The ERA Registry Annual Report 2020: a summary.

Background: The European Renal Association (ERA) Registry collects data on kidney replacement therapy (KRT) in patients with ESKD. This paper is a summary of the ERA Registry Annual Report 2020, also including comparisons among primary renal disease (PRD) groups. Methods: Data were collected from 52 national and regional registries from 34 European countries and countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea: 35 registries from 18 countries providing individual level data and 17 registries from 17 countries providing aggregated data. Using this data, KRT incidence and prevalence, kidney transplantation rates, expected remaining lifetimes and survival probabilities were calculated. Results: A general population of 654.9 million people was covered by the ERA Registry in 2020. The overall incidence of KRT was 128 per million population (p.m.p.). In incident KRT patients, 54% were older than 65 years, 63% were men and the most common PRD was diabetes mellitus (21%). Regarding initial treatment modality in incident patients, 85% received haemodialysis (HD), 11% received peritoneal dialysis (PD) and 4% received a pre-emptive kidney transplant. On 31 December 2020, the prevalence of KRT was 931 p.m.p. In prevalent patients, 45% were older than 65 years, 60% were men and glomerulonephritis was the most common PRD (18%). Of these patients, 58% were on HD, 5% on PD and 37% were living with a kidney transplant. The overall kidney transplantation rate in 2020 was 28 p.m.p., with a majority of kidney grafts from deceased donors (71%). The unadjusted 5-year survival, based on incident dialysis patient from 2011-15, was 41.8%. For patients having received a deceased donor transplant, the unadjusted 5-year survival probability was 86.2% and for patients having received a living donor transplant it was 94.4%. When comparing data by PRD group, differences were found regarding the distribution of age groups, sex and treatment modality received.

COVID-19 Pandemic in Dialysis Patients: The Swiss Experience.

Background: Chronic dialysis patients are classified as patients with increased risk for COVID-19. Knowledge about the incidence and survival of chronic dialysis patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 in Switzerland - a high-income country with high density of relatively small dialysis centers - is scarce. We present the findings regarding incidence, survival and regional differences, compared to those of the general population in Switzerland. Methods: Information on chronic dialysis patients who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 between February 24, 2020 and February 28, 2022 were reported to the Swiss dialysis registry by all 94 Swiss dialysis centers. Hereafter, these results were linked with clinical characteristics from the Swiss dialysis registry. Results: Throughout the study period 1,120 out of ~4,700 dialysis patients tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 in Switzerland: 96 cases occurred in the first wave, 472 in the second wave and 5 in between. During the first wave, Italian-speaking Ticino was most severely affected, with a 7-fold higher incidence of dialysis patients compared to the general Swiss population. In the second wave, the majority of cases were found in the French-speaking part of Switzerland, with a 2.5 times higher incidence vs. non-dialysis patients. A total of 123 deaths were recorded in the first two waves, of which COVID-19 was the main cause of death in 100 patients. This corresponds to a highly increased overall mortality rate of 17.5% compared to 1.7% in the general population. Age was identified as the only risk factor for mortality in dialysis patients. During the third, fourth and fifth wave, 61, 43 and 443 cases, respectively, were recorded, resulting in 6 (mortality rate 9.8%), 1 (mortality rate 2.3%) and 13 deaths (mortality rate 2.9%). Conclusion: Chronic dialysis patients in Switzerland were more likely to be infected by SARS-CoV-2 during the first and second wave than the rest of the population, but an inverse trend was observed during the third, fourth and fifth wave, probably thanks to vaccination. In addition, mortality is significantly increased compared to non-dialysis patients. In Swiss dialysis patients, age is the strongest risk factor for death.

Association of obesity with 3-month mortality in kidney failure patients with COVID-19.

