Renal tubular necrosis associated with anagrelide administration: a case report.

A 62-year-old female patient with essential thrombocythemia experienced rapid renal dysfunction and was subsequently referred to our hospital. Further investigations did not reveal any significant abnormalities except for a slight increase in urinary ß2-microglobulin levels. A renal biopsy was performed to investigate the cause of her renal dysfunction, revealing acute tubular necrosis, interstitial edema, and arteriosclerosis. No significant glomerular lesions were observed. Immunofluorescence staining and electron microscopy showed no abnormalities. She had been using anagrelide for 4 years, and her dosage was increased from 2.0 to 3.0 mg/day 10 months before her initial admission. Her renal function began to deteriorate 2 months after the anagrelide dosage increase. Although 0.625 mg of bisoprolol was initiated for tachycardia 3 months after the anagrelide dosage adjustment, we suspected that the acute tubular necrosis was associated with anagrelide administration. After transitioning from anagrelide to hydroxyurea and discontinuing bisoprolol, her renal function improved. This case suggests the importance of considering anagrelide as a potential cause of renal dysfunction in patients using this medication. Therefore, renal biopsy, combined with a comprehensive medical history, is crucial for evaluating the etiology of renal injury in such cases.

Acoustic stimulation for relieving pain during venipuncture: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To assess whether acoustic stimulations relieve venipuncture pain and determine which stimulation is the most effective type. DESIGN: Systematic review and network meta-analysis. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Excerpta Medica dataBASE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, ClinicalTrials.gov and the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform databases were systematically searched in September 2023. STUDY SELECTION: Randomised controlled trials evaluating the efficacy of acoustic stimulations on patients undergoing venipuncture were eligible. Acoustic stimulations were classified into seven categories: five types of acoustic stimulations (music medicine (researcher selected), music medicine (patient selected), music therapy, sounds with linguistic meaning and sounds without linguistic meaning) and two controls (only wearing headphones and no treatment). PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcomes included self-reported pain intensity assessed during venipuncture and treatment cost, and secondary outcomes were self-reported mental distress and adverse events. RESULTS: Of 6406 citations, this network meta-analysis included 27 studies including 3416 participants; the mean age was 31.5 years, and 57% were men. Among the five types of acoustic stimulations, only musical interventions, such as music medicine (patient selected) (standardised mean difference (SMD) -0.44 (95% CI: -0.84 to -0.03); low confidence), music medicine (researcher selected) (SMD -0.76 (95% CI: -1.10 to -0.42); low confidence) and music therapy (SMD -0.79 (95% CI: -1.44 to -0.14); low confidence), were associated with improved pain relief during venipuncture compared with no treatment. No significant differences existed between the types of acoustic stimulations. Free-of-charge acoustic stimulations were provided to patients, and no specific adverse events were reported. In many studies, the risk of bias was rated high because of the difficulty of blinding the intervention to the participants and the self-reported pain outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Music interventions were associated with reduced venipuncture pain. Comparisons between types of acoustic stimulations revealed no significant differences. Therefore, music intervention could be a safe and inexpensive pain relief method for venipuncture. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42022303852.

Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia in a Patient Undergoing Hemodialysis with Anticoagulants and Antiplatelets: A Case Report.

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is an autosomal dominant disorder that causes abnormal blood vessel formation and bleeding. We herein report a 61-year-old woman with aggravated HHT symptoms after hemodialysis initiation. She was diagnosed with HHT based on her recurrent bleeding, abnormal blood vessel formation, and family history. Despite bleeding complications, the patient required anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents to treat cardiovascular complications. Eventually, the patient died of extensive cerebral hemorrhaging. Our experience suggests that special attention should be paid to bleeding complications in high-risk patients.

Correlation of Red Blood Cell Casts With Renal Dysfunction in Patients With Infection-related Glomerulonephritis.

