AIM To assess serum levels and correlation between uric acid (UA) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and apparently healthy individuals. METHODS The cross-sectional study included 116 examinees of age 44 to 83 years, distributed in two groups: 80 ACS patients including 40 with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and 40 with unstable angina pectoris (UAP), and 36 apparently healthy (control group) individuals. Patients with ACS were hospitalized at the Cardiology Clinic, Clinical Centre Sarajevo in the period October- December 2012. Laboratory analyses were conducted by standard methods. The accepted statistical significance level was p<0.05. RESULTS Serum levels of CRP and UA were higher in patients with ACS as compared to control group (p<0.01). The median serum UA was insignificantly lower, and CRP was significantly higher in patients with AMI compared to UAP (p=0.118 and p=0.001, respectively). CRP and UA correlated positively in both ACS and control groups (rho=0.246; p=0.028 and rho=0.374; p=0.027). A positive correlation between serum CRP and UA was noted in patients with AMI, but negative in patients with UAP (p>0.05). CONCLUSION The correlation between CRP and UA in the patients with ACS indicates the association of oxidative stress and inflammation intensity in damaged cardiomyocytes. Correlation between UA and CRP in apparently healthy individuals indicates a possible role of UA as a marker of low-grade inflammation and its potential in risk assessment in cardiovascular diseases.

Introduction: Based on the statistics the population in Bosnia and Herzegovina is getting older. In 2013 the average life span for women was 73.6 years and 68.1 for men. The chronic hemodialysis program is mainly reserved for elderly patients with high mortality risk. The most common cause of hemodialysis mortality relates to cardiovascular diseases (60.2%), regardless of frequent innovations and improvement of hemodialysis procedures. The aim of the study: was to determine the mortality rate by age groups with comments on the presence of non-traditional predictors (anemia, hypoalbuminemia, CRP, vascular access and PTH) in dialysis patients in the follow-up period of 36 months. Methods: The study included all patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis treatment at the Clinic of Hemodialysis of the Clinical Center University of Sarajevo (CCUS). Results: Out of a total number of hemodialysis patients (n=232), the specific mortality rate in patients under 65 years of age was 16.8%, and 50.5% in patients over 65 years of age. According to the age groups the mortality rate in elderly patients is as follows: from 65 to 74 years (45.1%), from 75 to 84 years (55.0%), over ≥85 years (75.0%). The most frequent vascular access in patients under and above 65 is arteriovenous fistula (79.6% and 62.1 %), temporary hemodialysis catheter (11.7% and 43.8 %) and long-term hemodialysis catheter (8.8% and 4.2 %). In the age group under 65 years of age the temporary hemodialysis catheter is significantly and more frequently used in diseased patients in respect to survivors (34.8% vs. 7.0%) [χ2(2)=15.769, p=0.001]. Diseased patients from the age group over 65 had a significantly lower mean value of haemoglobin in blood (M=100.9±17.5 g/L) in respect to survivors (M=109.2±17.1)[t(93)=2.339; p=0.021], lower mean value of albumin in blood (Me=32.0; IQR=29.0 do 35.0) in respect to survivors (Me=34.0; IQR=32.0 to 38.0) [U=762.5; p=0.006], and higher mean value of CRP in blood (Me=19.3 mg/L; IQR=6.6 to 52.0) in respect to survivors (Me=7.8; IQR=4.0 to 16.7) [U=773.5; p=0.008]. Diseased patients belonging to the age group over 65 had lower mean value of PTH, but without statistical significance (p>0.05). Conclusion: older age, temporary vascular access, anaemia and hypoalbuminemia are strong predictors of mortality in hemodialysis patients. Old age does not present contraindication for hemodialysis treatment, and treatment of terminal renal illness should not be abandoned.

