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Now showing 1 - 10 of 13
  • Article
    Citation - WoS: 6
    Citation - Scopus: 6
    Effect of Nutritional Support on Nutritional Status and Inflammation in Malnourished Patients Undergoing Maintenance Hemodialysis
    (Wiley, 2021) Demirci, Bahar Gurlek; Carrero, Juan Jesus; Tutal, Emre; Bal, Zeynep; Sezer, Siren; Gurlek Demirci, Bahar
    Introduction Protein energy wasting/malnutrition is a strong predictor of morbidity and mortality in patients on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). We aimed to compare the effects of oral and/or intradialytic parenteral nutrition (IDPN) support on nutritional and inflammatory parameters in malnourished patients with MHD. Methods This is an observational study of 56 malnourished patients on MHD. We offered combined oral nutritional support (ONS) and IDPN for 12 months to all patients. Depending on patient choices for treatment, they were classified into four groups: group 1 (ONS only), group 2 (IDPN only), group 3 (both ONS and IDPN), and group 4 (patients who refused artificial nutrition support and only followed dietary advice). Normalized protein catabolic rate (nPCR), malnutrition inflammation score (MIS), and body composition (fat mass [FM], muscle mass [MM]) were assessed monthly. Findings The mean serum albumin levels of groups 2 and 3 significantly increased with the intervention, whereas that of group 4 significantly decreased. The mean nPCR levels of groups 2 and 3 significantly increased. Group 3 had the most significant positive change in serum albumin and nPCR levels. Mean serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels of groups 1, 2, and 3 decreased, whereas those of group 4 increased. A increment in CRP was only identified in group 3. The MIS of groups 1, 2, and 3 significantly decreased whereas that of group 4 significantly increased. The increment % in FM was 1.1, 1.9, 9.1, and -2.9 for groups 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively, and that in MM was -0.6, 4.4, 6.9, and -7.9 for groups 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Discussion Compared to monotherapy or nutritional counseling, the choice of ONS plus IDPN is associated with improved nutritional status and decreased inflammation in malnourished patients on MHD. Nonetheless, interventional studies must be conducted to confirm these observations.
  • Article
    Citation - WoS: 3
    Citation - Scopus: 4
    Assessment of Surrogate Markers for Cardiovascular Disease in Familial Mediterranean Fever-Related Amyloidosis Patients Homozygous for M694v Mutation in mefv Gene
    (Mdpi, 2022) Sahin, Sezgin; Romano, Micol; Guzel, Ferhat; Piskin, David; Poddighe, Dimitri; Sezer, Siren; Demirkaya, Erkan
    Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains underestimated in familial Mediterranean fever-associated AA amyloidosis (FMF-AA). We aimed to compare early markers of endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis in FMF-AA with a homozygous M694V mutation (Group 1 = 76 patients) in the Mediterranean fever (MEFV) gene and in patients with other genotypes (Group 2 = 93 patients). Measures of increased risk for future CVD events and endothelial dysfunction, including flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), pentraxin-3 (PTX3), and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), and fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) as a marker of atherosclerotic vascular disease were compared between groups. The frequency of clinical FMF manifestations did not differ between the two groups apart from arthritis (76.3% in Group 1 and 59.1% in Group 2, p < 0.05). FMD was significantly lower in Group 1 when compared with Group 2 (MD [95% CI]: -0.6 [(-0.89)-(-0.31)]). cIMT, FGF23, and PTX3 levels were higher in Group 1 (cIMT MD [95% CI]: 0.12 [0.08-0.16]; FGF23 MD [95% CI]: 12.8 [5.9-19.6]; PTX3 MD [95% CI]: 13.3 [8.9-17.5]). In patients with FMF-AA, M694V homozygosity is associated with lower FMD values and higher cIMT, FGF23, and PTX3 levels, suggesting increased CVD risk profiles. These data suggest that a genotype-phenotype association exists in terms of endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis in patients with FMF-AA.
