The diagnostic value of DMSA scan in differentiating functional pseudo-tumors from malignancies in scarred kidneys: case series and literature review.

BACKGROUND: The terms "renal regenerating nodule" and "nodular compensatory hypertrophy" are used in the literature to describe functioning pseudo-tumors (FPT) in the setting of an extensively scarred kidney. FPTs are usually discovered incidentally during routine renal imaging. Differentiating these FPTs from renal neoplasms is critical but can be challenging in the setting of chronic kidney disease (CKD) given the limitations related to using contrast-based imaging. CASE SUMMARIES: We report a pediatric case series of 5 CKD patients, with history of urinary tract infections, in which tumor-like lesions evolved in scarred kidneys and were incidentally discovered on routine renal imaging. These were diagnosed as FPT by utilizing dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) imaging and showed stable size and appearance upon follow-up with ultrasound and MRI. CONCLUSION: FPTs can be picked up on routine imaging of pediatric patients with CKD. Although larger cohort studies are needed to confirm these conclusions, our case series supports the evidence that DMSA scan showing uptake at the site of the mass can be a useful tool to suggest the diagnosis of FPTs in children with kidney scarring, and that SPECT DMSA scan adds more precision in picking up and accurately localizing FPTs compared to planar DMSA.

Cumulative Application of Creatinine and Urine Output Staging Optimizes the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes Definition and Identifies Increased Mortality Risk in Hospitalized Patients With Acute Kidney Injury.

OBJECTIVES: Acute kidney injury is diagnosed according to creatinine and urine output criteria. Traditionally, both are applied, and a severity stage (1-3) is conferred based upon the more severe of the two; information from the other criteria is discarded. Physiologically, however, rising creatinine and oliguria represent two distinct types of renal dysfunction. We hypothesized that using the information from both criteria would more accurately characterize acute kidney injury severity and outcomes. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Multicenter, international collaborative of ICUs. PATIENTS: Three thousand four hundred twenty-nine children and young adults admitted consecutively to ICUs as part of the Assessment of the Worldwide Acute Kidney Injury, Renal Angina and Epidemiology Study. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes creatinine and urine output acute kidney injury criteria were applied sequentially, and the two stages were summed, generating an Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) Score ranging from 1 to 6. The primary outcome was 28-day mortality; secondary outcomes were time until ICU discharge and nonrecovery from acute kidney injury. Models considered associations with AKI Score, assessing the relationship unadjusted and adjusted for covariates. Twenty-eight-day mortality and nonrecovery from acute kidney injury were modeled using logistic regression. For 28-day ICU discharge, competing risks analysis was performed. Although AKI Scores 1-3 had similar mortality to no Acute Kidney Injury, AKI Scores 4-6 were associated with increased mortality. Relative to No Acute Kidney Injury, AKI Scores 1-6 were less likely to be discharged from the ICU within 28 days. Relative to AKI Score 1, AKI Scores 2-6 were associated with higher risk of nonrecovery. Within the traditional Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes Stage 3 acute kidney injury cohort, when compared with AKI Score 3, AKI Scores 4-6 had increased mortality, AKI Scores 5-6 had prolonged time to ICU discharge, and AKI Score 6 experienced higher nonrecovery rates. CONCLUSIONS: Cumulative application of the creatinine and urine output criteria characterizes renal excretory and fluid homeostatic dysfunction simultaneously. This Acute Kidney Injury score more comprehensively describes the outcome implications of severe acute kidney injury than traditional staging methods.

Epidemiology of Acute Kidney Injury in Critically Ill Children and Young Adults.

