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  • Article
    Citation - WoS: 12
    Citation - Scopus: 14
    The Results of Sglt-2 Inhibitors Use in Kidney Transplantation: 1-Year Experiences From Two Centers
    (Springer, 2023) Demir, Mehmet Emin; Ozler, Tuba Elif; Merhametsiz, Ozgur; Sozener, Ulas; Uyar, Murathan; Ercan, Zafer; Turkmen Sariyildiz, Gulcin
    PurposeSodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitor (SGLT-2i) administration is associated with some concerns in regard to the increased risk of genital and urinary tract infections (UTI) in kidney transplant recipients (KTR). In this study, we present the results of SGLT-2i use in KTR, including the early post-transplant period.MethodsParticipants were divided into two groups: SGLT-2i-free diabetic KTR (Group 1, n = 21) and diabetic KTR using SGLT-2i (Group 2, n = 36). Group 2 was further divided into two subgroups according to the posttransplant prescription day of SGLT-2i; < 3 months (Group 2a) and >= 3 months (Group 2b). Groups were compared for development of genital and urinary tract infections, glycated hemoglobin a1c (HgbA1c), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), proteinuria, weight change, and acute rejection rate during 12-month follow-up.ResultsUrinary tract infections prevalence was 21.1% and UTI-related hospitalization rate was 10.5% in our cohort. Prevalence of UTI and UTI-related hospitalization, eGFR, HgbA1c levels, and weight gain were similar between the SGLT-2i group and SGLT-2i-free group, at the 12-month follow-up. UTI prevalence was similar between groups 2a and 2b (p = 0.871). No case of genital infection was recorded. Significant proteinuria reduction was observed in Group 2 (p = 0.008). Acute rejection rate was higher in the SGLT-2i-free group (p = 0.040) and had an impact on 12-month follow-up eGFR (p = 0.003).ConclusionSGLT-2i in KTR is not associated with an increased risk of genital infection and UTI in diabetic KTR, even in the early posttransplant period. The use of SGLT-2i reduces proteinuria in KTR and has no adverse effects on allograft function at the 12-month follow-up.
  • Article
    Citation - WoS: 1
    Citation - Scopus: 1
    Factors Affecting Influenza and Pneumococcal Vaccination Rates in Hemodialysis Patients: a Multicenter Study
    (Dove Medical Press Ltd, 2025) Selen, Tamer; Merhametsiz, Ozgur; Onec, Kuersad; Ercan, Zafer; Islam, Mahmud; Altun, Gulsah; Demir, Mehmet Emin
    Purpose: In patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), infections, particularly pneumonias, are the most common cause of hospital admissions and death after cardiovascular diseases. It is recommended that dialysis patients receive the pneumococcal vaccine every five years and the influenza vaccine annually. Our study aims to determine the awareness and factors affecting influenza and pneumococcal vaccination rates in hemodialysis patients. Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on patients undergoing regular hemodialysis treatment in 10 different hemodialysis centers across 4 cities. After excluding patients with less than one year of hemodialysis duration and those under 18 years of age, 548 patients were included in the study. Patients were administered a 20-item survey via face-to-face interview and electronic medical records. Results: Out of the 548 patients, only 19 (3.5%) had knowledge about the pneumococcal vaccine, while 238 (43.4%) had knowledge about the influenza vaccine. There were 220 patients (20.1%) who had knowledge about both vaccines. Among the patients, 95 (17.3%) had received the pneumococcal vaccine, with 41.1% of them having received it five years ago or more. A significant proportion (33.7%) of the patients could not recall the timing of their vaccination. While 183 (33.4%) patients had not received the influenza vaccine, only 140 (25.5%) had been vaccinated regularly every year. The reasons for not receiving the influenza and pneumococcal vaccines were stated as "I do not feel the need because I do not get the flu" (25%) and "I do not know about the pneumonia vaccine" (36.7%), respectively. The ROC curve analysis for the influenza questionnaire score showed an AUC of 0.822 (95% CI 0.787-0.856), with a p-value of <0.001. The statistically significant cutoff value for predicting influenza vaccination was determined to be 2.5. In the univariate analysis, dialysis duration (HD duration), diabetes mellitus (DM), and vascular access type were found to be statistically significant. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, dialysis duration and DM were identified as independent factors predicting a higher level of knowledge about the influenza vaccine (p=0.009, 0.003, and p=0.041). The ROC curve analysis for the pneumococcal questionnaire score showed an AUC of 0.920 (95% CI 0.886-0.955), with a p-value of <0.001. The statistically significant cutoff value for predicting pneumococcal vaccination was determined to be 3.5. In the univariate analysis, residence, dialysis duration, and education level were found to be statistically significant. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, dialysis duration and education level were identified as independent factors predicting a higher level of knowledge about the pneumococcal vaccine (p=0.038, 0.040, and p=0.010). physicians, nurses and nephrologists on this issue will increase vaccination rates.