A large, international study on post-transplant glomerular diseases: the TANGO project.

BACKGROUND: Long-term outcomes in kidney transplantation (KT) have not significantly improved during the past twenty years. Despite being a leading cause of graft failure, glomerular disease (GD) recurrence remains poorly understood, due to heterogeneity in disease pathogenesis and clinical presentation, reliance on histopathology to confirm disease recurrence, and the low incidence of individual GD subtypes. Large, international cohorts of patients with GD are urgently needed to better understand the disease pathophysiology, predictors of recurrence, and response to therapy. METHODS: The Post-TrANsplant GlOmerular Disease (TANGO) study is an observational, multicenter cohort study initiated in January 2017 that aims to: 1) characterize the natural history of GD after KT, 2) create a biorepository of saliva, blood, urine, stools and kidney tissue samples, and 3) establish a network of patients and centers to support novel therapeutic trials. The study includes 15 centers in America and Europe. Enrollment is open to patients with biopsy-proven GD prior to transplantation, including IgA nephropathy, membranous nephropathy, focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis, atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, dense-deposit disease, C3 glomerulopathy, complement- and IgG-positive membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis or membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type I-III (old classification). During phase 1, patient data will be collected in an online database. The biorepository (phase 2) will involve collection of samples from patients for identification of predictors of recurrence, biomarkers of disease activity or response to therapy, and novel pathogenic mechanisms. Finally, through phase 3, we will use our multicenter network of patients and centers to launch interventional studies. DISCUSSION: Most prior studies of post-transplant GD recurrence are single-center and retrospective, or rely upon registry data that frequently misclassify the cause of kidney disease. Systematically determining GD recurrence rates and predictors of clinical outcomes is essential to improving post-transplant outcomes. Furthermore, accurate molecular phenotyping and biomarker development will allow better understanding of individual GD pathogenesis, and potentially identify novel drug targets for GD in both native and transplanted kidneys. The TANGO study has the potential to tackle GD recurrence through a multicenter design and a comprehensive biorepository.

Percutaneous and surgical insertion of peritoneal catheter in patients starting in chronic dialysis therapy: a comparative study.

Percutaneous peritoneal catheter insertion can be performed by trained nephrologists. The objective of this study was to compare the outcome of peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheters percutaneous inserted with the traditional surgical technique. One hundred twenty-one PD catheters were placed in 121 stage-5 Chronic kidney disease patients using three techniques: percutaneous insertion (Group P, n = 53), percutaneous insertion guided by radioscopy (Group R, n = 26), and surgical insertion (Group S, n = 42). The mean age of the whole cohort was 57 ± 16 years and 54% were male. Patients and catheter outcomes were followed up prospectively for 19 months. Gender, age, body mass index, previous abdominal surgeries, and the prevalence of diabetes mellitus were not significantly different among the groups as well as the incidence of bleeding and the presence of catheter dysfunction. In addition, the incidence of exit-site infections and peritonitis was not significantly different among the groups. Finally, the survival catheter rate was not significantly different by the end of the follow-up of 19 months (70% in P group, 85% in R, and 70% in S group (log rank = 0.88, p = 0.95). The outcome of percutaneous implanted catheters, which were inserted by a trained nephrologist, did not demonstrate to be inferior as compared with the traditional surgical approach.

Chronic Kidney Disease in Brazil: Current Status and Recommended Improvements.

