Migraine with aura may be confused with a stroke. Magnetic resonance imaging is an important tool for the differential diagnosis. Cerebral hypoperfusion has been described in classic migraine, mainly during the aura. A 47-year-old male had an unremarkable past medical history. After sneezing, he developed a left hemi hypoesthesia, bitemporal vision loss, photopsia, and some distortion in the position of letters and words. This lasted <1 h, and it was followed by a severe headache. A magnetic resonance angiography was performed during the headache. It showed a left hemispheric hypoperfusion that did not correlate with the symptoms described by the patient. It is believed that during the aura, cerebral blood flow decreases, leading to hypoxia and decreased cellular energy generation, and these metabolic alterations define the symptoms of the patient. In our case, we documented brain hypoperfusion during the headache in the ipsilateral brain hemisphere to the symptoms, which has no clinical correlation. This condition could be due to spasm in the capillary arteries, and it may persist and influence the clinical manifestations during the headache phase in migraine with aura. A state of generalized cerebral hyperperfusion has been suggested, and there may be a coexistence of both phenomena for some period. This may open a new line of research regarding the pathophysiology and vascular changes of migraine with aura.
Pre-transplant prognostic scores help to optimize donor/recipient allocation and to minimize organ discard rates. Since most of these scores come from the US, direct application in non-US populations is not advisable. The Survival Benefit Estimator (SBE), built upon the Estimated Post-Transplant Survival (EPTS) and the Kidney Donor Profile Index (KDPI), has not been externally validated. We aimed to examine SBE in a cohort of Spanish kidney transplant recipients. We designed a retrospective cohort-based study of deceased-donor kidney transplants carried out in two different Spanish hospitals. Unadjusted and adjusted Cox models were applied for patient survival. Predictive models were compared using Harrell's C statistics. SBE, EPTS and KDPI were independently associated with patient survival (p ≤ 0.01 in all models). Model discrimination measured with Harrell's C statistics ranged from 0.57 (KDPI) to 0.69 (SBE) and 0.71 (EPTS). After adjustment, SBE presented similar calibration and discrimination power to that of EPTS. SBE tended to underestimate actual survival, mainly among high EPTS recipients/high KDPI donors. SBE performed acceptably well at discriminating post-transplant survival in a cohort of Spanish deceased-donor kidney transplant recipients, although its use as the main allocation guide, especially for high KDPI donors or high EPTS recipients requires further testing.
Kidney Transplantation/mortality , Adult , Aged , Graft Rejection/diagnosis , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Models, Statistical , Prognosis , Proportional Hazards Models , Reproducibility of Results , Retrospective Studies , Spain/epidemiology , Survival Analysis
Acute kidney injury (AKI) and Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) are global health problems. The pathophysiology of acute-on-chronic kidney disease (AoCKD) is not well understood. We aimed to study clinical outcomes in patients with previous normal (pure acute kidney injury; P-AKI) or impaired kidney function (AoCKD) across the 2012 Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) AKI classification. We performed a retrospective study of patients with AKI, divided into P-AKI and AoCKD groups, evaluating clinical and epidemiological features, distribution across KDIGO-2012 criteria, in-hospital mortality and need for dialysis. One thousand, two hundred and sixty-nine subjects were included. AoCKD individuals were older and had higher comorbidity. P-AKI individuals fulfilled more often the serum creatinine (SCr) ≥ 3.0× criterion in AKI-Stage3, AoCKD subjects reached SCr ≥ 4.0 mg/dL criterion more frequently. AKI severity was associated with in-hospital mortality independently of baseline renal function. AoCKD subjects presented higher mortality when fulfilling AKI-Stage1 criteria or SCr ≥ 3.0× criterion within AKI-Stage3. The relationship between mortality and associated risk factors, such as the net increase of SCr or AoCKD status, fluctuated depending on AKI stage and stage criteria sub-strata. AoCKD patients that fulfil SCr increment rate criteria may be exposed to more severe insults, possibly explaining the higher mortality. AoCKD may constitute a unique clinical syndrome. Adequate staging criteria may help prompt diagnosis and administration of appropriate therapy.
