Methotrexate versus expectant management in ectopic pregnancy: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Ectopic pregnancy (EP) affects 1-2% of all pregnant females'(Barnhart et al., Expert Opin Pharmacother 2(3):409-417, 2001) that can require emergent surgical intervention. Noninvasive diagnostic tests like transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS), and serial ß-hCG levels have enabled early diagnosis and allowed medical therapy to be tried. Methotrexate (MTX) versus expectant management, both have been considered safe but superiority of one over the other is lacking. METHODS: We searched for RCT that have shown efficacy of MTX versus expectant management in hemodynamically stable patients. Our primary outcome was whether one modality is superior to the other. RESULTS: Four RCT were included in the meta-analysis after review. Our pooled analysis when comparing MTX and expectant management showed us that the difference between the uneventful decline in ß-hCG levels (treatment success) was statistically insignificant (RR = 1.06, 95% CI 0.93-1.21) with no significant heterogeneity between trials (I2 = 0.0%, P = 0.578). The difference between need for surgical intervention between methotrexate and expectant management was also statistically insignificant (RR = 0.77, 95% CI 0.43-1.40) with no significant heterogeneity between trials (I2 = 0.0%, P = 0.552). CONCLUSION: We conclude that expectant management is not inferior to MTX in hemodynamically stable patients with ectopic pregnancy that have declining or low ß-hCG levels.

Cytomegalovirus-related Cystitis in a Patient with Membranous Glomerulonephritis Receiving Cyclophosphamide: A Case Study.

Hemorrhagic cystitis is a familiar complication of cyclophosphamide therapy in patients receiving high doses of intravenous cyclophosphamide, which is commonly used as part of a chemotherapeutic regimen and as an immunosuppressant for various malignancies and connective tissue diseases. Acrolein, an active and urotoxic metabolite of cyclophosphamide, is the leading cause of this hazardous complication. However, there are very few case reports indicating the role of pathogens such as BK virus, adenovirus, cytomegalovirus (CMV), Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella, and Candida as the triggers for hemorrhagic cystitis, after short courses and oral use of cyclophosphamide therapy. Here, we report a case of CMV-related cystitis in a patient with membranous glomerulonephritis, who received conventional doses of oral cyclophosphamide for a short duration and presented with hematuria. Cystoscopy, along with a microscopic examination of the bladder mucosa, revealed mononuclear viral inclusions indicating CMV were observed. The patient responded to antiviral therapy.

Cyclophosphamide for the Treatment of Proliferative Glomerulonephritis with Monoclonal Immunoglobulin Deposition.

About 3% of the population aged more than 50 years, is affected by monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), a premalignant condition that may progress to lymphoproliferative disorders. Since MGUS does not represent the diseases associated with end organ damage, a new term, monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance (MGRS) is coined for the monoclonal gammopathies that are associated with renal disorders. MGRS is classified into various types, including monoclonal immunoglobulin deposition disease (MIDD) and proliferative glomerulonephritis with monoclonal immunoglobulin deposition (PGNMID). PGNMID presents with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis-type lesions associated with immunoglobulin deposition. This disease entity has a poor prognosis and its optimum treatment is yet to be established. We present the case of an elderly male, a known patient of light chain deposition disease, a form of MIDD, who initially lost to follow-up but later presented with PGNMID, wherein he was treated with steroid and cyclophosphamide, to which he responded.

Single dose tafenoquine for preventing relapse in people with plasmodium vivax malaria-an updated meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Plasmodium vivax is a frequent cause of recurring malaria in endemic areas as in its latent stage it resides in liver, and is responsible for relapse. Treatment with 8 aminoquinoline Primaquine is given for 14 days, however studies have shown dismal results with adherence to therapy. A new long acting 8 aminoquinoline, Tafenoquine was introduced that showed efficacy and safety almost similar to Primaquine in a single dose regimen, hence giving hopes for improved compliance and help in eradicating malaria. METHODS: We searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared the efficacy of Tafenoquine with Primaquine or placebo. Our primary outcome was the recurrence of Plasmodium vivax parasitemia at 6 months and our safety outcomes included total number of adverse events as well as serious adverse events. We performed pooled data analysis by the random effects model and I2 was used to assess heterogeneity. RESULTS: 4 RCTs were included. Our pooled analysis showed that the number of episodes of recurrence at 6 months between Tafenoquine and Primaquine (RR = 1.08, 95% CI = 0.74-1.59), and between Tafenoquine and placebo (RR = 0.17, 95%CI = 0.03-1.11) was statistically insignificant. Comparison of serious adverse events did not show any significant risk associated with the use of Tafenoquine as compared to Primaquine when analyzed till day 29, which was the time period considered to show most probable drug associated events. CONCLUSION: Tafenoquine as a single dose is an effective alternative to Primaquine for prevention of recurrence of P vivax malaria, with a reasonable safety profile.

Renal Biopsy: A much needed tool in patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosis (SLE).

