Vitamin D and Chronic Kidney Disease Association with Mineral and Bone Disorder: An Appraisal of Tangled Guidelines.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a highly prevalent condition worldwide in which the kidneys lose many abilities, such as the regulation of vitamin D (VD) metabolism. Moreover, people with CKD are at a higher risk of multifactorial VD deficiency, which has been extensively associated with poor outcomes, including bone disease, cardiovascular disease, and higher mortality. Evidence is abundant in terms of the association of negative outcomes with low levels of VD, but recent studies have lowered previous high expectations regarding the beneficial effects of VD supplementation in the general population. Although controversies still exist, the diagnosis and treatment of VD have not been excluded from nephrology guidelines, and much data still supports VD supplementation in CKD patients. In this narrative review, we briefly summarize evolving controversies and useful clinical approaches, underscoring that the adverse effects of VD derivatives must be balanced against the need for effective prevention of progressive and severe secondary hyperparathyroidism. Guidelines vary, but there seems to be general agreement that VD deficiency should be avoided in CKD patients, and it is likely that one should not wait until severe SHPT is present before cautiously starting VD derivatives. Furthermore, it is emphasized that the goal should not be the complete normalization of parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels. New developments may help us to better define optimal VD and PTH at different CKD stages, but large trials are still needed to confirm that VD and precise control of these and other CKD-MBD biomarkers are unequivocally related to improved hard outcomes in this population.

Safety and effectiveness of sucroferric oxyhydroxide in Spanish patients on dialysis: sub-analysis of the VERIFIE study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: In this study, we show the results of the subset of Spanish patients of the VERIFIE study, the first post-marketing study assessing the long-term safety and effectiveness of sucroferric oxyhydroxide (SFOH) in patients with hyperphosphatemia undergoing dialysis during clinical practice. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients undergoing hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis with indication of SFOH treatment were included. Follow-up duration was 12-36 months after SFOH initiation. Primary safety variables were the incidence of adverse drug reactions (ADRs), medical events of special interest (MESIs), and variations in iron-related parameters. SFOH effectiveness was evaluated by the change in serum phosphorus levels. RESULTS: A total of 286 patients were recruited and data from 282 were analyzed. Among those 282 patients, 161 (57.1%) withdrew the study prematurely and 52.5% received concomitant treatment with other phosphate binders. ADRs were observed in 35.1% of patients, the most common of which were gastrointestinal disorders (77.1%) and mild/moderate in severity (83.7%). MESIs were reported in 14.2% of patients, and 93.7% were mild/moderate. An increase in ferritin (386.66ng/mL vs 447.55ng/mL; p=0.0013) and transferrin saturation (28.07% vs 30.34%; p=0.043) was observed from baseline to the last visit (p=0.0013). Serum phosphorus levels progressively decreased from 5.69mg/dL at baseline to 4.84mg/dL at the last visit (p<0.0001), increasing by 32.2% the proportion of patients who achieved serum phosphorus levels ≤5.5mg/dL, with a mean daily SFOH dose of 1.98 pills/day. CONCLUSIONS: SFOH showed a favorable effectiveness profile, a similar safety profile to that observed in the international study with most adverse events of mild/moderate severity, and a low daily pill burden in Spanish patients in dialysis.

Recomendaciones para la implementación de soporte respiratorio pediátrico en COVID-19. Kinesiología Intensiva y Terapia Respiratoria Pediátrica de Chile / Recommendations for the implementation of pediatric respiratory support in COVID-19. Intensive Kinesiology and Respiratory Therapy Chilean

