Relationship between intraperitoneal pressure and the development of hernias in peritoneal dialysis: confirmation for the first time of a widely accepted concept.

BACKGROUND: Intraperitoneal pressure (IPP) in peritoneal dialysis (PD) is an individual characteristic that can be modified by posture and intraperitoneal volume (IPV). It is considered one of the predisposing factors for complications in the abdominal wall, such as the appearance of hernias. No studies to date have confirmed this. The main aim of this study was to assess the relationship between the development of hernia in incident PD patients and IPP measured at PD onset. METHODS: A prospective observational study of incident patients in a PD programme between 2010 and 2020. IPP was measured using the Durand's method. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-four incident patients on PD, 68% male, mean age 62.1 ± 15.23 years, body mass index (BMI) 27.7 ± 4.82 kg/m2, 44% were diabetic. IPP in supine was 16.6 ± 4.60 cm H2O for a mean IPV of 2047.1 ± 359.19 mL. Hernias were reported in 18.5% of patients during PD follow-up: 57% were inguinal hernias, 33% umbilical, and a further 10% presented in a combined form. PD hernias correlated positively with IPP in supine position (p = 0.037), patient age (p = 0.008), BMI (p = 0.043), a history of prior hernia (0.016), laparoscopic catheter placement (p = 0.026), and technique failure (p = 0.012). In the multivariate analysis, a higher IPP was independently related to the development of hernias (p = 0.028). CONCLUSIONS: The development of hernias in PD was related to a higher IPP at PD onset, older age, higher BMI, history of prior hernia, catheter placement by laparoscopy, and technique failure.

Is fetuin-A a biomarker of dialysis access dysfunction?

BACKGROUND: The arteriovenous (AV) access function of hemodialysis (HD) patients can be impaired by afferent artery stiffness due to preexisting microcalcification and by venous stenosis secondary to neointimal hyperplasia in whose development participates an upregulated local inflammatory process. Fetuin-A is a circulating potent inhibitor of vascular calcification and plays an important anti-inflammatory role. The aims of this prospective study were to investigate the relationship between baseline serum fetuin-A levels and: blood flow (QA) values at baseline, AV access failure (thrombosis or intervention for stenosis) during follow-up and primary unassisted AV access patency. METHODS: We measured baseline serum fetuin-A levels and QA values of the AV access in 64 HD patients under routine QA surveillance for stenosis. Patients were classified into tertiles according to their baseline fetuin-A levels (g/L): <0.5 (tertile-1), 0.5-1.20 (tertile-2), and >1.20 (tertile-3). RESULTS: Fetuin-A was positively correlated with QA (Spearman coefficient = 0.311, p = 0.012). Fourteen patients (21.9%) underwent AV access failure and they had lower fetuin-A (0.59 ± 0.32 g/L) and lower QA (739.4 ± 438.8 mL/min) values at baseline compared with the remaining patients (1.05 ± 0.65 g/L and 1273.0 ± 596.3 mL/min, respectively) (p = 0.027 and p < 0.001, respectively). The AV access failure rate was highest (34.8%) in tertile-1 (lowest fetuin-A level). Unadjusted Cox regression analysis showed a decrease in the risk of AV access patency loss by increasing fetuin-A concentration (hazard ratio 0.395 (95% confidence interval: 1.42-1.69), p = 0.044) but it was not confirmed in the adjusted model, although the hazard ratio was low (0.523). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that patients in tertile-3 (highest fetuin-A concentration) had the highest primary unassisted AV access patency (λ2 = 4.68, p = 0.030, log-rank test). CONCLUSION: If our results are confirmed in further studies, fetuin-A could be used as a circulating biomarker to identify HD patients at greater risk for AV access dysfunction, who would benefit from much closer dialysis access surveillance.

Comparison of disease activity in patients with ankylosing spondylitis under TNFi or NSAID treatment, is there any difference? An observational study / Comparación de la actividad de la enfermedad en pacientes de espondilitis anquilosante con terapia de anti-TNF o AINE. ¿Existe alguna diferencia? Estudio observacional

Objective: To assess whether there are any real-life differences between ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients treated with NSAID or TNF inhibitors (TNFi) regarding disease activity.Methods: This is an observational transversal unicentric study with retrospective retrieval of data from clinical records of all AS patients attended in our hospital. We compared clinical activity measured by Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) scores between patients treated with NSAID and those treated with TNFi, in terms of low disease activity defined as BASDAI<4, and inactivity when BASDAI≤2. As secondary variables, we also collected epidemiological, clinical and radiological data from all those patients. Results: A total of 152 AS patients (81% male), with an average age of 49.45±12.38 years and a disease duration of 13.5±9.79 years were included in the study. Eighty-nine patients (58.6%) were treated with NSAID and 63 (41.4%) with TNFi. The proportion of patients with low disease activity and inactive disease was significantly higher in the TNFi treatment group compared to the NSAID group (81 vs. 47, P=.0001) and (44 vs. 24, P=.007), respectively. Patients treated with NSAIDs also showed significantly more global pain and night pain than those under TNFi therapy. The BASFI score and especially the type of treatment (NSAID or TNFI) were the only variables independently associated with low disease activity or inactive disease. Conclusion: In real world practice, AS patients under TNFi treatment show a better control of clinical symptoms than those under NSAIDs.(AU)

