Tenofovir-Associated Kidney Dysfunction and Bone Fracture: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Tenofovir is an integral part of antiretroviral therapy used to treat HIV. Long-term use of tenofovir has been associated with decreased glomerular filtration rate, leading to chronic kidney disease, as well as acidosis, electrolyte imbalances, and tubular dysfunction. Tenofovir can also disrupt bone health by decreasing renal phosphate absorption, contributing to osteomalacia. This leads to disruption in mineral metabolism, elevated parathyroid hormone levels, and ultimately, low bone mineral density. Replacing tenofovir with alternative antiretroviral therapy can improve kidney function if done early in the course of the disease. Here, we discuss a case of a 65-year-old woman with HIV who presented with advanced renal failure and hypophosphatemia-induced bone fracture attributed to long-term use of tenofovir. We conclude monitoring kidney function and considering alternative antiretroviral therapy is important to prevent and manage these side effects in patients on long-term tenofovir therapy.

Profile of chronic kidney disease from a nephrology underserviced region in North Eastern India: a preliminary report from a single center in Assam.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a worldwide health problem affecting at least 10% of the world's population. CKD represents especially a large burden in low- to middle-income countries that are ill equipped to deal with its consequences. The burden of CKD is increasing in India as well. Although diabetes and hypertension account for much of this burden of CKD, there are regions where a surprisingly high rate of CKD of undetermined etiology (CKD-U) has been described in certain areas of the country. In our observational cross-sectional study, we attempted to look at burden and etiology of CKD in a predominantly rural referral center. Out of 334 patients with diagnosed CKD, of whom 70% were male, included from Oct 2021 to July 2022, CKD-U was the single largest cause of CKD in 154 (46.1%) followed by diabetic nephropathy in 148 (44.3%). 80% of CKD patients presented initially with advanced CKD (stages 4 and 5). Approximately, 2/3rd of CKD patients reported a family income of less than 10,000 Rs/month (< 130USD). Hypertension was seen in 89% of patients in total (73% in CKD-U vs. 100% in other cause CKD). Our initial study brings to focus another new and as yet unrecognized hotspot for CKD-U in the Indian subcontinent. Given the vast diversity in the population in this region and variable delivery health care resources, we believe that concerted efforts should be made by governmental and other agencies to better understand the nature of this undiagnosed CKD epidemic so that adequate preventative strategies can be envisaged.

Acute Kidney Injury Associated with Coronavirus Disease 2019 - One Year Later, What Do We Know So Far?

Initial reports early on in the pandemic in 2020 indicate a high incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). There is a need to better understand risk factors for AKI in patients with COVID-19. It is also unclear if AKI in patients with COVID-19 differs from AKI due to other causes. More data are required to clarify if COVID-19 is an independent risk factor for AKI and how COVID-19-associated AKI may differ from AKI due to other causes. We, therefore, sought to review the published evidence about the reported relationship between COVID-19, AKI, and outcomes. We performed a systematic search via PubMed and EMBASE using key words "COVID-19" and "AKI" to identify relevant observational studies, case series, and cohort studies published between March 2020 and April 2021. We also manually examined the reference lists of included studies and reviewed the AKI reports published in general medicine journals such as BMJ, Lancet, NEJM, and JAMA. The prevalence of AKI in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 differed across various regions of the world. Initial reports from China where cases of COVID-19 began initially have shown a much lower prevalence compared to those from Europe and North America, especially in critically ill patients in the intensive care unit with acute respiratory distress syndrome. The various components of severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated AKI appear in large parts to be similar to sepsis-induced AKI. However, affinity of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) specifically to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptors located on podocytes and endothelial cells of the kidney also points toward the direct cytotoxic effects of the virus on the kidney. Numerous mechanisms likely occur simultaneously and hence more treatment approaches need to be streamlined based on pathophysiology. Although data from published literature regarding previous SARS coronaviruses can give some useful insights, we will know more going forward about the nature of kidney injury associated with COVID-19 virus as well as optimum-specific therapeutic management.

Endovascular Intervention for Central Venous Stenosis in Hemodialysis Patients: A Single-center Experience.

