Capacity for the management of kidney failure in the International Society of Nephrology Middle East region: report from the 2023 ISN Global Kidney Health Atlas (ISN-GKHA).

The highest financial and symptom burdens and the lowest health-related quality-of-life scores are seen in people with kidney failure. A total of 11 countries in the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) Middle East region responded to the ISN-Global Kidney Health Atlas. The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the region ranged from 4.9% in Yemen to 12.2% in Lebanon, whereas prevalence of kidney failure treated with dialysis or transplantation ranged from 152 per million population (pmp) in the United Arab Emirates to 869 pmp in Kuwait. Overall, the incidence of kidney transplantation was highest in Saudi Arabia (20.2 pmp) and was lowest in Oman (2.2 pmp). Chronic hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) services were available in all countries, whereas kidney transplantation was available in most countries of the region. Public government funding that makes acute dialysis, chronic HD, chronic PD, and kidney transplantation medications free at the point of delivery was available in 54.5%, 72.7%, 54.5%, and 54.5% of countries, respectively. Conservative kidney management was available in 45% of countries. Only Oman had a CKD registry; 7 countries (64%) had dialysis registries, and 8 (73%) had kidney transplantation registries. The ISN Middle East region has a high burden of kidney disease and multiple challenges to overcome. Prevention and detection of kidney disease can be improved by the design of tailored guidelines, allocation of additional resources, improvement of early detection at all levels of care, and implementation of sustainable health information systems.

Serum cystatin C and inflammatory factors related to COVID-19 consequences.

BACKGROUND: Besides impaired respiratory function and immune system, COVID-19 can affect renal function from elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN) or serum creatinine (sCr) levels to acute kidney injury (AKI) and renal failure. This study aims to investigate the relationship between Cystatin C and other inflammatory factors with the consequences of COVID-19. METHODS: A total of 125 patients with confirmed Covid-19 pneumonia were recruited in this cross-sectional study from March 2021 to May 2022 at Firoozgar educational hospital in Tehran, Iran. Lymphopenia was an absolute lymphocyte count of less than 1.5 × 109/L. AKI was identified as elevated serum Cr concentration or reduced urine output. Pulmonary consequences were evaluated. Mortality was recorded in the hospital one and three months after discharge. The effect of baseline biochemical and inflammatory factors on odds of death was examined. SPSS, version 26, was used for all analyses. P-vale less than 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: The highest amount of co-morbidities was attributed to COPD (31%; n = 39), dyslipidemia and hypertension (27%; n = 34 for each) and diabetes (25%; n = 31). The mean baseline cystatin C level was 1.42 ± 0.93 mg/L, baseline creatinine was 1.38 ± 0.86 mg/L, and baseline NLR was 6.17 ± 4.50. Baseline cystatin C level had a direct and highly significant linear relationship with baseline creatinine level of patients (P < 0.001; r: 0.926). ). The average score of the severity of lung involvement was 31.42 ± 10.80. There is a direct and highly significant linear relationship between baseline cystatin C level and lung involvement severity score (r = 0.890, P < 0.001). Cystatin C has a higher diagnostic power in predicting the severity of lung involvement (B = 3.88 ± 1.74, p = 0.026). The mean baseline cystatin C level in patients with AKI was 2.41 ± 1.43 mg/L and significantly higher than patients without AKI (P > 0.001). 34.4% (n = 43) of patients expired in the hospital, and the mean baseline cystatin C level of this group of patients was 1.58 ± 0.90 mg/L which was significantly higher than other patients (1.35 ± 0.94 mg/L, P = 0.002). CONCLUSION: cystatin C and other inflammatory factors such as ferritin, LDH and CRP can help the physician predict the consequences of COVID-19. Timely diagnosis of these factors can help reduce the complications of COVID-19 and better treat this disease. More studies on the consequences of COVID-19 and knowing the related factors will help treat the disease as well as possible.

Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors, A Risk Factor of Poor Outcome in Diabetic Patients with COVID-19 Infection.

