[Supine hypertension, a consequence of autonomic neuropathy, is a rarely recognized pathological condition. Reported diseases in the background are pure autonomic failure, multiple system atrophy, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes and different autoimmune disorders. In our case report we present a case of supine hypertension which developed in a patient decades after kidney transplantation. The patient was followed for 25 months and we demonstrate the effect of the modification of antihypertensive medications. At the time of the diagnosis supine hypertension appeared immediately after laying down (office sitting blood pressure (BP): 143/101 mmHg; office supine BP: 171/113 mmHg) and on ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) extreme reverse dipping was registered (daytime BP: 130/86 mmHg, nighttime BP: 175/114 mmHg). After the modification of the antihypertensive medications in multiple times, both office supine BP (office sitting BP: 127/92 mmHg; office supine BP: 138/100 mmHg) and on ABPM nighttime BP improved markedly (daytime BP: 135/92 mmHg, nighttime BP: 134/90 mmHg). In conclusions, our case report points out that autonomic neuropathy-caused supine hypertension and extreme reverse dipping can develop in chronic kidney disease, after kidney transplantation. The modification of the antihypertensive medications can slowly restore this pathological condition.]

[After kidney transplantation, the administration of immunosuppressive therapy not only renders the patient susceptible to infections, but it may also damage the function of tumor cell recognition and elimination. Our study was performed at the Department of Surgery, University of Szeged. After establishing the inclusion criteria, 570 patients were involved in the study. We examined the age, sex, immunosuppressive therapy of the patients, and searched for the rela­tionship between the different immunosuppressive agents and the type of the tumor. In 81 cases, de novo cancer was diagnosed. Among patients treated with cyclosporin and tacrolimus there was no significant difference in the mean age (p = 0.734) and body mass index (p = 0.543). There was no significant difference in graft function between the two groups of patients (Tac vs Cyc; 44 vs 20). Related to the time passed since the trans­plantation to diagnosing the tumors the earliest were prostate and cervix cancers however without significant difference. Skin cancers are the most frequent followed by post-transplant lym­pho­prolife­ra­tive diseases. The increasing risk of developing tumors is mainly due to immunosuppressive therapy. ]

[Routine baseline duplex sonography and sonographic monitoring have been performed afer kidney transplantation at our University since November, 1992. Data on 24 patients are analysed. Baseline sonograms were assessed as normal in 18 patients. Abnormalities involved collecting system dilatation, and swelling of the parenchyma. In every case in which the transplanted kidney had to be removed because of serious complications, we observed morphological changes in the follow-up examination. The resistance index (ARI) measured during duplex Doppler examinations was higher than 75% in 8 of the 24 cases. Four of these grafts had to be removed. From among the 16 cases having normal baseline RI, only 2 kidneys were lost during the postoperative period. Baseline and follow-up duplex sonographic examinations were found to have an important role in the management of kidney transplanted patients. Early complications can be detected, therapy can be initiated in time, and the changes occurring during follow-up can be evaluated more sensitively. ]

[AIM - The aim of this prospective study was the long-term evaluation of the effect of calcium and alfacalcidol treatment on calcium metabolism in patients with renal transplantation. METHODS - Patients were divided in two groups. Patients in Group 1 (n=159) received calcium substitution, while patients in Group 2 (n=81) were treated with alfacalcidol. Serum Ca, P, Mg, alkaline phosphatase (AP) and PTH levels were determined before and after transplantation regularly for three years. Femur neck and lumbar vertebral bone mineral densities (BMD) were measured at the same time after transplantation. RESULTS - After transplantation the mean serum calcium level significantly increased, while the mean serum phosphate level significantly decreased in both groups. After the operation the PTH levels decreased in both groups and it was found to be more pronounced in the alfacalcidol group.The majority of patients had osteopenia in the follow-up period. Between the third month and the third year after transplantation, BMD increased by 9.4% in Group1, and decreased by 4% in Group 2 at the lumbar spine. At 3 years the mean BMD value at the femoral neck was increased by 6.5% in Group 1, and by 6.7% in Group 2, compared to the 3-month values.The change in BMD was only significant at the lumbar spine, in Group 1 (p=0.019). During the follow-up period osteonecrosis was diagnosed in 6 patients in Group 1 and in 9 cases in Group 2. CONCLUSION - Alfacalcidol treatment decreased secondary hyperparathyroidism more rapidly and effectively, which was also indicated by the more pronounced decrease of serum PTH levels. During the 3 years follow-up period, BMD increased in both groups except for the lumbar spine in Group 2, however, the majority of the patients still had osteopenia.The study could not demonstrate a superiority of alfacalcidol over calcium supplementation in the prevention of posttransplantational osteopenia.]

[In this article a practice-oriented narrative review of the depressive disorders in chronic kidney disease is provided. Depressive disorders affect approximately one fourth of the chronic kidney disease population. These mental disorders interfere with physical, cognitive and social functioning and are associated with poor prognosis of patients with chronic kidney disease. Bio-psycho-social factors, including immuno-inflammatory processes, disturbance in glucose- insulin homeostasis, sleep disorders, chronic pain, sexual difficulties, changes in social roles, losses in multiple areas of life and low social support increase the risk for the development of depression. Routine, regular screening of depression in the chronic kidney disease population seems to be warranted. Only limited published evidence is available on the therapeutic possibilities of depression in chronic kidney disease. Preliminary evidence indicates that short, structured psychotherapy may be effective for acute treatment and prevention of psychological distress. Some antidepressants can be applied without the need for dose adjustments. On the other hand, some of the psychotropic medications require dose reduction or should be avoided.]