Immunosuppressive treatment results in patients with primary IgA nephropathy in Turkiye; the data from TSN-GOLD working group.

BACKGROUND: Immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy (IgAN) treatment consists of maximal supportive care and, for high-risk individuals, immunosuppressive treatment (IST). There are conflicting results regarding IST. Therefore, we aimed to investigate IST results among IgAN patients in Turkiye. METHOD: The data of 1656 IgAN patients in the Primary Glomerular Diseases Study of the Turkish Society of Nephrology Glomerular Diseases Study Group were analyzed. A total of 408 primary IgAN patients treated with IST (65.4% male, mean age 38.4 ± 12.5 years, follow-up 30 (3-218) months) were included and divided into two groups according to treatment protocols (isolated corticosteroid [CS] 70.6% and combined IST 29.4%). Treatment responses, associated factors were analyzed. RESULTS: Remission (66.7% partial, 33.7% complete) was achieved in 74.7% of patients. Baseline systolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, and proteinuria levels were lower in responsives. Remission was achieved at significantly higher rates in the CS group (78% vs. 66.7%, p = 0.016). Partial remission was the prominent remission type. The remission rate was significantly higher among patients with segmental sclerosis compared to those without (60.4% vs. 49%, p = 0.047). In the multivariate analysis, MEST-C S1 (HR 1.43, 95% CI 1.08-1.89, p = 0.013), MEST-C T1 (HR 0.68, 95% CI 0.51-0.91, p = 0.008) and combined IST (HR 0.66, 95% CI 0.49-0.91, p = 0.009) were found to be significant regarding remission. CONCLUSION: CS can significantly improve remission in high-risk Turkish IgAN patients, despite the reliance on non-quantitative endpoints for favorable renal outcomes. Key predictors of remission include baseline proteinuria and specific histological markers. It is crucial to carefully weigh the risks and benefits of immunosuppressive therapy for these patients.

Determinants of non-diabetic kidney diseases in type 2 diabetic patients: Twenty years of single center experience.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic nephropathy is one of the most common complications associated with diabetes. However, non-diabetic kidney disease has been reported in patients with type 2 diabetes at varying incidence rates. The objective of our study is to investigate the occurrence, clinicopathological characteristics, and inflammatory markers linked to diabetic and non-diabetic nephropathy (NDN) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Additionally, we aimed to explore the possibility of identifying non-diabetic pathology using different biopsy indications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 159 patients with type 2 DM who underwent renal biopsy at a tertiary care nephrology clinic between January 2000 and January 2022 were enrolled in the study. We collected comprehensive data, including patient demographics, co-morbidities, diabetes duration, renal biopsy indications and results, serological markers, renal function, diabetic retinopathy (DRP), full blood count, blood biochemistry, urinalysis, and inflammatory markers. Patients were categorized based on their biopsy indications, and their biopsy results were classified into three groups: isolated NDN, isolated diabetic nephropathy (DN), and mixed nephropathy with concurrent NDN. We evaluated the relationship between biopsy indications and accompanying pathologies and statistically assessed the likelihood of each biopsy indication detecting non-diabetic renal pathology. Additionally, differences in other data, including demographic and laboratory results and medical histories, among the three groups were investigated. RESULTS: The most frequent indication of renal biopsy was atypical presentations of nephrotic syndrome or nephrotic range proteinuria (ANS/ANP) in 25.1% of patients. Other indications included unexplained renal failure (URF) in 22.6%, atypical presentations of non-nephrotic range proteinuria (ANNP) in 18.2%, acute kidney injury or rapidly progressive kidney dysfunction (AKI/RPKD) in 16.9%, microscopic hematuria in 15.7%, URF with ANNP in 11.3%, and severe nephrotic range proteinuria (SNP) in 9.4%. Renal biopsy revealed isolated NDN in 64.8%, DN in 25.1%, and mixed nephropathy in 10.1% of patients. Primary glomerular diseases were the main non-diabetic renal pathology, predominantly focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) (36.4%) followed by MN (10.6%) and IgA nephropathy (7.5%). In comparison with the isolated DN and mixed nephropathy groups, patients in the isolated NDN group had significantly shorter diabetes duration, fewer DRP, as well as lower serum creatinine and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that presence of hematuria (OR 4.40; 95% CI 1.34 - 14.46, p = 0.014), acute nephrotic range proteinuria (OR 11.93; 95% CI 1.56 - 90.77, p = 0.017), and AKI/APKD (OR 41.08; 95% CI 3.40 - 495.39, p = 0.003) were strong predictors of NDN. Lower NLR (OR 0.77; 95% CI 0.60 - 0.98, p = 0.035), shorter duration of diabetes (OR 0.90; 95% CI 0.84 - 0.97, p = 0.010), and absence of DRP (OR 0.35; 95% CI 0.12 - 0.98, p = 0.046) were also found to be independent indicators of NDN. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis revealed a cut-off value of ≤ 3.01 for NLR (sensitivity of 63.1%, specificity of 63.5%) with regards to predicting non-diabetic renal pathology (p = 0.006). CONCLUSION: Renal biopsy findings in patients with type 2 DM highlight that the prevalence of NDN may be higher than assumed, as presented mainly in the form of primary glomerular disease. The presence of AKI/RPKD, hematuria, and ANS/ANP serves as a reliable indicator of non-diabetic renal pathology. In more ambiguous situations, factors such as a shorter duration of diabetes, absence of DRP, and a lower NLR value may assist clinicians in biopsy decision.

