Correction of erythrocyte deformability defect in ALX-induced diabetic rabbits after treatment with aminoguanidine.

To test whether treatment with aminoguanidine, a drug known to prevent cross-linking between glycated proteins, is effective in improving reduced erythrocyte deformability in diabetes, we studied a group (n = 6) of ALX-induced long-term (12.7 +/- 2.2 mo of hyperglycemia) diabetic New Zealand white rabbits before and after 20 wk of treatment with aminoguanidine (100 mg.kg-1 x day-1). The key findings were as follows: 1) at 12 wk of treatment with aminoguanidine, mean erythrocyte deformability normalized and remained within the normal reference range throughout the period of aminoguanidine administration; 2) 10 wk after discontinuing aminoguanidine in a subset of diabetic rabbits, mean erythrocyte deformability deteriorated by approximately 50%; 3) blood glucose and total GHb did not vary significantly during treatment with aminoguanidine nor after its discontinuation.

Incidence of diabetic nephropathy in Type 1 diabetic patients in Spain: 'Estudio Diamante'.

AIMS: To determine the prevalence and the incidence of diabetic nephropathy in Type 1 diabetes mellitus in Spain and to investigate the risk factors for the development of microalbuminuria. METHODS: One thousand five hundred and two patients with Type 1 diabetes mellitus were prospectively followed in 15 hospital diabetes outpatient clinics in Spain. Blood pressure, body weight, HbA(1c), total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, plasma creatinine and urinary albumin excretion (UAE) were determined every 3-5 months. RESULTS: A total of 1225 patients (624 males and 601 females), age 30.7+/-9.3 years with diabetes duration of 14.1+/-9.1 years completed 4.3 (4.0-5.1) years of follow-up. At baseline 14.2 (95% CI 12.3-16.3)% of patients had microalbuminuria, 5.1 (3.9-6.4)% macroalbuminuria and 3.4 (2.5-4.6)% kidney failure. During follow-up the annual incidence of microalbuminuria was 2.7 (2.2-3.2)%. In a multiple logistic regression analysis the predictors of progression to microalbuminuria were initial UAE, HbA(1c), diabetes duration, smoking, and HDL-cholesterol <0.9 mmol/l. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence and incidence of diabetic nephropathy in Spain are comparable to data obtained in similar studies carried out in other countries. The development of microalbuminuria is associated not only with glycaemic control and hypertension, but also to the control of other risk factors such as dyslipaemia and smoking.

Erythropoietin treatment decreases cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in CAPD patients.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effects of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) therapy on cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality among continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients. DESIGN: Retrospective comparative study. SETTING: CAPD unit in a university hospital. PATIENTS: Forty-two patients on rHuEPO treatment for at least one year were compared with an rHuEPO nonuser group of 113 patients. Subcutaneous rHuEPO doses were adjusted to a hemoglobin objective level of 10.5-13.5 g/dL. Fifty-seven patients were considered as high cardiovascular risk (HCVR), 17 in the rHuEPO group and 40 in the rHuEPO nonuser group. Ninety-eight patients were classified as low cardiovascular risk (LCVR), 25 of whom were in the rHuEPO group. RESULTS: The incidence of cardiovascular morbidity was more frequent in the rHuEPO nonuser than in the rHuEPO user group (40% vs 22%) and in HCVR than in LCVR patients (59.6% vs 20.4%). By multiple logistic regression analysis, the best model to explain the development of cardiovascular morbidity comprises rHuEPO treatment, CV risk, and age. In the rHuEPO user group, HCVR and LCVR patients did not show significant differences in survival, while in the rHuEPO nonuser group, HCVR patients had a lower survival rate than LCVR patients (p = 0.0003). Cox proportional hazards model revealed that LCVR patients had an excellent prognosis compared with HCVR patients in the rHuEPO nonuser group, but this difference disappeared in the rHuEPO user group. CONCLUSION: These data show a beneficial effect of rHuEPO treatment on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in CAPD patients, evidenced by the elimination of the correlation between prior cardiovascular risk and subsequent mortality.

Peritoneal dialysis in liver disorders.

