Revisiting nephrocalcinosis: A single-centre perspective. A northern Italian experience.

AIM: Nephrocalcinosis is a clinical-pathological entity characterized by the deposition of calcium salts within the kidney parenchyma. Both the protean presentation and multiple causes may explain the lack of data regarding its prevalence. The aim of this study is to report the prevalence and main clinical features of nephrocalcinosis diagnosed in a newly opened nephrology outpatient unit. METHODS: Analysis on the data we prospectively gathered from the start of activity (2007-2013) was carried out. Clinical and laboratory data were collected from the medical records and from the general laboratory; diagnosis was based upon imaging data reviewed by the same radiologists. RESULTS: Sixty-five of 2695 patients referred to our unit were diagnosed with nephrocalcinosis (2.4%). The affected patients were younger than the overall out-patient population (median: 37.7 (min-max: 8-82) vs 63 years (2-102) P < 0.001), with higher female prevalence (68% vs 51.4%: P < 0.05) and better preserved kidney function (CKD-EPI 103 (23-165) vs 60 mL/min (3.2-169) P < 0.001). Kidney stones were the main reason for referral (35.4%), followed by electrolyte disturbances (22.7%), acute pyelonephritis (4.6%), AKI or CKD (4.6%). Nephrocalcinosis was associated with autoimmune diseases in 29% and with microcythaemia in 23%, while positive family history was present in 23% of patients. Various electrolyte disturbances were observed, with hypercalciuria being the hallmark of beta thalassaemic patients. CONCLUSIONS: Nephrocalcinosis is a rare, but not exceptional disease in nephrology. In Mediterranean countries, microcythaemia would appear to be a major cause of this disease. Greater awareness of nephrocalcinosis is needed for an integrated approach involving various branches of internal medicine and radiology.

Eco-dialysis: the financial and ecological costs of dialysis waste products: is a 'cradle-to-cradle' model feasible for planet-friendly haemodialysis waste management?

BACKGROUND: Approximately 2 million chronic haemodialysis patients produce over 2,000,000 tons of waste per year that includes about 600,000 tons of potentially hazardous waste. The aim of the present study was to analyse the characteristics of the waste that is produced through chronic haemodialysis in an effort to identify strategies to reduce its environmental and financial impact. METHODS: The study included three dialysis machines and disposables for bicarbonate dialysis, haemodiafiltration (HFR) and lactate dialysis. Hazardous waste is defined as waste that comes into contact with bodily fluids. The weight and cost of waste management was evaluated by various policies of differentiation, ranging from a careful-optimal differentiation to a careless one. The amount of time needed for optimal management was recorded in 30 dialysis sessions. Non-hazardous materials were assessed for potential recycling. RESULTS: The amount of plastic waste that is produced per dialysis session ranges from 1.5 to 8 kg (from 1.1 to 8 kg of potentially hazardous waste), depending upon the type of dialysis machine and supplies, differentiation and emptying policies. The financial cost of waste disposal is high, and is mainly related to hazardous waste disposal, with costs ranging from 2.2 to 16 Euro per session (2.7-21 USD) depending on the waste management policy. The average amount of time needed for careful, optimal differentiation disposal is approximately 1 minute for a haemodialysis session and 2 minutes for HFR. The ecological cost is likewise high: less than one-third of non-hazardous waste (23-28%) is potentially recyclable, while the use of different types of plastic, glues, inks and labels prevents the remaining materials from being recycled. CONCLUSION: Acknowledging the problem of waste management in dialysis could lead to savings of hundreds of millions of Dollars and to the reuse and recycling of hundreds of tons of plastic waste per year on a world-wide scale with considerable financial and ecological savings.

[When a Headache Is Not Just Hypertension: A Case of Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome in a Young Patient].

Thrombotic microangiopathies represent a group of particularly serious pathologies that can cause a rapid worsening of renal function, especially in young subjects. Through the clinical case described, we will focus our attention on the clinical and laboratory manifestations of the pathology, on the diagnostics and on the therapies to be used. Recent therapeutic innovations for the treatment of this pathology will also be analysed.

