The perception of sleep quality in kidney transplant patients during the first year of transplantation

OBJECTIVE: Poor sleep quality is one of the factors that adversely affects patient quality of life after kidney transplantation, and sleep disorders represent a significant cardiovascular risk factor. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of changes in sleep quality and their outcomes in kidney transplant recipients and analyze the variables affecting sleep quality in the first years after renal transplantation. METHODS: Kidney transplant recipients were evaluated at two time points after a successful transplantation: between three and six months (Phase 1) and between 12 and 15 months (Phase 2). The following tools were used for assessment: the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index; the quality of life questionnaire Short-Form-36; the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale; the Karnofsky scale; and assessments of social and demographic data. The prevalence of poor sleep was 36.7% in Phase 1 and 38.3% in Phase 2 of the study. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between patients with and without changes in sleep quality between the two phases. We found no changes in sleep patterns throughout the study. Both the physical and mental health scores worsened from Phase 1 to Phase 2. CONCLUSION: Sleep quality in kidney transplant recipients did not change during the first year after a successful renal transplantation.

The perception of sleep quality in kidney transplant patients during the first year of transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: Poor sleep quality is one of the factors that adversely affects patient quality of life after kidney transplantation, and sleep disorders represent a significant cardiovascular risk factor. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of changes in sleep quality and their outcomes in kidney transplant recipients and analyze the variables affecting sleep quality in the first years after renal transplantation. METHODS: Kidney transplant recipients were evaluated at two time points after a successful transplantation: between three and six months (Phase 1) and between 12 and 15 months (Phase 2). The following tools were used for assessment: the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index; the quality of life questionnaire Short-Form-36; the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale; the Karnofsky scale; and assessments of social and demographic data. The prevalence of poor sleep was 36.7% in Phase 1 and 38.3% in Phase 2 of the study. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between patients with and without changes in sleep quality between the two phases. We found no changes in sleep patterns throughout the study. Both the physical and mental health scores worsened from Phase 1 to Phase 2. CONCLUSION: Sleep quality in kidney transplant recipients did not change during the first year after a successful renal transplantation.

Importância da avaliação bioquímica mensal na triagem de pacientes com desnutrição em hemodiálise / Importance of the monthly biochemical evaluation to identify patients on hemodialysis with malnutrition

INTRODUÇÃO: A desnutrição é uma complicação frequente nos pacientes em hemodiálise, sendo o diagnóstico precoce importante para reduzir as taxas de morbidade e mortalidade do tratamento. OBJETIVO: Investigar a utilidade dos exames bioquímicos mensais realizados na hemodiálise para triagem de pacientes com desnutrição. MÉTODOS: O diagnóstico nutricional de 252 pacientes foi feito através da avaliação objetiva e subjetiva global, classificando-os em desnutridos e não desnutridos. Paralelamente, durante 4 meses consecutivos, as concentrates de creatinina, fósforo, ureia pré-e pósdiálise e o Kt/V foram registradas para cálculo das médias. Após análise dessas variáveis através da curva ROC, calculouse a sensibilidade e a especificidade na identificação dos pacientes com desnutrição. RESULTADOS: Na curva ROC, a área sob a curva para a ureia foi de 0,683, para o fósforo 0,71, para o Kt/V 0,724 e para a creatinina 0,765. Para valores de ureia < 90 mg/dL; fósforo < 4,2 mg/dL; Kt/V > 1,6 e creatinina < 6,5 mg/dL, a especificidade variou entre 80 por cento e 88 por cento e a sensibilidade entre 26 por cento e 51 por cento . O valor preditivo negativo variou entre 90 por cento e 92 por cento e o valor preditivo positivo entre 23 por cento e 32 por cento. A associação de dois ou mais desses índices não modificou de forma significante esses valores. CONCLUSÕES: Nossos resultados sugerem que valores de ureia < 90 mg/dL, creatinina < 6,5 mg/dL, fósforo < 4,2 mg/dL e Kt/V > 1,6 podem ser utilizados para triagem de pacientes com desnutrição.