Background: Over the last 3 decades, over 700 million individuals worldwide have been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD). In a 2017 survey in southern Brazil, 11.4% of those surveyed had CKD. Early identification and effective therapy in Brazil may reduce CKD's impact. This panel discusses the early diagnosis and treatment of CKD and the barriers and actions needed to improve the management of CKD in Brazil. A panel of Brazilian nephrologists was provided with relevant questions to address before a multiday conference. During this meeting, each narrative was discussed and edited through several rounds until agreement on the relevant topics and recommendations was achieved. Summary: Panelists highlighted hurdles to early diagnosis and treatment of CKD. These include, but are not limited to, a lack of public and patient education, updated recommendations, multidisciplinary CKD treatment, and a national CKD database. People-centered, physician-centered, and healthcare institution-centered actions can be taken to improve outcomes. Patient empowerment is needed via multiple channels of CKD education and access to health-monitoring wearables and apps. Primary care clinicians and nonspecialists must be trained to screen and manage CKD-causing illnesses, including diabetes and hypertension. The healthcare system may implement a national health data gathering system, more screening tests, automated test result reporting, and telehealth. Key Messages: Increasing access to early diagnosis can provide a path to improving care for patients with CKD. Concerted efforts from all stakeholders are needed to overcome the barriers.

Nephrectomy as a cause of chronic kidney disease in the treatment of urolithiasis: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical course of nephrectomized patients due to complications related to nephrolithiasis and ascertain the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in this population. METHODS: From 2005 to 2010, 658 patients were treated with urolithiasis. Among these, 30 (4.6%) were nephrectomized. For each case, a control was selected and matched to the case by age, sex and disease duration. All data were collected from medical records, which contained the clinical, laboratory evaluation and diagnostic imaging. RESULTS: Age of the study group was 51.5 ± 10.4 years and the control group 47.1 ± 5.2 years. There were 17 (85%) women and three men in each group. Patients from the study group reported 3 (range, 1-5) episodes of acute renal colic before nephrectomy. Urinary tract infection and hematuria was detected in 70% of cases before surgery. In addition, half of the patients had at least one previous urological procedure. The control group showed higher urinary levels of calcium (216.1 ± 114.3 vs. 130.9 ± 72.2), uric acid (530.2 ± 197.4 vs. 424 ± 75.2) and citrate (755 ± 533 vs. 380.2 ± 260.7), p < 0.01, 0.03 and 0.01, respectively. The creatinine clearance was lower in the study group, 52.5 ± 18.8 ml/min vs. 92.9 ± 24.2 ml/min in the control group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: There was a decrease in kidney function in nephrectomized patients compared to a control group of stone-forming patients with both kidneys. Prospective studies are needed to assess the incidence of CKD in patients with nephrolithiasis submitted to nephrectomy.

Minocycline-EDTA lock solution prevents catheter-related bacteremia in hemodialysis.

There is growing concern about the development of antibacterial resistance with the use of antibiotics in catheter lock solutions. The use of an antibiotic that is not usually used to treat other serious infections may be an alternative that may reduce the clinical impact should resistance develop. We conducted a randomized controlled trial to compare a solution of minocycline and EDTA with the conventional unfractionated heparin for the prevention of catheter-related bacteremia in hemodialysis patients during a period of 90 d. The study included 204 incident catheters (27.8% tunneled); 14 catheters were excluded because of early dysfunction and 3 because of protocol violations. We observed catheter-related bacteremia in 19 patients in the heparin group (4.3 per 1000 catheter-days) and in 5 patients in the minocycline-EDTA group (1.1 per 1000 catheter-days; P = 0.005). We did not detect a significant difference in the rate of catheter removal for dysfunction. Catheter-related bacteremia-free survival was significantly higher in the minocycline-EDTA group than in the heparin group (P = 0.005). In conclusion, a minocycline-EDTA catheter lock solution is effective in the prevention of catheter-related bacteremia in hemodialysis patients.

Minimally invasive peritoneal access: A new approach of catheter placement for peritoneal dialysis.

