Biomarkers of acute kidney injury in patients with nephrotic syndrome / Biomarcadores de lesão renal aguda em pacientes com síndrome nefrótica

ABSTRACT Introduction: Emergence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients with nephrotic syndrome (NS) requires prompt diagnosis and differentiation between acute tubular necrosis (ATN) and proliferative glomerulonephritis. We studied the potential use of commercial urinary biomarkers' tests in the diagnosis of AKI in patients with NS. Methods: A cross sectional estimate of urinary concentrations of KIM-1 and NGAL was performed in 40 patients with NS: 9 with proliferative glomerulopathy, being 4 with AKI and 31 without proliferative glomerulopathy, being 15 with AKI. AKI was defined using the KDIGO criteria. Results: The mean age was 35 ± 16 years. The main diagnoses were focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis (10, 25%), membranous glomerulopathy (10, 25%), minimal change disease (7, 18%), lupus nephritis (6, 15%), and proliferative glomerulonephritis (3, 8%). Patients with ATN had higher levels of urinary KIM-1 (P = 0.0157) and NGAL (P = 0.023) than patients without ATN. The urinary concentrations of KIM-1 (P= 0.009) and NGAL (P= 0.002) were higher in patients with AKI than in patients without AKI. Urinary NGAL and KIM-1 levels were significantly higher in patients with ATN without proliferative glomerulonephritis than in patients with proliferative glomerulonephritis (P = 0.003 and P=0.024, respectively). Conclusions: Neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin (NGAL) and kidney injury molecule 1 (KIM-1) estimates correlated with histological signs of ATN and were able to discriminate patients with AKI even in conditions of NS. Furthermore, urinary levels of NGAL and KIM-1 may be useful in the differential diagnosis of acute tubular necrosis and exudative glomerulonephritis in patients with nephrotic syndrome.

RESUMO Introdução: O surgimento de lesão renal aguda (LRA) em pacientes com síndrome nefrótica (SN) requer diagnóstico imediato e diferenciação entre necrose tubular aguda (NTA) e glomerulonefrite proliferativa. Avaliamos o uso potencial de testes de biomarcadores urinários comerciais no diagnóstico de LRA em pacientes com SN. Métodos: Uma estimativa transversal das concentrações urinárias de KIM-1 e NGAL foi realizada em 40 pacientes com SN: 9 com glomerulopatia proliferativa, sendo 4 com LRA e 31 sem glomerulopatia proliferativa, sendo 15 com LRA. A LRA foi definida usando os critérios da KDIGO. Resultados: A média de idade foi de 35 ± 16 anos. Os principais diagnósticos foram glomeruloesclerose segmentar e focal (10, 25%), glomerulopatia membranosa (10, 25%), doença por lesão mínima (7, 18%), nefrite lúpica (6, 15%) e glomerulonefrite proliferativa (3, 8 %). Os pacientes com NTA apresentaram níveis mais elevados de KIM-1 urinário (P = 0,0157) e NGAL (P = 0,023) do que pacientes sem NTA. As concentrações urinárias de KIM-1 (P = 0,009) e NGAL (P = 0,002) foram maiores em pacientes com LRA do que em pacientes sem LRA. Os níveis urinários de NGAL e KIM-1 foram significativamente maiores em pacientes com NTA sem glomerulonefrite proliferativa do que em pacientes com glomerulonefrite proliferativa (P = 0,003 e P = 0,024, respectivamente). Conclusões: As estimativas de lipocalina associada a gelatinase de neutrófilos (NGAL) e molécula de lesão renal 1 (KIM-1) se correlacionaram com sinais histológicos de NTA, e foram capazes de discriminar pacientes com LRA mesmo em condições de SN. Além disso, os níveis urinários de NGAL e KIM-1 podem ser úteis no diagnóstico diferencial de necrose tubular aguda e glomerulonefrite exsudativa em pacientes com síndrome nefrótica.

