Impact of obesity on renal function in elderly Korean adults: a national population-based cohort study.

Background: Obesity is a well-known risk factor for chronic kidney disease and its progression. However, the impact of obesity on the renal function of the elderly population is uncertain. We investigated the association between obesity and renal outcomes in the elderly. Methods: We analyzed 130,504 participants from the Korean National Health Insurance Service-Senior cohort. Obesity was classified according to body mass index (BMI), sex-specific waist circumference (WC), and the presence of metabolic syndrome. The primary outcome was renal function decline, defined as a decline in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of at least 50% from baseline or new-onset end-stage renal disease. Results: During a follow-up period of 559,531.1 person-years (median, 4.3 years), 2,486 participants (19.0%; incidence rate of 4.44 per 1,000 person-years) showed renal function decline. A multivariate Cox proportional hazards model revealed that BMI/WC was not associated with renal function decline. However, the group with metabolic syndrome had a significantly increased risk of renal function decline compared to the group without metabolic syndrome (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.24; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13-1.36). Compared with the non-metabolic syndrome group, the adjusted HRs (95% CI) for participants with one through five components were 0.96 (0.84-1.11), 1.10 (0.96-1.27), 1.24 (1.06-1.45), 1.37 (1.12-1.66), and 1.99 (1.42-2.79), respectively (p for trend < 0.001). Conclusion: In elderly Korean adults, metabolic syndrome and the number of its components were associated with a higher risk of renal function decline, but BMI or WC was not significant.

Acute interstitial nephritis with acute kidney injury after COVID-19 vaccination: a case report.

In the context of the massive spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the development of a COVID-19 vaccine is urgently needed. The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine has been widely applied across global populations. Herein, we report a case of acute interstitial nephritis with acute kidney injury in a young healthy subject after administration of the COVID-19 vaccine. A 20-year-old man was admitted with abdominal discomfort and nausea. He had received the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine 6 days before. At 9 days after vaccination, his kidney function was decreased, with serum creatinine levels of 1.8 mg/dL. Even with supportive care with hydration, his kidney function worsened, and he underwent a kidney biopsy. The pathology findings revealed diffuse interstitial infiltration of inflammatory cells, predominantly comprising lymphocytes, with preservation of the glomerulus. No abnormal findings were noted by immunofluorescence or electron microscopy. Based on a diagnosis of drug-related acute interstitial nephritis, we treated the patient with high-dose prednisolone. After administration of prednisolone, kidney function slowly improved. A close linkage between COVID-19 vaccination and acute interstitial nephritis should be considered in the clinic, despite the low incidence.

Association between dementia diagnosis at dialysis initiation and mortality in older patients with end-stage kidney disease in South Korea.

Background: The prevalence of dementia is 2- to 7-fold higher among patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) than among the general population; however, its clinical implications in this population remain unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to determine whether comorbid dementia increases mortality among older patients with ESKD undergoing newly initiated hemodialysis. Methods: We analyzed data from the Korean Society of Geriatric Nephrology retrospective cohort, which included 2,736 older ESKD patients (≥70 years old) who started hemodialysis between 2010 and 2017. Kaplan-Meier survival and Cox regression analyses were used to examine all-cause mortality between the patients with and without dementia in this cohort. Results: Of the 2,406 included patients, 8.3% had dementia at the initiation of dialysis; these patients were older (79.6 ± 6.0 years) than patients without dementia (77.7 ± 5.5 years) and included more women (male:female, 89:111). Pre-ESKD diagnosis of dementia was associated with an increased risk of overall mortality (hazard ratio, 1.503; p < 0.001), and this association remained consistent after multivariate adjustment (hazard ratio, 1.268; p = 0.009). In subgroup analysis, prevalent dementia was associated with mortality following dialysis initiation in female patients, those aged <85 years, those with no history of cerebrovascular accidents or severe behavioral disorders, those not residing in nursing facilities, and those with no or short-term hospitalization. Conclusion: A pre-ESKD diagnosis of dementia is associated with mortality following dialysis initiation in older Korean population. In older patients with ESKD, cognitive assessment at dialysis initiation is necessary.

Importance of dialysis specialists in early mortality in elderly hemodialysis patients: a multicenter retrospective cohort study.