Objetivo: Evaluar si existen diferencias entre los pacientes con espondilitis anquilosante (EA) tratados con AINE o inhibidores del TNF (anti-TNF), con relación a la actividad de la enfermedad en la vida real. Métodos: Estudio observacional transversal unicéntrico con recopilación retrospectiva de datos de historias clínicas de todos los pacientes de EA examinados en nuestro hospital. Comparamos la actividad clínica, medida con la puntuación del Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), entre los pacientes tratados con AINE y los tratados con anti-TNF, en términos de baja actividad de la enfermedad definida como BASDAI<4 e inactividad, con BASDAI≤2. Como variables secundarias recopilamos también los datos clínicos, epidemiológicos y radiológicos de dichos pacientes. Resultados: Incluimos en el estudio un total de 152 pacientes de EA (81% varones), con una edad media de 49,45±12,38años y una duración de la enfermedad de 13,5±9,79años. Ochenta y nueve pacientes (58,6%) fueron tratados con AINE y 63 (41,4%) con anti-TNF. La proporción de pacientes con baja actividad de la enfermedad e inactividad fue significativamente superior en el grupo de terapia anti-TNF, en comparación con el grupo AINE: 81 vs. 47, p=0,0001, y 44 vs. 24, p=0,007, respectivamente. Los pacientes tratados con AINE reflejaron también un dolor global significativamente mayor que aquellos con terapia de anti-TNF. La puntuación BASFI, y especialmente el tipo de tratamiento (AINE o anti-TNF), fueron las únicas variables independientemente asociadas a baja actividad de la enfermedad o a inactividad de esta. Conclusión: En la práctica real, los pacientes de EA con terapia anti-TNF reflejan un mejor control de los síntomas clínicos que aquellos con tratamiento de AINE.(AU)

Comparison of disease activity in patients with ankylosing spondylitis under TNFi or NSAID treatment, is there any difference? An observational study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether there are any real-life differences between ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients treated with NSAID or TNF inhibitors (TNFi) regarding disease activity. METHODS: This is an observational transversal unicentric study with retrospective retrieval of data from clinical records of all AS patients attended in our hospital. We compared clinical activity measured by Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) scores between patients treated with NSAID and those treated with TNFi, in terms of low disease activity defined as BASDAI<4, and inactivity when BASDAI≤2. As secondary variables, we also collected epidemiological, clinical and radiological data from all those patients. RESULTS: A total of 152 AS patients (81% male), with an average age of 49.45±12.38 years and a disease duration of 13.5±9.79 years were included in the study. Eighty-nine patients (58.6%) were treated with NSAID and 63 (41.4%) with TNFi. The proportion of patients with low disease activity and inactive disease was significantly higher in the TNFi treatment group compared to the NSAID group (81 vs. 47, P=.0001) and (44 vs. 24, P=.007), respectively. Patients treated with NSAIDs also showed significantly more global pain and night pain than those under TNFi therapy. The BASFI score and especially the type of treatment (NSAID or TNFI) were the only variables independently associated with low disease activity or inactive disease. CONCLUSION: In real world practice, AS patients under TNFi treatment show a better control of clinical symptoms than those under NSAIDs.

Utilidad del ecógrafo portátil en la sala de hemodiálisis para el cambio del tipo de acceso vascular: de catéter venoso tunelizado a fístula arteriovenosa / Usefulness of portable ultrasound in the hemodialysis unit for changing the type of vascular access: from tunneled venous catheter to arteriovenous fistula

Objetivo: Determinar la utilidad de la ecografía-doppler vascular en la sala de hemodiálisis, en la identificación de pacientes portadores de catéter venoso tunelizado susceptibles de la construcción de una fístula arteriovenosa. Material y Método: Estudio descriptivo transversal en pacientes en hemodiálisis crónica portadores de un catéter venoso tunelizado. Se realizaron evaluaciones mediante ecografía portátil modo B, en 3 puntos diferentes de ambos brazos (proximal, medio y distal), y sobre 2 puntos de ambos antebrazos (proximal y distal), recogiéndose un promedio de las determinaciones realizadas. Se recogieron parámetros morfológicos cualitativos (presencia/ausencia de calcificación arterial) y cuantitativos (diámetro y profundidad) de la arteria radial, la humeral y la vena basílica de ambas extremidades superiores. Resultados: De las 63 personas en hemodiálisis, 9 eran portadores de un catéter tunelizado yugular (14,3%). Los valores medios de diámetro y profundidad (mm) fueron los siguientes: 4,7±3,0 y 9,2±2,7 (arteria humeral derecha), 4,8±0,6 y 10,5±3,3 (arteria humeral izquierda), 2,6±0,4 y 6,6±2,0 (arteria radial derecha), 2,7±0,7 y 6,0±1,6 (arteria radial izquierda), 4,3±0,6 y 10,1±2,1 (vena basílica derecha), 5,1±0,5 y 10,1±2,1 (vena basílica izquierda). En la mayoría de los casos (66,7%) se evidenció ausencia de calcificaciones, una placa aislada de calcificación en un caso (11,1%) y más de una en dos casos (22,2%). Conclusión: El ecógrafo portátil utilizado "in situ" en la sala de HD es una exploración útil para conseguir un cambio en el tipo de acceso vascular, es decir, para la conversión de un catéter venoso tunelizado en una fístula arteriovenosa en las personas en hemodiálisis crónica

