Clinicopathological characteristics and disease chronicity in native kidney biopsies in Flanders.

Background: The Flemish Collaborative Glomerulonephritis Group (FCGG) registry provides complete population data on kidney disease epidemiology in the region of Flanders (Belgium), as it captures all native kidney biopsies performed in its population of 6.5 million inhabitants. Methods: From 2017 until 2019, 2054 adult kidney biopsies were included from 26 nephrology centers (one biopsy per patient). Data on nephrotic and nephritic syndrome were available in 1992 and 2026 biopsies, respectively. In a subgroup of 898 biopsies containing ≥10 glomeruli from 2018 to 2019, disease chronicity was graded using the Mayo Clinic Chronicity Score (MCCS). The association between clinical variables and MCCS was determined using simple and multiple linear regression models. Results: Nephrotic syndrome (present in 378 patients, 19.0%) was most frequently caused by minimal change disease in younger patients (18-44 years), membranous nephropathy in older patients (45-74 years) and amyloidosis in the elderly (>75 years). Nephritic syndrome (present in 421 patients, 20.8%) was most frequently caused by immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) in younger patients (18-64 years) and ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) in older patients (>64 years). AAV and IgAN were the most frequent underlying diagnoses in biopsies in which crescents were identified. In multivariable analysis, acute and chronic kidney disease and diagnoses of diabetic kidney disease, nephrosclerosis and hyperoxaluria/hypercalcemic nephropathy were associated with the highest MCCS increases. Conclusions: The FCGG registry validates data from previous Western European registries and provides a snapshot of disease chronicity in the whole biopsied Flemish population.

Epidemiology of native kidney disease in Flanders: results from the FCGG kidney biopsy registry.

Background: The Flemish Collaborative Glomerulonephritis Group (FCGG) registry is the first population-based native kidney biopsy registry in Flanders, Belgium. In this first analysis, we report on patient demographics, frequency distribution and incidence rate of biopsied kidney disease in adults in Flanders. Methods: From January 2017 to December 2019, a total of 2054 adult first native kidney biopsies were included. A 'double diagnostic coding' strategy was used, in which every biopsy sample received a histopathological and final clinical diagnosis. Frequency distribution and incidence rate of both diagnoses were reported and compared with other European registries. Results: The median age at biopsy was 61.1 years (interquartile range, 46.1-71.7); male patients were more prevalent (62.1%) and biopsy incidence rate was 129.3 per million persons per year. Immunoglobulin A nephropathy was the most frequently diagnosed kidney disease (355 biopsies, 17.3% of total) with a similar frequency as in previously published European registries. The frequency of tubulointerstitial nephritis (220 biopsies, 10.7%) and diabetic kidney disease (154 biopsies, 7.5%) was remarkably higher, which may be attributed to changes in disease incidence as well as biopsy practices. Discordances between histopathological and final clinical diagnoses were noted and indicate areas for improvement in diagnostic coding systems. Conclusions: The FCGG registry, with its 'double diagnostic coding' strategy, provides useful population-based epidemiological data on a large Western European population and allows subgroup selection for future research.

Health-related quality of life in end-stage renal disease patients: the effects of starting dialysis in the first year after the transition period.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Prevalent dialysis patients have low scores of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) which are associated with increased risk of hospitalization and mortality. Also in CKD-5 non-dialysis patients, HRQOL scores seem to be lower as compared with the general population. This study firstly aimed to compare HRQOL between CKD-5 non-dialysis and prevalent dialysis patients in a cross-sectional analysis and to assess longitudinal changes over 1 year after the dialysis initiation. Secondly, the correlation between HRQOL and physical activity (PA) was explored. METHODS: Cross-sectional 44 CKD-5 non-dialysis, 29 prevalent dialysis, and 20 healthy controls were included. HRQOL was measured by Short Form-36 questionnaires to measure physical and mental domains of health expressed by the physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scores. PA was measured by a SenseWear™ pro3. Longitudinally, HRQOL was assessed in 38 CKD-5 non-dialysis patients (who were also part of the cross-sectional analysis), before dialysis initiation until 1 year after dialysis initiation. RESULTS: PCS scores were significantly lower both in CKD-5 non-dialysis patients and in prevalent dialysis patients as compared with healthy controls (p < 0.001). MCS scores were significantly lower in both CKD-5 non-dialysis patients (p = 0.003), and in dialysis patients (p = 0.022), as compared with healthy controls. HRQOL scores did not change significantly from the CKD-5 non-dialysis phase into the first year after dialysis initiation. PA was significantly related to PCS in both CKD-5 non-dialysis patients (r = 0.580; p < 0.001), and dialysis patients (r = 0.476; p = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: HRQOL is already low in the CKD-5 non-dialysis phase. In the first year after dialysis initiation, HRQOL did not change significantly. Given the correlation between PCS score and PA, physical activity programs may be potential tools to improve HRQOL in both CKD-5 non-dialysis as well as in prevalent dialysis patients.