BACKGROUND: The epidemiologic characteristics of children and young adults with acute kidney injury have been described in single-center and retrospective studies. We conducted a multinational, prospective study involving patients admitted to pediatric intensive care units to define the incremental risk of death and complications associated with severe acute kidney injury. METHODS: We used the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes criteria to define acute kidney injury. Severe acute kidney injury was defined as stage 2 or 3 acute kidney injury (plasma creatinine level ≥2 times the baseline level or urine output <0.5 ml per kilogram of body weight per hour for ≥12 hours) and was assessed for the first 7 days of intensive care. All patients 3 months to 25 years of age who were admitted to 1 of 32 participating units were screened during 3 consecutive months. The primary outcome was 28-day mortality. RESULTS: A total of 4683 patients were evaluated; acute kidney injury developed in 1261 patients (26.9%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 25.6 to 28.2), and severe acute kidney injury developed in 543 patients (11.6%; 95% CI, 10.7 to 12.5). Severe acute kidney injury conferred an increased risk of death by day 28 after adjustment for 16 covariates (adjusted odds ratio, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.17 to 2.68); death occurred in 60 of the 543 patients (11.0%) with severe acute kidney injury versus 105 of the 4140 patients (2.5%) without severe acute kidney injury (P<0.001). Severe acute kidney injury was associated with increased use of mechanical ventilation and renal-replacement therapy. A stepwise increase in 28-day mortality was associated with worsening severity of acute kidney injury (P<0.001 by log-rank test). Assessment of acute kidney injury according to the plasma creatinine level alone failed to identify acute kidney injury in 67.2% of the patients with low urine output. CONCLUSIONS: Acute kidney injury is common and is associated with poor outcomes, including increased mortality, among critically ill children and young adults. (Funded by the Pediatric Nephrology Center of Excellence at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and others; AWARE ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01987921 .).

Oliguria and Acute Kidney Injury in Critically Ill Children: Implications for Diagnosis and Outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: Consensus definitions for acute kidney injury are based on changes in serum creatinine and urine output. Although the creatinine criteria have been widely applied, the contribution of the urine output criteria remains poorly understood. We evaluated these criteria individually and collectively to determine their impact on the diagnosis and outcome of severe acute kidney injury. DESIGN AND SETTING: Post hoc analysis of Assessment of Worldwide Acute Kidney Injury, Renal Angina, and Epidemiology study-a prospective international observational multicenter study. PATIENTS: Critically ill children enrolled in Assessment of Worldwide Acute Kidney Injury, Renal Angina and, Epidemiology database. MEASUREMENT: To assess the differential impact of creatinine and urine output criteria on severe acute kidney injury (Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes stage ≥ 2). Patients were divided into four cohorts: no-severe acute kidney injury, severe acute kidney injury by creatinine criteria only, severe acute kidney injury by urine output criteria only, and severe acute kidney injury by both creatinine and urine output criteria. RESULTS: Severe acute kidney injury occurred in 496 of 3,318 children (14.9%); 343 (69.2%) were creatinine criteria only, 90 (18.1%) were urine output criteria only, and 63 (12.7%) were both creatinine and urine output criteria. Twenty-eight-day mortality for creatinine criteria only and urine output criteria only patients was similar (6.7% vs 7.8%) and higher than those without severe acute kidney injury (2.9%; p < 0.01). Both creatinine and urine output criteria patients had higher mortality than creatinine criteria only and urine output criteria only patients (38.1%; p < 0.001). Compared with patients without severe acute kidney injury, the relative risk of receiving dialysis increased from 9.1 (95% CI, 3.9-21.2) in creatinine criteria only, to 28.2 (95% CI, 11.8-67.7) in urine output criteria only, to 165.7 (95% CI, 86.3-318.2) in both creatinine and urine output criteria (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Nearly one in five critically ill children with acute kidney injury do not experience increase in serum creatinine. These acute kidney injury events, which are only identified by urine output criteria, are associated with comparably poor outcomes as those diagnosed by changes in creatinine. Children meeting both criteria had worse outcomes than those meeting only one. We suggest oliguria represents a risk factor for poorer outcomes among children who develop acute kidney injury. Application of both the creatinine and urine output criteria leads to a more comprehensive epidemiologic assessment of acute kidney injury and identifies a subset of children with acute kidney injury who are at higher risk for morbidity and mortality.