BACKGROUND: Catheter implantation techniques for peritoneal dialysis (PD) have advanced significantly in recent years. We aimed to analyze the survival and associated complications of catheters inserted using a new technique that is guided by ultrasound and fluoroscopy and requires minimal tissue dissection. The procedure was performed by nephrologists in the outpatient basis, we compared these results of the minimally invasive insertion with traditional implantation using trocars. METHODS: A total of 152 PD catheters were placed in 152 patients with stage 5 chronic kidney disease; 62.5% of the patients were men, with a mean age of 56.6 ± 18.5 years. The following two methods were used: minimally invasive insertion (MI group, n = 73) and trocar insertion (T group, n = 79). Patients in both the groups were followed prospectively for 26 months from the date of the first implantation. RESULTS: Gender, age, and prevalence of diabetes mellitus were not significantly different between the groups, while the body mass index, presence of obesity, and abdominal scars from previous surgeries were higher in the MI group (p = 0.021). The incidence of catheter dysfunction was lower in the MI group compared to group T (6.8% vs 20.3%; p = 0.019). Exit site infection was also lower with the new technique (4.1% vs. 18.9%; p = 0.005). Further, the cumulative incidence of peritonitis also reduced with MI (p = 0.034). Finally, the overall catheter survival at 1 year was 89%, which has been shown as higher in group MI (95% vs 82% in group T; p = 0.025). CONCLUSION: The MI technique for catheter insertion showed low complication rates and excellent catheter survival as compared to traditional implantation methods; thus, it may be an alternative method for PD catheter placement.

Predictive value of malnutrition markers for mortality in peritoneal dialysis patients.

INTRODUCTION: Alterations in nutritional status have been described as important predictors of mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, the association between multiple markers for nutritional status and the mortality rates of patients with CKD on peritoneal dialysis (PD) has not yet been illustrated in previously published data, particularly by using the new definition of protein energy wasting (PEW). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the predictive value of malnutrition markers for mortality rates, on the basis of the PEW definition, of PD patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: At the start of PD treatment, the nutritional status of 199 patients (mean age, 56 ± 13.3 years; 53% females) was evaluated. Body mass index (BMI), arm circumference, mid-arm muscle circumference, protein and caloric intake (by using a 3-day food record), and serum albumin were all recorded, as well as a subjective global assessment (SGA) and presence of PEW. Cut-off points were defined on the basis of the consensus of the International Society for Renal Nutrition and Metabolism (albumin, <3.8 g/dL; BMI, <23 kg/m(2); mid-arm muscle circumference, >10% in comparison with the 50th percentile for the reference population; protein intake, <0.8 g/kg/daily; caloric intake, <25 kcal/kg/daily). The data were obtained retrospectively between the years 2001 and 2008 on the basis of routine nutritional evaluation. Patients were monitored for fatal events from all possible causes. RESULT: The mean BMI for the population was 26.6 ± 5.0 kg/m(2). A median protein intake of 0.94 (0.18 to 4.57) g/kg/daily was reported and 60.3% of the patients reported a protein intake of <0.8 g/kg/daily. With respect to caloric intake, 38.7% of the patients consumed <25 kcal/kg/daily. A median of 3.5 (1.4 to 5.3) g/dL for serum albumin was observed and 29.3% of the patients presented values of <3.8 g/dL. PEW was diagnosed in 17.5% of patients. In the univariate model, being of age >65 years (P = .002), cardiovascular disease (P < .001), diabetes mellitus (P = .02), SGA (P = .02), and albumin (P = .002), were all significant markers for mortality. The presence of patients aged >65 years (P = .02), with diabetes mellitus (P = .057), cardiovascular disease (P = .005), and albumin were considered as independent factors for mortality in this study. CONCLUSION: SGA, albumin, and PEW were the only nutritional markers found to be associated with mortality in this cohort of PD patients. In the multivariate analysis, after adjusting for classic mortality risk factors, only patients with hypoalbuminemia were found to be at a high risk for mortality at follow-up. These results may be limited by the number of observations and a necessity for confirmation in larger prospective studies.

Visual abstracts: an innovative way to disseminate scientific Information.

Technological innovations often occur and make an impact on many industries. In academia, Visual Abstracts have been a trend and represent a creative and dynamic way to disseminate scientific knowledge. Although still rare in Brazil, more than 15 journals already use Visual Abstracts worldwide. This brief paper intends to present the concept and discuss the potential effectiveness of this innovative tool.

