Evaluation of clinical features and laboratory findings in critical intensive care unit patients with severe coronavirus disease-19 who underwent extracorporeal cytokine adsorption.

AIM: To evaluate the inflammatory parameters and oxygenation in severe coronavirus disease-19 patients who underwent extracorporeal cytokine adsorption (CA). METHODS: Patients who underwent extracorporeal CA for cytokine storm were included in the study. The changes in oxygenation, laboratory parameters, and mortality rates were investigated. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients were included in the study. The hemoglobin, thrombocyte, and C-reactive protein (CRP) decreased, and PaO2 /FiO2 ratio increased (p < 0.001; p < 0.01; p < 0.001; p = 0.04, respectively). Twelve (33.3%) patients received a single session, 24 (66.6%) received 2 or more sessions. CRP and fibrinogen levels decreased, and PaO2 /FIO2 ratio increased in the single session group (p = 0.04; p = 0.04; p = 0.01, respectively). In the multi-session group, the hemoglobin, platelet, procalcitonin, and CRP levels decreased, and PaO2 /FIO2 ratio increased (p < 0.01; p = 0.02; p = 0.02; p < 0.01; p = 0.01, respectively). Day 15, 30, and 90 mortality rates were 61.1%, 83.3%, and 88.9%. CONCLUSION: CA with hemoperfusion reduced CRP and improved oxygenation; however, mortality rates were high.

Can mean platelet volume predicts renal outcome in acute on chronic kidney disease?

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to investigate the role of mean platelet volume (MPV) in predicting renal outcome in acute kidney injury (AKI) developing on pre-existing chronic kidney disease (CKD). METHODS: The patients whose first hemodialysis program was initiated in our center were divided into two groups as those who were taken to the scheduled dialysis program after discharge and those who were not dialysis-dependent. Groups were compared in terms of demographic characteristics, and laboratory parameters including MPV. RESULTS: A total of 288 patients were included in the study (scheduled dialysis = 162 patients, nondialysis dependent = 126 patients). High MPV was found to be an independent risk factor for scheduled dialysis programs in multivariable analyses (OR [95% CI]: 90.9 [6.3-1313.6], p: 0.001). CONCLUSION: CKD patients with high MPV were more likely to be included in scheduled dialysis programs after an AKI attack. MPV is found to be an independent risk factor and a reliable predictor for a scheduled dialysis program.

Relationship of Gamma-glutamyl Transferase Levels at Diagnosis with Clinicopathological Features in idiopathic IgA Nephropathy.

OBJECTIVE: To compare clinicopathologic features of idiopathic IgA nephropathy in terms of serum gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of Nephrology and Department of Pathology, Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey, from January 2010 to January 2021. METHODOLOGY: All patients diagnosed with IgA nephropathy were retrospectively evaluated. Patients were divided into quartiles of gamma-glutamyl transferase. Clinical and pathological features were compared between the groups. RESULTS: A total of 69 patients with idiopathic IgA nephropathy were analysed. The GGT quartiles consisted of Q1(GGT ≤14 U/L) in 18 patients, Q2(GGT = 14.01-20 U/L) in 17 patients, Q3(GGT = 20.1-35 U/L) in 18 patients, and Q4(GGT >35 U/L) in 16 patients. The rates of mesangial cellularity, segmental glomerulosclerosis, and tubular atrophy were found to be significantly different among GGT groups (p= 0.024, p= 0.048, and p<0.001 respectively). Serum albumin and 24-hours proteinuria were also significantly different between groups (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Gamma-glutamyl transferase may play a role in some clinical and pathological features of IgA nephropathy. KEY WORDS: Gamma-glutamyl transferase, IgA nephropathy, Proteinuria, Serum albumin, Mesangial Cellularity, Segmental glomerulosclerosis, Tubular atrophy.

Can Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index (SII) be a prognostic factor of Bell's palsy patients?

OBJECTIVE: Recent studies showed that the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and that platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) can be used as inflammatory markers in Bell's palsy. In this study, the aim is to investigate a novel inflammatory index, the Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index (SII), defined as SII = platelets × neutrophils/lymphocytes, in Bell's palsy patients. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective. SETTING: Clinical research center. PATIENTS: The study included 88 Bell's palsy patients and 50 healthy controls. INTERVENTIONS: Patients diagnosed with Bell's palsy from 2010 to 2019 in a university hospital and an age- and sex-matched healthy control group were included in the study retrospectively. A complete blood count was performed for all participants. Magnetic resonance imaging was applied for Bell's palsy patients for the exclusion of other diagnoses. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The CBC parameters were analyzed and hemoglobin, erythrocytes, leukocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, and platelet counts were measured. The PLR, NLR, and SII values were calculated with the formula. RESULTS: The patient group had higher neutrophil counts and higher SII and NLR values than the control group (p < 0.05). Also, SII value is a prognostic factor in Bell's palsy in our study. CONCLUSIONS: Bell's palsy has an inflammatory component. The SII value can indicate an inflammatory condition in these patients. It may be used as a marker and prognostic indicator in Bell's palsy.