Subclinical Kidney Injury in Children Receiving Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs After Cardiac Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) administration with urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) levels in children following cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) who did not develop acute kidney injury (AKI). STUDY DESIGN: In this prospective observational study, urinary NGAL levels were investigated in 210 children who underwent cardiothoracic surgery requiring CPB. Children with clinical AKI (defined as an increase in serum creatinine ≥50% from baseline within 72 hours of CPB) were excluded from the analysis. NSAIDs were administered no sooner than 24 hours after CPB. NGAL levels were compared between children who received NSAIDs (n = 146) and those who did not receive NSAIDs (n = 64). RESULTS: The median age was 3.2 years in the children who received NSAIDs and 2.5 years in those who did not receive NSAIDs (P = .05). Before NSAID administration at 24 hours following CPB, the median NGAL level was 15 ng/mL in both groups (P = .92). Following NSAID administration, the median urinary NGAL level increased to 83 ng/mL (IQR, 45-95 ng/mL) at 72 hours after CPB in those receiving NSAIDs (P < .001). In contrast, the median NGAL level decreased to 10 ng/mL (IQR, 5.4-15.9 ng/mL) at 72 hours after CPB in those who did not receive NSAIDs (P = .01). In multivariable analysis, children receiving NSAIDs demonstrated a 5-fold elevation of urinary NGAL levels at 60-72 hours following CPB compared with those who did not receive NSAIDs (P < .001). CONCLUSION: NSAID administration was associated with a significant increase in urinary NGAL in children who did not develop clinical AKI following CPB. This indicates that NGAL can detect NSAID-induced subclinical kidney injury in this population.

Urinary biomarker incorporation into the renal angina index early in intensive care unit admission optimizes acute kidney injury prediction in critically ill children: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The inconsistent ability of novel biomarkers to predict acute kidney injury (AKI) across heterogeneous patients and illnesses limits integration into routine practice. We previously retrospectively validated the ability of the renal angina index (RAI) to risk-stratify patients and provide context for confirmatory serum biomarker testing for the prediction of severe AKI. METHODS: We conducted this first prospective study of renal angina to determine whether the RAI on the day of admission (Day0) risk-stratified critically ill children for 'persistent, severe AKI' on Day 3 (Day3-AKI: KDIGO Stage 2-3) and whether incorporation of urinary biomarkers in the RAI model optimized AKI prediction. RESULTS: A total of 184 consecutive patients (52.7% male) were included. Day0 renal angina was present (RAI ≥8) in 60 (32.6%) patients and was associated with longer duration of mechanical ventilation (P = 0.04), higher number of organ failure days (P = 0.003) and increased mortality (P < 0.001) than in patients with absence of renal angina. Day3-AKI was present in 15/156 (9.6%) patients; 12/15 (80%) fulfilled Day0 renal angina. Incorporation of urinary biomarkers into the RAI model increased the specificity and positive likelihood, and demonstrated net reclassification improvement (P < 0.001) for the prediction of Day3-AKI. Inclusion of urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin increased the area under the curve receiver-operating characteristic of RAI for Day3-AKI from 0.80 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.58, 1.00] to 0.97 (95% CI: 0.93, 1.00). CONCLUSIONS: We have now prospectively validated the RAI as a functional risk stratification methodology in a heterogeneous group of critically ill patients, providing context to direct measurement of novel urinary biomarkers and improving the prediction of severe persistent AKI.

