Clinical nephrology最新文献

Fibrillary glomerulonephritis (FGN) is a rare glomerular disease defined by the presence of microfibrils that deposit within the glomeruli. While initially thought to be idiopathic, FGN is now recognized to be associated with infection, malignancies, and autoimmune disorders. We describe a case of biopsy-proven FGN in a patient with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and provide a review of the literature regarding the association of FGN with RA.

Aims: The mortality rate for -COVID-19 infection varies significantly depending on age and comorbidities but remains high in hospitalized patients overall. Several retrospective studies have identified patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) to be at increased risk. The objective of this study was to study in-hospital outcomes of ESKD patients at an academic medical center and identify characteristics that place them at a higher risk for in-hospital mortality.

Materials and methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted including adult patients (≥ 18 years old) admitted to Loma Linda Medical Center for COVID-19 infection with a previous diagnosis of ESKD. Patients with prior kidney transplants were excluded. The main outcome of this study was the rate of in-hospital mortality.

Results: 21 of the 91 patients died with a mortality rate of 23%. Age, D-dimer > 0.4 µg/mL, ejection fraction less than 50%, and ferritin > 300 ng/mL were predictors for mortality in unadjusted univariate analysis. Adjusted multivariable analysis demonstrated that only an ejection fraction of less than 50% was associated with increased mortality risk.

Conclusion: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality for ESKD patients and also places them at increased risk of mortality in the setting of severe COVID-19 infection.

Background: Hyperkalemia is a common complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD). This study aims to investigate the efficacy and safety of sodium zirconium cyclosilicate and calcium polystyrene sulfonate in reducing potassium in patients with acute and severe hyperkalemia in CKD who are not undergoing dialysis.

Materials and methods: A retrospective real-world study was conducted among 73 patients with non-dialysis chronic kidney disease who were hospitalized in the First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College from June 2020 to June 2022. 33 patients treated with sodium zirconium cyclosilicate were categorized as SZC group, and the other 40 patients treated with calcium polystyrene sulfonate were categorized as CPS group. Serum potassium, serum sodium, magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus levels were examined. Adverse reactions were recorded during medication.

Results: Significantly decreased serum potassium was observed in both groups, whereas the potassium reduction was higher in the SZC group than in the CPS group at 2, 4, 24, and 48 hours after medication while there was no statistically significant difference in the serum potassium level between the two groups at 72 hours. For those people whose initial potassium exceeded 6 mmol/L, the potassium reduction was more obvious in the SZC group than in the CPS group at 2 and 4 hours after medication. The control rate of hyperkalemia in the SZC group was significantly higher than in the CPS group at 4, 24, and 48 hours. No distinct change was observed in serum sodium, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus before and 72 hours after medication. No severe adverse reactions occurred.

Conclusion: Sodium zirconium cyclosilicate has a more obvious effect on reducing potassium particularly for those patients with moderate to severe hyperkalemia who need rapid potassium reduction.

Wilson disease is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder of copper metabolism that leads to copper accumulation and subsequent organ dysfunction. While classically considered a condition that primarily affects the liver and nervous system, Wilson disease and its treatments can also result in a wide range of kidney complications as well. We present the case of a 31-year-old female with a longstanding (> 10 year) history of Wilson disease who developed acute-onset nephrotic syndrome including heavy proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, and edema after being transitioned from zinc to D-penicillamine for copper chelation therapy. Following simple cessation of D-penicillamine (and without any immunosuppressive therapies including corticosteroids), the nephrotic syndrome showed remarkable improvement including complete remission within several months. This review comprehensively summarizes the kidney complications associated with Wilson disease and its treatments.

Background: Catheter malfunctions are associated with reduced blood flow and interrupted dialysis during hemodialysis.

Aim: This meta-analysis aimed to determine whether the use of urokinase to lock hemodialysis catheters can maintain their patency and prevent catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs).

Materials and methods: The PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Embase, and Chinese medical databases were searched for controlled trials of hemodialysis catheter locking using urokinase from database inception until July 15, 2021. The primary outcome was catheter malfunction, and the secondary outcomes were the peak catheter blood flow rate (Qb) and CRBSIs.