Biomarkers of acute kidney injury in patients with nephrotic syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Emergence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients with nephrotic syndrome (NS) requires prompt diagnosis and differentiation between acute tubular necrosis (ATN) and proliferative glomerulonephritis. We studied the potential use of commercial urinary biomarkers' tests in the diagnosis of AKI in patients with NS. METHODS: A cross sectional estimate of urinary concentrations of KIM-1 and NGAL was performed in 40 patients with NS: 9 with proliferative glomerulopathy, being 4 with AKI and 31 without proliferative glomerulopathy, being 15 with AKI. AKI was defined using the KDIGO criteria. RESULTS: The mean age was 35 ± 16 years. The main diagnoses were focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis (10, 25%), membranous glomerulopathy (10, 25%), minimal change disease (7, 18%), lupus nephritis (6, 15%), and proliferative glomerulonephritis (3, 8%). Patients with ATN had higher levels of urinary KIM-1 (P = 0.0157) and NGAL (P = 0.023) than patients without ATN. The urinary concentrations of KIM-1 (P= 0.009) and NGAL (P= 0.002) were higher in patients with AKI than in patients without AKI. Urinary NGAL and KIM-1 levels were significantly higher in patients with ATN without proliferative glomerulonephritis than in patients with proliferative glomerulonephritis (P = 0.003 and P=0.024, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin (NGAL) and kidney injury molecule 1 (KIM-1) estimates correlated with histological signs of ATN and were able to discriminate patients with AKI even in conditions of NS. Furthermore, urinary levels of NGAL and KIM-1 may be useful in the differential diagnosis of acute tubular necrosis and exudative glomerulonephritis in patients with nephrotic syndrome.

Acute tubular necrosis and renal failure in patients with glomerular disease.

Renal failure is common in patients with glomerular disease. Although renal failure may result from the glomerular lesion itself, it is also observed in patients with minimal glomerular alterations. Degenerative changes and necrosis of the tubular epithelium are common findings in kidney biopsies from these patients. The aim of this work is to examine the association between acute tubular necrosis (ATN) and renal failure in patients with glomerulopathy and to estimate the relationship between the degree of ATN and renal failure in these patients. Data on age, sex, presence of nephrotic syndrome, and renal failure were recorded for 149 patients, who underwent a renal biopsy for the diagnosis of glomerulopathy. The biopsies were reviewed, and ATN, when present, was classified as one of four grades depending on its intensity. The mean age of the patients was 21 ± 16 years. Eighty patients (54%) were male, 43 (42%) had renal failure, 104 (72%) had nephrotic syndrome, and 66 (45%) had minimal change disease or focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. ATN was present in 115 (77%) patients. The frequency of renal failure was directly correlated with the intensity of ATN [odds ratio (OR) of 26.0 for patients with grade 2 lesions and OR of 45.5 for patients with grade 3 lesions]. ATN is a common finding in the biopsies of patients with glomerulopathy. The severity of ATN is directly associated with the frequency of renal failure in these patients.

Pentoxifylline in ischemia-induced acute kidney injury in rats.

Ischemia is an important cause of acute kidney injury (AKI). Pentoxifylline has been shown to improve tissue oxygenation and endothelial function and inhibit proinflammatory cytokine production. The aim of this study was to evaluate a possible renal protective effect of pentoxifylline against ischemia by measuring mitochondrial respiratory metabolism as an index of cell damage. Rats were submitted to right nephrectomy. The left kidney was submitted to ischemia by clamping the renal artery for 45 minutes. Immediately after release of the clamp, 1 mL of a solution containing 20 mg of pentoxifylline/mL was injected intravenously, while a control group received 1 mL of normal saline intravenously. Five minutes after the injection, the left kidney was removed, homogenized, and subjected to refrigerated differential centrifugation. Mitochondrial respiratory metabolism was measured polarographically. The mitochondria isolated from the kidneys of saline-treated rats had an endogenous respiration of 9.20 +/- 1.0 etamol O(2)/mg protein/min compared to 8.9 +/- 1.4 etamol O(2)/mg protein/min in the pentoxifylline-treated rats (p > 0.05). When stimulated by sodium succinate, the respiratory metabolism increased in a similar fashion in both groups of animals: 17.9 +/- 2.3 and 18.1 +/- 2.1 etamol O(2)/mg protein/min in the untreated and pentoxifylline-treated groups, respectively (p > 0.05). In the present study, pentoxifylline was not found to exert any protective effect on the kidney. It is possible that at the time of pentoxifylline administration, the mitochondria had already been damaged by the process of ischemia, and its effect may have been insufficient to reverse cell damage.