Objective: To determine the utility of vascular ultrasound/Doppler in the hemodialysis unit about the identification of patients with tunneled venous catheter, who can be candidates for an arteriovenous fistula. Material and Method: Cross-sectional descriptive study in patients on chronic hemodialysis with tunneled venous catheters. Evaluations were carried out by B mode portable ultrasound, in 3 different points of both arms (proximal, middle and distal), and on 2 points of both forearms (proximal and distal), collecting an average in such determinations. Qualitative morphological parameters (presence/absence of arterial calcification) and quantitative parameters (diameter and depth) of the radial, humeral and basilic veins of both upper extremities were collected. Results: Of the 63 people on hemodialysis, 9 were carriers of a tunnelled jugular catheter (14.3%). The mean values of diameter and depth (mm) were the following: 4.7±3.0 and 9.2±2.7 (right humeral artery), 4.8±0.6 and 10.5±3.3 (left humeral artery), 2.6±0.4 and 6.6±2.0 (right radial artery), 2.7±0.7 and 6.0±1.6 (left radial artery), 4, 3±0.6 and 10.1±2.1 (right basilic vein), 5.1±0.5 and 10.1±2.1 (left basilic vein). In the majority of cases (66.7%), absence of calcifications was evidenced, an isolated plaque of calcification in one case (11.1%) and more than one in two cases (22.2%). Conclusion: The portable ultrasound system used "in situ" in the HD unit is a useful exploration to achieve a change in the type of vascular access, that is, for the conversion of a tunneled venous catheter to an arteriovenous fistula in people with chronic hemodialysis

Etoricoxib in ankylosing spondylitis: is there a role for active patients refractory to traditional NSAIDs?

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of etoricoxib in patients with axial ankylosing spondyloarthritis (AS) refractory to traditional NSAIDs. METHODS: This was an open label, multicentric, randomised, prospective (4 weeks with and open extension to 6 months), non-controlled study. Consecutive patients with axial AS refractory to traditional NSAID eligible for anti-TNF-α therapy were selected. The primary outcomes were the rate of patients with good clinical response (not eligible for anti-TNF-α therapy after etoricoxib) and the Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society response criteria for biologic therapies (ASASBIO) response at 4 weeks. Secondary outcomes included: ASAS20 and 40 responses, ASDAS-CRP response, BASDAI, BASFI, back and night back pain, global patient and physician assessment of the disease, and biologic parameters like C-reactive protein (CRP) at 2, 4 weeks and 6 months. RESULTS: A total of 57 axial AS patients were recruited, 46 men, with mean age of 43 years. After 4 weeks of treatment, 26 patients (46%) achieved a good clinical response and 11 (20%) an ASASBIO response. These results at 24 weeks were 19 (33%) and 13 (23%) respectively. All individual clinical variables improved significantly after 4 weeks of treatment. CRP serum levels decreased after 4 weeks but reached no statistical significance, although 30% of patients showed a normalisation of CRP. CONCLUSIONS: Etoricoxib provided a clear clinical improvement in around a third of patients with axial AS refractory to traditional NSAIDs. Special care should be required when deciding to start anti-TNF-α therapy; it seems reasonable to keep in mind these results of etoricoxib treatment.

Five years of vascular access stenosis surveillance by blood flow rate measurements during hemodialysis using the Delta-H method.

PURPOSE: To report experience over five years of vascular access (VA) stenosis surveillance. METHODS: We prospectively monitored the blood flow rate (QA) of 145 VA in 131 ESRD (age 62.6 ±13.5 y) patients (pts). QA measurement: within the first hour of the hemodialysis (HD) session by the Delta-H method using the Crit Line III Monitor. All VA with baseline QA < 700 mL/min or decreased > 20% from baseline over time met the positive evaluation (PE) criteria and were referred for angiography (AG) plus elective intervention if stenosis = 50%. RESULTS: We found 54 cases of PE in 47 VA; the AG was performed in 87% (47/54) cases of PE and most of them (43/47, positive predictive value: 91.5%) showed significant stenosis (mean degree 80.5 ±12.9%). Mean QA increased from 554.7±107.6 mL/min to 977.9 ± 359.9 mL/min just before versus after preventive intervention (P<.001). Without difference when comparing the highest QA reported before stenosis development (889.8 ± 409.5 mL/min) and the QA recorded just post-intervention (P=.18). Kt/V index: improved from 1.43 ± 0.22 to 1.49 ± 0.21 just before versus after intervention (P=.006). CONCLUSIONS: 1) The Delta-H technique is an accurate method for early diagnosis of VA stenosis and is useful in monitoring the hemodynamic effect of elective VA treatment. 2) After preventive intervention for stenosis, functional VA status is restored and HD delivery is improved.