Simulation-based learning in nephrology.

Simulation is a technique to replace and amplify real experiences with guided ones that evoke or replicate substantial aspects of the real world in a fully interactive fashion. In nephrology (a particularly complex specialty), simulation can be used by patients, nurses, residents, and attending physicians alike. It allows one to learn techniques outside the stressful environment of care such as central venous catheter placement, arteriovenous fistula management, learning about peritoneal dialysis, or performing a kidney biopsy. Serious games and virtual reality are emerging methods that show promise. Simulation could also be important in relational aspects of working in a team or with the patient. The development of simulation as a teaching tool in nephrology allows for maintaining high-quality training for residents, tailored to their future practice, and minimizing risks for patients. Additionally, this education helps nephrologists maintain mastery of technical procedures, making the specialty attractive to younger generations. Unfortunately, the inclusion of simulation training programmes faces occasional logistical or funding limitations that universities must overcome with the assistance and innovation of teaching nephrologists. The impact of simulation-based teaching on clinical outcomes needs to be investigated in clinical studies.

Kidney Transplantation in Patients With AA Amyloidosis: Outcomes in a French Multicenter Cohort.

RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE: Outcomes of kidney transplantation for patients with renal AA amyloidosis are uncertain, with reports of poor survival and high rates of disease recurrence. However, the data are inconclusive and mostly based on studies from the early 2000s and earlier. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective multicenter cohort study. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: We searched the French national transplant database to identify all patients with renal AA amyloidosis who underwent kidney transplantation between 2008 and 2018. EXPOSURES: Age, cause of amyloidosis, use of biotherapies, and C-reactive protein levels. OUTCOMES: Outcomes were all-cause mortality and allograft loss. We also reported amyloidosis allograft recurrence, occurrence of acute rejection episodes, as well as infectious, cardiovascular, and neoplastic disease events. ANALYTICAL APPROACH: Kaplan-Meier estimator for mortality and cumulative incidence function method for allograft loss. Factors associated with patient and allograft survival were investigated using a Cox proportional hazards model and a cause-specific hazards model, respectively. RESULTS: 86 patients who received kidney transplants for AA amyloidosis at 26 French centers were included. The median age was 49.4 years (IQR, 39.7-61.1). The main cause of amyloidosis was familial Mediterranean fever (37 cases; 43%). 16 (18.6%) patients received biotherapy after transplantation. Patient survival rates were 94.0% (95% CI, 89.1-99.2) at 1 year and 85.5% (77.8-94.0) at 5 years after transplantation. Cumulative incidences of allograft loss were 10.5% (4.0-17.0) at 1 year and 13.0% (5.8-20.1) at 5 years after transplantation. Histologically proven AA amyloidosis recurrence occurred in 5 transplants (5.8%). An infection requiring hospitalization developed in 55.8% of cases, and there was a 27.9% incidence of acute allograft rejection. Multivariable analysis showed that C-reactive protein concentration at the time of transplantation was associated with patient survival (HR, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.00-1.02; P=0.01) and allograft survival (HR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.10-2.57; P=0.02). LIMITATIONS: The study lacked a control group, and the effect of biotherapies on transplantation outcomes could not be explored. CONCLUSIONS: This relatively contemporary cohort of patients who received a kidney transplant for AA amyloidosis experienced favorable rates of survival and lower recurrence rates than previously reported. These data support the practice of treating these patients with kidney transplantation for end-stage kidney disease. PLAIN-LANGUAGE SUMMARY: AA amyloidosis is a severe and rare disease. Kidney involvement is frequent and leads to end-stage kidney disease. Because of the involvement of other organs, these patients are often frail, which has raised concerns about their suitability for kidney transplantation. We reviewed all patients with AA amyloidosis nephropathy who underwent kidney transplantation in France in the recent era (2008-2018) and found that the outcomes after kidney transplantation were favorable, with 85.5% of patients still alive 5 years after transplantation, a survival rate that is comparable to the outcomes of patients receiving a transplant for other forms of kidney diseases. Recurrence of amyloidosis in the transplanted kidney was infrequent (5.8%). These data support the practice of kidney transplantation for patients with AA amyloidosis who experience kidney failure.

Effect of social deprivation on peritoneal dialysis uptake: A mediation analysis with the data of the REIN registry.

