Probiotics in septic acute kidney injury, a double blind, randomized control trial.

INTRODUCTION: During acute kidney injury (AKI) due to sepsis, the intestinal microbiota changes to dysbiosis, which affects the kidney function recovery (KFR) and amplifies the injury. Therefore, the administration of probiotics could improve dysbiosis and thereby increase the probability of KFR. METHODS: In this double-blind clinical trial, patients with AKI associated with sepsis were randomized (1:1) to receive probiotics or placebo for 7 consecutive days, with the objectives of evaluate the effect on KFR, mortality, kidney replacement therapy (KRT), urea, urine volume, serum electrolytes and adverse events at day 7. RESULTS: From February 2019 to March 2022, a total of 92 patients were randomized, 48 to the Probiotic and 44 to Placebo group. When comparing with placebo, those in the Probiotics did not observe a higher KFR (HR 0.93, 0.52-1.68, p = 0.81), nor was there a benefit in mortality at 6 months (95% CI 0.32-1.04, p = 0.06). With probiotics, urea values decreased significantly, an event not observed with placebo (from 154 to 80 mg/dl, p = 0.04 and from 130 to 109 mg/dl, p = 0.09, respectively). Urinary volume, need for KRT, electrolyte abnormalities, and adverse events were similar between groups. (ClinicalTrial.gov NCT03877081) (registered 03/15/2019). CONCLUSION: In AKI related to sepsis, probiotics for 7 consecutive days did not increase the probability of KFR, nor did other variables related to clinical improvement, although they were safe.

Methemoglobinemia in Hemodialysis Patients due to Acute Chlorine Intoxication: A Case Series Calling Attention on an Old Problem.

INTRODUCTION: Hemodialysis uses municipal water that must be strictly purified and sterilized to be used for that procedure. Large amounts of decontaminants are often used, such as chlorine, and if these compounds are not subsequently removed they can be transferred to the blood of patients causing complications including methemoglobinemia. METHODS: In this case series study, dialysis patients in one unit were evaluated. We reviewed clinical characteristics and laboratory findings obtained on the day when the water supply was disinfected with chlorine, with the aim to quantify methemoglobin concentrations. Our objective was to characterize the clinical presentation and management of patients who presented with methemoglobinemia on a specific index day. We also reviewed reported cases in the literature regarding this underreported complication. RESULTS: Eight patients who presented with chlorine intoxication were evaluated. The methemoglobin concentrations were between 1.3% and 7.9% (reference value 0-1%). We believe this to be caused by water containing 0.78 mg/L of total chlorine. Seven patients presented with cyanosis, 4 with dizziness, 6 with dark brown blood, 4 with dyspnea, and 4 with headache and hemolytic anemia. Subjects were treated with supplemental oxygen, methylene blue, intravenous vitamin C, blood transfusions, and increased doses of erythropoietin. No patient died, and all continued with their usual hemodialysis sessions. CONCLUSION: Acute chlorine intoxication transferred by the water used during hemodialysis sessions can present with methemoglobinemia accompanied by cyanosis, oxygen desaturation, and hemolytic anemia. Chlorine levels should be carefully monitored in the water used for hemodialysis treatment.

Urea Reduction in Acute Kidney Injury and Mortality Risk.

INTRODUCTION: Urea is a toxin present in acute kidney injury (AKI). We hypothesize that reduction in serum urea levels might improve clinical outcomes. We examined the association between the reduction in urea and mortality. METHODS: Patients with AKI admitted to the Hospital Civil de Guadalajara were enrolled in this retrospective cohort study. We create 4 groups of urea reduction ratio (UXR) stratified by their decrease in urea from the highest index value in comparison to the value on day 10 (0%, 1-25%, 26-50%, and >50%), or at the time of death or discharge if prior to 10 days. Our primary endpoint was to observe the association between UXR and mortality. Secondary observations included determination of which types of patients achieved a UXR >50%, whether the modality of kidney replacement therapy (KRT) effected changes in UXR, and if serum creatinine (sCr) value changes were similarly associated with patient mortality. RESULTS: A total of 651 AKI patients were enrolled. The mean age was 54.1 years, and 58.6% were male. AKI 3 was present in 58.5%; the mean admission urea was 154 mg/dL. KRT was started in 32.4%, and 18.9% died. A trend toward decreased risk of death was observed in association with the magnitude of UXR. The best survival (94.3%) was observed in patients with a UXR >50%, and the highest mortality (72.1%) was observed in patients achieving a UXR of 0%. After adjusting for age, sex, diabetes mellitus, CKD, antibiotics, sepsis, hypovolemia, cardio-renal syndrome, shock, and AKI stage, the 10-day mortality was higher in groups that did not achieve a UXR of at least 25% (OR: 1.20). Patients achieving a UXR >50% were most likely initiated on dialysis due to a diagnosis of the uremic syndrome or had a diagnosis of obstructive nephropathy. Percentage change in sCr was also associated with increased mortality risk. CONCLUSIONS: In our retrospective cohort of AKI patients, the percent decrease in UXR from admission was associated with a stratified risk of death. Patients with a UXR >25% had the best associated outcomes. Overall, a greater magnitude in UXR was associated with improved patient survival.