CONTEXT.­: Infection-related glomerulonephritis (IRGN) usually manifests as a proliferative immune-complex glomerulonephritis. The degree of renal dysfunction at presentation can vary. Association with histologic features on kidney biopsy remains unknown. OBJECTIVE.­: To study the correlation between renal function in IRGN at the time of biopsy and the severity of histologic features. DESIGN.­: Culture-proven IRGN cases at our facility were included and divided based on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) 15 ml/min/1.73 m2. Patients' demographic and pathologic findings were obtained from electronic medical records and kidney biopsy reports. RESULTS.­: In total, 104 cases were diagnosed with IRGN on biopsy (mean age, 55.6 ± 15.6 years; male, n = 79 [76%]; median eGFR, 14.5 mL/min/1.73 m2), and 51 of 104 showed eGFR <15 mL/min/1.73 m2. Among all the histologic features assessed, only percent tubules with red blood cell (RBC) casts showed statistical difference, being significantly higher in the lower eGFR group (P = .004). Multivariable logistic regression analysis also showed that %tubules with RBC casts were associated with lower eGFR (odds ratio, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.01-1.24; P = .01). Patients with 5% or more RBC casts (n = 31) showed a lower eGFR (P = .02) and a higher %cellular crescent (P < .001) compared with those with less than 5% RBC casts. Patients with concomitant anticoagulant therapy (n = 11) showed higher percentages of RBC casts than those without anticoagulants (P = .02). CONCLUSIONS.­: Particular attention to the extent of RBC casts on kidney biopsy is recommended in patients with IRGN because these portend worse renal dysfunction, more so in patients requiring anticoagulation (including for hemodialysis) because they are especially vulnerable to developing anticoagulant-related nephropathy.

Prognoses of patients undergoing hemodialysis administered 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide versus 13-valent pneumococcal protein conjugate vaccines.

INTRODUCTION: Sequential vaccination with the 13-valent pneumococcal protein conjugate vaccine (PCV13) and 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) is recommended for patients undergoing hemodialysis; however, evidence for the efficacy of these pneumococcal vaccines for patients undergoing hemodialysis is limited to a single dose. We aimed to evaluate the prognosis of patients undergoing hemodialysis who received vaccination with PPSV23 alone versus sequential vaccination with PCV13 and PPSV23. METHODS: Patients undergoing hemodialysis who were vaccinated with PPSV23 alone (PPSV23 group) or PCV13 followed by PPSV23 (PCV13+PPSV23 group) between 2014 and 2016 were included; the observation period was three years from the first injection. Patients who underwent hemodialysis between 2011 and 2012 were included as controls. After propensity score matching using age, sex, dialysis vintage, diabetes history, pneumonia history, and serum albumin and creatinine levels, survival analysis was performed. RESULTS: The study included 89, 71, and 319 patients in the PPSV23, PCV13+PPSV23, and control groups, respectively. After propensity score matching, the PPSV23 and control group 1 (79 patients each) and the PCV13+PPSV23 and control group 2 (61 patients each) were compared. Significant differences were observed in the survival rate between the PPSV23 group and control group 1 (p = 0.005) but not between the PCV13+PPSV23 group and control group 2. Pneumonia-related mortality in the two vaccinated groups did not differ significantly during the observation period. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who received PPSV23 had a favorable prognosis; however, no positive effect was demonstrated in the PCV13+PPSV23 group.

Mortality risk factors among patients undergoing hemodialysis in a nursing home.

AIM: This study aimed to verify the impact of low body mass index (BMI) on mortality in nursing home residents undergoing hemodialysis and to clarify other associated mortality risk factors. METHODS: This retrospective study included patients admitted to a nursing home affiliated with Nagasaki Renal Center between April 2014 and March 2022. Medical data were collected on admission, and participants were divided into low and high BMI groups according to their median BMI values. The patients were followed up until March 2023. The association between survival and patient history was also analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 106 patients (average age, 81.3 ± 7.9 years; male, 36.8%; median dialysis vintage, 32.5 [interquartile range (IQR), 13.8-79.3] months), 52 and 54 were classified into the low (median < 18.4 kg/m2 ) and high (≥18.4 kg/m2 ) BMI groups, respectively. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards analysis indicated that BMI (hazard ratio, 0.87; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.82-0.94; P < 0.001) was closely associated with survival. Multivariable logistic regression revealed that dementia was associated with low BMI (odds ratio: 2.89, 95% CI: 1.07-7.83, P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Low BMI was an important factor contributing to poor patient survival. Dementia was associated with low BMI. Therefore, the management of both nutrition and dementia is essential for nursing home residents undergoing hemodialysis. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2023; 23: 660-664.