The purposes of this paper is to review the specific role of peritoneal dialysis (PD) in patients with liver disorders. We will pay attention to the confluence of liver diseases and situations for which chronic dialysis treatment is required. Hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal membranes are safe barriers against the passage of the hepatitis C virus; consequently, while peritoneal effluent or HD ultrafiltrate drained from hepatitis B patients/carriers is infective, that from hepatitis C patients does not appear to present this risk. An important issue is horizontal transmission, which appears to occur with both viruses in HD units, and which is absent in peritoneal dialysis units. The incidence of hepatitis C among continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients is quite low, while it may reach almost 50%-60% of HD patients in some units. While hepatitis C transmission mechanisms are not completely understood and a vaccine is not available, PD provides some degree of protection when compared with HD, for and-stage renal disease patients. In summary, our experience and that of others, with a total of 19 PD-treated chronic liver disease patients, supports CAPD as the treatment of choice for cirrhotic patients with ascites who require chronic dialysis. Data on peritoneal diffusion of low molecular weight substances revealed a marked increase in most patients. The ultrafiltration capacity was clearly augmented with respect to noncirrhotic patients, making the use of hypertonic bags unnecessary. Hemodynamic tolerance was excellent. Complications and death were mainly related to liver disease complications. Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP), caused by gram-negative germs, is the most important complication directly related to ascites and may have some points in common with PD-related peritonitis. However, and in contrast to most PD peritonitis, two pathogenetic mechanisms have been suggested for SBP: (1) translocation of bacteria from the gut to the mesenteric lymph nodes, and (2) bacteremia in these patients is secondary to the general abnormal host defense mechanisms. Local factors such as intrahepatic shunting and the impairment of bactericidal activity in ascitic fluid favor the bacteria ascites. The hypothesis of a direct transmural contamination from bowel to ascitic fluid has been relegated to secondary bacterial peritonitis. Would cirrhotic patients with temporal or permanent renal function compromise benefit from peritoneal catheter placement and other PD practices to perform repetitive small ascitic drainages at home? Perhaps the time has arrived when hepatologists and PD nephrologists begin to work shoulder to shoulder in this particular field, as we have a common problem, the peritoneal cavity filled with fluid.

Cell populations present in the nocturnal peritoneal effluent of patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis and their relationship with peritoneal function and incidence of peritonitis.

OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship between peritoneal effluent cells and infection rate and to relate this population with functional characteristics. DESIGN: Prospective, longitudinal, and comparative study. SETTING: Outpatient continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) unit of a university medical center. PARTICIPANTS: Seventy-one uninfected patients, treated for 0-156 months on CAPD, in stable condition were studied (33 female, 38 male). INTERVENTIONS: Nocturnal peritoneal effluent (NPE) was drained with EDTA (2.5 mmol/L) at 37 degrees C and centrifuged at 2500 rpm for 9 minutes. MEASUREMENTS: Accumulated peritoneal inflammation days/year and ultrafiltration/diffusion (mass transfer coefficients (MTCs) for small molecules) capacities were recorded. Cellular count (cells/night) was performed using a Neubauer chamber. Macrophage function was assessed by cytochemical (lysosomal enzyme content: ANAE, beta-glucuronidase, acid phosphatase) and immunohistochemical procedures (expression of membrane antigens, CD4, 11b, 11c, 14, 16, 25, 35, and 71). RESULTS: The macrophage is the most frequently appearing cell in the NPE. Cell count decreases over time on CAPD (from 20 x 10(6) to 5 x 10(6) after the first year). Intrapatient variability was low, but interpatient differences were marked. Mesothelial cell count remained stable over time (0.25-0.5 x 10(6)). Four of our patients showed a "transforming" change in these cells. Previous incidence of peritonitis and values of functional measurements did not correlate with cell count or expressions of macrophage function (lysosome enzyme content and percentage of cells expressing different membrane antigens). CONCLUSION: There is difficulty interpreting the results on peritoneal effluent cells and their relationship with the incidence of peritonitis and functional characteristics of the peritoneum. No definite conclusions can be drawn other than the great interpatient and intrapatient variability. The presence of abnormal peritoneal cells with undetermined origin and function suggests the need for periodic studies of peritoneal effluent cells on long-term CAPD patients.