Chronic kidney disease may be differentially diagnosed from preeclampsia by serum biomarkers.

Preeclampsia, affecting 5-8% of pregnancies, is the main cause of fetal-maternal mortality and morbidity. The differential diagnosis with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a challenge owing to the overlapping clinical features. No biomarker has been found to discriminate between the two conditions. Here, we tested whether maternal serum levels of placental growth factor (PlGF) and soluble FMS-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1), markers of preeclampsia, could be used to discriminate between 34 patients with preeclampsia, 23 patients with CKD during pregnancy, and 38 healthy pregnant women. Serum levels of PlGF and sFlt-1 were determined during the third trimester by commercially available immunoassays. In preeclampsia, sFlt-1 levels were significantly increased in comparison with that in CKD and in the control women. Serum levels of PlGF in preeclampsia were significantly decreased relative to both controls and patients with CKD. The sFlt-1 to PlGF ratio was significantly increased in preeclampsia (median 436) compared with controls (median 9.4) and CKD (median 4.0). No differences were found between controls and patients with CKD. Thus, our study suggests that it is possible to discriminate between preeclampsia and CKD during pregnancy by determining maternal serum levels of sFlt-1 and PlGF and their ratio.

Pre-eclampsia or chronic kidney disease? The flow hypothesis.

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and pre-eclampsia (PE) occur in 3-5% of pregnancies. They often share hypertension and proteinuria and a differential diagnosis may be impossible. However, in PE, the pathogenesis is related to abnormal placentation, which can be detected by abnormal uterine and umbilical Doppler flow velocities, while in CKD, an intrinsic kidney disease is present. We hypothesize that Doppler studies can help to differentiate PE from CKD, as the flow velocities are altered in PE and normal in CKD. METHODS: We retrospectively selected patients who were followed in our Materno-Foetal Unit (2005-10) and had at least one flow measurement in our setting. CKD patients were included in the presence of proteinuria (≥ 300 mg/day) and hypertension, mimicking PE. The clinical charts were reviewed by the same operators; the clinical diagnoses were taken as reference. Three flow patterns were considered: alteration of both flow velocity waveforms (FVWs) (uterine and umbilical arteries), hypothesized as predictive of PE; normal FVWs at both levels, hypothesized as predictive of CKD; altered FVW in either artery, considered 'mixed'. Uterine FVWs were considered pathological according to the classical cut-point (RI > 0.58). Umbilical flows were evaluated according to standards adjusted for gestational age. Statistical analysis was performed in SPSS. RESULTS: The analysis included 61 cases. The presence of normal FVWs was significantly associated with the diagnosis of CKD (P = 0.0018). Conversely, the presence of both altered flows was significantly associated with PE (P = 0.0233). CONCLUSIONS: In the presence of proteinuria and hypertension, normal flows suggest CKD altered flows PE. Prospective studies are needed to refine this hypothesis based on the first Doppler criteria supporting the differential diagnosis between CKD and PE.

Vegetarian low-protein diets supplemented with keto analogues: a niche for the few or an option for many?

BACKGROUND: Low-protein diets are often mentioned but seldom used to slow chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression. The aim of the study was to investigate the potential for implementation of a simplified low-protein diet supplemented with alpha-keto analogues (LPD-KA) as part of the routine work-up in CKD patients. METHODS: In an implementation study (December 2007-November 2011), all patients with CKD Stages IV-V not on dialysis, rapidly progressive Stage III and/or refractory proteinuria, were offered either a simplified LPD-KA, or commercially available low-protein food. LPD-KA consisted of proteins 0.6 g/kg/day, supplementation with Ketosteril 1 pill/10 Kg, 1-3 free-choice meals/week and a simplified schema based on 'allowed' and 'forbidden' foods. 'Success' was defined as at least 6 months on LPD-KA. Progression was defined as reduction in glomerular filtration rate (GFR)[(Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration) formula CKD-EPI] in patients with at least 6 months of follow-up. RESULTS: Of about 2500 patients referred (8% CKD Stages IV-V), 139 started LPD-KA; median age (70 years) and prevalence of comorbidity (79%) were in line with the dialysis population. Start of dialysis was the main reason for discontinuation (40 cases, unplanned in 7); clinical reasons were recorded in 7, personal preference in 14 and improvement and death in 8 each. The low gross mortality (4% per year) and the progression rate (from -8 to 0 mL/min/year at 6 months) are reassuring concerning safety. None of the baseline conditions, including age, educational level, comorbidity or kidney function, discriminated the patients who followed the diet for at least 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest a wider offer of LPD-KA to patients with severe and progressive CKD. The promising results in terms of mortality and progression need confirmation with different study designs.

