Ekrem Kara

• Internal Medicine and Nephrology Specialist
• Medical Doctor at Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University

Introduction: Pneumonia is a common symptom of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), and this study aimed to determine how analyzing initial thoracic computerized-tomography (CT) scans using semi-quantitative methods could be used to predict the outcomes for hospitalized patients. Materials and methods: This study looked at previously collected d...

Purpose Incremental peritoneal dialysis (IPD) could decrease unfavorable glucose exposure results and preserve (RKF). However, there is no standardization of dialysis prescriptions for patients undergoing IPD. We designed a prospective observational multi-center study with a standardized IPD prescription to evaluate the effect of IPD on RKF, metabo...

Introduction Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) has gained importance for its ability to measure multiple parameters and provide insights into arterial stiffness (AS). This cross-sectional study aims to investigate the relationship between aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV), 24-hour ABPM, and clinical and laboratory parameters in hypertensiv...

Introduction and aim To determine the predictive value of temporal muscle thickness (TMT) measured by ultrasonography in the diagnosing of moderate to severe malnutrition in chronic hemodialysis (CHD) patients. Materials and methods Adult patients (> 18 years) who had been on CHD for at least 3 months were included in this cross-sectional study. P...

Objective: Ultrasonographic temporal muscle thickness measurement has recently emerged as a promising method of nutritional assessment in various conditions; hence, we aimed to determine the relationship between temporal muscle thickness and mortality in prevalent hemodialysis patients. Methods: Adult patients who were on a regular in-center hem...

Caregiving has become an increasingly important medical and social issue in recent decades. We performed a cross-sectional study on pulmonary patients and accompanying informal caregivers who were hospitalized in the chest disease ward of a tertiary center in Turkey between January 2020 and April 2021. Informal caregivers were asked to complete the...

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Haemodialysis (HD) patients are at increased risk for adverse short-term consequences of COVID-19. In this study, we investigated the characteristics of chronic HD patients in the post-COVID-19 period and compared them with the control group. METHOD We conducted a national multicentre observational study involving adult chronic...

Background Hemodialysis (HD) patients have increased risk for short-term adverse outcomes of COVID-19. However, complications and survival at the post-COVID-19 period have not been published extensively. Methods We conducted a national, multicenter observational study that included adult maintenance HD patients recovered from confirmed COVID-19. A...

Background/aim: This study aimed to investigate pregnancy frequency and evaluate the factors affecting live births in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Materials and methods: Female HD patients whose pregnancy was retrospectively reported between January 1, 2014, and December 31, 2019. The duration of HD, primary disease, whether the pregnancy resulte...

Objective: To evaluate the effect of 24 hour systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) variability (BPV) on renal progression in hypertensive patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) Methods: A total 59 hypertensive patients (mean age: 54.2±14.6 years, 50.8% male) with CKD who underwent 24 hours ambulatory blood pressure me...

Background Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common in coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) and the severity of AKI is linked to adverse outcomes. In this study, we investigated the factors associated with in-hospital outcomes among hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and AKI. Methods In this multicenter retrospective observational study, we evaluated t...

Renal Anatomi Orçun ALTUNÖREN Garip BEKFİLAVİOĞLU Renal Fizyoloji Ceren ÖNAL Bülent ALTUN Öykü ve Fizik İnceleme Tekin AKPOLAT Klirens Kavramı ve Glomerüler Filtrasyon Hızı Ölçüm Metotları Ebru SEVİNÇ OK İdrar Analizi ve Yorumlanması Çiğdem MENGÜŞ Ahmet Uğur YALÇIN Renal Görüntüleme Kenan TURGUTALP Caner ÖZER Renal Biyopsi ve Temel Patolojik İncele...

Objective: Changes in pulmonary functions have not been thoroughly investigated in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD). The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a single HD session on pulmonary functions, measured by spirometry, in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing chronic hemodialysis (CHD) treatment. Methods: T...

Background: Iron deficiency anemia, pregnancy, and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are common causes of secondary restless legs syndrome (RLS). Serum ferritin is considered the most specific test associated with the total amount of body iron stores. However, due to the increase of serum ferritin secondary to inflammation in chronic hemodialysis (HD...

Objective Older adults with comorbidities have been reported to be at higher risk for adverse outcomes of Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19). The characteristics of COVID-19 in older patients and its clinical outcomes in different kidney disease groups are not well known. Methods Data were retrieved from a national multicentric database supported...

Background and Aims Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common in coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) and the severity of AKI is linked to adverse outcomes. In this study, we investigated the factors associated with in-hospital outcomes among hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and AKI. Method In this multicenter retrospective observational study, we eva...

AAbstract Background/aim: Hospital-acquired acute kidney injury (HA-AKI) may commonly develop in Covid-19 patients and is expected to have higher mortality. There is little comparative data looking for the effect of HA-AKI on mortality of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients and a control group of general population suffering from Covid-19. Mater...

Background. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and immunosuppression, such as in renal transplantation (RT), stand as one of the established potential risk factors for severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Case morbidity and mortality rates for any type of infection have always been much higher in CKD, haemodialysis (HD) and RT patients than in the...

