Urinary Tract Infection in Chronic Kidney Disease Population: A Clinical Observational Study.

Introduction Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a state of chronic inflammation. Chronic inflammation weakens the body's immune response to infections. Hence, CKD patients are at an increased risk of infections. Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common types of community-acquired infection. There is a paucity of data with respect to UTI in CKD patients. Hence, our objective was to study the clinical and microbiological profile of UTI in CKD patients. Materials and methods We studied 129 CKD patients at a tertiary care hospital in south India from January 2020 to June 2020. Patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Urine samples were cultured aseptically. Only urine-culture positive samples were included in the study and antibiotic susceptibility was recorded. Results Males (76.2%) were most commonly infected. 94% were gram-negative bacteria, 3% were gram-positive bacteria and 3% were Candida species. E. coli (61.8%) was the most common isolated microorganism. Resistance to quinolones was recorded among gram-negative bacteria. Resistance to penicillin and quinolones was noted among gram-positive bacteria. Candida species were sensitive to amphotericin B and fluconazole. Conclusion The results of the study help in formulating the empiric antibiotic policy to treat UTI in CKD patients and hence prevent inadvertent use of antibiotics and the emergence of antibiotic resistance.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 and Chronic Kidney Disease - A Clinical Observational Study.

People with comorbidities are more prone to severe coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) infection. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients are commonly associated with other comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, or cardiovascular disease. However, there are limited data about the clinical features and laboratory parameters of COVID-19 in CKD patients. The primary objective was to study the admission clinical and laboratory parameters of COVID-19 in CKD patients. The secondary objective was to correlate the clinical and laboratory parameters at admission with mortality in CKD patients. Data were collected retrospectively from patients' medical records between July 2020 and October 2020. All CKD patients with either COVID-19 antigen or reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction-confirmed infection were included in the study. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were recorded. Data of deceased and recovered patients were compared and analyzed. The mortality rate due to COVID-19 in CKD patients was 34.44%. CKD patients presented with atypical symptoms such as dyspnea (78.88%) and fatigue (73.33%) being more common than fever and sore throat. Elderly patients with comorbidities were at a higher risk of mortality (P = 0.003). CKD patients requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT) were at a higher risk of mortality than those who did not require RRT (P = 0.02). High values of high-sensitive C-reactive protein, lactate dehydrogenase, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, and red cell distribution width at admission were associated with a higher risk of mortality. Liver dysfunction and hypoxia at admission were also associated with a higher risk of mortality. Logistic regression analysis showed that improvements in serum albumin, serum sodium, and serum lactate were the best predictors of recovery among cases of COVID-19. In the absence of a definitive therapy or vaccine, CKD patients should be advised to follow strict social isolation practices as per the recommendations for the high-risk group of patients. These practices should be extended to dialysis units as well, which are a major hub for outbreak of infections. A meticulous triage of patients should be carried out after acquiring proper medical history because this will help to identify patients who are at an increased risk of poor outcome of the infection. Furthermore, they should be given more aggressive treatment and access to intensive care unit upon diagnosis of infection.

Subclinical Hypothyroidism (SH) and Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP) in Women: A Case-Control Study From a Tertiary Care Hospital in South India.

Introduction Subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) is defined as an increase in serum-thyroid stimulating hormone (S-TSH) above the normal level with free triiodothyronine (T4) and free thyroxine (T3) within the normal range. It is more common in females. The association between SH and dyslipidemia is unclear. There are many controversial studies regarding the same. This is the single largest study of Atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) in SH among women from our country. Our aim is to study the lipid profile and AIP in SH patients. We will also study the correlation between AIP and S-TSH levels in SH patients. Materials and methods It was a retrospective study conducted in a tertiary care center. A total of 97 females with SH were taken as cases and 86 normal females were taken as euthyroid (ET) controls. They were matched for demographic characteristics. T3, T4, S-TSH, total cholesterol, S-triglycerides (S-TG), high-density lipoprotein - cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and AIP were compared between the two groups. Spearman's correlation between TSH and AIP was studied in the SH group. Mann-Whitney U test was performed. Results The TG, HDL, AIP levels were significantly different between both groups. TG, AIP was higher in the SH group compared to the ET group (p value of TG= 0.01, p value of AIP <0.0001). HDL was lower in the ET group compared to the SH group (p value <0.0001). AIP showed a significant positive correlation with S-TSH levels in the SH group. (r value=0.72, p value=<0.001). Conclusion It is important to regularly monitor SH patients for dyslipidemia, in order to start early therapy with levothyroxine/statins. Emphasis should be laid on lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise from the time of diagnosis. Community level education and awareness should be encouraged. Also, AIP is a better parameter to assess cardiovascular risk in SH patients than a conventional lipid profile.