Background. With the latest COVID-19 deaths reported to WHO now exceeding 3.3 million, COVID-19 has developed into a milestone of our medical generation, causing disruption in communities and hospital services. With complications raging from respiratory failure to inflammatory complication and even thrombotic events, we wanted to establish if lymphopenia is a predictive marker of disease severity in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. Material and methods. 152 patients were included from 4 different departments of Colentina Clinical Hospital in this retrospective observational study beginning with July 2020 to March 2021. All of these patients were confirmed with COVID-19 by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction test for nasal and pharyngeal swab samples. As including criteria we have set the patients hospitalized confirmed with COVID-19, with at least 10 days of hospitalization. The data in demographic, basic clinical and laboratory characteristics and particular evolution was obtained from electronical medical records from each department involved in the study, by maintaining personal data confidentially. We set up criteria for lymphopenia as absolute lymphocyte count below 1.5 x 1000/µl, based on the laboratory reference values. The study group was divided into several groups: male and female, ICU (Intensive Care Unit) and non-ICU, deceased and released, lymphopenia at day 1 (day of admission to hospital) , lymphopenia at day 10 (10 days after hospital admission). Results. The age of the patients ranged from 17 to 92, with the median age of 57.62. Enrolled were 73 (47.4%) female patients and 79 (52.6%) male patients, with an ICU admission rate of 35.71% (55 patients), and a mortality rate of 21.43% (33 patients). Patients who have a severe form of COVID-19 and are admitted to the ICU for mechanical ventilation did not recover and died (p < 0.001). Male patients may have higher risk of requiring admission in ICU (p value = 0.357) and higher risk of death (p value = 0.241). Even in our small group of 152 patients, the elderly patients suffered a more severe form of the disease, which was reflected on the number of admission days (p = 0.07). In our specific population, based on the statistics, if we take the number of lymphocytes on the day of admission as the dependent factor, we can safely say that there is a statistically significant correlation between lymphopenia at day 1 and the ICU admission (p < 0.001) or death (p = 0.014). The number of lymphocytes following 10 days of admission is another prognostic marker as we can see from the results of statistic tests: there is a statistically significant correlation between lymphopenia at day 10 and the ICU admission (p < 0.001) or death (p < 0.001). Age is another predictive factor regarding the number of lymphocytes following 10 days of admission (r = -0.078 and p = 0.356). Conclusion. Lymphopenia is an easy-to-determine, efficient and reliable biomarker to establish the disease evolution in patients with COVID-19.

1First Department of Internal Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania; 2Department of Functional Sciences, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania; 3Second Department of Internal Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania; 4Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania; 5Department of OrthopedicsTraumatology, Urology and Medical Imaging, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the dynamics of epicardiac adipose tissue

Purpose The aim of this study was to assess the dynamics of epicardiac adipose tissue (EAT) thickness and total volume as well as that of systolic and diastolic dysfunction in a group of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) after initiation of sodium glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT 2) inhibitors therapy. Patients and methods This prospective, observational study included 53 patients with T2D who received SGLT-2 inhibitors for 24 weeks. In all patients, echocardiographic screening for EAT, systolic and diastolic dysfunction and non-contrast computed tomography scans were performed, both before and after 24 weeks of SGLT-2 inhibition. Imagistic evaluation was followed by the association’s analysis between the dynamics of EAT and heart function, as well as the patient’s clinical and biological parameters. We considered a decrease or increase of more than 10% in EAT as being clinically significant. Results The mean volume of EAT decreased significantly after SGLT 2 inhibition (37.8±17.2 vs. 20.7±7 cm3; p<0.001). Median values of EAT thickness also decreased significantly (5.95 vs. 3.01 mm; p<0.001). Most patients, 75.4% (40/53), presented more than 10% decrease in EAT volume, 9.5% (5/53) had stable EAT volume values, while in 15.1% (8/53) the means of EAT volume increased. 73.5% of the patients had diastolic dysfunction type 1 (DD 1) at baseline. No significant change was observed in the left ventricular ejection fraction or diastolic dysfunction after 24 weeks of treatment. Although not statistically significant, an improvement in cardiac function has been noticed throughout the duration of 1 year of treatment with SGLT 2 inhibitors. Conclusion This study showed the beneficial effect of SGLT 2 inhibitors on EAT after a short period of treatment, but there were no significant changes in the systolic function during the 1st year of study. However, reducing epicardial fat has led to remission of diastolic dysfunction.