BacKgroUND: Neutrophilgelatinase-associated lipocalin (Ngal) has been proven to be a useful biomarker for early detection of acute kidney injury, but it is not known whether adding Ngal measurements to conventional risk factors will improve the risk assessment in the setting of chronic kidney disease (cKD). The aim of the present study was to exami...

BacKgroUND: Neutrophilgelatinase-associated lipocalin (Ngal) has been proven to be a useful biomarker for early detection of acute kidney injury, but it is not known whether adding Ngal measurements to conventional risk factors will improve the risk assessment in the setting of chronic kidney disease (cKD). The aim of the present study was to exami...

Purpose Renal infarction is a clinical condition which is caused by renal artery occlusion and leads to permanent renal parenchymal damage. In the literature, there are generally case reports on this subject, and few studies that include a large group of patients. Therefore, we aimed to present the data of a large group of patients who were diagnos...

Isolated spontaneous renal artery dissection (RAD) without known trauma is rare, and its etiology has not been determined. However, notable risk factors including hypertension, strenuous exercise, connective tissue disorders, atherosclerosis, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, and cocaine abuse have been reported. To the best of our knowledge,...

Attaining and maintaining optimal “dry weight” is one of the principal goals during maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). Recent studies have shown a close relationship between Na⁺ load and serum vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) levels; thus, we aimed to investigate the role of VEGF-C as a candidate biomarker of hypervolemia. Physical examin...

Background: Immunosuppressive regimens with tacrolimus or cyclosporine A (CsA) were compared for graft-related outcomes in conjunction with complement-binding de novo donor-specific antibodies (DSAs). Methods: Non-sensitized adult patients without rejection episodes within 3 months after transplantation were screened for the presence of de novo...

Although not mandatory for patients, many Muslims fast in Ramadan. We aimed to investigate the effects of long hours (17.5) fasting on renal functions in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Stage 3-5 CKD patients with stable renal function were recruited to this prospective observational study three months ahead of Ramadan in 2015. All pati...

Background: Neutrophilgelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) has been proven to be a useful biomarker for early detection of acute kidney injury, but it is not known whether adding NGAL measurements to conventional risk factors will improve the risk assessment in the setting of chronic kidney disease (CKD). The aim of the present study was to exam...

Background: The management of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) has evolved into better control of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) and recovery of renal functions since the recent introduction of the terminal complement cascade blocker, eculizumab, into clinical use. Better characterization of genotype–phenotype relations has become possib...

Background: The optimal delivered dialysis dose has been of a great interest for the last three decades, though a clear cut point has not been reached yet. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between one-year mortality and the delivered dialysis dose, which was recommended by Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (KDOQI), in our maintenance...

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate serum uric acid levels, inflammatory markers [C-reactive protein (CRP), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR)] and mean platelet volume (MPV) among hypertensive patients with or without chronic kidney disease (CKD) with respect to dipping status. Methods: A...

Introduction: Air embolism (AE) is a rare, but serious complication that can occur in the practice of hemodialysis. In contrast to careful techniques and meticulous care during insertions and manipulations of the central catheters, awareness of the risk of AE following catheter removal is less. We aimed to analyze the clinical characteristics of t...

Background: The goal of this study was to evaluate posttransplant urinary tract infection (UTI) rates and graft outcome in kidney transplantation for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) due to vesicoureteral reflux (VUR)-related reflux nephropathy (RN) versus chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN). Methods: A total of 62 patients with ESRD who underwent ki...

Background: Amyloid A (AA) amyloidosis is a multisystemic, progressive, and severe disease. Renal involvement is a prominent feature of the disease, and the outcome of patients on dialysis is poor. We aimed to analyze the outcomes of kidney transplantation in patients with AA amyloidosis in comparison with chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN). Method...

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictive value of malnutrition-inflammation score (MIS) on short-term mortality and to identify the best cut-off point in the Turkish maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) population. Methods: A total of 100 patients on MHD were included in this prospective single-center study. Demographic, anthrop...

Background: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is often avoided for patients with polycystic kidney disease (PKD) because of increased risk of complications and technique failure due to limited intra-abdominal space. In this study, we have aimed to determine clinical outcomes, patient and technique survivals in patients with PKD performing PD and to define...

Objectives:: The goal of this study was to evaluate the relationship between serum albumin levels and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (24-h ABPM) recordings in non-diabetic essential hypertensive patients. Methods:: A total of 354 patients (mean [SD] age: 55.5 [14.3] years, 50% females) with essential hypertension and 24-h ABPM reco...

Even though radiocontrast nephropathy is usually the most common cause of acute renal failure (ARF) following invasive vascular interventions, cholesterol embolism should be considered in the differential diagnosis. It is very important to differentiate these 2 conditions because of the disparities between treatment modalities and renal-patient sur...

Thoracic venous anomalies without congenital heart anomalies are present in minority of the population, but they are frequent enough to be encountered while placing hemodialysis catheters through the jugular or subclavian veins. Persistent left superior vena cava is the most commonly seen anomaly and it is rarely noticed before the observation of a...

