Evaluation of Hypertension, Proteinuria, and Abnormalities of Body Weight in Italian Adolescents Participating in the World Kidney Days

INTRODUCTION

World Kidney Day (WKD) was promoted by the Italian Kidney Foundation and the Italian Society of Nephrology for raising awareness, detection, prevention, and treatment of kidney diseases. The Italian WKD focused on the "School Project" by screening students attending the fifth year of high school. The main goal of the "School Project" was to assess in healthy adolescents the presence of hypertension (HTN) and proteinuria; as well as to evaluate potential interrelations between overweight, obesity (both measured with different anthropometric methods), blood pressure (BP) levels, and proteinuria. The ancillary goal was to have an estimate of awareness on some nephrology topics.

METHODS

The study population consisted of 17- to 19-year-old students. HTN was defined as systolic BP (SBP) ≥140 mm Hg and/or diastolic BP (DBP) ≥90 mm Hg. Isolated systolic hypertension (ISH) was defined as SBP ≥140 mm Hg and DBP <90 mm Hg; isolated diastolic hypertension as SBP <140 mm Hg and DBP ≥90 mm Hg; systolic and diastolic hypertension as SBP ≥140 mm Hg and DBP ≥90 mm Hg; pre-hypertension as SBP >120 mm Hg but <140 mm Hg or DBP >80 mm Hg but <90 mm Hg; and optimal BP as SBP ≤120 mm Hg and DBP ≤80 mm Hg. Urine tests were performed with a dipstick; the subjects were regarded as proteinuric when the urine dipstick was positive (proteinuria ≥30 mg/dL). Body weight, height, and waist circumference (WC) were measured; body mass index (BMI), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), and conicity index (Ci) were calculated. According to the BMI, the following classifications were adopted: underweight (<18.5 kg/m2), normal weight (18.5-24.9 kg/m2), overweight (25-29.9 kg/m2), class-I obesity (30-34.9 kg/m2), class-II obesity (35-39.9 kg/m2), class-III obesity (≥40 kg/m2).

RESULTS

Data from 12,125 students (45.6% males) were evaluated. HTN was found in 1,349 participants (11.1%; 61.1% male), and ISH was present in 7.4%. Overweight (24.1%) and class-I (6%), -II (3.6%), and -III (1%) obesity were present in hypertensive participants. Compared to participants with normal BP, hypertensive participants had a higher BMI (p < 0.001), WC (p < 0.001), and WHtR (p < 0.001); whereas the Ci was not different (p = 0.527). Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that both WC and BMI were predictors of abnormal SBP and DBP (p < 0.001) both in males and females. Proteinuria was present in 14.8, 13.8, 14.7, and 14.7% of all normal weight, overweight, obese, and all subjects, respectively. In addition, no association was found between body weight, proteinuria, and BP.

CONCLUSION

This study shows that overweight and obesity were significantly associated to HTN in Italian adolescents. BMI and WC were predictors of SBP and DBP. The occurrence of proteinuria was quite similar to that of HTN, but it was not associated with anthropometric indicators or HTN.

[Economic impact of kidney patients with sepsis in hospital setting]

Introduction: Over the last decades, sepsis has become a real medical emergency, with a high mortality rate and often requiring admission to an intensive care unit. An increasing number of CKD patients contracts sepsis due to several clinical risk factors (use of catheters, immunosuppressive therapy, comorbidity, etc.) and is treated in Nephrology wards, generating additional costs that are not covered by hospital Diagnosis Related Groups (DRG) reimbursement. The aim of the study is to evaluate the costs of sepsis in one Nephrology Unit and to detect the mortality rate of CKD patients with sepsis. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study on a cohort of CKD patients admitted into one Nephrology Unit in 2017. CKD inpatients were divided in two groups: patients with sepsis (SP) and without (control group). Socio-demographic, clinical and therapeutic data, as well as routine biochemistry, were collected through a "sepsis form". SP were identified thanks to hospital discharge records (HDR). The hospital-related costs of a SP were obtained by summing up: (1) the average cost of an inpatient day of care for the average length of stay in the Nephrology Unit; (2) the average cost of the antimicrobial therapy, as recorded on the clinical folder. Results: Among the 408 CKD inpatients, 61 were septic. The overall average cost of a SP was 23.087,57 €; the average cost of the hospital stay and of the antimicrobial therapy was 19.364,98 € and 3.722,60 € respectively. The average length of stay in the Nephrology Unit was 16.7 days. The in-hospital mortality rate was 41.7%, with a 312% additional mortality rate. Conclusions: SP had an overall average cost three times higher than CKD inpatients without sepsis (9.290,79 €). This additional cost was due to a longer hospital stay (8.7 days more on average) and a higher cost of antimicrobial therapy per case (€ 221,24). A national multi-centre study is needed to confirm our data and to promote an adjustment of reimbursement tariff for DRG-sepsis, which is now applicable only to an ICU setting.

