Volume 75 (2021): Edizione 1 (January 2021)

Interferons type I (IFN-I), activated following a bacterial or viral infection, play a major role in the induction and regulation of the immune system. The immune response results in viral RNA and binds to receptors such as RIG-I-like receptors (RLRs) or Toll-like receptors, leading to the IFN-I signaling cascade. Thanks to its cellular function, IFN-I is widely used in therapies for such diseases as multiple sclerosis (MS) and hepatitis C disease (HCD).

MS is a neurological, autoimmune, chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS). During MS, nerve cell demyelination is observed due to the myelin heaths and oligodendrocyte damage. As a result, neuronal signal and neuron communication are attenuated. The mechanism of MS is still unknown. MS therapy applies interferon-β (IFN-β). IFN-β therapy has been used since the last century, but the therapeutic mechanism of IFN-β has not been completely understood. MS can lead to four syndromes: clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), primary progressive MS (PPMS), and secondary progressive MS (SPMS).

HCD occurs as a result of infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV), belonging to the Flaviviridae family. HCV is a blood-borne virus with a positive single-stranded RNA. A vaccine for HCV is not available yet. HCD can lead to liver damage or cancer. In HCD interferon-α therapy (IFN-α) is applied. As with MS, the mechanism of IFN-α therapy is not completely known.

It is well established that human body is an ecosystem for numerous microorganisms: bacteria, fungi, eukaryotic parasites, and viruses. They form a “microbiome” that under conditions of homeostasis remains in a friendly mutual relationship with the host. However, the composition and diversity of this microbe community is dynamic and can be changed under the influence of environmental factors, such as diet, antibiotic therapy, lifestyle, and the host’s genotype and immunity. The result of gut microbiome dysbiosis can lead even to cancer. The aim of this review is the description of the healthy gastrointestinal microbiome and the role of two infectious agents: Gram-negative bacteria Helicobacter pylori and Epstein-Barr virus in the development of gastric cancer in terms of gut dysbiosis. H. pylori is the most important pathogen of gastric microbiome with clear impact on its diversity. Coinfection with Epstein-Barr virus causes chronic gastritis, and the inflammatory process is significantly increased. The process of carcinogenesis begins with chronic inflammation that causes atrophic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia, dysplasia, and finally cancer. It has been proven that chronic inflammatory infection caused by infectious agents increases the risk of stomach cancer. Molecular methods that are progressively used to explore the human microbiome provide hope that this knowledge will be used for future diagnoses and therapy in the state of its dysbiosis and in cases of gastric cancer.

Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death in developed countries. Important factors leading to ischemic heart disease and strokes are hypertension and high levels of homocysteine in blood serum. The coexistence of these two factors significantly increases the risk of these diseases and premature deaths. Many studies indicate that patients with hypertension are significantly more likely to demonstrate increased blood serum homocysteine levels than those with normal blood pressure. This may be caused by a higher incidence of overweight, high intake of salt and increased uric acid levels. It has been shown that both these factors increase the prevalence of hypertension and lead to higher homocysteine levels. However, the results of some studies indicate that arterial hypertension and homocysteinemia are causally related. It was shown, among other things, that high homocysteine levels damage the endothelium and reduce nitric oxide synthesis, which may directly lead to hypertension. Serum homocysteine levels are slightly higher in patients with white coat hypertension than they are in healthy individuals and may therefore also increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Several authors have also shown that the levels of homocysteine in blood serum are higher in so-called non-dippers, i.e., patients with no night-time pressure drop. The lack of a 10%–20% decrease in blood pressure at night is associated with increased cardiovascular complications. Strokes occur especially frequently in older people with arterial hypertension and hyperhomocysteinemia. The administration of B vitamins and folic acid significantly reduces serum homocysteine levels. The administration of this acid also slightly, but statistically significantly, increases the effectiveness of hypotensive drugs. Large meta-analyses meta-analysis indicate that the increased supply of folic acid in patients with hypertension significantly reduces the risk of stroke. Such management is particularly effective in patients with hypertension and hyperhomocysteinemia.