Introduction. To investigate the effect on mortality of initial peritoneal equilibration test (PET) in PD patients (pts). Methods. We included patients who initiated therapy between 2001-2014. Patients underwent initial PET in the first three months. They were divided into four groups according to the initial PET (high, high-average, lowaverage, lo...

Background: Cardiac arrhythmias can be a part of cardiovascular involvement in some rheumatic diseases, but data about familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) are conflicting. Aim: To search for abnormalities in ventricular repolarization indices in FMF patients. Patients and methods: Seventy seven FMF patients and 30 age/gender comparable healthy...

Background: Ertapenem is a broad-spectrum and long-acting carbapenem which is predominantly eliminated by the kidneys, and it requires dose adjustment in renal failure. Although it is known that excessive doses of ertapenem can cause neurotoxicity, there are very few case reports of ertapenem-induced reversible peripheral neuropathy in the literat...

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and inflammation in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on maintenance hemodialysis (HD). Methods: 100 ESRD patients on maintenance HD (mean ± SD age: 52.3 ± 1.7 years, 52% were males) were included in this cross-sectiona...

Catheter and/or arteriovenous (A-V) graft-related bacteremia is an important cause of morbidity and mortality among hemodialysis (HD) patients. Endocarditis, septic arthritis, epidural abscess, septic embolism, and osteomyelitis are the most common complications of catheter and/or A-V graft-related bacteremia; however, endogenous endophthalmitis is...

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical outcomes and identify the predictors of mortality in elderly patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study including all incident peritoneal dialysis cases in patients ≥65 years of age treated from 2001 to 2014. Demographic and clinical data on the initiation of peritoneal...

Thrombotic microangiopathies are a group of diseases presenting as microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia and end-organ dysfunction. As the role of the complement system was elucidated in atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome pathogenesis, eculizumab was successfully introduced into clinical practice. We present a large pedigree with mult...

Introduction: Excessive relative interdialytic weight gain (RIDWG, %) is an important risk factor for long-term adverse cardiovascular outcomes in chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients. On the other hand, it may also be an index of good appetite and nutritional status. We aimed to assess the relationship between RIDWG and appetite, nutrition, inflamm...

To investigate effect of body mass index (BMI) on mortality and clinical outcomes in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD). In this retrospective study, 367 consecutive patients undergoing PD from 2001 to 2014 were included. 108 were excluded from the study. Remaining 259 patients' demographic and clinical data on initiation of PD and clinic...

Objective: Leptin is a hormone and a proinflammatory cytokine secreted from adipocytes, which functions to suppress appetite in healthy persons. Serum leptin levels are significantly elevated in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) primarily due to decreased clearance by the kidneys The consequence of hyperleptinemia in ESRD is not fully u...

Background. The aim of this study is to assess renal damage incidence in patients with solitary kidney and to detect factors associated with progression. Methods. Medical records of 75 patients with solitary kidney were investigated retrospectively and divided into two groups: unilateral nephrectomy (group 1) and unilateral renal agenesis/dysplasia...

Background: Amyloid A (AA) amyloidosis is a multisystem, progressive and fatal disease. Renal involvement occurs early in the course of AA. We aimed to investigate the etiology, clinical and laboratory features, and outcome of patients with biopsy-proven renal AA amyloidosis. Materials and Methods: A total of 121 patients (male/female: 84/37, mean...

Introduction and Aims: Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) and Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR) are new potential markers to determine inflammation in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. The association between malnutrition, inflammation and appetite with PLR and NLR are lacking in hemodialysis (HD). Hence, we aimed to determine the relatio...

Introduction and Aims: Admissions and deaths have been shown to vary according to day of the week in patients receiving haemodialysis. Patients with a range of chronic diseases are more likely to be admitted on a Monday, and have higher hospital associated mortality at the weekend. We set out to explore these associations in patients receiving peri...

Aim: To evaluate the clinical outcome, identify predictors of patient and technique survival in our peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients in the western region of Turkey. Methods: We included all patients who initiated therapy between 2001 and 2010. Socio-demographic characteristics such as who helped to administer the PD as well as conditions under...

Purpose: The aim of the study was to determine serum androgen levels and the frequency of late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) in patients over 60 years of age with metabolic syndrome (MS) and its correlation with parameters of MS. Material and Method: Men over 60 years of age who were diagnosed with MS according to the Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III)...

Background Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a life-threatening disease, characterized by microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, fever, neurologic disturbances, and renal failure. Plasma therapy has dramatically improved prognosis of TTP, whereas recurrent acute episodes still occur in approximately 40% of patients. Moreove...

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a systemic disease with a rising incidence. Cardiac dysfunction may occur as an early complication of AP. B type natriuretic factor (BNP) is a diagnostic and prognostic indicator of cardiac disorders. Therefore, in this study we aimed to assess the relationship between serum BNP concentrations and severity of AP. Patients...

Alendronate is a widely used bisphosphonate in the treatment of osteoporosis. Although it has been proven to be a very useful drug, it has some side effects as well. In this paper, we describe a case of nephrotic syndrome due to alendronate administration. A 36-year-old man was admitted to the nephrology outpatient clinic with widespread edema 4 mo...