Background: Canagliflozin reduces the risk of kidney failure in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease, but effects on specific cardiovascular outcomes are uncertain, as are effects in people without previous cardiovascular disease (primary prevention). Methods: In CREDENCE (Canagliflozin and Renal Events in Diabetes With Established Nephropathy Clinical Evaluation), 4401 participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease were randomly assigned to canagliflozin or placebo on a background of optimized standard of care. Results: Primary prevention participants (n=2181, 49.6%) were younger (61 versus 65 years), were more often female (37% versus 31%), and had shorter duration of diabetes mellitus (15 years versus 16 years) compared with secondary prevention participants (n=2220, 50.4%). Canagliflozin reduced the risk of major cardiovascular events overall (hazard ratio [HR], 0.80 [95% CI, 0.67-0.95]; P=0.01), with consistent reductions in both the primary (HR, 0.68 [95% CI, 0.49-0.94]) and secondary (HR, 0.85 [95% CI, 0.69-1.06]) prevention groups (P for interaction=0.25). Effects were also similar for the components of the composite including cardiovascular death (HR, 0.78 [95% CI, 0.61-1.00]), nonfatal myocardial infarction (HR, 0.81 [95% CI, 0.59-1.10]), and nonfatal stroke (HR, 0.80 [95% CI, 0.56-1.15]). The risk of the primary composite renal outcome and the composite of cardiovascular death or hospitalization for heart failure were also consistently reduced in both the primary and secondary prevention groups (P for interaction >0.5 for each outcome). Conclusions: Canagliflozin significantly reduced major cardiovascular events and kidney failure in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease, including in participants who did not have previous cardiovascular disease.

BACKGROUND:Type 2 diabetes mellitus is the leading cause of kidney failure worldwide, but few effective long-term treatments are available. In cardiovascular trials of inhibitors of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2), exploratory results have suggested that such drugs may improve renal outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS:In this double-blind, randomized trial, we assigned patients with type 2 diabetes and albuminuric chronic kidney disease to receive canagliflozin, an oral SGLT2 inhibitor, at a dose of 100 mg daily or placebo. All the patients had an estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of 30 to <90 ml per minute per 1.73 m2 of body-surface area and albuminuria (ratio of albumin [mg] to creatinine [g], >300 to 5000) and were treated with renin-angiotensin system blockade. The primary outcome was a composite of end-stage kidney disease (dialysis, transplantation, or a sustained estimated GFR of <15 ml per minute per 1.73 m2), a doubling of the serum creatinine level, or death from renal or cardiovascular causes. Prespecified secondary outcomes were tested hierarchically. RESULTS:The trial was stopped early after a planned interim analysis on the recommendation of the data and safety monitoring committee. At that time, 4401 patients had undergone randomization, with a median follow-up of 2.62 years. The relative risk of the primary outcome was 30% lower in the canagliflozin group than in the placebo group, with event rates of 43.2 and 61.2 per 1000 patient-years, respectively (hazard ratio, 0.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.59 to 0.82; P = 0.00001). The relative risk of the renal-specific composite of end-stage kidney disease, a doubling of the creatinine level, or death from renal causes was lower by 34% (hazard ratio, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.53 to 0.81; P<0.001), and the relative risk of end-stage kidney disease was lower by 32% (hazard ratio, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.54 to 0.86; P = 0.002). The canagliflozin group also had a lower risk of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke (hazard ratio, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.67 to 0.95; P = 0.01) and hospitalization for heart failure (hazard ratio, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.47 to 0.80; P<0.001). There were no significant differences in rates of amputation or fracture. CONCLUSIONS:In patients with type 2 diabetes and kidney disease, the risk of kidney failure and cardiovascular events was lower in the canagliflozin group than in the placebo group at a median follow-up of 2.62 years. (Funded by Janssen Research and Development; CREDENCE ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02065791.).

