Pro-calcitonin and inflammation in chronic hemodialysis / Pro-calcitonina e inflamación en hemodiálisis crónica

Procalcitonin (PCT) has emerged as a marker of infection, a frequent complication in hemodialysis (HD). We analyzed PCT levels in chronic non-acutely infected HD subjects, assessed its correlation with inflammatory and nutritional markers and propose a PCT reference value for non-infected HD patients.In an observational cross-sectional study, 48 chronic HD patients and 36 controls were analyzed. Variables: age, gender, time on HD; diabetes; vascular access, PCT, C-reactive protein (CRP), albumin, malnutrition inflammatory score (MIS), hematocrit, leukocyte count, and body mass index (BMI). Subsequently, control (G1, n = 36, 43%) vs. non-infected patients (G2, n = 48, 57%) groups were compared. In control subjects (G1), age: 54.3 ± 13.7 years, range (r): 30-81; males: 19 (53%); median PCT 0.034 ng/ml (r: 0.02-0.08); median CRP 0.80 mg/dl (r: 0.36-3.9); p95 PCT level: 0.063 ng/ml. In G2, age: 60.2 ± 15.2 years; males 32 (67%), time on HD: 27.0 ± 24.4; diabetics: 19 (32%); median PCT: 0.26 ng/ml (r: 0.09-0.82); CRP: 1.1 mg/dl (r: 0.5-6.2); p95 PCT level: 0.8 ng/ml. In control subjects, PCT and CRP were significantly lower than in G2: PCT: 0.034 vs. 0.26 ng/ml, p = 0.0001; CRP: 0.8 vs. 1.1 mg/dl, p = 0.0004. PCT-CRP correlation in G2: ρ = 0.287, p = 0.048. PCT and CRP concentrations are elevated in chronic non-acutely infected HD subjects, independently of infection, diabetes and vascular access. A p95 PCT level of 0.8 ng/ml may be considered as the upper normal reference value in non-acutely infected HD subjects. The PCT cut-off level in HD is yet to be determined in HD.

La procalcitonina (PCT) puede ser un marcador de infección en la hemodiálisis (HD). Analizamos los niveles de PCT en sujetos sin infección aguda en HD crónica, su correlación con marcadores inflamatorios y nutricionales y, de acuerdo a ello, proponemos niveles de referencia de PCT. En un estudio observacional transversal se estudiaron 48 pacientes en HD y 36 controles. Variables: edad; sexo, tiempo en HD; diabetes; acceso vascular, PCT, proteína C-reactiva (PCR), albúmina, score de malnutrición-inflamación, hematocrito, recuento leucocitario, e índice de masa muscular (IMC). En los controles se determinaron PCT y PCR. Se comparó grupo control (G1, n = 36, 43%) vs. pacientes (G2, n = 48, 57%). G1: edad, 54.3 ± 13.7, rango (r): 30-81 años; hombres: 19 (53%); PCT mediana: 0.034 ng/ml (r: 0.020-0.080); PCR mediana: 0.8 mg/dl (r: 0.36-3.9); el nivel p95 de PCT: 0.063 ng/ml. En el G2, edad media 60.2 ± 15.2 años, hombres: 32 (66%), tiempo en HD: 27.0 2 4.4; diabéticos: 19 (32%); PCT: 0.26 ng/ml (r: 0.09-0.82); PCR: 1.1 mg/dl (r: 0.5-6.2); p95 PCT: 0.8 ng/ml. En G1 los niveles de PCT y PCR fueron significativamente más bajos que en G2: PCT: 0.034 vs. 0.26 ng/ml, p = 0.0001; PCR: 0.8 vs 1.1 mg/dl, p = 0.0004. Correlación PCT- PCR en G2: ρ = 0.287, p = 0.048. La PCT y la PCR están elevadas en HD crónica independientemente de infección, diabetes y acceso vascular. Se propone p95 de PCT de 0.8 ng/ml como límite superior del intervalo de referencia en sujetos sin infección aguda en HD. El valor de PCT en HD está por determinarse.