Novel urinary tubular injury markers reveal an evidence of underlying kidney injury in children with reduced left ventricular systolic function: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Evolving data suggest tubular injury markers (TIM) to be diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of kidney injury in adults with chronic cardiac dysfunction. Such data are not well delineated in asymptomatic children with cardiomyopathy. This study sought to evaluate kidney involvement in children with left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional case-control study in 61 asymptomatic children (aged 1.7-21.9 years) with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and LV ejection fraction (LVEF) < 55 %. Routine conventional kidney function markers and the following urinary TIM were measured: KIM-1, IL-18, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), and L-FABP. Characteristics and TIM data of cases were compared with those of 61 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. RESULTS: Children with DCM had higher TIM concentrations compared with controls for IL-18 (28.2 pg/mg, IQR [15.9-42.5] vs19.0 [12.6-28.6], p < 0.001), NGAL (13.2 ng/mg [6.5-44.3] vs 8.3 [3.1-17.5], p = 0.01), and KIM-1 (386 pg/mg (248-597) vs 307 [182-432], p = 0.02). All conventional kidney function markers were within normal limits in the DCM cohort. A combined model using cut-off values of KIM-1 ≥ 235, IL-18 ≥ 17.5, and (BNP) > 15 pg/ml resulted in distinction between patients with mildly depressed LV (55 > LVEF ≥ 45) and those with LVEF < 45 %. The sensitivity of this model was ≥80 % when any of the cut-off values was met and specificity 83 % when all cut-off values were met. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that asymptomatic children with LVEF < 55 % might have subclinical kidney injury that cannot be detected with conventional kidney function markers. TIM in conjunction with other cardiac function markers may be utilized to distinguish asymptomatic children with DCM and moderate or worse LV dysfunction (LFEV < 45 %) from those with mild LV dysfunction (55 > LVEF ≥ 45 %).

Thrombocytopenia-associated multi-organ failure caused by diabetic ketoacidosis.

Thrombocytopenia-associated multi-organ failure (TAMOF) is an increasingly reported entity in the pediatric intensive care unit. The clinical presentation is similar to thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, but with no evidence of hemolysis and no schistocytes on peripheral smear. We report a case of TAMOF induced by diabetic ketoacidosis and treated with therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE). Early diagnosis and initiation of TPE significantly decrease the morbidity associated with TAMOF.

Prevalence, predictors, and outcomes of cardiorenal syndrome in children with dilated cardiomyopathy: a report from the Pediatric Cardiomyopathy Registry.

BACKGROUND: The association of cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) with mortality in children with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is unknown. METHODS: With a modified Schwartz formula, we estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR) for children ≥1 year of age with DCM enrolled in the Pediatric Cardiomyopathy Registry at the time of DCM diagnosis and annually thereafter. CRS was defined as an eGFR of <90 mL/min/1.73 m(2). Children with and without CRS were compared on survival and serum creatinine concentrations (SCr). The association between eGFR and echocardiographic measures was assessed with linear mixed-effects regression models. RESULTS: Of 285 eligible children with DCM diagnosed at ≥1 year of age, 93 were evaluable. CRS was identified in 57 of these 93 children (61.3%). Mean (standard deviation) eGFR was 62.0 (22.6) mL/min/1.73 m(2) for children with CRS and 108.0 (14.0) for those without (P < 0.001); median SCr concentrations were 0.9 and 0.5 mg/dL, respectively (P < 0.001). The mortality hazard ratio of children with CRS versus those with no CRS was 2.4 (95% confidence interval 0.8-7.4). eGFR was positively correlated with measures of left ventricular function and negatively correlated with age. CONCLUSIONS: CRS in children newly diagnosed with DCM may be associated with higher 5-year mortality. Children with DCM, especially those with impaired left ventricular function, should be monitored for renal disease.

Prevalence and predictors of aortic dilation as a novel cardiovascular complication in children with end-stage renal disease.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in children with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Isolated aortic dilation (AD) is rare in children. We aimed to determine the prevalence and the risk factors for AD in children with ESRD. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: We reviewed records of all ESRD patients followed mat our institution from January 2007 to October 2012. AD was defined as Z-score > 2 in the dimension of at least one of the following echocardiographic aortic parameters: annulus, root at the sinus, sino-tubular junction, or ascending aorta. RESULTS: The records of 78 patients on dialysis and 19 kidney transplant recipients were available. 30 patients (30.9%) had AD. Multivariate analysis revealed independent associations of AD with body mass index (BMI) Z-score (OR = 0.52, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.35 - 0.78) and ESRD secondary to glomerular disease (OR = 4.58, 95% CI: 1.45 - 14.46). We developed a classification and regression tree (CART) model to identify patients at low vs. high AD risk. Our model classified 62 patients of the cohort (64%) to be high- or lowrisk, with a positive predictive value of 89% and a negative predictive value of 100%. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that AD, as a possible marker of aortopathy and early aneurysm formation, is a novel and prevalent cardiovascular complication in ESRD children. Glomerular disease and low BMI Zscore appear to be potent predictors. CART modeling helps identify high-risk children, potentially guiding decisions regarding targeted echocardiographic evaluations.