Central venous stenosis (CVS) refers to a significant stenosis of a large intrathoracic vein, such as the subclavian, brachiocephalic, or the superior vena cava (hemodialysis, HD). Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) with or without stent placement has been the recommended as the preferred approach to CVS. A total of 10 consecutive HD patients with documented CVS over a 2-year time period from April 2017-April 2019 underwent percutaneous angioplasty and stent insertions under sedation. The procedure was performed by the interventional cardiologist in the institute. One patient underwent only PTA, whereas nine (90%) had PTA with primary stent insertion. Primary patency was 90% at 3 months, 80% at 6 months while at 12 months, it was 70% and remained at 70% at 24 months. We did not find any association between age, gender, diabetic status, dialysis vintage, or previous catheter infection with procedural patency. Central venous stenosis can be treated successfully with percutaneous angioplasty and primary stenting. Despite advances, prevention of CVS should be the primary approach.

Prevalence of use of complementary and alternative medicine in chronic kidney disease: A cross-sectional single-center study from South India.

The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) has increased substantially in India over the past two decades commensurate with the global trend and has currently emerged as a significant cause of mortality and morbidity. Use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), especially ayurvedic medication, is widespread in CKD although accurate data on the prevalence of use are lacking. A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to June 2017 in the nephrology outpatient clinic of a medical college hospital in Mangalore, South-West India. Adult patients (>18 years) with CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate ≤60 mL/min) were considered potentially eligible and approached to participate in the survey. A 17-item semi-structured questionnaire adapted from the National Health Interview Survey Adult CAM Supplement was used for the study. A total of 278 patients (194 males and 84 females) with a mean age of 49.04 ± 12.06 years were included in the study; 67.3% were unemployed and married (83.8%), 35.6% had primary school education, more than 2/3rd of the patients had CKD Stage 5, and 110 patients were on renal replacement therapy with hemodialysis. Comorbidities such as hypertension were present in 46.8%, whereas 36.7% of the patients were diabetic. One hundred and eighty-four patients interviewed (66.3%) reported the use of one or more types of CAM therapy in the previous six months. Herbal and dietary supplements were used by 13 (7.1%); ayurvedic medication by 117 (63.6%); naturopathic, homeopathic, and Unani systems by 30 (16.3%), while spiritual/faith healing and acupuncture were used by 16 (8.7%) and eight (4.3%) of the patients, respectively. A multiple regression analysis between CAM users and non-users revealed that older age (P = 0.004), occupational status (P = 0.035), and income (P = 0.006) correlated strongly with CAM use. The present study highlights the high prevalence (66%) of use of alternative medication in patients with CKD.

Traditional Medicines and Kidney Disease in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Opportunities and Challenges.

Traditional medicines are a principal form of health care for many populations, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, and they have gained attention as an important means of health care coverage globally. In the context of kidney diseases, the challenges and opportunities presented by traditional medicine practices are among the most important considerations for developing effective and sustainable public health strategies. However, little is known about the practices of traditional medicines in relation to kidney diseases, especially concerning benefits and harms. Kidney diseases may be caused, treated, prevented, improved, or worsened by traditional medicines depending on the setting, the person, and the types, modes, and frequencies of traditional medicine use. Given the profound knowledge gaps, nephrology practitioners and researchers may be uniquely positioned to facilitate more optimal public health strategies through recognition and careful investigation of traditional medicine practices. Effective implementation of such strategies also will require local partnerships, including engaging practitioners and users of traditional medicines. As such, practitioners and researchers investigating kidney diseases may be uniquely positioned to bridge the cultural, social, historical, and biologic differences between biomedicine and traditional medicine, and they have opportunities to lead efforts in developing public health strategies that are sensitive to these differences.

Hyponatremia secondary to acute urinary retention.

Acute urinary retention is a rare cause of hyponatremia. Symptomatic acute hyponatremia is of grave medical concern and needs to be managed aggressively. In our two cases with acute urinary retention, a simple bladder catheterization and drainage of urine followed by conservative management resulted in complete resolution of symptoms and normalization of sodium levels. Association of bladder distension and hyponatremia is considered to be due to release of vasopressin triggered by bladder distension itself or by pain due to bladder distension. These cases are presented to bring to light an unusual and easily treatable cause of hyponatremia.

The role of heat shock proteins in kidney disease.