Neoplasms and renal transplantation: impact of gender, comorbidity and age on in-hospital mortality. A retrospective study in the region Emilia-Romagna of Italy

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the relationship between cancer, non-immunologic comorbidity, estimated by International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codification, gender and in-hospital mortality (IHM) in a large sample of renal transplant recipients (RTRs) living in the region Emilia-Romagna (RER) of Italy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We evaluated IHM in RTRs admitted between 2000 and 2013 recorded in the RER database. By using ICD-9-CM codes, the Elixhauser index (EI) was calculated, and cancers were identified and classified as skin cancers (SC), solid organ cancers (SOC) and post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD). IHM was the dependent variable of the multivariate models, while age, gender, EI corrected removing the effect of malignancies (cEI), and different types of cancer were the independent ones.

RESULTS

During the examined period, a total of 9,063 admissions in 3,648 RTRs were recorded, of whom 117 died (3.2%). The mean age was 52.9±13.1 years. Cancers were reported in 580 admissions (6.4%), and mean cEI was 3.5±3.4. Deceased RTRs were older, had a higher prevalence of PTLD and SOC, and had a higher cEI than survivors. IHM was independently associated with (in decreasing order) PTLD (OR 12.431, 95%CI 5.834-26.489, p<0.001), SOC (OR 6.804, 95%CI 4.323-10.707, p<0.001), female gender (OR 1.633, 95%CI 1.057-2.523, p=0.006), cEI (OR 1.106, 95%CI 1.068-1.145, p<0.001), and age (OR 1.049, 95%CI 1.031-1.068, p<0.001) CONCLUSIONS: Cancer, in particular SOC and PTLD, is strongly associated with IHM in RTRs. On the other hand, rather surprisingly, female gender exhibited a stronger association with IHM than other more expected factors, such as comorbidity and age.

Takotsubo syndrome and dialysis: an uncommon association?

This review was performed to investigate the association between treatment with dialysis and Takotsubo syndrome in patients with end-stage renal disease. We systematically explored the PubMed database using the search terms "Takotsubo cardiomyopathy" and/or "stress-induced cardiomyopathy" and/or "Takotsubo syndrome" in combination with "dialysis" and "uremia." Of 3630 articles found, 8 articles reporting 10 cases were selected for analysis. Most patients were women, and their age ranged from 51 to 84 years. Diabetes mellitus and hypertension were diagnosed in 40% of patients, and glomerular disease was diagnosed in 30%. One only patient was treated with peritoneal dialysis; all others were treated with hemodialysis. The outcome was unfavorable in only one patient. An association between Takotsubo syndrome and dialysis is uncommon, but not negligible, and comorbidities play a major role in determining the clinical outcome.

[Challenges and results of the PIRP project (Prevenzione della Insufficienza Renale Progressiva) of the Emilia-Romagna Region]

The PIRP project was conceived in 2004; with the aim to face the increased prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) associated with the aging and increased survival of the population. The first phase of the project consisted of training primary care physicians to identify people at risk of CKD and to implement intervention strategies that proved to be effective in preventing CKD it or delaying its progression once it is established. In the second phase of the project, dedicated ambulatories were opened in the nephrology units of Emilia-Romagna hospitals to provide an in-depth assessment and personalized care to CKD patients, following them up until renal failure or death or referring them back to general practitioners, according to the study protocol. A web-based registry was implemented to collect demographic and clinical data on PIRP patients. As of 30 June 2018, the registry included 26.211 CKD patients, with a median follow-up of 24.5 months. Over the 14 years of the PIRP the mean age of incident patients increased from 71.0 years to 74.2 years and the mean eGFR increased from 30.56 to 36.52 mL/min/1.73 m ², proving that the project was successful in recruiting older patients with a better renal function. At 5 years, the percentage of patients still active in the project was =45%.The implementation of the project has seen a reduction in the number of patients arriving every year to the dialysis treatment in E-R (about 100 units less from 2006 to 2016). The PIRP cohort is the largest in Italy and in Europe, which makes it ideal for research based on international comparisons and as a model for national registries.