Psoriasis is one of the most common chronic, incurable inflammatory skin diseases, affecting 2–4% of the general population. Etiopathogenesis of this disease remains unclear. It is widely considered to be a multifactorial disorder caused by the interaction between inherited susceptibility alleles and environmental risk factors, such as lifestyle, diet, stimulants, foci of inflammation, and psychological factors. The widespread prevalence of psoriasis is a very significant health and socioeconomic problem. Treatment of psoriasis is based on relieving the acute symptoms of the disease. Despite the implementation of many therapeutic options, including biological treatment, effectiveness of these options is not always sufficient, or in some patients it is not satisfactory. In order to properly control the symptoms of the disease, the patient should be told that the therapeutic effect is achieved not only by pharmacotherapy but also by introducing appropriate healthy habits in everyday life. This article discusses the importance of patient-controlled factors that affect the severity of psoriasis. Theimportance of regular exercise, smoking avoidance, and reduced alcohol consumption is explained, as well as the importance for psoriasis treatment of psychotherapy and spa therapy. Understanding the essence of these factors in the treatment of psoriasis is important in achieving satisfactory therapeutic effects.

The incidence and prevalence of diseases caused by non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) have been steadily increasing worldwide. NTM are environmental saprophytic organisms; however, a few strains are known to produce diseases in humans affecting pulmonary and extra-pulmonary sites. Although the environment is a major source of NTM infection, recent studies have shown that person-to-person dissemination could be an important transmission route for these microorganisms. Structural and functional lung defects and immunodeficiency are major risk factors for acquiring NTM infections. Diagnosis of NTM diseases is very complex owing to the necessity of distinguishing between a true pathogen and an environmental contaminant. Identification at the species level is critical due to differences in the antibiotic susceptibility patterns of various NTM strains. Such identification is mainly achieved by molecular methods; additionally, mass spectrometry (e.g., MALDI-TOF) is useful for NTM species determination. Natural resistance of NTM species to a wide spectrum of antibiotics makes prescribing treatment for NTM diseases very difficult. NTM therapy usually takes more than one year and requires multi-drug regimens, yet the outcome often remains poor. Therefore, alternatives to antibiotic therapy treatment methods is an area under active exploration. NTM infections are an active global health problem imposing the necessity for better diagnostic tools and more effective treatment methods.

Extracellular signaling molecules, among them the fibroblast growth factors (FGFs), enable cells to communicate with neighboring cells. Such signaling molecules that receive and transmit a signal require specific tyrosine kinase receptors located at the cell surface (fibroblast growth factor receptors, FGFRs). The binding of a signaling molecule to its specific receptor results in receptor dimerization and conformational changes in the cytoplasmic part of the receptor. The conformational changes lead to trans-autophosphorylation of the tyrosine kinase domains of the receptors and subsequently to induction of several downstream signaling pathways and expression of appropriate genes. The signaling pathways activated by FGFs control and coordinate cell behaviors such as cell division, migration, differentiation, and cell death. FGFs and their transmembrane receptors are widely distributed in different tissues and participate in fundamental processes during embryonic, fetal, and adult human life. The human FGF/FGFR family comprises 22 ligands and 4 high affinity receptors. In addition, FGFs bind to low affinity receptors, heparan sulfate proteoglycans at the cell surface. The availability of appropriate ligand/receptor pair, combined with the co-receptor, initiates signaling. Inappropriate FGF/FGFR signaling can cause skeletal disorders, primarily dwarfism, craniofacial malformation syndromes, mood disorders, metabolic disorders, and Kallman syndrome. In addition, aberrations in FGF/FGFR signaling have already been reported in several types of malignant diseases. Knowledge about the molecular mechanisms of FGF/FGFR activation and signaling is necessary to understand the basis of these diseases.

Cognitive functions of the brain depend largely on the condition of the cell membranes and the proportion of fatty acids. It is known and accepted that arachidonic acid (AA) is one of the main ω-6 fatty acids (phospholipids) in brain cells. Metabolism of that fatty acid depends on the functionality and presence of cyclooxygenase (COX). COX is a primary enzyme in the cycle of transformation of AA to prostanoids, which may mediate response of immune cells, contributing to brain function and cognition. Two COX isoforms (COX-1 and COX-2), as well as a splice variant (COX-3), have been detected in the brain. Findings released in the last decade showed that COX-2 may play an important role in cognition. There are many preclinical and clinical reports showing its engagement in Alzheimer disease, spatial learning, and plasticity. This manuscript focuses on summarizing the above-mentioned discoveries.