Increased response to subcutaneous erythropoietin on type I diabetic patients on CAPD: is there a synergistic effect with insulin?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of subcutaneous erythropoietin (SC EPO) on the treatment of anemia in diabetic and nondiabetic continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients. DESIGN: A resistance index was designed for measuring the relative EPO response, dividing EPO dose (U/kg/week) by the hemoglobin (Hb) increment with respect to the basal level. PATIENTS: Eleven nonselected type I diabetic patients using subcutaneous insulin compared with 16 nondiabetic controls, all on CAPD therapy. RESULTS: The two groups showed similar mean baseline hemoglobin levels (7.4 D-I and 7.7 non-D, g/dL). There was a statistically significant lower resistance index for diabetics (13.8 +/- 9.7 U/kg/g Hb increment) compared to nondiabetic (55.8 +/- 128, p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis confirmed an independent association between diabetes and resistance index. The response to EPO was slightly better among those diabetic patients with lower levels of serum parathyroid hormone (iPTH) (PTH-resistance index, correlation coefficient, r = 0.7, p < 0.05). No other differences, apart from the use of subcutaneous insulin, were found between diabetics and controls. Although diabetic patients had an increased response to EPO, they had no more frequent side effects than nondiabetics. CONCLUSIONS: According to our results, we suggest that factors related to insulin-dependent diabetes seem to be involved in a favorable response to SC EPO. Hyperinsulinemia derived from subcutaneous use of insulin might act as a comitogen with the induced increments of serum erythropoietin.

Comparative study of two different routes for insulin administration in CAPD diabetic patients. A multicenter study.

CAPD has been considered an appropriate method for treatment of diabetics in renal failure. Up to now the choice of route for insulin administration in these patients has not been definitely defined, although there is a general consensus for employing the intraperitoneal route for this purpose. However, contradictory data have appeared on this subject. Our aim has been to investigate whether the subcutaneous or intraperitoneal route makes any difference to metabolic control, and if so what is the price in terms of the incidence of peritonitis. Two groups of diabetic patients from three different hospitals with a similar peritonitis incidence and training protocols were studied. Of the 30 patients, 15 were treated with subcutaneous insulin (sc group) and in the other 15 the intraperitoneal route was employed (ip. group). The average follow-up period was 20.8 +/- 7.5 months for sc group and 18.7 +/- 8 months for ip. group. Insulin requirements were 30 +/- 11 u./day in the sc. and 110 +/- 60 u/day in the i.p. group (p less than 0.05) and remained constant during the study period. Metabolic controls (home glucose levels, HbA1C, hospital fasting glucose levels) were similar for both groups. However, the incidence of peritonitis was 4 times greater in the ip. group. In the ip. group 18 peritonitis episodes were registered in 280 patient-months vs 5 episodes in sc. group in 312 patient-months. We conclude that the intraperitoneal route for insulin administration in diabetic CAPD patients produces a higher risk of suffering peritonitis with no real metabolic improvement in the medium term.

Frequent recurrence of secondary hyperparathyroidism after pulse oral calcitriol withdrawal in PD patients.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of pulse oral calcitriol in the control of secondary hyperparathyroidism in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients, addressing the effects after withdrawal. We studied 15 patients with intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) plasma levels above 250 pg/mL. The initial calcitriol dose was 8 or 4 micrograms/week, administered in two doses, according to whether the iPTH plasma levels were above or below 400 pg/mL. This dose was modified during the follow-up according to the response. Serum iPTH levels decreased in all patients after the first month (559 +/- 243 to 212 +/- 94 pg/mL, p < 0.001). Serum calcium levels significantly increased during therapy, while serum phosphorus levels did not change. The mean duration of the treatment was 95 +/- 57 days. Nine patients reached the target iPTH levels without complications, and in 6 patients the treatment was interrupted because of hypercalcemia. One month after finishing pulse therapy, a significant decrease in serum calcium levels and an increase in iPTH levels were observed. These values were similar to baseline data and were significantly higher than those found during the pulse calcitriol period. Pulse oral calcitriol administration seems to be a short-term, efficient therapy for secondary hyper-parathyroidism in PD patients. However, after the end of pulse therapy, iPTH serum levels return to baseline values, suggesting long-term therapeutic failure.