  • Article
    Main Outcomes of the Diyal-Tr Study: Regional\rdifferences of Mortality and Morbidity in Chronic\rhemodialysis Patients
    (Aves, 2022) Kızılırmak, Pınar; Ecder, Süleyman Tevfik; Ateş, Kenan; Arıcı, Mustafa; Sezer, Siren; Kaptanoğulları, Hakan; Arınsoy, Selim Turgay; Ecder, Tevfik; Arinsoy, Turgay
    Objective: Variations in care at national or global level may have an impact on the prognosis of patients on chronic hemodialysis.\rWe aimed to describe regional differences in all-cause mortality or cardiovascular morbidity in chronic hemodialysis\rpatients in Turkey.\rMethods: We enrolled 2461 patients who were initiated chronic hemodialysis in 93 centers in Turkey between January 27,\r2017, and February 09, 2018. We included 2-year follow-up data of 1877 patients in this prospective study. The primary\routcome, the rate of composite endpoint of all-cause mortality or cardiovascular morbidity, was compared between geographical\rregions. Secondary outcomes were the rates of hospitalization and infections.\rResults: In total, 552 patients (29.4%) developed the primary outcome. The highest and lowest rates of primary outcome\roccurred in the Mediterranean (34.5%) and Southeastern (26.5%) & Central Anatolian regions (26.5%), respectively, with no\rsignificant differences across regions (P = .82). Hospitalization events were detected in 377 patients (20.1%). The highest\rrate of hospitalization was detected in the Black Sea region (33.8%), and the lowest (7.6%) in the Southeastern region. The\rregions did not differ in hospitalization rates (P = .88). Infections occurred in 11.3% (n = 212) of the patients. The highest and\rlowest rates of infections occurred in the Aegean (18.2%) and the Southeastern (2.9%) regions, respectively. We detected\rsignificant difference between geographic regions (P = .02).\rConclusions: Our study showed that almost 3 in every 10 chronic hemodialysis patients reached the primary endpoint\rof all-cause mortality/cardiovascular morbidity during the 2 years of follow-up. The occurrence of this outcome does not\rseem to exhibit geographical variation across the country.
  • Article
    Böbrek Naklinde de Novo Uzamış Salınımlı Takrolimus Kullanımı Sonuçları: Tek Merkez, 1 Yıllık Sonuçlar
    (2022) Sarıyıldız, Gülçin Türkmen; Demir, Mehmet Emin; Sezer, Siren; Sozener, Ulas; Ercan, Zafer; Gulen, Merter; Özşeker, Fatma Necla; Demir, Canan; Arslan, Aykut İlker
    Amaç: Böbrek nakli alıcılarında günde tek doz uzamış salınımlı takrolimus (tac-ER) kullanımı, erken salınımlı takrolimus (tac-IR) kullanımına benzer etkinlik ve daha iyi ilaç uyumu sağlaması amacıyla geliştirilmiştir. Ancak uzamış salınımlı takrolimus ile ilgili deneyimler daha çok nakil sonrası dönemde yapılan “switch” protokollerine dayanmaktadır. Bu çalışmada böbrek alıcılarında de novo tac-ER kullanımı ile ilgili deneyimlerimizi ve 1 yıllık sonuçları sunmayı amaçladık. Gereç ve Yöntem: Bu tek merkezli retrospektif çalışmaya Ocak 2022-Ocak 2021 arasında yapılan 72 de novo böbrek nakli hastası dahil edilmiştir. Hastalar tac- ER ve tac-IR alan iki gruba ayrıldı. Bir yıllık allogreft fonksiyonları ve sağ kalımları, hastaların günlük ilaç dozları ve bunların akut rejeksiyon atakları ile ilişkileri karşılaştırıldı. Allogreft fonksiyonları ve akut rejeksiyon atakları üzerine etki eden faktörler incelendi. Bulgular: Toplam 69 hastanın (uzamış salınımlı grupta 30 hasta ve erken salınımlı grupta 39 hasta) verileri incelendi. Üç hasta posttransplant erken dönemde öldüğü için analize dahil edilmedi. Nakil sonrası 12 aylık izlem boyunca her iki grup arasında serum kreatinin ve takrolimus çukur değerler bencer bulundu (p>0,05). İlk 3 ay içinde hedef takrolimus değerlere ulaşmak için, tac-ER grubunda daha yüksek günlük dozlar (milligra/gün ve milligram/gün/kg) gerekti (p<0,05). Nakil sonrası ilk 12 ay içinde her iki grupta da rejeksiyon oranları benzerdi (p=0,281). Tek değişkenli analizde posttransplant 1. aydaki takrolimus dozu (milligram/kg/gün) takrolimus çukur değerinin aksine rejeksiyon gelişimi üzerinde etkili görüldü (p=0,02). Sonuç: Böbrek naklinde uzamış salınımlı takrolimusun (Advagraf®) de novo kullanımı, erken salınımlı takrolimus kullanımına benzer etkinlik, allogreft sağ kalımı ve fonksiyonu sağlar.