Introduction: Increased levels of C-Reactive Protein are found in 30-60% on hemodialysis patients and it is closely associated with the progression of atherosclerosis, cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Non enzymatic antioxidants are antioxidants which primarily retain potentially dangerous ions of iron and copper in their inactive form and thereby prevent its participation in the production of free radicals. Aim: The aim of the study was to examine the relationship of CRP and non enzymatic antioxidants (albumin, ferritin, uric acid and bilirubin) i.e. examine the importance of CRP as a serum biomarker in assessing the condition of inflammation and its relationship to antioxidant protection in patients on hemodialysis. Methods: The study was cross-sectional, clinical, comparative and descriptive. The study involved 100 patients (non diabetic) on chronic hemodialysis. The control group consisted of 50 subjects without subjective and objective indicators of chronic renal disease. In all patients, the concentration of CRP as well as concentrations of non enzymatic antioxidants were determined. Results: In the group of hemodialysis patients 60% were men and 40% women. The average age of hemodialysis patients was 54.13 ± 11.8 years and the average age of the control group 41.72 ± 9.8 years. The average duration of hemodialysis treatment was 91.42 ± 76.2 months. In the group of hemodialysis patients statistically significant, negative linear correlation was determined between the concentration of CRP in and albumin concentration (rho = -0.251, p = 0.012) as well as negative, statistics insignificant, linear correlation between serum CRP and the concentration of uric acid (r = -0.077, p = 0.448). Furthermore, the positive, linear correlation was determined between serum CRP and ferritin (r = 0.159, p = 0.114) and positive linear correlation between CRP and total serum bilirubin (r = 0.121, p = 0.230). In the control group was determined a statistically significant, positive, linear correlation between serum CRP and uric acid concentration (rho = 0.438, p = 0.001) and statistically significant, positive, linear correlation between serum CRP and total serum bilirubin (rho = 0.510, p = 0.0001) A statistically significant, negative linear correlation was determined between CRP and albumin concentration (rho= -0.393, p = 0.005) as well as statistically significant, negative linear correlation between serum CRP and ferritin control group (rho = -0.391, p = 0.005). Conclusion: Elevated CRP level is a strong and independent predictor of low levels of serum albumin, which indicates that the hypoalbuminemia in hemodialysis patients could be more due to inflammation than malnutrition. There was no statistically significant correlation between CRP and other non enzymatic antioxidants (uric acid, ferritin, bilirubin), which shows that indicators of antioxidant defense in hemodialysis patients must be individually measured to determine their actual stocks and activity.

Background This article summarizes the 2012 European Renal Association—European Dialysis and Transplant Association Registry Annual Report (available at www.era-edta-reg.org) with a specific focus on older patients (defined as ≥65 years). Methods Data provided by 45 national or regional renal registries in 30 countries in Europe and bordering the Mediterranean Sea were used. Individual patient level data were received from 31 renal registries, whereas 14 renal registries contributed data in an aggregated form. The incidence, prevalence and survival probabilities of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) receiving renal replacement therapy (RRT) and renal transplantation rates for 2012 are presented. Results In 2012, the overall unadjusted incidence rate of patients with ESRD receiving RRT was 109.6 per million population (pmp) (n = 69 035), ranging from 219.9 pmp in Portugal to 24.2 pmp in Montenegro. The proportion of incident patients ≥75 years varied from 15 to 44% between countries. The overall unadjusted prevalence on 31 December 2012 was 716.7 pmp (n = 451 270), ranging from 1670.2 pmp in Portugal to 146.7 pmp in the Ukraine. The proportion of prevalent patients ≥75 years varied from 11 to 32% between countries. The overall renal transplantation rate in 2012 was 28.3 pmp (n = 15 673), with the highest rate seen in the Spanish region of Catalonia. The proportion of patients ≥65 years receiving a transplant ranged from 0 to 35%. Five-year adjusted survival for all RRT patients was 59.7% (95% confidence interval, CI: 59.3–60.0) which fell to 39.3% (95% CI: 38.7–39.9) in patients 65–74 years and 21.3% (95% CI: 20.8–21.9) in patients ≥75 years.

