Impact of Time-Zero Biopsy on the Outcome of Transplanted Kidneys.

BACKGROUND: A low supply of donated organs led to the expansion of criteria for kidney transplantation (KT), and the impact on late glomerular function rates (eGFR) is still uncertain. This study aimed to correlate the histologic findings at time-zero biopsy (TzB) with the final eGFR, to identify criteria that could help achieve a more thorough preimplantation evaluation of the organ. METHODS: Records from 395 adult deceased KTs were reviewed. TzBs were analyzed considering histologic criteria by compartment (vascular, interstitial, tubular, and inflammatory) and correlated with the eGFR after 1 year. RESULTS: Among donors, 56.9% were men (mean age 39 years), with the main causes of death being brain trauma (44.2%) and stroke (46.0%). Histologic analysis of TzB revealed 6.0% of glomerulosclerosis; 18.8% presenting vascular alterations; interstitial fibrosis in 54.6%; tubular changes in 76.9%, and nonspecific inflammatory infiltrate in 2.3%. Linear regression analysis showed that the main histologic findings that had impact in the eGFR were interstitial fibrosis (P = .000), followed by tubular alterations (P = .036) and glomerulosclerosis (P = .008). CONCLUSIONS: Histologic variables like interstitial fibrosis and tubular alterations show the most significant negative correlation with final eGFR. The effect of glomerulosclerosis may not be as important as formerly suggested in the literature.

Impact of the Karnofsky Performance Status on Survival and its Dynamics During the Terminal Year of Peritoneal Dialysis Patients.

BACKGROUND: Simple and low-cost tools to monitor the risk profile of patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD) at high risk of complications and mortality are scarce. One of the tools available to monitor the variation in vitality and dependence levels is the Karnofsky performance status (KPS). This study analyzed the average trends and variation of KPS during the 12 months before death and its independent value in predicting patients' survival. METHODS: The data were compiled from the BRAZPD II multicenter study, performed in Brazil between 2004 and 2011. For the analysis of KPS dynamics, we included patients with at least 12 months of follow-up on PD and who had a fatal event during the follow-up. The following covariables were evaluated: age, gender, ethnicity, educational level, and presence of diabetes. We used the linear regression model to present the results: the log (time) before death was represented by the regression variable and KPS was the response. We also analyzed the independent impact of baseline KPS on patients' survival. RESULTS: From the population of 9,905 patients enrolled in the BRAZPD study, 4,133 survived 12 months on PD and were included in the analysis. There was a gradual decline in the KPS scores, which accelerated in the last 2 months before death. These changes were similar irrespective of age, race, family income, gender, diabetes, PD modality, and education level. We observed 989 fatal events in this population during the observation period, and the KPS score was identified as an independent predictor for mortality in this cohort. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates for the first time the dynamics of KPS before death in PD patients, indicating a progressive and accelerated decline of KPS in the 12 months before patients died. In addition, KPS was an independent predictor of mortality in this population.

Inflammation, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease: role of aerobic capacity.

The persistent inflammatory state is common in diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD). These patients present exercise intolerance and increased arterial stiffness. Long-term aerobic exercise has been associated with better arterial compliance, antidiabetic and antiinflammatory benefits. We assessed the hypothesis that in patients with diabetes and CKD, better aerobic capacity is associated with less inflammatory state and arterial stiffness. Thirty-nine CKD patients (17 in hemodialysis) were evaluated. According to CKD etiology two patient groups were obtained: group of diabetics (GD) was formed by 11 patients and nondiabetics (GND) formed by 28 patients. Central blood pressure and arterial stiffness were evaluated by Sphygmocor device. Carotida intima-media thickness (CA-IMT) was evaluated by ultrasonography. Aerobic capacity was measured by estimated VO(2)max according to treadmill test by Bruce protocol. The GD showed a higher frequency of C-reactive protein above laboratory cutoff (P = 0.044), higher frequency of male gender, and a non significant higher value of VO(2)max (P = 0.099). The CA-IMT was similar. Only better aerobic capacity was associated with lower frequency of high C-reactive protein when adjusted to diabetes and gender in a logistic regression model. In conclusion, aerobic capacity was associated with inflammatory state, in CKD patients, independently of diabetes presence.