Association between annual variability of potassium levels and prognosis in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND: Hyperkalemia and hypokalemia are associated with mortality in patients undergoing hemodialysis. However, there are few reports on the association between potassium level fluctuations and mortality. We retrospectively investigated the association between serum potassium level variability and mortality in patients undergoing hemodialysis. METHODS: This study was conducted at a single center. Variability in serum potassium levels was evaluated using the standard deviation of potassium level from July 2011 to June 2012, and its association with prognosis was examined by following up the patients for 5 years. Serum potassium variability was assessed as the coefficient of variation, and the statistical analysis was performed after log transformation. RESULTS: Among 302 patients (mean age 64.9 ± 13.3; 57.9% male; and median dialysis vintage 70.5 months [interquartile range, IQR 34-138.3]), 135 died during the observation period (median observation period 5.0 years [2.3-5.0]). Although the mean potassium level was not associated with prognosis, serum potassium level variability was associated with prognosis, even after adjustments for confounding factors such as age and dialysis time (hazard ratio: 6.93, 95% confidence interval [Cl] 1.98-25.00, p = 0.001). After the adjustments, the coefficient of variation of potassium level in the highest tertile (T3) showed a higher relative risk for prognosis than that in T1 (relative risk: 1.98, 95% CI 1.19-3.29, p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Variability in serum potassium levels was associated with mortality in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Careful monitoring of potassium levels and their fluctuations is necessary for this patient population.

Isolated arterial mucoid intimal thickening lesion in early post-transplant kidney allograft biopsies.

INTRODUCTION: Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) on kidney biopsy shows a variable combination of features: arterial mucoid intimal thickening, acellular closure of glomerular capillary loops, fragmented red blood cells, fibrin thrombi, and arterial fibrinoid necrosis. However, some early post-transplant kidney biopsies show only arterial mucoid intimal thickening. We aimed to elucidate the importance of this finding. METHODS: We identified 19 biopsies showing isolated arterial mucoid intimal thickening and compared them with 22 bona fide TMA biopsies identified based on the pathological findings (excluding rejection) (2011-2020). Additionally, delayed graft function (DGF) (n = 237), and no DGF (control, n = 1314) groups were included for survival analysis. RESULTS: Seven of 19 cases with isolated arterial mucoid intimal thickening showed peripheral blood schistocytes but no other systemic features of TMA. Eight patients underwent adjustments in maintenance immunosuppression (mainly calcineurin inhibitors). None of the cases progressed to full-blown TMA on consecutive biopsies. The overall and death-censored graft survival rates in this group were comparable to the DGF group, but significantly better than the TMA group (P = .005 and .04, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Isolated arterial mucoid intimal thickening in early post-transplant biopsies may be an early/mild form of TMA, probably requiring adjustment in immunosuppressive regimen. Careful exclusion of known causes of TMA, and donor-derived arterial injury are important.

Proteinuria and Renal Dysfunction Due to Extremely Low Birth Weight in a Patient with Silver-Russell Syndrome.

A 36-year-old woman diagnosed with Silver-Russell syndrome during childhood presented to our department after a primary care physician suspected renal dysfunction. At birth, she had an extremely low weight (1210 g), and in childhood, she was diagnosed with Silver-Russell syndrome. At the age of 14 she was found to have proteinuria; however, the condition was never further examined. One month prior to her presentation to our department, the following were noted: 3+ urinary protein, 3.9 urinary protein/creatinine ratio, and 48 mL/min/1.73 m2 estimated glomerular filtration rate. Abdominal computed tomography revealed small kidneys difficult to visualize using ultrasound. Therefore, an open renal biopsy was performed. The renal biopsy revealed no significant findings in the glomerulus except glomerular hypertrophy, and the glomerular density in the cortical area was low (0.6/mm2). The patient was diagnosed with oligomeganephronia. Proteinuria and renal dysfunction were likely due to glomerular hyperfiltration resulting from a low nephron count caused by low birth weight. Silver-Russell syndrome is characterized by intrauterine growth retardation and additional developmental disorders after birth. Here, we detected oligomeganephronia following kidney biopsy in a patient with Silver-Russell syndrome. We suspect that a reduced number of nephrons due to low birth weight caused proteinuria and renal dysfunction.

Evaluation of a renal risk score for Japanese patients with ANCA-associated glomerulonephritis in a multi-center cohort study.