Resumen: De acuerdo a la información disponible, los pacientes pediátricos con COVID-19 tendrían una me nor frecuencia, se presentarían en su mayoría con un cuadro clínico de leve a moderado, y con una baja tasa de morbimortalidad asociada5. Sin embargo, es incierto el comportamiento real que tendrá el SARS-CoV-2 en Chile, así como tampoco sabemos el impacto que tendrá su interacción con otros virus respiratorios en el desenlace clínico. Asumiendo que los pacientes pediátricos que requieran hospitalización por sospecha o confirmación de COVID-19 necesitarán de diferentes niveles de so porte respiratorio, hemos elaborado recomendaciones transversales fundamentadas en el óptimo manejo del apoyo respiratorio pediátrico, basados en los principios de calidad y eficiencia en la en trega del soporte, en parámetros de bioseguridad y en el uso apropiado de recursos6. Estos elementos que se encuentran relacionados al armado y filtrado de los aerosoles producidos por algunos equipos de soporte ventilatorio, son recomendados en esta guía con el fin de unificar criterios técnicos que permitan entregar un apoyo óptimo al paciente pediátrico, manteniendo la mayor bioseguridad po sible para el paciente y el equipo de salud.

Abstract: According to the available information, pediatric cases of COVID-19 would present less frequently, most of them with mild to moderate clinical picture, and low associated morbidity and mortality5. However, we do not know the actual behavior that SARS-CoV-2 will have in Chile, nor the impact that its interaction with other respiratory viruses will have on the clinical outcome. On the assump tion that pediatric patients requiring hospitalization due to suspicion or confirmation of COVID-19 will need different levels of respiratory support, we have developed wide-range recommendations based on the optimal management of pediatric respiratory support according to the principles of quality and efficiency in the delivery of support, biosafety parameters, and appropriate use of resou rces6. These elements, which are related to assembling and filtering the aerosols produced by some respiratory support equipment, are recommended in this guide in order to unify technical criteria that allow optimal support for the pediatric patient while maintaining the highest possible biosafety for the patient and the health team.

The effect of cholecalciferol for lowering albuminuria in chronic kidney disease: a prospective controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Growing evidence indicates that vitamin D receptor activation may have antiproteinuric effects. We aimed to evaluate whether vitamin D supplementation with daily cholecalciferol could reduce albuminuria in proteinuric chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. METHODS: This 6-month prospective, controlled, intervention study enrolled 101 non-dialysis CKD patients with albuminuria. Patients with low 25(OH) vitamin D [25(OH)D] and high parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels (n = 50; 49%) received oral cholecalciferol (666 IU/day), whereas those without hyperparathyroidism (n = 51; 51%), independent of their vitamin D status, did not receive any cholecalciferol, and were considered as the control group. RESULTS: Cholecalciferol administration led to a rise in mean 25(OH)D levels by 53.0 ± 41.6% (P < 0.001). Urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR) decreased from (geometric mean with 95% confidence interval) 284 (189-425) to 167 mg/g (105-266) at 6 months (P < 0.001) in the cholecalciferol group, and there was no change in the control group. Reduction in a uACR was observed in the absence of significant changes in other factors, which could affect proteinuria, like weight, blood pressure (BP) levels or antihypertensive treatment. Six-month changes in 25(OH)D levels were significantly and inversely associated with that in the uACR (Pearson's R = -0.519; P = 0.036), after adjustment by age, sex, body mass index, BP, glomerular filtration rate and antiproteinuric treatment. The mean PTH decreased by -13.8 ± 20.3% (P = 0.039) only in treated patients, with a mild rise in phosphate and calcium-phosphate product [7.0 ± 14.7% (P = 0.002) and 7.2 ± 15.2% (P = 0.003), respectively]. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to improving hyperparathyroidism, vitamin D supplementation with daily cholecalciferol had a beneficial effect in decreasing albuminuria with potential effects on delaying the progression of CKD.

Characteristics of bone mineral metabolism in patients with stage 3-5 chronic kidney disease not on dialysis: results of the OSERCE study.