Is There a Relationship Between Epicardial Adipose Tissue, Inflammatory Markers, and the Severity of COVID-19 Pneumonia?

Objectives: Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is a type of visceral adipose tissue with pro-inflammatory properties. We sought to examine the relationship between the EAT volume and attenuation measured on non-contrast chest computed tomography (CT), inflammation markers, and the severity of COVID-19 pneumonia. Methods: One hundred and twenty-five patients who are over 18 years old who applied to our hospital and were found to have COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (+) on nasopharyngeal swab sample and COVID-19 pneumonia on chest CT were included in the study. At admission, C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin, fibrinogen, leukocytes, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-lymphocyte ratio, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), ferritin, and d-dimer were evaluated. EAT volume and attenuation were measured on chest CT. Patients who were hospitalized and discharged from the ward were categorized as Group 1, whereas patients who required intensive care admission and/or died were classified as Group 2. The primary endpoint of our study was defined as death, hospitalization in the intensive care unit, and discharge. The relationship between disease severity and EAT and other inflammatory markers was investigated. Results: One hundred and six individuals were in Group 1 and 19 patients were in Group 2. Of the 125 individuals, 46 were women and 79 were men. The mean age was 58.5±15.9 years. Group 2 patients were older. Regarding measurements of the EAT volume and attenuation; there was no statistically significant difference between the groups determined. The patients in Group 2 had statistically substantially higher values for urea, creatinine, LDH, d-dimer, troponin T, procalcitonin, CRP, and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio in their laboratory tests. When compared to patients in Group 1, patients in Group 2 had statistically significantly lower albumin values (p<0.001). In obese patients, EAT volume was statistically significantly higher and EAT attenuation was found to be lower. Conclusion: In our study, no relationship was found between critical COVID-19 disease and EAT volume and attenuation, which is an indicator of EAT inflammation. Inflammatory markers from routine laboratory tests can be used to predict critical COVID-19 disease. No relationship was found between obesity and critical COVID-19 disease.

Peritoneal dialysis related non-infectious complications: A single-center experience over 20 years.

OBJECTIVES: Non-infectious complications of peritoneal dialysis (NICPD) are common and could be an important cause of technical failure, especially in the early period of peritoneal dialysis (PD) initiation. NICPD are also center- and provider-dependent. This study aimed to investigate the frequency, etiology, and associated outcomes of NICPD in a single center over a period of 20 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were retrospectively collected in 262 patients who were initiated on PD between April 2001 and April 2021. Inclusion criteria were age 18 years or older and a minimum follow-up period of 3 months. Patients were grouped according to the reason of NICPD: catheter-related, increased intra-abdominal pressure-related, metabolic, and other complications. RESULTS: There were 142 females and 120 males in the study, with a mean age of 44 ± 16.9 years. The mean time on PD was 52.6 ± 40 months. During the follow-up period, 185 (71%) patients experienced 382 NICPD episodes. 26 patients (9.9%) were switched to maintenance hemodialysis (HD) due to NICPD. Outflow failure was the most common NICPD (n = 97). It was also the most common reason for catheter revision (n = 23) and PD discontinuation (n = 12). Catheter intervention was required in 32 patients (12.2%). Prior HD treatment and male gender were independent risk factors for NICPD and catheter-related complications (OR 2.076; p = 0.037; OR: 1.797, p = 0.042, respectively). Early-start PD was associated with a lower risk for NICPD development (OR: 0.393, p = 0.013). CONCLUSION: In this select cohort of PD patients, we found that NICPD are common and outflow failure is the most common cause of NICPD. NICPD are associated with major complications requiring catheter removal or transfer to in-center HD. Early recognition and appropriate management of NICPD are essential to prolonging time on PD in end-stage renal disease patients.