Excessive urinary tract dilatation and proteinuria in pregnancy: a common and overlooked association?

BACKGROUND: Proteinuria and dilatation of the urinary tract are both relatively common in pregnancy, the latter with a spectrum of symptoms, from none to severe pain and infection. Proteinuria is a rare occurrence in acute obstructive nephropathy; it has been reported in pregnancy, where it may pose a challenging differential diagnosis with pre-eclampsia.The aim of the present study is to report on the incidence of proteinuria (≥ 0.3; ≥ 0.5 g/day) in association with symptomatic-severe urinary tract dilatation in pregnancy. METHODS: Case series. SETTING: Nephrological-Obstetric Unit dedicated to pregnancy and kidney diseases (January 2000-April 2011). SOURCE: database prospectively updated since the start of the Unit. Retrospective review of clinical charts identified as relevant on the database, by a nephrologist and an obstetrician. RESULTS: From January 2000 to April 2011, 262 pregnancies were referred. Urinary tract dilatation with or without infection was the main cause of referral in 26 cases (predominantly monolateral in 19 cases): 23 singletons, 1 lost to follow-up, 1 twin and 1 triplet. Patients were referred for urinary tract infection (15 cases) and/or renal pain (10 cases); 6 patients were treated by urologic interventions ("JJ" stenting). Among them, 11 singletons and 1 triple pregnancy developed proteinuria ≥ 0.3 g/day (46.1%). Proteinuria was ≥ 0.5 g/day in 6 singletons (23.1%). Proteinuria resolved after delivery in all cases. No patient developed hypertension; in none was an alternative cause of proteinuria evident. No significant demographic difference was observed in patients with renal dilatation who developed proteinuria versus those who did not. An association with the presence of "JJ" stenting was present (5/6 cases with proteinuria ≥ 0.5 g/day), which may reflect both severer obstruction and a role for vescico-ureteral reflux, induced by the stent. CONCLUSIONS: Symptomatic urinary tract dilatation may be associated with proteinuria in pregnancy. This association should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis with other causes of proteinuria in pregnancy, including pre-eclampsia.

Reiki and related therapies in the dialysis ward: an evidence-based and ethical discussion to debate if these complementary and alternative medicines are welcomed or banned.

BACKGROUND: Complementary and Alternative Medicines (CAMs) are increasingly practiced in the general population; it is estimated that over 30% of patients with chronic diseases use CAMs on a regular basis. CAMs are also used in hospital settings, suggesting a growing interest in individualized therapies. One potential field of interest is pain, frequently reported by dialysis patients, and seldom sufficiently relieved by mainstream therapies. Gentle-touch therapies and Reiki (an energy based touch therapy) are widely used in the western population as pain relievers.By integrating evidence based approaches and providing ethical discussion, this debate discusses the pros and cons of CAMs in the dialysis ward, and whether such approaches should be welcomed or banned. DISCUSSION: In spite of the wide use of CAMs in the general population, few studies deal with the pros and cons of an integration of mainstream medicine and CAMs in dialysis patients; one paper only regarded the use of Reiki and related practices. Widening the search to chronic pain, Reiki and related practices, 419 articles were found on Medline and 6 were selected (1 Cochrane review and 5 RCTs updating the Cochrane review). According to the EBM approach, Reiki allows a statistically significant but very low-grade pain reduction without specific side effects. Gentle-touch therapy and Reiki are thus good examples of approaches in which controversial efficacy has to be balanced against no known side effect, frequent free availability (volunteer non-profit associations) and easy integration with any other pharmacological or non pharmacological therapy. While a classical evidence-based approach, showing low-grade efficacy, is likely to lead to a negative attitude towards the use of Reiki in the dialysis ward, the ethical discussion, analyzing beneficium (efficacy) together with non maleficium (side effects), justice (cost, availability and integration with mainstream therapies) and autonomy (patients' choice) is likely to lead to a permissive-positive attitude. SUMMARY: This paper debates the current evidence on Reiki and related techniques as pain-relievers in an ethical framework, and suggests that physicians may wish to consider efficacy but also side effects, contextualization (availability and costs) and patient's requests, according also to the suggestions of the Society for Integrative Oncology (tolerate, control efficacy and side effects).