Recurrence of FSGS after Kidney Transplantation in Adults.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: FSGS recurrence after kidney transplantation is a major risk factor for graft loss. However, the natural history, clinical predictors, and response to treatment remain unclear because of small sample sizes and poor generalizability of single-center studies, and disease misclassification in registry-based studies. We therefore aimed to determine the incidence, predictors, and treatment response of recurrent FSGS in a large cohort of kidney transplant recipients. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS: The Post-Transplant Glomerular Disease (TANGO) project is an observational, multicenter, international cohort study that aims to investigate glomerular disease recurrence post-transplantation. Transplant recipients were screened for the diagnosis of idiopathic FSGS between 2005 and 2015 and details were recorded about the transplant, clinical outcomes, treatments, and other risk factors. RESULTS: Among 11,742 kidney transplant recipients screened for FSGS, 176 had a diagnosis of idiopathic FSGS and were included. FSGS recurred in 57 patients (32%; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 25% to 39%) and 39% of them lost their graft over a median of 5 (interquartile range, 3.0-8.1) years. Multivariable Cox regression revealed a higher risk for recurrence with older age at native kidney disease onset (hazard ratio [HR], 1.37 per decade; 95% CI, 1.09 to 1.56). Other predictors were white race (HR, 2.14; 95% CI, 1.08 to 4.22), body mass index at transplant (HR, 0.89 per kg/m2; 95% CI, 0.83 to 0.95), and native kidney nephrectomies (HR, 2.76; 95% CI, 1.16 to 6.57). Plasmapheresis and rituximab were the most frequent treatments (81%). Partial or complete remission occurred in 57% of patients and was associated with better graft survival. CONCLUSIONS: Idiopathic FSGS recurs post-transplant in one third of cases and is associated with a five-fold higher risk of graft loss. Response to treatment is associated with significantly better outcomes but is achieved in only half of the cases.

The impact of cinacalcet in the mineral metabolism markers of patients on dialysis with severe secondary hyperparathyroidism.

INTRODUCTION: Treating secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT), a common condition associated with death in patients with chronic kidney disease, is a challenge for nephrologists. Calcimimetics have allowed the introduction of drug therapies no longer based on phosphate binders and active vitamin D. This study aimed to assess the safety and effectiveness of cinacalcet in managing chronic dialysis patients with severe SHPT. METHODS: This retrospective study included 26 patients [age: 52 ± 12 years; 55% females; time on dialysis: 54 (4-236) months] on hemodialysis (N = 18) or peritoneal dialysis (N = 8) with severe SHPT (intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) level > 600 pg/mL) and hyperphosphatemia and/or persistent hypercalcemia treated with cinacalcet. The patients were followed for 12 months. Their serum calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and iPTH levels were measured at baseline and on days 30, 60, 90, 180, and 365. RESULTS: Patients with hyperphosphatemia (57.7%), hypercalcemia (23%), or both (19.3%) with iPTH > 600 pg/mL were prescribed cinacalcet. At the end of the study, decreases were observed in iPTH (1348 ± 422 vs. 440 ± 210 pg/mL; p < 0.001), Ca (9.5 ± 1.0 vs. 9.1 ± 0.6 mg/dl; p = 0.004), P (6.0 ± 1.3 vs. 4.9 ± 1.1 mg/dl; p < 0.001), and ALP (202 ± 135 vs. 155 ± 109 IU/L; p = 0.006) levels. Adverse events included hypocalcemia (26%) and digestive problems (23%). At the end of the study, 73% of the patients were on active vitamin D and cinacalcet. Three (11.5%) patients on peritoneal dialysis did not respond to therapy with cinacalcet, and their iPTH levels were never below 800 pg/mL. CONCLUSION: Cinacalcet combined with traditional therapy proved safe and effective and helped manage the mineral metabolism of patients with severe SHPT.