INTRODUCTION: Malnutrition is a frequent complication in patients on hemodialysis and early diagnosis is important to reduce the morbidity and mortality of treatment. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the usefulness of biochemical tests performed monthly in order to identify hemodialysis patients with malnutrition. METHODS: The nutritional status of 252 patients was evaluated by objective and subjective global assessment, and the patients classified as malnourished and not malnourished. Then, during 4 consecutive months, serum creatinine, phosphorus, urea pre-and post-dialysis and Kt/V were recorded for calculation of averages. After analysis of these variables by the RO C curve we calculated the sensitivity and specificity of these parameters to identify patients with malnutrition. RESULTS: In ROC curve, the area under the curve for urea was 0.683, 0.71 for phosphorus, 0.724 for Kt/V and 0.765 for creatinine. For values of urea < 90 mg/dL, phosphorus < 4.2 mg/dL, Kt/V > 1.6 and creatinine < 6.5 mg/dL, the specificity ranged between 80 percent and 88 percent and sensitivity between 26 percent and 51 percent. The negative predictive value ranged between 90 percent and 92 percent and positive predictive value between 23 percent and 32 percent. The association of two or more of these índices did not change significantly these values. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that serum urea < 90 mg/dL, creatinine < 6.5 mg/dL, phosphorus < 4.2 mg/dL, and Kt/V > 1.6 can be used for screening patients with malnutrition. However, using these cutoffs the parameters tend to overestimate the number of patients with malnutrition.

Arteriovenous fistula cannulation by buttonhole technique using dull needle.

INTRODUCTION: Cannulation of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) may be performed by the following techniques: area puncture, rope ladder, or buttonhole. The ideal technique has not yet been established. OBJECTIVE: To assess the complications and difficulties of introducing the buttonhole (BH) technique for cannulation of AVF created with a native vein in a dialysis unit. METHODS: Sixteen patients (mean age, 57 ± 14 years) undergoing hemodialysis for 63 ± 38 months were changed to BH AVF cannulation. In the phase of track formation cannulations were performed with sharp needles and, in the maintenance phase, with blunt needles. In both phases, patients were assessed for pain intensity on a 0 to 10 scale. RESULTS: The number of HD sessions required for the track formation was 9.5 ± 1.5 and the number of sessions during the maintenance phase was 29.7 ± 0.8 per patient. During the 152 HD for the track formation, no significant complications occurred. During the 475 HD sessions using the BH technique and a blunt needle, the complications were as follows: resistance to cannulation (7.6%); cannulation using a sharp needle due to cannulator choice (5.7%); change from a blunt to a sharp needle during cannulation (4.2%); and local bleeding (0.8%). One patient required antibiotic therapy. The median pain intensity reported by the patients was four during the track formation, and two during cannulation with a blunt needle. The Kt/V values before and after changing the cannulation technique did not differ (1.48 ± 0.27 and 1.48 ± 0.23). CONCLUSION: The introduction of the BH technique with a blunt needle is technically easy, has few complications, reduces pain, and does not induce change in dialysis dose.

Arteriovenous fistula cannulation by buttonhole technique using dull needle / Punção da fístula arteriovenosa com a técnica em casa de botão com agulha romba

INTRODUÇÃO: A canulação da fístula arteriovenosa (FAV) pode ser realizada pelas técnicas de punção por área, rotatória ou em casa de botão (CB); entretanto, a técnica ideal ainda não foi estabelecida. OBJETIVO: Avaliar as dificuldades e complicações na introdução da técnica de punção em CB em FAV construída com veia nativa. MÉTODOS: 16 pacientes com idade de 57±14 anos, em hemodiálise há 63±38 meses foram submetidos à punção em CB. Na fase de formação do túnel (T), as punções foram feitas com agulha cortante (AC) e na fase de manutenção com agulha romba (AR). Nas duas fases, os pacientes foram avaliados para a intensidade da dor em uma escala de 0 a 10. RESULTADOS: O nº de sessões de HD para formação do T foi de 9,5 ± 1,5 e o número de sessões na fase de manutenção foi de 29,7 ± 0,8. Nas 152 HD para formação do T não ocorreram complicações significativas. Durante 475 HD com AR as complicações foram: resistência na punção (7,6 por cento), punção com AC por opção do puncionador (5,7 por cento), troca de AR para AC durante a punção (4,2 por cento) e sangramento local durante a HD (0,8 por cento). Um paciente necessitou antibioticoterapia. A mediana do índice de dor foi 4 na fase de formação do T e 2 na fase de manutenção. Os valores de Kt/V pré- e pós-alteração na técnica de punção não foram diferentes (1,48 ± 0,27 e 1,45 ± 0,23). CONCLUSÃO: A implantação da punção em CB com AR é tecnicamente fácil, apresenta poucas complicações, reduz a dor e não induz variação na dose de diálise.