[When a rear-end collision turns out to be a revelation: a case of IgG4 related kidney desease].

IgG4 related renal disease represents a frequent manifestation of the wider IgG4 related disease, a fibroinflammatory disorder with a not fully understood etiology that affects several organs. Through the clinical case presented, we will focus attention on this pathology and on the diagnostic difficulties that may arise, and on the investigations necessary for the diagnosis. Finally, the main therapeutic options will be discussed.

Pregnancy in CKD: whom should we follow and why?

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has a high prevalence in pregnancy. In a period of cost constraints, there is the need for identification of the risk pattern and for follow-up. METHODS: Patients were staged according to K-DOQI guidelines. The analysis was prospective, January 2000-June 2011. Two hundred and forty-nine pregnancies were observed in 225 CKD patients; 176 singleton deliveries were recorded. The largest group encompasses stage 1 CKD patients, with normal renal function, in which 127 singleton deliveries were recorded. No hard outcomes occurred (death; dialysis); therefore, surrogate outcomes were analysed [caesarean section, prematurity, need for neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)]. Stage 1 patients were compared with normal controls (267 low-risk pregnancies followed in the same setting) and with patients with CKD stages 2-4 (49 singleton deliveries); two referral patterns were also analysed (known diagnoses; new diagnoses). RESULTS: The risk for adverse pregnancy rises significantly in stage 1 CKD, when compared with controls: odds ratios were caesarean section 2.73 (1.72-4.33); preterm delivery 8.50 (4.11-17.57); NICU 16.10 (4.42-58.66). The risks rise in later stages. There is a high prevalence of new CKD diagnosis (overall: 38.6%; stage 1: 43.3%); no significant outcome difference was found across the referral patterns. Hypertension and proteinuria are confirmed as independent risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: CKD is a risk factor in pregnancy; all patients should be followed within dedicated programmes from stage 1. There is need for dedicated interventions and educational programmes for maximizing the diagnostic and therapeutic potentials in early CKD stages.

Chronic kidney disease, severe arterial and arteriolar sclerosis and kidney neoplasia: on the spectrum of kidney involvement in MELAS syndrome.

BACKGROUND: MELAS syndrome (MIM ID#540000), an acronym for Mitochondrial Encephalopathy, Lactic Acidosis and Stroke-like episodes, is a genetically heterogeneous mitochondrial disorder with protean manifestations and occasional kidney involvement. Interest in the latter is rising due to the identification of cases with predominant kidney involvement and to the hypothesis of a link between mitochondrial DNA and kidney neoplasia. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 41-year-old male with full blown MELAS syndrome, with lactic acidosis and neurological impairment, affected by the "classic" 3243A > G mutation of mitochondrial DNA, with kidney cancer. After unilateral nephrectomy, he rapidly developed severe kidney functional impairment, with nephrotic proteinuria. Analysis of the kidney tissue at a distance from the two tumor lesions, sampled at the time of nephrectomy was performed in the context of normal blood pressure, recent onset of diabetes and before the appearance of proteinuria. The morphological examination revealed a widespread interstitial fibrosis with dense inflammatory infiltrate and tubular atrophy, mostly with thyroidization pattern. Vascular lesions were prominent: large vessels displayed marked intimal fibrosis and arterioles had hyaline deposits typical of hyaline arteriolosclerosis. These severe vascular lesions explained the different glomerular alterations including ischemic and obsolescent glomeruli, as is commonly observed in the so-called "benign" arteriolonephrosclerosis. Some rare glomeruli showed focal segmental glomerulosclerosis; as the patient subsequently developed nephrotic syndrome, these lesions suggest that silent ischemic changes may result in the development of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis secondary to nephron loss. CONCLUSIONS: Nephron loss may trigger glomerular sclerosis, at least in some cases of MELAS-related nephropathy. Thus the incidence of kidney disease in the "survivors" of MELAS syndrome may increase as the support therapy of these patients improves.