Fundamento y objetivo: Las células T reguladoras circulantes podrían convertirse en un adecuado biomarcador para los trasplantados renales. El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar el efecto de los inhibidores de la mammalian target of rapamycin (I-mTOR, «diana de rapamicina en células de mamífero») en las células reguladoras, y el interés clínico de este efecto. Material y métodos: Revisión sistemática de trabajos publicados y no publicados. Bases de datos y repositorios del mundo entero. Se buscaron ensayos controlados aleatorizados y estudios de cohortes que compararon recuentos de células reguladoras y episodios de rechazo entre trasplantados tratados con y sin I-mTOR. Los trabajos podían medir la correlación células reguladoras-filtrado glomerular. Se evaluó la codependencia células reguladoras-eficacia de los I-mTOR. Resultados: Se incluyeron 5 ensayos y 9 estudios. Las diferencias clínicas no permitieron una estimación cuantitativa del efecto de la inmunosupresión en el número de células reguladoras. Sin embargo, observamos que hay más células reguladoras con sirolimus o everolimus. El número de episodios de rechazo fue similar con anticalcineurínicos que con I-mTOR, a pesar de las diferencias en el número de células reguladoras. La correlación combinada células reguladoras-filtrado glomerular fue prospectivamente de 0,114, con un intervalo de confianza al 95% (IC 95%) de 0,062-0,406, y retrospectivamente, de 0,13 (IC 95% 0,0-0,361). Existen pruebas directas, aunque de bajo nivel (aleatorización estratificada por el biomarcador), respecto a la codependencia células reguladoras-eficacia de los I-mTOR. Conclusión: El número de células reguladoras puede asociarse a buenos resultados o desenlaces en los tratados con I-mTOR (eficacia antirrechazo), considerando la relación entre estas células y la función del injerto. Registro: PROSPERO (CRD42016046285) (AU)
Background and objective: Circulating regulatory T cells could become a suitable biomarker for kidney recipients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors on regulatory T cell numbers, and the clinical interest of this effect. Material and methods: Systematic review of published and unpublished studies. Worldwide databases or repositories. Randomised controlled trials and cohort studies comparing regulatory T cell counts and rejection episodes between patients with and without mTOR inhibitors were searched. Correlation of regulatory T cells-glomerular filtration rate might be supplied. Co-dependency regulatory T cells-mTOR inhibitors efficacy was evaluated. Results: Five trials and 9 studies were included. Clinical differences made it difficult to obtain quantitative estimates of the effect of immunosuppression on regulatory T cell numbers. Nevertheless, we found that there are higher regulatory T cell numbers under treatment with sirolimus or everolimus. Rejection episodes were similar under calcineurin inhibitors and mTOR inhibitors despite different regulatory T cell numbers. Pooled correlation regulatory T cells-glomerular filtration rate was, prospectively 0.114 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.062-0.406), and retrospectively 0.13 (95% CI 0.0-0.361). There is direct evidence although of low level (biomarker-stratified randomisation) on the co-dependency regulatory T cells-mTOR inhibitors efficacy. Conclusions: Regulatory T cells counts may be associated with better outcomes under treatment with mTOR inhibitors (anti-rejection efficacy), considering that there is a relationship between these cells and kidney graft function Registration: PROSPERO (CRD42016046285) (AU)
Humans , Cell Count , Biomarkers/analysis , Kidney Transplantation/methods , Graft Rejection/diagnosis , Cohort Studies , Glomerular Filtration Rate/physiology , Bias
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Circulating regulatory T cells could become a suitable biomarker for kidney recipients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors on regulatory T cell numbers, and the clinical interest of this effect. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Systematic review of published and unpublished studies. Worldwide databases or repositories. Randomised controlled trials and cohort studies comparing regulatory T cell counts and rejection episodes between patients with and without mTOR inhibitors were searched. Correlation of regulatory T cells-glomerular filtration rate might be supplied. Co-dependency regulatory T cells-mTOR inhibitors efficacy was evaluated. RESULTS: Five trials and 9 studies were included. Clinical differences made it difficult to obtain quantitative estimates of the effect of immunosuppression on regulatory T cell numbers. Nevertheless, we found that there are higher regulatory T cell numbers under treatment with sirolimus or everolimus. Rejection episodes were similar under calcineurin inhibitors and mTOR inhibitors despite different regulatory T cell numbers. Pooled correlation regulatory T cells-glomerular filtration rate was, prospectively 0.114 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.062-0.406), and retrospectively 0.13 (95% CI 0.0-0.361). There is direct evidence although of low level (biomarker-stratified randomisation) on the co-dependency regulatory T cells-mTOR inhibitors efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: Regulatory T cells counts may be associated with better outcomes under treatment with mTOR inhibitors (anti-rejection efficacy), considering that there is a relationship between these cells and kidney graft function. REGISTRATION: PROSPERO (CRD42016046285).