Background: In the general population with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), obesity is associated with an increased risk of mortality. Given the typically observed obesity paradox among patients on kidney function replacement therapy (KFRT), especially dialysis patients, we examined the association of obesity with mortality among dialysis patients or living with a kidney transplant with COVID-19. Methods: Data from the European Renal Association COVID-19 Database (ERACODA) were used. KFRT patients diagnosed with COVID-19 between 1 February 2020 and 31 January 2021 were included. The association of Quetelet's body mass index (BMI) (kg/m2), divided into: <18.5 (lean), 18.5-24.9 (normal weight), 25-29.9 (overweight), 30-34.9 (obese I) and ≥35 (obese II/III), with 3-month mortality was investigated using Cox proportional-hazards regression analyses. Results: In 3160 patients on KFRT (mean age: 65 years, male: 61%), 99 patients were lean, 1151 normal weight (reference), 1160 overweight, 525 obese I and 225 obese II/III. During follow-up of 3 months, 28, 20, 21, 23 and 27% of patients died in these categories, respectively. In the fully adjusted model, the hazard ratios (HRs) for 3-month mortality were 1.65 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.10, 2.47], 1 (ref.), 1.07 (95% CI: 0.89, 1.28), 1.17 (95% CI: 0.93, 1.46) and 1.71 (95% CI: 1.27, 2.30), respectively. Results were similar among dialysis patients (N = 2343) and among those living with a kidney transplant (N = 817) (Pinteraction = 0.99), but differed by sex (Pinteraction = 0.019). In males, the HRs for the association of aforementioned BMI categories with 3-month mortality were 2.07 (95% CI: 1.22, 3.52), 1 (ref.), 0.97 (95% CI: 0.78. 1.21), 0.99 (95% CI: 0.74, 1.33) and 1.22 (95% CI: 0.78, 1.91), respectively, and in females corresponding HRs were 1.34 (95% CI: 0.70, 2.57), 1 (ref.), 1.31 (95% CI: 0.94, 1.85), 1.54 (95% CI: 1.05, 2.26) and 2.49 (95% CI: 1.62, 3.84), respectively. Conclusion: In KFRT patients with COVID-19, on dialysis or a kidney transplant, obesity is associated with an increased risk of mortality at 3 months. This is in contrast to the obesity paradox generally observed in dialysis patients. Additional studies are required to corroborate the sex difference in the association of obesity with mortality.

Er:YAG 2,940-nm laser fiber in endodontic treatment: a help in removing smear layer.

Cleaning and disinfection of the root canal system are some of the most important goals in endodontic therapy. The aim of this preliminary study is to assess the effectiveness of Er:YAG laser fiber in removing the smear layer produced during root canal walls instrumentation. Forty-eight single-rooted teeth were prepared with manual and rotary Ni-Ti instruments, in addition to 2.5% NaOCl irrigation. Samples were randomly subdivided into groups and treated with: three irradiations of 5 s each, with 300-µm Er:YAG endodontic fiber, 1 W and 2.5% NaOCl solution (A Group); two laser irradiations with 17% EDTA solution and 2.5% NaOCl solution (B Group); laser irradiation plus 17% EDTA solution and 2.5% NaOCl (C Group); only in the final wash of 17% EDTA (control group D). During laser treatment, temperature variations were analyzed by using thermocouple and thermal camera devices in order to test both deep and superficial temperatures. Each sample was finally observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) at the coronal, medium, and apical thirds at ×500 magnification and blindly scored depending on the amount of smear layer. Statistical analysis of the results was conducted using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney test to determine the eventual significant differences between the quantity of smear layer in each group and between the groups at coronal, medium, and apical third: a p value <0.05 was considered significant. The thermal analysis realized by thermocouple with the used parameters demonstrated that laser endodontic fiber produces an average deep temperature increase of 3.5 ± 0.4 °C; analysis performed with a thermal camera showed an average superficial temperature increase of 1.3 ± 0.2 °C produced by laser endodontic fiber use. Deep and superficial temperatures fall immediately after irradiation possibly without causing structural damage or anatomical alteration inside the root canal and neither on periodontal tissues. SEM analysis showed that specimens of group B had the highest level of cleaning in every third, with a significant difference with groups D and A; group C samples showed a good percentage of cleaned tubules in apical and middle thirds, while group D teeth showed open dentinal tubules in coronal third, with a statistical difference with group A samples which were the worst cleaned. The Er:YAG fiber double irradiation with EDTA 17% and NaOCl 2.5% has been demonstrated to be effective in removing smear layer, even in the apical third which is described as the hardest area to clean during endodontic treatment.

