Impact of chronic renal insufficiency on the early and late clinical outcomes of carotid artery stenting using serum creatinine vs glomerular filtration rate

Assessment of hydroxychloroquine blood levels in Sjögren's disease patients: drug adherence and clinical associations

Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) has been used to treat Sjögren's disease (SjD) patients. However, there are no studies evaluating drug adherence through HCQ blood levels, pharmacy refill (PR) and medication adherence questionnaires. The relationship of HCQ blood levels with glandular/extraglandular disease parameters was also poorly assessed. This cross-sectional observational study included 74 adult SjD patients, who were receiving a stable HCQ dose (4-5.5 mg/kg/day, actual weight) for at least 3 months before study inclusion. HCQ blood levels were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Adherence was assessed by PR and Medida de Adesão aos Tratamentos (MAT) questionnaire. The following parameters were evaluated: Xerostomia Inventory, Ocular Surface Disease Index, EULAR (European League Against Rheumatism) Sjögren's Syndrome Disease Activity Index, EULAR Sjögren's Syndrome Patient Reported Index, Schirmer's I test and non-stimulated/stimulated salivary flow rates. HCQ blood levels were 775.3(25.0-2,568.6)ng/mL. Eleven patients (14.9%) had HCQ blood levels < 200ng/mL (non-adherent group); 11(14.9%), 200-499ng/mL (sub-therapeutic levels group); and 52(70.2%), ≥ 500ng/mL (adherent group). PR classified incorrectly all non-adherent/sub-therapeutic patients and 2/52(3.9%) adherent patients. Using MAT, the overall misclassification was 24/52(46.2%) in the adherent group, and were correctly identified 9/11(81.8%) patients in non-adherent and 7/11(63.6%) in sub-therapeutic groups. MAT sensitivity and specificity to identify non-adherent/sub-therapeutic patients were 72.7% and 53.9%, respectively. The three groups were comparable regarding glandular/extraglandular disease parameters (p > 0.05). The assessment of HCQ blood levels is a promising tool for evaluating drug adherence in SjD. This is particularly crucial as one-third of patients exhibited non-adherence/sub-therapeutic levels, and neither PR nor MAT reliably identified these patients.

Effect of preoperative asymptomatic renal dysfunction on the clinical course after colectomy for colon cancer

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effect of mild renal dysfunction on the clinical course after colectomy in patients with colon cancer.

METHODS

The subjects of this retrospective study were 263 patients who underwent surgical resection for colon cancer at our hospital between 2011 and 2015. Renal function was assessed based on preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) values. Patients were divided into groups based on their eGFR value of 55 ml/min/1.73 m². The Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square or Fisher exact test, and log-rank test were used in the data analysis.

RESULTS

There were 59 patients (22.4%) in the low eGFR group and 204 patients in the normal eGFR group. There were differences between the groups in age, comorbidities, and the levels of hemoglobin, albumin, and serum creatinine. The overall postoperative complication rate, frequency of severe complications, and length of stay were significantly higher in the low eGFR group than in the normal eGFR group. Multivariate analysis revealed that low eGFR was the only independent risk factor for severe complications (Clavien-Dindo classification III/IV). There were no differences in survival between the groups.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative asymptomatic renal dysfunction may be correlated with the development of postoperative complications and a possible significant risk factor for severe complications after colon cancer surgery.

Hydroxychloroquine blood levels in stable lupus nephritis under low dose (2-3 mg/kg/day): 12-month prospective randomized controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

The American Academy of Ophthalmology (2016-AAO) recommended hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) dose not to exceed 5 mg/kg/day (real body weight). Recently, it was reported that prescribed 2016-AAO dose provided adequate HCQ levels for most lupus nephritis (LN) patients, with low flare risk. However, the minimum HCQ dose required to keep adequate levels is unknown.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate if a further reduction in 2016-AAO dose (2-3 mg/kg/day) would sustain 12-month HCQ levels in LN patients with stable inactive disease.

METHODS

Seventy-three stable LN patients under prescribed full HCQ 2016-AAO dose for ≥6 months and adequate baseline HCQ levels (≥613.5 ng/mL) were divided in two groups: reduced 2016-AAO dose (2-3 mg/kg/day), n = 32, and full 2016-AAO dose (5 mg/kg/day), n = 41. All patients were assessed at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months. HCQ levels were measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Flare was defined as augment ≥ 3 in SLE Disease Activity Index-2000 and/or change in treatment. Rigorous clinical/laboratorial surveillance was performed.