Heat Shock Proteins (HSP) belong to the family of intracellular proteins that are constitutively expressed and are upregulated by various stressors including heat, oxidative and chemical stress. HSP helps in reparative processes, including the refolding of damaged proteins and the removal of irreparably damaged proteins that would initiate cellular death or apoptosis. A growing body of evidence has expanded the role of HSP and defined their role in diseases such as neurodegenerative disorders, cancer, ischemic heart disease and kidney diseases. The protective role of HSP in ischemic renal injury has been described and HSP impairment has been noted in other forms of kidney injuries including post-transplant situation. Further research into the role of HSP in prevention of kidney injury is crucial if translation from the laboratory to patient bedside has to occur. This article aims to be a review of heat shock protein, and its relevance to kidney diseases.

Nephrogenic ascites - Still an intractable problem?

Nephrogenic ascites or ascites associated with renal failure is seen in end-stage renal disease in-patients on hemodialysis but has been described occasionally in earlier stages of renal failure. The cause can be multifactorial and a combination of inadequate dialysis and ultrafiltration, poor nutrition and increased peritoneal membrane permeability in uremia. Generally, the onset of nephrogenic ascites is insidious and portends a grim long-term prognosis. We describe herein three patients who presented with refractory ascites of nephrogenic origin and review this entity.

Erythropoietin use in CKD patients with cancer: to tread with caution?

Erythropoietin (Epo) has long been known to be the principal hematopoietic growth factor that regulates cellular proliferation and differentiation of the erythroid lineage. Recombinant Epo (rEpo) is frequently used in the prevention and treatment of anemia of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and in the treatment of anemia associated with cancer. The expression of the Epo receptor (EpoR) in certain cancer cells has raised the possibility that exogenous rEpo may have direct effects on tumor cells with potential for stimulation of proliferation and resistance to chemotherapy and possibly metastasis. With recent clinical trials reporting negative outcomes with rEpo in the treatment of cancer-related anemia, with increased mortality in those who received rEpo, it has become necessary for nephrologists to analyze and review the effect of use of rEpo in treatment of anemia of CKD in patients who may have current or previously treated malignancy. It is known that CKD patients have an increased prevalence of certain malignancies (Wong G et al. Association of CKD and cancer risk in older people. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2009;20(6):1341-1350). If a CKD patient develops cancer or has a previous history of cancer, there is a dilemma which faces the treating nephrologist with respect to the use of rEpo in this situation. So far this issue has been addressed infrequently in the nephrology literature, and the guidelines are unclear. This review describes Epo and EpoR biology, reviews use of rEpo for treatment of cancer-related anemia and makes a case to the nephrology community for the careful use of rEpo in CKD patients with cancer.

Unusual presentation of renal vein thrombosis with pulmonary artery embolism.

A young 23-year-old male patient presented with a two-day history of right flank pain. He had no history of any significant illnesses in the past. His investigations showed nephrotic range proteinuria with hypoalbuminemia. The patient developed cough and shortness of breath after having a left kidney biopsy. He did not respond to regular respiratory tract infection treatment. The kidney biopsy revealed membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. Further investigations for the cough showed thromboembolism of the posterior and lateral basal segments of the right lower lobe. Moreover he was found to have thrombosis of the right upper pole renal vein. The patient was started on full anticoagulation along with three days pulse steroid, followed by 1 mg/kg oral steroid. Clinical improvement was noticed within 48 h. After eight weeks the proteinuria decreased from 8.5 gm/day to 1.1 gm/day. The kidney function was normal with eGFR 145 mL/min through the course of the disease. This case represent one of the unusual presentation of nephrotic syndrome with pulmonary and renal vascular thromboembolic events. The response to the combination of anticoagulation and steroid was remarkable.

Achieving effective pain relief in patients with chronic kidney disease: a review of analgesics in renal failure.

Increasing evidence in literature shows that chronic pain is a common and disabling symptom in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). As the dialysis population all over the world ages and experiences multiple co-morbidities, nephrologists are increasingly faced with the complex task of addressing them effectively to sustain a reasonable health-related quality of life for their patients. The overall symptom burden of these patients is high and is similar to the end-of life cancer population. The complex pharmacokinetics of opioid analgesics in patients with pre-existing renal disease as well as physician unfamiliarity with the use of these drugs is a barrier to providing effective pain relief. This review deals with approaches to the management of pain in patients with CKD.