Background: In patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated glomerulonephritis, prediction of renal survival should guide the choice of therapy, but a prediction of the histological classification has inconsistencies. Objectives: To evaluate the usefulness of renal risk score (RRS) for Japanese patients with ANCA-associated glomerulonephritis (AAGN) and compare the prediction for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) between RRS and the histological classification. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 96 patients with AAGN who underwent a renal biopsy. Renal survival was categorized by RRS, and the histological classification was assessed separately. We compared the predictive values for RRS and the histological classification. Results: The median observational period was 37.5 (interquartile range [IQR] 21.5-77.0) months. The median RRS point at the time of renal biopsy was 2 (IQR 0-7.8), and the patients were categorized into low- (n = 29), medium- (n = 43), and high-risk groups (n = 24) using RRS. As expected, the renal prognosis was the worst in the "high-risk" group and the best in the "low-risk" group. In the histological classification, the survival deteriorated progressively from "focal" (best) to "mixed," "crescentic," and "sclerotic" (worst) classes, different from the order in the original proposal for this system. Multivariable Cox regression analysis revealed that RRS was independently associated with ESRD. The difference in prediction for renal survival between RRS and the histological classification was not significant using area under receiver-operating-characteristic curves. Conclusion: We evaluated the usefulness of RRS in Japanese patients with AAGN and found it a stable predictor of renal survival in such patients.

The Diagnostic Conundrum of Glomerular Crescents With IgA Deposits.

Introduction: Glomerulonephritis (GN) with crescents and IgA deposits in kidney biopsy poses a frequent diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma because of multiple possibilities. Methods: Native kidney biopsies showing glomerular IgA deposition and crescents (excluding lupus nephritis) were identified from our biopsy archives between 2010 and 2021. Detailed clinicopathologic features were assessed. One-year clinical follow-up on a subset of cases was obtained. Results: A total of 285 cases were identified, and these clustered into IgA nephropathy (IgAN, n = 108), Staphylococcus or other infection-associated GN/infection-related GN (SAGN/IRGN, n = 43), and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated GN (ANCA-GN, n = 26) based on a constellation of clinicopathologic features, but 101 cases (group X) could not be definitively differentiated. The reasons have been elucidated, most important being atypical combination of clinicopathologic features and lack of definitive evidence of active infection. Follow-up (on 72/101 cases) revealed that clinicians' working diagnosis was IgAN in 43%, SAGN/IRGN in 22%, ANCA-GN in 28%, and others in 7% of the cases, but treatment approach varied from supportive or antibiotics to immunosuppression in each subgroup. Comparing these cases as "received immunosuppression" versus "non-immunosuppression," only 2 features differed, namely C3-dominant staining, and possibility of recent infection (both higher in the no-immunosuppression group) (P < 0.05). Renal loss was higher in the non-immunosuppression subgroup, but not statistically significant (P = 0.11). Conclusion: Diagnostic overlap may remain unresolved in a substantial number of kidney biopsies with glomerular crescents and IgA deposits. A case-by-case approach, appropriate antibiotics if infection is ongoing, and consideration for cautious immunosuppressive treatment for progressive renal dysfunction may be needed for best chance of renal recovery.

Anorexia Assessed by Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire and Association with Medication in Older Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis.

Anorexia is a common symptom in older patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) and has become a serious problem in dialysis facilities with the aging of patients. Polypharmacy, defined as the prescription of several medications, is known to cause drug-induced anorexia. Although polypharmacy is also common in older patients undergoing HD, only a few studies have examined the association between anorexia and polypharmacy. This study used the Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire for Japanese Elderly (SNAQ-JE) to evaluate patients' appetite, and examined its association with medications. This cross-sectional study included 233 patients (aged ≥65 years) who underwent HD in October 2021. Among the 233 patients (median age, 73.0 [interquartile range (IQR), 69.0-80.5] years; men, 57.3%; median dialysis vintage, 62.0 [IQR, 30.0-122.0] months), 116 and 117 were classified into the poor (SNAQ-JE total score ≤14) and good (>14) appetite groups, respectively. Although the total number of medications prescribed was not significantly different between the two groups (p = 0.12), the number of antihypertensive drugs was significantly lower (p = 0.03), and that of sleeping medications was significantly higher (p = 0.002) in the poor appetite group. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the number of sleeping medications was associated with poor appetite (odds ratio, 2.08; 95% confidence interval, 1.32-3.27; p < 0.001). The findings suggest that the number of sleeping medications is an important contributing factor to poor appetite in older patients undergoing HD. A proper and regular review of prescriptions may be necessary to improve anorexia.

