Effects of Antithymocyte Globulin, Basiliximab, and Induction-Free Treatment in Living Donor Kidney Transplant Recipients on Tacrolimus-Based Immunosuppression

OBJECTIVES

Induction treatment in renal transplant is associated with better graft survival. However, intensified immunosuppression is known to cause unwanted side effects such as infection and malignancy. Furthermore, the effects of the routine use of immunosuppressants in low-risk kidney transplant recipients are still not clear. In this study, we assessed the first-year safety and efficacy of induction treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We examined first living donor kidney transplant patients who were on tacrolimus based immunosuppression therapy. We formed 3 groups according to the induction status: antithymocyte globulin induction, basiliximab induction, and no induction. We collected outcome data on delayed graft function, graft loss, creatinine levels, estimated glomerular filtration rates, acute rejection episodes, hospitalization episodes, and infection episodes, including cytomegalovirus infection and bacterial infections.

RESULTS

We examined a total of 126 patients (age 35 ± 12 years; 65% male). Of them, 25 received antithymocyte globulin, 52 received basiliximab, and 49 did notreceive any induction treatment. We did not observe any statistically significant difference among the 3 groups in terms of acute rejection episodes, delayed graft function, and first-year graft loss. The estimated glomerular filtration rates were similar among the groups. Overall bacterial infectious complications and cytomegalovirus infection showed similar prevalence among all groups. Hospitalization was less common in the induction-free group.

CONCLUSIONS

In low-risk patients, induction-free regimens could be associated with a better safety profile without compromising graft survival. Therefore, induction treatment may be disregarded in first living donor transplant patients who receive tacrolimusbased triple immunosuppression treatment.

Clinical and histopathological characteristics of primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in Turkish adults

The data regarding primary FSGS (pFSGS) from different parts of the world differ. While the prevalence of pFSGS has been increasing in Western countries like the USA, it follows an inconsistent trend in Europe and Asia and a decreasing trend in Far Eastern countries such as China in the last two decades. There are undetermined factors to explain those national and geographic discrepancies. Herein, we aimed to reveal the current prevalence with clinical and histopathological characteristics of pFSGS in Turkish adults. This study includes the biopsy-proven pFSGS patients data recorded between 2009 and 2019, obtained from the national multicenter primary glomerulonephritis registry system of the Turkish Society of Nephrology Glomerular Diseases (TSN-GOLD) database. 850 of the 3875 primer glomerulonephritis patients(21.9%) have pFSGS. The mean age is 40.5 ± 14.2 and 435 (51.2%) of patients are male. Nephrotic syndrome is the most common biopsy indication (59.2%). 32.6% of patients have hematuria, 15.2% have leukocyturia and 7.8% have both. Serum creatinine, albumin, and proteinuria are 1.0 mg/dL (IQR = 0.7-1.4) mg/dl, 3.4 ± 0.9 g/dl, 3400 mg/day(IQR, 1774-5740), respectively. Females have lower mean arterial pressure (- 2.2 mmHg), higher eGFR (+ 10.0 mL/min/1.73 m2), and BMI (+ 1.6 kg/m2) than males. Thickened basal membrane(76.6%) and mesangial proliferation (53.5%) on light microscopy are the major findings after segmental sclerosis. IgM (32.7%) and C3 (32.9%) depositions are the most common findings on immunofluorescence microscopy. IgM positivity is related to lower eGFR, serum albumin, and higher proteinuria. The prevalence of pFSGS is stable although slightly increasing in Turkish adults. The characteristics of the patients are similar to those seen in Western countries.

Arteriovenous fistula as the vascular access contributes to better survival of hemodialysis patients with COVID-19 infection

BACKGROUND

While COVID-19 in chronic hemodialysis patients has high mortality and the pandemic will not end in the near future, effective follow up strategies should be implemented for these patients. Surgeries have been triaged according to their level of urgencies and arteriovenous fistula (AVF) operations were among elective surgeries. This study aimed to analyze the effect of vascular access on the outcomes of hemodialysis patients who had COVID-19.

METHODS

One hundred four hemodialysis patients who had COVID-19 were retrospectively analyzed. Seventy-two of them had AVF as the vascular access while 32 of them had tunneled catheters. Inflammatory markers and outcomes of patients with AVFs and catheters were compared. A logistic regression analysis was performed in order to define factors that contribute to better outcomes in hemodialysis patients.

RESULTS

COVID-19 had high mortality rate in hemodialysis patients (36.5%). Patients with catheters have higher peak ferritin levels (p = 0.02) and longer hospital stay (p = 0.00). Having AVF as the vascular access (OR = 3.36; 95% CI: 1.05-10.72; p = 0.041) and using medium cut-off dialyzers (OR = 7.99; 95% CI: 1.53-41.65; p = 0.014) were related to higher survival of the patients. COVID severity was inversely proportional to the survival (p = 0.000).