Graft Rejection/prevention & control , Immunosuppressive Agents/therapeutic use , Kidney Transplantation , T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/metabolism , TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/antagonists & inhibitors , Biomarkers/blood , Graft Rejection/blood , Graft Rejection/diagnosis , Graft Rejection/immunology , Humans , Lymphocyte Count , Treatment Outcome
BACKGROUND: Hypoglycemia is a serious complication following the administration of insulin for hyperkalemia. We determined the incidence of hypoglycemia and severe hypoglycemia (blood glucose <70 or ≤40 mg/dl, respectively) in a cohort of AKI and non-dialysis dependent CKD patients who received an intravenous infusion of insulin plus glucose to treat hyperkalemia. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed charts of all AKI and non-dialysis dependent CKD patients who received 10 U of insulin plus 50 g glucose to treat hyperkalemia from December 1, 2013 to May 31, 2015 at our Department. RESULTS: One hundred sixty four episodes of hyperkalemia were treated with insulin plus glucose and were eligible for analysis. Serum potassium levels dropped by 1.18 ± 1.01 mmol/l. Eleven treatments (6.1%) resulted in hypoglycemia and two (1.2%) in severe hypoglycemia. A lower pretreatment blood glucose tended to associate with a higher subsequent risk of hypoglycemia. Age, sex, renal function, an established diagnosis of diabetes or previous treatment were not associated with the development of this complication. We did not register any significant adverse events. CONCLUSION: Our intravenous regimen combining an infusion of insulin plus glucose effectively reduced serum potassium levels compared to previous studies and associated a low risk of symptomatic hypoglycemia and other complications.
Glucose/therapeutic use , Hyperkalemia/drug therapy , Hypoglycemia/drug therapy , Insulin/therapeutic use , Administration, Intravenous , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Blood Glucose/drug effects , Female , Glucose/administration & dosage , Humans , Hyperkalemia/blood , Hypoglycemia/blood , Infusions, Intravenous , Insulin/administration & dosage , Kidney/drug effects , Kidney/pathology , Male , Middle Aged , Potassium/blood , Renal Dialysis , Retrospective Studies
BACKGROUND: Patients must receive an adequate dialysis dose in each hemodialysis (HD) session. Ionic dialysance (ID) enables the dialysis dose to be monitored in each session. The aim of this study was to compare the achievement of Kt versus eKt/V values and to analyse the main impediments to reaching the dialysis dose. METHODS: Of 5316 patients from 54 Fresenius Medical Care centers in Spain undergoing their usual HD regime, 3275 received ID and were included in the study. RESULTS: The minimum prescribed dose of eKt/V was reached in 91.2% of the patients, while the minimum recommended dose of Kt was reached in only 66.8%. Patients not receiving the minimum Kt dose were older, had spent 7 months less on dialysis, had a dialysis duration of 6 min less, had 5.7 kg more of body weight and Qb was 47 mL/min lower. The target Kt was not reached by 62% of patients with catheters and by 37% of women. With each quintile increase of body weight, eKt/V decreased and Kt increased. Of patients with a body weight >80 kg, 1.4%, mostly men, reached the target Kt but not prescribed eKt/V. CONCLUSIONS: The impact of monitoring the dose with Kt instead of Kt/V is that identifies 25.8% of patients who did not reach the minimum Kt while achieving Kt/V. The main impediments to achieving an adequate dialysis dose were catheter use, female sex, advanced age, greater body weight, shorter dialysis time and lower Qb.