Influência do treinamento na evolução da diálise peritoneal / Influence of training on the progression of peritoneal dialysis

Objetivo: Conhecer a influência do cuidador no treinamento da diálise peritoneal (DP) e no tempo livre de peritonite. Método: Estudo retrospectivo com 38 pacientes prevalentes, atendidos na Diálise Ambulatorial do Hospital das Clínicas/Botucatu, que receberam treinamento para DP pela mesma enfermeira. Avaliaram-se: 1) o responsável pela técnica de diálise (paciente ou cuidador); 2) o treinamento (tempo dispensado e desempenho atingido); 3) o tempo livre de peritonite. Foram realizadas regressão logística e análise de sobrevivência por Kaplan-Meyer. Resultado: A DP foi realizada por umcuidador em 71% (N=27) dos pacientes. Dos diabéticos, 89% (N=16) necessitavam de cuidador e 11% (N=2) realizaram o próprio tratamento (p<0,05); quanto à idade, 26% (N=10) apresentavam mais de 65 anos e, destes, 90% (N=9) tinham o cuidador para DP (p=0,05); dos pacientes provenientes de outras localidades (N=23), 74% (N=17) necessitavam do cuidador (p=0,07). O treinamento foi concluído no tempo médio por 71% (N=27), e 79% (N=30) obtiveram desempenho bom, sem diferenças quanto ao responsável pela técnica. A probabilidade de permanecer livre de peritonite no primeiro ano detratamento foi maior quando o cuidador realizava a DP, sendo 54% para o paciente e 78% para o cuidador (p<0,05). Conclusão: Pacientes com mais de 65 anos e diabéticos necessitaram de cuidador na diálise. No treinamento, tempo dispensado e desempenho atingido não diferiram quanto ao responsável pela técnica. O tempo livre de peritonite foi maior para os pacientes em que a diálise foi realizada por cuidador. O responsável pela diálise (paciente ou cuidador) pode influenciar na evolução da DP.

Objective: To evaluate the influence of the caretaker on the training time of peritoneal dialysis (PD) and peritonitis-free time. Method: Retrospective medical record review of 38 patients receiving PD training from the same nurse at the Dialysis Unit of Botucatu Medical School Hospital. Assessment included: 1) home PD provider (patient or caretaker); 2) training (length and performance achieved); 3) peritonitis-free time. Result: In 71% (N=27) of the cases, PD was performed by a caretaker. Among diabetic patients, 89% (N=16) were supported by a caretaker, and 11 % (N=2) performed their own dialysis (p=0.03); 26% (N=10) were over 65 years of age, with 90% (N=10) of them having a PD caretaker (p=0.05). Among patients from other areas (N=23), 74% (N=17) were supported by a PD caretaker (p=0.07). Training was concluded after the mean time by 71% (N=27) and a good performance level was achieved in 79% (N=30) of the cases with no difference between provider type. The probability of the patient remaining peritonitis-free over the first year was higher when PD was performed by a caretaker (patient= 54%; caretaker = 78%; p<0.05). Conclusion: The presence of caretakers was more frequent among the patients who were over 65 years of age or diabetic. With respect to training, length of time and performance did not differ according to the person responsible for technique. Peritonitis-free time was longer among patients supported by caretakers. The PD provider (patient or caretaker) may influence PD results.