BACKGROUND: Social deprivation could act as a barrier to peritoneal dialysis (PD). The objective of this study was to assess the association between social deprivation estimated by the European deprivation index (EDI) and PD uptake and to explore the potential mediators of this association. METHODS: From the Renal Epidemiology and Information Network registry, patients who started dialysis in 2017 were included. The EDI was calculated based on the patient's address. The event of interest was the proportion of PD 3 months after dialysis initiation. A mediation analysis with a counterfactual approach was carried out to evaluate the direct and indirect effect of the EDI on the proportion of PD. RESULTS: Among the 9588 patients included, 1116 patients were on PD; 2894 (30.2%) patients belonged to the most deprived quintile (Q5). PD was associated with age >70 years (odds ratio (OR) 0.79 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.69-0.91]), male gender (0.85 [95% CI: 0.74-0.97]), cardiovascular disease (OR 0.86 [95% CI: 0.86-1.00]), chronic heart failure (OR 1.34 [95% CI: 1.13-1.58]), active cancer (OR 0.67 [95% CI: 0.53-0.85]) and obesity (OR 0.75 [95% CI: 0.63-0.89]). In the mediation analysis, Q5 had a direct effect on PD proportion OR 0.84 [95% CI: 0.73-0.96]. The effect of Q5 on the proportion of PD was mediated by haemoglobin level at dialysis initiation (OR 0.96 [95% CI: 0.94-0.98]) and emergency start (OR 0.98 [95% CI: 0.96-0.99]). CONCLUSION: Social deprivation, estimated by the EDI, was associated with a lower PD uptake. The effect of social deprivation was mediated by haemoglobin level, a proxy of predialysis care and emergency start.

[Nephropathy associated with hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis: A case report and literature review]. / Néphropathie associée à une vascularite urticarienne hypocomplémentémique : présentation d'un cas clinique et revue de la littérature.

Hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis is a rare systemic vasculitis, affecting small vessels, characterised by chronicle urticaria, hypocomplementemia, and systemic manifestations. Renal involvement, whose prevalence varies between 9% and 60%, is mainly glomerular. We here report the case of a 59 years old woman presenting kidney failure, associated with chronicle urticaria and arthralgias. Laboratory investigation showed haematuria, proteinuria, hypocomplementemia and anti-SSa antibody positivity. A percutaneous kidney biopsy revealed focal and segmental glomerulonephritis associated with an acute interstitial nephritis. Hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis diagnosis was established after identifying anti-C1q antibodies. The lack of a dry syndrome, the negativity of a Schirmer test and the lack of sialadenitis on a salivary gland biopsy excluded an associated Gougerot-Sjögren Syndrome. The patient was treated with hydroxychloroquine and low-dose steroids, enabling a clinical and biological recovery. Of the 82 cases in the literature describing hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis associated nephropathies, 72 (88%) were a glomerular impairment, most frequently secondary to membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. Only 6 (7%) tubulo-interstitial nephritis have been reported, 4 of them being associated with a glomerulonephritis. Patients were more likely to be women, aged in their third decade. The most frequent renal manifestations were haematuria (60%), and proteinuria (52%). Kidney failure was rarely observed (22%), with a fairly good renal prognosis. Hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis was associated with a systemic disease in 11 (13%) patients. In the absence of recommendations, the treatment strategy remains to be defined.

Patterns of peritoneal dialysis catheter practices and technique failure in peritoneal dialysis: A nationwide cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Our objective was to assess whether clusters of centers with similar peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter related practices were associated with differences in the risk of technique failure. METHODS: Patients on incident PD in French centers contributing to the French Language PD Registry from 2012 to 2016 were included in a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. Centers with similar catheter cares practices were gathered in clusters in a hierarchical analysis. Clusters of centers associated with technique failure were evaluated using Cox and Fine and Gray models. A mixed effect Cox model was used to assess the influence of a center effect, as explained by the clusters. RESULTS: Data from 2727 catheters placed in 64 centers in France were analyzed. Five clusters of centers were identified. After adjustment for patient-level characteristics, the fourth cluster was associated with a lower risk of technique failure (cause specific-HR 0.70, 95%CI 0.54-0.90. The variance of the center effect decreased by 5% after adjusting for patient characteristics and by 26% after adjusting for patient characteristics and clusters of centers in the mixed effect Cox model. Favorable outcomes were observed in clusters with a greater proportion of community hospitals, where catheters were placed via open surgery, first dressing done 6 to 15 days after catheter placement, and local prophylactic antibiotics was applied on exit-site. CONCLUSION: Several patterns of PD catheter related practices have been identified in France, associated with differences in the risk of technique failure. Combinations of favorable practices are suggested in this study.

Simultaneous Removal And Reinsertion of the PD Catheter in Relapsing Peritonitis.