CAPD for treatment of ESRD patients with ascites secondary to liver cirrhosis.

The treatment of cirrhotic patients with ascites and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is complex. Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), as a continuous therapy, represents an alternative to hemodialysis-associated hemodynamic intolerance. We report our experience with 5 cirrhotic patients with ascites who were treated by CAPD. Three had been transferred from hemodialysis (HD) for intolerance. The hemodynamic tolerance was excellent in all patients, and solute and water peritoneal transport were increased over the normal range in all cases. Morbidity was principally related to liver disease. Peritoneal protein losses, initially high, decreased over time. Serum albumin was within the low normal range. The incidence of peritonitis was higher than usual in these patients; episodes caused by gram-negative bacteria, streptococci and listeria, were predominant. The cause of death was not CAPD-related. In our experience, CAPD should be the treatment of choice for cirrhotic patients with ascites who require dialysis.

Moncrief's technique for peritoneal catheter placement: experience of a CAPD unit.

A decrease in the peritonitis rate and the incidence of catheter exit-site/tunnel (E/T) infection are the most important factors affecting the permanent peritoneal catheter in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients. Moncrief et al. have introduced a novel methodology (two phases) for peritoneal catheter placement (7.8). The most relevant characteristic is that the external portion remains buried on the subcutaneous tissue (sterile environment) during the healing process. After four to six weeks, the catheter is brought out through a small incision (0.5 cm) distal 2 cm from the subcutaneous cuff, and peritoneal dialysis may be initiated. The data available, presented by Moncrief et al., show a lower incidence of peritonitis rate and E/T infection with this implantation technique, when compared with a classic technique. The aim of this study is to learn if the placement of a peritoneal catheter with Moncrief's methodology decreases the incidence of complications related to peritoneal catheters. We treated 29 patients (group C) with the conventional procedure and 25 patients (group M) with the Moncrief technique. Follow-up was similar for both groups (C = 12.2 +/- 7.9 months vs M = 11.1 +/- 6.1 months, NS). The time buried was 3.23 +/- 0.9 weeks (2-5). Eleven patients completed four weeks with the catheter buried subcutaneously (group M-4). The incidence of E/T infection was similar for groups C and M, and lower in group M-4 (p < 0.05). The number of catheters free of infection was less in group C (31%) than in group M (46%) and M-4 (67%) (p < 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Peritoneal functional changes induced by dialysate containing bicarbonate instead of lactate.

Lactate (L)-containing dialysate has a low pH, responsible for its poor biocompatibility. Dial-ysate-containing bicarbonate (B) with a physiological pH is available. We compare the peritoneal functional effects of these two solutions. Eight patients were studied two weeks apart using two consecutive peritoneal kinetic tests to determine convective and diffusive mass transfer coefficient (MTC) capacities for different solutes. Both L and B solutions were identical, except for pH and buffer content. Peritoneal equilibration values at four-hour dwell time were similar for all solutes, except for urea (B: 0.91 +/- 0.05 vs L: 0.87 +/- 0.06, p < 0.05). Peritoneal MTC (B vs L) values for urea (19.6 +/- 6.6 vs 18.2 +/- 4.5), creatinine (8.8 +/- 4.8 vs 7.8 +/- 3.5), phosphate (7.7 +/- 4.6 vs 6.0 +/- 2.2), and potassium (13.3 +/- 5.6 vs 11.7 +/- 5.0) were slightly higher for B (NS). Glucose-MTC was slightly lower for B (6.2 +/- 3.3 vs 7.5 +/- 3.2, NS). Ultrafiltration (UF) was lower for B (drained volume: 2120 +/- 204 vs 2443 +/- 285 mL after 4 hr, p < 0.05). Higher transperitoneal calcium [11 +/- 22 L vs -3.1 +/- 11.0 (positive balance) mg, p < 0.05] and sodium (48 +/- 30 L vs 13 +/- 20 mEq) removal were evident. With L, the loss of 43.0 +/- 6.3 mEq of bicarbonate appeared. The linear regression analysis of MTC values showed higher r coefficients for the bicarbonate solution. These results suggest that bicarbonate dial-ysate improves the diffusion capacity of the peritoneum with respect to lactate.