Assessment of Worldwide Acute Kidney Injury, Renal Angina and Epidemiology in critically ill children (AWARE): study protocol for a prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with poor outcome in critically ill children. While data extracted from retrospective study of pediatric populations demonstrate a high incidence of AKI, the literature lacks focused and comprehensive multicenter studies describing AKI risk factors, epidemiology, and outcome. Additionally, very few pediatric studies have examined novel urinary biomarkers outside of the cardiopulmonary bypass population. METHODS/DESIGN: This is a prospective observational study. We anticipate collecting data on over 5000 critically ill children admitted to 31 pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) across the world during the calendar year of 2014. Data will be collected for seven days on all children older than 90 days and younger than 25 years without baseline stage 5 chronic kidney disease, chronic renal replacement therapy, and outside of 90 days of a kidney transplant or from surgical correction of congenital heart disease. Data to be collected includes demographic information, admission diagnoses and co-morbidities, and details on fluid and vasoactive resuscitation used. The renal angina index will be calculated integrating risk factors and early changes in serum creatinine and fluid overload. On days 2-7, all hemodynamic and pertinent laboratory values will be captured focusing on AKI pertinent values. Daily calculated values will include % fluid overload, fluid corrected creatinine, and KDIGO AKI stage. Urine will be captured twice daily for biomarker analysis on Days 0-3 of admission. Biomarkers to be measured include neutrophil gelatinase lipocalin (NGAL), kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), liver-type fatty acid binding protein (l-FABP), and interleukin-18 (IL-18). The primary outcome to be quantified is incidence rate of severe AKI on Day 3 (Day 3-AKI). Prediction of Day 3-AKI by the RAI and after incorporation of biomarkers with RAI will be analyzed. DISCUSSION: The Assessment of Worldwide Acute Kidney Injury, Renal Angina and Epidemiology (AWARE) study, creates the first prospective international pediatric all cause AKI data warehouse and biologic sample repository, providing a broad and invaluable resource for critical care nephrologists seeking to study risk factors, prediction, identification, and treatment options for a disease syndrome with high associated morbidity affecting a significant proportion of hospitalized children. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01987921.

Factors associated with successful liberation from continuous renal replacement therapy in children and young adults: analysis of the worldwide exploration of renal replacement outcomes collaborative in Kidney Disease Registry.

PURPOSE: Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is used for supportive management of acute kidney injury (AKI) and disorders of fluid balance (FB). Little is known about the predictors of successful liberation in children and young adults. We aimed to identify the factors associated with successful CRRT liberation. METHODS: The Worldwide Exploration of Renal Replacement Outcomes Collaborative in Kidney Disease study is an international multicenter retrospective study (32 centers, 7 nations) conducted from 2015 to 2021 in children and young adults (aged 0-25 years) treated with CRRT for AKI or FB disorders. Patients with previous dialysis dependence, tandem extracorporeal membrane oxygenation use, died within the first 72 h of CRRT initiation, and those who never had liberation attempted were excluded. Patients were categorized based on first liberation attempt: reinstituted (resumption of any dialysis within 72 h) vs. success (no receipt of dialysis for ≥ 72 h). Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with successful CRRT liberation. RESULTS: A total of 622 patients were included: 287 (46%) had CRRT reinstituted and 335 (54%) were successfully liberated. After adjusting for sepsis at admission and illness severity parameters, several factors were associated with successful liberation, including higher VIS (vasoactive-inotropic score) at CRRT initiation (odds ratio [OR] 1.35 [1.12-1.63]), higher PELOD-2 (pediatric logistic organ dysfunction-2) score at CRRT initiation (OR 1.71 [1.24-2.35]), higher urine output prior to CRRT initiation (OR 1.15 [1.001-1.32]), and shorter CRRT duration (OR 0.19 [0.12-0.28]). CONCLUSIONS: Inability to liberate from CRRT was common in this multinational retrospective study. Modifiable and non-modifiable factors were associated with successful liberation. These results may inform the design of future clinical trials to optimize likelihood of CRRT liberation success.