Enfermedad renal por depósito idiopático de cadenas livianas: Caso clínico / Kidney involvement in idiopathic light chain disease: Report of one case

Idiopathic Light Chain disease (ILCD) is a systemic disease characterized by a deposit in different organs of light chain monoclonal immunoglobulins, produced by an abnormal clone ofB cells. It is usually found in the course ofa plasma cell dyscrasia and in other lymphoproliferative alterations; however it may occur in absence of any hematologic disease and is denominated as idiopathic. We report a 51-year-old mole admitted to the hospital due to anasarca. Laboratory evaluation showed a serum creatinine of 1.4 mg/dl, a serum albumin of1.6 g/dl, a serum cholesterol of 687 mg/dl and a proteinuria of 5.3 g/day Light chains with a predominance of a monoclonal component were identified in urinary proteins by electrophoresis and kappa chains were identified by immunofixation. A renal biopsy showed a diffuse nodular glomerulopathy with a 35% tubular atrophy and interstitial sclerosis. Electrón microscopy confirmed light chain deposition. The bone marrow biopsy showed a myeloid hyperplasia. Thepatient was initially treated with methylprednisolone and plasmapheresis with a reduction in serum creatinine and disappearance of urinary kappa component. Albuminuriapersisted and a malnutrition-inflammatory complex syndrome was diagnosed. Hemodialysis with ultrafiltration was started along with cyclophosphamide. Thepatient receivedhemodialysisforsixmonths and continued with methylprednisolone.

"Síndrome complejo de malnutrición e inflamación" en la hemodiálisis crónica / "Malnutrition-inflammation complex syndrome" in chronic hemodialysis

La malnutrición calórico-proteica y la inflamación suelen ser condiciones comunes y concurrentes en pacientes con hemodiálisis crónica, asociándose ambas a mal pronóstico. La hiporexia y el hipercatabolismo son características comunes y frecuentes. Se ha sugerido que la primera es secundaria a la inflamación. Si bien la evidencia no es concluyente, se ha acuñado el término síndrome complejo de malnutrición e inflamación para englobar esta situación clínica, independientemente de la causa originaria. Posibles causas de este síndrome incluyen diferentes comorbilidades, estrés oxidativo, pérdida de nutrientes a través de la diálisis, hiporexia, toxinas urémicas, elevación de citoquinas inflamatorias, sobrecarga de volumen, hiperfosfatemia, subdiálisis, entre otros. Se cree que en este síndrome la resistencia a la eritropoyetina, promueve la enfermedad aterosclerótica, disminuyendo la calidad de vida e incrementando el tiempo de internación y la mortalidad. Este síndrome origina un bajo índice de masa corporal, hipocolesterolemia, sarcopenia e hipocreatininemia, e hipohomocisteinemia, paradójicamente incrementando el riesgo cardiovascular. A este fenómeno se lo ha denominado "epidemiología reversa". Por lo tanto, y dentro de ciertos límites, la obesidad, la hipercolesterolemia, el incremento de la creatinina y de la homocisteína jugarían un rol protector, asociándose a mejor pronóstico. No existe consenso sobre cómo determinar la gravedad del síndrome complejo de malnutrición e inflamación, su abordaje y su tratamiento. En este trabajo se discuten varias herramientas diagnósticas y modalidades de tratamiento. El correcto manejo de este cuadro podría disminuir en última instancia la enfermedad cardiovascular, principal causa de óbito en esta población.

Protein-energy wasting (PEW) and inflammation are usually common and concurrent conditions in maintenance dialysis patients and associated with poor prognosis. Low appetite and hypercatabolic states are common features. In dialysis patients, the former has been suggested to be secondary to inflammation; however, the evidence is not conclusive. Hence, the term malnutrition-inflammation complex syndrome (MICS) was coined to include this clinical entity, regardless the original causes. Possible causes of MICS include comorbid illnesses, oxidative stress, nutrient loss through dialysis, hyporexia, uremic toxins, decreased clearance of inflammatory cytokines, volume overload, increased blood phosphate and dialysis-related factors. MICS is believed to be the main cause of erythropoietin hypo-responsiveness, cardiovascular atherosclerotic disease, decreased quality of life, hospitalization and increased mortality in dialysis patients. Because MICS leads to a low body mass index, hypocholesterolemia, decrease in muscle mass, hypocreatininemia and hypohomocysteinemia, a "reverse epidemiology" phenomenon of cardiovascular risk factors can occur in dialysis patients. Therefore, obesity, hypercholesterolemia, and increased blood levels of creatinine and homocysteine, within certain limits, appear to be protective and paradoxically associated with a better outcome. There is no consensus about how to determine the degree of severity of MICS or how to manage it. Several diagnostic tools and treatment modalities are discussed in this paper. The correct management of MICS may diminish the cardiovascular disease, main cause of death in this population.

