Sonological predictors of complications of percutaneous renal biopsy-a prospective observational study.

Percutaneous renal biopsy, although essential for renal disease diagnosis, is associated with a number of post-biopsy complications ranging from gross haematuria to AV fistula to death. In this study, we carried out an active haematoma surveillance and attempted to correlate renal sonological parameters-kidney length, renal parenchymal changes, renal cortical and parenchymal thickness for their potential use in prediction of post-renal biopsy complications. METHODS: This was a prospective study done from April 2022 to April 2023 on all adult patients undergoing native or transplant kidney biopsy. Baseline clinical, laboratory and renal sonological parameters were noted prior to biopsy. USG-guided renal biopsy was done and any haematoma at 0 h, 12 h and 24 h post-biopsy noted. Biopsy complications including need for any interventions were noted. RESULTS: Out of the 240 patients enrolled in the study, 58.3% experienced post-biopsy complications. Among these, 5% of patients encountered major complications, with 3.33% necessitating medical intervention following renal biopsy procedures. A high percentage, 98.89%, exhibited hematoma formation within 12 h post-biopsy. Furthermore, our analysis revealed that a hematoma size exceeding 1.2 cm at the 12-h mark exhibited a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 71% in predicting the need for blood transfusion. Renal parenchymal changes were the most reliable sonological parameters for predicting post-biopsy complication on multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: The incidence of major complications requiring interventions following renal biopsy is notably low. Our study highlights the significance of renal sonological characteristics, including parenchymal thickness, cortical thickness and parenchymal changes, in predicting these complications. Furthermore, we emphasize the utility of hematoma surveillance immediately post-biopsy and at the 12 h, as a valuable tool for predicting the necessity of post-biopsy interventions. This approach can aid in efficiently triaging patients and determining the need for further observation post-renal biopsy.

Chronic kidney disease of unknown aetiology: A comprehensive review of a global public health problem.

The term chronic kidney disease of unknown aetiology (CKDu) refers to chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the absence of diabetes, long-standing hypertension, glomerulonephritis, obstructive uropathy or other apparent causes. An increasing number of CKDu cases have been reported from Latin America, Sri Lanka, India and others over the last two decades. These regional nephropathies share the following common attributes: (a) they affect low-to-middle income countries with tropical climates, (b) involve predominantly rural agricultural communities, (c) male predilection, (d) absence of significant proteinuria and hypertension, and (e) chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis on kidney biopsy. The current body of literature suggests that CKDu may be caused by heat stress, agrochemicals, contaminated drinking water or heavy metals; however, considerable regional disparities in CKDu research make it difficult to establish a common causal link. In the absence of a definite aetiology, specific preventive and therapeutic interventions are lacking. Improvement of working conditions of farmers and labourers, provision of safe drinking water and changes in agricultural practices are some of the measures that have been implemented; however, there is lack of data to assess their impact on the incidence and progression of CKDu. There is a need for a concerted global effort to address the current knowledge gaps, and to develop effective and sustainable strategies to tackle this devastating disease.

Effect of Febuxostat versus Allopurinol on the Glomerular Filtration Rate and Hyperuricemia in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease.

Hyperuricemia is a risk factor for the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). We compared febuxostat versus allopurinol in the progression of CKD and hyperuricemia in 101 patients with Stage 3-4 CKD treated with febuxostat or allopurinol for at least 6 months for hyperuricemia (>7 mg/dL) between January 2012 and December 2016. Baseline characteristics, serum uric acid (SUA), serum creatinine, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at entry and 6 months were compared. The primary outcome was the decline in eGFR and the secondary outcomes were reductions in SUA and adverse events. Fifty-four were in the febuxostat group and 47 were in the allopurinol group. The baseline characteristics were comparable except for age. The mean dose of febuxostat and allopurinol was 43.70 ± 14.5 mg and 108.51 ± 40 mg, respectively. After 6 months, the median rate of decline in eGFR was 1.2 mL/min/1.73 m2 (IQR: 1.2, 5.5) in the febuxostat group and 3.1 mL/min/1.73 m2 (0.6, 6.2) in the allopurinol group, but this was not statistically significant (P = 0.136). The mean reduction in SUA was significantly better (P = 0.004) in the febuxostat group (3.9 ± 1.7 mg/dL) compared with the allopurinol group (2.1 ± 1.0 mg/dL). Both drugs had no serious adverse events. Febuxostat was better at reducing hyperuricemia than allopurinol, but there was no significant difference in the progression of CKD. Large randomized trials and long-term follow-up are necessary to see whether febuxostat has a favorable effect on the progression of CKD.

End of Life Care in End-Stage Kidney Disease.

There is a rise in burden of end-stage renal disease globally and in India. The symptom burden, prognosis, and mortality in chronic kidney disease closely mimics that of cancer. However, the palliative and end of life care needs of these patients are seldom addressed. A consensus opinion statement was developed outlining the provision of end of life care in end-stage kidney disease. Recognition of medical futility, consensus on medical futility, and cessation of potentially inappropriate therapies and medications are the initial steps in providing end of life care. Conducting a family meeting, communicating prognosis, discussing various treatment modalities, negotiating goals of care, shared decision-making, and discussion and documentation of life sustaining treatment are essential aspects of end of life care provision. The provision of end of life care entails assessment and the management of end-stage kidney disease symptoms and the care extends beyond the death of the patient to their families in the bereavement period.

Lactic acidosis due to metformin in type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease stage 3-5: is it significant?

PURPOSE: To study the incidence of lactic acidosis due to metformin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 3-5. METHODS: We estimated plasma lactate in patients of CKD stage 3 and worse who were continuing metformin on their own prior to stopping the drug. RESULT: Of 40 patients included, median duration of T2DM was 60 months (interquartile range IQR 24-120). The mean serum creatinine was 309.4 ± 159.1 µmol/L and mean eGFR was 27.82 ± 12.93 mL/min/1.73 m2 with 3 (7.5%), 16 (40%), 11 (27.5%) and 10 (25%) in CKD stages 3a, 3b, 4 and 5, respectively. They were receiving metformin for a median duration of 24 months (IQR 12.5-60), an average dose of 896 ± 350 mg per day. The median of plasma lactate was 1.36 mmol/L (IQR 1.11-1.75 mmol/L) with three (7.5%) having levels above normal, two (20%) in CKD stage 5 and one (9.1%) in stage 4. CONCLUSION: Metformin can be safely used in CKD stage 3 and with regular measurement of plasma lactate in later stages.