Radiological Features of Dialysis Amyloid Spondyloarthropathy

Nine patients undergoing regular dialytic treatment (RDT) for more than 60 months (mean 125± 33 months) showed clinical and radiological evidence of non-infective destructive spondyloarthropathy (DSA). The cervical spine was the skeletal segment most affected (100% of cases). Three patients were found also to be suffering from discal and bone alterations of the dorsal column, and in two other patients the vertebral bodies L4-L5 were changed. Typical radiological pictures showed a narrowing of intervertebral spaces with the destruction or sclerosis of adjacent subchondral bones, erosions of vertebral body plates and cavitations. CT studies of the altered spines confirmed discal lesions and osteolytic areas with bone condensation at each level. Ligamentous lesions resulting in severe disorders of spinal statics were discovered during autopsy of three patients. Histological study of disc and peridiscal ligaments indicated the presence of large amyloid deposits containing beta-2-microglobulin (B2-m). It is possible that the minor biocompatibility of the cuprophan membrane of dialyzers is the most significant factor responsible for the hyperproduction of B2-m and thus of the osteo-articular deposition of a new type of amyloidosis.

Clinical and Radiological Features of Bone Disease in Long-Term (15 or more years) Hemodialysis Patients

Fifteen patients on regular dialytic treatment for more than 15 years were given X-rays of the skull, spine, shoulders, wrists, pelvis and knees with the purpose of studying the principal skeletal and articular alterations due or not due to the uraemic status. Serum calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone, alkaline phosphatase and basal aluminium were recorded. Osteopenia was evident in all the patients. Ten of whom (67%) showed alterations due to hyperparathyroidism. Nine patients presented the marks of dialysis spondyloarthropathy; in 14/15 cases geodes were present in the wrists, humeral heads or hip-joints; in ten patients there were multiple amyloid lesions. Two patients with serum basal aluminum above 100 μg/L showed the typical radiographic marks of osteomalacia. The majority of the long-term survivors showed multifactorial osteo-articular alterations resulting mainly from the combination of hyperparathyroidism and dialysis-related amyloidosis. The less frequent joint alterations were represented by arthrosis, enthesopathy and Chondrocalcinosis. Disability and decreased articular mobility resulted in being mainly due to amyloid osteo-arthropathy.

Body mass index and metabolic syndrome impact differently on major clinical events in renal transplant patients

OBJECTIVE

Kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) are bound to develop cardiovascular disease (CVD), and obesity represents a well-known risk factor for CVD. It has been reported that the metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a frequent finding in KTRs, and MetS could develop even if body mass index (BMI) is only mildly increased. We compared the impact of BMI and MetS on the development of major clinical events (MCEs) in a cohort of 107 KTRs during a follow-up of 63 ± 31 months.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Clinical characteristics were recorded at the time of enrollment and patients were classified on the basis of MCEs development. In a Cox model, MCEs were the dependent variable while age, sex, history of CVD, glomerular filtration rate, length of dialysis pre-transplantation, BMI classes and diagnosis of MetS were independent variables. Patients were classified into 3 groups: normal (BMI < 25 kg/m2), overweight (BMI of 25 to 30 kg/m2) and obese (BMI > 30 kg/m2).

RESULTS

During follow-up, 55 MCEs were recorded: 16 patients died (15%), 19 (18%) had major cardiovascular events (CVEs), and 20 (19%) started dialysis due to graft failure. KTRs who had MCEs (n = 42) were older, had a lower renal function, longer dialysis vintage pre-transplantation, higher prevalence of history of CVD and higher BMI than those without MCEs. Cox regression analysis showed that length of dialysis pre-transplantation, renal function, previous CVD, and BMI classes (overweight and obesity) were related to MCEs.

