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Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive and incurable condition that imposes a significant burden on an aging society. Although the exact prevalence of this disease is unknown, it is estimated to affect at least 800 million people worldwide. Patients with diabetes or hypertension are at a higher risk of developing chronic kidney damage. As the kidneys play a crucial role in vital physiological processes, damage to these organs can disrupt the balance of water and electrolytes, regulation of blood pressure, elimination of toxins, and metabolism of vitamin D. Early diagnosis is paramount to prevent potential complications. Treatment options such as dietary modifications and medications can help slow disease progression. In our narrative review, we have summarized the available therapeutic options to slow the progression of chronic kidney disease. Many new drug treatments have recently become available, offering a beacon of hope and optimism in CKD management. Nonetheless, disease prevention remains the most critical step in disease management. Given the significant impact of CKD on public health, there is a pressing need for further research. With the development of new technologies and advancements in medical knowledge, we hope to find more effective diagnostic tools and treatments for CKD patients.
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The importance of maintaining proper magnesium intake and total body magnesium content in preserving human health remains underappreciated among medical professionals and laymen. This review aimed to show the importance of hypomagnesemia as a modifiable risk factor for developing disease processes. We searched the PubMed database and Google Scholar using the keywords 'magnesium', 'diabetes', 'cardiovascular disease', 'respiratory disease', 'immune system', 'inflammation', 'autoimmune disease', 'neurology', 'psychiatry', 'cognitive function', 'cancer', and 'vascular calcification'. In multiple contexts of the search terms, all reviews, animal experiments, and human observational data indicated that magnesium deficiency can lead to or contribute to developing many disease states. The conclusions of several in-depth reviews support our working hypothesis that magnesium and its supplementation are often undervalued and underutilized. Although much research has confirmed the importance of proper magnesium supply and tissue levels, simple and inexpensive magnesium supplementation has not yet been sufficiently recognized or promoted.
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Due to effective vaccinations, the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) infection that caused the pandemic has a milder clinical course. We aimed to assess the mortality of hospitalized COVID-19 patients before the vaccination era. We investigated the mortality in those patients between 1 October 2020 and 31 May 2021 who received hemodialysis treatment [patients with previously normal renal function (nCKD), patients with chronic kidney disease previously not requiring hemodialysis (CKDnonHD), chronic kidney disease (CKD), and patients on regular hemodialysis (pHD)]. In addition, participants were followed up for all-cause mortality in the National Health Service database until 1 December 2021. In our center, 83 of 108 (76.9%) were included in the analysis due to missing covariates. Over a median of 26 (interquartile range 11-266) days of follow-up, 20 of 22 (90.9%) of nCKD, 23 of 24 (95.8%) of CKDnonHD, and 17 of 37 (45.9%) pHD patients died (p < 0.001). In general, patients with nCKD had fewer comorbidities but more severe presentations. In contrast, the patients with pHD had the least severe symptoms (p < 0.001). In a model adjusted for independent predictors of all-cause mortality (C-reactive protein and serum albumin), CKDnonHD patients had increased mortality [hazard ratio (HR) 1.91, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.02-3.60], while pHD patients had decreased mortality (HR 0.41, 95% CI 0.20-0.81) compared to nCKD patients. After further adjustment for the need for intensive care, the difference in mortality between the nCKD and pHD groups became non-significant. Despite the limitations of our study, it seems that the survival of previously hemodialysis patients was significantly better.
Assuntos
COVID-19 , Insuficiência Renal Crônica , Humanos , Estudos Retrospectivos , Medicina Estatal , COVID-19/epidemiologia , Diálise Renal , Insuficiência Renal Crônica/terapia , VacinaçãoRESUMO
Heart failure is not only a global problem but also significantly limits the life prospects of these patients. The epidemiology and presentation of heart failure are intensively researched topics in cardiology. The risk factors leading to heart failure are well known; however, the real challenge is to provide effective treatments. A vicious cycle develops in heart failure of all etiologies, sooner or later compromising both cardiac and kidney functions simultaneously. This can explain the repeated hospital admissions due to decompensation and the significantly reduced quality of life. Moreover, diuretic-refractory heart failure represents a distinct challenge due to repeated hospital admissions and increased mortality. In our narrative review, we wanted to draw attention to nephrology treatment options for severe diuretic-resistant heart failure. The incremental value of peritoneal dialysis in severe heart failure and the feasibility of percutaneous peritoneal dialysis catheter insertion have been well known for many years. In contrast, the science and narrative of acute peritoneal dialysis in diuretic-resistant heart failure remains underrepresented. We believe that nephrologists are uniquely positioned to help these patients by providing acute peritoneal dialysis to reduce hospitalization dependency and increase their quality of life.
