Resilience and challenges of peritoneal dialysis survivors in the aftermath of the 2023 Kahramanmaras earthquake.

INTRODUCTION: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) remains understudied in disaster nephrology. This retrospective multicenter study explores the experiences of PD survivors following the February 6, 2023, Kahramanmaras Earthquake. METHODS: Adult PD patients from 11 affected cities were analyzed to assess challenges faced during and postearthquake, alongside clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Among 101 participants (median age: 45 years, median PD duration: 24 months), 57 were female, with 79 on continuous ambulatory PD. Challenges included power outages and water shortages, with primary shelter in kin's houses (33%) and homes (28%). Twelve patients experienced PD program delays, and three lacked assistance postdisaster. Sixteen patients changed PD modalities, with seven experiencing postearthquake peritonitis. Clinical parameters remained stable, except for a slight decrease in hemoglobin levels. CONCLUSION: Despite challenges, PD survivors exhibited resilience, highlighting the importance of addressing peritonitis and unusual pathogens in disaster preparedness initiatives.

A rare case: IgG4-related chronic inflammatory disease with kidney involvement.

IgG4-related disease is an inflammatory, multisystemic disease that affects the immune system. The disease progresses to fibrosis due to inflammation. Retroperitoneal fibrosis is a serious complication. Pancreas, biliary tract, glands, thyroid, lymph nodes, etc. may be involved. Prognosis is usually subacute, and seen in middle age and advanced men. It is characterized histopathologically by IgG4 positive plasma cells, lymphoplasmocytic cell infiltration, and storiform fibrosis. In our case, we evaluated a patient who referred to our clinic from an external center with the complaints of generalized pain, itching, tearing and redness in eyes, involvement of bilateral large joints, and impaired renal function. Diagnosis, treatment and management of the disease are important. Response to glucocorticoid therapy is good.

Clinical outcomes and survival in AA amyloidosis patients / Desfechos clínicos e sobrevida em pacientes com amiloidose AA

Abstract Aim Amyloid A amyloidosis is a rare complication of chronic inflammatory conditions. Most patients with amyloid A amyloidosis present with nephropathy and it leads to renal failure and death. We studied clinical characteristics and survival in patients with amyloid A amyloidosis. Methods: A total of 81 patients (51 males, 30 females) with renal biopsy proven amyloid A amyloidosis were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were divided into good and poor outcomes groups according to survival results. Results: Most of the patients (55.6%) had nephrotic range proteinuria at diagnosis. Most frequent underlying disorders were familial Mediterranean fever (21.2%) and rheumatoid arthritis (10.6%) in the good outcome group and malignancy (20%) in the poor outcome group. Only diastolic blood pressure in the good outcome group and phosphorus level in the poor outcome group was higher. Serum creatinine levels increased after treatment in both groups, while proteinuria in the good outcome group decreased. Increase in serum creatinine and decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate of the poor outcome group were more significant in the good outcome group. At the time of diagnosis 18.5% and 27.2% of all patients had advanced chronic kidney disease (stage 4 and 5, respectively). Median duration of renal survival was 65 ± 3.54 months. Among all patients, 27.1% were started dialysis treatment during the follow-up period and 7.4% of all patients underwent kidney transplantation. Higher levels of systolic blood pressure [hazard ratios 1.03, 95% confidence interval: 1-1.06, p = 0.036], serum creatinine (hazard ratios 1.25, 95% confidence interval: 1.07-1.46, p = 0.006) and urinary protein excretion (hazard ratios 1.08, 95% confidence interval: 1.01-1.16, p = 0.027) were predictors of end-stage renal disease. Median survival of patients with organ involvement was 50.3 ± 16 months. Conclusion Our study indicated that familial Mediterranean fever constituted a large proportion of cases and increased number of patients with idiopathic amyloid A amyloidosis. Additionally, it was observed that patient survival was not affected by different etiological causes in amyloid A amyloidosis.

Resumo Objetivo: A amiloidose AA é uma complicação rara de condições inflamatórias crônicas. A maior parte dos pacientes com amiloidose AA apresenta nefropatia, que leva à insuficiência renal e à morte. Estudaram-se as características clínicas e a sobrevida em pacientes com amiloidose AA. Métodos: Analisaram-se retrospectivamente 81 pacientes (51 homens, 30 mulheres) com amiloidose AA comprovada por biópsia renal. Os pacientes foram divididos em grupos de desfecho bom e ruim de acordo com os resultados de sobrevida. Resultados: A maior parte dos pacientes (55,6%) tinha proteinúria na faixa nefrótica no momento do diagnóstico. Os distúrbios subjacentes mais frequentes foram a febre familiar do Mediterrâneo (FFM, 21,2%) e a artrite reumatoide (10,6%) no grupo de desfecho bom e a malignidade (20%) no grupo de desfecho ruim. Somente a pressão arterial diastólica no grupo de desfecho bom e o nível de fósforo no grupo de desfecho ruim foram mais elevados. Os níveis séricos de creatinina aumentaram após o tratamento em ambos os grupos, enquanto a proteinúria diminuiu no grupo de desfecho bom. O aumento na creatinina sérica e a diminuição na TFGe do grupo de desfecho ruim foram mais significativos no grupo de desfecho bom. No momento do diagnóstico, 18,5% e 27,2% de todos os pacientes tinham doença renal crônica avançada (estágios 4 e 5, respectivamente). A duração média da sobrevida renal foi de 65 ± 3,54 meses. Entre todos os pacientes, 27,1% iniciaram tratamento de diálise durante o período de seguimento e 7,4% de todos os pacientes foram submetidos a transplante renal. Níveis elevados de pressão arterial sistólica [taxas de risco (HR) 1,03, intervalo de confiança (IC) de 95%: 1 a 1,06, p = 0,036], creatinina sérica (HR 1,25, IC 95%: 1,07 a 1,46, p = 0,006) e excreção urinária de proteínas (HR 1,08, IC 95%: 1,01 a 1,16, p = 0,027) foram preditores de doença renal terminal. A mediana da sobrevida de pacientes com comprometimento de órgãos foi de 50,3 ± 16 meses. Conclusão: O presente estudo indicou que a FFM constituiu uma grande proporção de casos e crescente quantidade de pacientes com amiloidose AA idiopática. Adicionalmente, observou-se que a sobrevida do paciente não foi afetada pelas diferentes causas etiológicas na amiloidose AA.