CONCLUSIONS

BMI, but not MetS, predicted MCEs in KTRs as well as non-traditional CVD risk factors such as length of dialysis pre-transplantation and graft function. Thus, a simple evaluation during clinic visits could identify KTRs at high risk for MCEs.

Renal Transplantation and Outcome

Emergency surgery represents an independent risk factor for death and postoperative complications. The aim of this study was to investigate the literature data regarding outcome of daytime or nighttime renal transplantation surgery. Relevant papers, focused on renal transplantation surgery, time of the day, and complications, were searched across the PubMed database. We used the following search terms: “renal”, “transplantation”, “surgery”, “daytime”, “nighttime”, and “outcome”. A total of five papers, including 6,991 adult patients were evaluated. All patients received renal transplantation from deceased donor. Daytime or nighttime surgery do not seem to negatively impact on graft survival in renal transplantation. However, two out five studies reported higher odds of complications after nighttime operation. Since it is not possible to predict the availability of a deceased donor, nighttime surgery remains a valid option when necessary, maybe deserving a higher level of caution to reduce or avoid complications.

Impact of comorbidity on outcome in kidney transplant recipients: a retrospective study in Italy

The aim of this study was to relate in-hospital mortality (IHM), cardiovascular events (CVEs) and non-immunologic comorbidity evaluated on the basis of International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codification, in Italian kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). We evaluated IHM and admissions due to CVEs between 2000 and 2013 recorded in the database of the region Emilia Romagna. The Elixhauser score was calculated for evaluation of non-immunologic comorbidity. Three main outcomes (i.e. IHM, admission due to major CVEs and combined outcome) were the dependent variables of the multivariate models, while age, gender and Elixhauser score were the independent ones. During the examined period, a total of 9063 admissions in 3648 KTRs were recorded; 1945 patients were males (53.3 %) and 1703 females (46.7 %) and the mean age was 52.9 ± 13.1 years. The non-immunological impaired status of the KTRs, examined by the Elixhauser score, was 3.88 ± 4.29. During the 14-year follow-up period, IHM for any cause was 3.2 % (n = 117), and admissions due to CVEs were 527 (5.8 %). Age and comorbidity were independently associated with CVEs, IHM and the combined outcome. Male gender was independently associated with IHM and combined outcome, but not with CVEs. Evaluation of non-immunological comorbidity is important in KTRs and identification of high-risk patients for major clinical events could improve outcome. Moreover, comorbidity could be even more important in chronic kidney disease patients who are waiting for a kidney transplant.

Lack of a “Weekend Effect” for Renal Transplant Recipients

The “weekend (WE) effect” defines the association between WE hospital admissions and higher rate of mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between WE effect and renal transplant recipients (RTRs) using the database of the Emilia-Romagna region (ERR), Italy. We included ERR admissions of RTRs ( International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification [ ICD-9-CM] code V420) between 2000 and 2013. In-hospital mortality, admissions due to cardiovascular events (CVEs), and the Elixhauser score were evaluated on the basis of ICD-9-CM codification. Out of 9063 hospital admissions related to 3648 RTRs (mean age 53 ± 13 years, 62.9% male), 1491 (16.5%) were recorded during the WE. During the follow-up period, 1581 (17.4%) patients deceased and 366 (4%) had CVEs. Length of hospital stay (LOS) was 9.7 ± 12.1 days. Logistic regression analysis showed that only LOS was independently associated with WE admissions (odds ratio: 1594, confidence interval: 1.385-1.833; P < .001). Renal transplant recipients are not exposed to higher risk of adverse outcome during WE admissions. However, WE admissions were characterized by an increased duration of hospitalization.

[Muscle-wasting in end stage renal disease in dialysis treatment: a review]

Progressive and generalized loss of muscle mass (muscle wasting) is a frequent complication in dialysis patients. Common uremic signs and symptoms such as insulin-resistance, increase in glucocorticoid activity, metabolic acidosis, malnutrition, inflammation and dialysis per se contribute to muscle wasting by modulating proteolytic intracellular mechanisms (ubiquitin-proteasome system, activation of caspase-3 and IGF-1/PI3K/Akt pathway). Since muscle wasting is associated with an increase in mortality, bone fractures and worsening in life quality, a prompt and personalised diagnostic and therapeutic approach seems to be essential in dialysis patients. At present, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), computed tomography (CT), dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), impedance analysis, bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA) and anthropometric measurements are the main tools used to assess skeletal muscle mass. Aerobic and anaerobic training programmes and treatment of uremic complications reduce muscle wasting and increase muscle strength in uremic patients. The present review analyses the most recent data about the physiopathology, diagnosis, therapy and future perspectives of treatment of muscle wasting in dialysis patients.