INTRODUCTION: Cannulation of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) may be performed by the following techniques: area puncture, rope ladder, or buttonhole. The ideal technique has not yet been established. OBJECTIVE: To assess the complications and difficulties of introducing the buttonhole (BH) technique for cannulation of AVF created with a native vein in a dialysis unit. METHODS: Sixteen patients (mean age, 57 ± 14 years) undergoing hemodialysis for 63 ± 38 months were changed to BH AVF cannulation. In the phase of track formation cannulations were performed with sharp needles and, in the maintenance phase, with blunt needles. In both phases, patients were assessed for pain intensity on a 0 to 10 scale. RESULTS: The number of HD sessions required for the track formation was 9.5 ± 1.5 and the number of sessions during the maintenance phase was 29.7 ± 0.8 per patient. During the 152 HD for the track formation, no significant complications occurred. During the 475 HD sessions using the BH technique and a blunt needle, the complications were as follows: resistance to cannulation (7.6 percent); cannulation using a sharp needle due to cannulator choice (5.7 percent); change from a blunt to a sharp needle during cannulation (4.2 percent); and local bleeding (0.8 percent). One patient required antibiotic therapy. The median pain intensity reported by the patients was four during the track formation, and two during cannulation with a blunt needle. The Kt/V values before and after changing the cannulation technique did not differ (1.48 ± 0.27 and 1.48 ± 0.23). CONCLUSION: The introduction of the BH technique with a blunt needle is technically easy, has few complications, reduces pain, and does not induce change in dialysis dose.

[Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis: a severe complication of use to gadolinium in patients with kidney failure]. / Fibrose sistêmica nefrogênica: uma complicação grave do uso do gadolínio em pacientes com insuficiência renal.

Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF), also known as nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy (NFD), is a condition that has occurred only in patients with renal insufficiency. Besides lesions of the skin, this syndrome include fibrosis of skeletal muscle, joints, liver, lung, and heart, with possible fatal outcomes. This disease was first described in 1997 and several reports described the development of NSF after the exposure to gadolinium-based magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents. This review aims to alert physicians and nephrologists about this new pathology that affects patients with renal dysfunction, describing its demographic and epidemiologics aspects, clinic presentation, diagnosis and prognosis, beyond options to prevent and current treatment. We concluded that in all patient with elevated serum creatinine physicians should estimade his kidney function (creatinine clearence) in order to safety of magnetic resonance.

Fibrose sistêmica nefrogênica: uma complicação grave do uso do gadolínio em pacientes com insuficiência renal / Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis: a severe complication of use to gadolinium in patients with kidney failure

Fibrose sistêmica nefrogênica (FSN), também conhecida como dermopatia fibrosante nefrogênica (DFN), é uma condição que ocorre apenas em pacientes com disfunção renal. Além das lesões cutâneas, esta síndrome inclui fibrose de músculo esquelético, articulações, fígado, pulmão e coração e pode ser fatal. Esta doença foi primeiramente descrita em 1997 e vários estudos descrevem a relação etiológica da FSN com a exposição a agentes de contraste contendo gadolínio, usado em exames de ressonância magnética. Esta revisão tem como objetivo alertar médicos clínicos e nefrologistas sobre essa nova patologia que acomete pacientes com alteração da função renal, demonstrando aspectos demográficos e epidemiológicos, apresentação clínica, diagnóstico e prognóstico além das opções de prevenção e terapêuticas atuais. Concluímos que todo paciente apresentando creatinina sérica elevada deve ter sua função renal (clearance de creatinina) estimada, visando a segurança na realização da ressonância magnética.

Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF), also known as nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy (NFD), is a condition that has occurred only in patients with renal insufficiency. Besides lesions of the skin, this syndrome include fibrosis of skeletal muscle, joints, liver, lung, and heart, with possible fatal outcomes. This disease was first described in 1997 and several reports described the development of NSF after the exposure to gadolinium-based magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents. This review aims to alert physicians and nephrologists about this new pathology that affects patients with renal dysfunction, describing its demographic and epidemiologics aspects, clinic presentation, diagnosis and prognosis, beyond options to prevent and current treatment. We concluded that in all patient with elevated serum creatinine physicians should estimade his kidney function (creatinine clearence) in order to safety of magnetic resonance.