Predictive value of immature granulocyte in the diagnosis of acute complicated appendicitis.

INTRODUCTION: The goal in appendicitis is early diagnosis and early treatment. Complications develop as treatment is delayed. Therefore, there is a need for fast, low-cost markers that can be diagnosed earlier. The aim of this study is to show the effectiveness of immature granulocyte (IG) level in determining the complication of acute appendicitis. METHOD: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, 99 patients with acute appendicitis and 41 control groups were included in the study. Acute appendicitis patients were divided into two groups as acute simple appendicitis(n = 65) and acute complicated appendicitis(n = 34). In all groups, demographic data, immature granulocyte (IG) count(x103/µL), IG ratio (IG%), white blood cell (WBC), polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PNL), lymphocyte, monocyte, platelet, mean platelet volume (MPV), ferritin levels were recorded. The blood analyses were performed the Mindray BC6800 automated hematology analyzer using standard laboratory protocols. All statistical testing was undertaken using IBM SPSS Statistics for Mac. RESULTS: Compared to the acute simple appendicitis, acute complicated appendicitis patients had significantly higher levels WBC, PNL, monocyte, IG count, and IG% (p = 0.009, p = 0047, p = 0.001, p = 0.018; respectively) while there was no significant difference in ferritin between groups (p = 0.49). In the ROC analysis, AUC value was found for IG count and IG% (0.893 and 0.725, cut-off 0.005 and 0.05; respectively) for acute appendicitis. The negative predictive value of IG for Acute Appendicitis was 85% and was the same as that of WBC. In acute complicated appendicitis, the AUC for IG and IG% was 0.796 (cut-off 0.02) and 0.693 (cut-off 0.2), respectively. Positive Likelihood Ratio (+LR; 2.1) value of IG was found higher than other complete blood count (CBC) tests. CONCLUSION: The IG count is test with fast, more predictive value than another CBC tests, and without cost in the early diagnosis of acute complicated appendicitis. It is strong negative predictive test for Acute Appendicitis disease.

Factors Associated with Long-Term Survival in Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients: A 5-Year Prospective Follow-Up Study.

Objectives: In addition to an increase in the prevalence of dialysis treatments for end-stage renal disease worldwide, the mortality rates among patients on maintenance hemodialysis remain higher than that of the general population. This study aims to evaluate factors associated with long-term survival in stable maintenance hemodialysis patients. Methods: A total of 100 patients initiating hemodialysis by February 2013 were included in this prospective cross-sectional 5-year follow-up study. Data on patient demographics, anthropometric-nutritional parameters, systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels, and hemodialysis parameters, including etiology of kidney failure, hemodialysis duration, peritoneal dialysis history, relative interdialytic weight gain (RIDWG), and Kt/V, were recorded. Results: Overall 5-year survival rate was 56.6%. The 5-year survival rate was higher in patients with younger age (71.4% below median vs. 42.0% above median, p=0.023), lower systolic (63.3 vs. 50%, respectively, p=0.005) and diastolic (62.5 vs. 51.0%, respectively, p=0.02) blood pressure levels, higher Kt/V (46.9 vs. 66.0%, respectively, p=0.044), lower RIDWG (54.0 vs. 32.7%, respectively, p=0.026), and lower serum leptin levels (63.3 vs. 50.0%, respectively, p=0.047). Cox-regression analysis revealed that only systolic blood pressure (B = 1.081, 95% CI, 0.152 to 0.756, p=0.08) was a significant risk factor for poor survival. Conclusion: Our findings revealed pre-dialysis systolic blood pressure as the sole risk factor for poor long-term survival in stable maintenance hemodialysis patients. Malnutrition-inflammation, measures of nutrition, inflammation, and anemia had no significant impact on long-term survival.