CONCLUSIONS

AVFs contribute to higher survival of hemodialysis patients with COVID-19. Even in the pandemic era, end stage renal disease patients should be given the opportunity to have their vascular access properly created.

Favipiravir therapy for Covid-19 infection and tacrolimus toxicity in a kidney transplant patient on chronic eculizumab therapy

Although the latest data show that complement activation has an essential role in the pathogenesis and severity of Covid-19, the data on the prognosis of patients using complement inhibitors during Covid-19 infection are scarce. There is no specific treatment for Covid-19 yet. The introduction of novel agents such as favipiravir may affect metabolism of immunosuppressive drugs. We report the clinical course of Covid-19 in a kidney transplant patient with atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome on chronic eculizumab therapy. The patient had mild Covid-19 but had severe tacrolimus toxicity, which may be associated with favipiravir and eculizumab. The mild course of Covid-19 in our patient is encouraging for eculizumab use; on the other hand, unusually high levels of tacrolimus that we observed underlines the importance of frequent drug level monitoring in transplanted patients who are receiving new drugs.

MO988: Malignancy After Kidney Transplantation: A Two-Center Experience

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Kidney transplantation (KT) is the preferred treatment option for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) as it provides better patient survival and quality of life. While longer graft survival is maintained with potent immunosuppressive drugs used to prevent allograft rejection, de novo malignancy development after transplantation has become a substantial issue. In this study, we aimed to investigate the incidence and risk factors of post-transplant malignancy in kidney transplant recipients, including its demographic, clinical and laboratory features.

METHOD

A retrospective cohort study was conducted at two tertiary care kidney transplant centers in the same province. We recruited adult (>18 years of age) kidney transplant recipients who underwent kidney transplantation between 1986 and 2020. We excluded KT recipients who lost to follow-up in the early post-transplant period and/or with incomplete records. Malignancies that occurred after graft failure were also excluded. Kidney transplant recipients with malignancy were matched to KT recipients without malignancy using a 1:1 ratio.

RESULTS

In this study, 2750 eligible patients were reviewed for the development of malignancy after kidney transplantation. A total of 278 KT recipients (10.1%) had biopsy confirmed malignancies during the follow-up period. The median post-transplant follow-up time was 217 months (IQR: 148–290 months). The most common malignancies were nonmelanoma skin cancer (28.8%), urinary tract cancer (16.5%), Kaposi's sarcoma (9.7%), gastrointestinal tract cancer (6.5%) and post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (6.5%). The median time from kidney transplantation to the diagnosis of malignancy was 127 months (IQR: 62–198 months).

In comparison to the control group, patients with malignancy were older (P  ≤ 0.001), had a higher family history of malignancy (P  ≤ 0.001), had a greater history of smoking (P = 0.005), and usage of erythropoietin in the pre-transplant period was higher (P  ≤ 0.001). There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of gender and the type of induction therapy. Overall mortality was higher in patients with malignancy (OR: 2.491 [CI: 1.586–3.912], P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The most common malignancy in kidney transplant recipients was found to be non-melanoma skin cancer. Elderly recipients, patients with a family history of malignancy and patients using erythropoietin in the pre-transplant period should be closely monitored for the development of malignancy.

MO166: The Longitudinal Evolution of Covid-19 Outcomes Among Hemodialysis Patients: A Nationwide Multicentre Controlled Study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Haemodialysis (HD) patients are at increased risk for adverse short-term consequences of COVID-19. In this study, we investigated the characteristics of chronic HD patients in the post-COVID-19 period and compared them with the control group.

METHOD

We conducted a national multicentre observational study involving adult chronic HD patients recovering from COVID-19. The control HD group was selected from patients with similar characteristics who did not have COVID-19 in the same center. SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR negative patients and patients in the active period of COVID-19 were not included.

RESULTS

A total of 1223 patients (635 COVID-19 groups, 588 control groups) were included in the study from the data collected from 47 centres between 21 April 2021 and 11 June 2021. The patients' baseline demographics, comorbidities, medications, HD characteristics and basic laboratory tests were quite similar between the groups (Table 1). 28th-day mortality and between 28th day and 90th day mortality were higher in the COVID-19 group than in the control group [19 (3.0%) patients and 0 (0%) patients; 15 (2.4%) patients and 4 (0.7%) patients, respectively]. Presence of respiratory symptoms, rehospitalization, need for home oxygen therapy, lower respiratory tract infection and A-V fistula thrombosis were significantly higher in the COVID-19 group in the first 28 days of illness and between 28 and 90 days.

Mortality was significantly associated with preexisting COVID-19, age, current smoking, use of tunneled HD catheter, persistence of respiratory symptoms, rehospitalization, need for home oxygen support, presence of lower respiratory tract infection within 28 days and persistence of respiratory symptoms.