Case series of 589 tooth extractions in patients under bisphosphonates therapy. Proposal of a clinical protocol supported by Nd: YAG low-level laser therapy

Objective: Trauma during dental surgery is a predisposing factor for bisphosphonates (BP)-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (BRONJ). However, about 40% of cases of BRONJ are not related to dental invasive procedures, being probably associated to endodontic or periodontal infections. Extraction of non-treatable teeth is considered a reliable choice, to improve symptoms and to reduce the risk of BRONJ. Here we report our experience of tooth extractions in patients under oral or intravenous BP therapy. Study Design: Two-hundred and seventeen patients (38 males, 179 females; mean age 68.72 ± 11.26 years, range 30 to 83 years) under BP therapy received 589 tooth extractions at the Unit of Oral Medicine, Pathology and Laser-assisted Surgery of the University of Parma, Italy, between June 2006 and December 2010. Ninety five patients were under BP therapy for oncological disease (multiple myeloma (MM): 23; bone metastases (BM): 72) and 122 patients for non oncological diseases: 119 osteoporosis (OP), 2 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 1 Paget's disease (PD). The mean duration of BP was of 35 months. Antibiotic treatment was administered three days before and 2 weeks after tooth extractions. Patients were additionally treated with low level laser therapy (LLLT) through Nd:YAG laser (1064 nm - power 1.25 W; frequency 15 Hz; fibre diameter: 320 μm), 5 application of 1 minute each. Patients were evaluated 3 days and once a week for 2 months after the extractions and every time they received LLLT. Mean follow-up was 15 months (ranging from 4 to 31 months). Results: In a total of 589 extractions (285 mandibular, 304 maxillary) performed, a minimal bone exposure was observed in 5 cases, treated with Er:YAG laser vaporization and than healed. Conclusions: Our experience supports the hypothesis that the association of antibiotic treatment and LLLT can be effective in preventing ONJ after tooth extractions in patients under BPT (AU)

Case series of 589 tooth extractions in patients under bisphosphonates therapy. Proposal of a clinical protocol supported by Nd:YAG low-level laser therapy.

OBJECTIVE: Trauma during dental surgery is a predisposing factor for bisphosphonates (BP)-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (BRONJ). However, about 40% of cases of BRONJ are not related to dental invasive procedures, being probably associated to endodontic or periodontal infections. Extraction of non-treatable teeth is considered a reliable choice, to improve symptoms and to reduce the risk of BRONJ. Here we report our experience of tooth extractions in patients under oral or intravenous BP therapy. STUDY DESIGN: Two-hundred and seventeen patients (38 males, 179 females; mean age 68.72 ± 11.26 years, range 30 to 83 years) under BP therapy received 589 tooth extractions at the Unit of Oral Medicine, Pathology and Laser-assisted Surgery of the University of Parma, Italy, between June 2006 and December 2010. Ninety five patients were under BP therapy for oncological disease (multiple myeloma (MM): 23; bone metastases (BM): 72) and 122 patients for non oncological diseases: 119 osteoporosis (OP), 2 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 1 Paget's disease (PD). The mean duration of BP was of 35 months. Antibiotic treatment was administered three days before and 2 weeks after tooth extractions. Patients were additionally treated with low level laser therapy (LLLT) through Nd:YAG laser (1064 nm--power 1.25 W; frequency 15 Hz; fibre diameter: 320 µm), 5 application of 1 minute each. Patients were evaluated 3 days and once a week for 2 months after the extractions and every time they received LLLT. Mean follow-up was 15 months (ranging from 4 to 31 months). RESULTS: In a total of 589 extractions (285 mandibular, 304 maxillary) performed, a minimal bone exposure was observed in 5 cases, treated with Er:YAG laser vaporization and than healed. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience supports the hypothesis that the association of antibiotic treatment and LLLT can be effective in preventing ONJ after tooth extractions in patients under BPT.

Early surgical laser-assisted management of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (BRONJ): a retrospective analysis of 101 treated sites with long-term follow-up.

BACKGROUND DATA: The management of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (BRONJ) is still controversial. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare surgical and nonsurgical approaches to the treatment of BRONJ and the possible usefulness of Nd:YAG and Er:YAG lasers. METHODS: One hundred and twenty-eight patients (33 males, 95 females; 52 with diagnosis of multiple myeloma, 53 with diagnosis of bone metastasis, and 23 with diagnosis of osteoporosis) affected by BRONJ were evaluated at the Unit of Oral Pathology and Medicine and Laser-Assisted Surgery of the University of Parma, Italy, between January 2004 and July 2009. Overall number of BRONJ sites was 151, and number of treated sites was 101. In order to assess the efficacy of different treatments, sites were subclassified as follows: Group 1 (G1): 12 sites treated with medical therapy; Group 2 (G2): 27 sites treated with medical therapy associated with low level laser therapy (LLLT); Group 3 (G3): 17 sites treated with a combination of medical and surgical therapy; Group 4 (G4): 45 sites treated with a combination of medical therapy, surgical (including laser-assisted) therapy, and LLLT. Outcome of treatment was assessed using the staging system proposed by Ruggiero et al. Transition from a higher stage to a lower one for at least 6 months was considered as clinical improvement and suggestive of a successful treatment. RESULTS: Clinical improvement was achieved in 3 out of 12 (25%) BRONJ sites in G1. Sites if G2 with an improvement were 18 out of 27 (66%). Nine out 17 BRONJ sites (53%) in G3 had a transition to a lower stage after treatment. For sites in G4, a clinical improvement was recorded in 40 out of 45 cases (89%). CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, the percentage of success obtained with a combined approach based on medical therapy, surgical (including laser-assisted) therapy, and LLLT (G4) is significantly higher than the percentage of improvement obtained in G1, G2, and G3.

