[Mystery diagnosis: "the Rolling Stones' syndrome"]

We present an unusual case of a young patient regularly followed in our Chronic Renal Insufficiency ambulatory with the periodicity of 2-3 visits per year--with stabilization of his residual renal function. The patient came to the emergency department declaring abdominal pain but make a diagnosis turned out to be more complicated than we expected.

Sevelamer is cost-saving vs. calcium carbonate in non-dialysis-dependent CKD patients in italy: a patient-level cost-effectiveness analysis of the INDEPENDENT study

OBJECTIVES

To conduct a cost-effectiveness analysis of sevelamer versus calcium carbonate in patients with non-dialysis-dependent CKD (NDD-CKD) from the Italian NHS perspective using patient-level data from the INDEPENDENT-CKD study.

METHODS

Patient-level data on all-cause mortality, dialysis inception and phosphate binder dose were obtained for all 107 sevelamer and 105 calcium carbonate patients from the INDEPENDENT-CKD study. Hospitalization and frequency of dialysis data were collected post hoc for all patients via a retrospective chart review. Phosphate binder, hospitalization, and dialysis costs were expressed in 2012 euros using hospital pharmacy, Italian diagnosis-related group and ambulatory tariffs, respectively. Total life years (LYs) and costs per treatment group were calculated for the 3-year period of the study. Bootstrapping was used to estimate confidence intervals around outcomes, costs, and cost-effectiveness and to calculate the cost-effectiveness acceptability curve. A subgroup analysis of patients who did not initiate dialysis during the INDEPENDENT-CKD study was also conducted.

RESULTS

Sevelamer was associated with 0.06 additional LYs (95% CI -0.04 to 0.16) and cost savings of EUR -5,615 (95% CI -10,066 to -1,164) per patient compared with calcium carbonate. On the basis of the bootstrap analysis, sevelamer was dominant compared to calcium carbonate in 87.1% of 10,000 bootstrap replicates. Similar results were observed in the subgroup analysis. RESULTS were driven by a significant reduction in all-cause mortality and significantly fewer hospitalizations in the sevelamer group, which offset the higher acquisition cost for sevelamer.

CONCLUSIONS

Sevelamer provides more LYs and is less costly than calcium carbonate in patients with NDD-CKD in Italy.

Physical activity in chronic kidney disease: a plausible approach to vascular calcification?

Vascular calcification (VC) is a prominent feature that affects up to 40 to 80% of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) patients depending on the degree of renal impairment. Though etiology and pathogenesis of the different types of VC are far from being elucidated, it is conceivable that an imbalance between promoters and inhibitors represents the condition that triggers VC deposition and progression. In addition to traditional cardiovascular risk factors, several lines of evidence suggest that specific factors may affect the arterial system and prognosis in CKD. Over the last decade, a few pharmacological strategies aimed at controlling different selected risk factors for VC have been investigated yielding conflicting results. In light of the complicated interplay between inhibitors and promoters as well as the fact that VC represents the result of cumulative and prolonged exposure to multiple risk factors, a more comprehensive risk modification approach such as lifestyle modification or physical activity (PA) may represent a valid strategy to attenuate VC deposition and progression.We herein aim at reviewing the rationale and current evidence on the potential for lifestyle modification with a specific focus on PA as a cost-effective strategy for VC treatment.

Parathyroid hormone may be an early predictor of low serum hemoglobin concentration in patients with not advanced stages of chronic kidney disease

Background

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) has been associated with anemia only in dialysis patients with severe hyperparathyroidism. Whether an association between PTH and hemoglobin also exists in patients with chronic kidney disease not on dialysis (CKD-patients) is still unclear. In this study we evaluated the association between PTH and hemoglobin in CKD-patients without severe secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Methods

Hospitalized patients and outpatients (N = 979) were retrospectively evaluated and categorized according to PTH quartile and serum hemoglobin (<12.0, <11.0, <10.0 g/dl). Gender, diabetes, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), hemoglobin, PTH, markers of mineral metabolism, inflammation, iron status and nutrition were variables of adjustment in univariate and multivariate analysis.