Background:Relapsing peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis (PD) is associated with lower cure rates and more hemodialysis (HD) transfers, as catheter removal is recommended in these situations. The aim of our study was to evaluate the continuation of PD without perioperative transfer to HD in patients who underwent a simultaneous catheter removal and replacement for relapsing peritonitis.Methods:This was a retrospective monocentric study. Patients with simultaneous catheter removal and replacement for relapsing peritonitis or peritonitis at high risk of relapse (fungal or Pseudomonas infection) between 1 January 2007 and 31 December 2016 were included. The events of interest were the continuation of PD without perioperative transfer to HD, postoperative complications, new infection with the same organism, and technique survival.Results:Of the 271 incident patients in PD during this period, 11 had a simultaneous catheter removal and replacement for relapsing peritonitis (8) or high risk of relapse peritonitis (3). Eight (72.7%) patients pursued PD without transfer to HD. Six infections were due to microorganisms other than gram-positive cocci. At 1 year, 7 (63.6%) of the 11 patients were still on PD. After the surgery, there were no peritonitis or catheter-related infections caused by the same organism.Conclusion:Simultaneous catheter removal and replacement for peritonitis appears to be an effective procedure for maintaining patients on PD.

[Clinical management of patients with hemophilia A in nephrology: Diagnostic and therapeutic challenges illustrated by the cases of 2 patients]. / Prise en charge néphrologique des patients hémophiles A : difficultés diagnostiques et thérapeutiques illustrées par le cas de 2 patients.

Hemophilia A is an X-linked genetic hemorrhagic disorder characterized by a factor VIII deficiency. The availability of secured substitution products has led to a dramatic improvement of life expectancy in hemophiliac patients. Nowadays, adult hemophiliac patients may develop Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) resulting from age-related comorbidities (hypertension, obesity, diabetes). In addition, the high prevalence of viral infections in this population exposes patients to an increased risk of CKD. The risk of hemorrhage in hemophiliac patients is a challenge for their clinical management, both for diagnostic procedures (kidney biopsy in particular) and for renal replacement therapy (dialysis or renal transplantation) when it is needed. This work provides an update of the literature data concerning the management of hemophiliac patients in nephrology, illustrated by the cases of two patients.

Percutaneous Ablation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Peritoneal Dialysis.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second leading cause of death by cancer worldwide. Resection and liver transplantation are the gold standards, but only a minority of people are eligible. Percutaneous ablation therapies, such as microwave ablation (MWA), have consequently been developed. There is a lack of guidelines regarding the treatment of HCCs in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. Here, we report the case of a 67-year-old patient who was undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD) for chronic congestive heart failure and who presented with an HCC while undergoing PD. The tumor size was 48 mm. Due to the patient's comorbidities, MWA was chosen as a first-line treatment. Peritoneal dialysis was stopped 1 day before the MWA, which was performed by an interventional radiology department. There were no complications from the procedure. The treated area completely covered the tumoral lesion. Peritoneal dialysis was resumed 3 weeks after the MWA without any complications. The computed tomography (CT) scan performed 3 months later showed that the tumor mass had completely regressed; a year and a half after the MWA, no recurrence has been observed. This report shows that an MWA of an HCC in PD patients is a feasible and safe procedure.

[Bile salt nephropathy/cholemic nephrosis]. / Néphropathie à cristaux biliaires/néphropathie cholémique.

Bile cast nephropathy is a tubulo-interstitial nephropathy. Its diagnosis may be under-estimated. It develops in patients who have cholestatic jaundice, with high bilirubinemia. Bile salts are freely filtered through glomerulus. Under certain circumstances, it forms casts into the tubule and cause an acute tubular necrosis. The diagnosis evidence is histologic, but fulfilment of renal biopsy is often made difficult, because of the hemostatic abnormalities that patients with hepatocellular injury develop. The treatment is supportive and etiological. We report here the case of a patient who presented a drug-induced hepatic jaundice, complicated with acute kidney failure secondary to bile cast nephropathy. We present the histological diagnosis evidence.

[BK virus infections in kidney transplantation]. / Infections à BK virus en transplantation rénale.

BK virus is near ubiquitous, with a seroprevalence of around 80% in the general population. Subsequent to an asymptomatic primary infection, BK virus then remains dormant in healthy subjects. Reactivation occurs in immunocompromised people. BKv is pathogenic mainly among patients who have received a kidney transplant, in whom the virus can cause specific tubulo-interstitial nephritis and even result in graft failure among approximately 20 to 30% of nephritic cases. Since the mid 90 s, incidence has increased with the use of new powerful immunosuppressor treatments. The cornerstone of BK virus infection or BK virus-associated nephropathy treatment is a decrease of the immunosuppressive regimen, which must then be offset with the risk of rejection. The use of several adjuvant therapies has been submitted (fluoroquinolones, leflunomide, intravenous immunoglobulins, cidofovir), with no sufficient proof enabling the recommendation of first-line prescription. The high frequency of this infection and its potential harmfulness argue for the use of prevention strategies, at least among patients presenting risk factors. Retransplantation is safe after a first kidney allograft loss caused by BK-virus nephropathy, on condition that a screening for viremia is frequently conducted.