The early mortality rate in elderly patients undergoing hemodialysis is more than twice that in young patients, requiring more specialized healthcare. We investigated whether the number of professional dialysis specialists affected early mortality in elderly patients undergoing hemodialysis. This multicenter retrospective cohort study analyzed data from 1860 patients aged ≥ 70 years who started hemodialysis between January 2010 and December 2017. Study regions included Seoul, Gyeonggi-do, Gangwon-do, Daejeon/Chungcheong-do, Daegu/Gyeongsangbuk-do, and Busan/Ulsan/Gyeongsangnam-do. The number of patients undergoing hemodialysis per dialysis specialist was calculated using registered data from each hemodialysis center. Early mortality was defined as death within 6 months of hemodialysis initiation. Gangwon-do (28.3%) and Seoul (14.5%) showed the highest and lowest early mortality rate, respectively. Similarly, Gangwon-do (64.6) and Seoul (43.9) had the highest and lowest number of patients per dialysis specialist, respectively. Relatively consistent results were observed for the regional rankings of early mortality rate and number of patients per dialysis specialist. Multivariate Cox regression analysis-adjusted for previously known significant risk factors-revealed that the number of patients per dialysis specialist was an independent risk factor for early mortality (hazard ratio: 1.031, p < 0.001). This study underscores the growing need for dialysis specialists for elderly hemodialysis patients in Korea.

Impact of albuminuria on early-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus: a nationwide population-based study.

Background: Early-onset diabetes mellitus has a significant lifetime burden and is associated with higher morbidity and mortality. Since insulin resistance is one of the mechanisms of podocyte injury, we aimed to evaluate the effect of albuminuria on newly developed early-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: We screened 6,891,399 subjects aged ≥20 and <40 years without a history of prediabetes or diabetes from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database between 2009 and 2012. A multivariate Cox proportional hazard model was used to identify the impact of albuminuria on early-onset T2DM. Results: Among a total of 5,383,779 subjects, 62,148 subjects (1.2%) developed early-onset diabetes over 7.3 ± 1.2 years. Albuminuria was significantly associated with early-onset T2DM (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.62; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.55-1.70) after adjustment for age, sex, anthropometric data, physical exercise status, serum glucose, and total cholesterol. The risk of early-onset T2DM increased more in subjects with more components of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Among each component of MetS, hypertriglyceridemia was prominently associated with early-onset T2DM (aHR, 2.02; 95% CI, 1.81-2.25) in subjects with albuminuria. Conclusion: Dipstick albuminuria was significantly associated with early-onset T2DM in young adult populations. Close monitoring of albuminuria is warranted for disease risk modification, especially in subjects with MetS.

The impact of C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio on mortality in patients with acute kidney injury requiring continuous renal replacement therapy: A multicenter retrospective study.

INTRODUCTION: C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio (CAR) is a prognostic marker in various diseases that represents patients' inflammation and nutritional status. Here, we aimed to investigate the prognostic value of CAR in critically ill patients with severe acute kidney injury (AKI) requiring continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). METHODS: We retrospectively collected data from eight tertiary hospitals in Korea from 2006-2021. The patients were divided into quartiles according to CAR levels at the time of CRRT initiation. Cox regression analyses were performed to investigate the effect of CAR on in-hospital mortality. The mortality prediction performance of CAR was evaluated using the area under the curve (AUC), net reclassification improvement (NRI), and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI). RESULTS: In total, 3995 patients who underwent CRRT were included, and the in-hospital mortality rate was 67.3% during the follow-up period. The 7-day, 30-day, and in-hospital mortality rates increased toward higher CAR quartiles (all P < 0.001). After adjusting for confounding variables, the higher quartile groups had an increased risk of in-hospital mortality (quartile 3: adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.26, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10-1.43, P < 0.001; quartile 4: aHR, 1.22, 95% CI, 1.07-1.40, P = 0.003). CAR combined with APACHE II or SOFA scores significantly increased the predictive power compared to each severity score alone for the AUC, NRI, and IDI (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A high CAR is associated with increased in-hospital mortality in critically ill patients requiring CRRT. The combined use of CAR and severity scores provides better predictive performance for mortality than the severity score alone.