Importance of feeding status evaluation in older patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Older hospitalized patients undergoing hemodialysis are increasingly experiencing malnutrition caused by dysphagia. However, only a few studies have focused on this problem. We used the Kuchikara Taberu Balance Chart (KTBC) to evaluate the patients' feeding status and examined its association with their nutritional status and prognosis. This study included elderly patients undergoing hemodialysis who were hospitalized at Nagasaki Renal Center for > 3 days between June 2021 and February 2022. In total, 82 inpatients were included [mean age, 73.4 ± 10.0 years; men, 57.3%; median dialysis vintage, 79.0 months (interquartile range, 37.3-164.8)]. We classified patients with lower than the median KTBC score (57 points) as being at risk for dysphagia; 37 patients (45.1%) were at risk for dysphagia. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient (ρ) elucidated that the KTBC total score was significantly associated with each nutritional indicator [serum albumin level (ρ = 0.505, p < 0.001); geriatric nutritional risk index (ρ = 0.600, p < 0.001); and nutritional risk index (ρ = -0.566, p < 0.001)]. The KTBC score was also closely associated with the body mass index (ρ = 0.228, p = 0.04). Patients with a lower KTBC score showed poor prognosis (log-rank test: p = 0.001), and age- and sex-adjusted Cox proportional analysis showed that the KTBC score was associated with life prognosis (hazard ratio, 0.90; 95% confidential interval, 0.86-0.94; p < 0.001). Therefore, we concluded that the patients at risk of dysphagia, identified using the KTBC score, were malnourished and had a poor prognosis. Hence, the evaluation of dysphagia using the KTBC is encouraged to prevent malnutrition in vulnerable older patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Survival and cognitive deterioration in elderly patients undergoing hemodialysis.

AIM: This study aimed to elucidate the 5-year changes in the cognitive function of elderly patients undergoing hemodialysis and its association with survival and related factors. METHODS: Cognitive function in patients aged ≥65 years undergoing hemodialysis at the Nagasaki Renal Center was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) in 2016. Patients were subsequently classified into normal, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and suspected dementia groups according to their scores; MMSE was conducted at 30 and 60 months thereafter. The patients were followed until 2021. The association between survival and patient backgrounds was analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 181 patients, 168 completed follow-up and were classified into normal (n = 71, 42.3%), MCI (n = 44, 26.1%), and suspected dementia (n = 53, 31.5%) groups. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that age, female sex, and geriatric nutritional risk index were associated with MMSE scores <24. The 5-year survival rates were 60.6%, 40.9%, and 22.6% in the normal, MCI and suspected dementia groups, respectively. With some exceptions, MMSE results tended to decline during the observation period. A multivariate Cox proportional hazards model showed that age (hazard ratio [HR], 1.04; P = 0.007), dialysis vintage (HR, 0.96; P = 0.04), male sex (HR, 1.77; P = 0.02), geriatric nutritional risk index (HR, 0.94; P < 0.001) and MMSE score (HR, 0.96; P = 0.01) were independent risk factors for patient survival. CONCLUSIONS: Cognitive impairment in patients undergoing hemodialysis was associated with age and nutritional status. Patients with cognitive impairment had a poor prognosis. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2023; 23: 111-116.

Poor prognosis after lower-limb amputation irrespective of diabetes status in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

INTRODUCTION: Diabetes mellitus is one of the most important risk factors for lower-limb amputation in patients undergoing hemodialysis. However, the influence of diabetes mellitus on survival after lower-limb amputation is unknown. METHODS: Patients who underwent lower-limb amputation since 1996 (amputation group) and those who underwent hemodialysis during 2011-2012 (control group) were included and were followed up until July 2022. RESULTS: There were 70 patients (age: 66.3 ± 8.2 years, 80% male, 77% diabetic) in the amputation group and 328 (age: 67.5 ± 13.5 years, 56% male, 33% diabetic) in the control group. The amputation group showed a poorer prognosis than the control group (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.41, p < 0.001). In the control group, patients with diabetes exhibited poorer survival than those without diabetes (HR: 1.86, p < 0.001). In the amputation group, patients with diabetes exhibited improved survival (HR: 0.47, p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Patients undergoing hemodialysis who underwent lower-limb amputation exhibited a poor prognosis, irrespective of diabetes status.

Clinicopathological differences between Bartonella and other bacterial endocarditis-related glomerulonephritis - our experience and a pooled analysis.