Results

An inverse association (p = 0.001) was observed between PTH and hemoglobin in patients as a whole, in diabetics, and in patients with GFR ≤60 ml/min. PTH was the single predictor of low hemoglobin in patients as a whole (unstandardized beta −2.12; p = 0.005), in diabetics (unstandardized beta −8.86; p = 0.007) and in patients with GFR ≤60 ml/min (unstandardized beta −2.52; p = 0.006). For each increase of quartile of PTH the risk of having hemoglobin level <10.0 mg/dl was more than doubled [hazard ratio (HR) 2.79, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 2.00–3.88; p = 0.001]. The receiver operating characteristic curve showed that PTH ≥122 pg/ml had 67 % sensitivity and 75 % specificity in predicting hemoglobin level <10.0 g/dl with area under the curve of 0.758 (95 % CI 0.73–0.78).

Conclusions

This study shows a significant inverse association between PTH and hemoglobin levels across the whole spectrum of non-dialysis CKD and a doubled risk of having serum hemoglobin <10.0 mg/dl in the absence of severely deranged PTH concentration. These findings may have clinical relevance in ascertaining the cause of unexplained low hemoglobin levels in CKD-patients.

Very low-protein diet plus ketoacids in chronic kidney disease and risk of death during end-stage renal disease: a historical cohort controlled study

BACKGROUND

Very low-protein intake during chronic kidney disease (CKD) improves metabolic disorders and may delay dialysis start without compromising nutritional status, but concerns have been raised on a possible negative effect on survival during dialysis. This study aimed at evaluating whether a very low-protein diet during CKD is associated with a greater risk of death while on dialysis treatment.

METHODS

This is an historical, cohort, controlled study, enrolling patients at dialysis start previously treated in a tertiary nephrology clinic with a very low-protein diet supplemented with amino acids and ketoacids (s-VLPD group, n = 184) or without s-VLPD [tertiary nephrology care (TNC) group, n = 334] and unselected patients [control (CON) group, n = 9.092]. The major outcome was survival rate during end-stage renal disease associated to s-VLPD treatment during CKD. The propensity score methods and Cox regression model were used to match groups at the start of dialysis to perform survival analysis and estimate adjusted hazard ratio (HR).

RESULTS

In s-VLPD, TNC and CON groups, average age was 67.5, 66.0 and 66.3 years, respectively (P = 0.521) and male prevalence was 55, 55 and 62%, respectively (P = 0.004). Diabetes prevalence differed in the three groups (P < 0.001), being 18, 17 and 31% in s-VLPD, CON and TNC, respectively. A different prevalence of cardiovascular (CV) disease was found (P < 0.001), being similar in TNC and CON (31 and 25%) and higher in s-VLPD (41%). Median follow-up during renal replacement therapy (RRT) was 36, 32 and 36 months in the three groups. Adjusted HR estimated on matched propensity patients was 0.59 (0.45-0.78) for s-VLPD versus CON. Subgroup analysis showed a lower mortality risk in s-VLPD versus matched-CON in younger patients (<70 years) and those without CV disease. No significant difference in HRs was found between s-VLPD and TNC.

CONCLUSION

s-VLPD during CKD does not increase mortality in the subsequent RRT period.

[The devil teaches us his tricks... and also how to hide them]

Spontaneous ureteric ruptures is a rare condition [1]and bilateral ureteric rupture is even more uncommon. Few cases are described in the literature in which bilateral ureteric rupture is associated to dermatomyositis [2]or to intra-arterial contrast medium application for infrarenal aortic stent placement [3]. We discuss here a case of bilateral ureteric rupture in a 74-year-old man with bladder cancer, presenting oliguric acute kidney failure and a light abdominal pain.

[An unusual case of acute kidney insufficiency]

Acute aortic dissection (AAD) is a life-threatening condition with high morbidity and mortality, that involves renal arteries in at least 5-10% so leading to renal ischemia and insufficiency. AAD presenting with anuria and the necessity of renal replacement therapy occurs rarely. Here we describe a case of a hypertensive and obese patient presenting with anuria and acute kidney injury, who underwent to hemodialysis and later was diagnosed with aortic dissection. Through this case, we underline the importance of considering AAD as an important differential in patients with a long history of uncontrolled hypertension presenting with anuria.

Does Vascular Calcification Correlate with Pulse Wave Velocity in Hemodialysis Patients?