Pure red cell aplasia and anti-erythropoietin antibodies in patients on hemodialysis: a report of two cases and a literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Anemia is a frequent multifactorial complication of CKD seen in patients on dialysis derived mainly from impaired erythropoietin (EPO) production. A less common cause of anemia in individuals with CKD is pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) secondary to the production of anti-EPO antibodies. OBJECTIVE: This paper aimed two describe two cases of PRCA secondary to the production of anti-EPO antibodies including choice of treatment, patient progression, and a literature review. MATERIALS: This study included the cases of two patients with CKD on hemodialysis with severe anemia in need of specific investigation and management. RESULTS: Patient 1 with CKD secondary to hypertension treated with EPO for 7 months showed persistent decreases in hemoglobin (Hb) levels despite the subcutaneous administration of increasing doses of EPO; the patient required recurring blood transfusions. Workup and imaging tests were negative for the main causes of anemia in individuals with CKD on dialysis. Patient 2 with CKD secondary to adult polycystic kidney disease had been taking EPO for 2 years. The patient developed severe abrupt anemia the month he was started on HD, and required recurring transfusions to treat the symptoms of anemia. Workup and imaging findings were inconclusive. Specific laboratory tests confirmed the patients had anti-EPO antibodies. After six months of immunosuppressant therapy (corticosteroids + cyclosporine) the patients were stable with Hb > 9.0 g/dl. CONCLUSION: PRCA is a rare condition among patients on dialysis treated with rhEPO and should be considered as a possible cause of refractory anemia. Treating patients with PRCA may be challenging, since the specific management and diagnostic procedures needed in this condition are not always readily available.

Economic evaluations of dialysis treatment modalities.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this paper is to review published economic evaluations of dialysis treatment modalities, including hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD). METHODS: A systematic literature review was conducted in both PubMed and EMBASE for the years 1996-2006. Articles were included if they were original research articles comparing PD and HD or comparing subtypes of PD and HD. RESULTS: Twenty-five articles were included in the formal literature review. The majority of articles were cost evaluations, rather than full economic evaluations of both costs and outcomes. The results show that, in developed nations, HD is generally more expensive than PD to the payer. In developing and emerging economies, mainly due to inexpensive labor and high imported equipment and solution costs, PD is not infrequently perceived to be more expensive than HD. However, the costs of dialysis differ by region and additional research is needed particularly in developing economies. CONCLUSIONS: HD is a more expensive dialysis modality in developed regions of the world. Research in the developing world is too limited to draw definitive conclusions.

Association between body mass index and body fat in chronic kidney disease stages 3 to 5, hemodialysis, and peritoneal dialysis patients.