Enterococcal urinary tract infections in a university hospital: clinical studies

Although urinary tract infections (UTI) represent the most common infection caused by enterococci, some aspects remain to be fully clarified. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical characteristics present in UTI caused by Enterococcus spp. in patients followed up at the Prof. Edgard Santos Teaching Hospital of the Federal University of Bahia. All patients consecutively examined between 1997 and 2005, who received a diagnosis of UTI caused by Enterococcus spp. were included in the study. UTI was defined as the presence of 10(5) colony-forming units per mL of urine. Standard microbiological techniques were used. During the study period, 6.2 percent of the urine cultures were positive for Enterococcus spp. The mean age of the patients was 48.9 years and 57 percent were male. At initial evaluation, 13 percent of the patients had complaints suggestive of UTI. Nineteen patients had a history consistent with obstructive uropathy and 26 with neurogenic bladder. At final evaluation, UTI was the diagnosis in 48 patients. In 36 patients (29 percent), the primary diagnosis was related to urogenital diseases, consisting of obstructive uropathy in 23 of these cases, while in 32 patients (25.8 percent) primary diagnosis was related to neurologic diseases, frequently neurogenic bladder. UTI caused by Enterococcus spp. is not infrequent, is usually associated with few or no symptoms and occurs in sick patients who have anatomical or functional obstructive uropathy associated or not with urinary tract catheterization or instrumentation. The diagnosis of enterococcal UTI may indicate a urinary tract abnormality yet to be diagnosed.

Enterococcal urinary tract infections in a university hospital: clinical studies.

Although urinary tract infections (UTI) represent the most common infection caused by enterococci, some aspects remain to be fully clarified. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical characteristics present in UTI caused by Enterococcus spp. in patients followed up at the Prof. Edgard Santos Teaching Hospital of the Federal University of Bahia. All patients consecutively examined between 1997 and 2005, who received a diagnosis of UTI caused by Enterococcus spp. were included in the study. UTI was defined as the presence of > or = 10(5) colony-forming units per mL of urine. Standard microbiological techniques were used. During the study period, 6.2% of the urine cultures were positive for Enterococcus spp. The mean age of the patients was 48.9 years and 57% were male. At initial evaluation, 13% of the patients had complaints suggestive of UTI. Nineteen patients had a history consistent with obstructive uropathy and 26 with neurogenic bladder. At final evaluation, UTI was the diagnosis in 48 patients. In 36 patients (29%), the primary diagnosis was related to urogenital diseases, consisting of obstructive uropathy in 23 of these cases, while in 32 patients (25.8%) primary diagnosis was related to neurologic diseases, frequently neurogenic bladder. UTI caused by Enterococcus spp. is not infrequent, is usually associated with few or no symptoms and occurs in sick patients who have anatomical or functional obstructive uropathy associated or not with urinary tract catheterization or instrumentation. The diagnosis of enterococcal UTI may indicate a urinary tract abnormality yet to be diagnosed.

Experimental supratrigonal cystectomy: II--Evaluation of urinary calculi, infection, and bladder dysfunction in the pathogenesis of renal failure.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of urolithiasis, infection, and bladder dysfunction in the pathogenesis of renal failure in rats subjected to supratrigonal cystectomy. One group of Sprague-Dawley rats was submitted to supratrigonal cystectomy, a second to cystectomy during which a suspension of Proteus mirabilis was injected into the bladder stump, and a third to sham surgery (controls). The animals were sacrificed two months after surgery. Blood pressure and serum urea and creatinine were measured before surgery and at sacrifice when a careful inspection of the urinary tract was performed to determine the presence of hydronephrosis and calculi. Microbiological analyses were performed on urine aspirated from the bladder and on the kidneys. Significant differences were found between values of systolic blood pressure and serum urea and creatinine recorded prior to the surgical procedure and those recorded at sacrifice in each group except the control group. Renal failure was present in all animals subjected to cystectomy. Urinary calculi were documented in 5/10 animals subjected to cystectomy only and in all rats inoculated with P. mirabilis. Hypertension was documented in 43.75% of animals subjected to cystectomy. Pyelonephritis was diagnosed only in animals with urinary calculi, in each of which urine culture was also positive. No cases of renal failure, hypertension, calculi, and/or pyelonephritis were detected in the sham group. The findings of this study indicate that kidney failure in rats subjected to supratrigonal cystectomy is related to the severe bladder dysfunction induced by the surgical procedure.

In vivo effect of enalapril on lysosomal compartment isolated from kidney and liver of rats.