Comparison of Thiol-Disulfide Hemostasis With Inflammatory Markers in the Inflammatory Process of Acute Appendicitis.

Background Acute appendicitis is one of the events most frequently encountered by general surgeons. Despite the high incidence, serious problems are experienced in the diagnosis and clinical follow-up. In the pathogenesis of the disease, oxidative stress and impaired antioxidant defense mechanisms created in the body by this stress play an important role. As dynamic thiol-disulfide hemostasis is closely related to oxidative stress and is known to have a crucial role in the pathogenesis of oxidative stress, this study aimed to compare its value with other inflammatory markers in the diagnosis and follow-up of acute appendicitis. Methodology This study included cases admitted for surgery with a diagnosis of acute abdomen at Keçiören Research and Training Hospital General Surgery Clinic between April 2015 and July 2015 who were intraoperatively diagnosed with acute appendicitis and underwent routine appendectomy. In the preoperative period and after clinical healing before discharge, blood samples were obtained to examine white blood cell (WBC), mean platelet volume (MPV), total bilirubin, C-reactive protein (CRP), and thiol-disulfide balance, and the results were recorded. Results A total of 68 cases were operated on for acute appendicitis, and 59 were evaluated comprising 23 (39%) females and 36 (61%) males with a mean age of 35.6 years (range = 19-65 years). The mean duration of hospital stay was two days (range = 1-8 days). The results of the tests performed preoperatively and before discharge and their p-values were as follows: native thiol (-SH) 393.5 ± 9.4 µmol/L and 369.3 ± 9.5 µmol/L (p = 0.04), total thiol 434 ± 9.7 µmol/L and 396.7 ± 10.2 µmol/L (p = 0.03), disulfide (-S-S) 16.8 ± 0.7 µmol/L and 15.7 ± 0.9 µmol/L (p = 0.3), WBC 13.2 ± 0.5 × 10³/mL and 9.2 ± 0.4 × 10³/mL (p = 0.0), CRP 8.17 ± 1.24 mg/L and 7.84 ± 0.82 mg/L (p = 0.17), MPV 7.4 ± 0.37 fL and 7.97 ± 0.19 fL (p = 1.0), and total bilirubin 0.86 ± 0.08 mg/dL and 0.69 ± 0.06 mg/dL (p = 0.08). Conclusions In the clinical follow-up of acute appendicitis patients, the decrease in WBC, total thiol, and native thiol values can be helpful to clinicians as markers of clinical healing. However, CRP may not be a useful marker of clinical healing in acute appendicitis patients who are discharged early.

Clinical and pathologic features of primary membranous nephropathy in Turkey: a multicenter study by the Turkish Society of Nephrology Glomerular Diseases Working Group.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to evaluate the features of primary membranous nephropathy (MNP) in Turkish people. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of patients with biopsy-proven primary MNP. We obtained the data collected between 2009 and 2019 in the primary glomerulonephritis registry of the Turkish Society of Nephrology Glomerular Diseases Study Group (TSN-GOLD). Patients with a secondary cause for MNP were excluded. Clinical, demographic, laboratory, and histopathological findings were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 995 patients with primary MNP were included in the analyses. Males constituted the majority (58.8%). The mean age was 48.4 ± 13.9 years. The most common presentation was the presence of nephrotic syndrome (81.7%) and sub nephrotic proteinuria (10.3%). Microscopic hematuria was detected in one-third of patients. The median estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was 100.6 mL/min/1.73 m2 (IQR, 75.4-116.3), and median proteinuria was 6000 mg/d (IQR, 3656-9457). Serum C3 and C4 complement levels were decreased in 3.7 and 1.7% of patients, respectively. Twenty-four (2.4%) patients had glomerular crescents in their kidney biopsy samples. Basal membrane thickening was detected in 93.8% of cases under light microscopy. Mesangial proliferation and interstitial inflammation were evident in 32.8 and 55.9% of the patients, respectively. The most commonly detected depositions were IgG (93%), C3 complement (68.8%), and kappa and lambda immunoglobulin light chains (70%). Although renal functions were normal at presentation, vascular, interstitial, and glomerular findings were more prominent on biopsy in hypertensive patients. No significant effect of BMI on biopsy findings was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Despite some atypical findings, the main features of primary MNP in Turkey were similar to the published literature. This is the largest MNP study to date conducted in Turkish people.