OBJECTIVE: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients may present with altered body composition. Body mass index (BMI) is a simple method for evaluating body fat mass (FM) in the general population. In CKD patients, there are few reports demonstrating the association between BMI and body composition. Our objective was to investigate the reliability of BMI as an indicator of FM in patients with CKD stages 3 to 5. METHODS: Seventy-eight nondiabetic CKD patients (aged 48, SD +/- 12 years; 45% male) and 30 healthy control subjects (aged 46, SD +/- 12 years; 40% male), matched for age and sex, were evaluated. Chronic kidney disease patients were divided, according to K/DOQI guidelines, into 27 subjects at stages 3 to 4 (mean glomerular filtration rate of 43 +/- 12 mL/minute; age, 52 +/- 10 years), and 51 at stage 5: 25 in hemodialysis (HD) (aged 45, SD +/- 12 years; 44% male), and 26 in peritoneal dialysis (PD) (aged 49, SD +/- 13 years; 42% male). Body mass index was calculated as weight/height(2), and body composition was evaluated through dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: There was no difference in median BMI (kg/m(2)) among healthy control subjects (24.8; range, 19.2-34.1), CKD stages 3 to 4 (26.4; range, 20.4-37.6), HD patients (24.5; range, 19.4-35.7), and PD patients (24.5; range, 20.2-37.7; P > .05). Likewise, no significant difference was verified in median body FM (kg) among control subjects (18.8; range, 9.2-36.5), CKD stages 3 to 4 (21.2; range, 11.6-37.9), HD patients (17.1; range, 4.8-38.9), and PD patients (20.1; range, 6.5-41.5; P > .05). Moreover, a positive and significant correlation was found between BMI and FM (kg) in CKD stages 3 to 4 (Rho = 0.67, P = .0002), in HD patients (Rho = 0.67, P = .0002), in PD patients (Rho = 0.79, P < .0001), and in control subjects (Rho = 0.79, P < .0001). Although BMI and lean body mass (in kg) was significantly correlated in CKD stages 3 to 4 (Rho = 0.58, P = .001) and healthy control subjects (Rho = 0.30, P = .007), no significant correlation was found in HD patients (Rho = 0.19, P = .34) and in PD patients (Rho = 0.17, P = .38). CONCLUSIONS: Body composition did not differ in patients with CKD stages 3 to 5, and between dialysis modalities. Although BMI was strongly and significantly correlated with body FM in CKD patients at stages 3 to 5, lean body mass was not. These findings suggest that BMI is a reliable indicator of body FM in this CKD population.

APOL1 risk variants and kidney disease: what we know so far.

There are striking differences in chronic kidney disease between Caucasians and African descendants. It was widely accepted that this occurred due to socioeconomic factors, but recent studies show that apolipoprotein L-1 (APOL1) gene variants are strongly associated with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, HIV-associated nephropathy, hypertensive nephrosclerosis, and lupus nephritis in the African American population. These variants made their way to South America trough intercontinental slave traffic and conferred an evolutionary advantage to the carries by protecting against forms of trypanosomiasis, but at the expense of an increased risk of kidney disease. The effect of the variants does not seem to be related to their serum concentration, but rather to local action on the podocytes. Risk variants are also important in renal transplantation, since grafts from donors with risk variants present worse survival.

Salvage of thrombosed arteriovenous fistulae of patients on hemodialysis: report on the experience of a Brazilian center.

INTRODUCTION: Hemodialysis vascular access thrombosis is an acute event that can interrupt the dialytic treatment. A timely management can restore access patency, avoiding the use of central venous catheters and their complications. OBJECTIVE: To present the experience from a Brazilian Interventional Nephrology Center (INC) in the salvage of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) and grafts for hemodialysis. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed to evaluate the primary and secondary patencies of 41 hemodialysis accesses with thrombosis confirmed by ultrasound and submitted to endovascular salvage procedures. We considered clinical success the use of the access for at least 3 subsequent hemodialysis sessions. The procedures were done in an outpatient center by interventional nephrologists. Patients were followed for up to 18 months with Doppler every 3 months. RESULTS: Forty-five salvage procedures were performed in 41 accesses of 40 hemodialysis patients with native AVF or grafts. Of these, 90% were AVF, mostly upper arm, and 10% were grafts. Clinical success rate was 60% (27 procedures). Primary patency at 12 months was 39% and secondary was 52%. Gender of the patient, diabetes, and location of the access did not correlate statistically with outcomes. There were 3 major complications (anastomosis rupture, grade 3 hematoma, and anaphylactic shock). CONCLUSION: The majority of thrombosed accesses can be successfully treated, maintaining its long-term patency. The need of repeated intervention is frequent.

Vitamin D Receptor Gene Polymorphisms and Environment Influencing the Impact on Survival in Hemodialysis Patients.