INTRODUCTION: Angiotensin II (Ang II) inhibitory agents such as angiotensin-converting enyzme (ACE) inhibitors have been used as antihypertensive and anti-proteinuric drugs, attenuating the progression and inducing regression of glomerulosclerosis. The mechanisms related to the renoprotective effects of the ACE-inhibitors, although partly related to the blockade of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), are not completely understood. Their effects on many cellular functions and intracellular components have not been directly studied. The aim of the present studies was to investigate the effect of enalapril on lysosomal activity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two groups of Wistar rats were studied. The experimental group received enalapril, 50 mg/L, in the drinking water; the control group was submitted to the same conditions except for enalapril. After two weeks of treatment, each animal was sacrificed and samples of liver and kidney were individually collected, homogenised and subjected to differential centrifugation. The supernatant was utilised for evaluation of ortophosphoric-monoester phosphohydrolase as a marker of lysosome stability and the results expressed as specific units of phosphatase activity. RESULTS: The mean specific activities of the lysosomal compartment isolated from kidneys of enalapril-treated rats showed a mean specific activity that was 17.6% higher than the control group; no: difference was found in the liver. CONCLUSION: The present studies suggests that the beneficial effect of enalapril is not related to effects on lysosomal membrane.

Experimental supratrigonal cystectomy. Evaluation of long-term complications.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aims at assessing the occurrence of pyelonephritis and long-term complications in rats submitted to surgical reduction of bladder capacity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were submitted to supratrigonal cystectomy (animals) or sham operation ( animals) and sacrificed 2, 4 and 6 months after the surgical procedure. The arterial blood pressure and serum creatinine levels were assessed before the surgery and at the time of the sacrifice. After the sacrifice a careful inspection of the urinary apparatus was performed to the characterization of the hydronephrosis and for the detection of the presence of calculi. With sterile technique, the urine was aspirated from the bladder and the kidneys removed and sent to a microbiologic study. RESULTS: Pyelonephritis was frequent in animals submitted to supratrigonal cystectomy. The most frequent and isolated microorganisms were Staphylococcus sp. and E. coli. The presence of urinary calculi was correlated significantly to the presence of urinary tract infection (p < 0.003). Arterial hypertension was frequent amongst animals submitted to supratrigonal cystectomy. Serum creatinine was high in 72.4% of the animals in the group submitted to supratrigonal cystectomy. The presence of calculi and pyelonephritis were frequent in rats presenting renal insufficiency and in hypertensive rats. CONCLUSIONS: The long-term course of urinary infection in rats submitted to supratrigonal cystectomy was characterized by a high incidence of renal insufficiency and arterial hypertension that seem to be related to dysfunction and bladder obstruction induced by an extensive surgical procedure and the presence of urolithiasis and pyelonephritis.

Experimental supratrigonal cystectomy: evaluation of long-term complications

OBJECTIVE: The present study aims at assessing the occurrence of pyelonephritis and long-term complications in rats submitted to surgical reduction of bladder capacity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were submitted to supratrigonal cystectomy (29 animals) or sham operation (15 animals) and sacrificed 2, 4 and 6 months after the surgical procedure. The arterial blood pressure and serum creatinine levels were assessed before the surgery and at the time of the sacrifice. After the sacrifice a careful inspection of the urinary apparatus was performed to the characterization of the hydronephrosis and for the detection of the presence of calculi. With sterile technique, the urine was aspirated from the bladder and the kidneys removed and sent to a microbiologic study. RESULTS: Pyelonephritis was frequent in animals submitted to supratrigonal cystectomy. The most frequent and isolated microorganisms were Staphylococcus sp. and E. coli. The presence of urinary calculi was correlated significantly to the presence of urinary tract infection (p < 0.003). Arterial hypertension was frequent amongst animals submitted to supratrigonal cystectomy. Serum creatinine was high in 72.4 percent of the animals in the group submitted to supratrigonal cystectomy. The presence of calculi and pyelonephritis were frequent in rats presenting renal insufficiency and in hypertensive rats. CONCLUSIONS: The long-term course of urinary infection in rats submitted to supratrigonal cystectomy was characterized by a high incidence of renal insufficiency and arterial hypertension that seem to be related to dysfunction and bladder obstruction induced by an extensive surgical procedure and the presence of urolithiasis and pyelonephritis.