[Home hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis compared]. / Dialisi domiciliare sì, ma quale? Emodialisi domiciliare e dialisi peritoneale a confronto: una controversia non controversa.

The evolution of home dialysis marked the main steps in the progress of renal replacement therapy. From the origins when home hemodialysis was often the only alternative to death, to the advent and widespread use of peritoneal dialysis, the dream of kidney transplant as a solution to all problems (at least in the young), and ultimately the profound social and organizational changes that have led to a drastic reduction of home hemodialysis, we arrive at the present with the rediscovery of the clinical, rehabilitative and economic advantages of home dialysis. Seven experts from five different centers with different expertise in home dialysis report their opinions on the future of home dialysis in a ''noncontroversial controversy''. Beyond the sterile competition between peritoneal dialysis and home hemodialysis, the shared opinion is that the two methods may complement each other, allowing a tailored treatment for each patient and a tailored organization in each setting. The organizational solutions are many; the authors underline the importance of longer survival and better rehabilitation, and the ethical need of offering each patient a choice among all available treatments. Add to this the importance of dedicated educational programs targeted to physicians, nurses and patients alike and focused on self-care and patient empowerment. A new generation of dialysis machines, easier technical solutions, and financial incentives may strengthen motivations and simplify problems; all these elements may in the near future be combined in a joint effort to increase peritoneal dialysis and revive home hemodialysis in Italy.

[Rapidly progressive Alport syndrome in a young woman: case report].

Alport syndrome is a hereditary clinical condition characterized by multisystemic changes (sensorineural and ocular deafness) associated with hematuria and proteinuria. Due to its genetic variability and multiple symptoms, it is often diagnosed by chance and too late. The present work focuses on this pathology through a clinical case report. It also mentions the new therapeutic possibilities relating to this disease.

[Multiple myeloma, plasma cell dyscrasias and kidneys: a few symptoms, extensive damage].

Multiple myeloma represents one of the main universal oncological diseases. Due to its clinical characteristics, it is often diagnosed only too late, when it has already determined systemic effects; this results in greater therapeutic difficulty and worse prognostic results. Through the clinical case discussed in this article, we want to focus on the often aspecific manifestations of this pathology and on the need for a correct clinical and diagnostic framework. The main renal manifestations secondary to the deposition of immunoglobulins in both the glomerular and tubular areas will also be examined.

Green nephrology and eco-dialysis: a position statement by the Italian Society of Nephrology.

High-technology medicine saves lives and produces waste; this is the case of dialysis. The increasing amounts of waste products can be biologically dangerous in different ways: some represent a direct infectious or toxic danger for other living creatures (potentially contaminated or hazardous waste), while others are harmful for the planet (plastic and non-recycled waste). With the aim of increasing awareness, proposing joint actions and coordinating industrial and social interactions, the Italian Society of Nephrology is presenting this position statement on ways in which the environmental impact of caring for patients with kidney diseases can be reduced. Due to the particular relevance in waste management of dialysis, which produces up to 2 kg of potentially contaminated waste per session and about the same weight of potentially recyclable materials, together with technological waste (dialysis machines), and involves high water and electricity consumption, the position statement mainly focuses on dialysis management, identifying ten first affordable actions: (1) reducing the burden of dialysis (whenever possible adopting an intent to delay strategy, with wide use of incremental schedules); (2) limiting drugs and favouring "natural" medicine focussing on lifestyle and diet; (3) encouraging the reuse of "household" hospital material; (4) recycling paper and glass; (5) recycling non-contaminated plastic; (6) reducing water consumption; (7) reducing energy consumption; (8) introducing environmental-impact criteria in checklists for evaluating dialysis machines and supplies; (9) encouraging well-planned triage of contaminated and non-contaminated materials; (10) demanding planet-friendly approaches in the building of new facilities.