Results: Across 16 trials, 1,041 patients were randomized to receive either urokinase/urokinase mixture (treated) or heparin (control) locks once or thrice a week. Locking with urokinase alone or in combination with another substance significantly prevented catheter malfunction. The effect on Qb was significant, with that in the treated group being better than in the control group. Similarly, the incidence of CRBSIs in the treated group was lower.

Conclusion: Urokinase locking maintains catheter patency more effectively than heparin. Prophylactic locking with urokinase or urokinase mixtures reduces incidences of catheter malfunction, which ensures the smooth progression of hemodialysis and reduces patient medical costs. The results of this study have important clinical implications and will provide guidance to medical practitioners globally.

Aim: The risk of infection with COVID-19 in hemodialysis (HD) patients is higher compared to the general population. Additionally, HD patients are at higher risk of developing post-COVID-19 infection sequelae. However, this has not been thoroughly investigated. Therefore, we aimed to study the impact of COVID-19 on nutritional status and psychological health in HD patients 6 months following recovery.

Materials and methods: We recruited HD patients who were proven to be infected with COVID-19 and received treatment at two HD units in two institutions between April 2022 and December 2022. Additionally, we enrolled a group of age- and sex-matched HD patients who had not previously been infected with COVID-19 or received vaccination. Nutritional status was assessed using malnutrition inflammation score (MIS), while psychological health was assessed using online questionnaires. The Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ 9) was employed to assess symptoms of depression, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD 7) was used to identify anxiety disorders, the Patient Health Questionnaire 15 (PHQ 15) was utilized to measure somatic symptoms, and the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) was used to measure insomnia.

Results: A total of 60 subjects (30 patients and 30 controls) were assessed in the study. We found statistically significant differences between patients and controls regarding the MIS (median score (interquartile range (IQR)); 11 (9 - 12) and 5.5 (5 - 7), respectively), PHQ 15 (median score (IQR); 17.5 (15 - 19) and 9 (6 - 11), respectively), PHQ 9 (median score (IQR); 17 (13 - 19) and 5 (7 - 8), respectively), GAD 7 (median score (IQR); 14 (11 - 16) and 6 (4 - 8), respectively), and ISI (median score (IQR); 20 (15 - 22) and 8 (7 - 11), respectively), with p < 0.001 for all scores.

Conclusion: COVID-19 has long-term effects on the psychosocial health of HD patients and may lead to a higher incidence of malnutrition 6 months post recovery.

Rituximab (RTX) is the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody that has been used as the first-line therapy for primary membranous nephropathy (PMN) in recent years. However, the optimal dosing regimen and timing of RTX, or combination with other immunosuppressants, especially in patients with extremely high titers (> 1,000 RU/mL) of anti-PLA2R antibody (aPLA2R), are unclear at present. This report describes the case of a 70-year-old PMN patient with extremely high aPLA2R titer who failed to respond to very high doses of RTX. We also discuss the possible reasons for treatment failure.

It was in the philosopher's stone quest that the alchemist Hennig Brand isolated chemiluminescent white phosphorus (P), Greek for "light bearer", from urine in 1669. By 1771 phosphorus was isolated from bone, and in 1777 it was identified by Antoine Lavoisier as a highly reactive element that exists predominantly in nature as ionic phosphate (PO₄^3-) and in solution as phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄). Early 20^th century studies revealed phosphorylated biomolecules as essential components of replicative nuclear material (RNA, DNA), a metabolic source of energy (ATP), and structural components of cellular membrane (phospholipid bilayer). Life on earth began as organophosphates of a self-replicating RNA that evolved into DNA and acquired a membrane to form the original eukaryotes, which eventually joined to form multicellular organisms of the deep sea. Tissue mineralization during transition from the ocean to land generated the endoskeleton, the largest phosphorus stores of evolving vertebrates. Subsequent studies of phosphate homeostasis elucidated its complex regulatory system based on the interaction of the kidney, small intestine, bone, and parathyroid glands, orchestrated by hormones (PTH, calcitriol, FGF23, Klotho), and carried out by phosphate-specific transporters (SLC34 and SLC20 families) all to ensure adequate phosphate for survival and health. Paradoxically, kidney replacement therapy in the 1970s, by prolonging the lives of millions of individuals with kidney failure, revealed the hazards of phosphorus excess. "Phosphorus the light bearer" has become in the eyes of many nephrologists "Phosphorus the cardiovascular toxin".