Frequency of antiphospholipid antibodies in patients with infectious diseases using three different ELISA methods

OBJETIVO: O ensaio de enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) para a pesquisa de anticorpos anticardiolipina (aCL) é o mais importante teste para o diagnóstico da síndrome antifosfolipídica (SAF). Entretanto esse teste também pode ser positivo em algumas doenças infecciosas. Tem sido sugerido que a detecção de anticorpos para uma mistura de fosfolípides ou para b2-glicoproteína I (b2-GP I) teria uma maior especificidade para a SAF que o teste de ELISA-padrão para aCL. O objetivo do presente estudo é comparar a especificidade de três testes para anticorpos antifosfolípides (aFL) em pacientes com doenças infecciosas. MÉTODOS: Anticorpos antifosfolípides foram pesquisados por três técnicas de ELISA, ou seja, o teste-padrão para aCL, o kit de ELISA APhL® e o teste para anti-b2-GP I em pacientes com doenças infecciosas, tais como sífilis (69), leptospirose (33) e Calazar (30). RESULTADOS: A freqüência de positividade de aFL da classe IgG em pacientes com sífilis, leptospirose e Calazar foi de 13/69 (19 por cento), 9/33 (27 por cento) e 2/30 (6 por cento), respectivamente, com o ELISA-padrão para aCL versus 1/69 (1,4 por cento), 0/33 (0 por cento) e 0/30 (0 por cento) com o kit de ELISA APhL®. A positividade do isotipo IgM foi de 10/69 (14 por cento), 4/33 (12 por cento) e 1/30 (3 por cento), respectivamente, com o ELISA-padrão para aCL, e 1/69 (1,4 por cento), 0/33 (0 por cento) e 0/30 (0 por cento) com o kit de ELISA APhL®. Anticorpos da classe IgG contra b2GPI foram detectados em 14/69 casos de sífilis (20 por cento), 6/33 casos de leptospirose (18 por cento) e 16/30 casos de Calazar (53 por cento). Assim, o kit de ELISA APhL® apresentou uma maior especificidade: 97 por cento (95 por cento CI: 92 por cento-99 por cento) comparado com 81 por cento (95 por cento CI: 74 por cento-87 por cento) para o teste de aCL-padrão e 72 por cento (95 por cento CI: 64 por cento-79 por cento) para o teste de anticorpos anti-b2 GPI. CONCLUSÕES: O kit de ELISA APhL® parece ser m...

Acute renal failure after coronary artery bypass surgery with extracorporeal circulation -- incidence, risk factors, and mortality.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the incidence, risk factors, and mortality of acute renal failure (ARF) in patients undergoing myocardial coronary artery bypass surgery with extracorporeal circulation. METHODS: All patients undergoing myocardial coronary artery bypass surgery were prospectively studied, and their clinical and laboratory variables were assessed using uni- and multivariate analysis (logistic regression). RESULTS: Acute renal failure occurred in 16.1% of the 223 patients studied; 4.9% of patients required dialysis. Risk factors associated with ARF in the univariate analysis were age > 63 years, OR 3.6 (95% CI=1.6 to 8.3); preoperative serum creatinine > 1.2 mg/dL, OR 5.9 (95% CI=2.4 to 14.6); duration of extracorporeal circulation > 90 min, OR 2.1 (95% CI=1.0 to 4.4); use of intraaortic balloon, OR 2.6 (95% CI=1.2 to 5.5); need for inotropic drugs, OR 4.4 (95% CI=1.9 to 10.2). In the multivariate analysis, independent factors associated with ARF were: age > 63 years, OR 3.0 (95% CI=1.3 to 7.2); preoperative serum creatinine > 1.2 mg/dL, OR 4.3 (95% CI=1.6 to 11.4); need for inotropic drugs, OR 3.2 (95% CI=1.3 to 8.0). Mortality in the patients with ARF was 25.0% compared with 1.1% in those without ARF and 63.6% in those who required dialysis. CONCLUSION: Acute renal failure after myocardial coronary artery bypass surgery is a frequent complication associated with a high mortality rate. The independent risk factors are age, previous renal failure, and the need for inotropic drugs.

