Coronary calcification in patients with end-stage renal disease: a novel endocrine disorder?

Georgios Efstratiadis, Konstantinos Koskinas, Efstathios Pagourelias

Download PDF

Cardiovascular mortality is significantly increased among patients with end-stage renal disease. The commonly observed vascular calcification in such patients has been considered as one of the causative factors. In patients undergoing dialysis, the incidence of coronary artery calcification is 2-5 times higher compared to patients with normal renal function and angiographically demonstrated coronary artery disease…

Vitamin D levels in a large Mediterranean cohort: reconsidering normal cut-off values

Marianna Katrinaki, Marilena Kampa, Andrew Margioris, Elias Castanas, Niki Malliaraki

Download PDF

OBJECTIVE: The determination of the normal range of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25-(OH)D], though currently based on suppression of PTH levels, still remains a controversial issue. The 25-(OH)D levels exhibit gender and seasonal variability, the latter attributed in part to changes of insolation. DESIGN: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to estimate the levels of 25-(OH)D on the island of Crete …