Major Adverse Kidney Events in Pediatric Continuous Kidney Replacement Therapy.

Importance: Continuous kidney replacement therapy (CKRT) is increasingly used in youths with critical illness, but little is known about longer-term outcomes, such as persistent kidney dysfunction, continued need for dialysis, or death. Objective: To characterize the incidence and risk factors, including liberation patterns, associated with major adverse kidney events 90 days after CKRT initiation (MAKE-90) in children, adolescents, and young adults. Design, Setting, and Participants: This international, multicenter cohort study was conducted among patients aged 0 to 25 years from The Worldwide Exploration of Renal Replacement Outcomes Collaborative in Kidney Disease (WE-ROCK) registry treated with CKRT for acute kidney injury or fluid overload from 2015 to 2021. Exclusion criteria were dialysis dependence, concurrent extracorporeal membrane oxygenation use, or receipt of CKRT for a different indication. Data were analyzed from May 2 to December 14, 2023. Exposure: Patient clinical characteristics and CKRT parameters were assessed. CKRT liberation was classified as successful, reinstituted, or not attempted. Successful liberation was defined as the first attempt at CKRT liberation resulting in 72 hours or more without return to dialysis within 28 days of CKRT initiation. Main Outcomes and Measures: MAKE-90, including death or persistent kidney dysfunction (dialysis dependence or ≥25% decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate from baseline), were assessed. Results: Among 969 patients treated with CKRT (529 males [54.6%]; median [IQR] age, 8.8 [1.7-15.0] years), 630 patients (65.0%) developed MAKE-90. On multivariable analysis, cardiac comorbidity (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.60; 95% CI, 1.08-2.37), longer duration of intensive care unit admission before CKRT initiation (aOR for 6 days vs 1 day, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.02-1.13), and liberation pattern were associated with MAKE-90. In this analysis, patients who successfully liberated from CKRT within 28 days had lower odds of MAKE-90 compared with patients in whom liberation was attempted and failed (aOR, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.22-0.48) and patients without a liberation attempt (aOR, 0.02; 95% CI, 0.01-0.04). Conclusions and Relevance: In this study, MAKE-90 occurred in almost two-thirds of the population and patient-level risk factors associated with MAKE-90 included cardiac comorbidity, time to CKRT initiation, and liberation patterns. These findings highlight the high incidence of adverse outcomes in this population and suggest that future prospective studies are needed to better understand liberation patterns and practices.

Impact of Acute Kidney Injury on Critically Ill Children and Neonates.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a clinical syndrome that manifests as an abrupt impairment of kidney function. AKI is common in critically ill pediatric patients admitted to the pediatric intensive care units. AKI is a deleterious complication in critically ill children as it is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. This review provides an overview of the incidence, morbidity, and mortality of AKI in critically ill children in general and specific cohorts such as post-cardiac surgeries, sepsis, critically ill neonates, and post stem cell transplantation.

Prevalence of Depression and Sleep Disorders in Patients on Dialysis: A Cross-Sectional Study in Qatar.