Insuficiência renal aguda após cirurgia de revascularização miocárdica com circulação extracorpórea: incidência, fatores de risco e mortalidade / Acute renal failure after coronary artery bypass surgery with extracorporeal circulation: incidence, risk factors, and mortality

OBJETIVO: Identificar a incidência, fatores de risco e mortalidade de insuficiência renal aguda (IRA), em pacientes submetidos à cirurgia para revascularização miocárdica com circulação extracorpórea. MÉTODOS: Estudados prospectivamente todos os pacientes submetidos a cirurgia de revascularização miocárdica e as variáveis clínicas e laboratoriais analisadas através de métodos uni e multivariado (regressão logística). RESULTADOS: Insuficiência renal aguda ocorreu em 16,1 por cento dos 223 pacientes estudados, diálise foi necessária em 4,9 por cento dos pacientes. Os fatores de risco associados à IRA na análise univariada foram: idade > 63 anos OR 3,6 (95 por cento IC=1,6 a 8,3), creatinina sérica pré-operatória > 1,2 mg/dl OR 5,9 (95 por cento IC=2,4 a 14,6), duração da circulação extracorpórea > 90 min OR 2,1 (95 por cento IC=1,0 a 4,4), uso de balão intra-aórtico OR 2,6 (95 por cento IC=1,2 a 5,5); necessidade de drogas inotrópicas OR 4,4 (95 por cento IC=1,9 a 10,2) e, na análise multivariada, foram fatores independentes associados à IRA idade > 63 anos OR 3,0 (95 por cento IC=1,3 a 7,2), creatinina sérica pré-operatória > 1,2 mg/dl OR 4,3 (95 por cento IC=1,6 a 11,4), necessidade de drogas inotrópicas OR 3,2 (95 por cento IC=1,3 a 8,0). A mortalidade nos pacientes com IRA foi de 25,0 por cento em comparação com 1,1 por cento entre os sem IRA e 63,6 por cento entre os que necessitaram de diálise. CONCLUSAO: Insuficiência renal aguda em cirurgia de revascularização miocárdica é uma complicação freqüente e está associada à alta mortalidade. Sendo fatores de risco independentes: idade, insuficiência renal prévia e necessidade de drogas inotrópicas.

Diagnostic performance of anti-beta2 glycoprotein I and anticardiolipin assays for clinical manifestations of the antiphospholipid syndrome.

The objective of the present study was to analyse the performance of the tests for detection of anti-beta2 glycoprotein I (beta2 GP I) and anticardiolipin (aCL) antibodies for identification of clinical manifestations of the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) as well as carriers of infectious diseases such as Kala-azar, syphilis and leptospirosis were studied. Particular interest was given to the presence of clinical complications related to APS. Anticardiolipin and anti-beta2 GP I antibodies were searched using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) assay. Clinical manifestations of APS were observed in 34 of the 152 patients (22.3%) with SLE and no patient with infectious disease had such manifestations. Antibodies to cardiolipin in moderate or high levels and anti-beta2 GP I were detected in 55 of 152 (36.1%) and 36 of 152 (23.6%) patients with SLE, respectively, and in 2 of 30 (6.6%) and 16 of 30 (53.3%) patients with Kala-azar, in 9 of 39 (23%) and 6 of 34 (17.6%) patients with leptospirosis, and 14 of 74 (18.9%) and 8 of 70 (11.4%) cases of syphilis, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and likelihood ratio (LR) of the anti-beta2 GP I test for the identification of the clinical manifestation of APS were, respectively, 29% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 24%-34%], 78% (95% CI = 73-83%), 15% (95% CI = 11-19%), 89% (95% CI = 85-93%) and 1.38. Regarding the aCL assay, the figure was 29% (95% CI = 24-34%), 76% (95% CI = 71-81%), 14% (95% CI = 10-18%), 89% (95% CI = 86-92%) and 1.26. As the validity and performance of the anti-beta2 GP I assay were similar to the aCL in demonstrating the presence of clinical phenomena associated with APS and due to the difficulties in performing as well as the lack of standardisation of the anti-beta2 GP I test, we suggest that the test for aCL should continue to be the first one performed when the presence of APS is suspected.