Rectus abdominis muscle thickness as a predictor of peritoneal catheter dysfunction in emergency-start peritoneal dialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous insertion of a peritoneal dialysis catheter (PDc) is an alternative to open surgical techniques, and the anatomical characteristics of the abdominal wall may predict PDc dysfunction. We evaluated the role of rectus abdominis muscle (RAM) thickness as a predictor of PDc dysfunction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective cohort of emergency-start PD patients (EmPD) who had their first percutaneous PDc insertion were included. PDc failure was defined as the removal of a PDc due to mechanical failure within the first 30 PD fluid exchanges. Clinical variables were recorded. The skin to parietal peritoneum depth and RAM thickness were determined by abdominal ultrasound. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were developed to test associations between clinical parameters and PDc dysfunction. RESULTS: Over 6 months, 119 patients underwent PDc insertion; 73 (61.3%) were males, with a mean age of 46.0 ± 17.8 years. The mean skin-to-peritoneum depth was 2.5 ± 1.0 cm, the RAM thickness was 0.91 ± 0.3 cm, and catheter implantation was successful in 116 (97.4%) patients. Insertion failed in 3 (2.5%) cases, and 30 (25.8%) patients presented with catheter dysfunction. Univariate analysis indicated that RAM thickness ≥ 1.0 cm, skin-to-peritoneum depth > 2.88 cm, abdominal waist > 92.5 cm, and skin-to-RAM fascia distance > 2.3 cm were associated with PDc dysfunction; in multivariate logistic regression analysis, only greater RAM thickness remained a significant predictor (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.38 - 1.88, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In EmPD patients, RAM thickness is associated with PDc dysfunction and could aid in identifying patients at risk for PDc dysfunction in emergency settings. Additional adequately powered studies are needed to confirm our findings.

Effect of a symbiotic gel (Lactobacillus acidophilus + Bifidobacterium lactis + inulin) on presence and severity of gastrointestinal symptoms in hemodialysis patients.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to assess the effect of a symbiotic gel on presence and severity of gastrointestinal symptoms (GIS) in hemodialysis patients. DESIGN: A double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized, clinical trial was designed. The study was conducted at 2 public hospitals in Guadalajara, Mexico. SUBJECTS AND INTERVENTION: Twenty-two patients were randomized to the intervention group (nutritional counseling + symbiotic gel) and 20 patients were randomized to the control group (nutritional counseling + placebo), during 2 months of follow-up. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Presence and monthly episodes of GIS were assessed by direct interview and severity by using the self-administered GIS questionnaire. Additionally, biochemical parameters, inflammatory markers, and nutritional status (dietary intake, subjective global assessment, anthropometry, and body composition) were evaluated. RESULTS: After a 2-month treatment, intervention group had a significant reduction in prevalence and monthly episodes of vomit, heartburn, and stomachache, as well as a significant decrease in GIS severity compared with control group. Moreover, intervention group had a greater yet not significant decrease in the prevalence of malnutrition and a trend to reduce their C-reactive protein and tumor necrosis factor α levels compared with control group. No symbiotic-related adverse side effects were shown in these patients. Clinical studies with longer follow-up and sample size are needed to confirm these results. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that administration of a symbiotic gel is a safe and simple way to improve common GIS in dialysis patients.

Multidisciplinary care for poor patients with chronic kidney disease in Mexico.