Pre-operative neutrophil/lymphocyte and platelet/lymphocyte ratios are effective in predicting complicated acute cholecystitis

BACKGROUND: Acute cholecystitis is a severe disease that requires urgent operation in some cases. To select suitable patients for a conservative approach, there is a need for an affordable and reliable marker for determining complication risk. Evaluation of systemic inflammatory markers in combination with other parameters such as white blood cell and the C-reactive protein might help to decide the appropriate treatment option. This study aims to evaluate the diagnostic value of the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and thrombocyte-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in determining the risk of complicated acute cholecystitis and to compare with intraoperative and pathological findings. METHODS: A total of 229 patients operated on for acute cholecystitis were included in this study. Intraoperative and pathologically complicated acute cholecystitis in 78 cases and controls group was 151 cases. The two groups were compared in terms of inflammation markers. Then, we used the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis to determine the optimal value for NLR and PLR concerning the severity of cholecystitis. Then, the differences in clinical symptoms were investigated according to the cutoff value for NLR and PLR. RESULTS: The NLR and PLR levels were found to be significantly higher in the complicated group (4.18±4.53 vs. 15.23±20.99, 145.34±87.58, and 251.92±245.93, respectively, p<0.01). The best cutoff value for NLR and PLR was 5.5 and 146.90, respectively. Sensitivity for NLR was 80% and specificity was 80.1%. Sensitivity for PLR was 66.7% and specificity was 66.2%. CONCLUSION: Systemic inflammation markers can be used to predict the risk of complicated acute cholecystitis. They are inex-pensive tools that can be used to make surgical decisions, especially in resource scarce environments.

The predictive value of ischemia-modified albumin in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis: A prospective case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Surgical planning is critical for ongoing treatment and prognosis of the disease's course after an appendicitis diag-nosis. Ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) has been used as a biomarker for a variety of ischemia-related disorders in the past. The aim of this study is to determine the IMA level in patients with AA and to evaluate its predictive significance. METHODS: A total of 139 participants were enrolled in the trial. After diagnosis and before surgery, the amount of plasma IMA was tested. Patients diagnosed with appendicitis in Group 1 (n=97) and volunteer surgical patients not diagnosed with appendicitis in Group 2 (n=42) were compared as the final diagnostic criterion. RESULTS: The data of 139 patients with a mean age of 36.15 were evaluated statistically. IMA values were analyzed in both groups. The mean IMA of all patients was 0.74±0.16 AbsU. When the two groups were compared, it was seen that IMA was statistically higher in Group 1 than in the control group. While the area under the curve for IMA was 0.670, the sensitivity for the cutoff value of 0.715 was 68%, the specificity was 62%. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that IMA values provide significant results in predicting acute appendicitis.

Predictive value of serum sodium level in determining perforated appendicitis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to investigate the predictive value of hyponatremia as a new biochemical marker for the early and accurate preoperative diagnosis of complicated appendicitis in the adult population. METHODS: 732 patients who were operated for acute appendicitis (AA) and diagnosed as perforation intraoperatively were evaluated retrospectively. Serum sodium, C-reactive protein (CRP), and leukocyte levels of patients with perforated and nonperforated appendicitis were compared. RESULTS: Perforated appendicitis patients had statistically lower serum Na values (p<0.001). Similarly, patients without perforated appendicitis had higher serum CRP values (p<0.001). In patients diagnosed with perforated AA, the sensitivity of plasma sodium concentration was 63%, and the specificity was 66%. The threshold value of plasma sodium concentration ≤137.5 mEq/L had the best possible sensitivity and specificity. CONCLUSION: Hyponatremia is a new marker of perforated appendicitis and therefore, serum sodium level measurement should be considered in patients with a clinical presentation consistent with appendicitis if complications are suspected.

Predictive Value of Preoperative Neutrophil-Lymphocyte and Platelet-Lymphocyte Ratio in Determining the Stage of Colon Tumors.