Recently, the incidence rate of head and neck cancer (HNC) has been increasing significantly. It is estimated that there are over 550,000 new cases per year, of which over 130,000 are laryngeal cancers. It is assumed that in more than 60% of patients the disease is diagnosed late, at stages III–IV, which is associated with unfavorable prognoses: the average survival ranges from 15% to 45%. The mainstay of successful tumor therapy is the early detection of neoplastic tissue. The laryngological examination with the use of traditional instruments should be expanded with an endoscopic examination of the larynx using optics in the outpatient clinics. This procedure is sufficient to select patients who need a direct laryngoscopy with a surgical biopsy, usually under general anesthesia in operating room conditions. However, it may bear potential complications. In 1941, Papanicolaou and Traut showed that brush cytology could be useful in detecting precancerous conditions and cervical cancers. For decades, research on the usefulness of brush cytology in diagnosing precancerous conditions and laryngeal cancers has been conducted. This paper aims to enable the reader to understand the issues related to laryngeal cancer and present the results of the previous use of brush cytology in the diagnostic process.

Vitamin D is extremely important for the proper functioning of the body. The most commonly known role of vitamin D is its participation in regulation of calcium-phosphate metabolism and bone mineralization. This role is crucial in the prevention of rickets in children and osteoporosis in the elderly. In recent years, numerous studies have confirmed the pleiotropic effects of vitamin D. Proper vitamin D levels in blood have a positive effect on overall health, thus reducing the risk of many diseases. Vitamin D plays, inter alia, a positive role in some diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (inflammatory bowel disease), nervous system (Parkinson disease, Alzheimer disease), and cardiovascular disease (atherosclerosis). Additionally, its positive protective effect in the case of neoplastic and immunological diseases has been noted. Some studies also confirm the relationship of vitamin D deficiency to obesity and depression. In the event of these diseases, it is possible to prevent disease and support the process of treatment by maintaining appropriate levels of 25(OH)D in the blood. Besides, sufficient blood vitamin D levels reduces the risk of developing respiratory tract infections and suppresses cytokine storm, which is responsible for most COVID-19 deaths.

The aim of the study was to present the current state of knowledge regarding the role of vitamin D in the human body, especially in the context of the impact of its abnormal level on the development of various diseases.

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a severe and globally widespread neurological and psychiatric problem. The treatment with currently used drugs often does not bring the expected effect. New optimization methods or directions in pharmacotherapy are still being sought. The group of bioactive ligands, targeted at neuropeptides called orexins (OXs) and their receptors (OXRs), affects a number of functions including ingestion, sleep-wake regulation, as well as the brain reward system which is the basis of addiction.

The purpose of this paper is to systematize the knowledge in the field of preclinical behavioral studies on rodents (rats and mice) in several models of alcohol consumption using the OXRs antagonists.

The results of the experiments indicated a potential efficacy of particular OXRs antagonists in the AUD treatment, especially those selectively blocking the OX1R. Among them, SB-334867 in the lowest effective dose of 3 mg/kg i.p. was most studied, as shown in the model of two-bottle choice using C57BL/6 mice. Moreover, this compound did not affect the reduction of cognitive functions. GSK1059865 was also involved in the selective reduction of ethanol intake, and simultaneously did not alter the consumption of sugar solution. The other group of selective OX2R antagonists, such as TCS-OX2-29 and LSN2424100, was less efficient.

In summary, the OX1R antagonists proved to have the potential in AUD therapy, not only through the reduction of ethanol consumption but also in the treatment of coexisting behavioral and physiological disorders, such as insomnia and anxiety.

Staphylococcus Intermedius Group (SIG) staphylococci, especially Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (S. pseudintermedius), share many features with the common human Staphylococcus aureus. The similarities concern both the phenotypic characteristics and virulence of the bacteria. It is a cause of difficulties in identifying the species of isolated staphylococci. Until now, S. pseudintermedius was considered a typically animal species, of marginal importance for humans. However, it is likely that the incidence of this staphylococcus in humans is underestimated due to the misidentification of S. pseudintermedius strains as S. aureus. The cases of infections caused by S. pseudintermedius both in humans and animals described so far in the literature show that these bacteria have a similar pathogenic potential. S. pseudintermedius also produces virulence factors that favor colonization of various body regions and infections, and may affect the species composition of the natural microbiota and the host’s immune response mechanisms. Also, S. pseudintermedius may show the ability to grow in the form of a biofilm, which significantly impedes effective antibiotic therapy in clinical practice. Due to its zoonotic potential, S. pseudintermedius deserves the attention of physicians and animal owners.

Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) works as a strong reductant, radical scavenger, and protector of cell membranes against primary peroxidative damage in tissues and in the extracellular fluid. L-ascorbic acid is involved in the synthesis of collagen and many other biologically relevant substances, enzyme activity, xenobiotic detoxification, and prevention of forming carcinogenic nitrosamines. It also plays a role in the immune system. Numerous data indicate that cancer patients suffer from vitamin C deficiency. Studies show that people with a low vitamin C intake have an increased risk of head and neck cancers as well as lung, gastric, pancreatic, cervical, rectal, or breast cancer. On the other hand, there is no clinical evidence to support the thesis that antioxidant supplements (including vitamin C) prevent cancer. Observational trials investigating high doses of intravenous L-ascorbic acid in previously treated cancer patients have shown that it allows an increase in quality of life and may improve physical, mental, and emotional functions, as well as reducing adverse effects of standard anticancer treatment, including fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and appetite loss. So far, there were a few randomized controlled trials and they have not reported any statistically significant improvements in the overall or progression-free survival with vitamin C, as compared to the control arm. However, preclinical data indicating a role of L-ascorbic acid in modulation of immune response and its involvement in epigenome remodeling suggest its new potential clinical applications in cancer patients, especially in combination with immunotherapy. It seems reasonable to further investigate the value of vitamin C as a supportive treatment or in combination with anticancer targeted therapy.

The emergence of the novel SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus and rapid spread of the COVID-19 disease it causes in late 2019 and early 2020 has since led to a global pandemic announced by the World Health Organization (WHO). The pandemic is a steadily growing social, economic, psychological, and health burden. The infection rates worldwide are climbing. COVID-19 is considered a systemic disease, potentially resulting in acute respiratory distress and cardiovascular failure leading to death. Yet, SARS-CoV-2, a novel and still under-studied virus, has been documented to cause a large variety of symptoms, in many cases including cutaneous manifestations.

This paper is a review of medical literature available to date regarding the cutaneous manifestations in the course of SARS-CoV-2 infection. It is also aimed at discussing the significance of dermatological findings for improved diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 patients. Considering the gravity of the novel coronavirus pandemic, an improved dermatological approach would aid timely diagnosis and effective management of COVID-19, and would facilitate classification of the cutaneous abnormalities observed.

Helicobacter cinaedi (H. cinaedi) is a Gram-negative curved motile rod that causes bloodstream or enteric infections. It was suggested that H. cinaedi was involved in the progression of atherosclerosis. We aimed to investigate the presence of H. cinaedi DNA using a nested-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in atheroma plaques from patients with atherosclerosis-induced vascular diseases. A total of 129 patients diagnosed with valvular heart disease due to atherosclerosis and 146 patients with non-atherosclerotic post-stenotic dilatation were included as the patient and the control groups, respectively. The ATCC BA847 H. cinaedi strain was used as the positive control for the nested-PCR method. We investigated H. cinaedi DNA in our study groups using the nested-PCR method and detected only six H. cinaedi DNA (4.65%) in the 129 atherosclerotic patient group. We detected significant difference between patient and control groups with respect to the presence of H. cinaedi on the basis of Fischer’s exact test (p = 0.010) by univariate analysis. Age (OR: 1.042, p = 0.016), total cholesterol (≥200 mg/dL) (OR: 1.849, p = 0.0001), and high-density lipoprotein (≥50 mg/dL) (OR: 0.745, p = 0.039) levels were detected as independent variables for the risk of atherosclerosis development in the patient group. The presence of H. cinaedi was not detected as an independent variable in a multivariate analysis. Previous studies suggested that H. cinaedi-induced oral infections might translocate to vascular tissue and induce chronic inflammation in the aorta, which subsequently may lead to atherosclerotic plaque formation. In conclusion, we could not suggest that there is a causal relationship between H. cinaedi and the development of atherosclerosis. However, age (OR: 1.042), total cholesterol (≥200 mg/dL, OR: 1.849), and high-density lipoprotein (≥50 mg/dL, OR: 0.745, as protective) levels have a significant role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis development. We also suggest that the presence of H. cinaedi may contribute to the risk of atherosclerosis development due to the univariate comparison result.