Calcium-phosphate and parathyroid intradialytic profiles: A potential aid for tailoring the dialysate calcium content of patients on different hemodialysis schedules.

Severe hyperparathyroidism is a challenge on hemodialysis. The definition of dialysate calcium (Ca) is a pending issue with renewed importance in cases of individualized dialysis schedules and of portable home dialysis machines with low-flow dialysate. Direct measurement of calcium mass transfer is complex and is imprecisely reflected by differences in start-to-end of dialysis Ca levels. The study was performed in a dialysis unit dedicated to home hemodialysis and to critical patients with wide use of daily and tailored schedules. The Ca-phosphate (P)-parathyroid hormone (PTH) profile includes creatinine, urea, total and ionized Ca, albumin, sodium, potassium, P, PTH levels at start, mid, and end of dialysis. "Severe" secondary hyperparathyroidism was defined as PTH > 300 pg/mL for ≥3 months. Four schedules were tested: conventional dialysis (polysulfone dialyzer 1.8-2.1 m(2) ), with dialysate Ca 1.5 or 1.75 mmol/L, NxStage (Ca 1.5 mmol/L), and NxStage plus intradialytic Ca infusion. Dosages of vitamin D, calcium, phosphate binders, and Ca mimetic agents were adjusted monthly. Eighty Ca-P-PTH profiles were collected in 12 patients. Serum phosphate was efficiently reduced by all techniques. No differences in start-to-end PTH and Ca levels on dialysis were observed in patients with PTH levels < 300 pg/mL. Conversely, Ca levels in "severe" secondary hyperparathyroid patients significantly increased and PTH decreased during dialysis on all schedules except on Nxstage (P < 0.05). Our data support the need for tailored dialysate Ca content, even on "low-flow" daily home dialysis, in "severe" secondary hyperparathyroid patients in order to increase the therapeutic potentials of the new dialysis techniques.

[Ecodialysis: first strategies to limit damages and reduce costs]. / Ecodialisi: primi consigli per limitare i danni eridurre i costi.

In the medical field, the attention to the environmental impact of industrial processes and products is still limited. In recent years there has been an increased sensitivity towards the environment; meanwhile, the economic burden of hazardous waste disposal is becoming evident. Dialysis is a "big producer" of waste and it has been estimated that disposal costs can be up to 10-40% of the cost of disposables. So there are several reasons of interest on "ecodialysis": the high amount of waste defined as "potentially hazardous", which requires a very expensive management and the recyclability potential of the non-contaminated waste, that has not yet been fully explored in dialysis. This primary study has been performed in collaboration with the Politecnico di Torino. Its aim has been to define a schedule of activities by a few brainstorming sessions. This schedule is to be readily performed or it should be developed in detail to optimize, by reducing and recycling, the waste production during the dialysis session. The discussion identified seven basic points for the eco-sustainability of haemodialysis to: [1] reduce packaging; [2] facilitate separation of materials, and [3] their discharge; [4] differentiate materials; [5] clearly highlight the potentially hazardous materials; [6] improve the recyclability of plastic products; [7] propose a path of recovery and reuse. Although a full optimization requires a close cooperation with the manufacturers and is achievable only in the long term, the reduction of one pound of potentially contaminated materials could presently lead, on a national scale, to a saving of several million euros, which can be better employed in investments to improve our treatments.