Hemodiafiltration/methods , Hemodialysis Solutions/administration & dosage , Kidney Diseases/therapy , Online Systems , Renal Dialysis , Urea/metabolism , Age Factors , Aged , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Kinetics , Male , Models, Statistical , Monitoring, Physiologic , Prognosis , Time Factors
BACKGROUND: Geographical differences in disease prevalence and mortality have been described in the general population and in chronic kidney disease patients in Europe. In this secondary analysis of the Membrane Permeability Outcome (MPO) study, we addressed differences in patient and treatment patterns, and whether these affect patient outcomes. METHODS: Participating countries were grouped according to geographical location; thus study centers in France, Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain were allocated to southern Europe (n=499), and those in all other countries (Belgium, Germany, Poland and Sweden) to northern Europe (n=148). Descriptive analysis of patient and treatment patterns at study start, as well as survival analysis, was performed. RESULTS: In patients from the northern European countries, a higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus and of cardiovascular disease was observed than in those from southern Europe (diabetes 35.1% vs. 21.0%, p=0.0007; cardiovascular disease 40.5% vs. 22.8%, p<0.0001). In northern Europe, 23% of patients started hemodialysis with a catheter for vascular access, while in southern European centers, only 13% did so (p=0.0042). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed a lower probability for both all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in southern Europe (log-rank test p<0.001). In a Cox proportional hazards model, a higher mortality risk was estimated for the northern European patients after adjustment for age, sex, membrane permeability, comorbidity index and vascular access (hazard ratio = 1.831; 95% confidence interval, 1.282-2.615; p=0.0009). CONCLUSIONS: Our study patients from northern Europe showed a higher risk profile than those from southern Europe. However, only some of the factors can be modified in attempts to lower the mortality risk in this geographical area.
Cardiovascular Diseases/mortality , Diabetes Mellitus/epidemiology , Renal Dialysis , Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/mortality , Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/therapy , Aged , Analysis of Variance , Calcium/blood , Cholesterol, LDL/blood , Comorbidity , Confidence Intervals , Europe/epidemiology , Female , Humans , Kaplan-Meier Estimate , Male , Membranes, Artificial , Middle Aged , Permeability , Prevalence , Proportional Hazards Models , Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/blood , Serum Albumin/metabolism , Treatment Outcome , Vascular Access Devices
BACKGROUND: To describe the causes of graft loss, patient death and survival figures in kidney transplant patients in Spain based on the recipient's age. METHODS: The results at 5 years of post-transplant cardiovascular disease (CVD) patients, taken from a database on CVD, were prospectively analysed, i.e. a total of 2600 transplanted patients during 2000-2002 in 14 Spanish renal transplant units, most of them receiving their organ from cadaver donors. Patients were grouped according to the recipient's age: Group A: <40 years, Group B: 40-60 years and Group C: >60 years. The most frequent immunosuppressive regimen included tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil and steroids. RESULTS: Patients were distributed as follows: 25.85% in Group A (>40 years), 50.9% in Group B (40-60 years) and 23.19% in Group C (>60). The 5-year survival for the different age groups was 97.4, 90.8 and 77.7%, respectively. Death-censored graft survival was 88, 84.2 and 79.1%, respectively, and non death-censored graft survival was 82.1, 80.3 and 64.7%, respectively. Across all age groups, CVD and infections were the most frequent cause of death. The main causes of graft loss were chronic allograft dysfunction in patients <40 years old and death with functioning graft in the two remaining groups. In the multivariate analysis for graft survival, only elevated creatinine levels and proteinuria >1 g at 6 months post-transplantation were statistically significant in the three age groups. The patient survival multivariate analysis did not achieve a statistically significant common factor in the three age groups. CONCLUSIONS: Five-year results show an excellent recipient survival and graft survival, especially in the youngest age group. Death with functioning graft is the leading cause of graft loss in patients >40 years. Early improvement of renal function and proteinuria together with strict control of cardiovascular risk factors are mandatory.
