Prevalence of chronic kidney disease in Tunisian diabetics: the TUN-CKDD survey.

BACKGROUND: In Tunisia, the prevalence of diabetes mellitus increased from 15.5% on 2016 to 23% by 2023. While Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) stills the most dreaded complications of diabetes, studies on the prevalence of chronic kidney disease non-dialysis diet are scarce. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of chronic kidney disease among the Tunisian diabetic population based on investigators' specialty, demographic criteria (gender, age, duration of diabetes and geographic distribution) and diagnosis criteria (albuminuria and/or eGFR). METHODS: This observational, multicentric, and cross-sectional study enrolled all diabetic subjects from all regions of Tunisia with at least 3 months of follow-up before the inclusion date, from 09 January to 08 February 2023. CKD diagnosis was established based on the KDIGO guidelines. The study was carried out at medical departments and ambulatory clinics of different healthcare providers. Baseline data were collected by investigators using an electronic case report form (eCRF). Continuous variables were described by means, median, standard deviation, and quartiles. Categorical data were tabulated in frequencies and percentages. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of CKD among the 10,145 enrolled patients with diabetes mellitus was 38.7% with a 95%CI [37.8-39.6%]. 50.9% were male, with a mean age of 67.5 (± 11.3) years. The mean diabetes duration was 16.1 years (± 8.9). The highest CKD prevalence was noted among nephrologists (82.2%), while it was similar between the cardiologists and the primary care physicians (30.0%). CKD prevalence was highest among males (43.0% versus 35.1%) and increased proportionally with patients' age and diabetes duration. CKD was more frequent in the Mid-East Area when compared to other regions (49.9% versus 25.3 to 40.1% in other regions). Albuminuria was present within 6.6% of subjects with CKD, and it was found an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 ml/min/1.73 m² within 13.3% of subjects wit h CKD. 18.9% had both criteria. CONCLUSIONS: In Tunisia, CKD among diabetics had a prevalence of 38.7%, approaching European prevalence. The prevalence discrepancy worldwide of CKD can be improved with a larger population size and by implementing standardized practices.

Immunoglobulin G4-Related Kidney Disease.

Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is an emerging fibro-inflammatory condition known to involve potentially every organ system in the body, especially the kidneys, and is characterized by interstitial nephritis, obstructive nephropathy, and in rare cases, glomerular nephropathy. In this article, we report two cases of IgG4-RD with renal manifestations, hospitalized in the Department of Internal Medicine of the Principal Military Hospital of Instruction of Tunis. In conclusion, the clinical course of IgG4-related kidney disease varies widely and it can sometimes be difficult to diagnosis. A multidisciplinary approach can be useful. Early diagnosis and appropriate therapy are very important.

Two Peculiarities of the Nutcracker Syndrome: Rare Association with Multiples Thrombosis and Successful Medical Treatment (Pentoxifylline).

The nutcracker syndrome (NCS) is a rare condition characterized by the entrapment of the left renal vein between the superior mesenteric artery and the aorta. Clinically, it presents with hematuria, flank pain, and symptoms of pelvic venous congestion. It is more frequent in females. Conservative treatment is usually proposed children but in adults, NCS has to be treated by surgical or endovascular methods. Drug therapy is not proposed for the treatment of NCS. We report a case of a young patient who presented with recurrent gross hematuria. Our patient was treated with pentoxifylline three times daily and anti-coagulation, with a favorable outcome.

Epidemiology, diagnosis, and etiology of acute kidney injury in the elderly: A retrospective analysis.

The increased incidence of the acute kidney injury (AKI) in the elderly is becoming a disturbing reality in our days, mainly with the aging of the general population, and the predisposition of old persons to chronic diseases, drug toxicity, and infections. The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiological, clinical, and biological features and to assess variant etiologies and outcomes of AKI in the elderly. Data were collected from the medical records of patients older than 65 years age having AKI admitted in the Internal Medicine Department of the Military Hospital of Tunis from January 2006 to June 2014. One hundred and seventeen cases were included in the study. The median age was 74.2 years. Male:female ratio was 1.6. Hypertension and diabetes were the most frequently found comorbidities seen in 69.2% and 48.7% of patients, respectively. The percentage of patients having acute-on-chronic renal failure was 13.7%. The AKI was manifested by nausea or vomiting in 33.3% of cases. One patient had hematemesis. The other symptoms were dyspnea in 14.5% of cases, uremic encephalopathy in 6.8% of cases, and oligoanuria in 16.2% of cases. The AKI was discovered fortuitously in 31.6% of cases and was diagnosed early within the 48 h after admission in 94% of cases and after this delay, in 6% of cases. It was ranked Acute Kidney Injury Network 1, 2, or 3, respectively, in 29.9%, 24.8%, and 45.3% of cases. Organic etiologies were observed more frequently (53.8%) followed by functional etiologies (37.6%) and then by obstructive ones (8.5%). Hemodialysis was performed for 9.4% of the patients. Of all the patients, 70.1% had favorable outcome, 49.6% of patients recovered totally. There was aggravation of the AKI in 29.9% of cases. Death occurred in eight cases (6.8%). The epidemiological, clinical, biological, and etiological profile of AKI in the elderly emphasizes the effect of aging of the human being on determining the pathology.

Toxocariasis and nephrotic syndrome.

We describe a case of toxocariasis as a rare cause of nephrotic syndrome in an adult woman. This rare association was confirmed by elevated Toxocara-specific immunoglobulin M titers. Renal biopsy was not done because of prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time. Our patient was treated with prednisone and albendazole. These treatments resulted in partial remission of renal symptoms as well as the abatement of the Toxocariasis infection. The relationship between toxocariasis infection and glomerular disease is still unclear. In the literature, exceptional renal impairment secondary to toxocariasis have been described, especially in children. To the best of our knowledge, this is the second case of nephrotic syndrome associated with toxocariasis in adults.

