Long-term follow-up characteristics of patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) receiving chronic hemodialysis at a single center.

BACKGROUND: The clinical characteristics and treatment of patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) after initiating chronic hemodialysis remain unknown. METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled 11 adult patients with AAV receiving chronic hemodialysis in our hospital from 2000-2016. We collected data describing each patient's clinical findings and treatment before and after initiating hemodialysis. Patients with AAV with and without post-hemodialysis AAV relapse were compared statistically. RESULTS: The average observation period was 6.8 ± 4.1 years, and the interval between diagnosis and initiating chronic hemodialysis was 1.9 ± 2.6 years. Before initiating chronic hemodialysis, five patients (45%) experienced 12 AAV relapses, with diagnoses made serologically or symptomatically. After initiating chronic hemodialysis, four patients experienced nine relapses, with no significant difference between the number of relapses and the number of patients experiencing relapse (p = 0.067 and 0.083, respectively). For patients' entire clinical courses before initiating chronic hemodialysis, the average steroid dose was 11.6 ± 6.9 g/y. Comparing before and after initiating chronic hemodialysis, the steroid dose decreased significantly to 3.3 ± 1.4 g/y after initiating chronic hemodialysis (p = 0.0012). Two of 11 patients died of serious infections after initiating chronic hemodialysis. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that the number of relapses tended to be lower despite a significantly different lower amount of steroid after initiating hemodialysis compared with before initiating hemodialysis, and the burn-out phenomenon specific to uremic patients was inferred. We believe that early tapering of steroids should be considered to avoid death rather than focusing only on relapse.

The effect of eicosapentaenoic acid on renal function and volume in patients with ADPKD.

BACKGROUND: Soy protein ameliorates rat polycystic kidney disease with concomitant renal enrichment of omega3-polyunsaturated fatty acids. A study was conducted to examine the effects of eicosapentaenoic acids (EPA) on renal volume and function in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). METHODS: Non-azotemic patients were randomized to either a control group (n = 20) or an EPA group (n = 21). EPA capsules (2.4 g/day) were administered in the EPA group for 2 years. Twenty-four hours of urine was collected for the creatinine clearance (Ccr) measurement every year. At baseline and 24 months, fatty acid compositions in erythrocytes were measured and computerized tomographies were obtained for calculation of renal volume by the modified ellipsoid and volumetric methods. RESULTS: In the EPA group, the EPA concentration (1.80 +/- 0.99 versus 4.40 +/- 1.79 area%, P < 0.001) and the omega3/omega6 ratio in the erythrocyte increased, but docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (6.76 +/- 1.19 versus 5.64 +/- 1.45 area%, P < 0.010) concentration decreased. Ccr decreased by 8.5 +/- 9.5 and 9.0 +/- 13.0 ml/min/1.73 m(2)/2 years in the control and EPA groups, respectively (NS). The increases in renal volume calculated by either method were not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: A beneficial effect of EPA on renal function and kidney volume in ADPKD patients could not be confirmed in the present study. Administration of EPA with DHA supplementation and/or longer intervention might be necessary to demonstrate preventive effects of omega3-polyunsaturated fatty acids on progression of ADPKD.