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We present the case of a 67-year-old male patient admitted to our clinic due to weakness and repeated dizziness. Due to his severe microcytic anemia in his laboratory tests, he needed a transfusion of 6 units of selected blood in the days following admission. Our patient was diagnosed with beta-thalassemia minor, which was accompanied by a severe deficiency of vitamin B12. Surprisingly, parallel to vitamin B12 deficiency, we detected laboratory abnormalities indicating complement-mediated autoimmune hemolysis. After correcting the vitamin B12 deficiency, the patient's blood count improved, and the observed immunological abnormalities disappeared. Genetic testing of the hemoglobin gene confirmed the c.118C>T (p.Gln40STOP) variant in heterozygous form. Beta-thalassemia is a relatively common hematological disease, although rarely encountered in Hungary. Genetic testing of patients is possible at the Laboratory Medicine Institute of the Clinical Center in Debrecen. Unfortunately, we do not have accurate information about published domestic epidemiological data. Furthermore, establishing a diagnosis can be difficult if the disease is combined with other hematological disorders, such as the lack of vitamin B12, which can clinically mimic hemolytic anemia in certain features. Our case is considered a rarity in the literature, so in the case of a positive family history, it is recommended to screen immediate family members, which may facilitate the accurate establishment of a later diagnosis. Orv Hetil. 2023; 164(24): 954-960.
Assuntos
Deficiência de Vitamina B 12 , Talassemia beta , Masculino , Humanos , Idoso , Talassemia beta/complicações , Talassemia beta/diagnóstico , Hemólise , Deficiência de Vitamina B 12/complicações , Deficiência de Vitamina B 12/diagnóstico , Vitamina B 12 , Diagnóstico DiferencialRESUMO
The age-old axiom that one is as old as his or her vessels are, calls for ongoing critical re-examination of modifiable risk factors of accelerated vascular ageing in chronic kidney diseases. Attempts to modulate vascular risk with cholesterol-lowering agents have largely failed in advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD). In addition to nitrogen waste products, many pathological biochemical processes also play a role in vascular calcification in chronic kidney damage. Magnesium, a cation vital for the body, may substantially reduce cardiovascular diseases' risk and progression. This narrative review aimed to address the relationship between hypomagnesemia and vascular calcification, which promotes further cardiovascular complications in diabetes, aging, and CKD. Articles with predefined keywords were searched for in the PubMed and Google Scholar databases with specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. We hypothesized that a decrease in serum magnesium levels contributes to increased vascular calcification and thereby increases cardiovascular mortality. In summary, based on existing evidence in the literature, it appears that simple and inexpensive oral magnesium supplementation may reduce the cardiovascular mortality of patients who are already severely affected by such diseases; in this context, the concept of 'normal' vs. 'ideal' serum magnesium levels should be carefully re-examined.
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BACKGROUND: Systemic vasculitis associated with antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies (ANCA) have an extremely wide variety of symptoms, therefore the fast and proper diagnosis is difficult to establish even for experienced physicians. Gastrointestinal manifestations in ANCA-associated granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) may be present, however, severe, life-threatening complications (such as perforations) are rare. CASE PRESENTATION: A case of an 18-year-old male patient is presented, where gastrointestinal symptoms (abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea) were the first remarkable signs of GPA. The initial diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease delayed the administration of proper immunosuppressive therapy, which might have contributed to the rare and life-threatening complication of arterial duodenal bleeding with perforation. Our systematic review of the literature found only a few case reports where gastrointestinal symptoms were the first signs of GPA, however, this entity might be more frequent if physicians would think of this possibility more often. CONCLUSIONS: Gastrointestinal bleeding is a rare but potential lethal complication of vasculitis. Consequently, we recommend investigating the patients diagnosed with GPA for gastrointestinal bleeding during the treatment.