Physical Activity in End-Stage Renal Disease Patients: The Effects of Starting Dialysis in the First 6 Months after the Transition Period.

OBJECTIVES: Physical inactivity in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients is associated with increased mortality, and might be related to abnormalities in body composition (BC) and physical performance. It is uncertain to what extent starting dialysis influences the effects of ESRD on physical activity (PA). This study aimed to compare PA and physical performance between stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD-5) non-dialysis and dialysis patients, and healthy controls, to assess alterations in PA during the transition from CKD-5 non-dialysis to dialysis, and to relate PA to BC. METHODS: For the cross-sectional analyses 44 CKD-5 non-dialysis patients, 29 dialysis patients, and 20 healthy controls were included. PA was measured by the SenseWear™ pro3. Also, the walking speed and handgrip strength (HGS) were measured. BC was measured by the Body Composition Monitor©. Longitudinally, these parameters were assessed in 42 CKD-5 non-dialysis patients (who were also part of the cross-sectional analysis), before the start of dialysis and 6 months thereafter. RESULTS: PA was significantly lower in CKD-5 non-dialysis patients as compared to that in healthy controls but not as compared to that in dialysis patients. HGS was significantly lower in dialysis patients as compared to that in healthy controls. Walking speed was significantly lower in CKD-5 non-dialysis patients as compared to that in healthy controls but not as compared to that in dialysis patients. Six months after starting dialysis, activity related energy expenditure (AEE) and walking speed significantly increased. CONCLUSIONS: PA is already lower in CKD-5 non-dialysis patients as compared to that in healthy controls and does not differ from that of dialysis patients. However, the transition phase from CKD-5 non-dialysis to dialysis is associated only with a modest improvement in AEE.

The role of CD4 cell count as discriminatory measure to guide chemoprophylaxis against Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in human immunodeficiency virus-negative immunocompromised patients: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, the incidence of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) has increased in immunocompromised patients without human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Chemoprophylaxis with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) is highly effective in preventing PJP in both HIV-positive and -seronegative patients. In HIV-positive patients, the risk of PJP is strongly correlated with decreased CD4 cell count. The role of CD4 cell count in the pathogenesis of PJP in non-HIV immunocompromised patients is less well studied. For most immunosuppressive conditions, no clear guidelines indicate whether to start TMP-SMX. METHOD: We conducted a systematic literature review with the aim to provide a comprehensive overview on the role of CD4 cell counts in managing the risk of PJP in HIV-seronegative patients. RESULTS: Of the 63 individual studies retrieved, 14 studies report on CD4 cell counts in a variety of immunosuppressive conditions. CD4 cell count were <200/µL in 73.1% of the patients. CONCLUSION: CD4 cell count <200/µL is a sensitive biomarker to identify non-HIV immunocompromised patients who are at risk for PJP. Measuring CD4 cell counts could help clinicians identify patients who may benefit from TMP-SMX prophylaxis.

Renal infarctions caused by dissections of surnumerary renal arteries.

Renal infarction is an uncommon and underdiagnosed cause of acute flank pain. We describe a 48-year-old male patient, previously diagnosed with a bicuspid aortic valve, who presented with multiple renal infarctions, secondary to multiple dissections of the aberrant renal vascular anatomy.

Heparin-coated polyacrylonitrile membrane versus regional citrate anticoagulation: a prospective randomized study of 2 anticoagulation strategies in patients at risk of bleeding.

