Large randomized controlled trials have not confirmed the effects of statin therapy on reduction of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in end-stage kidney disease, despite that statins are still widely prescribed by nephrologists to chronic dialysis patients. The aim of the study was to analyze the attitudes of nephrologists towards statin use in hemodialysis patients. Self-designed questionnaire, containing 18 questions, was distributed among 115 nephrologists. The survey contained description of the results of 3 largest statin trials in nephrology. The questions referred to the interpretation of trial results and the safety and efficacy of statin therapy and dose adjustments required in dialysis patients. 83% among 72 nephrologists who returned the questionnaire prescribed statins to their dialysis patients for secondary prevention of cardiovascular events. 90% prescribed atorvastatin. 64% nephrologists did not modify statin dose at the start of hemodialysis treatment and 47% before elective surgery. Liver disease was indicated as a main reason for dose modification in hemodialysis patients. Statin-induced myopathy was observed by 65% nephrologists and 61% reported a case of increased liver enzymes. 51% of nephrologists did not routinely discuss the possible benefits and risks of statin therapy with their patients. Statins are still widely prescribed and considered safe and effective lipid-lowering therapy in dialysis patients by most nephrologists.

Objectives: Although immunosuppressive drugs have been recognized as leading causes of gastrointestinal symptoms after kidney transplant, other widely used medications such as proton-pump inhibitors recently have been implicated. Our aim was to study the effects of chronic proton-pump inhibitor therapy on gastrointestinal symptoms in clinically stable patients late after kidney transplant. Materials and Methods:The study comprised 100 kidney transplant recipients (66 men and 34 women, mean age of 49 ± 12 y, mean time after transplant of 56 ± 46 mo). All patients completed the Gastrointestinal Symptoms Rating Scale and the Quality of Life Questionnaire SF-8 surveys. Results:The most commonly reported symptoms included borborygmus (27%), flatulence (23%), abdominal distension (18%), urgent need of defecation (17%), and heartburn, acid reflux, and eructation (13%). Proton-pump inhibitors were chronically used by 50% of patients and sporadically by 33%. Gastrointestinal Symptoms Rating Scale scores were higher in patients who used proton-pump inhibitors (mean score of 7.8 ± 5.5 vs 4.6 ± 3.0; P = .013). Total score of items representing diarrhea in the Gastrointestinal Symptoms Rating Scale (increased passage of stools, loose stools, urgent need of defecation, incomplete evacuation) was higher in patients treated with proton-pump inhibitors than in those not treated (2.3 ± 2.2 vs 1.3 ± 1.9; P = .04). Conclusions: Chronic use of proton-pump inhibitors may increase the prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms, particularly diarrhea, in patients late after kidney transplant.

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