Coordinated multidisciplinary care (MDC) could improve management and outcomes of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We opened a nurse-led, MDC CKD clinic in Guadalajara, Mexico. We report the clinic's results between March 2008 and July 2011. The records of 353 patients with CKD stage 3 and 4 were reviewed. Data were collected prospectively. Mean age was 59.1±15.5 years; 54.4% were female and 63.7% were diabetic. We observed significant changes in the quality of care between baseline and follow-up. Compliance with practice guidelines for angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB) and beta blockers increased from 30.6% to 46.6%, and from 11% to 19%, respectively; for statins from 41.4% to 80.3% for erythropoietin and calcium binders from 10.5% to 23.4%, and from 41.9 to 82.6%, respectively. At last visit, 90% of patients were on ACE inhibitors/ARB. Blood pressure <130/80 mm Hg increased from 23% to 38%. Serum glucose ⩽130 mg/dl increased from 54.4% to 67.7%. Serum cholesterol >160 mg/dl decreased from 64.8% to 60.3%. At last visit, 70% of the patients had a serum Hgb ⩾11.0 g/dl, and 80.1% and 65.1% had a normal serum calcium and serum phosphate, respectively. In conclusion, we observed a trend in the improvement of quality of care of CKD patients similar to those reported by other MDC programs in the developed world. Our study demonstrated that a nurse-led MDC program could be successfully implemented in developing countries.

Chronic kidney disease in homeless persons in Mexico.

Little is known about the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) among the homeless in Mexico. The role of substance abuse, alcoholism, and homelessness in CKD has not been properly evaluated. We screened 260 homeless individuals in the state of Jalisco, Mexico, for the presence of CKD and its risk factors, and compared their characteristics with those from a separate cohort of poor Jalisco residents and with a survey of the general Mexican population. CKD was more prevalent among the homeless than among the poor Jalisco population (22% vs. 15.8%, P=0.0001); 16.5% had stage 3, 4.3% stage 4, and 1.2% stage 5. All were unaware of having CKD. Only 5.8% knew they had diabetes, but 19% had fasting blood sugar >126 mg/dl; 3.5% knew they were hypertensive but 31% had systolic blood pressure ⩾140 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure ⩾90 mm Hg. Alcoholism was less common than in the poor Jalisco population (23.5% vs. 32.3%, P=0.002), but tobacco smoking (34.6% vs. 21.5%, P=0.0001) and substance abuse (18% vs. 1.1%, P=0.0001) were more prevalent among the homeless. Likewise, chronic viral infections such as HIV (4.5% vs. 0.3%, P=0.0001) and HCV (7.7% vs. 1.4%, P=0.0001) were also significantly higher among the homeless than in the general population. In conclusion, CKD and its risk factors are highly prevalent among the homeless individuals in Jalisco, Mexico. Lack of awareness of having diabetes and hypertension is highly common, as is substance abuse. Programs aiming to prevent CKD and its risk factors in Mexico should specifically target this high-risk population.

Disparities in renal care in Jalisco, Mexico.

End-stage renal disease represents a serious public health problem in Mexico. Close to 9% of the Mexican population has chronic kidney disease (CKD) and 40,000 patients are on dialysis. However, the fragmentation of our health care system has resulted in unequal access to renal replacement therapy. In addition, poor patients in Jalisco with kidney failure have very advanced disease at the time of dialysis initiation, suggesting lack of access to predialysis care. To address these issues, a number of strategies have been implemented. Among them a renal replacement therapy program for which the cost of treatment is shared by government, patients, industry, and charitable organizations; the implementation of a state-funded hemodialysis program that provides free dialysis for the poor; the establishment of a university-sponsored residency program in nephrology and a postgraduate training in nephrology nursing; and a screening program for early detection and control of CKD. In conclusion, access to renal care is unequal. The extension of the Seguro Popular to cover end-stage renal disease treatment nationwide and the implementation of community screening programs for the detection and control of CKD offers an opportunity to correct the existing disparities in renal care in Jalisco and perhaps in other regions of Mexico.

Screening for kidney disease on World Kidney Day in Jalisco, Mexico.