Effect of low-density lipoprotein level and mortality in older incident statin-naïve hemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to analyze low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and their relationship with mortality in order to identify the appropriate lipid profile for older Korean hemodialysis patients. METHODS: We enrolled a total of 2,732 incident hemodialysis patients aged > 70 years from a retrospective cohort of the Korean Society of Geriatric Nephrology from 2010 Jan to 2017 Dec, which included 17 academic hospitals in South Korea. Of these patients, 1,709 were statin-naïve, and 1,014 were analyzed after excluding those with missing LDL-C level data. We used multivariate Cox regression analysis to select risk factors from 20 clinical variables among the LDL-C groups. RESULTS: The mean age of the entire patient population was 78 years, with no significant differences in age between quartiles Q1 to Q4. However, the proportion of males decreased as the quartiles progressed towards Q4 (p < 0.001). The multivariate Cox regression analysis, which included all participants, showed that low LDL-C levels were associated with all-cause mortality. In the final model, compared to Q1, the hazard ratios (95% confidence interval) were 0.77 (0.620-0.972; p = 0.027), 0.85 (0.676-1.069; p = 0.166), and 0.65 (0.519-0.824; p < 0.001) for Q2, Q3, and Q4, respectively, after adjusting for covariates, such as conventional and age-specific risk factors. The final model demonstrated that all-cause mortality increased as LDL-C levels decreased, as confirmed by a restrictive cubic spline plot. CONCLUSIONS: In older hemodialysis patients who had not previously received dyslipidemia treatment, elevated LDL-C levels were not associated with increased all-cause mortality. Intriguingly, lower LDL-C levels appear to be associated with an unfavorable effect on all-cause mortality among high-risk hemodialysis patients.

Impact of decreased levels of total CO2 on in-hospital mortality in patients with COVID-19.

Decreased total CO2 (tCO2) is significantly associated with all-cause mortality in critically ill patients. Because of a lack of data to evaluate the impact of tCO2 in patients with COVID-19, we assessed the impact of tCO2 on all-cause mortality in this study. We retrospectively reviewed the data of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in two Korean referral hospitals between February 2020 and September 2021. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. We assessed the impact of tCO2 as a continuous variable on mortality using the Cox-proportional hazard model. In addition, we evaluated the relative factors associated with tCO2 ≤ 22 mmol/L using logistic regression analysis. In 4,423 patients included, the mean tCO2 was 24.8 ± 3.0 mmol/L, and 17.9% of patients with tCO2 ≤ 22 mmol/L. An increase in mmol/L of tCO2 decreased the risk of all-cause mortality by 4.8% after adjustment for age, sex, comorbidities, and laboratory values. Based on 22 mmol/L of tCO2, the risk of mortality was 1.7 times higher than that in patients with lower tCO2. This result was maintained in the analysis using a cutoff value of tCO2 24 mmol/L. Higher white blood cell count; lower hemoglobin, serum calcium, and eGFR; and higher uric acid, and aspartate aminotransferase were significantly associated with a tCO2 value ≤ 22 mmol/L. Decreased tCO2 significantly increased the risk of all-cause mortality in patients with COVID-19. Monitoring of tCO2 could be a good indicator to predict prognosis and it needs to be appropriately managed in patients with specific conditions.

Renal Replacement Therapy For Elderly Patients with ESKD Through Shared Decision-Making.

The incidence and prevalence of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) in Korea are increasing, and ESKD constitutes a very important medical and social issue. Elderly dialysis patients have the highest risk of early mortality within 3 months after initiating dialysis, and geriatric syndromes such as aging, frailty, functional impairment, and cognitive impairment are crucial for the prognosis of elderly patients. Shared decision-making (SDM) is an approach through which clinicians and patients can achieve informed preferences, thereby yielding better clinical outcomes and quality of life. Through SDM-based, close consultation among patients, families, and healthcare providers, an ESKD Life-Plan for elderly patients should be established. A multidisciplinary approach led by nephrologists can help them to provide proper vascular access for dialysis at the right time, with the right evidence, and to the right patient. Strategies that can improve peritoneal dialysis in elderly patients include assisted peritoneal dialysis, homecare support programs, and automated peritoneal dialysis. In order to enhance the role of kidney transplantation in elderly patients with ESKD, it is necessary to accurately identify patients' clinical conditions before transplantation and to perform active rehabilitation activities and postoperative management to promote recovery after transplantation. With the aging population and the increase in ESKD in the elderly, clinicians must identify factors affecting the mortality and quality of life of elderly dialysis patients.

The effects of muscle mass and quality on mortality of patients with acute kidney injury requiring continuous renal replacement therapy.

