فهرست مطالب saeed amirkhanlou

Ensuring suitable access to hemodialysis, which provides high-quality dialysis over an extended period, is a significant challenge for patients with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). One crucial aspect of this is maintaining the performance of hemodialysis catheters. Our study, which aimed to evaluate the one-year performance of long-term catheters in chronic hemodialysis patients in Golestan Province, is a critical step toward improving patient care in this population.

This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 99 patients (34 men and 65 women) with ESRD who were candidates for starting or continuing dialysis with a catheter in the educational and therapeutic centers of Golestan Province, Iran during 2021-22. Transjugular catheters were placed for the patients, and after one year, variables such as age, gender, history of diabetes, history of hypertension, catheter placement site (right or left jugular), and antiplatelet medication use were evaluated concerning the performance of long-term catheters in providing adequate flow for hemodialysis.

In 91 patients (91.9%), the one-year catheter performance was assessed as satisfactory. The age of 61.6% of the patients were over 60 years old. Sixty-nine patients (69.7%) had a history of hypertension, and 58 patients (58.6%) had a history of diabetes. Fifty-seven patients (57.6%) received antiplatelet medication. The catheters were placed on the right side in 82 patients (82.8%). Catheter performance in patients taking antiplatelet medication was non-significantly higher than in those not taking antiplatelet medicines.

The performance of long-term catheters in chronic hemodialysis patients with ESRD showed no significant correlation with age, gender, diabetes, hypertension, antiplatelet medication use, or the side of the jugular vein where the catheter was placed.

Osteoporosis is a common disease in Iran, which is associated with insufficient intake of vitamin D and calcium. Therefore, this study aimed to compare consumption of dietary supplements between healthy individuals and patients with osteoporosis referred to bone densitometry centers in Gorgan, north of Iran.
This case-control study was conducted on women aged over 55 years who were at least 5 years postmenopausal. Overall, two groups of 130 subjects were enrolled via convenience sampling at 95% confidence interval. The subjects were divided into two groups of healthy individuals and patients with osteoporosis using Hologic QDR 4500 Elite Bone Densitometers and T-scores (-2.5: osteoporosis, above 1: normal). Anthropometric measurements (height, weight and waist circumference), and amount of dietary intake of calcium, vitamin D, vitamin E and multivitamins supplements were recorded by trained experts. Data collected were analyzed using SPSS software (version 16).
Healthy subjects consumed significantly higher amount of calcium supplement (18.5%) compared to subjects with osteoporosis (P = 0.001). Intake of vitamin D supplement was significantly higher (23.3%) in healthy subjects compared to patients (P = 0.003). Intake of vitamin E supplement and multivitamin was slightly higher in healthy subjects, but the difference was not statistically significant.
At least half and two-thirds of individuals aged over 55 years take vitamin D and calcium supplements, respectively. Intake of calcium and vitamin D is significantly higher in healthy individuals compared to those with osteoporosis.

Selenium (Se) is a rare element with well-demonstrated anti-oxidative effects that acts as an enzyme co-factor in physiological interactions. Low plasma Se level and malnutrition in hemodialysis (HD) patients could increase the risk of morbidity and mortality among these patients. Moreover, Se deficiency leads to oxidative stress and inflammatory response. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the association of plasma Se levels with malnutrition and inflammatory markers in HD patients.
This cross-sectional study included 88 patients undergoing routine HD at dialysis unit of 5th Azar Hospital in Gorgan, northeastern Iran. In addition, 88 healthy individuals were selected from the patients’ families as controls. Level of Se, C-reactive protein (CRP), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglyceride (TG) and albumin were measured in the patients and controls by the atomic absorption method. Se levels were categorized into two groups of "over half-normalized" and "under half-normalized" for further analysis.
Hyposeleniemia was found in two patients (2.3%). The mean level of Se in HD patients was lower than in the healthy controls (P The mean plasma Se level of HD patients in this area is in the normal range. There is no association between plasma Se level and malnutrition. Based on our findings, hyposelenemia is not a problem in HD patients in the Golestan Province.