CONCLUSION

In the post-COVID-19 period, mortality, rehospitalization, respiratory problems and vascular access problems are higher in maintenance HD patients who have had COVID-19 compared to control HD patients.

Table 2. Comparative presentation of patients data on the 28th day and between  28 and 90 day COVID-19 groupN = 635 Control groupN = 588 28th-day results, n(%)     Death* 19(3.0) 0(0) Any respiratory symptoms* 152(23.9) 11(1.9) Rehospitalization for any reason* 52(8.2) 24(4.1) Need for home oxygen support * 26(4.1) 2(0.3) Lower respiratory tract infection* 65(10.2) 8(1.4) AV fistula thrombosis* 13(2.0) 2(0.3) Other thromboembolic events * 15(2.4) 4(0.7) Need for HD catheter placement* 21(3.3) 9(1.5) 28th day-90. day resultsa n(%) N:616 N:588 Death* 15(2.4) 4(0.7) Any respiratory symptoms* 45(7.3) 10(1.7) Rehospitalization for any reason* 44(7.1) 18(3.1) Need for home oxygen support* 12(1.9) 2(0.3) AV fistula thrombosis* 9(1.5) 1(0.2) Other thromboembolic events* 9(1.5) 2(0.3) Need for HD catheter placement 13(2.1) 10(1.7) HD: haemodialysis, AV: arteriovenous. *P < .05. a Patients who died before 28 days were not included.

Effects of SGLT2 inhibitors on patients with diabetic kidney disease: A preliminary study on the basis of podocyturia

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) on the glomerulus through the evaluation of podocyturia in patients with diabetic kidney disease (DKD).

METHODS

The study population was composed of 40 male patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus; 22 of them received SGLT2i (SGLT2i group), and the others who did not were the control. The DKD-related parameters of patients were monitored before SGLT2i initiation, and then in the third and sixth month of the follow-up period. Patients' demographic, clinical, laboratory, and follow-up data were obtained from medical charts. Microalbuminuria was measured in 24-h urine. The number of podocytes in the urine was determined by immunocytochemical staining of two different markers, namely podocalyxin (podx) and synaptopodin (synpo). Concentrations of urine stromal cell-derived factor 1a and vascular endothelial growth factor cytokines were quantified with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit.

RESULTS

At the end of the follow-up period, decreases in glycosylated hemoglobin, glucose, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, uric acid level, and microalbuminuria, and improvement in body mass index level and weight loss were significant for the SGLT2i group. On the other hand, there was no significant difference in terms of these parameters in the control group. The excretion of synaptopodin-positive (synpo⁺ ) and podocalyxin-positive (podx⁺ ) cells was significantly reduced at the end of the follow-up period for the SGLT2i group, while there was no significant change for the control.

CONCLUSIONS

At the end of the follow-up period, male patients receiving SGLT2i had better DKD-related parameters and podocyturia levels compared to baseline and the control group. Our data support the notion that SGLT2i might have structural benefits for glomerular health.

Blood Pressure Variability in Fabry Disease Patients

INTRODUCTION

Fabry disease is a rare metabolic, multisystemic, and X-linked lysosomal storage disorder. The involvement of the autonomic nervous system is well defined; however, data on the variability of the blood pressure (BP) and heart rate in Fabry disease are largely missing. In this study, we aimed to examine the circadian variations of BP and heart rate variability in Fabry disease patients.

METHODS

We recruited 31 consecutive adult (age >18 years) Fabry disease patients (16 males and 15 females) who were regularly followed up in our outpatient clinic between July 2019 and March 2020. We performed ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and echocardiography in all patients. We used standard deviation (SD), coefficient of variation (CV), and average real variability as the measures of variability. We constructed 2 control groups for propensity score matching using age, sex, and eGFR parameters in the first group and adding antihypertensive drug use to the above parameters in the second group.

RESULTS

All BP measurements were significantly lower in the FD group compared to that of the control groups, except the nighttime systolic BP. Regarding nondipping and reverse dipping statuses, FD patients and controls were similar. We found that none of the BP variability measures were higher in FD patients. Regarding heart rate variability data, both the nighttime SD and CV were significantly lower in FD patients compared to those of the controls.

CONCLUSION

A decrease in heart rate variability, rather than an increase in BP variability, might be an early marker of autonomic involvement in FD.

How Dialysis Patients Cope with a Curfew? A Comparison of Psychological Status between Hemodialysis and Peritoneal Dialysis Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Introduction

There are many differences between hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) treatments, including their impact on the psychological status of the patients. In this study, our aim was to compare the psychological statuses of HD and PD patients during the social isolation period due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

We conducted this cross-sectional study on adult HD and PD patients when the curfew measures were in effect. We used an electronic form composed of 3 sections to collect data. In the first section, we collected data on the demographics and clinical and laboratory parameters of the patients. The second and third sections consisted of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) questionnaires, respectively.