This study examined the effects of muscle mass on mortality in patients with acute kidney injury requiring continuous renal replacement therapy. It was conducted in eight medical centers between 2006 and 2021. The data of 2200 patients over the age of 18 years with acute kidney injury who required continuous renal replacement therapy were retrospectively collected. Skeletal muscle areas, categorized into normal and low attenuation muscle areas, were obtained from computed tomography images at the level of the third lumbar vertebra. Cox proportional hazards models were used to investigate the association between mortality within 1, 3, and 30 days and skeletal muscle index. Sixty percent of patients were male, and the 30-day mortality rate was 52%. Increased skeletal muscle areas/body mass index was associated with decreased mortality risk. We also identified a 26% decreased risk of low attenuation muscle area/body mass index on mortality. We established that muscle mass had protective effects on the mortality of patients with acute kidney injury requiring continuous renal replacement therapy. This study showed that muscle mass is a significant determinant of mortality, even if the density is low.

Dynamic nature and prognostic value of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury on continuous renal replacement therapy: A multicenter cohort study.

Introduction: Patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) receiving renal replacement therapy constitute the subgroup of AKI with the highest risk of mortality. Despite recent promising findings on the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in AKI, studies have not yet addressed the clinical implication of the NLR in this population. Therefore, we aimed to examine the prognostic value of NLR in critically ill patients requiring continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), especially focusing on temporal changes in NLR. Methods: We enrolled 1,494 patients with AKI who received CRRT in five university hospitals in Korea between 2006 and 2021. NLR fold changes were calculated as the NLR on each day divided by the NLR value on the first day. We performed a multivariable Cox proportional hazard analysis to assess the association between the NLR fold change and 30-day mortality. Results: The NLR on day 1 did not differ between survivors and non-survivors; however, the NLR fold change on day 5 was significantly different. The highest quartile of NLR fold change during the first 5 days after CRRT initiation showed a significantly increased risk of death (hazard ratio [HR], 1.65; 95% confidence intervals (CI), 1.27-2.15) compared to the lowest quartile. NLR fold change as a continuous variable was an independent predictor of 30-day mortality (HR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.05-1.23). Conclusion: In this study, we demonstrated an independent association between changes in NLR and mortality during the initial phase of CRRT in AKI patients receiving CRRT. Our findings provide evidence for the predictive role of changes in the NLR in this high-risk subgroup of AKI.

The comparative efficacy and safety of basiliximab and antithymocyte globulin in deceased donor kidney transplantation: a multicenter cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Generally, an induction agent is chosen based on the conditions of the deceased donor and the recipient. Antithymocyte globulin (ATG) is preferred in relatively high-risk conditions. No clear evidence indicates which induction agent is safer or more efficient for deceased donor kidney transplantation (DDKT). This study compares the efficacy and safety of basiliximab (BSX) and ATG according to donor characteristics in DDKT. METHODS: A total of 724 kidney transplant recipients from three transplant centers were enrolled, and propensity score matching was performed. Based on a donor age of 60 years, donor kidney with acute kidney injury (AKI), and Kidney Donor Profile Index (KDPI) score of 65%, we investigated how the choice of induction therapy agent affected the posttransplant clinical outcomes of delayed graft function (DGF), acute rejection (AR), infectious complications, and allograft and patient survival. RESULTS: AR and DGF did not differ significantly according to induction agent in elderly/young donor, AKI/non-AKI, and high-KDPI/ low-KDPI subgroups. The infection rate did not show meaningful differences. The differences in death-censored allograft survival and patient survival rates between induction agents were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that BSX can produce clinical outcomes similarly favorable to those of ATG even in DDKT cases with relatively poor donor conditions. Nonetheless, the donor and recipient conditions, immunological risk, and infection risk must be all taken into consideration when choosing an induction agent. Therefore, clinicians should carefully select the induction therapy agent for DDKT based on the risks and benefits in each DDKT case.

