wiener klinische Wochenschrift
We report on a twenty year-old male patient who presented with sudden onset of flaccid paralysis.... more We report on a twenty year-old male patient who presented with sudden onset of flaccid paralysis. After exclusion of central nervous system involvement, marked hypokalemia pointed to the diagnosis of hypokalemic periodic paralysis, which was completely reversible on oral and parenteral potassium substitution. A provocation test with glucose and insulin administration leading to hypokalemia and incipient paralysis of the limbs confirmed the diagnosis. Pathogenetically, this syndrome is characterized by an excessive shift of potassium ions into the muscle cells. Therapeutic measures include potassium-sparing diuretics, beta blockers, acetazolamide or diclofenamide. In less severe cases, oral potassium may be sufficient to reverse the symptoms.
Wiener klinische Wochenschrift
Since 24-hour blood pressure monitoring seems to be superior to occasional blood pressure measure... more Since 24-hour blood pressure monitoring seems to be superior to occasional blood pressure measurement as far as risk stratification is concerned, we compared the two methods in patients with secondary hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy. In 26 haemodialysis patients (12 male, mean age 54 +/- 13 years), the mean occasional blood pressure values during haemodialysis were 147 +/- 18/82 +/- 9 mmHg, the mean 24-hour blood pressure values were 145 +/- 21/ 85 +/- 13 mmHg, during the day 145 +/- 23/86 +/- 13, during the night 143 +/- 25/81 +/- 13 mmHg. The nocturnal reduction of mean blood pressure was -3.6 +/- 7%. Both methods of blood pressure monitoring showed a significant correlation with the relevant echocardiographic parameters of left ventricular hypertrophy, cardiac mass and interventricular septum diameter. Patients with and without a nocturnal reduction in blood pressure could not be differentiated by the mean occasional blood pressure values. Therefore, 24 h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring seems warranted in this high risk group, especially to monitor antihypertensive drug therapy.
Clinical nephrology
The objectives of this study were to evaluate the specific effect of the ACE-inhibitor lisinopril... more The objectives of this study were to evaluate the specific effect of the ACE-inhibitor lisinopril on myocardial mass and diastolic function in uremic patients using a protocol designed to leave blood pressure unchanged. Nineteen hemodialysis patients (7 males; mean age: 55 +/- 13 years; mean time on dialysis: 44 +/- 35 months) received lisinopril for 6 months in addition to their preexistent antihypertensive treatment regimens (mean: 1.4 +/- 0.8 drugs). Doses of antihypertensive drugs were adjusted to keep both systolic and diastolic blood pressure stable. Nine patients were withdrawn from lisinopril treatment after 43 +/- 33 days because of hypotension (n = 4), withdrawn consent (n = 3), stroke (n = 1) and cough (n = 1). Seven of them were further studied as controls. Ten patients received 6.4 +/- 4 mg lisinopril as a mean for 6 months. Mean myocardial mass, calculated by M-mode echocardiography, was 324 +/- 103 g before, and 313 +/- 79 g after 6 months of lisinopril treatment. In the control patients, myocardial mass was 318 +/- 110 g initially, and after 6 months, it was 334 +/- 159 g. Early and late transmitral diastolic flow velocities were not significantly influenced by lisinopril. Throughout the study, both the systolic and diastolic 24-h mean blood pressure levels remained stable (systolic: before: 145 +/- 19 mmHg, at 6 months: 147 +/- 17 mmHg; diastolic: before: 87 +/- 12 mmHg, at 6 months 87 +/- 10 mmHg). Thus, no specific effect of lisinopril on regression of myocardial hypertrophy or improvement of diastolic function could be observed within a 6-month period in this small group of hemodialysis patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation
Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation
To survey bone mineral disturbances in the hemodialysis (HD) population in Europe and current cli... more To survey bone mineral disturbances in the hemodialysis (HD) population in Europe and current clinical practice in Europe for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) in HD patients. First, to estimate the prevalence of Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (K/DOQI) guideline achievement in a representative sample of European hemodialysis subjects. As part of this objective, we will investigate the prevalence of achievement by type of dialysis, type of center and time on dialysis (less than or greater than 1 year). Among new dialysis subjects (less than 1 year), we will evaluate prevalence of K/DOQI target achievement until the end of the study. The study will run for 3 years. Second, to estimate the association of bone mineral markers (parathyroid hormone [PTH], calcium [Ca], serum phosphorus [P] and calcium phosphate product [CaxP]) classified by achievement of K/DOQI targets with mortality and overall cardiovascular hospitalization. Third, to characterize the longitudinal changes in bone mineral markers. As part of this objective, we will describe the patterns and predictors of bone mineral markers and achievement, with K/DOQI targets, using repeated measurements on individuals over time. First, To estimate the association of bone mineral markers (PTH, Ca, P and CaxP) classified by achievement of K/DOQI targets with specific cardiovascular outcomes, parathyroidectomy, manifest bone disease (including incidence of symptomatic bone fractures), hospitalizations and vascular access. Second, to evaluate the additional value of albumin and hemoglobin levels in conjunction with bone mineral markers in the prediction of mortality and clinical events.
Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation
Peritoneal dialysis international: journal of the International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis
Background. Anaemia is prevalent in kidney transplant recipients (KTR), and only few KTR with ana... more Background. Anaemia is prevalent in kidney transplant recipients (KTR), and only few KTR with anaemia receive treatment with erythropoietin. Some have claimed that this undertreatment might contribute to suboptimal outcomes such as mortality and cardiovascular events in these patients. However, no evidence is currently available that anaemia is actually associated with such risks in KTR. Methods. We merged two cohorts
Clinical transplants
The Division of Transplantation at the Medical University of Vienna, Austria was established by D... more The Division of Transplantation at the Medical University of Vienna, Austria was established by Dr Franz Piza, who performed the first deceased donor kidney transplantation in Vienna in 1965. During the next 43 years, 4,849 transplants were performed at this unit. Data were analysed in the time period 1993-2006 for 2,165 deceased donor transplants (1,734 first and 431 regrafts) and 263 living donor transplants. Long-term follow-up was available for more than 95% of all grafts and all recipients had at least 9 months of follow-up. Two- and 6-year graft survival rates were 81.4% and 66.3%, respectively, for first deceased donor grafts, 76.1% and 61.8% for regrafts and 91.5% and 79.1% for living transplants. Appropriate immunosuppression, HLA matching and crossmatching supported by solid basic scientific research have proved successful in achieving good graft survival at our unit.
Nephrology, dialysis, transplantation : official publication of the European Dialysis and Transplant Association - European Renal Association, Jan 11, 2015
This study examines the time trends in incidence, prevalence, patient and kidney allograft surviv... more This study examines the time trends in incidence, prevalence, patient and kidney allograft survival and causes of death (COD) in patients receiving renal replacement therapy (RRT) in Europe. Eighteen national or regional renal registries providing data to the European Renal Association-European Dialysis and Transplant Association Registry between 1998 and 2011 were included. Incidence and prevalence time trends between 2001 and 2011 were studied with Joinpoint and Poisson regression. Patient and kidney allograft survival and COD between 1998 and 2011 were analysed using Kaplan-Meier and competing risk methods and Cox regression. From 2001 to 2008, the adjusted incidence of RRT rose by 1.1% (95% CI: 0.6, 1.7) annually to 131 per million population (pmp). During 2008-2011, the adjusted incidence fell by 2.2% (95% CI: -4.2, -0.2) annually to 125 pmp. This decline occurred predominantly in patients aged 45-64 years, 65-74 years and in the primary renal diseases diabetes mellitus type 1 ...