Studies published so far using ultrasound-based elastography in the kidneys, lack to prove a clear relationship between kidney shear wave speed (KSWS) and renal disease progression. Taking into account that the kidney is a highly vascularized organ, the present study aims to find a relationship between KSWS and vascular factors (blood pressure [BP], arterial stiffness). Our study included 38 diabetic kidney disease patients (mean age 56.52 ± 16.12 years, 19 female, 19 male). KSWS, an indicator of renal stiffness, was measured using point Shear Wave Elastography (pSWE; Siemens Acuson S2000). In every patient, we recorded BP, and we measured aortic augmentation index (AAI) and brachial pulse wave velocity (PWV), using oscillometry. We found statistically significant indirect correlations of KSWS with indicators of arterial stiffness, such as PWV (r = –.41, p = .036), and AAI (r = –.37, p = .031). We found also an indirect correlation of KSWS with diastolic BP (r = –.65, p = .02) and systolic BP (r = –.54, p = .008). We found no correlation of KSWS with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), urinary albumin/creatinine ratio, stage of diabetic retinopathy, or glycated hemoglobin. Our study shows that high BP and the progression of arteriosclerosis (high PWV and AAI), leads to a decrease of renal stiffness. Thus, it seems that KSWS is influenced by renal blood flow, rather than other factors, such as albuminuria or chronic kidney disease stage.

The aim of the present study is to investigate the prevalance of chronic kidney disease (CKD), of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and dyslipidemia in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). We conducted a prospective, controlled study involving 420 diabetic patients (120 T1DM, 300 T2DM) and investigate the following aspects: the presence of vascular complications (stroke, coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease), lipid profile (total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides), kidney function (glomerular filtration rate, albuminuria), blood pressure, HbA1C. The results that in diabetic patients with CKD there is an increased prevalence of CVD and of dislipidemia. Also we noticed a negative correlation between total cholesterol level and decease in eGFR in all patients, with or without CKD.