Introduction Biomarkers such as the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) are associated with the colon tumor stage and prognosis. Therefore, in our study, we investigated whether these biomarkers are important in determining the colon cancer stage. Materials and methods The outcomes in 268 patients operated on with the diagnosis of colon cancer between January 2011 and March 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. The relationship of the stage of the patients with the NLR or PLR was evaluated. In addition, according to the stage of colorectal tumors, stage I and other stages (stages II, III, and IV) were compared in terms of NLR and PLR. Groups that had lymph node (LN) metastasis were compared with those that did not. Finally, groups with and without metastasis were also compared. Results In our cohort, 144 patients (57.6%) were male, and 84 (42.4%) were female. The mean age was found to be 68.28 ±12.71 years. The patients were evaluated according to their stages: 26 patients were stage I, 78 patients were stage II, 75 patients were stage III, and 19 patients were stage IV. There was a significant difference in NLR values between the groups (p: 0.05). Also, 104 patients were LN-negative (stages I-II), and 94 patients were LN-positive (stages III-IV). When PLR was compared between the two groups, no significant difference was found between tumor stages and these values (p: 0.099). However, there was a significant difference in NLR values (p: 0.034). Conclusion  Based on our findings, it has been concluded that increased PLR may not be associated with the colon cancer stage. However, the increase in NLR was found to be correlated with tumor stage and LN metastasis.

Comparison of lung ultrasound and other volumetric methods in peritoneal dialysis patients.

ABSTRACT: Although many alternative methods are present, maintaining ideal volume status in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients still rely on clinical evaluation due to lack of an evidence-based method. Lung ultrasound (LUS) is a new method for evaluation of hidden congestion in this group.LUS findings and its relationship with other volumetric methods are investigated in this observational cross-sectional study.In this observational cross sectional study, LUS was performed to all PD patients and compared with symptoms of hypervolemia, physical examination, vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C), and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels, chest radiography, echocardiography, bioelectrical impedance analysis.Data of 21 PD patients were evaluated. There was correlation between number of B lines and VEGF-C levels (r = 0.447, P = .042), daily urine output (r = 0.582, P = .007) and left ventricle mass index (r = -0.456, P = .038). Correlations with all other parameters were not significant. Daily urine output and VEGF-C levels were significantly different when B lines were grouped into 2 according to the median level (P < .05 for all).This is the widest spectrum study looking for LUS findings and other volumetric parameters in a small PD cohort. LUS might be useful to evaluate hidden hypervolemia. Its correlation with VEGF-C level is a novel finding.

Frequency of depressive symptoms in Syrian refugees and Turkish maintenance hemodialysis patients during COVID-19 pandemic.

INTRODUCTION: Pneumonia of unknown cause was detected on 30 December 2019 in China. It was categorized as an outbreak and named as COVID-19 by the World Health Organization. The pandemic affects all people, but patient groups such as hemodialysis (HD) patients have been particularly affected. We do not know if refugees suffered more during the outbreak. In this study, we compared depressive symptom frequency between Syrian refugee HD patients and Turkish ones. METHODS: The study had a single-center, cross-sectional design. Demographic and clinical data were collected retrospectively from patients' files containing details about past medical history, demographic variables and laboratory values. Validated Turkish and Arabic forms of Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were used to assess depressive symptoms. BDI scores were compared according to nationality, demographic features and clinical data. A BDI score more than 14 was accepted as suspicion of depression. RESULTS: 119 patients were enrolled in the study. After the exclusion of 22 patients, 75 Turkish and 22 Syrian patients were included for further analysis. The median BDI (interquartile range) score for Turkish and Syrian patients were 12 (7-23) and 19.5 (12.7-25.2), respectively (p = 0.03). Suspicion of depression was present at 42.7% of Turkish, and 72.7% of Syrian HD patients (p = 0.013). Regarding all patients, phosphorus level, Kt/V, and nationality were significantly different between patients with and without suspicion of depression (p = 0.023, 0.039, 0.013, respectively). CONCLUSION: Syrian patients had higher BDI scores and more depressive symptoms than Turkish patients. Additional national measures for better integration and more mental support to Syrian HD patients are needed.

Characteristics of primary glomerular diseases patients with hematuria in Turkey: the data from TSN-GOLD Working Group.