Graft Rejection/epidemiology , Kidney Transplantation/mortality , Adult , Age Distribution , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Prospective Studies , Risk Factors , Survival Rate , Time Factors
Observational study of patients on hemodialysis (HD) in FMC® Spain clinics over the years 2009 and 2010. The data were collected from the EuClid® database, implemented in the clinics of FMC®, which complies with the following feature: record online, compulsory, conducted in patients incidents and that it covers the entire population on HD in these clinics. Its aim is to understand the characteristics of patients and treatment patterns, comparing them with other studies described in the literature and in order to improve their prognosis and quality of life. Include 2637 incidents patients and 4679 prevalent, which makes a total of 7316 patients. In prevalent patients: 24.4% were diabetic; 76.3% had cardio-vascular disease (CVD) and 13.4% cancer. Among the incidents, these percentages were: 33.5% diabetic; 80.6% had CVD and 12.6% cancer. The prevalent patients had such as vascular access: FAV 68.5%, prosthesis 5.6%, permanent catheter 23.7% and 2.3% temporary catheter. The average of the duration of the sessions of HD was 230 minutes. 23.2% of the prevalent patients were on on-line hemodiafiltration. These patients hospitalization rates were 0.46 hospitalizations per incident patient per year and 0.52 per prevalent patient per year. The annual gross mortality rate was 12%. The mortality of the patients in this study HD is smaller than these of the Spanish Registry of Dialysis and Transplant (GRER). The result of morbidity and mortality of the FMC clinics of Spain can, therefore, be as good compared with these of the GRER and other international series. That does not mean that there are not areas of improvement as the increase in the time of dialysis, the percentage of patients on on-line hemodiafiltration convective techniques and the percentage of FAV.
Renal Dialysis , Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/therapy , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Databases, Factual , Epidemiologic Studies , Female , Health Facilities , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Spain , Time Factors , Young Adult
BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease progression has been linked to pro-inflammatory cytokines and markers of inflammation. These markers are also elevated in end-stage renal disease (ESRD), which constitutes a serious public health problem. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located in genes related to immune and inflammatory processes, could be associated with ESRD development. DESIGN AND METHODS: A retrospective case-control study was carried out on 276 patients with ESRD and 288 control subjects. Forty-eight SNPs were genotyped via SNPlex platform. Logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between each sigle polymorphism and the development of ESRD. RESULTS: Four polymorphisms showed association with ESRD: rs1801275 in the interleukin 4 receptor (IL4R) gene (OR: 0.66 (95%CI = 0.46-0.95); p = 0.025; overdominant model), rs4586 in chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2) gene (OR: 0.70 (95%CI = 0.54-0.90); p = 0.005; additive model), rs301640 located in an intergenic binding site for signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 (STAT4) (OR: 1.82 (95%CI = 1.17-2.83); p = 0.006; additive model) and rs7830 in the nitric oxide synthase 3 (NOS3) gene (OR: 1.31 (95%CI = 1.01-1.71); p = 0.043; additive model). After adjusting for multiple testing, results lost significance. CONCLUSION: Our preliminary data suggest that four genetic polymorphisms located in genes related to inflammation and immune processes could help to predict the risk of developing ESRD.