Results

The HD (n = 116) and PD (n = 130) groups were similar regarding age and sex, and they had similar HADS anxiety scores. HADS depression scores were higher in PD patients (p = 0.052). IES-R scores were significantly higher in PD patients in comparison to HD patients (p = 0.001). Frequencies of abnormal HADS-anxiety (p = 0.035) and severe psychological impact (p = 0.001) were significantly higher in PD patients.

Discussion/Conclusion

During the social isolation period due to the COVID-19 pandemic, HD patients had better mood profiles than PD patients. A more stable daily routine, an uninterrupted face-to-face contact with health-care workers, and social support among patients in the in-center dialysis environment might be the cause of the favorable mood status. PD patients might need additional psychological support during those periods.

Arteriovenous fistula as the vascular access contributes to better survival of hemodialysis patients with COVID-19 infection

BACKGROUND

While COVID-19 in chronic hemodialysis patients has high mortality and the pandemic will not end in the near future, effective follow up strategies should be implemented for these patients. Surgeries have been triaged according to their level of urgencies and arteriovenous fistula (AVF) operations were among elective surgeries. This study aimed to analyze the effect of vascular access on the outcomes of hemodialysis patients who had COVID-19.

METHODS

One hundred four hemodialysis patients who had COVID-19 were retrospectively analyzed. Seventy-two of them had AVF as the vascular access while 32 of them had tunneled catheters. Inflammatory markers and outcomes of patients with AVFs and catheters were compared. A logistic regression analysis was performed in order to define factors that contribute to better outcomes in hemodialysis patients.

RESULTS

COVID-19 had high mortality rate in hemodialysis patients (36.5%). Patients with catheters have higher peak ferritin levels (p = 0.02) and longer hospital stay (p = 0.00). Having AVF as the vascular access (OR = 3.36; 95% CI: 1.05-10.72; p = 0.041) and using medium cut-off dialyzers (OR = 7.99; 95% CI: 1.53-41.65; p = 0.014) were related to higher survival of the patients. COVID severity was inversely proportional to the survival (p = 0.000).

CONCLUSIONS

AVFs contribute to higher survival of hemodialysis patients with COVID-19. Even in the pandemic era, end stage renal disease patients should be given the opportunity to have their vascular access properly created.

MO055THE IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON MOOD STATUS AND TREATMENT ADHERENCE IN PATIENTS WITH FABRY DISEASE

Background and Aims

Fabry disease is a rare metabolic disorder, lifelong enzyme replacement therapy with recombinant human alpha-galactosidase A (agalsidase) constituted the cornerstone of disease-specific therapy. COVID-19 pandemic and epidemic control measures including lockdowns impaired access to health care services. We examined the effect of COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown measures on mood status and management of Fabry disease patients.

Method

We conducted a cross-sectional study between October 2020 and December 2020. We used the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) to evaluate the mood statuses of FD patients and the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-4) to assess patient adherence. We also examined age and sex-matched control group to compare mood status.

Results

A total of 68 (Male 48.5 %, mean age 37.0) FD patients were under regular follow-up in our institution, 59 of those patients were taking ERT every other week. Two of our patients had reported having a COVID-19 infection, and both of them recovered. 25 patients reported to miss an ERT for a median of one dose, 16 of these 25 patients have reported that they did not come to the hospital because of infection fear. Half of the patients had adopted home-based infusion; they arranged a nurse for home-based infusion therapy by their own means. According to MMAS-4 FD patients had good adherence to their therapy (Median score 0, range 0-2).  Mood status of FD patients and controls are shown in Table 1. Both HADS depression and anxiety scores were higher in the control group compared to FD patients. Additionally, abnormal scores were more prevalent for HADS depression scores in controls (Figure 1).

Conclusion

We found that the mood status of FD patients was better than the control group. Traumatic growth may be an important factor to explain this finding. Their adherence to therapy was good. Home-based therapy was the preferred method by the patients. Government-supported home therapy programs might be beneficial for FD patients to increase adherence to the therapy.

MO371TIME AND THE ETIOLOGY OF ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY DEFINE PROGNOSIS IN THE COURSE OF COVID-19

Background and Aims

Kidneys are among the affected organs in COVID-19 and there may be different etiologies resulting in acute kidney injury (AKI) in different stages of the disease. There have been previous studies focusing on incidence and mortality of AKI in COVID-19 but none has made in depth analysis in relation to the background pathophysiology. Based on previous observations, we hypothesized that all AKIs seen in COVID-19 are not uniform and we aimed to analyze the etiologies and prognosis of AKI among hospitalized COVID-19 patients in relation to the time of AKI during different phases of the disease.