INTRODUCTION: Diabetes mellitus and hypertension are described as the most common comorbidities among COVID-19 patients. We investigated the adverse effect of ACEIs in diabetic and nondiabetic patients with COVID-19. METHODS: This prospective study consisted of 617 RT-PCR-confirmed COVID-19 inpatients. Demographic and baseline characteristics, underlying comorbid diseases, and antihypertensive drugs were evaluated. Study outcome (in-hospital death) was evaluated with the Kaplan-Meyer method and Cox regression model. Statistical analyses were performed with SPSS software for Windows. P values < .05 were considered significant. RESULTS: Mean ± SD age was 58.49 ± 15.80 (range: 18 to 94) years old. Cox regression analysis revealed that age (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 1.04, 95% CI: 1.03 to 1.06), diabetes mellitus (adjusted HR = 2.07, 95% CI: 1.32 to 3.26), immunocompromised patients (adjusted HR = 2.33, 95% CI: 1.29 to 4.21), acute kidney injury (AKI) (adjusted HR = 3.23, 95% CI: 2.01 to 5.19), ICU admission (adjusted HR = 2.48, 95% CI: 1.46 to 4.21), Asthma and COPD (adjusted HR = 2.13, CI:1.6 to 4.28) and ACEI (adjusted HR = 3.08, 95% CI: 1.56 to 6.06), respectively were associated with in-hospital death. Among diabetic patients, ACEI (adjusted HR = 3.51, 95% CI: 1.59 to 7.75), AKI (adjusted HR = 3.32, 95% CI: 1.76 to 6.45) and ICU admission (adjusted HR = 3.64, 95% CI: 1.530 to 8.65) were associated with increased mortality. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed a lower survival rate in diabetic patients with ACE inhibitor (adjusted HR = 3.36, 95% CI: 2.25 to 7.71). CONCLUSION: ACEIs may harm the diabetic patient's outcome with COVID-19. Further studies can confirm if ACE inhibitors have an adverse effect on COVID-19 diabetic patient's mortality.

SARS-CoV-2 Molecular and Phylogenetic analysis in COVID-19 patients: A preliminary report from Iran.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the current study was to investigate and track the SARS-CoV-2 in Iranian Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients using molecular and phylogenetic methods. METHODS: We enrolled seven confirmed cases of COVID-19 patients for the phylogenetic assessment of the SARS-CoV-2 in Iran. The nsp-2, nsp-12, and S genes were amplified using one-step RT-PCR and sequenced using Sanger sequencing method. Popular bioinformatics software were used for sequences alignment and analysis as well as phylogenetic construction. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients in the present study was 60.42 ± 9.94 years and 57.1% (4/7) were male. The results indicated high similarity between Iranian and Chinese strains. We could not find any particular polymorphisms in the assessed regions of the three genes. Phylogenetic trees by neighbor-joining and maximum likelihood method of nsp-2, nsp-12, and S genes showed that there are not any differences between Iranian isolates and those of other countries. CONCLUSION: As a preliminary phylogenetic study in Iranian SARS-CoV-2 isolates, we found that these isolates are closely related to the Chinese and reference sequences. Also, no sensible differences were observed between Iranian isolates and those of other countries. Further investigations are recommended using more comprehensive methods and larger sample sizes.

Effect of Angiotensin II Receptor Type 1 Antibodies on Kidney Allograft Function.

INTRODUCTION: Non-human leukocyte antigen antibodies are an independent risk factor for acute rejection in kidney transplant recipients. Among them, angiotensin II receptor type 1 (ART1) antibodies can induce various effects, but their clinical importance in kidney transplant recipients has not been properly explained. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of ART1 antibodies on allograft function and hypertension in stable kidney transplant recipients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-one kidney recipients from non- human leukocyte antigen antibodies-matched donors with stable allograft function were examined for estimated glomerular filtration rate (Chronic Kidney Disease-Epidemiology Collaboration formula) and ART1 antibodies (measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method). The result was considered positive if the anti-ART1 level was greater than 17 U/mL. RESULTS: The mean age of the participant was 51.1 ± 11.9 years with the mean time from transplantation was 83.5 ± 6.5 months. Fifteen recipients (18.5%) had a high ART1 antibodies level. Those with low titers of ART1 antibodies had better allograft function. The mean estimated glomerular filtration rate was 63.0 ± 13.7 mL/min in those with low ART1 antibodies and 42.3 ± 13.9 mL/min in those with high ART1 antibodies (P < .001). There were no significant correlation between high ART1 antibodies levels and hypertension, cause of end-stage renal disease, age, sex, transplant and dialysis duration, cytomegalovirus infection, antihypertensive medication, or immunosuppressive agents. CONCLUSIONS: A high level of ART1 antibodies was a risk factor for allograft function; however this indicator was not correlated with hypertension in our study.

Acute Interstitial Nephritis Induced by Citrullus Colocynthis.

Acute interstitial nephritis (AIN) is known as a common cause of acute kidney injury, found in 15% to 27% of kidney biopsies. Drug-induced AIN is currently the most common cause of AIN. The most common medications causing AIN are antibiotics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. We describe a case of Citrullus colocynthis (herbal remedy for diabetes mellitus and weight reduction) that induced AIN. A 31-year-old woman with major thalassemia, diabetes mellitus, and hepatitis C infection was admitted because of flank pain and unexpected increase in serum creatinine level. She had been using Citrullus colocynthis for 3 months. Kidney biopsy results suggested AIN. She did not respond to steroid therapy and underwent hemodialysis. We suggest the use of Citrullus colocynthis as a herbal medicine with extreme caution.