Mortalidade e prognóstico específico em pacientes com insuficiência renal aguda / Assessment of mortality and specific index in acute renal failure

Vários sistemas de estratificação de risco têm sido estudados com o objetivo de predizer a evolução de pacientes graves com insuficiência renal aguda (IRA). OBJETIVOS: Avaliar e comparar as taxas de mortalidade e o escore de severidade individual de necrose tubular aguda (ATN-ISS) em pacientes que desenvolveram IRA tratados em hospital universitário de atendimento predominantemente terciário. MÉTODOS: Foram estudados prospectivamente 103 pacientes com IRA por necrose tubular aguda (NTA), atendidos no Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu - UNESP, acompanhados até recuperação do quadro renal ou óbito. No momento da primeira avaliação do nefrologista foi aplicado o escore ATN-ISS. Os resultados foram apresentados em média ± desvio padrão ou mediana, com nível de significância de 5 por cento. RESULTADOS: Verificamos que 51,4 por cento eram do sexo masculino, com média de idade de 58 ± 36 anos. A mortalidade geral foi de 44,3 por cento, sendo estatisticamente maior nos pacientes provenientes de enfermarias cirúrgicas (52,7 por cento) quando comparados àqueles de enfermarias clínicas (35,3 por cento), e naqueles que realizaram diálise (63,8 por cento) quando comparados aos de tratamento conservador (23,5 por cento). O escore ATN-ISS apresentou boa confiabilidade, com elevado poder discriminatório (área sob a curva de 0,95) e boa calibração, principalmente a partir do quintil 3. CONCLUSÃO: Na população estudada, as taxas de mortalidade foram semelhantes àquelas encontradas na literatura. O escore ATN-ISS mostrou ser um índice prognóstico com grande confiabilidade, podendo ser aplicado na prática diária do nefrologista.

[Assessment of mortality and specific index in acute renal failure]. / Mortalidade e prognóstico específico em pacientes com insuficiência renal aguda.

UNLABELLED: A variety of systems of risk factor stratification have been studied to predict the outcome in acute renal failure (ARF). OBJECTIVES: Assess and compare mortality and the Acute Tubular Necrosis Individual Severity Score (ATN-ISS) in patients with AFR treated in a university hospital. METHODS: A prospective analysis was made of 103 patients with a diagnosis of intrinsic ARF admitted to the Hospital das Clinicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, UNESP. Patients were followed up until recovery of renal function or death. The Score ATN-ISS was recorded during the first hours of the assessment by a nephrologist. Results were reported as median or mean +/- SD, with statistical significance of p < 0.05. RESULTS: Fifty-one percent of patients were male with a mean age of 58 +/- 36 years. Forty-four percent died in the hospital. Mortality was higher in patients from the surgical wards (52.7%) and in patients who were treated with dialysis (63.8%). The score ATN-ISS showed a good confidence level, with high discriminatory power (area under the curve of 0.95) and good accuracy. CONCLUSIONS: Mortality in this study was comparable to that found in literature. The ATN-ISS was shown to be a prognostic index with a high confidence level that could be routinely applied by nephrologists to patients with AFR.

Curso: tópicos de Medicina Interna: aula 4: insuficiência renal aguda / Course: topics in Internal Medicine: 4th lesson: acute renal failure

Insuficiência renal aguda (IRA) é a redução abrupta da filtração glomerular, caracterizada por elevação da creatinina sérica em pelo menos 30 do seu valor basal. A IRA é calssificada como pré-renal quando decorre da queda de perfusão renal, sem lesão histológica; intrínseca, quando ocorrem lesões morfológicas no parênquima; e pós-renal, quando existe obstrução das vias urinárias. Os autores discutem a fisiopatologia, o quadro clínico, aspectos diagnósticos e os princípios do tratamento da IRA pré-renal e da IRA intrínseca.

Acute renal failure (ARF) is an abrupt reduction of glomerular filtration rate, characterized by increase of serum creatinine in at least 30 of basal levels. ARF is classified in prerenal failure when renal hypoperfusion occurred without morphologic lesions; intrinsec failure when hystopatholologic damage is observed in renal parenchyma and post-renal failure if urinary obstruction is present. The authors analyze physiopathologic, clinic, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of prerenal and intrinsec ARF.