Background: Although Staphylococcus aureus is the leading cause of acute infective endocarditis (IE) in adults, Bartonella spp. has concomitantly emerged as the leading cause of "blood culture-negative IE" (BCNE). Pre-disposing factors, clinical presentation and kidney biopsy findings in Bartonella IE-associated glomerulonephritis (GN) show subtle differences and some unique features relative to other bacterial infection-related GNs. We highlight these features along with key diagnostic clues and management approach in Bartonella IE-associated GN. Methods: We conducted a pooled analysis of 89 cases of Bartonella IE-associated GN (54 published case reports and case series; 18 published conference abstracts identified using an English literature search of several commonly used literature search modalities); and four unpublished cases from our institution. Results: Bartonella henselae and Bartonella quintana are the most commonly implicated species causing IE in humans. Subacute presentation, affecting damaged native and/or prosthetic heart valves, high titer anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA), mainly proteinase-3 (PR-3) specificity, fastidious nature and lack of positive blood cultures of these Gram-negative bacilli, a higher frequency of focal glomerular crescents compared to other bacterial infection-related GNs are some of the salient features of Bartonella IE-associated GN. C3-dominant, but frequent C1q and IgM immunofluorescence staining is seen on biopsy. A "full-house" immunofluorescence staining pattern is also described but can be seen in IE -associated GN due to other bacteria as well. Non-specific generalized symptoms, cytopenia, heart failure and other organ damage due to embolic phenomena are the highlights on clinical presentation needing a multi-disciplinary approach for management. Awareness of the updated modified Duke criteria for IE, a high index of suspicion for underlying infection despite negative microbiologic cultures, history of exposure to animals, particularly infected cats, and use of send-out serologic tests for Bartonella spp. early in the course of management can help in early diagnosis and initiation of appropriate treatment. Conclusion: Diagnosis of IE-associated GN can be challenging particularly with BCNE. The number of Bartonella IE-associated GN cases in a single institution tends to be less than IE due to gram positive cocci, however Bartonella is currently the leading cause of BCNE. We provide a much-needed discussion on this topic.

Association between hospital acquired disability and post-discharge mortality in patients after living donor liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Hospital-acquired disability (HAD) in patients who undergo living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is expected to worsen physical functions due to inactivity during hospitalization. The aim of this study was to explore whether a decline in activities of daily living from hospital admission to discharge is associated with prognosis in LDLT patients, who once discharged from a hospital. METHODS: We retrospectively examined the relationship between HAD and prognosis in 135 patients who underwent LDLT from June 2008 to June 2018, and discharged from hospital once. HAD was defined as a decline of over 5 points in the Barthel Index as an activity of daily living assessment. Additionally, LDLT patients were classified into four groups: low or high skeletal muscle index (SMI) and HAD or non-HAD. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models were used to evaluate the association between HAD and survival. RESULTS: HAD was identified in 47 LDLT patients (34.8%). The HAD group had a significantly higher all-cause mortality than the non-HAD group (log-rank: p < 0.001), and in the HAD/low SMI group, all-cause mortality was highest between the groups (log-rank: p < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, HAD was an independent risk factor for all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR]: 16.54; P < 0.001) and HAD/low SMI group (HR: 16.82; P = 0.002). CONCLUSION: HAD was identified as an independent risk factor for all-cause mortality suggesting that it could be a key component in determining prognosis after LDLT. Future larger-scale studies are needed to consider the overall new strategy of perioperative rehabilitation, including enhancement of preoperative physiotherapy programs to improve physical function.

Effect of Music in Reducing Pain during Hemodialysis Access Cannulation: A Crossover Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Pain during cannulation for vascular access is a considerable problem for patients with kidney disease who are undergoing hemodialysis. We examined whether listening to music can reduce cannulation pain in these patients. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS: We conducted a multicenter, single-blind, crossover, randomized trial of 121 patients who reported pain during cannulation for hemodialysis. We compared participants listening to "Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major, K.448" or white noise as control while undergoing the cannulation procedure. The cannulation operator was blinded to the intervention, and the hypothesized superiority of music over white noise was concealed during explanations to the participants. The primary end point was the visual analog scale score for cannulation pain independently evaluated by participants. RESULTS: The primary analysis was on the basis of the modified intention-to-treat principle. The median baseline visual analog scale pain score was 24.7 mm (interquartile range, 16.5-42.3). Median change of the visual analog scale pain score from the "no sound" to the music period was -2.7 mm (interquartile range, -9.2 to 3.6), whereas it was -0.3 mm (interquartile range, -5.8 to 4.5) from "no sound" to white noise. The visual analog scale pain score decreased when listening to music compared with white noise. (Adjusted difference of visual analog scale pain score: -12%; 95% confidence interval, -21 to -2; P=0.02.) There were no significant differences in the secondary outcomes of anxiety, BP, or stress assessed by salivary amylase (adjusted difference of visual analog scale anxiety score -8%, 95% confidence interval, -18 to 4; P=0.17). No intervention-related adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Listening to music reduced cannulation pain in patients on hemodialysis, although there was no significant effect on anxiety, BP, or stress markers.