Method

A total of 1056 patients were admitted to the designated COVID-19 clinics from March to July in 2020. 77 Patients who were younger than 18 years old and 7 kidney transplant patients were excluded from the study. 427 of the remaining patients were confirmed by real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test.). As eGFR below 60 mL/min/1,73 m2 was already shown to be related to mortality, these patients (44) were also excluded. As immunologic response is generally accepted to start with the second week of COVID-19 course, patients were classified into three groups, those who had AKI on admission, those who developed AKI in the first week and those who developed AKI starting from 7th day. Initial lymphocyte counts, creatinine levels, electrolytes, acid-base status and changes in the inflammatory markers were compared between the groups. A comparison between patients who survived and who died was also performed.

Results

89 of the 383 included COVID-19 patients developed AKI. 24% of those who developed AKI died. Patients who developed AKI later had higher peak CRP and D-dimer levels with lower nadir lymphocyte counts (p=0,000, 0,004 and 0,003 respectively). Additionally, patients who died had higher initial inflammatory marker levels and lower lymphocyte counts than those who survived. Mortality of patients who had AKI on hospital admission (13%) was similar to the overall COVID-19 mortality for inpatients, however it was as high as 44% for those who developed AKI after 7th day. Early AKI was related to pre-renal causes and had a milder course. However, later AKIs were more related to immunologic response and had significantly higher mortality. Patients who died had significantly higher ferritin and d-dimer levels upon their hospital admissions (p=0,000). Electrolyte disturbances, metabolic acidosis and mortality were also higher in patients who developed AKI later. Hypernatremia (OR: 6,5, 95% CI: 3 – 13,9) and phosphorus disturbances (both hyperphosphatemia (OR: 3,3; 95%CI: 1,6 – 6,9) and hypophosphatemia (OR: 3,9; 95% CI: 2,0-7,9)) were related to mortality.

Conclusion

Findings of this study suggest that AKI in COVID-19 is not of one kind. When developed, AKI should be evaluated in conjunction with the disease stage and possible etiologies

Medium Cut-Off Dialysis Membranes: Can They Have Impact on Outcome of COVID-19 Hemodialysis Patients?

Introduction

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 may lead to high levels of expression of inflammatory cytokines. Medium cut-off (MCO) membranes may make greater clearances for large-middle molecules (including cytokines) than low-flux (LF) membranes. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the impact of MCO membranes on outcome of COVID-19 patients on hemodialysis (HD).

Methods

Sixty COVID-19 HD patients were included in this study. The patients were categorized into 2 groups regarding type of HD membranes. Clinical data were taken from medical records.

Results

Initial crp and ferritin levels, which are surragates of cytokine storm and severity of disease in COVID-19, were significantly higher in MCO membrane group compared to LF group (p = 0.037 and 0.000, respectively). Although there were more patients with severe disease in MCO group, there were no significant differences regarding need for intensive care unit and death.

Conclusion

It may be an option to use MCO membranes in HD patients with COVID-19 in order to reduce cytokine levels and prevent cytokine storm.

Evaluation of the reasons for the microvascular changes in patients with Fabry disease using optic coherence tomography angiography

PURPOSE

To investigate the blood flow changes in the choriocapillaris and the superficial and deep capillary plexus of the retina using optic coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in patients with Fabry disease (FD) and reveal any possible association of these changes with the systemic findings.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 38 patients with FD and age- and gender-matched 40 healthy controls. OCTA images were obtained from all patients. Superficial (sCVD) and deep capillary vascular density (dCVD) in the foveal, parafoveal, and perifoveal zones and the whole image were recorded for each patient. Flow area in the choriocapillaris and central macular thickness (CMT) were also recorded.

RESULTS

Patients with FD showed a lower whole image (54.45 ± 5.99% vs 57.32 ± 6.71%, p = 0.004), foveal (34.94 ± 7.60% vs 39.65 ± 7.03%, p = 0.003), parafoveal (57.41 ± 4.85% vs 59.19 ± 4.67%, p = 0.043), and perifoveal (55.87 ± 6.43% vs 58.87 ± 7.02%, p = 0.003) dCVD compared to the healthy controls without a significant difference in the sCVD and choriocapillaris blood flow (p > 0.05). A significantly lower whole image and foveal dCVD in the FD patients with renal involvement was observed compared to the healthy controls (p = 0.027 and p = 0.024, respectively) without any significant difference between the FD patients without renal involvement and healthy controls (p = 0.17 and p = 0.13, respectively). CMT was significantly higher in FD patients with renal involvement compared to the ones without renal involvement (252.1 ± 18.5 µm vs 235.5 ± 17.6 µm, p = 0.016).