Abstract Introduction. BNP plasma levels are significantly increased in heart failure and have an excellent negative predictive value for left ventricular dysfunction. Measurement of BNP level is useful for “screening” in high-risk populations. It is suitable for detection of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and/or dysfunction and risk assessment in the sub-acute phase of acute myocardial infarction in hypertensive patients. The aim of our study was to find whether BNP may correlate with the left ventricular systolic function, i.e. its echocardiographic parameters in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Methods. In a prospective study performed at the Department of Nephrology and Clinic for hemodialysis at the Clinical Center in Sarajevo we followed-up 80 patients stratified in three separate groups according to CKD stage (Stage III, IV and V) for two years, regardless of their cardiovascular symptoms. We analyzed levels of BNP before and after diuretic therapy or hemodialysis and echocardiographic characteristics of the left ventricle. Results. There was a strong negative correlation between BNP values and the size of the EF before (rho=−0.692, p<0.0001) and after diuretic therapy (rho=−0.683, p<0.0001) for patients in CKD stage III, stage IV (rho=−0.314, p>0.05) and after diuretic therapy (rho=−495, p<0.05) Similarly, a negative correlation was found for BNP and EF values before (rho=−0.432, p<0.05) and after hemodialysis (rho=−0.556, p<0.01) for stage V CKD. Conclusions. Our study confirmed that the value of BNP in CKD patients may represent a measure of left ventricular systolic function with a strong negative correlation with ejection fraction. BNP measurement is a reliable parameter for further follow-up and prognosis in patients with established left ventricular dysfunction, acute coronary syndrome and for estimation of the left ventricular dysfunction.

Kronicna bubrežna bolest (HBB) je važan javno-zdravstveni problem (1). Prema definiciji KDIGO (Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes) HBB je definirana kao strukturno ili funkcionalno ostecenje bubrega, koje traje >3 mjeseca, s posljedicama za zdravlje i klasificirana je na osnovi uzroka, kategorije glomerularne filtracije i kategorije albuminurije (2). HBB ima nekoliko stadija, a posljednji, terminalni stadij ili end-stage of renal disease (ESRD) odgovara uremiji s glomerularnom filtracijom 90 dana se također povecala i u 2011. godini iznosila 123,1 (3). Također, i u drugim zemljama koje vode renalni registar, zabilježen je porast incidencije i prevalencije pacijenata s ESRD. U svijetu je, u odnosu na modalitet tretmana zamjene bubrežne funkcije u razdoblju 2001.-2010. godina, bila najzastupljenija HD (68,5-69,2 %), zatim transplantacija bubrega (22,5-23,1 %), te peritonejska dijaliza (8,3-8,5 %) (4). U Bosni i Hercegovini u razdoblju 2006.-2011., HD je najucestalija metoda zamjene bubrežne funkcije s ucestaloscu UCINAK INTRADIJALIZNOG PROGRAMA VJEŽBANJA NA KVALITETU ŽIVOTA I FIZICKE MOGUCNOSTI U HEMODIJALIZIRANIH PACIJENATA

Introduction: Regulatory T cells (Treg) play a central role in the immunopathogenesis of psoriasis. Immunoregulatory T cells (Tregs) are involved in important homeostatic mechanism for maintaining tolerance and preventing autoimmunity, and autoimmune diseases. The aim of this study was to examine the role of Tregs cells in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, and determine the range value for Treg cells (CD4+ CD25+) in the peripheral blood of patients with psoriasis compared to the severity of disease. Material and methods: The study included 51 patients diagnosed with psoriasis and 25 healthy individuals. Phenotype profile of peripheral blood lymphocytes was determined by flow cytometry, and assessment of severity of disease was determined on the basis of PASI score (e.g. Psoriasis Area and Severity Index). Results: Proportion of CD4+CD25+T cells in the control group was significantly higher than in the patients with psoriasis [6,4% ±(5,4-7,6) vs. 4,1% (3,1 -5,8)–Mann–Whitney U test, p <0.001]. In the present study we did not find a statistically significant correlation between the levels of CD4+CD25+cells, in patients with psoriasis, compared to the severity of disease–PASI. (i.e. Pearson correlation, r = 0.197, p = 0.194). Conclusion: The stratification of patients, according to the severity of the clinical course was not possible on the basis of Treg cells’ level. ROC curve analysis of the optimal cutoff (PASI=10) and the CD4+CD25+, which distinguishes between patients and healthy individuals was 5% of CD4+CD25+ of the total number of CD4+ lymphocytes with specificity of 69% and sensitivity of 84%.