Occult Hepatitis C Infection Among Hemodialysis Patients: A Prevalence Study.

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: Occult hepatitis C infection (OHCI) is the presence of HCV-RNA in the liver or peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) accompanying with negative serologic results. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of OHCI among Iranian chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this cross sectional study 200 chronic HD patients with negative HCV antibody enrolled the study. Blood sample of patients were obtained, followed by Polymerase Chain reaction (PCR) testing for detection of HCV RNA. Patients with positive serum HCV RNA were considered as manifest hepatitis C infection (MHCI). However, patients with negative serum HCV RNA underwent further tests on PBMCs for detection of OHCI. RESULTS: Serum HCV RNA was positive in 2 (1%) patients whom considered as MHCI, and 6 (3.03%) patients had positive PBMC HCV RNA. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, chronic HD patients have been considered as a high risk group for hepatitis C infection. The results of this study suggest that these patients are also at risk for OHCI. Furthermore, evaluating PBMCs to detect HCV RNA would be a sensitive diagnostic method to find OHCI patients.

Predictors of Clinical Outcomes in Hemodialysis Patients: a Multicenter Observational Study.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular and noncardiovascular mortality and morbidity rates of hemodialysis patients are high despite improvement in dialysis delivery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hemodialysis patients (n = 532) from 9 hemodialysis facilities were enrolled in this cohort study in September 2012. Causes of death, hospitalization, and hemodialysis exit were recorded during a 28-month follow-up period. A Cox proportional hazard model was used to predict death adjusting for case-mix variables, nutrition variables, bone mineral variables, Kt/V, vascular access, and Charlson comorbidities index. RESULTS: Patients were 56.0 ± 15.4 years old (57% men). A total of 161 patients (30%) died (17 per 100 patient years), and the most common causes of death were cardiovascular diseases (42%) and infections (25%). Transplantation rate was 7 per 100 patient years and hospitalization frequency was 0.76 per patient year. Based on the multivariable Cox proportional hazard model, the mortality hazard ratio was 1.03 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01 to 1.05; P = .007) for age (years), 0.21 (95% CI, 0.11 to 0.40; P < .001) for serum albumin (g/dL), 1.21 (95% CI, 1.03 to 1.42; P = .02) for serum phosphorus (mg/dL), 1.001 (95% CI, 1.0005 to 1.002; P = .001) for serum intact parathyroid hormone (pg/mL), 1.58 (95% CI, 1.01 to 2.51; P = .047) for hemodialysis catheter (compared to arteriovenous fistula), and 1.75 (95% CI, 1.59 to 1.94; P < .001) for the Charlson score. CONCLUSIONS: Nutritional factors, comorbidities, vascular access, and abnormal mineral metabolism are the main determinants of mortality and morbidity in hemodialysis patients.

Bile cast nephropathy due to cholestatic jaundice after using stanozolol in 2 amateur bodybuilders.

Elevated level of bile can cause bile cast nephropathy, which can be seen in patients with severe cholestatic liver disease. Stanozolol is a C17α-alkylation steroid derived from dihydrotestosterone and its major adverse effect is cholestatic jaundice. We report 2 bodybuilders who received stanozolol for 6 weeks and developed icterus. Serum total bilirubin was around 50 mg/dL. Liver biopsy showed intrahepatic cholestasis. In spite of fluid and albumin therapy, serum creatinine increased and the patients experienced oliguria. Urine sediment showed granular cast and normal erythrocyte count. Protein excretion in 24-hour urine was less than 1000 mg in both patients. Hemodialysis was started on and renal biopsy revealed acute tubular epithelial cell damage along with bile pigment (cast) deposition, compatible with bile cast-related nephropathy. Serum bilirubin decreased gradually and urine output increased. Serum creatinine was around 1.5 mg/dL in both of the patients 2 months after discharge.

Remote ischemic preconditioning for prevention of contrast-induced acute kidney injury in diabetic patients.

INTRODUCTION: There are some clinical trials showing that short-term ischemia in one organ can protect different organs against higher intensity and longer ischemic insult. We designed a study to assess whether remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) on one organ can decrease the rate of contrast-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) in diabetic patients who undergo coronary artery angiography (CAA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This randomized control trial included 96 diabetic patients who were candidates for CAA. Exclusion criteria were congestive heart failure and complications during CAA. All of the patients received 1000 mL of normal saline before CAA. The RIPC group underwent 3 cycles of 5-minute ischemia in their right arm. Serum creatinine was measured before and 24 hours after CAA. RESULTS: Contrast-induced AKI was reported in 5 cases in the control group and 1 case in the RIPC group (P = .13, odds ratio, 5.4). The differences in serum creatinine level before and after the procedure was significantly lower in RIPC group than that in the control group (P = .04, odds ratio, 0.08). Serum creatinine rise significantly correlated with contrast dose (P = .02) and a history of hypertension (P = .02) in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Ischemic preconditioning had a protective effect on contrast-induced AKI in our study. Since this method is harmless and cost effective, further studies on patients with chronic kidney disease is required to evaluate addition of ischemic preconditioning to our clinical practice for prevention of contrast-induced AKI.