Wiener klinische Wochenschrift
Nephrology, dialysis, transplantation : official publication of the European Dialysis and Transplant Association - European Renal Association, Jan 13, 2015
Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in Austria, ... more Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in Austria, accounting for a high burden of morbidity and mortality. In this nationwide study, we aimed to evaluate the incidence and fate of patients with DKD-ESRD over time. Data (collected annually) from the Austrian Dialysis- and Transplant Registry were analysed for the development of ESRD due to DKD from 1965 to 2013. Over 48 years, 8322 and 22 975 patients with ESRD due to diabetes and non-diabetes, respectively, entered dialysis. While DKD-ESRD-patients were not dialysed until 1974, in 1975 seven type 1- and one type 2-diabetics started dialysis (1.06 per million population-PMP). In the mid-eighties, DKD-ESRD-patients increasingly were accepted for dialysis (1986: 14.53 PMP, 1996: 31.16 PMP). After a peak incidence of 415 diabetic ESRD-patients in 2006 (50.19 PMP), numbers decreased continuously thereafter (2013: 299 patients, 35.73 PMP). Mean age at start of dialysis increased over time and...
Nephron extra, 2012
Uromodulin-associated kidney disease (UAKD) is caused by uromodulin mutations and leads to end-st... more Uromodulin-associated kidney disease (UAKD) is caused by uromodulin mutations and leads to end-stage renal disease. Our objective was to examine the epidemiology of UAKD. Data from all UAKD families in Austria were collected. Patients included in the Austrian Dialysis and Transplantation Registry (OEDTR) with unclear diagnoses or genetic diseases were asked whether they had (1) a family history of kidney disease or (2) had suffered from gout. Patients with gout and autosomal dominant renal disease underwent mutational analysis. Kaplan-Meier and Cox analysis was employed to estimate time to renal failure. Of the 6,210 patients in the OEDTR, 541 were approached with a questionnaire; 353 patients answered the questionnaire. Nineteen of them gave two affirmative answers. In 7 patients, an autosomal dominant renal disease was found; in 1 patient a UMOD mutation was identified. One family was diagnosed through increased awareness as a consequence of the study. At present, 14 UAKD patients...
Transplant international : official journal of the European Society for Organ Transplantation, 2007
In kidney transplant recipients (KTR), C-reactive protein (CRP) has been shown to be associated w... more In kidney transplant recipients (KTR), C-reactive protein (CRP) has been shown to be associated with increased mortality, but data on this association within the high-sensitivity (hs) range of CRP (<5 mg/l) are lacking. We prospectively studied 710 prevalent and stable KTR over >6 years. We thawed frozen plasma and measured baseline hs-CRP using an ultrasensitive assay. Detailed clinical and demographic baseline characteristics were available for study. We stratified patients by quartile of hs-CRP within the hs range (<5 mg/l), and also included KTRs whose hs-CRP was above the hs range (>5-10 and >10 mg/l). We used multivariate proportional hazards models to test for independent associations. After careful multivariate adjustment, we found a J-shaped association between hs-CRP and mortality. Compared with KTR whose hs-CRP was in the second lowest quartile of hs-CRP (0.06-1.26 mg/l), patients in the lowest quartile (<0.06 mg/l) had more than twice their mortality ri...
Transplant international : official journal of the European Society for Organ Transplantation, 2007
Disturbances in calcium and phosphate metabolism have been linked to increased mortality in hemod... more Disturbances in calcium and phosphate metabolism have been linked to increased mortality in hemodialysis patients, but not in kidney transplant recipients (KTR). We enrolled 733 KTR from the Vienna General Hospital into this study. Detailed demographic, clinical, laboratory, and transplant-related information was collected at baseline. We used the Austrian Dialysis and Transplantation Registry for follow-up. Using multivariate proportional hazard regression, we examined the independent associations between serum calcium, serum phosphate, and calcium phosphate (CaPO(4)) product with the outcomes of death from any cause and kidney allograft loss. Over a median follow-up of >6 years, 154 patients died and 259 kidney allografts were lost. Associations with serum calcium, phosphate concentrations, and CaPO(4) product concentrations were found for allograft loss, but not for patient mortality. Patients in the highest quintile of phosphate concentration and CaPO(4) product had an increa...
Clinical Kidney Journal, 2014
Background. This study provides a summary of the 2010 European Renal Association-European Dialysi... more Background. This study provides a summary of the 2010 European Renal Association-European Dialysis and Transplant Association (ERA-EDTA) Registry Annual Report (available at www.eraedta-reg.org).