Preloading magnesium attenuates cisplatin-associated nephrotoxicity: pilot randomized controlled trial (PRAGMATIC study).

BACKGROUND: Cisplatin is one of the most potent chemotherapeutic drugs used in head and neck cancer treatment; however, nephrotoxicity is the major side-effect limiting usage. Magnesium supplementation has been reported to reduce risk in non-controlled studies. We investigated whether preloading with magnesium prevents nephrotoxicity with a low-dose weekly cisplatin regimen. METHODS: We carried out a prospective pilot, single-blinded, randomized controlled trial to compare cisplatin-associated acute kidney injury (cis-AKI) and acute kidney disease (cis-AKD) between two groups: intravenous 0.9% NaCl 500 ml + KCL 20 mEq over 4 h pre-cisplatin 40 mg/m2 weekly for 7-8 weeks (control group) compared with additional 16 mEq magnesium added to the saline infusion (Mg group) in 30 head and neck cancer patients. Cis-AKI was defined as an increased serum creatinine (SCr) ≥ 0.3 mg/dl within 7 days and cis-AKD is an increased SCr ≥ 0.3 mg/dl between last SCr and baseline pre-chemotherapy SCr. RESULTS: The overall cisplatin tumor response rate and survival were comparable between groups. The baseline characteristics were comparable between groups, although SCr was lower in the controls (0.70 ± 0.17 versus 0.87 ± 0.17 mg/dl, P = 0.01). The incidence of cis-AKI was similar (4.6% versus 1.3%); however, the incidence of cis-AKD was higher for the control group (46.7% versus 6.7%, hazard ratio = 0.082, 95% confidence interval 0.008-0.79, P = 0.03). The time to develop cis-AKD was significantly shorter in the control group (P = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: The magnesium-preloading regimen was safe and significantly showed a decreased incidence of cis-AKD. The encouraging results of our pilot study need to be confirmed in a large-scale randomized controlled trial.

Changes in muscle and fat mass with haemodialysis detected by multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (MFBIA) is becoming more widely used to assess hydration status and body composition in haemodialysis patients. Most centres only measure MFBIA pre dialysis when patients are overhydrated. We wished to determine whether body composition assessments change post dialysis following fluid removal. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Lean body and fat mass were measured by MFBIA pre and post haemodialysis in 676 stable outpatients. RESULTS: Weight fell post dialysis from 72.9 ± 17.8 to 70.9 ± 19.9 kg, P<0.001, soft lean mass from 48.2 ± 12.1 to 45.4 ± 11.0 kg and fat-free mass from 51.8 ± 19.2 to 48.1 ± 11.8 kg, P<0.001, whereas percentage body fat (PBF) increased from 28.8 ± 11.9 to 30.8 ± 12.1% post dialysis, P<0.001, with a mean increase post dialysis of 2.0% (95% confidence limits 1.55 to 2.45). There were correlations between the fall in total body water and extracellular water and skeletal muscle mass (r=0.826, P<0.001 and r=0.711, P<0.001, respectively), and negative correlation between the fall in total body water and ICW and the increase in PBF (r=-0.72, P<0.001, and -0.72, P<0.001, respectively). The relative changes were greater for the arms compared with the legs. CONCLUSIONS: Although more convenient for both patients and staff to undertake bioimpedance measurements pre dialysis, overhydration over estimates muscle mass and under estimates fat. For more reliable and reproducible assessments of nutritional status, we suggest that bioimpedance measurements of body composition should be made when patients are closer to their target weight than when overhydrated.

Early posttransplant nephrotic range proteinuria as a presenting feature of minimal change disease and acute T cell-mediated rejection.

Early-onset nephrotic range proteinuria is an extremely rare presentation of an acute rejection episode. Herein, we have reported a patient who developed nephrotic range proteinuria 7 days after receiving a renal allograft from his sister despite minor changes in serum creatinine levels. A kidney biopsy spcimen revealed a T cell-mediated acute rejection process concomitant with minimal change disease (MCD). Proteinuria and renal dysfunction improved dramatically in response to corticosteroids. The possibility of acute cellular rejection and coexisting MCD should be considered in patients with early posttransplantation nephrosis and normal serum creatinine levels. The coexistence of these entities provides support for the role of T cells in the pathogenesis of MCD.

Impact of early ureteric stent removal and cost-benefit analysis in kidney transplant recipients: results of a randomized controlled study.

INTRODUCTION: Duration of retaining ureteric stent in kidney transplantation is still controversial. Our study aimed to compare healthcare expenditures in kidney transplant recipients with early or routine ureteric stent removal. METHODS: This study was a post hoc analysis of data from a single-center parallel randomized controlled open-label study. Ninety patients who underwent kidney transplantation at a university-based hospital in Thailand from April 2010 to January 2011 were enrolled. Patients were randomized to early ureteric stent removal (8 days) or routine ureteric stent removal (15 days) after kidney transplantation. The costs of direct health care associated with kidney transplantation, urologic complication, and urinary tract infection (UTI) within the postoperative period among the 2 groups were compared. RESULTS: Seventy-four patients (58% living donor) fulfilled the randomized criteria (early removal, n = 37; routine removal, n = 37). By intention-to-treat analysis, incidence of UTI in early stent removal was less than the routine stent removal group (15/37, 40.5% vs 27/37, 72.9%; P = .004). Urologic complication showed no significant difference between the early and routine groups (4/37 vs 2/37; P = .39). The cost-benefit analysis of early over routine stent removal was 2390 United States dollars (USD) per patient (11,182 vs 8792 USD). Presence of UTI significantly increase the hospitalization cost of 5131 USD per patient (mean cost = 12,209 vs 7078 USD; P < .001). CONCLUSION: UTI in the early post-kidney transplantation period increases healthcare cost. Early ureteric stent removal can reduce UTI and reduce hospitalization cost. This approach shows cost-benefit in the early management of kidney transplant recipients.