  • Article
    Diabetes and Chronic Kidney Disease in Turkey (DIAKIT): A Cross-Sectional Cohort Study
    (BMC, 2025) Arici, Mustafa; Ates, Kenan; Yildiz, Alaattin; Odabas, Ali R.; Tokgoz, Bulent; Sezer, Siren; Altun, Bulent
    Background Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global public health problem with increasing disease burden affecting nearly 10% of adult population worldwide. We aimed to detect the prevalence of CKD, patients' distribution among CKD stages, and factors associated with having CKD in diabetic patients in Turkey. Methods This cross-sectional study, conducted in 2022, included 1591 patients with diabetes (mean age, 63 +/- 10 years; female: 65.5%) from the Cappadocia Cohort study. CKD was diagnosed by an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) or urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) >= 30 mg/g, which was measured in spot urine samples collected in the morning for three consecutive days. Results In this cohort of adult diabetic patients, the prevalence of CKD was 25.1%. More than half of the diabetic patients with CKD (53.8%) had albuminuria without a decrease in eGFR, 28.1% had decreased eGFR without albuminuria, and 18.2% had both albuminuria and decreased eGFR. While the percentage of CKD patients who are female vs. male was 60% vs. 40%, CKD prevalence was higher in males (29.2%) than in females (22.9%) (P = 0.007). Among patients with CKD, only 9.4% were aware that they had CKD. Age, male sex, HbA1c, triglyceride, uric acid, C-reactive protein, and hypertension Grade 1, 2 and 3 were associated with the presence of CKD, with uric acid showing the strongest association. Conclusions More than half of our patients with CKD would not have been diagnosed if urinary albumin excretion was not measured. Early detection of CKD by regular screening of diabetic patients using both UACR and eGFR measurements is essential for early diagnosis and prompt treatment to slow down disease progression.
  • Article
    Citation - WoS: 2
    Citation - Scopus: 2
    Potential Role of SGLT-2 Inhibitors in Improving Allograft Function and Reducing Rejection in Kidney Transplantation
    (Wiley, 2025) Demir, Mehmet Emin; Helvaci, Ozant; Yildirim, Tolga; Merhametsiz, Ozgur; Sezer, Siren
    Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2i) have demonstrated renoprotective and cardioprotective benefits beyond their antiglycemic effects. Their potential utility in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) for preserving graft function and reducing rejection risk is currently under active investigation. Preliminary studies indicate that SGLT-2i therapy stabilizes estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), decreases glomerular hyperfiltration, and improves metabolic outcomes in KTRs. Emerging clinical evidence also suggests that SGLT-2i may be associated with reduced rates of acute rejection, although direct immunosuppressive actions remain unclear. Experimental findings further suggest that SGLT-2i modulates gene regulation pathways involved in inflammation, oxidative stress, and fibrosis, contributing to improved allograft outcomes. Current safety data in KTRs are reassuring, without significant increases in urinary tract infections or adverse graft events. Nevertheless, long-term prospective studies specific to transplant populations are lacking. This review summarizes available evidence regarding the mechanisms of action, clinical efficacy, and safety profile of SGLT-2i in kidney transplantation, emphasizing their metabolic, hemodynamic, inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects.
  • Other
    Current Induction Therapy Strategies and Anti-T Lymphocyte Globulin Usage in Kidney Transplantation: Consensus-Based Recommendations by a Turkish Expert Panel
    (Aves, 2024) Çakır, Ülkem; Dinçkan, Ayhan; Karadoğan, Nayim; Keven, Kenan; Koçak, Hüseyin; Koç, Serkan Kubilay; Yıldız, Alaattin; Turkmen, Aydin; Töz, Hüseyin; Sezer, Siren
    This advisory committee convened to review national and global kidney transplantation dynamics and provide recom- mendations on the use of anti-T lymphocyte globulin (ATLG) for prevention and treatment of rejection after allogeneic kidney transplantation. A critical evaluation of 6 relevant articles released up to October 2022 was performed to reveal their importance in clinical practice. Additionally, 27 key questions on the indication, dosage of ATLG, and risk stratification were used for the Delphi technique with 8 members of the Turkish Society of Nephrology including 5 kidney transplanta- tion (KTx) subcommittee members and a surgeon experienced in solid organ transplantation. The committee declared that Türkiye had great potential in KTx; however, increase in transplantation would be possible in the case of raise in the deceased donor transplantation. As a consensus, ATLG was strongly recommended for induction and rejection treatment. Also, committee members recommended the safe dosage range in steroid resistant acute rejection as 2.5-3 mg/kg daily for 5-7 days, and the median of preferred dosage in induction sounded as 2-2.5 mg/kg daily for 3 days in intermediate risk state. Additionally, post-transplant infection and malignancy cases due to immunosuppression were much rarely encoun- tered than they were in the past.