RESULTS

Prospective evaluation revealed for reduced 2016-AAO dose group a decrease of HCQ levels from baseline to 3 months (1,404.9 ± 492.0 vs. 731.6 ± 385.0 ng/mL, p < 0.01), and sustained levels at 6 months (p = 0.273) and 12 months (p = 0.091) compared to 3 months. For the full 2016-AAO dose group, a decrease occurred only from baseline to 12 months (1343.5 ± 521.5 vs. 991.6 ± 576.3 ng/mL, p < 0.001). Frequencies of patients with inadequate levels at 6 months was higher in reduced 2016-AAO group than full 2016-AAO dose (59% vs. 24%, p = 0.005), as well as at 12 months (66% vs. 32%, p = 0.002). Six-month and 12-month flare frequencies were comparable for both groups (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Prescribed HCQ low-dose regimen (2-3 mg/kg/day) does not sustain, for most patients, 6- and 12-month adequate HCQ levels. Full 2016-AAO dose maintained HCQ levels way above this limit.

TRAIL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov : NCT03122431, registered on April 20, 2017 Key Points • Reduced American Academy of Ophthalmology (2016-AAO) hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) dose (2-3 mg/kg/day, real body weight) is unable to sustain HCQ blood levels within the safe cut-off defined for flare risk. • Full 2016-AAO dose (5 mg/kg/day) maintains a safe pattern of HCQ levels up to 12 months.

The influence of obesity on hydroxychloroquine blood levels in lupus nephritis patients

INTRODUCTION

In 2016 the American Academy of Ophthalmology(2016-AAO) recommended a maximum daily HCQ use of 5.0 mg/kg real body weight(RBW) taking into consideration minimizing eye toxicity. Retinopathy in systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE) patients was recently associated with obesity and this condition is progressively more common in these patients. However, the impact of obesity in HCQ blood levels remains controversial.

OBJECTIVE

To determine if the 2016-AAO recommendation based on RBW with and without maximum daily dose restriction results in adequate and safe blood levels in obese lupus nephritis(LN) patients.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was performed with 108 LN patients under the prescribed 2016-AAO dose for at least 3 months. LN patients were assessed for demographic characteristics, body mass index(BMI), disease parameters, HCQ dose, concomitant treatment and HCQ blood levels measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Obesity was defined as BMI ≥30kg/m².

RESULTS

Obesity was identified in 35/108(32%) LN patients. The calculation of HCQ daily dosage revealed that obese patients were under a lower prescribed daily dose according to the real body weight (RBW) [4.4(2.9-5.4) vs. 4.9(4-5.5)mg/Kg/day, p < 0.001] due to the maximum limit used. Regardless of that the median of HCQ blood levels was significantly higher in obese compared to non-obese patients (1562 ± 548.6 vs. 1208 ± 448.9 ng/mL, p = 0.002). Further analysis of patients under the 20016-AAO recommendation by RBW without the restriction of maximum daily dose confirmed that in spite of comparable daily dose in 14 obese patients and 61 non-obese patients [4.8 (4.5-5.4) vs. 5.0(4.5-5.5) mg/kg, p = 0.312], the median of HCQ blood levels was significantly higher in obese patients than in non-obese (1734 ± 457.3 vs. 1189 ± 449.4 ng/mL, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Obese patients under the 2016-AAO prescribed dose of HCQ based on RBW with and without maximum daily dose restriction have a very high HCQ blood levels compared to non-obese patients, with a potential increased risk of ocular toxicity. The use of 2016-AAO dose of HCQ according to the ideal body weight for this group of patients should be considered.Clinicaltrials.gov #NCT0312243.

Understanding the dynamics of hydroxychloroquine blood levels in lupus nephritis

Objectives

It is unknown if hydroxychloroquine blood level dynamics impact flare rates in lupus nephritis patients. We prospectively evaluated hydroxychloroquine levels to determine which blood-based patterns are more associated with disease activity.