Injuria renal aguda en la sepsis grave / Acute kidney injury in severe sepsis

La sepsis afecta al 40% de los pacientes críticos, siendo su mortalidad de aproximadamente un 30% en el caso de la sepsis grave, y de 75% con injuria renal aguda, la cual sucede en el 20-51% de los casos. Se realizó un estudio prospectivo, observacional, longitudinal, en 80 pacientes sépticos graves en el lapso de 1 año para determinar el desarrollo de injuria renal aguda y su relación con la mortalidad; correlacionar antecedentes clínicos y variaciones del laboratorio con la mortalidad; determinar la tasa de mortalidad de la sepsis grave; relacionar óbito y foco séptico primario; evaluar la predictibilidad de mortalidad según niveles de creatinina de ingreso y sus variaciones finales. Se definieron dos grupos: Obito (n = 25) y No-óbito (n = 55). Analizados según la creatinina de ingreso, 39 tenían valores normales de creatinina (10 óbitos) y 41 la presentaban elevada (15 óbitos); según la creatinina de egreso, 48 presentaron creatinina normal y fallecieron 7, mientras que 32 tenían daño renal agudo, de los cuales 18 fallecieron. De los 25 pacientes fallecidos, el 72% presentaron daño renal. De éstos, 7 pacientes vivos y 2 fallecidos requirieron hemodiálisis. El foco primario más frecuente fue el respiratorio (26.4%). El desarrollo de daño renal es un alto predictor de mortalidad en la sepsis, independientemente de los valores iniciales de creatinina. Edad más avanzada, hipertensión arterial, score APACHE más elevado, anemia más grave, hipoalbuminemia, hiperfosfatemia e hiperkalemia se asociaron a mayor mortalidad. La mortalidad global fue 31.3%. La imposibilidad de identificar el foco séptico primario se asoció a mayor mortalidad. El foco respiratorio se relacionó a mayor riesgo de requerir hemodiálisis.

Sepsis affects 40% of critically ill patients, with a reported mortality of approximately 30% in severe sepsis, raising to 75% when acute kidney injury ensues, which occurs in about 20-51% of cases. The present study consists on a one-year prospective, observational, longitudinal trial undergone in 80 severe septic patients to determine the risk of development of acute kidney injury and its relationship with mortality; the association of the clinical course and blood parameter variations with mortality; the severe sepsis mortality rate; an eventual correlation between death and septic focus, and to assess mortality predictibility based on initial creatinine levels and final variations. Two groups were defined: Dead (n=25) and Not-dead (n=55). According to creatinine on admission, 39 subjects presented with normal creatinine levels (10 deaths) and 41 presented elevated creatinine measurements (15 deaths); regarding final creatinine levels, 48 presented normal levels and 7 patients died, while 32 developed acute kidney injury, with 18 deaths. Of the total of 25 deaths, 72% presented renal injury. Seven alive patients and 2 deceased patients required hemodialysis. The most frequent primary septic focus was the airway (26.4%). The development of kidney injury is a high predictor of mortality in sepsis, independent of initial serum creatinine levels. Older patients, hypertension, a higher APACHE score, a more severe degree of anemia, hypoalbuminemia, hyperphosphatemia and hyperkalemia were associated with a higher mortality rate. The global mortality was: 31.3%. The failure to identify the primary septic focus was associated with higher mortality. The respiratory focus was related with a higher risk to require hemodialysis.