INTRODUCTION: The vitamin D-receptor axis is involved in multiple physiological functions and altered states such as hypertension, mineral metabolism disorders, and inflammation. These disturbances are major risk factors for progression to end-stage kidney disease and cardiovascular disease. In addition, changes in internal systemic environment could be influencing the impact of survival in patients with kidney disease. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of vitamin D receptor (VDR) polymorphisms on hemodialysis patients' survival. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 122 hemodialysis patients and 120 healthy controls were compared for VDR gene polymorphism. Markers for full coverage in the VDR gene were selected and genotyped. The hemodialysis patients were followed until death event, which was considered the primary endpoint for the survival analysis. RESULTS: Two tag SNPs (rs10875695 and rs11168293) showed significant differences between the hemodialysis and healthy patients. In survival analysis, the CC genotype for rs2248098, compared to the TT genotype, was associated with a worse mortality rate. After adjustments for age, sex, diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular disease, the genotype CC (rs2248098) was associated with a higher risk of mortality in a multivariable analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Polymorphisms specific to patients with kidney disease could be influencing different conditions associated with mortality. Thus, these genetic markers, rs2248098 for example, would act in a specific time in the history of kidney disease and would bring different results of patient survival outcomes.

Acute Kidney Injury in Elderly Population: A Prospective Observational Study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Acute kidney injury (AKI) has been reported as a recognized condition among the elderly population; however, its clinical epidemiology is still poorly evaluated. We propose to evaluate the epidemiological profile of AKI in hospitalized elderly patients and the variables associated with renal replacement therapy (RRT) dependency at discharge after an episode of AKI. METHODS: This prospective observational study enrolled 286 elderly patients (aged ≥60 years), who had a diagnosis of AKI and were admitted to a tertiary care hospital. Clinical data were analyzed, which included RRT indication, referral time to nephrologist support, standby period in the emergency care units (ECU) before a transfer to an intensive care unit, staff criteria used to indicate palliative care, and the incidence of patients who stayed on chronic dialysis for at least 6 months after discharge. RESULTS: The overall hospital mortality was 56.3%. Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN) 3 at the time of admission was significantly higher in patients who underwent RRT. Intrinsic AKI (p < 0.001), AKIN 3 (p < 0.001), RRT (p < 0.001), and increased length of stay in ECUs (p = 0.01) all had a significantly higher prevalence among non-survivors. On multivariate analysis, however, only renal aetiology (intrinsic AKI) was independently associated with mortality (OR 2.88; 95% CI [1.29-6.13]). Approximately 85% of the discharged patients (n = 125) were dialysis free and 36.4% of them who had a previous diagnosis of chronic kidney disease (CKD) upon admission had a worse renal function. Age, AKIN 3, RRT, prior history of CKD, diabetes mellitus, and the number of hemodialysis sessions showed to have an impact on dialysis dependence. Furthermore, 24 of 161 patients who had a dialysis indication were placed on palliative care. CONCLUSIONS: The severity of AKI and the need for RRT were risk factors for mortality and dependence on dialysis. Antecedents of CKD seem to be associated with a poor renal outcome following an AKI episode. Starting RRT had an impact on the clinical decision to enroll these patients into palliative care.

Association between vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to chronic kidney disease and periodontitis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and periodontitis (PD) are serious public-health concerns. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble steroid hormone that interacts with its nuclear receptor (VDR) to regulate a variety of biological processes, such as bone metabolism, immune response modulation and transcription of several genes involved in CKD and PD disease mechanisms. The aim of this work was to investigate the association between polymorphisms in the VDR gene and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and PD. METHODS: 222 subjects with and without ESRD (in hemodialysis) were divided into groups with and without PD. Polymorphisms TaqI and BsmI in the VDR gene were analyzed by PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism. The significance of differences in allele, genotype and haplotype frequencies between groups was assessed by the chi2 test (p value <0.05) and odds ratio (OR). RESULTS: Allele G was associated with protection against ESRD: groups without versus with ESRD (GG) x (GA+AA): OR = 2.5, 95% CI = 1.4-4.6, p = 0.00; (G x A): OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.0-2.3, p = 0.02; (TG + CG) x (TA + CA): OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.0-2.3, p = 0.02. No association was observed between the study polymorphisms and susceptibility to or protection against PD. CONCLUSION: Allele G of the VDR BsmI polymorphism was associated with protection against ESRD.