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Systemic lupus erythematosis (SLE) is an inflammatory disorder associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Kidneys are frequently affected in SLE and various stages of lupus nephritis have been identified based on severity of the disease. Treatment varies with the staging and correct diagnosis is essential for timely intervention as it can have significant impact on morbidity and mortality. The objective of the study was to determine whether laboratory parameters of lupus nephritis (LN); including urinalysis, serum creatinine (S. Cr) and 24 hours urine protein can accurately predict histologic staging of the disease. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted in department of Nephrology, Liaquat National Hospital Karachi from January 2012 to December 2014. Fifty one patients of SLE who underwent renal biopsy were selected. Patients, urinalysis at the time of renal biopsy, serum creatinine and 24 hours urine collection for protein were noted. All patients renal biopsy was read by the same pathologist. Patients were clinically staged based on these parameters and their histologic staging based on biopsy findings were compared, to see their correlation. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 17. Chi-square test was used to analyze categorical data and p<0.05 was considered significant. Cohen's kappa (κ) analysis was used to examine the agreement by comparing lupus nephritis staging done by laboratory and histological ground. P value <0.05 indicates that agreement was unlikely due to chance alone. RESULTS: Among 51 patients analyzed, 37 patients were females (72.5%) and 14 patients were males (27.5%) with mean age of 32.51 + 16.91 years. In stage II, kappa (κ) of 0.304 represented fair strength of agreement and a p value of 0.012 (p<0.05)which was statistically significant. In stage III, kappa was 0.209 indicating none to slight agreement and a p value of 0.131 (p>0.05). In stage IV, kappa (κ) was 0.141 (slight agreement)and p value 0.301 (p>0.05) in stage V; kappa (κ) of 0.030 represented poor agreement and a p value of 0.828 (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Staging of lupus nephritis done on basis of laboratory findings did not correlate well with underlying histological staging. Therefore, renal biopsy is an essential tool in approach to lupus nephritis in order to provide timely and appropriate treatment to patients.

Frequency of pulmonary hypertension in hemodialysis patients.

OBJECTIVE: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) has been described in hemodialysis (HD) patients and has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Our objective was to determine the prevalence of pulmonary hypertension in patients on regular hemodialysis. METHODS: This cross sectional study was conducted in Department of Nephrology, Liaquat National Hospital Karachi from April 2013 to March 2014. Eighty patients of end stage renal disease (ESRD), on maintenance hemodialysis (HD); underwent Trans thoracic Echocardiography were selected. Systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (SPAP) was recorded. Pulmonary hypertension was defined as, pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) greater than 30 mm Hg at rest. Pulmonary hypertension was further divided into mild (PAP b/w 30-45mmHg), moderate (PAP b/w 45-65mmHg) and severe pulmonary hypertension (PAP > 65mmHg). The effect of different vascular accesses, age, gender, dialysis vintage on the development of pulmonary hypertension was observed. RESULTS: Out of 80 patients, 45 patients (56%) had pulmonary hypertension (PH); 25(55.5%) had moderate, 13(29%) had mild, and 7 (15.5%) patients had severe pulmonary hypertension (PH). Pulmonary hypertension was present in 41(60%) patients with AVF, 3(27%) patients with tunnel cuffed catheter and 1 patient had AV bridge graft. Pulmonary hypertension was more common in females; present in 28 females (67%) and 17 males (45%), that was statistically significant (p<0.05). Mean duration of hemodialysis in (months) of patients with PH was 20.93 ± 12 vs. 10.29 ±10 in patients without PH (p<0.05). Age had no relation to development of PH. CONCLUSION: ESRD patients on HD have strong tendency to develop PH. Our study demonstrated that PH is more common among females. Duration of hemodialysis and AV access has strong relation to the development of PH.

CT guided percutaneous renal biopsy versus ultrasound guided for obtaining adequate tissue.

OBJECTIVE: To study the diagnostic yield of specimen obtained by percutaneous renal biopsy (PRB) under CT guidance and Ultrasound (US) guidance. METHODS: This study was conducted at the department of Nephrology at Liaquat National Hospital and Dr. Ziauddin Hospital, Karachi. Renal biopsy specimens obtained between January 2007 and September 2009 were studied for number of glomeruli obtained. In addition data was collected of how many patients had to undergo renal biopsy again because of nonavailability of renal cortex (the area of the kidney that contains glomeruli necessary for diagnosing renal disease) by both methods. RESULTS: We analyzed 205 renal biopsy specimens. Fifty were obtained via CT and 155 under US guidance. All 50 specimens obtained by CT guidance had renal cortex, compared to 147/155 (94.8%) specimen obtained by US guidance. Mean number of glomeruli in US guided specimens was 10.28 +/- 6.85, compared to CT guided specimen which was 23.34 +/- 13.42. Definitive diagnosis was made in 100% of CT guided biopsy compared to 94.8% (p<0.001) in US guided specimens. None of the patients undergoing CT guided biopsy required re-biopsy. CONCLUSION: PRB of native kidney under CT guidance is a more effective tool compared to ultrasound guidance in obtaining renal cortex that prevents patients from undergoing biopsy twice and provides sufficient number of glomeruli for definitive diagnosis of renal diseases especially when focal disease is suspected.

Assessment of renal insufficiency in patients with normal serum creatinine levels undergoing angiography.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of patients with underlying renal insufficiency having normal serum creatinine level proceeding for coronary angiography. METHODS: A total of 693 patients from September 2009 to February 2010 undergoing diagnostic coronary angiography at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) with normal serum creatinine < 1.5 mg/dl were selected. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was calculated for each patient using the Cockcroft-Gault (C-G) equation and a GFR < 80 ml/min was labeled as renal insufficiency. RESULTS: The mean age of males was 51.86 +/- 10.19 years and 51.52 +/- 9.80 years for females. Almost one-third (n=236, 34.1%) of patients had GFR <80 ml/min; comparison between male (n=168, 31.2%) and female (n=68, 43.9%) was significant (p-value 0.003). Age group breakdown showed majority of patients (n=196; 83.05%) with GFR <80 ml/min ranged between 40-69 years (p-value 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study has shown that most of the patients with normal serum creatinine have abnormal GFR. Serum creatinine, which is considered to be an important screening test in patients with renal impairment, might remain in the normal range despite the renal function being significantly impaired. Therefore, GFR should be considered as an estimate of renal insufficiency, regardless of serum creatinine levels being in normal range.