  • Article
    Hemodiyaliz Hastalarında Sevelamer Vasküler Sertliği Düzeltmekte ve Serum Ürik Asit Düzeyini Azaltmaktadır
    (2024) Demirci, Bahar Gürlek; Tutal, Emre; Bal, Zeynep; Erkmen, Mehtap; Sezer, Siren; Akdogan, Mehtap
    Amaç: Sevelamer, pleotropik etkisi ile prebiyotik olarak etki gösterebilir. Bu çalışmanın amacı sevelamerin ürik asit, HbA1c, lipid profili ve arteryel sertlik progresyonu üzerine etkisinin gösterilmesidir. Gereç ve Yöntem: Hemodiyalize giren ve aynı fosfor bağlayıcıyı (FB) 3 yıl kullanan 151 hasta çalışmaya dahil edildi. Hastalar kullandıkları FB’ye göre sevelamer bazlı FB (grup 1) ve kalsiyum bazlı FB (grup 2) olarak 2 gruba ayrıldı. Üç yıllık takipte biyokimyasal parametreler kayıt edildi. Arteryel sertlik başlangıçta ve 3. yılın sonunda aortik nabız dalga hızı (PWv) ölçümü ile belirlendi. Bulgular: Üç yıllık takipte ortalama ürik asid düzeyleri grup 1’de azalmışken grup 2’de stabil kaldı. Grup 1’deki hastaların %22,4’ünde ortalama ürik asid düzeylerinde 2 mg/dL’den fazla azalma saptandı. Diyabetik hastalarda HbA1c düzeyleri grup 1’de grup 2’ye göre daha düşüktü. PWv düzeyleri çalışmanın başında her 2 grup için de benzerdi. Ancak 3. yılın sonunda PWv düzeyleri grup 1’de grup 2’ye göre daha düşük saptandı. Sonuç: Sevelamer pleiotropik etki ile ürik asit düzeyini, düşük yoğunluklu lipoprotein-kolesterolü, HbA1c düzeyini azaltarak, fazla kalsiyum alımını engelleyerek kardiyovasküler riski azaltmaktadır. Hemodiyalize giren hastalarda sevelamer, kalsiyum bazlı fosfor bağlayıcılara göre arteryel sertlik progresyonunu da azaltarak kardiyovasküler risk profilini düzeltir.
  • Editorial
    Citation - WoS: 1
    The Day the Earth Shook
    (Springer Heidelberg, 2023) Sezer, Siren; Tuglular, Serhan; Yildiz, Alaattin
    [No Abstract Available]
  • Article
    Morning Blood Pressure Surge in Renal Transplant Recipients: Its Relation To Graft Function and Arterial Stiffness
    (Wiley, 2022) Demirci, Bahar Gurlek; Afsar, Baris; Tutal, Emre; Colak, Turan; Sezer, Siren
    Background: When the blood pressure rises before awakening in the morning, it is called as morning blood pressure pulse (MBPS). MBPS is considered to be an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between MBPS, graft function, arterial stiffness and echocardiographic indices in renal transplant recipients. Methods: Among 600 renal transplant recipients, 122 patients who had a history of hypertension and were taking at least one anti hypertensive medication were enrolled in the study. Arterial stiffness was measured by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWv), and echocardiographic indices were assessed. 24 h ambulatory blood pressure was monitored for all patients. MBPS was calculated by subtracting morning systolic blood pressure from minimal asleep systolic blood pressure. Results: Mean morning, day time and asleep systolic blood pressure values were 171.2 +/- 23.9, 137.9 +/- 18.1, and 131.7 +/- 18.9, respectively. Nondipper hypertension status was observed in 93 patients. Mean MBPS was 35.6 +/- 19.5 mm Hg, means PWv was 6.5 +/- 2.0 m/s. Patients with MBPS >= 35 mm Hg, had significantly lower eGFR and higher proteinuria, PWv. higher left atrium volume and LVMI. In regression analysis, day time systolic blood pressure, asleep systolic blood pressure, morning blood pressure surge, nondipper status and left ventricular mass index were detected as the predictors of graft function. Conclusions: Increased morning blood pressure surge is associated with graft dysfunction, increased arterial stiffness and LVMI that contribute to cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in renal transplant recipients.