Background This article provides a summary of the 2011 ERA–EDTA Registry Annual Report (available at www.era-edta-reg.org). Methods Data on renal replacement therapy (RRT) for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) from national and regional renal registries in 30 countries in Europe and bordering the Mediterranean Sea were used. From 27 registries, individual patient data were received, whereas 17 registries contributed data in aggregated form. We present the incidence and prevalence of RRT, and renal transplant rates in 2011. In addition, survival probabilities and expected remaining lifetimes were calculated for those registries providing individual patient data. Results The overall unadjusted incidence rate of RRT in 2011 among all registries reporting to the ERA–EDTA Registry was 117 per million population (pmp) (n = 71.631). Incidence rates varied from 24 pmp in Ukraine to 238 pmp in Turkey. The overall unadjusted prevalence of RRT for ESRD on 31 December 2011 was 692 pmp (n = 425 824). The highest prevalence was reported by Portugal (1662 pmp) and the lowest by Ukraine (131 pmp). Among all registries, a total of 22 814 renal transplantations were performed (37 pmp). The highest overall transplant rate was reported from Spain, Cantabria (81 pmp), whereas the highest rate of living donor transplants was reported from Turkey (39 pmp). For patients who started RRT between 2002 and 2006, the unadjusted 5-year patient survival on RRT was 46.8% [95% confidence interval (CI) 46.6–47.0], and on dialysis 39.3% (95% CI 39.2–39.4). The unadjusted 5-year patient survival after the first renal transplantation performed between 2002 and 2006 was 86.7% (95% CI 86.2–87.2) for kidneys from deceased donors and 94.3% (95% CI 93.6–95.0) for kidneys from living donors.

Background This study provides a summary of the 2010 European Renal Association–European Dialysis and Transplant Association (ERA–EDTA) Registry Annual Report (available at www.era-edta-reg.org). Methods This report includes data on renal replacement therapy (RRT) using data from the national and regional renal registries in 29 countries in Europe and bordering the Mediterranean Sea. Individual patient data were received from 27 registries, whereas 18 registries contributed data in aggregated form. We present incidence and prevalence of RRT, transplant rates, survival probabilities and expected remaining lifetimes. The latter two are solely based on individual patient records. Results In 2010, the overall incidence rate of RRT for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) among all registries reporting to the ERA–EDTA Registry was 123 per million population (pmp) (n = 91 798). The highest incidence rate was reported by Turkey (252pmp) and the lowest reported by Montenegro (21 pmp). The overall prevalence of RRT for ESRD at 31 December 2010 among all registries reporting to the ERA–EDTA Registry was 741 pmp (n = 551 005). The prevalence varied from 124 pmp in Ukraine to 1580 pmp in Portugal. The overall number of renal transplantations performed in 2010 among all registries was 29.2 pmp (n = 21 740). The highest overall transplant rate was reported from Spain, Cantabria (73 pmp), whereas the highest transplant rate for living donor kidneys was reported from the Netherlands (28 pmp). For patients who started RRT between 2001 and 2005, the unadjusted 5-year patient survival on RRT was 46.2% [95% confidence interval (CI) 46.0–46.3], and on dialysis 38.6% (95% CI 38.5–38.8). The unadjusted 5-year patient survival after the first renal transplantation performed between 2001 and 2005 was 86.6% (95% CI 86.1–87.1) for deceased donor kidneys and 94.1% (95% CI 93.4–94.8) for living donor kidneys.