Bisphosphonates-related osteonecrosis of the jaws: a concise review of the literature and a report of a single-centre experience with 151 patients.

The osteonecrosis of the jaws (ONJ) is an adverse side effect of long-term bisphosphonate therapy (BPT) firstly described in 2003. The aetiology of BRONJ remains unknown, and the pathogenesis seems multifactorial and related to several local or general factors. Many expert panel developed preventive protocols to facilitate specialists involved in the multidisciplinary management of BRONJ patients. In this paper, we present a concise review of the literature, and we report the experience of the University of Parma with 151 patients that assumed BPT for both oncological (121 patients) and non-oncological (30 patients) diseases. One hundred and thirty-nine BRONJ sites were treated with different approaches (surgical and non-surgical, laser-assisted and non-laser-assisted): in terms of clinical improvement, a statistically significant difference was found between the group treated with the only medical therapy; in terms of complete healing, the introduction in the treatment protocols of both laser-assisted approach and surgical approach improves the therapeutical results.

[Oral health conditions and systemic diseases prevalence in long term institutionalizated elderly. A cross sectional study in Parma province]. / Condizioni orali e prevalenza di patologie sistemiche nel soggetto anziano istituzionalizzato. Indagine nella provincia di Parma.

People aging 74 years and more are in Parma province about 11,5% of residents. Disability conditions and familiar ties loss frequently let the elderly to recovery in long term home care where quality of care became synonymous of quality of life. To best evaluate oral health conditions in institutionalized elderly and their needs of care, we conducted, between August 2002 and July 2003 a cross-sectional study with clinical oral examinations in 200 long-term patients. Number of teeth, tooth remnants, mucosal findings, edentulousness, level of dental hygiene, needs for operative treatment and prevalence of systemic disease associated were evaluated. Subjects' mean age was 84,4 years (interval 57 _ 105); 59% were edentulous. As reported by several authors, a correlation between edentulousness and cardiovascular disease was found even after controlling for confounding variables (age, sex, smoking habit and Alzheimer disease).

Bone necrosis of the jaws associated with bisphosphonate treatment: a report of twenty-nine cases.

Bone necrosis of the jaws is often related to head and neck radiotherapy, to surgical procedures at maxillary or mandibular level but also to various local and systemic factors such as haematological diseases, haemoglobinopathies and systemic lupus eritematosus; its pathogenesis maybe associated with defects of vascularization. Bisphosphonate are synthetic analogues of pyrophosphate used for the treatment of hypercalcemia in patients with malignancies and bone metastasis and for the treatment of many other disorders such as metabolic bone diseases, Paget's disease, and osteoporosis; their pharmacological activity is related to the inhibition of the osteoclastic function which leads to resorption and reduction of bone vascularization. Since the end of 2003 Bisphosphonate-associated Osteonecrosis (BON) has become an increasing problem and the test of that is the increase of the relative published case report and case series. Here we report 29 cases of bone necrosis of the jaws in patients treated with pamidronate (Aredia), zoledronate (Zometa) and alendronate: 15 underwent surgical procedures and 14 occurred spontaneously. Among these patients (21 females, 8 males; mean age between 45 and 83 years); 14 were treated for bone metastasis, 12 for multiple myeloma and 3 for osteoporosis. Bone necrosis involved only maxilla in 7 patients, only mandible in 20 patients and both in 2 patients. Six patients had multiple osteonecrotic lesions, 3 contemporary lesions and 3 non contemporary. In these patients we performed 3 kinds of therapy, associated or not: medical therapy (with antibiotic drugs, antimycotics and antiseptic mouthwashes), surgical therapy with curettage or sequestrectomy and Nd:YAG laser biostimulation.