CONCLUSION

Patients with FD showed a lower dCVD without any change in sCVD and choriocapillaris compared to the healthy controls. This decrease was associated mostly with the renal involvement and duration of treatment.

Characteristics of primary glomerular diseases patients with hematuria in Turkey: the data from TSN-GOLD Working Group

PURPOSE

Hematuria is one of the most common laboratory findings in nephrology practice. To date, there is no enough data regarding the clinical and histopathologic characteristics of primary glomerular disease (PGD) patients with hematuria in our country.

METHODS

Data were obtained from national multicenter (47 centers) data entered into the Turkish Society of Nephrology Glomerular Diseases (TSN-GOLD) database between May 2009 and June 2019. The data of all PGD patients over the age of 16 years who were diagnosed with renal biopsy and had hematuria data were included in the study. Demographic characteristics, laboratory and biopsy findings were also recorded.

RESULTS

Data of 3394 PGD patients were included in the study. While 1699 (50.1%) patients had hematuria, 1695 (49.9%) patients did not have hematuria. Patients with hematuria had statistically higher systolic blood pressure, serum blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, albumin, levels and urine pyuria. However, these patients had statistically lower age, body mass index, presence of hypertension and diabetes, eGFR, 24-h proteinuria, serum total, HDL and LDL cholesterol, and C3 levels when compared with patients without hematuria. Hematuria was present 609 of 1733 patients (35.8%) among the patients presenting with nephrotic syndrome, while it was presented in 1090 of 1661 (64.2%) patients in non-nephrotics (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

This is the first multicenter national report regarding the demographic and histopathologic data of PGD patients with or without hematuria. Hematuria, a feature of nephritic syndrome, was found at a higher than expected in the PGDs presenting with nephrotic syndrome in our national database.

Sudden Cardiac Death in Haemodialysis Patients under Hydroxychloroquine Treatment for COVID-19: A Report of Two Cases

Hydroxychloroquine (HQ) has been used for the treatment of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) even though there is no clear evidence for its effectiveness yet. In contrary, HQ has major side effects like QTc prolongation and subsequent development of ventricular arrhythmias. Such side effects may possess additional risks on end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients who have higher cardiovascular risks than general population. We herein present 2 cases of sudden cardiac death in 2 ESRD patients with COVID-19 for whom a treatment regimen including HQ was preferred. Both patients were clinically stable at the time of arrest. Death could not be attributed to worsening of the COVID-19 since the patients' clinical picture and laboratory values were improving. The cardiac events coincided with the end of routine haemodialysis sessions of both patients. Electrocardiography controls upon admission and on the 24 and 48 h of treatment showed normal QTc intervals. Potential risks contributing to sudden cardiac death during HQ treatment of ESRD patients are discussed.

Kidney function on admission predicts in-hospital mortality in COVID-19

Background

Recent data have suggested the presence of a reciprocal relationship between COVID-19 and kidney function. To date, most studies have focused on the effect of COVID-19 on kidney function, whereas data regarding kidney function on the COVID-19 prognosis is scarce. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the association between eGFR on admission and the mortality rate of COVID-19.

Methods

We recruited 336 adult consecutive patients (male: 57.1%, mean age: 55.0±16.0 years) that were hospitalized with the diagnosis of COVID-19 in a tertiary care university hospital. Data were collected from the electronic health records of the hospital. On admission, eGFR was calculated using the CKD-EPI formula. Acute kidney injury was defined according to the KDIGO criteria. Binary logistic regression and Cox regression analyses were used to assess the relationship between eGFR on admission and in-hospital mortality of COVID-19.

Results

Baseline eGFR was under 60 mL/min/1.73m² in 61 patients (18.2%). Acute kidney injury occurred in 29.2% of the patients. In-hospital mortality rate was calculated as 12.8%. Age-adjusted and multivariate logistic regression analysis (p: 0.005, odds ratio: 0.974, CI: 0.956–0.992) showed that baseline eGFR was independently associated with mortality. Additionally, age-adjusted Cox regression analysis revealed a higher mortality rate in patients with an eGFR under 60 mL/min/1.73m².

Conclusions

On admission eGFR seems to be a prognostic marker for mortality in patients with COVID-19. We recommend that eGFR be measured in all patients on admission and used as an additional tool for risk stratification. Close follow-up should be warranted in patients with a reduced eGFR.

P0889TO WHAT EXTENT CAN WE ACHIEVE MINERAL BONE METABOLISM TREATMENT TARGETS AS SUGGESTED BY UPDATED 2017 KDIGO GUIDELINES IN PATIENTS WITH PREDIALYSIS CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE

Background and Aims

The mineral bone disorder is an essential problem in chronic kidney disease (CKD). It is an independent modifiable risk factor for renal damage progression and CKD related mortality. Therefore, it is important to treat chronic kidney disease mineral bone disorder (CKD-MBD) according to international guidelines. Data on the management of mineral bone disorders in predialysis patients is scarce. We aimed to investigate the proportion of CKD-MBD patients reaching targets suggested by the updated 2017 KDIGO guidelines.