[Influence of hypertension on the incidence of end-stage renal disease in negroes and mulattoes with glomerulonephritis]. / Influência da hipertensão arterial na incidência de doença renal terminal em negros e mulatos portadores de glomerulonefrite.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether hypertension diagnosed during the first two months of follow-up is associated with the incidence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in negroes and mulattoes with glomerulonephritis after taking into account age, gender and the histological diagnosis. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study based on a sample of' 120 negro and mulatto patients with glomerulonephritis, 26 with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN), 58 with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSG) and 36 with other types of glomerulonephritis (OTGN). Hypertension was considered present if antihypertensive treatment was used, in adults (age >18 years) with a mean of the three first systolic blood pressures of 140 mmHg or a mean of the corresponding diastolic blood pressure of 90 mm Hg or greater. For ages equal to or below 18 years the criteria recommended by the "Task Force on Blood Pressure in Children" were used. RESULTS: Hypertension was diagnosed in 48 of the 120 patients (41.6%). The incidence of ESRD was approximately 2.6 times higher in hypertensive patients (relative risk(RR)=2.62; 95 % confidence interval (CI) =1.01-7.03, p=0.031). This association between hypertension and higher risk of ESRD was similar between the group younger than 19 and the group older than 18 years. Even after adjusting for age, gender and histologic type, the incidence of ESRD remained higher (and marginally significant) in the hypertensive than in the normotensive group (adjusted RR=2.15; IC 95%=0.86-5.39, p=0.07). CONCLUSIONS: According to the findings, early detection of hypertension in negroes and mulattoes with glomerulonephritis helps to identify patients with higher risk of ESRD, independently of age, gender and histologic type. Further research is needed to determine to what extent the severity of hypertension and the degree of blood pressure control contribute to the development of ESRD in negroes and mulattoes with glomerulonephritis.

Influência da hipertensäo arterial na incidência de doença renal terminal em negros e mulatos portadores de glomerulonefrite / Influence of hypertension on the incidence of end-stage renal disease in negroes and mulattoes with glomerulonephritis

OBJETIVO: Avaliar se a hipertensäo arterial (HA) diagnosticada durante os primeiros dois meses de acompanhamento associa-se com a incidência de doença renal terminal (DRT) em negros e mulatos com glomerulonefrite, levando em consideraçäo a idade, o sexo e o diagnóstico histológico. MÉTODOS: Estudo de coorte retrospectivo baseado em uma amostra de 120 pacientes negros e mulatos: 26 com glomerulonefrite membranoproliferativa (GNMP), 58 com glomeruloesclerose segmentar e focal (GSF) e 36 com outros tipos de glomerulonefrites (OTGN). HA foi considerada presente em pacientes usando anti-hipertensivos, em adultos apresentando média de três medidas de pressäo arterial (PA) sistólica igual ou superior a 140 ou média das correspondentes medidas da PA diastólica igual ou superior a 90 mmHg. Para a faixa etária igual ou inferior a 18 anos foram utilizados os critérios da "Task Force on Blood Pressure in Children". RESULTADOS: HA no início do acompanhamento foi diagnosticada em 48 dos 120 pacientes (41,6 por cento). A incidência de DRT foi aproximadamente 2,6 vezes maior em pacientes hipertensos (risco relativo (RR) = 2,62; intervalo de confiança (IC) 95 por cento =1,01-7,03; p=0,031). A associaçäo entre HA e aumento da incidência de DRT foi similar entre o grupo com idade menor ou igual a 18 anos e o grupo com idade superior a 18 anos. Mesmo após o ajuste para idade, sexo e tipo histológico, a incidência de DRT permaneceu maior (e marginalmente significante) em hipertensos que em normotensos (RR ajustado =2,15; IC 95 por cento=0,86-5,39; p=0,07). CONCLUSÖES: De acordo com os resultados, detecçäo precoce de HA em negros e mulatos com glomerulonefrite ajuda a identificar pacientes com maior risco de DRT, independente da idade, do sexo e do tipo histológico. Outros trabalhos säo necessários para determinar em que extensäo a severidade e grau de controle da HA contribuem para o desenvolvimento de DRT em negros e mulatos com glomerulonefrite

Anticorpos anti-B2 glicoproteína I em pacientes com lúpus eritematoso sistêmico / Anti-B2 glycoprotein I antibodies in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Objetivos: Estudar a frequência de anticorpos contra B2 glicoproteína I (B2 GP I) em soros de pacientes com lúpus eritematoso sistêmico (LES) e pesquisar a sua associação com complicações trombóticas e obstétricas. Métodos: Foram estudados 152 pacientes com diagnóstico de LES, sendo 147 do sexo feminino e cinco do masculino e com idade média de 33 mais ou menos 12 anos. Especial ênfase foi dada à presença de tromboses e morbidade obstétrica. B2 GP I foi purificada por cromatografia de afinidade em coluna de heparina. Foi realizada pesquisa de anticorpos IgG anti-B2 GP I e anticardiolipina utilizando-se a técninca de ELISA. Resultados: Complicações trombóticas ou obstétricas foram observadas em 34/152 pacientes (22 por cento). Anticorpos anticardiolipina em níveis moderados ou altos foram detectados em 55/152 pacientes (36 por cento) e anti-B2 GP I em 36/152 pacientes (24 por cento). A presença desses anticorpos não foi associada a maior frequência de trombose arterial ou venosa ou complicações obstétricas. Conclusões: No presente estudo demonstrou-se que anticorpos anti-B2 GPI em LES não parecem ser marcadores de complicações trombóticas ou obstétricas