Interferon-gamma release assay agreement with tuberculin skin test in pretransplant screening for latent tuberculosis in a high-prevalence country.

INTRODUCTION: Tuberculosis reactivation is one of significant complications after transplantation. Tuberculin skin test (TST) has been the major available screening test in end-stage renal disease patients, but it is associated with a low accuracy. Recently, an interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) has been approved as a substitution test in diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. This study aimed to compare the ability of the TST and IGRA in the diagnosis of latent tuberculosis in hemodialysis patients and investigate risk factors of having positive test results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-seven hemodialysis patients underwent the IGRA and TST tests. Demographic data and blood samples were collected and chest radiography was done for all participants. RESULT: Abnormal chest radiography was reported in 24% of the study group. The IGRA and TST were positive in 11 (23.4%) and 20 patients (43.5%), respectively. The agreement coefficient (kappa) between the IGRA and TST was 0.31. Positive TSTs were significantly associated with male sex and abnormal chest radiography. Diabetes mellitus was a risk factor for a positive IGRA result (P = .01). CONCLUSIONS: The IGRA test is not a sensitive test for detection of latent tuberculosisin hemodialysis patients residing in high-prevalence areas. We suggest that assessment of cellular immunity response in end-stage renal disease patient be a priority before reliance on the IGRA test result.

An overview of recent advances in pathogenesis and diagnosis of preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia is a serious complication of pregnancy, which is the cause of 60 000 maternal deaths annually worldwide. In addition to the well-known maternal risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, obesity, aging, and multiple pregnancies, recent studies have identified the role of genetic and immunological factors in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. In particular, imbalance between angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors, anti-angiotensin II type 1 receptor antibodies and dysregulation of oxygen supplies can cause preeclampsia. A group of biomarkers have been introduced for diagnosis of preeclampsia. Chief among them is the ratio of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 to placental growth factor, which can be used in clinical practice. Recent studies have shown high specificity and sensitivity of these markers for early diagnosis of preeclampsia, which is critical for prevention of fetal and maternal complications.

Vitamin D, parathyroid hormone, and bone mineral density status in kidney transplant recipients.

INTRODUCTION: Bone disease and bone fractures are common among kidney transplant recipients. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, hyperparathyroidism, and osteoporosis kidney transplant patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 113 kidney transplant recipients (58 women and 55 men) were selected consecutively from the transplant clinic between January and April 2010. A serum sample from each patient was analyzed for creatinine, calcium, phosphorus, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and intact parathyroid hormone levels. Bone mineral density was measured by the dual energy x-ray absorptiometry method and classified according to the classification of the World Health Organization. Risk factors of bone mineral density outcomes were evaluated in univariable and multivariable analyses. RESULTS: Forty-five percent of the patients had vitamin D deficiency and 76.2% had hyperparathyroidism. There was a significant correlation between vitamin D deficiency and high serum parathyroid hormone (P = .04) and serum creatinine levels (P = .001). However, there were no significant associations of serum calcium and phosphorus with vitamin D or parathyroid hormone levels. The osteoporosis and osteopenia were reported in 12.4% and 52.2% of the recipients in the lumbar spine and 45.1% and 36.3% of the patients in the femoral neck, respectively. Multivariable analyses showed that there were significant correlations between patients' age and body mass index and femoral neck osteoporosis. Risk factors for lumbar spine osteoporosis were end-stage renal disease duration, serum calcium, and body mass index. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D deficiency, hyperparathyroidism, and osteoporosis are very common in our kidney transplant recipients. Early diagnosis and treatment of these abnormalities should be included in the posttransplant follow-up of patients in order to prevent severe bone diseases and bone fractures.

Massive proteinuria and autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease: a rare coincidence.

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) with nephrotic syndrome is a rare coincidence. Among 19 reported cases since 1972, focal glomerulosclerosis is the dominant reported pathology. Here, we report the 6th case of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis with ADPKD. A 29-year-old man with a history of APCDK presented with massive proteinuria. He had a history of concurrent leptospirosis and brucellosis, and trace proteinuria and mild hypertension had been diagnosed 4 years earlier. Urine study showed proteinuria (21 g/d) and hematuria. Kidney biopsy report was compatible with focal and segmental sclerosis. The patient received prednisolone and cyclosporine. After 4 months, proteinuria decreased to 600 mg/d. Patients with ADPKD who show massive proteinuria should undergo kidney biopsy. It is possible that different mutations in these patients could clarify the nature of this coincidence.