NDT Advance Access originally published online on January 12, 2007
Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation 2007 22(3):962; doi:10.1093/ndt/gfm012
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Reply
Email: pmuntner{at}tulane.eduSir,
We agree with Dr Seyahi as to the importance of these manuscripts. However, we must take exception to the opinion that the manuscripts present significant overlap. The decision to present the results in two manuscripts reflects our interest in maintaining a focused set of analyses and discussion of two separate, yet equally important, issues. The first article by Bellasi et al. [1] focuses on the association of simple in-office techniques with coronary artery calcification scores tested with plain test characteristics such as sensitivity and the like, while the second article by Muntner et al. [2] focuses on the development of a coronary calcification index based on a more complex mathematical model.
Of note, the Bellasi article was not accepted for publication when the Muntner article was submitted. It was not included as a citation for this reason. Fortunately, with this letter, the two manuscripts are now cited together. Finally, to our knowledge, the Muntner article has no errors in the data analysis, but three minor typographical errors in reporting occurred in the previous article. Specifically, the mean dialysis vintage was 4.01 years, the mean pulse pressure for the population was 68 mmHg, and the abdominal x-rays were read by E.F. and A.B. We appreciate your identification of these typos.
Conflict of interest statement. None declared.
1Department of Epidemiology
Tulane University
New Orleans, LA
2Division of Cardiology
Emory University
Atlanta, GA
USA
References
- Bellasi A, Ferramosca E, Muntner P, et al. (2006) Correlation of simple imaging tests and coronary artery calcium measured by computed tomography in hemodialysis patients. Kidney Int 70:16231628.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline]
- Muntner P, Ferramosca E, Bellasi A, Block GA, Raggi P. (2007) Development of a cardiovascular calcification index using simple imaging tools in haemodialysis patients. Nephrol Dial Transplant 22:508514.
[Abstract/Free Full Text]
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