Jornal brasileiro de nefrologia : 'orgao oficial de Sociedades Brasileira e Latino-Americana de Nefrologia最新文献

The increase in chronic kidney disease prevalence and its risk factors have pressured universal health systems to expand the supply of kidney replacement therapy (KRT - hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis and kidney transplantation). Particularly in low- and middle-income countries and those undergoing a fast epidemiological and demographic transition, the access to nephrology consultations and multidisciplinary care is limited, and the majority of patients start KRT in an unplanned manner or during emergency hospitalization. Even patients with adequate pre-dialysis care and elective requests for KRT are at risk of clinical decompensation and requiring hospitalization to start emergency dialysis; this risk increases the longer the delay in starting KRT. In both cases, the patient's access to an outpatient dialysis unit must be timely and the transition of care safe. There are Brazilian and international guidelines for patients who are prevalent on dialysis. However, there are no clear recommendations for regulating access to the start of outpatient KRT, which often leads to divergent opinions among healthcare professionals and contributes to the inefficiency of the regulatory process. This document aims to: (1) list the main challenges in the daily practice of the regulatory professionals in the Brazilian Unified Health System; (2) present recommendations from the Brazilian Society of Nephrology based on scientific evidence and available legislation.

Introduction: Gut dysbiosis is commonly observed in patients with diabetic kidney disease (DKD) and may contribute to its pathogenesis. Among microbial metabolites, butyrate plays a key role in regulating antioxidant proteins in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Based on this, we hypothesized that the administering probiotics to diabetic rats modulates redox status and thereby attenuates renal disease progression.

Methods: An in vivo study was performed using 15 male Wistar rats (8 weeks old, 250-300 g) randomized into three groups (n = 5/group): Control (vehicles: 0.9% saline and 0.1 M citrate, pH 4.2, i.p., on day 1), T2DM (nicotinamide 100 mg/kg, i.p., followed by streptozotocin 60 mg/kg, i.p., in 0.1 M citrate buffer, pH 4.2), and T2DM + Prob (T2DM protocol plus a multistrain probiotic-Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium bifidum, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus-1010 CFU/mL by gavage for 6 weeks). The parameters evaluated were: serum creatinine, inulin clearance, microalbuminuria, urinary and lipid peroxides, glutathione, and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2).

Results: Probiotic treatment significantly increased Nrf2 expression and glutathione levels, reduced urinary and lipid peroxidation, and-beyond attenuating oxidative stress-improved renal function, with lower serum creatinine and microalbuminuria and higher inulin clearance.

Conclusion: These findings indicate that probiotics prevented DKD progression, likely by modulating oxidative stress via the gut microbiota. These results suggest that probiotics may serve as renoprotective agents, potentially reducing DKD morbidity in T2DM.

Introduction: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive illness with high morbidity and mortality that warrants early and accurate risk stratification for optimal management. The traditional biomarkers, serum creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), are insufficient for detecting early CKD and long-term prognosis. Novel biomarkers have emerged as effective tools to complement CKD diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic monitoring.

Aim: The aim of this research was to determine the potential of novel biomarkers in CKD risk stratification and their clinical significance for improving early detection, monitoring disease progression, and developing individualized treatment strategies.

Methods: A literature review was conducted by searching the PubMed, Scopus, and Embase databases to identify studies on novel CKD biomarkers, including cystatin C, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), and specific microRNAs.

Results: Emerging evidence suggests that novel biomarkers provide superior predictive abilities compared to traditional markers. Cystatin C is more accurate in kidney function estimation, whereas NGAL and KIM-1 are markers of early kidney injury. MicroRNAs show potential in distinguishing between CKD subtypes and predicting disease progression. Clinical application of these biomarkers may enhance CKD risk stratification, allowing more targeted intervention strategies.

Conclusion: New biomarkers in CKD risk stratification represent a watershed moment in nephrology, offering improved early detection and prognostic accuracy. While promising, additional large-scale research and clinical validation are required before they can be used routinely.

Introduction: The high rate of people with chronic kidney disease on dialysis is a public health problem, especially in developing countries.

Objectives: To evaluate demographic and socioeconomic changes related to dialysis treatment in Brazil from 2002 to 2019.

Methods: This descriptive, analytical study reviewed retrospective documentary data. A comparative analysis was conducted on demographic, economic, and social trends, as well as changes in dialysis service provision in Brazil between 2002 and 2019. Correlation analysis between Municipal Human Development Index (HDI-M) and the number of dialysis units was performed.