Kidney Failure, Chronic/diagnosis , Kidney Failure, Chronic/genetics , Polymorphism, Genetic , Aged , Case-Control Studies , Chemokine CCL2/genetics , Female , Genetic Predisposition to Disease , Genotype , Humans , Immune System , Inflammation , Male , Middle Aged , Models, Genetic , Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III/genetics , Receptors, Interleukin-4/genetics , Regression Analysis , Retrospective Studies , STAT4 Transcription Factor/genetics
BACKGROUND: Persistent inflammation and fibrosis have been related to active progression of renal deterioration and reduced survival of kidney transplant. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located in regions related to inflammatory and immune processes on the development of chronic renal allograft dysfunction (CRAD). METHODS: A retrospective study was carried out on 276 patients who received kidney transplant (KT). SNPs were genotyped via the SNPlex platform. Statistical analysis was performed with SNPstat and regression logistic analyses were adjusted by age and gender of recipients and donors, cold ischemia time and the number of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) mismatches. RESULTS: From 276 patients with KT, 118 were non-CRAD and 158 were CRAD. Three SNPs showed significant associations with CRAD development: rs1800471 in transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFB1), rs5186 in angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AGTR1), and rs699947 in vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA). GC genotype of rs1800471 was associated with increased odds of CRAD compared to GG genotype (OR=2.65 (95% confidence interval (CI)=1.09; 6.47), p=0.025), as well as AC and AA genotype of rs699947 assuming a dominant model (OR=1.80 (95% CI=1.02; 3.20), p=0.044). Besides, AC and CC genotypes of rs5186 were associated with reduced odds of CRAD assuming a dominant model (OR=0.56 (95% CI=0.33; 0.96), p=0.033). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that three genes related to immunity and inflammation (rs1800471, rs5186 and rs699947) are associated to susceptibility or protection to CRAD, and might have diagnostic utility in predicting the likelihood of developing CRAD.
Graft Rejection/genetics , Kidney Transplantation , Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide , Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1/genetics , Transforming Growth Factor beta1/genetics , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/genetics , Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Retrospective Studies , Transplantation, Homologous
In a multicenter trial, renal transplant recipients were randomized to tacrolimus with fixed-dose sirolimus (Tac/SRL, N = 318) or tacrolimus with MMF (Tac/MMF, N = 316). Targeted tacrolimus trough levels were lower in the Tac/SRL group after day 14. The primary endpoint was renal function at 6 months using creatinine clearance (Cockcroft-Gault) and was comparable at 66.4 mL/min (SE 1.4) with Tac/SRL and at 65.2mL/min (SE 1.3) with Tac/MMF (completers). Biopsy-confirmed acute rejection was 15.1% (Tac/SRL) and 12.3% (Tac/MMF). In both groups, graft survival was 93% and patient survival was 99.0%. Premature withdrawal due to an adverse event was twice as high in the Tac/SRL group, 15.1% versus 6.3%. Hypercholesterolemia incidence was higher with Tac/SRL (P < .05) while CMV, leukopenia, and diarrhea incidences were higher with Tac/MMF (P < .05). The incidence of any antidiabetic treatment for >30 consecutive days in previously nondiabetic patients was 17.8%, Tac/SRL, and 24.8%, Tac/MMF. Evaluation at 6 months showed comparable renal function using tacrolimus/sirolimus and tacrolimus/MMF regimens.
Background. Steroids are largely effective for the immunosuppressive treatment in renal transplant patients, but cause severe side effects. Whether steroid withdrawal confers long-term beneficial effects remains unclear.Methods. Data on 4481 cadaveric kidney transplant recipients were collected to estimate the impact of steroid withdrawal on kidney function and graft and patient survival using multivariate Cox regression models.Results. A total of 923 patients (20.6%) had steroid treatment withdrawn. This was more common in recipients from younger donors and in older recipients, and in recipients with a first transplant, those who had pre-transplant or de novo diabetes mellitus and those with fewer episodes of acute rejection (AR) (22.4% vs. 29.2%, P < 0.001). Cox multivariate analysis stratifying by propensity scores showed that long-term steroid therapy was associated with a 70% increase in the risk of patient death. The repeated measures linear model showed that, although the abbreviated Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (aMDRD) values changed over time (P = 0.002), this was independent of steroid withdrawal (P = 0.08). In addition, of the 772 (17.2%) recipients who developed de novo diabetes mellitus, 204 (26.4%) ceased antidiabetic therapy, with more of these among those who ceased steroids (23% vs. 33.3%, P = 0.003). Blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride values were all significantly lower in the patients who ceased steroids.Conclusions. Steroid withdrawal in selected patients had no negative effect over time on renal function and graft survival, and it was associated with reduced mortality.
