Risk of empyema in patients with end-stage renal disease: a nationwide propensity-matched cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Empyema is a rare but important complication among patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). However, a nationwide, propensity-matched cohort study has never been performed. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using data from the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan. The ESRD group consisted of 82 765 patients diagnosed between 2000 and 2008. The comparison group consisted of individuals without kidney disease selected at a 1:1 ratio matched by propensity score estimated with age, gender, year of diagnosis and comorbidities. The occurrence of empyema was monitored until the end of 2011. The hazard ratios (HRs) of empyema were estimated using the Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: The incidence of empyema was 2.76-fold higher in the ESRD group than in the comparison group (23.7 vs. 8.19/10 000 person-years, P <0.001), with an adjusted HR of 3.01 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.67-3.39]. There was no difference of the incidence of empyema between hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) (adjusted HR = 0.96, 95% CI = 0.75-1.23). In addition, 30-day mortality rate since empyema diagnosis was significantly higher in ESRD group than the comparison group (15.9% vs. 10.9%), with an adjusted OR of 1.69 (95% CI = 1.17-2.44). CONCLUSION: The risk of empyema was significantly higher in patients with ESRD than in those without kidney disease. The occurrence of empyema was without difference in patients undergoing HD compared to those undergoing PD. The 30-day mortality rate since empyema diagnosis was also significantly higher in patients with ESRD.

The effect of probiotics on serum levels of cytokine and endotoxin in peritoneal dialysis patients: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Inflammatory markers such as interleukin (IL)-6 and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) are elevated in dialysis patients and can predict cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality. Endotoxin is an important source and also another marker of inflammation in patients with chronic kidney disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of oral probiotics on serum levels of endotoxemia and cytokines in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. The decline of residual renal function, peritonitis episodes, and cardiovascular events were also recorded. From July 2011 to June 2012, a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in PD patients. The intervention group received one capsule of probiotics containing 10(9) cfu Bifobacterium bifidum A218, 10(9) cfu Bifidobacterium catenulatum A302, 10(9) cfu Bifidobacterium longum A101, and 10(9) cfu Lactobacillus plantarum A87 daily for six months, while the placebo group received similar capsules containing maltodextrin for the same duration. Levels of serum TNF-α, interferon gamma, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, and endotoxin were measured before and six months after intervention. 39 patients completed the study (21 in the probiotics group and 18 in the placebo group). In patients receiving probiotics, levels of serum TNF-α, IL-5, IL-6, and endotoxin significantly decreased after six months of treatment, while levels of serum IL-10 significantly increased. In contrast, there were no significant changes in levels of serum cytokines and endotoxin in the placebo group after six months. In addition, the residual renal function was preserved in patients receiving probiotics. In conclusion, probiotics could significantly reduce the serum levels of endotoxin, pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6), IL-5, increase the serum levels of anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10), and preserve residual renal function in PD patients.

The relationship between chronic hepatitis B infection and bone mineral, metabolism in peritoneal dialysis patients.

OBJECTIVE: Abnormality of bone mineral metabolism is a common complication in chronic liver disease and/or chronic renal disease patients. We designed this study to evaluate the relationship between chronic hepatitis B infection and bone mineral metabolism in peritoneal dialysis patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Serum calcium[adj], phosphorus, calcium and phosphorus product (Ca x P), along with intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels were compared in peritoneal dialysis patients with and without chronic hepatitis B infection. RESULTS: A total of 220 patients (142 female, 78 male) with a mean age of 56.30 +/- 14.28 (range 19 - 86) years old were recruited, 23 showed chronic hepatitis B infection and 197 showed none. No statistically significant difference in serum calcium[adj] levels (9.90 +/- 0.85 mg/dl vs. 10.08 +/- 0.80 mg/dl, p = 0.354), phosphorus levels (5.26 +/- 1.58 mg/dl vs. 5.21 +/- 1.35 mg/dl, p = 0.879) and calcium and phosphorus product (Ca x P) (52.23 +/- 17.54 mg(2)/dl(2) vs. 52.42 +/- 14.16 mg(2)/dl(2), p = 0.960) between groups with and without chronic hepatitis B infection was observed. Serum iPTH levels were significantly lower in chronic hepatitis B patients (median 143 pg/ml, range 3.42 - 889) than in the control group (median 235 pg/ml, range 3 - 2381) (p = 0.035). As analyzed by multi-variable linear regression, chronic hepatitis B was a predictor of lower serum iPTH levels (beta = -0.271; p = 0.030) after adjustments for age, gender, serum calcium and phosphorus levels and diabetes. CONCLUSION: No significant difference in serum calcium[adj]), phosphorus and calcium and phosphorus product (Ca x P) levels appeared between peritoneal dialysis patients with and without chronic hepatitis B infection. Serum iPTH levels proved to be definitely lower in chronic hepatitis B infection patients.

Hypotriglyceridemic effect of Anka (a fermented rice product of monascus sp.) in rats.

Experimental rats with hypertriglyceridemia were prepared by feeding a high-fructose diet. Dried Anka powder (2%), a rice product fermented with Monascus sp., was mixed with basic high-fructose (30%) or basal-diet feed. Serum and liver lipids were measured after 6 months. The concentrations of serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, VLDL-C, and LDL-C had significantly decreased, whereas that of HDL-C had slightly increased in 30% fructose-Anka-fed rats as compared with the 30% fructose-fed rats, but hepatic lipase activity had increased in the Anka-fed groups. The ratio of lipoprotein lipase/hepatic lipase was not significantly different between 30% fructose-Anka-fed rats and 30% fructose-fed rats. The dietary intake and weight of these two groups were approximately the same. Similar results were obtained in noninduced hypertriglyceridemic rats. The concentrations of triglycerides and cholesterol did not significantly differ in the liver. Interestingly, Anka can suppress serum triglycerides in rats with induced hypertriglyceridemia. The antioxidant enzyme SOD activity was also measured in serum, and no significant change was observed. On the basis of these findings, we suggest that Anka may be used to suppress hypertriglyceridemia and hyperlipidemia in rats and possibly in man.