Background: Klotho is found in two forms: a transmembrane form and a soluble form (s-Klotho). In order to be excreted, s-Klotho, that is too large to be filtered, will probably reach the proximal convoluted tubule by a transcytosis process. The aim of our study was to show the relationship between the levels of s-Klotho and tubular injury in patients with diabetic kidney disease (DKD), using as tubular injury marker the kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1). Methods: Our study included 63 DKD patients (stages 1–5, mean eGFR 65.15 ± 32.45 ml/min) with a mean age 58.13 ± 12 years. In all patients we determined serum levels of: KIM-1 and s-Klotho using ELISA, urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (UACR) and reduction in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) per year. Results: We found a strong statistically significant correlation of s-Klotho with the rate of reduction of eGFR/year (r = 0.714, p = 0.0004) and with the tubular injury marker KIM-1 (r = 0.758, p = 0.005) and strong correlations of UACR with the rate of reduction of eGFR/year (r = 0.53, p < 0.01), KIM-1 (r = 0.49, p < 0.05) and s-Klotho (r = 0.52, p < 0.01). Conclusion: Despite previous published data, that shows a decrease of s-Klotho in chronic kidney disease, in our study the rapid annual decline of kidney function but not the level of eGFR was associated with increased s-Klotho. A possible explanation could be a more severe proximal tubule injury that could lead to a reduction of tubular excretion of s-Klotho as suggested by the correlation of s-Klotho levels with the serum levels of KIM-1. Resumen: Antecedentes: Klotho se encuentra en el organismo en dos formas: una forma transmembranaria y una forma soluble (s-Klotho). Para excretarse s-Klotho, que es demasiado grande para ser filtrado, llegará en el túbulo contorneado proximal por un proceso de transcitosis. El objetivo del presente estudio es indicar la relación entre el nivel de s-Klotho y lesión tubular en los pacientes con la enfermedad renal diabética (DKD), utilizando como marcador de lesión tubular renal kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1). Métodos: Nuestro estudio incluye 63 pacientes con DKD (etapas 1-5, eGFR medio 65,15 +/− 32,45 ml/min) con una edad media de 58,13 +/− 12 años. En todos los pacientes hemos determinado el nivel sérico de: KIM-1 y s-Klotho utilizando el método ELISA, coeficiente albúmina/creatinina urinaria (UACR) y la reducción de la tasa de filtración glomerular estimada (eGFR) al año. Resultados: Hemos encontrado una correlación fuerte significativa desde el punto de vista estadístico de s-Klotho con una tasa de reducción de eGFR/año (r = 0,714, p = 0,0004) y con el marcador de lesión tubular KIM-1 (r = 0,758, p = 0,005) y una fuerte correlación de UACR con una tasa de reducción de eGFR/año (r = 0,53, p < 0,01), KIM-1 (r = 0,49, p < 0,05) y s-Klotho (r = 0,52, p < 0,01). Conclusiones: A pesar de los datos publicados anteriormente en la literatura, que demuestran una reducción de s-Klotho en la enfermedad crónica de riñones, en nuestro estudio, la disminución rápida anual de la función renal y no el nivel de eGFR se correlaciona con el crecimiento de s-Klotho. Una posible explicación podría ser una lesión tubular proximal más grave que podría llevar a la reducción de la excreción tubular de s-Klotho, sugerida por la correlación de s-Klotho con el nivel sérico de KIM-1. Keywords: s-Klotho, KIM-1, Tubular injury, Diabetic kidney disease, Palabras clave: s-Klotho, KIM-1, Lesión tubular, Enfermedad renal diabética

The aim of the present study is to investigate the prevalance of chronic kidney disease (CKD), of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and dyslipidemia in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). We conducted a prospective, controlled study involving 420 diabetic patients (120 T1DM, 300 T2DM) and investigate the following aspects: the presence of vascular complications (stroke, coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease), lipid profile (total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides), kidney function (glomerular filtration rate, albuminuria), blood pressure, HbA1C. The results that in diabetic patients with CKD there is an increased prevalence of CVD and of dislipidemia. Also we noticed a negative correlation between total cholesterol level and decease in eGFR in all patients, with or without CKD.

In this study, we evaluated the diagnostic utility of pulls wave velocity (PWV) alone or in combination with other diagnostic markers in predicting pre-eclampsia (PE) on high-risk women. Pregnant women at high risk for PE were recruited between 32 and 36 weeks of gestation period. This study is the first in Romanian and shows that PWV may be a potentially promising predictor of early-onset PE in women at high risk for PE. All these patients were treated and were instructed according to the ESC/ESH guidelines regarding hypertensive patients. Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-square, a Mann-Whitney test, Pearson correlation, and linear regression tests.After we ran several test the main conclusions are that there is a positive correlation between the para-clinics data (creatinine, Esbach proteinuria) and the pulls wave velocity for aorta (PWVao). The risk for preeclampsia is increasing if the body mass index (BMI) of the patients is higher than the average value (BMI]26) or if the patient is a smoker.