PURPOSE: Hematuria is one of the most common laboratory findings in nephrology practice. To date, there is no enough data regarding the clinical and histopathologic characteristics of primary glomerular disease (PGD) patients with hematuria in our country. METHODS: Data were obtained from national multicenter (47 centers) data entered into the Turkish Society of Nephrology Glomerular Diseases (TSN-GOLD) database between May 2009 and June 2019. The data of all PGD patients over the age of 16 years who were diagnosed with renal biopsy and had hematuria data were included in the study. Demographic characteristics, laboratory and biopsy findings were also recorded. RESULTS: Data of 3394 PGD patients were included in the study. While 1699 (50.1%) patients had hematuria, 1695 (49.9%) patients did not have hematuria. Patients with hematuria had statistically higher systolic blood pressure, serum blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, albumin, levels and urine pyuria. However, these patients had statistically lower age, body mass index, presence of hypertension and diabetes, eGFR, 24-h proteinuria, serum total, HDL and LDL cholesterol, and C3 levels when compared with patients without hematuria. Hematuria was present 609 of 1733 patients (35.8%) among the patients presenting with nephrotic syndrome, while it was presented in 1090 of 1661 (64.2%) patients in non-nephrotics (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This is the first multicenter national report regarding the demographic and histopathologic data of PGD patients with or without hematuria. Hematuria, a feature of nephritic syndrome, was found at a higher than expected in the PGDs presenting with nephrotic syndrome in our national database.

Pentraxin-2 is Associated with Renal Fibrosis in Patients Undergoing Renal Biopsy.

OBJECTIVES: Progressive renal disease is characterized by histological changes in the kidney and fibrosis is a common outcome. Renal biopsy is the only diagnostic tool to evaluate these histopathological changes. Pentraxin-2 (PTX-2) is an anti-inflammatory constitutive plasma protein associated with the innate immune system. Recently, as a biomarker, the circulating level of PTX-2 is shown to be decreased in chronic fibrotic diseases. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between renal fibrosis severity and serum PTX-2 levels in patients undergoing renal biopsy. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 45 patients and 16 healthy individuals (HIs). The severity of renal fibrosis was evaluated according to the Banff and Sethi scoring systems by the same pathologist. PTX-2 was measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and compared with the demographical, clinical, biochemical, and histopathological data of the patients and HIs. RESULTS: PTX-2 levels were lower in the biopsy group than in the HI group (p=0.12). Patients with moderate renal fibrosis had significantly lower serum PTX-2 levels than those in patients with minimal and mild fibrosis (p=0.017 and p=0.010, respectively). PTX-2 concentrations were correlated with serum albumin (r=0.30, p=0.016), and were negatively correlated with serum creatinine levels (rho=-0.42, p=0.01) and body mass index (r=-0.32, p=0.011). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that PTX-2 levels are significantly lower in patients with renal fibrosis than HIs, and declining further in patients with severe fibrosis.

Epidemiological features of primary glomerular disease in Turkey: a multicenter study by the Turkish Society of Nephrology Glomerular Diseases Working Group.

BACKGROUND: The largest data on the epidemiology of primary glomerular diseases (PGDs) are obtained from the databases of countries or centers. Here, we present the extended results of the Primary Glomerular Diseases Study of the Turkish Society of Nephrology Glomerular Diseases (TSN-GOLD) Working Group. METHODS: Data of patients who underwent renal biopsy and received the diagnosis of PGD were recorded in the database prepared for the study. A total of 4399 patients from 47 centers were evaluated between May 2009 and May 2019. The data obtained at the time of kidney biopsy were analyzed. After the exclusion of patients without light microscopy and immunofluorescence microscopy findings, a total of 3875 patients were included in the study. RESULTS: The mean age was 41.5 ± 14.9 years. 1690 patients were female (43.6%) and 2185 (56.3%) were male. Nephrotic syndrome was the most common biopsy indication (51.7%). This was followed by asymptomatic urinary abnormalities (18.3%) and nephritic syndrome (17.8%). The most common PGD was IgA nephropathy (25.7%) followed by membranous nephropathy (25.6%) and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (21.9%). The mean total number of glomeruli per biopsy was 17 ± 10. The mean baseline systolic blood pressure was 130 ± 20 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure was 81 ± 12 mmHg. The median proteinuria, serum creatinine, estimated GFR, and mean albumin values were 3300 (IQR: 1467-6307) mg/day, 1.0 (IQR: 0.7-1.6) mg/dL, 82.9 (IQR: 47.0-113.0) mL/min and 3.2 ± 0.9 g/dL, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The distribution of PGDs in Turkey has become similar to that in other European countries. IgA nephropathy diagnosed via renal biopsy has become more prevalent compared to membranous nephropathy.