Tempo ideal pós-diálise para dosagem da uréia em diálise de alto fluxo e alta eficiência: importância do rebote da uréia no cálculo do Kt/V / POst-dialysis ideal time for urea dosage in dialysis of flow and frequency hight: importance of the urea rebound in Kt/V calculi

O Kt/V de uréia é um dos métodos mais utilizados para adequaçao da hemodiálise. Entretanto, esse índice se baseia na distribuiçao da uréia em um único compartimento e nao leva em consideraçao o rebote da uréia pós-diálise. Nesse sentido, analisamos o rebote de uréia em nove pacientes em hemodiálise de alto fluxo e alta eficiência, com o objetivo de determinar o tempo ideal para a coleta da amostra de uréia pós-diálise. Nossos resultados revelaram que aos 20 minutos após o término da hemodiálise o rebote da uréia já está praticamente completo. Conseqüentemente, esta informaçao permite concluir que, após esse intervalo, dosagens subseqüentes de uréia nao irao superestimar o Kt/V.

Seasonal variation of blood pressure in maintenance hemodialysis

Context: Seasonal variation in arterial blood pressure has been reported in studies with hypertensive and normotensive subjects. However, the influence of seasonal change on blood pressure of hemodialysis patients has not been reported. Objective: To investigate the seasonal variation of blood pressure in Brazil, a tropical country, in patients on hemodialysis. Design: Prospective, cohort study. Setting: Dialysis unit of a tertiary medical center (a teaching hospital of the University of Sao Paulo School of Medicine, Sao Paulo). Patients: Sixteen patients with chronic renal failure undergoing hemodialysis. Outcomes: blood pressure, body weight, and ambient temperature were evaluated during 6 hemodialysis sessions carried out on 13 days during the four seasons. Results: The diastolic blood pressure was lower in summer than in fall and winter (95 + 8 vs 107 + 10 and 101 + 10 mmHg, respectively; p < 0.05). The same was observed with mean blood pressure (116 + 8 vs 130 + 11 and 124 + 9 mmHg, respectively; p < 0.01). On the other hand, the ambient temperature was higher in summer than in fall and winter (23.0 + 1.6 vs 19.5 + 3.0 and 15.8 + 1.9 degrees Celsius, respectively; p < 0.01). Conclusions: We concluded that for patients with chronic renal failure the blood pressure has a seasonal variation with higher pressures in fall and winter than in summer. Thus, further studies are needed to elucidate the impact of this observation on the adjustment of antihypertensive treatment and on morbidity and mortality in maintenance dialysis patients.

Efeito do agonismo e antagonismo betadrenérgico sobre a homeostase extra-renal de potássio na insuficiência renal crônica terminal / Effect of beta adrenergic agonism and antagonism on potassium extrarenal potassium homeostasis in terminal chronic renal failure

O efeito da estimulaçäo beta-2 adrenérgica com terbutalina sobre a homeostase do potássio foi examinado em seis pacientes com insuficiência renal crônica mantidos em hemodiálise. Os pacientes foram estudados em três situaçöes diferentes: infusäo de terbutalina isoladamente, infusäo de terbutalina precedida de propranolol e infusäo de terbutalina precedida de metoprolol. A concentraçäo inicial de potássio sérico foi significativamente menor no primeiro estudo, quando comparada ao segundo (4,7 ñ 0,7 vs 5,6 ñ 0,6 mmol/l, p < 0,05). Durante o primeiro estudo, a concentraçäo sérica do potássio reduziu-se de 4,7 ñ 0,7 para 3,3 ñ 0,7 mmol/l (p < 0,01). No segundo estudo, a concentraçäo de potássio näo variou. Em contraste, no terceiro estudo, ela reduziu-se de 5,3 ñ 0,7 para 4,2 ñ 0,8 mmol/l (p < 0,01), sendo essa reduçäo significativamente menor que aquela observada no primeiro estudo (29,9 ñ 7,1 vs 21 ñ 6,4 por cento, p < 0,05). Esses resultados sugerem que o manejo extra-renal do potássio é mediado por receptores beta-2. Desde que houve elevaçäo do potássio sérico quando os pacientes receberam propranolol, os autores sugerem que pacientes com insuficiência renal crônica candidatos ao uso de betabloqueadores devam receber preferencialmente um betabloqueador beta-I específico. Os autores concluem ainda que a estimulaçäo betadrenérgica com terbutalina é um método rápido, seguro e eficaz na reduçäo do potássio sérico, desde que os pacientes näo estejam recebendo droga betabloqueadora näo específica