Introduction. Stomatitis (oral mucositis) is a very serious adverse effect of anticancer therapy, and it may exacerbate treatment outcomes as well as prognoses. Stomatitis is associated with pain during chewing and swallowing, causing discomfort and interfering with eating. It can also lead to weight loss and a delay in child growth and development. None of the numerous therapies used for stomatitis management can be considered universal or sufficiently effective. Allogeneic platelet gel, a formulation that adheres closely to mucosal lesions and is rich in growth factors, may be an effective treatment for accelerating the erosion-healing process. Methods. A prospective, open-label study on the efficacy of platelet gel used for the treatment of stomatitis in children during chemotherapy. Platelet gel was applied to oral mucosal lesions four times a day. Results. 28 patients with Grade II and Grade III stomatitis were enrolled in the study. The first day after applying platelet gel, 93% of patients reported relief from pain. Within 4 to 5 days, one degree of mucosal lesion regression was reported in 89% of patients, indicating a 3 to 5 day reduction in therapy compared to our previous experience. In only two patients did we observe mild adverse events in the form of a burning sensation. Conclusion. Platelet gel contributed to both pain reduction and acceleration of the oral mucosa healing process. It is a safe and effective therapy for children with stomatitis induced by chemotherapy.

Introduction. Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is one of the most common bullous diseases with an autoimmune background. The etiology and pathogenesis of BP are believed to be influenced not only by environmental, genetic, and immunological factors as well as by oxidative stress. BP is observed more frequently in elderly patients. Additionally, more potent oxidative stress is observed just in old age. Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) play key roles in the detoxification of xenobiotics, metabolism of endogenous substrates, and the defense against oxidative stress. The present study examines whether polymorphism of genes encoding three selected GSTs (GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1) might be associated with a higher risk for BP.

Materials and methods. The study involved 71 patients with BP and 100 healthy volunteers from a Polish population. The presence of the deletion type polymorphism for GSTM1 and GSTT1 was confirmed by multiplex PCR. The Ile105Val GSTP1 polymorphism was analyzed by PCR-RFLP.

Results. It was observed that the combination of GSTM1 null/GSTT1 null/GSTP1 Ile/Val, Val/Val genotypes occurred more frequently in patients with BP (8.5%) than in controls (4.0%). The odds ratio for carriers of GSTM1 null/GSTT1 null/ GSTP1 Ile/Val, Val/Val genotypes was 2.22 (95% CI 0.60–8.16; p = 0.3727), but was not statistically significant.

Conclusions. The combination of GSTM1 null, GSTT1 null, GSTP1 Ile/Val, Val/Val genotypes might be related to a greater risk of BP in a Polish population. However, future studies including more individuals are required to confirm this.

Background. Langerhans cell histiocytosis is a rare reactive proliferative disorder marked by excess proliferation and accumulation of mononuclear phagocytes in tissues and organs. Usually, organs and systems where Langerhans cells are normally found are involved. Lesions may be limited to one system and be single- or multisite, or many systems may be involved. The etiology is not fully known. According to one of the hypotheses, immune dysfunction due to exuberant response to an unknown antigen may be the cause. The most common clinical symptoms include skin lesions, bone pain, exophthalmos, and enlarged lymph nodes, affecting the liver and spleen. Gingivitis, pocket granulation tissue, ulceration of the gingival papilla, alveolar bone atrophy leading to loosening and loss of teeth are observed in the oral cavity. The aim of the study was to determine the type and incidence of oral manifestations in patients diagnosed with Langerhans cell histiocytosis.

Methods. We evaluated patients’ medical records to obtain data on the children’s age at diagnosis, sex, the form of Langerhans cell histiocytosis, clinical picture (systemic and local oral symptoms), and radiological findings. Dental examinations (clinical and radiological) were performed to assess oral mucosa and periodontal tissues, and medical records were analyzed for the course and treatment of histiocytosis.

