Etiological Factors Affecting Single Versus Multiple Tunneled Hemodialysis Catheter Cuff Extrusions in the Saudi Population.

OBJECTIVE: To identify underlying factors associated with single versus multiple expulsions of tunneled hemodialysis catheter cuffs and their associated complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A multicenter, five-year retrospective data analysis was conducted on hemodialysis patients with tunneled catheters. Patient data included age, gender, BMI, and associated comorbidities. The type of procedure (new tunnel insertion vs. exchange), exit site infection, and catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) were also included. RESULTS: The data of 122 patients was analyzed. Seventy-eight patients had diabetes mellitus, 102 patients had hypertension, and 24 had ischemic heart disease. Fifty-one patients were on antiplatelet therapy, and nine patients were on oral steroids. The access site for 98 patients was the right internal jugular; for 19 patients, it was the left internal jugular; five patients had a femoral dialysis catheter. Patients were grouped into two categories: those with single cuff extrusion episodes and those with multiple cuff-out episodes. Sixty-three patients had one cuff extrusion, and 59 had multiple cuff-out episodes during the study period. Patients who had CRBSI and hypertension and were aged between 61 and 95 had multiple episodes of cuff extrusion and reached statistical significance. Exit-site infection, diabetes mellitus, antiplatelet therapy, gender, catheter site, and BMI had no statistical significance between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Tunneled catheter cuff extrusion is a frequent phenomenon. Catheter-related bloodstream infection, hypertension, and age of 61 to 95 years are high-risk factors for multiple episodes of cuff extrusion.

Multicenter Study to Validate a Hospitalization Risk Assessment Tool in Hemodialysis Patients.

Introduction Protein-energy wasting is a prevalent condition in patients with chronic kidney disease. Our goal was to validate the risk assessment tool (Hashmi's tool) in multiple centers, developed in 2018, as it was easily applicable and cost-effective. Methods The following variables were scored as 0, 1, 2, or 3 as per severity: body mass index, HD vintage in years, functional capacity, serum albumin, serum ferritin, and the number of co-morbid conditions (diabetes mellitus, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, and cerebrovascular disease). This scoring system was applied to maintenance hemodialysis patients in six different centers. The patient's record was evaluated for two years. Patients were divided into low-risk (score <6) and high-risk (score ≥6). We compared the two groups using the chi-square test for the difference in hospitalization and mortality. Results A total of 868 patients' records were analyzed, and the maximum score was 13 with the application of Hashmi's tool. Four hundred twenty-nine patients were in the low-risk group, and 439 patients fell into the high-risk group. Four hundred sixty-seven patients were male, and 401 were females; 84% had hypertension, and 54% had diabetes mellitus. In the high-risk group, we identified more females. Patients' likelihood of being in the high-risk group was higher if they had diabetes mellitus, hypertension, or ischemic heart disease. Hospitalization due to vascular or non-vascular etiologies was more common in the high-risk group (p=0.036 and p<0.001, respectively). A total of 123 patients died during the study period, 92 from the high-risk group as compared to 31 from the low-risk group. This was three times higher and statistically significant (p<0.001). Conclusion Using a simple and cost-effective tool, we have identified malnourished patients who are at risk of hospitalization and mortality. This study has validated the previous work at a single center, which has now been reflected in six dialysis units across Saudi Arabia.

Personalized nutrition, microbiota, and metabolism: A triad for eudaimonia.

During the previous few years, the relationship between the gut microbiota, metabolic disorders, and diet has come to light, especially due to the understanding of the mechanisms that particularly link the gut microbiota with obesity in animal models and clinical trials. Research has led to the understanding that the responses of individuals to dietary inputs vary remarkably therefore no single diet can be suggested to every individual. The variations are attributed to differences in the microbiome and host characteristics. In general, it is believed that the immanent nature of host-derived factors makes them difficult to modulate. However, diet can more easily shape the microbiome, potentially influencing human physiology through modulation of digestion, absorption, mucosal immune response, and the availability of bioactive compounds. Thus, diet could be useful to influence the physiology of the host, as well as to ameliorate various disorders. In the present study, we have described recent developments in understanding the disparities of gut microbiota populations between individuals and the primary role of diet-microbiota interactions in modulating human physiology. A deeper understanding of these relationships can be useful for proposing personalized nutrition strategies and nutrition-based therapeutic interventions to improve human health.