Results: There was an increase in the percentage of the older population (5.3% vs. 9.25%) and in life expectancy at birth (70.8 vs. 75.9 years). The gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 453%; the percentage of investment in public health (below 4%) was stable and the ranking of global Human Development Index decreased (73 vs 84). The increase in the prevalence of patients on chronic maintenance dialysis was greater than the increase in the number of patients in new centers (117.3% vs. 43.9%), with fewer patients receiving treatment in the North and Northeast regions. There was a positive linear correlation between the HDI-M values and the number of dialysis units (R = 0.52; 95% CI: 0.75-0.18; p = 0.006).

Conclusion: Despite Brazil's strong economic growth and the drastic demographic changes that occurred during the study period, this progress did not translate into a higher investment in health and equitable access to dialysis treatment across the country.

Introduction: Severe hyponatremia (sodium ≤ 120 mmol/L) poses significant clinical risks, including encephalopathy and seizures, but inadvertent rapid correction may cause osmotic demyelination syndrome (ODS). Current guidelines recommend limiting sodium correction to ≤8 mmol/L per 24 hours to minimize ODS risk. However, recent studies suggest that overcorrection may not directly contribute to mortality and could even be associated with improved outcomes.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 362 patients with severe hyponatremia admitted to two Brazilian tertiary hospitals. Overcorrection was defined as a serum sodium increase >8 mmol/L in 24 hours or >18 mmol/L in 48 hours. Multivariate logistic regression and propensity score-weighted analyses were used to identify predictors and outcomes associated with overcorrection.

Results: Overcorrection occurred in 38.7% of patients whereas ODS occurred in only one patient (0.28%). Independent predictors of overcorrection included younger age, lower admission sodium levels, and higher volumes of 0.9% NaCl administered in the emergency room; cancer diagnosis and furosemide use were protective factors. Overcorrection was associated with lower in-hospital mortality and shorter hospital stays, even in propensity score-weighted multivariate analyses. However, a detailed review of mortality cases revealed no direct causal link between the rate of sodium correction and death.

Conclusion: Overcorrection of severe hyponatremia was common and associated with better clinical outcomes, without a significant increase in the risk of ODS. However, given the observational nature of this association, randomized controlled trials are needed before the current guidelines for correction rate can be reconsidered.

Introduction: Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) is effective in treating hepatitis B virus, (HBV) but has been associated with nephrotoxicity. In contrast, tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (TAF) has emerged as a safer alternative, reducing kidney exposure while maintaining antiviral efficacy. This meta-analysis evaluates improvements in kidney function following the switch from TDF to TAF.

Methods: Our study was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024565358) and included 10 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 1,179 patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We compared renal function before and after switching to TAF.

Results: Significant improvements in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were observed, indicating enhanced kidney function post-switch. The findings confirm that TAF has a superior renal safety profile compared to TDF, particularly in long-term treatments.

Conclusion: The clinical relevance of TAF for HBV patients with CKD aligns with current guideline shifts favoring TAF. Despite limitations such as high heterogeneity, this study supports TAF as a safer management strategy for HBV patients with CKD, demonstrating improved kidney outcomes and reduced nephrotoxicity risks. These findings support its broader use in clinical practice and highlight the need for further research on long-term renal outcomes.

Introduction: Central venous catheters (CVC) are often the only option for hemodialysis, particularly when arteriovenous fistulas cannot be created or in urgent situations. However, the exhaustion of traditional access sites necessitates alternative approaches. This study aims to describe our center's experience with transhepatic venous access for hemodialysis, focusing on infection rates, catheter patency, and dialysis adequacy, to evaluate the feasibility of this option in patients with limited vascular access options.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study at Pro-Rim Foundation (January 2017 - February 2024) on patients with transhepatic CVC. Clinical records were reviewed for demographics, comorbidities, CVC details, dialysis adequacy, and outcomes.

Results: A total of 24 longterm transhepatic CVCs were placed in 12 patients (58.3% male, mean age 55.9 years). The technical success rate was 100%, with no complications within 24 hours. Over 3615 catheter-days, thrombosis occurred at a rate of 0.30 per 100 catheterdays, and infection occurred at 0.08 per 100 catheter-days. The mean dialysis dose (eKt/V) was 1.29. Seven patients died during follow-up, with only one death related to vascular access complications. The mean primary and secondary catheter patency times were 162.9 and 204.0 days, respectively.

Conclusion: Our study supports transhepatic hemodialysis catheters as a viable option for patients with no other access options, showing good long-term functionality, low infection rates, and reasonable dialysis adequacy. Thrombosis remains a significant challenge, necessitating better maintenance, monitoring, and further research to improve outcomes.