Results. The analysis included the medical records of 43 patients with Langerhans cell histiocytosis. Oral lesions in the form of gingivitis, pathological tooth mobility, and expansion of alveolar mandibular bone were observed in 7 patients. Conclusions. Langerhans cell histiocytosis may be accompanied by maxillary, gingival, and mucosal lesions.

Introduction. Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESβL)-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae is currently one of the most common causes of nosocomial infections worldwide. The study aimed to characterize antibiotic resistance profile, the prevalence of selected genes encoding ESβLs, virulence, and the genetic relationship in 139 K. pneumoniae isolates identified in John Paul II Specialist Hospital in Southern Poland, collected in 2016.

Materials/Methods. Bacterial identification and the preliminary antibiotic susceptibilities was performed using the VI-TEK^® 2 Compact automated system. Genes encoding ESβLs were amplified by CTX-Mplex PCR and PCR reactions. The presence of nine genes encoding virulence factors was studied by multiplex PCR. Clonality was investigated by PFGE after digestion with SpeI endonuclease.

Results. K. pneumoniae were mostly recovered from the respiratory tract (40.3%), urine (32.4%), wound swabs (19.4%) and blood (5%). In summary, 82.7% of strains were classified as multidrug resistant (MDR). All isolates were confirmed as ESβL producers and carried bla_CTX-M-type (85.6%), bla_SHV (82%), bla_TEM (77.7%), bla_CTX-M-9 (75.6%) and bla_CTX-M-1 (1.4%) in various combinations. Moreover, triple bla genes were observed in 72% of isolates. The most common virulence-as-sociated genes found among the isolates were entB (91.4%), ybtS (55.4%), iutA (55.4%), magA (53.2%), kfu (14.4%), K2 (11.5%), mrkD (10.1%), rmpA (7.9%) and allS (5%). The PFGE analysis identified 4 major clusters (A–D) comprising 61% of the entire collection.

Conclusions. Our results indicate that the presence of a wide variety of MDR K. pneumoniae harbor ESβLs and virulence genes. Studies on molecular epidemiology of ESβL-producing K. pneumoniae isolates are needed, particularly for epidemiological surveillance in the hospital environment.

Introduction. Eclipse retinopathy occurs due to unprotected viewing of a solar eclipse. It is a long-recognized condition. The damage inflicted to the macula is due to a photochemical and photothermal effect caused by sunlight that enters the eye and is focused by the crystalline lens. Animal studies into eclipse retinopathy have been previously carried out. Retinal irradiance levels leading to macular damage have been established in rabbits. Limited data from studies on primates are also available. However, the exact values for humans have not yet been established with confidence.

Methods. Here we present a simple method for estimation of the retinal irradiance dose in humans and a classification of macular damage.

Results. As an example, the retinal irradiance dose of a theoretical patient observing the solar eclipse of March 20, 2015, is given along with the grade of macular damage according to the developed classification.

Discussion. The retinal irradiance values given in the classification are provisional for the time being. With more widespread use among ophthalmologists the developed classification should become useful for prognostic purposes.

Patients on maintenance hemodialysis are a group with high cardiovascular risk, characterized by high arterial stiffness, which is considered a novel cardiovascular risk factor. Diabetes mellitus is both one of the leading causes of end-stage renal disease and a determinant of poor outcome in this group. The aim of the study was to examine carotid stiffness with high resolution echo-tracking in order to assess the influence of diabetes mellitus on arterial stiffness in this group.

Ninety patients (47 F; 43 M) with end-stage renal disease on maintenance hemodialysis were divided into two subgroups: diabetic and nondiabetic (37 and 53 patients respectively). They underwent clinical examination, laboratory tests, and ultrasonographic carotid stiffness assessment both before and after hemodialysis. Local arterial stiffness parameters β, Ep, AC, and PWVβ were calculated. Patient survival was assessed after a 58-month-long follow-up. During the 58-month period 25 of these diabetic patients died, as did 18 non-diabetic patients. Diabetes mellitus was a risk factor for overall mortality among the group of hemodialysed patients. Patients who died from non-cardiovascular causes significantly more often suffered from diabetes mellitus than survivors. There were no statistically significant differences in local arterial stiffness between the groups.

Local arterial stiffness in hemodialysed patients, assessed with high resolution echo-tracking, is not influenced by the presence of diabetes.