BACKGROUND: In 2006, the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) and the International Federation of Kidney Foundations (IFKF) introduced World Kidney Day, to educate the public about the importance of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its early detection. This prospective study examined the diagnostic yield of screening for CKD in poor neighborhoods in Guadalajara, Mexico, on World Kidney Day. METHODS: On World Kidney Day in 2006 and 2007, 2 screening stations were set up in Guadalajara, with a 2-week promotion period beforehand in the local media. Individuals who were aware that they had CKD and those <18 years of age were excluded. Data were prospectively collected by the staff of the screening programs using a standard form; all participants provided blood and urine specimens for serum creatinine assays and dipstick urinalysis. RESULTS: We studied 634 participants, of whom approximately 24% had proteinuria, 35% had hematuria and 6.4% had an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 ml/min per 1.73 m2. Overall, the number needed to screen (NNS) to detect 1 new case of eGFR <60 ml/min per 1.73 m2 was 16 (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 12-22), varying from as low as 5 (95% CI, 4-8) in participants >60 years of age, to as high as 84 (95% CI, 35 to >200) in people aged 18 to 40 years. CONCLUSIONS: Proteinuria and eGFR <60 ml/min per 1.73 m2 were frequently detected among participants in community-based screening carried out on World Kidney Day in the state of Jalisco, Mexico, especially in people over 40 years old. Our data indicate that screening on World Kidney Day may be useful for identifying Jalisco residents with CKD, and suggest that trials of targeted screening and intervention are feasible and warranted.

Screening for CKD and cardiovascular disease risk factors using mobile clinics in Jalisco, Mexico.

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Mexico. However, many residents of underserved areas may be unaware that they potentially are affected. STUDY DESIGN: In an observational cross-sectional study, we examined the diagnostic yield of screening for CKD and cardiovascular disease risk factors using mobile units that traveled to poor communities in Jalisco, Mexico. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: We excluded individuals who were aware that they had CKD and those < 18 years of age. OUTCOMES: Glomerular filtration rate, cardiovascular risk. MEASUREMENTS: Demographic data, socioeconomic status, blood pressure, fasting glucose, and dipstick urinalysis. RESULTS: 3,734 participants; 29.3% men and mean age of 57.4 +/- 13.0 years. Most (99.7%) had no history of cardiovascular disease; however, 43.5% had a history of diabetes, 11.4% had dipstick-positive proteinuria, 62.0% had blood pressure in the hypertensive range, and 15.8% had an estimated glomerular filtration rate compatible with stages 3-5 CKD. In patients with no history of cardiovascular disease, proportions with predicted 5-year risks of new cardiovascular events <5%, 5%-10%, 10.1%-20%, 20.1%-30%, and >30% were 10.0%, 11.7%, 26.6%, 20.7%, and 30.9%, respectively. Screening 18 participants aged < 40 years would be expected to detect 6 new cases of hypertension or 2 new cases of diabetes. LIMITATIONS: Data may not be generalizable to all low-income settings or other regions of Mexico. CONCLUSIONS: Impaired kidney function, proteinuria, and cardiovascular risk factors were detected frequently when mobile units were used to perform screening in poor areas of Jalisco, Mexico. This suggests that trials of targeted screening and intervention are feasible and warranted.

Screening for kidney disease in children on World Kidney Day in Jalisco, Mexico.

World Kidney Day (WKD) is intended to raise awareness and increase detection of chronic kidney disease (CKD), but most emphasis is placed on adults rather than children. We examined yield of screening for CKD and hypertension among poor children in Mexico. On WKD (2006, 2007), children (age < 18 years) without known CKD were invited to participate at two screening stations. We measured body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, and serum creatinine, and performed dipstick urinalysis. The Schwartz equation was used to estimate glomerular filtration rate (GFR; reduced GFR defined as < 60 ml/min per 1.73 m(2)). Proteinuria and hematuria were defined by a reading of >or= 1+ protein or blood on dipstick. Hypertension was defined by gender, age, and height-specific norms. In total, 240 children were screened (mean age 8.9 +/- 4.1 years; 44.2% male). Proteinuria and hematuria were detected in 38 (16.1%) and 41 (17.5%), respectively; 15% had BMI > 95th percentile for age. Reduced GFR was detected in four (1.7%) individuals. Systolic hypertension was more prevalent in younger children (age 0-8 years, 19.6%; age 9-13 years, 7.1%; age 14-17 years, 5.3%) suggesting a possible white-coat effect. Hematuria, proteinuria, hypertension and obesity were frequently detected among children in a community based screening program in Mexico. This form of screening might be useful in identifying children with CKD and hypertension in developing nations.