glomerulonephritis which published by Japanese Society of Nephrology in 2011.Median follow up period was 474 days and median age was 69 years old.The distribution of the diseases was as follows: 32 MPA, 1 GPA and 1 EPGA.Univariate and multivariate analyses with patient and renal survival as dependent variables were performed.RESULTS: The prognoses at the last observation were as follows: 7 deaths (20%), 3 hemodialysis (8.8%), 4 chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 5 (11.7%), 3 CKD stage 4 (8.8%), 17 CKD stage 3 (50%).Ten out of 15 CKD4 patients at first visit had improvement of their renal function with treatment but CKD5 patients did not.1-year survival rate was 82.9% and renal survival rate was 76.9%.The risk factors were as follows: Univariate analyses (Mann-Whitney): 1. End-point of patient death: Hb and eGFR (at first visit, skip the rest) were remarkably low in the deceased patients and clinical score which used in the above-mentioned guideline was remarkably high.2. Endpoint of renal death (defined as who fell into hemodialysis or CKD5 excluding deceased patients): only eGFR was remarkably low.Survival curve analyses (Log-rank): 1. Patient survival: Hb <10(g/dL) and clinical score >=4 were remarkably low survaival.2. Renal survival: Hb <10, eGFR <15(mL/min/1.73m 2 ) and sclerotic class of Burden's pathological class were remarkably low.Multivariate analysis (Cox proportionalhazards model, backward selection method): 1. Patient survival: clinical score >=4 was remarkably low survival.(hazard ratio:9.01,95%CI: 1.08-74.89,p=0.041) 2. renal survival: eGFR <15 was remarkably low.(hazard ratio:20.

significantly increased in the DM + A group than in the DM group (MAR, 0.74 6 0.14 vs 0.17 6 0.12 lm/day, P <0.05; BFR/BS, 0.043 6 0.011 vs 0.010 6 0.007 mm 3 /mm 2 / year, P <0.05).Bone resorption parameter, osteoclast surface per bone surface (Oc.S/ BS) were also increased in the DM + A group than in the DM group (1.01 6 0.16 vs 0.49 6 0.13, P <0.05).Serum bone formation marker osteocalcin levels in DM + A groups were higher than in the DM group (0.56 6 0.04 vs 0.45 6 0.02 ng/ml, P <0.05) although BMD was comparable between two groups.CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggested that aliskiren could ameliorate low bone turnover in diabetic model rats.Direct renin inhibitor may have beneficial effects on diabetic bone disease.

Oxidative stress is the major pathophysiological mechanism that underlies the progression of both cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. The individual contribution of reactive oxygen species (ROS) to diabetes mellitus (DM)-related endothelial dysfunction is partially elucidated. While superoxide has been unequivocally involved in the progression of endothelial dysfunction, less it is known about the contribution of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The present study was purported to assess the amount of H2O2 generated in murine vessels in the presence of diabetes and to characterize its effects on vascular function, respectively. To this aim we isolated aortas from rats with streptozotocin-induced DM, measured the H2O2 production using the ferrous oxidation-xylenol orange (FOX) assay, and performed organ bath studies of vascular reactivity. Our data showed that in diabetic vessels: i) basal ROS production was comparable to the one generated after ex vivo stimulation with lipopolysaccharide and angiotensin Hand ii) the amount of H2O2 generated in the vascular wall decreased relaxation via the impairment of NO signaling. In conclusion, metabolic abnormalities associated to diabetes elicit constant H2O2 overproduction with the subsequent impairment of NO signaling and endothelial dysfunction. Ongoing studies are addressing the sources of vascular H2O2 as well as the means to counteract its generation.