Peritoneal resting is beneficial in peritoneal hyperpermeability and ultrafiltration failure.

Ultrafiltration failure (UFF) is one of the most frequent causes of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) dropout and is a common consequence of peritoneal hyperpermeability secondary to inappropriate regeneration of mesothelial cells. In this paper we present the results of 25 peritoneal resting periods of 4 weeks in 16 patients who showed UFF. The mean duration of CAPD was 44 +/- 22 months. All patients had been free of peritonitis for at least 3 months when included in the peritoneal resting trial. UFF was always defined as a long-lasting decrease of UF capacity such that dry weight could no longer be achieved by CAPD. The former incidence of peritonitis was 3.9 +/- 2.3 episodes. Results compared to the preresting data: urea MTC (mass transfer coefficient) decreased from 24.9 +/- 6.8 to 21.0 +/- 6.1 (p < 0.05), creatinine MTC from 16.5 +/- 6.0 to 13.8 +/- 4.0 (p < 0.05), and UF increased from 493.8 +/- 278.0 to 881.3 +/- 388.1 (p < 0.001). The response in terms of UF in patients with low permeability ultrafiltration (creat MTC less than 13) was heterogeneous and lower than in patients with criteria of hyperpermeability (greater than 13): 720 +/- 396 to 1150 +/- 533 (NS) versus 491 +/- 310 to 808 +/- 205, respectively. Simultaneously, creatinine MTC did not change in the former group (10.2), while hyperpermeability patients showed a remarkable decrease (19 +/- 5 to 15 +/- 2, p < 0.05). In conclusion, peritoneal resting is a useful tool in the management of ultrafiltration failure in CAPD patients, primarily in those with peritoneal hyperpermeability.

Tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-I (PAI-I) levels in plasma and peritoneal effluent in patients on CAPD.

The formation of fibrin on peritoneal surface has been related to the appearance of adhesions both, in surgical and CAPD patients. It is known that mesothelial cells have fibrinolytic activity related with t-PA production. We studied plasma and overnight peritoneal effluent (OPE) from 20 CAPD stable patients. Antigenic PAI and t-PA were determined. These values and its correspondent peritoneal saturation indexes were compared to urea and creatinine MTCs, peritonitis incidence, UF capacity, protein losses, Pi, Ca, Na, CO2t, urea and creatinine OPE levels. Plasma t-PA 6.64 +/- 4.68 (2.4-20); Plasma PAI-I 24.8 +/- 17.1 (p < 0.001 in respect to controls) (4-62); OPEt-PA 1.46 +/- 0.95 (0.4-4.6); OPE PAI-I 7.3 +/- 5.6 (0-20.4). Peritoneal saturation ratios were for t-PA 29.6 +/- 21% (6-65) and for PAI-I 34 +/- 32% (7-132). In conclusion our data do not support strong relationship between peritoneal t-PA/PAI system and the functional characteristics of the peritoneal membrane although plasma PAI-I, after an increase in patients at early stages on CAPD, shows a tendency to decrease over time and frequent peritonitis. The values of peritoneal saturation ratios for t-PA/PAI are higher than expected for their molecular weight, which suggests local production. An elevated plasma t-PA levels has been found in older patients.

Staphylococcus aureus nasal carrier status (SANCS) in CAPD patients; is it induced or favored by subcutaneous rHu-erythropoietin?

Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage status (SANCS) has been recognized as a risk factor for patients on CAPD, due to a higher probability of suffering peritoneal catheter infections. The use of subcutaneous drugs (insulin dependent diabetics, drug addicts, HD patients and antiallergic vaccines), has been associated with increased risk of SANCS. On CAPD, erythropoietin (EPO) is almost universally used by the subcutaneous route. The objective of this paper was to evaluate the incidence and prevalence of SANCS in 85 CAPD patients by means of nasal smear and the influence of SANCS on peritoneal and catheter infection rate. Patients were divided in four groups according to diabetic status and EPO treatment (mean dose 2000 u. twice a week). The prevalence of SANCS in control groups was 30% in non-diabetics and 23% in diabetics. EPO treated patients showed a prevalence of SANCS of 39% in non-diabetics and 45% in diabetics due to the presence of 7 and 5 carrier patients respectively. SANCS patients (29% of the population), suffered 45% of peritonitis and 42% of exit-site infections caused by S. aureus. In a prospective part of the study, there was no difference in the frequency of developing positive cultures among EPO and control (30% of patients). No male EPO treated patients developed SANCS. We conclude that it is necessary to monitor S. aureus nasal carrier status periodically in CAPD patients especially in women. Whether or not subcutaneous erythropoietin treatment is implicated pathogenetically with SANCS, is not clarified by our data because of the frequent spontaneous appearance of SANCS among CAPD patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adequacy of peritoneal dialysis: does kt/v have the same predictive value as in HD? A multicenter study.

Urea kinetics and the use of KT/V has become a useful tool for assessing adequacy of small solute removal in HD. Clinical data supporting the benefit of urea kinetic analysis in CAPD patients had been lacking. Using the standards of KT/V for hemodialysis, many CAPD patients would be underdialyzed but, most studies show no significant difference in morbidity or mortality between CAPD and HD patients. We studied retrospectively, 102 patients (48 M, 54 F), aged 54.6 +/- 14.8 (range 14-82), on CAPD 24.4 +/- 23.9 months (0-120) from 6 hospitals. Clinical and biochemical parameters, co-morbidity, mortality, and hospital admission rate were registered. During the follow-up (1 year), a significant decrease of residual renal function (Kr) from 1.74 +/- 1.86 to 1.31 +/- 1.67 (p < 0.01) was noticed. The KT/V also decreased from 2.00 +/- 0.47 to 1.89 +/- 0.36 (p < 0.01) without change in BUN or plasma creatinine levels. The normalized protein catabolic rate (NPCR) decreased from 0.98 +/- 0.28 to 0.93 +/- 0.30 (p < 0.05) and serum albumin from 3.7 +/- 0.5 to 3.5 +/- 0.6 (p < 0.001). There was a positive correlation between NPCR and KT/V (r = 0.44, p < 0.05) and between NPCR with serum BUN (r = 0.27, p < 0.05). There was no correlation between KT/V and NPCR neither with hospitalization rate nor clinical symptoms index. The latter, however, showed a positive correlation with the co-morbidity index.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Circulating burst-forming unit-erythroid (BFU-E) colonies as an early marker to measure the recombinant human erythropoietin response in peritoneal dialysis patients.

To evaluate circulating burst-forming unit-erythroid (BFU-E) cells after erythropoietin (EPO) treatment, 7 female continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients were studied [baseline hemoglobin (HB): 7-10.5 g/dL)]. EPO (4000 U subcutaneously) was administered twice weekly for two months. The control group consisted of 7 healthy women with similar demographic characteristics. Mononuclear cells (MC) (5 x 10(5)) were added to 1 mL of culture medium, supplemented with 30% fetal bovine serum, 2 U/mL of EPO, 1% bovine serum albumin, and 0.3% agar. To enumerate colonies derived from each circulating BFU-E, plates were examined by inverse light microscopy, identifying BFU-E as large aggregates with more than 100 hemoglobinized cells (HC). A remarkable individual response was observed, with Hb values ranging 8.4-13.6 g/dL at week 4 and 8.8-16.5 g/dL at week 8. Baseline levels of BFU-E in patients ranged 0-100/5 x 10(5) MC (0-358 mL of whole blood), and in controls they ranged 6-24/5 x 10(5) MC (29.6-101.3/mL) (NS). Hemoglobin levels after four and eight weeks of EPO showed a significant relationship with circulating BFU-E at baseline (r = -0.873, r = -0.928, respectively). The increment in Hb after eight weeks showed a significant relationship with baseline BFU-E (r = 0.812). Hemoglobin levels at the fourth to eighth week, and the increment in Hb after eight weeks, showed a significant, direct relationship with the increments in circulating BFU-E registered after one to two weeks of treatment. We conclude that, after the first week of EPO treatment, its effect on hemoglobin may be predieted by the increment in circulating BFU-E. Thus; a new tool to measure the earliest EPO effects has become available.