Method

We performed a multicenter cross-sectional study. We recruited consecutive adult (&gt;18 years of age) CKD 3-5 patients who were on regular nephrology outpatient clinic follow up. Patients who have GFR loss over 30% in the last six months, patients with malignancy, and decreased life expectancy due to severe comorbid disease and patients on renal replacement therapy were excluded. Data were collected in two-time points: one during the recruitment (second data point) and one, three to six months prior to the current visit (first data point). Persistent laboratory abnormalities were defined by out of normal range values in both time points. Therapeutic inertia was calculated for hyperphosphatemia. It was defined as a lack of using phosphate binders despite hyperphosphatemia.

Results

We examined a total of 213 patients for 3 different nephrology outpatient clinics. Of these patients, 49.5 % were male, with a mean age of 64,9 ± 12,0 years. 51.7 % of the patients were diabetic, 78 % were hypertensive, and 20.1 % had a history of coronary artery disease. Laboratory values related to MBD are shown in Table 1. KDIGO guideline targets were not reached in 14.8%, 18.4%, 59.0%, 71.0% patients regarding Ca, P, PTH, and vitamin D in the first visit. The targets were not reached in 15.0%, 19,2%, 61,2%, 81% patients regarding Ca, P, PTH, and vitamin D in the second visit. Persistence of out of target values were observed in 5.8%, 9.9%, 49.2% and 65.4% of the patients for Ca,P, PTH and Vitamin D respectively. The prevalence of therapeutic inertia for hyperphosphatemia was 34,4 % in the second visit

Conclusion

Regarding KDIGO guidelines, MBD is not optimally managed in predialysis CKD patients. Clinicians should have an active attitude regarding the correction of MBD even at the earlier stages of CKD.

P0490IS THE SEVERITY OF GLOMERULAR IGG STAINING IN PATIENT WITH IGA NEPHROPATHY USEFUL FOR PREDICTING POOR RENAL PROGNOSIS? THE DATA FROM TSN-GOLD WORKING GROUP

Background and Aims

In IgA nephropathy (IgAN), which is characterized by mesangial IgA accumulation, there is the formation of circulating autoantibodies against galactose deficient IgA1s (Gd-IgA1). IgG / Gd-IgA1 immunocomplexes accumulate in the glomerular mesangium and play a role in the pathogenesis of IgAN. Recent studies have suggested a relationship between glomerular IgG deposition and the severity of glomerular inflammation. However, detection of the presence and severity of IgG in routine immunofluorescence microscopy (IFM) may fail. This study aims to investigate whether IgG positivity detected by IFM is associated with poor renal prognostic indicators and whether renal prognosis can be predicted according to IgG positivity.

Method

4399 patients who were enrolled between May 2009-June 2019 in database of Turkish Society of Nephrology, Glomerular Diseases Working Group (TSN-GOLD) including 44 centers were evaluated. After exclusion criteria, 994 primary IgAN patients were included in the study. Glomerular IgG negative and positive patients were compared by means of Oxford classification scores, histopathological evaluations, proteinuria, creatinine, albumin, blood pressures. IgG positive patients were divided into subgroups according to the grade of the IFM positivity. The relationship between IgG positivity and poor prognosis criteria were evaluated.

Results

Demographic and biochemical findings of glomerular IgG positive and negative patients at the time of biopsy are shown in Table 1. No difference was found between the groups. There was no difference in the demographic and biochemical findings at the time of biopsy in IgG subgroup analyses (Table 2). There was no difference between the histopathological and Oxford MEST scores of the subgroups. Glomerular IgG positivity was not associated with diastolic blood pressure, systolic blood pressure, urea, uric acid, age, eGFR, albumin, proteinuria (p&gt; 0.05 for all, r= -0.084, r= -0.102, r= -0.006, r=0.062, r= 0.014, r= -0.044, r= -0.061, r= -0.066, r= 0.150, respectively).

Conclusion

Glomerular IgG positivity detected by routine IFM in IgAN is not associated with poor renal prognostic indicators. It is difficult to predict renal prognosis by looking at the severity of IgG positivity at the baseline evaluation.

P0448CHARACTERISTICS OF PRIMARY GLOMERULAR DISEASE PATIENTS WITH HEMATURIA IN TURKEY: THE DATA FROM TSN-GOLD WORKING GROUP

Background and Aims

Hematuria is one of the most common laboratory findings in nephrology practice. In different regions of the world, the etiologic causes differ. To date, there is no enough data regarding the clinical and histopathologic characteristics of primary glomerular diseases (PGD) patients with hematuria in our country.

