Background: Health-related quality of life (QOL) is affected in hemodialysis patients (HD). A number of factors such as age, anemia, and comorbidity had been implicated in decreased QOL. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a frequent and potentially treatable complication in HD patients. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to evaluate the possible relation between the QOL and ED in HD patients. Patients and Methods: Among the 511 chronic HD patients dialyzed in 11 outpatient HD centers, 148 male patients (mean age: 46 ± 9 years) were included. The mean time on dialysis was 41 ± 35 months (range: 3–203 months). Biochemical parameters such as BUN, creatinine, hemoglobin, serum albumin and Kt/V were measured. The QOL of the patients were measured with the short form of Medical Outcomes Study (SF-36), physical component scores (PCS) and mental component scores (MCS) were calculated. The ED was evaluated by the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). Results: One hundred and four of the 148 patients (70%) had ED. Hemoglobin levels were correlated with PCS (r = 0.197, p = 0.02) and MCS (r = 0.20, p = 0.019). Patients with ED had lower scores in nearly all the components related to PCS and MCS as compared to patients without ED. IIEF score was correlated with PCS (r = 0.369, p < 0.001) and MCS (r = 0.308, p < 0.001). In linear regression analysis, IIEF score and hemoglobin levels were the independent variables that predicted both PCM and MCS. Conclusion: ED, a frequent complication in HD patients, was related to QOL together with anemia. Successful treatment of ED and anemia may lead to improvement in QOL in HD patients.

We aimed at comparing the elderly adults and normal subjects with regard to their disability, psychological status, and quality of life (QOL). One hundred and twenty-five dialysis patients and 61 controls were recruited in the study. Depression and anxiety symptoms of the patients were evaluated with the Psychological Symptom Screening List (SCL 90-R). For evaluating the disability, the Rivermead mobility index (RMI) was utilized. For evaluating the QOL, we used the short form-36 (SF-36) scale. The Rivermead mobility index of the patients (9.6 +/- 3.4) was found. When compared with controls, dialysis patients had higher levels of disability (p = 0.0001). Depression and anxiety symptom scores of these patients were also significantly higher than that of the controls (p < 0.05). There was a correlation between the disability and depression symptom scores (r: 0.171, p = 0.037). Both physical and mental capacity scores of the dialysis patients were lower than those of the controls (p < 0.05 and p < 0.05) QOL scores for elderly hemodialysis patients were found to be lower. Their disability was higher, making them dependable on others during their daily lives. Specific exercise programs should be developed for these patients. Even the smallest effort in this regard will result in improvements in physical functioning while bringing them significant benefits.

The aim of this study was to compare the results of the 44-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) data between haemodialysis (HDp) and CAPD patients and to investigate the relation of circadian rhythm in blood pressure (BP) with development of left ventricular hypertrophy. Twenty-two HDp (11 male, 11 female, mean age: 50 ± 17 years) and 24 CAPDp (11 male, 13 female, mean age: 47 ± 15 years) were included. Echocardiographic measurements and ABPM were performed in all study groups. ABPM of the first and second days were analysed separately and compared with CAPDp. Left ventricular hypertrophy was detected in 17 of the 22 HDp (77%) and 17 of the 24 CAPDp (71%). There was no significant differences between HD and CAPDp in respect to 44-h, daytime and night-time systolic and diastolic BP values. Although the course of BP in CAPDp was stable during the 44-h period, systolic and diastolic BP levels on the second day were significantly higher than those of on the first day in HDp (P Ͻ 0.001

Objectives Oxidative stress results from an imbalance between the production of free radicals and antioxidant activity. There is wide agreement that patients undergoing regular dialysis treatment experience increased oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to investigate serum total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), ischemia-modified albumin (IMA), and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) levels in hemodialysis (HD) and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients, compared with controls. Methods This study was performed on 41 (21 men, 20 women) CAPD patients, 38 (20 men,18 women) HD patients, and 43 (23 men, 20 women) healthy control subjects. CoQ10 levels were standardized using blood lipids. Results Serum TAS levels and CoQ10/total cholesterol values of the HD and CAPD patients were significantly lower, whereas serum IMA and TOS levels were significantly higher, than those of controls. Furthermore, CoQ10/LDL, CoQ10/triglycerides, and CoQ10/total cholesterol + triglycerides values of the CAPD patients were significantly lower than those of controls. No differences were found between serum IMA, TAS, TOS, CoQ10 levels, and adjusted CoQ10 values of the CAPD and HD patients. Conclusions Our results suggest that oxidative stress is increased in HD and CAPD patients compared with controls, as proven by decreased TAS and adjusted CoQ10 levels and increased TOS and IMA levels. Therefore, an antioxidant supplementation to these patients may be suggested.

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