A case of abdominal aortic thrombosis associated with the nephrotic syndrome.

Thromboembolic disease is an important and frequent complication in patients with the nephrotic syndrome (NS), and the consequences are often severe. Usually, the venous system is affected. Arterial thrombosis has rarely been reported and occurs mainly in children. We report the case of a 27-year-old man with a history of NS due to focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis resistant to steroids and cyclosporine, admitted for bilateral pain in the calves. Aortogram revealed a suspended thrombus in the abdominal aorta just below the origin of the renal arteries with embolism into the left tibioperoneal trunk and the right anterior tibial artery. Endarterectomy was performed followed by systemic heparinization with a good outcome. Arterial thrombosis is rare and must be prevented.

Acute tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis syndrome: A report on four adult cases.

Acute tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis (TINU) syndrome is a rare disease, generally presenting in children and young women. The interstitial nephritis may precede, follow, or develop concurrent to the uveitis. We report the clinical features and outcomes of four adult patients, aged 41-70 years with the TINU syndrome.

Severe metastatic calcifications in a hemodialysis patient.

Tissue calcification is a common complication in patients on continuous hemodialysis (HD) for chronic renal failure; however, severe calcification is unusual. Three distinct clinical types of extraosseous calcifications are found in uremic patients: vascular calcification, periarticular (tumoral) calcification, and visceral calcification (heart, lung, and kidney). We report a case of a young chronic HD patient who presented with extensive metastatic calcifi cations both vascular, visceral specially localized in the lungs, and periarticular with progressively increasing multiple subcutaneous swellings. This evolution was secondary to noncompliance of the patient to the treatment of a malignant hyperparathyroidism with a marked elevation of phosphocalcium product.

Retroperitoneal fibrosis: A retrospective review of clinical presentation, treatment and outcomes.

Retroperitoneal fibrosis (RPF) is a rare disease and has a high risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD). This retrospective study was carried out with the objective to study the epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic characteristics of RPF and identify the risk factors associated with its progression to CKD. All 30 cases (24 males and five females) of RPF admitted from January 1985 to December 2013 in the Military Hospital of Tunis were included in this study. The mean age was 50.5 years. Presentation was with lower back pain, acute renal failure and inflammatory syndrome in 93%, 56% and 43% of the cases, respectively. Sixteen patients (54%) had a creatinine clearance <60 mL/min at the time of diagnosis. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein of >30 mm/h and 10 mg/L were observed in 56% and 53% of cases, respectively. The abdominal computed tomography scan showed ureterohydronephrosis in 63% of the cases. Classes I, II and III according to Scheel's radiological classification were found in, respectively, 16%, 13% and 70% of cases. Biopsy of RPF was performed in 20% of the cases, and all showed an inflammatory infiltrate without signs of vasculitis. RPF was idiopathic in 85% of the cases. Oral corticosteroid therapy was started for all patients. After a mean follow-up time of 53.2 months, an initial favorable response was noted in 76% of the cases. Fifty-three percent of the patients have presented one or more relapses during follow-up and 20% progressed to CKD. Most relapses were successfully treated by corticosteroids; only five patients had required additional immunosuppressive therapy. Two patients died. Elevated creatinine at diagnosis, high urea, clearance of creatinine lower than 60 mL/min and the use of ureteral stents were identified as risk factors for development of CKD.

Renovascular hypertension: a report of 21 cases.

Renovascular hypertension (RVH) is among the most common forms of secondary hypertension. We studied 21 patients (eight male and 13 female) with RVH who were encountered during a period of 16 years. The average age of the patients was 34.75 years. Trans-renal Doppler ultrasound confirmed the diagnosis of renovascular stenosis (RAS) as the cause of RVH in 95% of the patients. Computed tomography angiography was performed in ten cases, which confirmed the diagnosis in all these cases. Magnetic resonance angiography was performed in only three patients. Renal scintigraphy was performed in 11 patients, with DTPA in nine patients and with MAG3 in two cases. Arteriography was performed in 15 cases for therapeutic end points. In two patients, we treated the arteries of both kidneys and in 19 cases we treated only one kidney artery. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty was performed in ten cases. Renal arterial stent placement was performed in three cases in which RAS was from an atherosclerosis etiology. Surgical revascularization was performed in four cases. Nephrectomy was necessary in four cases. After interventional treatment, medical treatment using antihypertensive drugs was necessary in 17 of the patients. After treatment, three patients returned to normal kidney function, while worsening of glomerular filtration rate was noted in four patients. Some complications such as a kidney infarct after treatment, a nephrectomy, artery thrombosis, an ischemic stroke and recurrent RAS were also noted.

Porphyria cutanea tarda in a chronic hemodialysis patient.

End-stage renal failure and long-term hemodialysis (HD) treatment promote the development of genetically conditioned porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT). Iron overload is often associated with this disease and is thought to play a role in its pathogenesis. We report a case of HD-related PCT, which improved with deferoxamine treatment. A 33-year-old woman, with end-stage renal failure on HD since 1998, presented with a history of blisters on the face and dorsum of the hands, of several months duration. Laboratory analysis showed: hemoglobin 10.4 g/dL; a moderate hepatic cytolysis; ferritin 1300 µg/L (Nl: 8-120 µg/L) and negative serology for HIV, HBV and HCV. Porphyrin analyses showed a PCT pattern. Skin biopsy findings and direct immunofluorescence were consistent with PCT. The patient received deferoxamine (40 mg/kg intravenously every week for 6 weeks) which led to dramatic improvement of the symptoms. Several treatments are proposed in the management of dialysis-related PCT. This case confirms that deferoxamine can induce rapid and prolonged remission.