Patients with end-stage renal disease treated with dialysis have poor quality of life (QOL). Improving QOL in these patients with multiple comorbidities is a large challenge. We performed a cross-sectional study to evaluate the prevalence and associated factors of depression and sleep disorders in this population. Our primary aim was to evaluate QOL measures in dialysis patients in Qatar through a series of validated questionnaires mainly concerning depression and sleep disorders. Our secondary aim was to study the associations of age, sex, and comorbid conditions with the QOL measures. We hypothesized that end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on dialysis would have disturbed QOL due to both ESRD and dialysis and comorbidities. This prospective cross-sectional study included adult ESRD patients receiving either hemodialysis (HD) or peritoneal dialysis (PD) in the main tertiary dialysis unit in Qatar. We administered two surveys to evaluate depression (the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, http://www.bmedreport.com/archives/7139) and sleep disorders (the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, https://www.sleep.pitt.edu/instruments/). We also reviewed patient demographics, comorbidities, and laboratory test results to evaluate any associated factors. We randomly studied 253 patients (62% on HD and 38% on PD). Overall, 48% of patients had depression, while 83.8% had sleep disorders. The PD had more poor sleepers than the HD group (89.1% versus (vs.) 75%, p=0.003). Most of our dialysis patients had poor sleep, but it was more significant in the elderly group 109 (90%) than in the young group 103 (78%) (p=0.009). Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) had significantly more prevalence of poor sleep (131 (88.5%)) than those without DM (81 (77.1%), p=0.01). More female patients had depression than male patients (52% vs. 25%, p < 0.0001; odds ratio: 3.27 (95% confidence interval: 1.9-5.6), p < 0.0001). This is the first study in Qatar to evaluate depression and sleep disorders in patients on dialysis therapy.

Weight as a Risk Factor for Mortality in Critically Ill Patients.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the hypothesis that obesity is associated with increased mortality and worse outcomes in children who are critically ill. METHODS: Secondary analysis of the Assessment of Worldwide Acute Kidney Injury, Renal Angina, and Epidemiology study, a prospective, multinational observational study. Patients between 3 months and 25 years across Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America were recruited for 3 consecutive months. Patients were divided into 4 groups (underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese) on the basis of their BMI percentile for age and sex. RESULTS: A total of 3719 patients were evaluated, of whom 542 (14%) had a primary diagnosis of sepsis. One thousand fifty-nine patients (29%) were underweight, 1649 (44%) were normal weight, 423 (11%) were overweight, and 588 (16%) were obese. The 28-day mortality rate was 3.6% for the overall cohort and 9.1% for the sepsis subcohort and differed significantly by weight status (5.8%, 3.1%, 2.2%, and 1.8% for subjects with underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obesity, respectively, in the overall cohort [P < .001] and 15.4%, 6.6%, 3.6%, and 4.7% in the sepsis subcohort, respectively [P = .003]). In a fully adjusted model, 28-day mortality risk was 1.8-fold higher in the underweight group versus the normal weight group in the overall cohort and 2.9-fold higher in the sepsis subcohort. Patients who were overweight and obese did not demonstrate increased risk in their respective cohorts. Patients who were underweight had a longer ICU length of stay, increased need for mechanical ventilation support, and a higher frequency of fluid overload. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who are underweight make up a significant proportion of all patients in the PICU, have a higher short-term mortality rate, and have a more complicated ICU course.

Assessment of a renal angina index for prediction of severe acute kidney injury in critically ill children: a multicentre, multinational, prospective observational study.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) occurs in one in four children admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and AKI severity is independently associated with increased patient morbidity and mortality. Early prediction of AKI has the potential to improve outcomes. In smaller, single center populations, we have previously derived and validated the performance of the renal angina index (RAI), a context driven risk stratification system, to predict severe AKI. Methods: A prospective, observational study (AWARE1, January-December 2014) was conducted in intensive care units from 32 centers in 9 countries. The primary outcome was the presence of severe AKI ("AKIS"; Stage 2-3 AKI KDIGO guidelines) on the third day after ICU admission (). We compared the performance of the RAI to changes in serum creatinine relative to baseline (SCr/Base) for prediction of the primary outcome and secondary outcomes of interest. A RAI ≥ 8 defined fulfillment of renal angina (RA+); RA+ was compared to SCr increased relative to baseline ("SCr>Base"; using maximum SCr in first 12 hours of ICU admission). Findings: The 1590 patients studied were 55% male and had median age of 54.5 months. 286 patients (17.9%) were RA+. AKIS occurred in 121 (42.3%) RA+ vs. 247 (18.9%) RA-patients (relative risk (RR) 2.23; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.87-2.66, p<0.001). 368 (23.1%) patients with AKIS had increased renal replacement therapy utilization (10.9% vs. 1.5%, p<0.001) and increased mortality (7.6% vs. 4.3%, p=0.01) compared to patients without AKIS. RA+ demonstrated better prediction for AKIS than SCr>Base (RR: 1.61; (1.33-1.93), p<0.001) which was maintained on multivariate regression (independent odds ratio (OR): RA+ 3.21; 95% CI (2.20-4.67) vs. SCr>Base 0.68; 95% CI (0.49-4.94)). Interpretation: Earlier, better prediction of severe AKI has the potential to improve AKI associated patient outcomes. Compared to isolated, context-free changes in SCr, renal angina risk assessment improved accuracy for prediction of severe AKI in critically ill children and young adults.