Insulin resistance is associated with circulating fibrinogen levels in nondiabetic patients receiving peritoneal dialysis.

BACKGROUND: Insulin resistance (IR) and inflammation are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease in the general population. Continuous glucose absorption in peritoneal dialysis (PD) may induce hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia. METHODS: We evaluated IR in nondiabetic patients receiving PD, and analyzed the association between IR and systemic inflammation biomarkers by performing a cross-sectional study on ambulatory dialysis. A total of 25 nondiabetic patients receiving PD and 25 healthy individuals, matched for gender, age, and body mass index (BMI), were included. The PD group was composed of 11 men and 14 women, with a mean age of 47 +/- 14 years and mean BMI of 25.5 +/- 4.7 kg/m(2). The control group was composed of 10 men and 15 women, with a mean age of 45 +/- 12 years and BMI of 24.0 +/- 2.8 kg/m(2). RESULTS: IR was evaluated by the homeostasis model assessment method (HOMA-IR). Inflammation was assessed through high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) and fibrinogen. Body composition and truncal fat were evaluated by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. HOMA-IR was significantly higher (P < .0001) in subjects receiving PD (4.9, range: 2.3-9.3 mmol/L x muU/mL) compared with healthy subjects (1.2, range: 0.4-4.8 mmol/L x muU/mL). As expected, compared with controls, patients receiving PD had significantly higher levels of insulin (26.5 +/- 7.5 muU/mL vs 6.3 +/- 3.4 muU/mL; P < .0001), CRP (6.3, range: 0.3-61.1 mg/L vs 2.4, range: 0.6-5.9 mg/L; P = .001), and fibrinogen (379 +/- 101 mg/dL vs 268 +/- 66 mg/dL; P < .0001). However, there were no significant differences in body and truncal fat mass between the groups. A significant correlation between HOMA-IR and fibrinogen (Rho = 0.48; P = .01) was observed. However, no correlation was found between HOMA-IR and CRP. Also, no significant correlations were found between HOMA-IR and body fat mass (Rho = 0.11), and between HOMA-IR and truncal fat mass (Rho = 0.19). CONCLUSIONS: Patients receiving PD demonstrate a state of IR that is associated with high circulating levels of fibrinogen. This suggests that hyperfibrinogenemia may be involved in the pathogenesis of IR in this setting.

Prevalence of chronic kidney disease in a population in southern Brazil (Pro-Renal Study).

INTRODUCTION: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects 10-12% of the adult population in many countries. In Brazil, there is no reliable information about the actual prevalence of CKD. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of CKD by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and proteinuria/albuminuria in an urban population randomly selected in Southern Brazil. Patients and. METHODS: 5,216 individuals were randomly selected out of a pool of 10,000 individuals identified from the database of a local energy company. The screening consisted of collection of demographic data, history of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, kidney/cardiovascular disease in the family and obesity through the body mass index - BMI (CKD risk factors). Blood samples were collected for determination of serum creatinine and subsequent eGFR estimation by the MDRD formula and urine samples for determination of albuminuria by dipstick. Albuminuria was further evaluated by HemoCue© in a selected CKD risk group. RESULTS: The population was predominantly Caucasians (93%), 64% were females and the mean age of participants was 45 years old (18-87). BMI (kg/m2) was 27±5. Albuminuria was found in 5.25% of individuals. 88.6% of this population had no CKD (eGFR > 60 ml/min/1.73m2 & normoalbuminuria) and 11.4% were identified as having CKD, with majority on stages 3A (7.2%) and 3B (1.1%). Hypertension, diabetes, older age and obesity was associated with a higher prevalence of CKD (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of CKD in an urban population in southern Brazil mirrors other developed countries and indicates that kidney disease is an important public health problem in Brazil.