A Simple and Cheap Hospitalization Risk Assessment Tool for Use in Hemodialysis Patients.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a simple, objective, cheap scoring tool incorporating nutritional parameters and other variables to predict hospitalization and mortality among hemodialysis patients - a tool that could be utilized in low resource countries. METHODS: The following variables were scored according to severity into 0, 1, 2 or 3: BMI, functional capacity, HD vintage in years, serum albumin, serum ferritin, and the number of comorbid conditions (diabetes mellitus, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease). This tool was evaluated on our regular hemodialysis patients who were followed up for 24 months (June 2015 till July 2017). In our study population, the maximum score recorded was 12; accordingly, a score of 6 was used to differentiate between a low-risk group (score < 6) or a high-risk group (score ≥6). The 2 groups were compared (using the Chi square test) for possible differences in mortality and hospitalization rates during the follow-up period. RESULTS: One hundred and forty adult hemodialysis patients were monitored over 2 years; 83 were males and 57 females; 59% of the patients had diabetes mellitus. Twenty-nine patients (30.7%) were found to be in the high-risk group and 111 (79.3%) in the low-risk group. The high-risk patients were almost one and a half times more likely to be hospitalized for vascular access issues than the low-risk group (p = 0.056) and 3 times more likely to be hospitalized for non-vascular access issues than the low-risk group (p = 0.0001). The mortality rate in the high-risk group was 3.1 times that in the low-risk group, but this was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Using a simple and cheap assessment tool in hemodialysis patients, we have identified patients at high risk for hospitalization rates and mortality. Video Journal Club "Cappuccino with Claudio Ronco" at http://www.karger.com/?doi=490544.

Variables affecting darbepoetin resistance index in hemodialysis patients.

Erythropoietin resistance index calculation has been used as a tool to evaluate anemia response to erythropoietin therapy. Very little has been reported in its use when using darbepoetin and factors influencing in Arab patients. Darbepoetin resistance index (DRI) was calculated in all our patients using darbepoetin. This was correlated to demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters. Of the 250 patients, 40.4% were diabetic, 71.1% on hemodialysis, and 28.6% on hemodiafiltration), 23.9% with PermCaths (PC), and 76.1 % with arteriovenous fistula (AVF). The mean DRI was 10.96 ± 12.9 I. Females had 45% higher DRI than males (P = 0.005), and patients with PC had a 66% higher DRI than those with AVF (P = 0.029). Patients with Vitamin D level below the 50th percentile had 55.9% higher DRI than those above it (P = 0.05). DRI was negatively correlated with age (P = 0.018), dialysis vintage (P = 0.039), interdialytic weight gain P = 0.007), Vitamin D level, and serum albumin (P = 0.005) and positively correlate with parathyroid hormone (PTH) level (P = 0.000). No impact was seen by the mode of dialysis, being diabetic, using anti-hypertensive therapy, body mass index, Kt/V, serum iron, total iron binding capacity, transferrin saturation, ferritin, C-reactive protein, Ca, or P. DRI in our Arab patients was comparable to erythropoietin resistance indices reported in other communities. Higher DRI was observed in females, PC users, lower serum albumin, lower Vitamin D, and shorter dialysis vintage. A negative correlation existed between DRI and age, dialysis vintage, interdialytic weight, and serum albumin and a positive correlation with PTH level.

CKD-MBD spectrum at the time of initiation of hemodialysis in Pakistani chronic kidney disease patients.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with mineral and bone disorder (MBD), which results in significant morbidity and mortality. To determine the spectrum of CKD- MBD in the Pakistani population, we performed a retrospective review of the medical records of 63 native Pakistani CKD stage-5 patients at our unit at the initiation of hemodialysis from March 2009 to September 2011. The cohort included 28 males and 35 females, with an age range of 18- 87 years (mean age 51 years). We reviewed the serum parathormone (PTH) levels along with other serum biochemical markers according to the KDIGO 2009 guidelines. There were 25 (40%) patients who had PTH <150 pmol/L, 15 (22%) patients who had PTH from 150 to 300 pmol/L and 24 (38%) patients who had PTH >300 pmol/L. Subgroup analysis and follow-up of patients with initial PTH >300 pmol/L (n = 24) showed treatment response in nine patients (38%). We conclude that at initiation of hemodialysis, a significant number of patients had low PTH and a similar percentage of high PTH in our population states. Therefore, we recommend early assessment of renal bone disease spectrum to prevent morbidity and mortality associated with mineral bone disorder in CKD patients.

Is there a need for establishing a formal nephrologist-directed primary care program in dialysis units?