Impact of albuminuria on the various causes of death in diabetic patients: a nationwide population-based study.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a well-known risk factor for mortality, and the risk is exacerbated by coexisting diabetic kidney disease (DKD). We aimed to explore the impact of DM on each cause of mortality according to kidney function and the presence of albuminuria. Data on subjects with DM were extracted from the Nationwide Health Insurance Database of South Korea between 2009 and 2012. Subjects were divided by eGFR and albuminuria into five groups. To evaluate the risk of diabetes, we used the Cox proportional hazards model. A total of 2,614,662 patients were enrolled in this study. Most causes of death showed a higher incidence in an advanced stage of DKD. In addition to all-cause mortality and cardiovascular death, the risk of death from neoplasms and diseases of the endocrine, respiratory, and digestive systems is increased by albuminuria. The synergistic effect of a reduced eGFR and the presence of albuminuria was prominent in death from circulatory diseases, and endocrine and metabolic diseases. The risk for mortality was different according to the stage of DKD. Even in patients with a favorable eGFR, the presence of albuminuria significantly increased the risk for mortality, especially that due to cardiovascular causes.

Association between physical activity and risk of renal function decline and mortality in community-dwelling older adults: a nationwide population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity (PA) is an important risk factor associated with health outcomes. However, the relationship between PA and kidney function decline in older adults remains unclear. We examined the influence of PA on kidney function decline and mortality in community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: Adults aged ≥ 65 years with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) > 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 who had available health checkup data from 2009 to 2010 were included. The cohort was followed annually through December 2015 for anthropometric, sociodemographic, and medical information including outcomes and biennially for laboratory information from the health checkup. We divided these patients into three groups according to self-reported PA (Inactive group: no leisure-time PA, Active group: vigorous activity for at least 80 min/week or a sum of moderate-intensity activity and walking for at least 300 min/week, Low-active group: level of PA between the definitions of the other two groups). Associations between the intensity of PA and death, cardiovascular death, and ≥ 50% eGFR decline were investigated. RESULTS: Among 102,353 subjects, 32,984 (32.23%), 54,267 (53.02%), and 15,102 (14.75%) were classified into the inactive, low-active, and active groups, respectively. The active group was younger, contained a higher proportion of men, and had higher frequencies of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, drinking, and smoking than the other groups. The active group had significantly lower incidence rates of mortality, cardiovascular mortality, and kidney function decline than the other groups (all p < 0.001). The active group also showed lower all-cause (hazard ratio [HR], 0.76; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.70-0.82) and cardiovascular mortality (HR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.53-0.78) and protection against ≥ 50% eGFR decline (HR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.68-0.97) compared with the inactive group in the fully adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression model. CONCLUSIONS: High PA was an independent modifiable lifestyle factor for reducing mortality and protecting against declines in kidney function in older adults.

Clinical characteristics and risk factors for kidney failure in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease: A retrospective study.

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a hereditary and progressive renal disease. By the age of 65 years, 45% to 70% of patients with ADPKD reach end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Although there are various treatments for this condition, no standard therapy exists to delay the progression of ADPKD. Hence, understanding the factors that affect disease progression may be helpful for the treatment of ADPKD. The medical records of 288 patients with ADPKD at Keimyung University Dongsan Medical Center between January 1989 and August 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. Furthermore, we inspected the risk factors involved in the progression of ADPKD and the kidney survival rates of patients using the Cox proportional hazards model and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. The mean age at the time of diagnosis was 43.1 ±â€…14.1 years, and there were 146 males (50.7%). In total, 197 patients (68.4%) had hypertension and 11 patients (3.8%) had cerebral aneurysm. Stroke occurred in 35 patients (12.1%), including 11 cases of cerebral hemorrhage and 24 cases of cerebral infarction. Twenty-eight patients (9.7%) died during the follow-up period (117.1 ±â€…102.1 months). Infection (42.9%) was the most common cause of mortality, followed by sudden cardiac death (25.0%). Overall, 132 patients (45.8%) progressed to ESRD and 104 patients (36.1%) required renal replacement therapy (RRT). The mean duration from diagnosis to RRT was 110.8 ±â€…93.9 months. Age at diagnosis after 30 years (odd's ratio [OR], 2.737; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.320-5.675; P = .007), baseline serum creatinine levels (OR, 1.326; 95% CI, 1.259-1.396; P < .001), and cyst infection (OR, 2.065; 95% CI, 1.242-3.433; P = .005) were the independent risk factors for kidney failure in multivariable analysis. To delay the advance of ADPKD to ESRD, early diagnosis and close observation for the onset of cyst infection are crucial.

Urate-lowering efficacy and renal safety of febuxostat in patients with hyperuricemia and stage 4-5 chronic kidney disease not yet on dialysis: A meta-analysis of observational studies.

