Publications

BACKGROUND

Hypertension is a risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD), but the causes of hypertension remain largely unknown. Genetic variation is thought to contribute to the etiology of hypertension. We tested a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) (Lys67Arg, rs197922) in the Golgi SNAP Receptor Complex Member 2 (GOSR2) gene for association with hypertension and blood pressure (BP). We chose this SNP because it was nominally associated with CHD in earlier studies. Further, GOSR2 is located in a linkage region for hypertension and BP in human and animal studies.

METHODS

We used logistic and linear regression to test associations of the GOSR2 SNP with hypertension and BP among 3,528 blacks and 9,861 whites from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study. Race-specific regression models of hypertension were adjusted for age and gender. Regression models of BP were further adjusted for antihypertensive medication use.

RESULTS

The GOSR2 Lys67 allele was associated with hypertension in whites (odds ratio (OR) = 1.09, P = 0.01) but not blacks (OR = 0.96, P = 0.47). The Lys67 allele was associated with increased systolic BP (SBP) in both races (0.87 mm Hg, P < 0.001 among whites and 1.05 mm Hg, P = 0.05 among blacks). A similar association in whites was observed for the GOSR2 SNP and SBP in the Women's Genome Health Study (WGHS) (OR = 1.03, P = 0.04). The OR remained unchanged after adjustment for antihypertensive medication use (OR = 1.03, P = 0.11), though it was no longer statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

We found evidence that a SNP in GOSR2 is modestly associated with hypertension in whites from the ARIC study and the WGHS.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Few studies have examined health literacy in patients with end stage kidney disease. We hypothesized that inadequate health literacy in a hemodialysis population is common and is associated with poorer access to kidney transplant wait-lists.

DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS

We enrolled 62 Black and White maintenance hemodialysis patients aged 18 to 75. We measured health literacy using the short form Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults. Our primary outcomes were (1) time from dialysis start date to referral date for kidney transplant evaluation and (2) time from referral date to date placed on kidney transplant wait-list. We used Cox proportional hazard models to examine the association between health literacy (adequate versus inadequate) and our outcomes after controlling for demographics and co-morbid conditions.

RESULTS

Roughly one third (32.3%) of participants had inadequate health literacy. Forty-seven (75.8%) of participants were referred for transplant evaluation. Among those referred, 40 (85.1%) were wait-listed. Participants with inadequate health literacy had 78% lower hazard of referral for transplant evaluation than those with adequate health literacy (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR] 0.22; 95% confidence interval 0.08, 0.60; P = 0.003). The hazard ratio of being wait-listed by health literacy was not statistically different (AHR 0.80, 95% CI, 0.39, 1.61), P = 0.5).

CONCLUSIONS

Inadequate health literacy is common in our hemodialysis patient population and is associated with a lower hazard of referral for transplant evaluation. Strategies to reduce the impact of health literacy on the kidney transplant process should be explored.

CONTEXT

Despite their increasing need for kidneys and low nonliving donation rates, minimal research has been conducted to ascertain the perceptions of Hispanic Americans about living organ donation and the process of asking for such a donation.

OBJECTIVE

To examine perceptions of Hispanics regarding barriers to and benefits of living donation as well as the process of asking someone to be a living donor.

DESIGN

A qualitative study consisting of 10 focus groups conducted in 2 series.

PARTICIPANTS

Adult Spanish-language-dominant Hispanic members of the general population of Tucson, Arizona.

RESULTS

The main barriers to living organ donation were a lack of knowledge or information and fear of the donation process. Knowing that one has helped save or improve another's life was the central benefit. Most participants reported being willing to ask a relative to be a living donor if they were ever in need. Two main responses typified these individuals: no concern about asking because of a strong desire to fight for one's health and for one's family, or asking despite difficulties and concerns about the process. A significant minority of participants indicated they would not ask for a donation, because of either a desire to avoid harming others or the expectation that a relative would initiate an offer.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between real-time intra-operative ultrasound-based dosimetry (USD) and day 0 post-implant CT dosimetry (CTD) (131)Cs permanent prostate brachytherapy. Fifty-two consecutive patients who underwent prostate brachytherapy with (131)Cs were evaluated. Real time operating room planning was performed using VariSeed 7.1 software. Post-needle placement prostate volume was used for real-time planning. Targets for dosimetry were D(90) >110%, V(100) >90%, V(150) <50%, and V(200) <20%. The CT scan for post-operative dosimetry was obtained on day 0. The mean values for USD, CTD, and the linear correlation, respectively, were, for D(90): 114.0%, 105.61%, and 0.15; for V(100): 95.1%, 91.6%, and 0.22; for V(150): 51.5%, 46.4%, and 0.40; and for V(200): 15.8%, 17.9%, and 0.42. The differences between the mean values for USD and CTD for D(90) (p<0.01), V(100) (p<0.01), and V(150) (p<0.05) were statistically significant. For D(90), 30.8% of patients had a >15% difference between USD and CTD and 51.9% of patients had a >10% difference between these values. In contrast, the USD and CTD for V(100) were within 5% in 55.8% of patients and within 10% in 86.5% of patients. This study demonstrates a correlation between the mean intra-operative USD and post-implant day 0 CTD values only for V(200). Significant variation in D(90), V(150), and V(200) values existed for individual patients between USD and CTD. These results suggest that real-time intra-operative USD does not serve as a surrogate for post-operative CTD, and that post-operative CTD is still necessary.