BACKGROUND: Haemodialysis (HD) exacerbates oxidative stress (OS). The polymethyl-methacrylate (PMMA)-BK-F membrane ameliorates OS and inflammation markers compared to polyacrylonitrile (PAN/AN69) and cellulose membranes. This may be due to the size of pore radius, high flux or other specific properties of PMMA membranes. AIM: To compare OS and inflammatory status in HD-treated end stage renal disease patients with membranes of different pore size radius and flux. METHODS: 47 patients of both sexes were studied. The HD membranes with which the patients were normally treated were changed to BK-P or B-3 membranes for 6 months. Intracellular and extracellular components of the oxidant-antioxidant balance (OAB), C-reactive protein (CRP), beta2-micro-globulin (beta2mu-globulin), albumin and transferrin were measured. RESULTS: A significant decrease in red cell membrane thiobarbituric acid reacting substances and an increase in cytosolic superoxide dismutase (SOD) and plasma total antioxidant substances were observed in all patients after 6 months of treatment with BK-P and B-3 membranes except SOD and CRP in patients previously dialysed with triacetate cellulose membranes. Albumin and transferrin remained unmodified. beta2mu-globulin significantly decreased after treatment with PMMA membranes. CONCLUSION: BK-P and B-3 HD membranes improved the OAB, beta2mu-globulin and CRP compared to PAN/AN69 and cellulose diacetate membranes.
Kidney Failure, Chronic/metabolism , Membranes, Artificial , Oxidative Stress , Renal Dialysis , Adult , Aged , C-Reactive Protein/analysis , Comorbidity , Equipment Design , Female , Humans , Kidney Failure, Chronic/epidemiology , Kidney Failure, Chronic/therapy , Male , Middle Aged , Oxidative Stress/physiology , Serum Albumin/analysis , Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism , Transferrin/analysis , beta 2-Microglobulin/blood
This study assays therapy with basiliximab and different patterns of cyclosporin A (CsA) initiation in renal transplant (RT) recipients from expanded criteria donors (ECD) and at high risk of delayed graft function (DGF). A multicentre six-month open-label randomized trial with three parallel groups treated with basiliximab plus steroids, mycophenolate mofetil and different patterns of CsA initiation: early within 24 h post-RT at 3 mg/kg/d (Group 1; n = 38), and at 5 mg/kg/d (Group 2; n = 40), or delayed after 7-10 d at 5 mg/kg/d (Group 3; n = 36). There were no differences among groups in six months GFR (43.1 +/- 12, 48.0 +/- 14 and 47.2 +/- 17 mL/min, respectively), DGF (Group 1: 31%, Group 2: 37%, Group 3: 42%), nor biopsy-proven acute rejection, although clinically treated and biopsy-proven acute rejection was significantly higher in Group 3 (25%) vs. Group 1 (5.3%, p < 0.05). At six months no differences were observed in death-censored graft survival or patient survival. Induction therapy with basiliximab and three CsA-ME initiation patterns in RT recipients from ECD and at high risk of DGF presented good renal function and graft survival at six months. Late onset group did not achieve improvement in DGF rate and showed a higher incidence of clinically treated and biopsy-proven acute rejection.