Resistant hypertension (HT) is defined as absence of blood pressure (BP) control despite of concomitant use of 3 antihypertensive drugs of different classes. Data about resistant HT are scarce in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) and chronic kidney disease (CKD), even the BP control seems to be more important for survival than tight glucose control. The study represents the retrospective analysis of data coming from 2872 patients treated in a nefrology clinic between 2009-2011. HT was found 64,6% cases, most of under 75 years, and CKD (defined as structural/functional renal impairment with a duration of more than 3 months manifested by: kidney damage, anatomo-pathological alterations and a GFR < 60 ml/min/1.73m(2)) in 66,4%. Resistant HT was found in proportion of 19%. Considering the etiology of CKD, the highest percentage of resistant HT was found in the cases with DM (42,6%). Considering the clinical scenario where was conducted the study, we can consider that resistant HT is relatively frequent, being found at approximately 1 of 5 patients. The coexistance of CKD and DM are factors that increase the difficulty of obtaing a BP control, wich reflects in the higher proportion of resistant HT in these patients.

Cutaneous lymphomas (CLs) represent a group of lymphoproliferative disorders that can be difficult to diagnose in the early stage because they could mimic many benign inflammatory dermatoses (chronic eczema, bullous dermatosis, idiopathic erythroderma, psoriasis, lymphadenitis). Primary cutaneous B-cell lymphomas are a unique and controversial group of skin lymphomas characterised by the absence of extracutaneous manifestations at diagnosis. We present the case of a 60-year-old man with 7-month history of a growing inguinal mass/tumour, which was misdiagnosed as inguinal chronic lymphadenitis. Recognition of the correct entity, primary cutaneous diffuse large B-cell lymphoma leg type, led to an appropriate therapeutic strategy, knowing that these types of tumours behave more aggressively than other types of primary cutaneous B-cell lymphomas. The patient was discharged with rituximab + chemotherapy indication and favourable outcome. The aim of the presentation is to describe these common skin manifestations, however seen in a primary cutaneous B-cell lymphoma, which underlines the necessity of rigorous monitoring/long-term follow-up as well as exhaustive histopathological analysis for the diagnosis.

ObjectiveThe Roma minority represents the largest ethnic group in Central and South-East European countries. Data regarding the mortality in Roma hemodialysis subjects are limited. We evaluated the 3 year mortality of ESRD Roma patients treated with hemodialysis (HD).Study Design and SettingOur prospective cohort study included 600 ESRD patients on HD therapy recruited from 7 HD centers, from the main geographical regions of Romania. The median age of the patients was 56 (19) years, 332 (55.3%) being males, 51 (8.5%) having Roma ethnicity.ResultsRoma ESRD patients initiate dialysis at a younger age, 47.8 years vs. 52.3 years (P = 0.017), present higher serum albumin (P = 0.013) and higher serum phosphate levels (P = 0.021). In the Roma group, the overall 3 year mortality was higher when compared to Caucasians (33.3% vs. 24.8%). Themultivariate survival analysis revealed that being of Roma ethnicity is an independent risk factor for mortality (HR = 1.74; 95% CI = 1.04-2.91; P = 0.035).ConclusionsRoma patients with ESRD initiate HD therapy at a younger age as compared to Caucasians. They have a higher 3 year mortality rate and are dying at a younger age. Roma ethnicity represents an independent risk factor for mortality in our cohort.

High blood glucose level and advanced glycation end-products (AGE) are the major contributors to the development of vascular complications in diabetes mellitus. The receptors for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) are upregulated in response to high blood glucose level and may play a role in the occurrence of diabetic-related vascular disease. Vitamin D is widely reported as a cardiovascular protective agent. The present study assessed the effects of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (1,25-VitD(3)) on the endothelial dependent relaxation (EDR) in organ bath studies and on vascular expression of RAGE by immunohistochemistry studies in aortic samples isolated from rats with experimental diabetes (streptozotocin, 50 mg/kg, single dose). Our findings indicate that: i) in diabetic aortas the EDR was significantly impaired (vs. control) together with a high expression of RAGE in the entire structure of the aortic wall and, ii) ex vivo treatment with 1,25-VitD(3)(0.1 mu M) significantly improved the relaxation response and reduced the aortic expression of RAGE in diabetic vascular samples. In conclusion, low amounts of vitamin D exerts beneficial effects on endothelial function in vitro; in particular, we firstly demonstrated the modulation of RAGE expression in the settings of experimental diabetes. Investigations aimed at elucidating the underlying signal transduction pathways are clearly warranted view the potential therapeutic effect.