OSERCE is a multi-centre and cross-sectional study with the aim of analysing the biochemical, clinical, and management characteristics of bone mineral metabolism alterations and the level of compliance with K/DOQI guideline recommendations in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) not on dialysis. The study included a total of 634 patients from 32 different Spanish nephrology units, all with CKD, estimated glomerular filtration rates <60 ml/min/1.73 m(2), and not on dialysis (K/DOQI stage: 33% stage 3, 46% stage 4, and 21% stage 5). In 409 of these patients, laboratory parameters were also measured in a centralised laboratory, including creatinine, calcium, phosphorous, intact parathyroid hormone (PTH), 25-OH-vitamin D, and 1,25-OH2-Vitamin D levels. The rates of non-compliance with the K/DOQI objectives for calcium, phosphorous, intact PTH, and calcium x phosphate product among these patients were 45%, 22%, 70%, and 4%, respectively. Of the 70% of patients with intact PTH levels outside of the target range established by the K/DOQI guidelines, 55.5% had values above the upper limit and 14.5% had values below the lower limit. Of the 45% of patients with calcium levels outside of the target range, 40% had values above the upper limit and 5% had values below the lower limit. Of the 22% of patients with phosphorous levels outside of the target range, 19% had values above the upper limit, and 3% had values below the lower limit. Finally, 4% of patients also had values for the calcium x phosphate product that were outside of the recommended range. Only 1.8% of patients complied with all four K/DOQI objectives. The values detected in centralised laboratory analyses were not significantly different from those measured in the laboratories at each institution. In addition, 81.5% of patients had a deficiency of calcidiol (25-OH-D3) (<30 ng/ml); of these, 35% had moderate-severe deficiency (<15 ng/ml) and 47% had mild deficiency (15-30 ng/ml). Calcitriol (1,25-OH2-D3) levels were deficient in 64.7% of patients. Whereas the calcidiol deficiency was not correlated with the CKD stage, calcitriol deficit were more pronounced at more advanced stages of CKD. The results of the OSERCE study confirm the difficulty in reaching the target values recommended by the K/DOQI guidelines in patients with CKD not on dialysis, in particular in the form of poor control of secondary hyperparathyroidism and vitamin D deficiency. With this in mind, we must review strategies for treating bone mineral metabolism alterations in these patients, and perhaps revise the target parameters set by current guidelines.

Diario de un congresista Crónica del VIII Simposio Nacional sobre Úlceras por Presión y Heridas Crónicas celebrado en Santiago de Compostela / Diary of a congressman

Apreciaciones personales de un asistente al VIII Simposio Nacional de Úlceras por Presión y Heridas Crónicas, celebrado en Santiago de Compostela en noviembre de 2010. Revista ROL de Enfermería le pidió su colaboración por tratarse de uno de los asistentes más jóvenes, preparados, inquisitivos y dinámicos. A continuación se exponen sus reflexiones sobre el encuentro y sus comentarios sobre los contenidos desarrollados, la participación, los temas que precisarán seguimiento, etc(AU)

Personal assessment o fan assistant to the Eighth National Symposiuym on Pressure Ulcer and Chronic Wounds, held in Santiago de Compostela in November 2010. Show details asked for his cooperation because it is one of the youngest assistants, prepared, inquisitive and dynamic. Below are his reflections on the meeting and his comments on the contents set, participation, issues that will need monitoring, etc(AU)

Plantas altoandinas y su efecto sobre la fertilidad: ¿mito o realidad? / High andes plants and their effect on fertility: myth or reality?

Se realizó una recopilación de información técnica y científica relativa a Lepidium meyenii Chacón (Maca), una planta de la familia Brassicaceae que crece en Los Andes Centrales del Perú, entre los 4.000 y 4.500 msnm. Maca ha sido tradicionalmente empleada en la región altoandina debido a supuestas propiedades afrodisíacas y como estimulante de la actividad reproductiva en el hombre y sus animales. Comparativamente con otros vegetales, el análisis químico de la raíz demuestra un alto contenido de carbohidratos, proteínas, lípidos, vitaminas y minerales. Adicionalmente, aminoácidos esenciales y esteroles de alta especificidad que forman parte de neurotransmisores y hormonas, que a su vez cumplen un importante rol funcional en la actividad reproductiva de los mamíferos, se encuentran en alta concentración. Se concluye, a partir de los datos experimentales logrados por variados autores, que el valor nutricional y el efecto sinérgico de los constituyentes naturales de Lepidium meyenii (Maca) deben ser considerados para explicar su acción preventiva de los efectos deletéreos de la altitud sobre la espermatogénesis y estimulante de la fertilidad en sus variados componentes.