We have introduced an annual timetable format for addressing the "primary care" needs of the hemodialysis population. For 102 patients enrolled, fourteen interventions adapted for the dialysis population from the US Preventive Services Task Force recommendations were implemented successfully in 65% areas in our pilot year, which include important features like annual history and physical examination, breast examination, mammography, pap smear, lipid profile, adult specific immunization and stool occult blood. Flexible sigmoidoscopy program was unsuccessful in our pilot year.

Mycophenolate Mofetil (MMF) Efficacy in Glomerulonephritis (GN), a Retrospective Analysis.

Mycophenolate Mofetil MMF has been widely used in post-transplant immunosuppression. Its role is emerging in GN. MMF demonstrated promising results compared with cyclosphosphamide in stage IV lupus nephritis, in a recently published trial. It has been found to have a wide safety profile, with mostly gastroinetestinal side effects, which can be avoided through titration. Its action is through inhibition of the enzyme IMDPH (ionosine monophosphate dehydrogenase), leading to purine antagonism and inhibition of lymphocytes. We were aiming to demonstrate the efficacy of MMF in our GN population. In this study, we reviewed 17 patients who received MMF (dose - 1 gm po bid) for the past year. They were only included if it was given for the management of resistant primary glomerulonephritis. Complete remission has been defined as proteinuria of less than 0.5 g/day and partial remission as a reduction of proteinuria 50% of starting MMF therapy; all 17 MMF therapy patients uniformly achieved good BP ((29%) achieved complete remission and this group consisted of 1 membranous GN, 2 lupus GN (type IV and membranous), one FSGS and one with MPGN. Four of 17 (23%) were non-responders to therapy. This group articles.aspx? id=41 to side effects. We conclude that the MMF appears to be an effective alternate treatment modality in resistant membranous GN, lupus nephritis (type IV and V) and possibly MPGN, and to a lesser extent in resistant FSGS. Further prospective data may demonstrate the efficacy of MMF in GN.

The effect of active nutritional counseling in improving biochemical nutritional parameters and fluid overload problems in maintenance hemodialysis patients.

Management of nutritional status is an integral part of the management of patients with renal disease on maintenance hemodialysis (HD). We investigated whether active nutritional counseling can improve biochemical nutritional parameters and fluid overload problems in patients on HD. A total of 110 patients, on three times per week HD, were enrolled in the study. Information regarding patient characteristics was collected with the help of a questionnaire. Patients with hypoalbuminemia, hyperkalemia, hyperphosphatemia, and more than three kilograms inter-dialytic weight gains were identified and were given active nutritional counseling. The above parameters were followed over a seven-month period. Active nutritional counseling resulted in significant decrease in the prevalence of hyperkalemia as well as high inter-dialytic weight gains (p < 0.001). However, the prevalence of hypoalbuminemia and hyperphosphatemia remained unchanged over the study period. Our study suggests that active nutritional counseling can improve certain important biochemical parameters and fluid overload problems in patients on maintenance HD.

Renal artery aneurysm: a case report and review of literature.

Renal artery aneurysm is an uncommon clinical occurrence. We report a 32-year-old lady with refractory hypertension who was found to have renal artery aneurysm. After a long clinical course, the aneurysm was successfully treated with coil embolization.

Causes of acute thrombotic microangiopathy in patients receiving kidney transplantation.

OBJECTIVES: Thrombotic microangiopathy is a well-known problem in patients following renal transplantation. In postrenal transplantation, thrombotic microangiopathy is often a reflection of hemolytic uremic syndrome. We aimed to determine the causes of thrombotic microangiopathy in a population of renal transplantation recipients and discuss the literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We investigated the causes of thrombotic microangiopathy during a 1-year period, from June 2003 to June 2004, at the King Fahad National Guard Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, by reviewing the slides of all transplant biopsies (n=25) performed during this interval. Pre- and posttransplant crossmatching was done when possible. RESULTS: Five cases of thrombotic microangiopathy were found. Three of these cases were from the 25 transplantations performed at King Fahad National Guard Hospital, while the other 2 transplantations had been performed abroad and were referred to us for follow-up. Three cases were related to cyclosporine, and 1 case was secondary to both cyclosporine and tacrolimus. The fifth case had features of thrombotic microangiopathy related to an antiphospholipid syndrome in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus. CONCLUSIONS: In the literature, the most-frequent cause of hemolytic uremic syndrome in patients following renal transplantation is recurrence of the hemolytic uremic syndrome. Other causes include drug-related (cyclosporine, tacrolimus) toxicity, procoagulant status, and antibody-mediated rejection. We found that the most-frequent cause of thrombotic microangiopathy was drug related, secondary mainly to cyclosporine. In the current study, the frequency of thrombotic microangiopathy was similar to the percentage reported in the literature (20%).