OBJECTIVE: The efficacy and safety of febuxostat in patients with stage 4-5 chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains unclear. We evaluated the urate-lowering efficacy and renal safety of febuxostat in patients with stage 4-5 CKD not yet on dialysis, through a meta-analysis of observational studies. METHODS: We performed a systematic search in PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library databases for observational studies of patients with advanced CKD starting febuxostat. Articles describing changes in serum urate levels and/or renal function assessed by the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were included. RESULTS: Among 148 retrieved studies, five relevant observational studies with 327 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Febuxostat was administered daily at 10-120 mg for 3-12 months. Serum urate reduced in response to febuxostat (weighted mean difference, -1.85 mg/dL; 95% CI, -2.04--1.67 mg/dL; I2; 0%). Three studies involving 145 patients included eGFR assessments. Renal function, assessed through the eGFR, did not change after febuxostat use (weighted mean difference, 0.11 mL/min/1.73m2; 95% CI, -0.25-0.47 mL/min/1.73m2; I2; 45%). CONCLUSION: Overall, febuxostat has acceptable urate-lowering efficacy and renal safety in patients with hyperuricemia and stage 4-5 CKD who are not yet on dialysis.

Chaga mushroom-induced oxalate nephropathy that clinically manifested as nephrotic syndrome: A case report.

RATIONALE: The Chaga mushroom (Hymenochaetaceae, Inonotus obliquus) is a fungus belonging to the Hymenochaetaceae family. It is parasitic on birch and other tree species. Chaga mushrooms are rich in various vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. Some people consider these mushrooms medicinal as they have been reported to suppress cancer progression through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. However, recent studies have reported that excessive ingestion of Chaga mushrooms can cause acute oxalate nephropathy. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 69-year-old man who ingested Chaga mushroom powder (10-15 g per day) and vitamin C (500 mg per day) for the past 3 months developed acute kidney injury (AKI) with the clinical manifestations of nephrotic syndrome (NS). DIAGNOSIS: Pathological findings showed focal acute tubular injury and the deposition of calcium oxalate crystals in the tubules. Light microscopy showed interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy, and electron microscopy showed the effacement of the foot processes in podocytes. Based on these results, the diagnosis was acute oxalate nephropathy accompanied by minimal change disease (MCD). INTERVENTIONS: The patient's kidney function did not improve with supportive care, such as hydration and blood pressure control. Thus, we recommended hemodialysis and the administration of a high dose of steroids (intravenous hydrocortisone 500 mg twice a day for 3 days and oral prednisolone at 1 mg/kg). OUTCOMES: The patient's kidney function recovered just 1 month after the start of treatment, and the MCD was completely remitted. LESSONS: In cases of AKI with an unknown cause, it is important to closely observe the patient's medication history, and it is recommended to perform kidney biopsy. Furthermore, this study showed that active dialysis and high-dose steroid treatment can restore kidney function in patients with AKI caused by acute oxalate nephropathy with MCD.

Genetic variants of interferon lambda-related genes and chronic kidney disease susceptibility in the Korean population.

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common condition leading to renal dysfunction and is closely related to increased cardiovascular and mortality risk. CKD is an important public health issue, and recent genetic studies have verified common CKD susceptibility variants. This research examines the interrelationship between candidate genes polymorphisms of interferon lambda (IFNL) induction, its signaling pathway, and CKD. METHODS: Seventy-five patients with advanced CKD and 312 healthy subjects (as controls) participated in this research. A replication set composed of 172 patients with advanced CKD and 365 controls was used for additional analysis. The genotype of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) was determined by the Axiom Genome-Wide Human Assay and SNaPshot assay. RESULTS: The SNP of IFNL3 was significantly associated with CKD in the codominant (p = 0.02) and dominant models (p = 0.02). In addition, the SNPs of IFNL2 were significantly associated with CKD in the dominant model (p = 0.03), and the SNP of interferon alpha receptor 2 (IFNAR2) was significantly associated with CKD in the log-additive model (p = 0.03). Concerning rs148543092, in the IFNL3 gene, a significant association was observed after pooling the original and replication sets. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that SNPs in the IFNL induction and signal pathway may be associated with CKD risk in the Korean population. Finally, our results also show that the IFNL3 gene variant may be associated with CKD risk.