Pears and renal stones: possible weapon for prevention? A comprehensive narrative review

Urinary stones have been recognized as a human disease since dawn of history and treatment of this condition is reported by Egyptian medical writings. Also, pears have a very long history, being one of the earliest cultivated fruit trees and also known for medicinal use. Urinary tract stone formation represents a common condition and also a significant burden for health care service, due also to possible frequent relapses. Furthermore, urinary stones have been reported to have relationship with different metabolic derangements, and appropriate diet could contribute to avoid or reduce urinary stone formation. Citrate is an inhibitor of crystal growth in the urinary system, and hypocitraturia represents a main therapeutical target in stone formers. Pears contain a significant amount of malic acid, a precursor of citrate, and have antioxidant activity as well. A diet supplemented with pears, and associated with low consumption of meat and salt could impact positively cardiometabolic risk and urinary tract stone formation. However, very few studies evaluated the impact of pears utilization on health, and none on urinary tract stone formation in particular. High content in malate could warrant protection against stone formation, avoiding patients at high risk to be compelled to assume a considerable and expensive amount of pills.

A possible relationship between renal impairment and complications development in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a prospective, observational study in Italy

BACKGROUND

We investigated the relationship between complications development and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), in a cohort of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) outpatients.

METHODS

This observational study considered 1284 T2DM outpatients, who had been followed-up for 4.5 ± 1.6 years. eGFR was estimated using Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equation. The independent relationship between development of complications and clinical data was evaluated, and hazard ratio (HR) by Cox regression analysis calculated.

RESULTS

Mean age of the population was 66.8 ± 10.4 years; mean serum creatinine and eGFR were 1.05 ± 0.36 mg/dl and 71.6 ± 21.6 ml/min/1.73 m(2), respectively. Complications including death (14.2% of the whole population) were recorded in 504 subjects (39.3%). Patients with complications were older and more frequently male with history of hypertension, coronary heart disease, congestive heart disease, retinopathy, nephropathy and had higher levels of glycated hemoglobin. At Cox regression analysis, eGFR was the major risk factor for development of complications, and the HR increased according with lower eGFR (HR 1.53 and 1.86, for eGFR<45 and<30 ml/min/1.73 m(2), respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

In our cohort of T2DM outpatients, a reduced eGFR was associated with an increased risk of complications development.

[Rhabdomyolysis: role of the nephrologist]

Rhabdomyolysis is characterized by skeletal muscle necrosis resulting in release of large amounts of toxic muscle cell components, including electrolytes, myoglobin, and other sarcoplasmic proteins into circulation. Creatinine phosphokinase (CPK) and myoglobin serum levels constitute the diagnostic hallmark. Nowadays, drugs have become one of the most frequent cause of rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney injury (AKI) is a potential life-threatening complication. The mechanisms involved in the development of AKI in rhabdomyolysis are intrarenal vasoconstriction, direct and ischemic tubule injury and tubular obstruction. According to some clinical series, the mortality rate in patients who develop AKI due to rhabdomyolysis is highly variable. The cornerstone in managing this condition is the early, aggressive repletion of fluids. The composition of replacement fluid remains controversial. Saline and sodium bicarbonate, especially in patients with metabolic acidosis, seem to be a reasonable approach. When AKI produces refractory hyperkalemia, acidosis or volume overload, renal replacement therapy is indicated.

[Vascular calcification in chronic kidney disease]

Cardiovascular risk is higher in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) or with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) than general population because in addition to the traditional cardiovascular (CV ) risk factors, CKD patients also have others non-traditional CV risk factors linked to CKD. Among these factors, presence and progression of coronary calcifications (CAC) are considered very important in CKD or ESRD patients in recent years. A number of noninvasive imaging methods are available to detect the presence, extent and progression of CAC. In this review, we discuss the importance of CAC as non-traditional CV risk factors in CKD patients and the noninvasive methods most frequently used to assess CAC.