[Cost-efectiveness of Ibersartan in type II diabetic nephropathy with hypertension. A Spanish perspective]. / Coste-efectividad de irbesartan en pacientes hipertensos con nefropatía diabética tipo II: una perspectiva española.

BACKGROUND: In the Irbesartan Diabetic Nephropathy Trial (IDNT), treatment with irbesartan demonstrated 23% and 20% reductions in the combined endpoint of doubling of serum creatinine (DSC), end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or death in patients with hypertension, type 2 diabetes and overt nephropathy compared to amlodipine and control respectively. A simulation model was developed to project long-term cost consequences of the IDNT in the Spanish setting. METHODS: A Markov model simulated progression from nephropathy to DSC, ESRD and death in patients with hypertension, type 2 diabetes and overt nephropathy. Treatment-specific probabilities were derived from IDNT. Country-specific ESRD-related data were retrieved from published sources. Delay in onset of ESRD, life expectancy and mean lifetime costs were calculated for patients with baseline age 59 years. Future costs were discounted at 6% per annum, and clinical benefits were discounted at 0% and 6% per annum. Extensive sensitivity analyses were performed. RESULTS: Onset of ESRD was delayed with irbesartan by 1.41 and 1.35 years versus amlodipine and control respectively. When a 25-year (lifetime) horizon was considered, delay in ESRD onset led to anticipated improvements in life expectancy (discounted at 6% shown in brackets) of 0.46 (0.21) years versus amlodipine and 0.75 (0.37) years versus control. Irbesartan was associated with cost savings of 13,673 Euro and 7,632 Euro patient versus amlodipine and control respectively. The results were robust under a wide range of plausible assumptions. CONCLUSIONS: Treating patients with hypertension, type 2 diabetes and overt nephropathy using irbesartan was both cost- and life-saving compared to amlodipine and control in the Spanish setting.

[Familial Henoch-Schönlein purpura manifested with lung hemorrhage]. / Púrpura de Schönlein-Henoch de carácter familiar exteriorizada como hemorragia pulmonar.

Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is a necrotizing vasculitis affecting small vessels characterized by nontrombocytopenic purpura. The most characteristic clinical manifestations are purpura, arthritis, abdominal pain, abdominal bleeding and nephritis. Lung hemorrhage is a rare symptom associated with the HSP. Although the subclinical alterations of pulmonary function are frequent in patients with PSH without clinical lung manifestations, the presence of lung hemorrhage is an unusual symptom. We report a case of a patient with hemoptysis and HSP previously asymptomatic.

[Idiopathic membranous nephropathy in an elderly patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus]. / Nefropatía membranosa idiopática en paciente de edad avanzada con diabetes mellitus tipo 2.

We report an 85 years-old patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus and both clinical and biochemical nephrotic syndrome. The renal biopsy showed membranous nephropathy at stage I-II. There was no evidence of malignancy. The patient was treated with steroids, and two months later the proteinuria had not improved. The objects under discussion are the factors that should lead to suspect the existence of glomerulonephritis, other than diabetic glomerulosclerosis, suggesting the need for kidney biopsy. We also focus on the prognostic and therapeutic relevance, as well as on the common pathogenic aspects.

[Simultaneous presence of antibodies against the glomerular basement membrane and anti-myeloperoxidase antibodies in 2 patients with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis]. / Presencia simultánea de anticuerpos anti-membrana basal glomerular y anticuerpos anti-mieloperoxidasa en dos pacientes con glomerulonefritis rápidamente progresiva.

We report two patients with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis without alveolar hemorrhage. Renal biopsy showed extracapillary glomerulonephritis with linear deposits of immunoglobulin G. Serologically anti-glomerular basement membrane antibodies (Ac AMBG) and ANCA anti-myeloperoxidase were present. All patients were treated with steroids, cyclophosphamide and plasma exchange. One patient needed dialysis, and other one died from a renal biopsy complication. We discuss the epidemiologic, pathogenic and prognostic aspects of this association.