The epidemiology of acute peritonitis in end-stage renal disease patients on peritoneal dialysis in Qatar: An 8-year follow-up study.

Acute peritonitis (AP) is a common and devastating complication in end-stage renal disease patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD). We are reporting an epidemiologic study of AP in Qatar over 8-year follow-up. We retrospectively reviewed medical records of all PD patients in Qatar from 2007 to 2014. The analysis was conducted to report epidemiology, outcome, and associated risk factors of AP. We had 318 AP episodes in 180 patients between 2007 and 2014. Six (3.3%) patients died as a result AP. Six cases of fungal peritonitis were reported. AP rate has decreased from 1 episode/29.7 PD-months in 2007 to 1/43.7 PD-months in 2014. Ninety-nine (55%) patients had single AP while 81 (45%) patients had 2 episodes or more (multiple AP). Patients on automated PD carried a higher risk of developing multiple AP [odds ratio (OR) = 1.46, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01-1.71]. The first episode of AP caused by Gram-positive cocci carried a significant risk of multiple AP (OR = 4.3, 95 % CI: 2.2-8.2). Negative-culture AP carried a significant protective role from multiple AP (OR = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.19-0.66). Most deaths occurred with the first episode of AP (4 out of 6). In this 8-year follow-up, epidemiologic study from Qatar, fungal peritonitis and mortality rate were very low, AP rate improved overall, multiple AP was prevalent (45%), and its risk increases with Gram-positive cocci infections. Our results signify the importance of implementing more efficient care bundles to prevent multiple AP.

Identifying evidence of cardio-renal syndrome in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy using cystatin C.

Patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) develop dilated cardiomyopathy and are at risk for kidney injury. Creatinine based estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is limited by low muscle mass with low serum creatinine levels in DMD. We assessed the relationship between cardiac function, modified Schwartz eGFR and cystatin C eGFR in patients with DMD. Ninety-three patients with DMD were screened for renal dysfunction in an outpatient neuromuscular clinic. Patients with new nephrotoxic medications, recent hospitalization or decompensated heart failure were excluded from the analysis. Eleven (12%) patients had evidence of renal dysfunction identified by cystatin C eGFR, while no patients had renal dysfunction by Schwartz eGFR. There was no significant correlation between cystatin C eGFR and age (r = -0.2, p = 0.11), prednisone dose (r = 0.06, p = 0.89) or deflazacort dose (r = -0.01, p = 0.63). There was a significant correlation between left ventricular ejection fraction and cystatin C GFR among patients with chronic left ventricular dysfunction (r = 0.46, p < 0.01), but not normal function (r = -0.07, p = 0.77). There was no significant correlation between left ventricular ejection fraction and Schwartz eGFR among patients with (r = 0.07, p = 0.59) or without (r = -0.27, p = 0.07) chronic left ventricular dysfunction. Cystatin C eGFR correlates with cardiac dysfunction in patients with DMD, thus providing novel evidence of cardio-renal syndrome in this population. Routine monitoring of renal function is recommended in patients with DMD.