Association of low-protein supplemented diets with fetal growth in pregnant women with CKD.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Women affected by CKD increasingly choose to get pregnant. Experience with low-protein diets is limited. The aim of this study was to review results obtained from pregnant women with CKD on supplemented vegan-vegetarian low-protein diets. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS: This was a single-arm, open intervention study between 2000-2012 of a low-protein diet in pregnant patients with stages 3-5 CKD or severe proteinuria (>1 g/d in the first trimester or nephrotic at any time). Stages 3-5 CKD patients who were not on low-protein diets for clinical, psychologic, or logistic reasons served as controls. The setting was the Obstetrics-Nephrology Unit dedicated to kidney diseases in pregnancy. The treated group included 24 pregnancies--21 singleton deliveries, 1 twin pregnancy, 1 abortion, and 1 miscarriage. Additionally, there were 21 controls (16 singleton deliveries, 5 miscarriages). The diet was a vegan-vegetarian low-protein diet (0.6-0.8 g/kg per day) with keto-acid supplementation and 1-3 protein-unrestricted meals allowed per week. RESULTS: Treated patients and controls were comparable at baseline for median age (35 versus 34 years), referral week (7 versus 8), eGFR (59 versus 54 ml/min), and hypertension (43.5% versus 33.3%); median proteinuria was higher in patients on the low-protein diet (1.96 [0.1-6.3] versus 0.3 [0.1-2.0] g/d; P<0.001). No significant differences were observed in singletons with regard to gestational week (34 versus 36) or Caesarean sections (76.2% versus 50%). Kidney function at delivery was not different, but proteinuria was higher in the diet group. Incidence of small for gestational age babies was significantly lower in the diet group (3/21) versus controls (7/16; chi-squared test; P=0.05). Throughout follow-up (6 months to 10 years), hospitalization rates and prevalence of children below the third percentile were similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: Vegan-vegetarian supplemented low-protein diets in pregnant women with stages 3-5 CKD may reduce the likelihood of small for gestational age babies without detrimental effects on kidney function or proteinuria in the mother.

Which low-protein diet for which CKD patient? An observational, personalized approach.

OBJECTIVES: Low protein diets (LPDs) are milestones in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Concerns over compliance and safety limit their use. The aim of this study was to test the feasibility and main results of a multiple-choice approach to LPDs, adapted to patient preferences. METHODS: From December 2007 to January 2013, all CKD patients (stages 4/5; progressive stage 3) without contraindications (malnutrition, short life expectancy), were offered two main LPDs (proteins 0.6 g/kg daily): Vegan supplemented (LPD-KA) or with "aproteic" commercial food (LPD-ACF). LPDs followed a qualitative approach based on forbidden and allowed food; one to three free meals per week, and flexible control policy (1-3 mo). Start of dialysis, death, and combined outcome (death-dialysis) were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox model. Comparison with dialysis in patients with glomerular filtration rate (GRF) <15 mL/min, (corresponding to "early" dialysis start) employed standardized mortality rates, with respect to the Italian and the United States Dialysis Registry. RESULTS: One hundred eighty-five patients (222 patient-years) started at least a trial of LPD-KA, 122 (177 patients-years) LPD-ACF; only 3 patients with GFR <30 mL/min denied an LPD trial. Patients who chose LPD-KA were younger than those on LPD-ACF (63 versus 74 y), had less comorbidity (82% versus 93%), higher proteinuria (1.4 versus 0.7 g/d) and lower GFR (17 versus 23 mL/min) (P < 0.001). Median daily protein intake was 0.7 g/kg on both diets (Maroni-Mitch formula). The combined outcome (death or dialysis) was not influenced by the diet chosen (Cox analysis). Relative risk for death on the diet (patients with GFR <15 mL/min) was 0.5 with respect to the Italian Registry and 0.3 to the United States Dialysis Registry. The diets had comparable costs (1 y on dialysis: 50 patient-years on LPD). CONCLUSIONS: The choice of diet is strictly linked to patient characteristics, thus supporting a multiple-choice offer. Once corrected for baseline data, both LPDs led to similar results, suggesting at least survival equivalence with dialysis, at lesser cost.