Methods

In total, 82 lupus nephritis patients under a prescribed hydroxychloroquine dose of 4–5.5 mg/kg actual body weight (maximum 400 mg/day) for ≥3 months were evaluated at baseline and 7 months. Hydroxychloroquine blood levels were determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Flare was defined as increase ≥3 in the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 score and/or a change or increase in therapy.

Results

Overall, 9/82(11%) patients had flares during follow-up and had lower baseline hydroxychloroquine blood levels than those without flares (220.4 (53.5–1471.1) vs. 1006.3 (53.5–2137.8) ng/ml, p = 0.013). The hydroxychloroquine blood level cut-off that best predicted flares was 613.5 ng/ml (odds ratio = 8.67, 95% confidence interval: 1.66–45.18, p = 0.006). For 77 (94%) patients, the 7-month hydroxychloroquine level dynamics was evaluated and revealed: 59/77 (77%) had a persistent pattern of adequate (41/77(53%)) or fluctuating (18/77 (23%)) levels, with a low and comparable risk of flares (2/41 (5%) vs. 1/18 (5%), p = 1.000). The remaining group had persistent low levels (18/77 (23%)) and their flare frequency was significantly higher than the adequate group (5/18 (28%) vs. 2/41 (5%), p = 0.023). The frequencies of adequate/inadequate hydroxychloroquine blood levels in patients were comparable at baseline and 7 months (McNemar’s test, p = 0.480).

Conclusion

We provide novel evidence that hydroxychloroquine blood-level patterns (persistently low, adequate, or intermittent) have distinct impacts on flare rates in lupus nephritis patients. These findings reinforce the need of routine hydroxychloroquine measurements to maintain the appropriate blood levels.

The relationship of preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate and outcomes after cardiovascular surgery in patients with normal serum creatinine: a retrospective cohort study

Background

Although serum creatinine concentration has been traditionally used as an index of renal function in clinical practice, it is considered relatively inaccurate, especially in patients with mild renal dysfunction. This study investigated the usefulness of preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in predicting complications after cardiovascular surgery in patients with normal serum creatinine concentrations.

Methods

This study included 2208 adults undergoing elective cardiovascular surgery. Preoperative eGFR was calculated using Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equations. The relationships between preoperative eGFR and 90 day postoperative composite major complications were analyzed, including 90 day all-cause mortality, major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events, severe acute kidney injury, respiratory and gastrointestinal complications, wound infection, sepsis, and multi-organ failure.

Results

Of the 2208 included patients, 185 (8.4%) had preoperative eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m² and 328 (14.9%) experienced postoperative major complications. Multivariable logistic regression analyses showed that preoperatively decreased eGFR was independently associated with an increased risk of composite 90 day major postoperative complications (adjusted odds ratio: 1.232; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.148–1.322; P <  0.001). eGFR was a better discriminator of composite 90 day major postoperative complications than serum creatinine, with estimated c-statistics of 0.724 (95% CI: 0.694–0.754) for eGFR and 0.712 (95% CI: 0.680–0.744) for serum creatinine (P = 0.008).

Conclusions

Decreased eGFR was significantly associated with an increased risk of major complications after cardiovascular surgery in patients with preoperatively normal serum creatinine concentrations.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12871-019-0763-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Predictors of Perioperative Stroke/Death after Carotid Artery Stenting: A Review Article

Carotid artery stenting (CAS) has been recommended as an alternative treatment to carotid endarterectomy for patients with significant carotid stenosis. Only a few studies have analyzed clinical/anatomical and technical variables that affect perioperative outcomes of CAS. Following a comprehensive Medline search, it was reported that clinical factors, including age of >80 years, chronic renal failure, diabetes mellitus, symptomatic indications, and procedures performed within 2 weeks of transient ischemic attack symptoms, are associated with high perioperative stroke and death rates. They also highlighted that angiographic variables, e.g., ulcerated and calcified plaques, left carotid intervention, >90% stenosis, >10-mm target lesion length, ostial involvement, type III aortic arch, and >60°-angulated internal carotid and common carotid arteries, are predictors of increased stroke rates. Technical factors associated with increased perioperative risk of stroke include percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) without embolic protection devices, PTA before stent placement, and the use of multiple stents. This review describes the most widely quoted data in defining various predictors of perioperative stroke and death after CAS. (This is a review article based on the invited lecture of the 45th Annual Meeting of Japanese Society for Vascular Surgery.)