Background End stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on renal replacement therapy (RRT) with diabetes mellitus (DM) have a higher mortality rate and an increase prevalence of vitamin D deficiency compared to those without DM. It is still debated if vitamin D deficiency is a risk factor or a prognostic marker for mortality in these patients. This study investigated the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its impact on all-cause mortality in HD patients with DM. Methods Our prospective non-interventional cohort study included 600 patients on hemodialysis therapy (HD) (median aged 56, interquartile range (19) years, 332 (55.3%) males) recruited from 7 HD centers, from all main geographical regions of Romania. The prevalence of DM was 15.3%. They were then followed regarding: dialysis duration, dialysis efficiency, renal anemia, CKD-MBD, inflammatory status and comorbidities: coronary artery disease (CAD), peripheral vascular disease (PVD) and stroke. The deficiency of 25-OH vitamin D was defined as a value lower than12 ng/mL. Results Patients were followed for 3 years. The overall 3 year mortality was 25.5% (153 individuals), being higher in patients with DM as compared to those without DM (33.7% vs. 24.0%; P = 0.049). The time-related prognosis was also influenced by the presence of DM, at the survival analysis resulting in a HR of 1.52 [1.03 to 2.26] 95% CI, P = 0.037, for death in dialyzed patients with DM. In DM patients, 25-OH vitamin D deficiency was significantly higher (37.0% compared to 24.0%, P = 0.009). Furthermore, in patients with DM we observed a shorter dialysis duration (2 vs. 3 years, P<0.001) and a lower intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) (258.0 pg/ml vs. 441.9 pg/ml, P = 0.002). Regarding the presence of comorbidities at the inclusion in the study, the presence of diabetes in dialyzed patients was associated with increased prevalence of CAD (87.0% vs. 58.1%, P<0.001), PVD (67.4% vs. 17.3%, P<0.001) and history of stroke (29.3% vs. 14.0%, P<0.001). In patients with DM the presence of 25-OH vitamin D deficiency increased the probability of death (50.0% vs. 24.1%; P = 0.011). In multiple Cox proportional hazards analysis, vitamin D deficiency remained an independent predictor for mortality in dialysis patients with DM (HR = 1.71, 95% CI 1.21 to 2.43, P = 0.003). In the same time, multiple Cox proportional hazards analysis showed that age (HR = 1.02 per one year increase, P = 0.004), CAD (HR = 1.55, P = 0.046) and PVD (HR = 1.50, P = 0.029) were independent predictors for mortality in dialysis patients with DM. Conclusions ESRD patients with DM treated with HD have a higher overall mortality than non-DM patients. Vitamin D deficiency is significantly more prevalent in HD patients with DM. Low 25-OH vitamin D levels were associated with increased all-cause mortality in these patients. According to our data, in HD patients with DM, screening for vitamin D deficiency (and its correction) should be mandatory for an optimal risk reduction strategy.

ADRIAN STURZA1,2, OANA DUICU1,2, ADRIAN VADUVA3, LAVINIA NOVEANU1,2, MARIA DANILA1,2, ANDREEA PRIVISTIRESCU1,2, ROMULUS TIMAR4, DANINA MUNTEAN1,2*, MIRCEA MUNTEANU4 1 “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, 2 Eftimie Murgu Sq., 300041, Timisoara, Romania 2 “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Center for Translational Research and Systems Medicine, 2 Eftimie Murgu Sq., 300041,Timisoara, Romania 3 “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Morphopathology, 2 Eftimie Murgu Sq., 300041, Timisoara, Romania 4 “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Department of of Internal Medicine II – Diabetes, Nutrition and Metabolic Disorders, 2 Eftimie Murgu Sq., 300041, Timisoara, Romania