Antibodies, Monoclonal/therapeutic use , Cyclosporine/therapeutic use , Delayed Graft Function , Graft Survival/drug effects , Immunosuppressive Agents/therapeutic use , Kidney Transplantation , Recombinant Fusion Proteins/therapeutic use , Basiliximab , Drug Therapy, Combination , Female , Graft Rejection/drug therapy , Graft Rejection/immunology , Humans , Kidney Function Tests , Male , Middle Aged , Mycophenolic Acid/analogs & derivatives , Mycophenolic Acid/therapeutic use , Prospective Studies , Risk Factors , Survival Rate , Treatment Outcome
To evaluate cardiovascular disease (CVD) after renal transplantation we established a CVD database (no-intervention) including all patients transplanted among 2000-2002 in 14 hospitals from Spain (Renal Forum Group) (n=2600). They were prospective followed annually thereafter and we present herein the most important results concerning survival figures and CVD at four years. Mean recipient age was 49.7+/-13.7 years: 16% retransplanted and 12.5% hyperimmunized. Tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, and steroids was used in 63%. Acute rejection (AR) rate at 1 year was 14.8%. Graft and patient survival at 48 months were 85.6% (death censored) and 91.7% respectively. The first cause of graft loss was vascular in the first year, death with function during the 2-3 years, and chronic allograft nephropathy at the 4th year. Donor age, time on dialysis, acute tubular necrosis (ATN), AR, SCr at 6 months, the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers in the first year, and systolic blood pressure at 24 months were independent risk factors for graft loss at 4th year. The first cause of death was CVD (predominantly ischemic heart disease (IHD) in the first year). Recipient age, ATN, and SCr at 6 months were independent predictors of mortality. Despite worsening of donor age, comorbidity, and advanced age of recipients, survival figures at four years are considered good in our Spanish non-selected population. Cardiovascular mortality is the most important cause of death and graft loss particularly, IHD in the first year. Therefore, to decrease post-transplant mortality a careful cardiovascular evaluation and treatment in the waiting list and a close follow-up of patients after transplantation is mandatory.
Cardiovascular Diseases/prevention & control , Graft Rejection/prevention & control , Immunosuppressive Agents/therapeutic use , Kidney Transplantation/immunology , Adult , Cardiovascular Diseases/epidemiology , Female , Graft Rejection/immunology , Graft Survival/immunology , Humans , Kaplan-Meier Estimate , Kidney Diseases/mortality , Kidney Diseases/surgery , Kidney Transplantation/mortality , Longitudinal Studies , Male , Middle Aged , Mycophenolic Acid/analogs & derivatives , Mycophenolic Acid/therapeutic use , Prospective Studies , Risk Factors , Spain/epidemiology , Tacrolimus/therapeutic use
BACKGROUND: The use of elderly donors is becoming more frequent. An increase in the donor's age is associated with a greater incidence of delayed graft function (DGF), chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN) and worse graft survival. Poor renal graft function is a risk factor for cardiovascular (CV) complications and, finally, for mortality of the patients. METHODS: A total of 3365 adult patients transplanted in 1990 (n = 824), 1994 (n = 1075) and 1998 (n = 1466) with a functioning graft after the first year were included. The impact of donor age on renal function, DGF, acute rejection and other clinical factors was evaluated according to two donor and recipient age categories: young (< 60 years old) and elderly (> or =60 years old). Additionally, donor age was categorized by decades for the analysis of patient and graft survival, acute rejection and CV mortality. RESULTS: Donor mean age significantly increased during the three transplantation periods. A total of 478 out of 3365 donors were older than 60 years. Elderly donors showed an increased risk of DGF (38.9 vs 28.8%) and CAN (56.8 vs 46.2%). Mean serum creatinine at 3 and 12 months and proteinuria were significantly higher in the old donor group. Incidence and severity of acute rejection were similar in both groups. Graft and patient survival were significantly lower in the old donor group. Also, risk of mortality due to CV events was also significantly higher. A linear increase in risk of graft loss, patient death or CV mortality was observed when donor age was divided into 10 year increase subsets. CONCLUSIONS: Donor age is a strong predictor of CAN and graft loss. Patient survival is also affected by donor age, particularly by a higher risk of CV mortality.
Kidney Transplantation , Tissue Donors , Adult , Age Factors , Aged , Female , Graft Rejection/epidemiology , Humans , Kidney Transplantation/adverse effects , Male , Middle Aged , Postoperative Complications/epidemiology , Time Factors