A familial Mediterranean fever patient with double homozygous mutations treated with anakinra after kidney transplantation / Un paciente con poliserositis familiar recurrente con mutaciones homocigóticas dobles tratado con anakinra tras un trasplante renal

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Unexpectedly High Prevalence of Low Alpha-Galactosidase A Enzyme Activity in Patients with Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis.

OBJECTIVES: Fabry disease (FD) is a rare disease associated with sphingolipid accumulation. Sphingolipids are components of plasma membranes that are important in podocyte function and accumulate in various glomerular diseases such as focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). Both FD and FSGS can cause podocyte damage and are classified as podocytopathies. In this respect, FD and FSGS share the same pathophysiologic pathways. Previous screening studies have shown that a significant proportion of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients receiving hemodialysis (HD) have unsuspected FD, and the prevalence of low alpha-galactosidase A (αGLA) enzyme activity in these patients is higher than that in the normal population. We aimed to compare αGLA enzyme activity in patients with biopsy-proven FSGS and ESRD receiving HD. METHODS: The records of 232 patients [62 FSGS (F/M: 33/29); 170 HD (M/F: 93/79)] were evaluated retrospectively. The screening was performed based on the αGLA enzyme activity on a dried blood spot, with the confirmation of plasma LysoGb3 levels, and the known GLA mutations were tested in patients with low enzyme activities. The two groups were compared using these parameters. RESULTS: The mean level of αGLA enzyme activity was found to be lower in FSGS patients than in the HD group (2.88±1.2 µmol/L/h versus 3.79±1.9 µmol/L/h, p<0.001). There was no significant relationship between the two groups with regard to the plasma LysoGb3 levels (2.2±1.22 ng/ml versus 1.7±0.66 ng/ml, p: 0.4). In the analysis of GLA mutations, a D313Y mutation [C(937G>T) in exon p] was found in one patient from the FSGS group. CONCLUSIONS: We found that αGAL activity in patients with FSGS is lower than that in patients undergoing HD. The low enzyme activity in patients with FSGS may be explained by considering the similar pathogenesis of FSGS and FD, which may also lead to sphingolipid deposition and podocyte injury.

Comparison of Circulating Levels of Uremic Toxins in Hemodialysis Patients Treated with Medium Cut-Off Membranes and High-Flux Membranes: Theranova in Sisli Hamidiye Etfal (THE SHE) Randomized Control Study.

INTRODUCTION: Removal of uremic toxins is a main objective of hemodialysis; however, whether high-flux and medium cut-off (MCO) membranes differ as regards removal of middle and large uremic toxins is not clear. OBJECTIVE: To compare medium cut-off and high-flux dialyzers as regards their intra- and interdialysis effect on circulating levels of middle and large uremic toxins and serum albumin. METHODS: Fifty-two patients were randomized to have hemodialysis with either 3 months of high-flux dialyzer followed by 3 months of MCO or vice versa. Blood samples were taken before and after dialysis at the first and last sessions of each dialyzer for analyses of middle and large uremic toxins including inflammatory mediators and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and serum albumin. RESULTS: Reduction rates were higher, and postdialysis levels of ß-2 microglobulin, free kappa and lambda light chains, and myoglobulin were lower at the first and last sessions with MCO dialyzers compared to high-flux dialyzers (p < 0.05 for all). Last session predialysis levels of ß-2 microglobulin, free kappa light chain, and free lambda light chain were lower than first session predialysis levels in MCO dialyzers as compared to high-flux dialyzers (p < 0.05 for all). Last session levels of interleukin-6, interleukin-10, interleukin-17, and interferon-gamma did not differ between dialyzers (p > 0.05 for all). VEGF level was lower in the MCO group compared to the high-flux group (p = 0.043). Last session level of serum albumin with MCO dialyzers was lower than that with high-flux dialyzers (3.62 [3.45-3.88] vs. 3.78 [3.58-4.02] g/L) (p = 0.04) and 6.7% lower (p < 0.001) than at the first session of MCO dialyzers. CONCLUSION: The decline in circulating levels of several middle and large uremic toxins including VEGF following hemodialysis was more pronounced when using MCO membranes as compared to high-flux membranes while their effect on inflammatory molecules was similar.