Turkish Journal of Nephrology

Reviewer Acknowledgement

2026-01-07

Aves Publishing

The Relationship Between Mucociliary Clearance Time and Peritonitis Frequency in Patients Receiving Peritoneal Dialysis

2026-01-06

Beyza Doğan, Fatih Ergül, Ramazan Basut, Süleyman Karaköse, Abitter Yücel, Mikail Dağ, İbrahim Güney

Background: The present study sought to explore the association between nasal mucociliary clearance time (MCT) and the frequency of peritonitis among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) treated by peritoneal dialysis (PD). Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 24 patients with CKD treated by PD and 24 healthy volunteers. Nasal muco ciliary function was assessed using the saccharin transit time test. In this procedure, a saccharin particle with a 1 mm diameter was meticulously placed on the anteromedial surface of the inferior nasal concha. The 2 groups were compared based on their mean MCT. Within the patient group, the number of peritonitis cases in the last year was evaluated, and the correlation between MCT and the occurrence of peritonitis was analyzed. Results: The patient group consisted of 15 females and 9 males, with a mean age of 52.6 years. The control group included 14 females and 10 males, with a mean age of 47.5 years. The mean duration of PD among the followed cohort was 20 months, ranging from 3 to 190 months. The comparison of mean MCT between patients with a history of peritonitis and those with out peritonitis did not reveal a statistically significant difference (P = .333). However, the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio was significantly elevated in the group exhibiting prolonged MCT (P = .046). Conclusion: Although this study found no statistically significant direct relationship between peritonitis incidence and MCT, the research aimed to evaluate MCT as a potential indicator of susceptibility to respiratory tract infections, which play a role in the development of peritonitis.   Cite this article as: Doğan B, Ergül F, Basut R, et al. The relationship between mucociliary clearance time and peritonitis frequency in patients receiving peritoneal dialysis. Turk J Nephrol. 2026;35(1):67-71.

Factors Associated with Interdialytic Weight Gain and Its Percentage: Are 2 Metrics Interchangeable?

2026-01-06

Duc Manh Nguyen

Background: Interdialytic weight gain (IDWG) is a key indicator of fluid management in hemodialysis patients. Greater IDWG reflects nonadherence to fluid restriction, excessive salt intake, and has been associated with reduced quality of life, increased volume overload, hospitalizations, mortality, and rising healthcare costs. While both absolute IDWG and relative IDWG% are used, this study aims to investigate the factors associated with interdialytic weight gain and its percentage, as well as to assess whether these 2 indicators can be used interchangeably in evaluating fluid management among mainte nance hemodialysis patients. Methods: This prospective observational study included 121 stable maintenance hemodialysis patients from a tertiary hospital. Separate multivariable linear regression analyses were performed for absolute IDWG and IDWG%, using the same set of independent and potentially confounding variables in both models. Results: The only independent factor associated with both IDWG and IDWG% was systolic blood pressure (P = .010 and .026, respectively). Sex (P = .002), age (P = .012), and diabetes mellitus (P = .020) were independently associated with IDWG, whereas dialysis vintage (P = .040), erythropoiesis resistance index (P = .021), and Δ sodium (P = .017) were associated with IDWG%. Conclusion: This study clarifies that absolute IDWG and IDWG% reflect different clinical aspects and may not be completely interchangeable, but rather complementary in the assessment of clinical fluid management. A dual-measure approach may provide a more effective and comprehensive evaluation and avoid misclassification of fluid status in maintenance hemodialysis patients. Cite this article as: Nguyen DM. Factors associated with interdialytic weight gain and its percentage: are 2 metrics interchangeable? Turk J Nephrol. 2026;35(1):55-61.

Association Between VEGF Levels and Pulmonary Artery Pressure in Hemodialysis Patients: A Descriptive-Analytical Study on Related Variables

2026-01-06

Michael Saeed, Azadeh Saber, Sobhan Mohammadi-Jorjafki, Ghazal Ghanean, Mitra Samareh Fekri

Background: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a critical complication in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) and may lead to right heart failure. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a key mediator of angiogenesis and endo thelial function, has been implicated in PAH pathogenesis. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between serum VEGF levels and other clinical variables with PAH in HD patients. Methods: This study involved 76 patients from 3 HD centers. Pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) was assessed using Doppler echocardiography, and serum VEGF levels were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Patients were categorized into two groups: normal PAP (<30 mmHg) and PAH (≥30 mmHg). Pulmonary arterial hypertension severity was further classified as mild, moderate, or severe. Statistical analyses, including proportional tests and regression models, were used to compare variables across groups. Results: No significant correlation was observed between VEGF levels and PAH (P = .5237). However, hemoglobin (Hb levels showed a significant association with PAH (P = .045). Systolic blood pressure (BP) was identified as a potential factor influencing PAH severity (P = .009). Conclusion: While VEGF does not appear to directly influence PAH severity, other factors such as lower hemoglobin levels and higher systolic BP may contribute to the risk and progression of PAH in HD patients. These findings highlight the mul tifactorial nature of PAH in this population and underscore the need for further research to identify additional risk factors and therapeutic targets. Cite this article as: Saeed M, Saber A, Mohammadi-Jorjafki SM, Ghanean G. Association between VEGF levels and pulmonary artery pressure in hemodialysis patients: A descriptive-analytical study on related variables. Turk J Nephrol. 2026;35(1):62-66.