BACKGROUND: Hemodialysis requires anticoagulation to prevent clotting of the extracorporeal circuit. Systemic anticoagulation with heparin is contraindicated in patients at high risk of bleeding. In these patients, regional citrate anticoagulation (RCA), with either calcium-free (RCA-Ca0) or calcium-containing dialysate (RCA-Ca3.0), and heparin-coated membranes (1.3 m(2); AN69ST; Nephral 300ST, Gambro-Hospal, Meyzieu, France) may represent valid alternatives. METHODS: To compare the efficacy and safety of these regional anticoagulation modalities, we performed a prospective randomized trial including 33 hemodialysis patients at high risk of bleeding. Regional anticoagulation was achieved by means of either AN69ST (11 patients, 31 sessions), RCA-Ca0 (11 patients, 32 sessions), or RCA-Ca3.0 (11 patients, 30 sessions). Patients assigned to RCA were dialyzed using a polysulfone membrane (1.3 m(2); F60; Fresenius Medical Care, Bad Homburg, Germany). Scheduled dialysis time was 4 hours. At the end of each dialysis session, the dialyzer was inspected for visible signs of thrombus formation and scored semiquantitatively (0, no clotting, to 4, severe clotting). Solute clearances were monitored at the second and fourth treatment hour as a parameter of subclinical clotting of the dialyzer. RESULTS: Clotting phenomena necessitating premature termination of the dialysis session were encountered in 39%, 13%, and 0% using AN69ST, RCA-Ca3.0, and RCA-Ca0, respectively (P < 0.005). All clotting with AN69ST occurred after the second treatment hour. Mean dialyzer clotting scores were 2.7, 1.5, and 1.1, respectively (P < 0.0001). Significantly greater instantaneous urea nitrogen clearances were achieved at 2 hours during RCA compared with AN69ST. Except for clotting phenomena, no adverse events were observed. CONCLUSION: Citrate provides superior regional anticoagulation compared with AN69ST membranes.

Acute-onset, steroid-sensitive, encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis in a renal transplant recipient.

Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis is a severe complication of peritoneal dialysis. Immunosuppressive drugs have been claimed to be helpful in the treatment of this disease, although the pathophysiological background is poorly understood. In this report, we present a patient with encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis after successful renal transplantation. Maintenance immunosuppressive therapy consisted of mycophenolate mofetil, tacrolimus, and low-dose corticosteroids. The patient was treated successfully with high doses of corticosteroids. A subsequent relapse of the encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis, probably resulting from fast tapering of the corticosteroid dose, responded well to an increase in corticosteroid dose. Our case strongly supports a therapeutic role for high-dose steroids in the treatment of encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis during its initial inflammatory stage.

Haemodynamics and electrolyte balance: a comparison between on-line pre-dilution haemofiltration and haemodialysis.

BACKGROUND: An important advantage of convective therapies is improved vascular reactivity. However, it is not well known whether the vascular response during convective therapies remains superior when compared to haemodialysis (HD) with an adjusted temperature of the dialysate. It has also been suggested that convective therapies may impair small electrolyte removal through an effect on the Donnan equilibrium. In the present study, we compared the haemodynamic response and small electrolyte removal between pre-dilution on-line haemofiltration (HF) and HD procedures. METHODS: Cardiac output (CO), central blood volume (CBV) and peripheral vascular resistance (PVR) were assessed, using the saline dilution technique, in 12 stable patients during HF and HD with two different temperatures of the dialysate [36.5 and 35.5 degrees C (HD(36.5) and HD(35.5))]. Balances for sodium, potassium, calcium and conductivity were assessed using total dialysate/filtrate collections. Target filtration volume for HF was 1.2 times body weight. The temperature of the infusate was 36.5 degrees C. RESULTS: The change (Delta) in CBV was less during HD with a dialysate temperature of 35.5 degrees C (-0.03+/-0.14 l; P<0.05) compared to HF (-0.16+/-0.05 l) and HD(36.5) (-0.11+/-0.14 l), but the other haemodynamic parameters did not differ between the studied techniques. DeltaPVR was significantly related to DeltaCBV (r = -0.46; P<0.01), whereas DeltaCBV was related to ultrafiltration rate (r = -0.34; P = 0.05). DeltaCO was related to DeltaCBV (r = 0.62; P<0.001). Solute balances did not differ between HF and HD. CONCLUSION: Using the saline dilution method, no difference in the change in CO and PVR was observed between on-line HF vs HD(36.5) and HD(35.5). Only CBV declined to a significantly lesser degree during HD(35.5), although absolute differences were small. Changes in the other haemodynamic variables appeared more dependent upon the degree and rapidity of fluid removal than upon the treatment modality. No difference in small electrolyte balance was observed between HF and HD, suggesting that ionic removal is not impaired during on-line HF.