Perfil demográfico, clínico e laboratorial de 100 pacientes com lúpus eritematoso sistêmico no Estado da Bahia / Demographic, clinical, and laboratory profile of 100 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus in the State of Bahia

Objetivos: Descrever as características demográficas, clínicas e laboratoriais de pacientes com LES em acompanhamento em serviço de referência no Estado da Bahia. Desenho do estudo: Descritivo, tipo corte transversal. Análise dos dados: Foram utilizados os testes do qui-quadrado e t de student para testar diferenças entre variáveis categóricas e contínuas, respectivamente. A comparação entre mais de duas médias foi feita através do teste F (ANOVA). Resultados: Cem pacientes, sendo 97 por cento mulheres, participaram do estudo. Entre esses, 62 eram mulatos, 22 brancos e 16 negros. A média de idade de ínicio da doença foi de 28,1 anos (7-55 anos). Comprometimentos das articulações e da pele foram as manifestações clínicas mais frequentes (97 e 87 por cento, respectivamente), seguidas pelas alterações hematológicas (57 por cento), renais (39 por cento), de serosas (27 por cento) e neurológicas (26 por cento). Houve maior frequência de nefropatia na raça branca. O FAN foi positivo em 100 por cento dos pacientes, anti-RNP em 34 por cento, anti-SSA em 20 por cento, anti-dsDNA em 17 pr cento, anti-Sm em 13 por cento e anti-SSB em 2 por cento. Anti-RNP foi mais frequente na raça negra. O anti-dsDNA apresentou associação com nefropatia, vasculites e eritema malar: e o anti RNP, associação com úlcera de mucosas e o anti-SSA com comprometimento mucocutâneo. Conclusão: O LES foi três vezes mais frequente entre as mulheres que na maioria dos relatos de literatura; as frequências dos comprometimentos clínicos foram semelhantes às das encontradas por outros autores; não houve predomínio da doença na raça negra; houve maior prevalência de nefropatia entre os pacientes brancos; o anti-RNP foi mais frequente entre os doentes negros e mulatos

Influência prognóstica da síndrome nefrótica na progressäo da glomerulonefrite membrano-proliferativa / Prognostic influence of the nephrotic syndrome in progression of menbranoproliferative glomerulonephritis

A glomerulonefrite membrano-proliferativa é uma doença glomerular crônica, progressiva e sem tratamento específico. Embora a maioria dos pacientes se apresente com síndrome nefrótica, 20 por cento a 30 por cento se apresentam com proteinúria nao nefrótica. O objetivo do presente estudo foi analisar o curso clínico e o prognóstico dos pacientes com o diagnóstico dessa glomerulopatia com e sem síndrome nefrótica, acompanhados em uma mesma instituiçao. Dos 58 pacientes estudados, 47 pacientes tiveram o diagnóstico de síndrome nefrótica e 11 de proteinúria nao nefrótica. Exceto pela maior freqüência de insuficiência renal entre os pacientes nefróticos, os 2 grupos nao diferiram significantemente. Após o período médio de acompanhamento de 60,1 meses, 38 pacientes com síndrome nefrótica estavam com insuficiência renal, sendo terminal em 20, diferente do grupo de pacientes com proteinúria nao nefrótica: 5 pacientes com insuficiência renal, sendo terminal em 3 deles. A sobrevida renal em 5 anos nao foi diferente entre os dois grupos (74 por cento para os pacientes nefróticos e 62 por cento para os nao nefróticos), embora fosse notada uma tendência para melhor sobrevida para os pacientes nao nefróticos, após esse período. Estudos adicionais envolvendo maior número de pacientes e controlados para variáveis clínicas e demográficas sao, entretanto, necessários.