Vascular calcifications have been previously shown to be an independent predictor of mortality in dialysis patients and a similar association has been shown for arterial stiffness. Nonetheless, the relationship between vascular calcifications and pulse wave velocity (PWV) have so far been little explored. The goal of this study is to verify the correlation among vascular calcifications and rigidity of arterial wall in patients at dialysis start. Accordingly, we investigated the association between aortic PWV and coronary calcification measured by computed tomography (TC-score) in 105 adult incident hemodialysis patients. PWV resulted increased in patients with the higher TC-score values; indeed, at univariate analysis PWV directly correlated with age (p=0.016), presence of diabetes (p<0.0001), serum phosphorus (p=0.0066), C-reactive protein (CRP) (p=0.046), LDL-cholesterol (p=0.043), TC-score (p<0.0001), and inversely correlated with systolic blood pressure (p=0.036). At multivariate analysis, age, diabetes, serum phosphorus, CRP, LDL-cholesterol and vascular calcifications were determinants of arterial stiffening. Using the table “two for two”, we showed 6 false negative patients (high TC-score and low PWV) and 12 false positive patients (low TC-score and high PWV). The sensibility was 76% and the specificity 85%; the accuracy was 83%, the predictor positive value was 61% and the predictor negative value was 92%. Overall, a strong association between TC-score and PWV was seen.

[Inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system in HIV nephropathy]

It is estimated that 1-2 % of patients starting dialysis suffers from kidney disease associated with HIV infection. HIV-associated nephropathy ( HIVAN ) develops in about 10% of people living with HIV , with different preference for Blacks and Hispanics . Since the beginning of large-scale use of antiretroviral therapy (ART), the HIVAN has been characterized by a rapid decline in renal function , with progression to ESRD ( End - Stage Renal Disease ). Aside from HIV direct damage to the nephron, numerous experimental observations support the argument that the agiotensina II contributes to the podocytes damage. Treatment with ACE - inhibitors (ACE - Is) , as well as the one with angiotensin receptor blockers ( ARBs), may attenuate the decline in renal function in HIVAN . However, clinical data on the effects of these antihypertensive agents in HIV-infected individuals are still scarce and doubts have yet to be adequately addressed. In the following, we analyze the studies that have investigated the use of ACE -Is and ARBs in the treatment of hypertension and albuminuria in patients with HIVAN.

[Phosphate control in end stage renal disease: barriers and opportunities. Malnutrition: yes or not?]

The fear of malnutrition, caused by the low-protein diet, conditions in an inappropriate use of a useful nutrition therapy in Chronic Kidney Disease. Often malnutrition is due to reduced intake of energy, because a low (or very low) protein proper diet with adequate amount of calories (30-35 cal/kg bw/day). We analyze the positive aspects of the low-protein diet for optimal control of hypertension, hyperphosphatemia, anemia, and proteinuria that is the goal of pharmacological management Chronic Kidney Disease patients.

[Hemodialysis improves the subendocardial viability ratio]

The subendocardial viability ratio (SEVR), a parameter introduced by Buckberg, represents a non-invasive measure of myocardial perfusion related to left ventricular work. AIM. The aim of this study was to verify if dialysis may determine modifications of SEVR and how these modifications are modulated in the 2-day interdialytic period. METHODS.We studied 54 subjects of mean age 6314 years and receiving dialysis for 3215 months. Exclusion criteria were diabetes, resistant hypertension and peripheral vascular diseases and intradialytic hypotension evidenced during the study dialysis session. Pulse wave velocity and SEVR assessments were performed during the third dialysis session of the week, before (pre-HD) and after (post-HD) dialysis, in 2-day interdialytic period after and at the beginning of the following dialysis session. RESULTS.Dialysis reduces PWV, in particular the tertile with the lowest PWV presents the highest percentage reduction (-26%) compared with the second and the third tertiles. In the same way, dialysis leads to an increase of SEVR and patients in the tertile with the highest SEVR values maintain high SEVR values during dialysis and in the interdialytic period. Patients with severe vascular calcifications present higher PWV value and lower SEVR value. CONCLUSIONS.The results of present study demonstrate that ultrafiltration improves PWV (with a mean reduction of 16%) and SEVR (increase of 13%) and that the severity of vascular calcifications influences the effect of ultrafiltration on these two parameters. More studies are certainly necessary to verify our findings. Considered the higher mortality of patients with higher SEVR, it would be important to understand if new dialytic strategies are needed in patients with higher PVW and lower SEVR values.