Method

Data were obtained from national multicenter (47 centers) data entered into the Turkish Society of Nephrology Glomerular Diseases (TSN-GOLD) database between May 2009 and June 2019. The data of all PGD patients over the age of 16 years who were diagnosed with renal biopsy and had hematuria data were included in the study. The biopsy samples were processed using a light microscopy and immunofluorescence examination. Demographic characteristics such as age, sex, indications for biopsy, primary glomerular diseases, comorbidities, laboratory and biopsy findings of all patients were also recorded. Hematuria was defined as the presence of at least 5 red blood cells/hpf.

Results

Data of 3394 patients were included to the study after the exclusion of patients with secondary glomerulonephritis and patients with missing biopsy findings. While 1699 (50.1%) patients had hematuria, 1695 (49.9%) patients did not have hematuria. Demographic, laboratory, and histopathological characteristics of patients with and without hematuria are given in Table. Patients with hematuria had statistically higher systolic blood pressure (SBP), serum blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, albumin, levels and urine pyuria, however, these patients had statistically lower age, body mass index, presence of hypertension and diabetes, eGFR, 24-hour proteinuria, serum total, HDL and LDL-cholesterol and C3 levels when compared with patients without hematuria. Figure depicted the etiologic causes of patients with and without hematuria. According to histopathological findings, number of global sclerotic glomeruli, cellular and fibrocellular crescents, the levels of mesangial proliferation, endocapillary proliferation, exudative changes in glomeruli, severe tubular atrophy, interstitial inflammation, subendothelial deposition, moderate and severe IgA and C3 deposition were found to be significantly higher and the levels of basal membrane thickening, interstitial fibrosis, subepithelial deposition, severe IgG staining were found to be significantly lower in patients with hematuria.

Conclusion

This is the first multicenter national report regarding the demographic and histopathologic data of PGD patients with or without hematuria. Hematuria, a feature of nephritic syndrome, was found at a higher than expected in the PGDs presenting with nephrotic syndrome in our national database.

P0389THE PREVALENCE, CLINICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PRIMARY FOCAL SEGMENTAL GLOMERULOSCLEROSIS IN TURKISH ADULTS: THE DATA FROM TSN-GOLD ( TURKISH SOCIETY OF NEPHROLOGY GLOMERULAR DISEASES) WORKING GROUP

Background and Aims

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is one of the primary glomerulopathies which is the most common cause of end-stage renal disease among all primary glomerular diseases. In adults, nephrotic syndrome develops 10-35% due to FSGS. However, its frequency has been increasing in recent years. This study was aimed to present the data and the prevalence of primary FSGS patients in Turkey.

Method

These data were obtained from the National Multicenter (47 centers) Primary Glomerular Diseases registry system, which was entered into the Turkish Society of Nephrology Glomerular Diseases (TSN-GOLD) database between May 2009 and June 2019. The presented data in this study is cross-sectional and includes the recorded data of the patients in the hospitalization period for the kidney biopsy. These demographic, clinic and pathological data of patients were evaluated with using statistically.

Results

Of the 3875 patients enrolled in the Primary Glomerular Diseases database, 850 (21.9%) had FSGS. The mean age of the patients was 47.1 ± 13.7 and 435 (52%) of patients were male. Two hundred and eighty one (33.1%) had hypertension and 93 (11%) had diabetes. Five hundred and four patients (59.3%) were diagnosed as nephrotic syndrome. At the time of diagnosis, the mean systolic blood pressure was 13.8 ± 18.6 mm Hg and the mean diastolic blood pressure was 81.4± 11.4 mm Hg. The laboratory findings at the time of diagnosis on following; serum creatinine 1.2 ± 0.04 mg / dl, albumin 3.3 ± 0.03 g / dl, and 24 hours urinary proteinuria amounts to 4743 ± 181 mg / day. Demographical and clinical data of the patients at the time of diagnosis were presented on Table 1. In pathological examination; the mean number of glomeruli was 16.8 ± 0.3, global sclerotic glomeruli were 3.1 ± 0.1, and segmental sclerotic glomeruli were 2.4 ± 0.1. Summary of Pathological Findings were presented on Table 2

Conclusion

It is very difficult to determine the absolute incidence and prevalence of primary FSGS. Incidence rates have been reported to range from 0.2 to 1.8 / 100,000 per year in the literature. In a United States study, the most common diagnosis in 2501 kidney biopsies was FSGS (35.9%). According to this database, the prevalence of FSGS in primary glomerular diseases in our country is 21.9%.

P1350A COMPARISON OF CENTRAL VENOUS CATHETER INFECTIONS FOR HEMODIALYSIS AND HEMATOLOGY PATIENTS

Background and Aims

In addition to nephrologists who use central venous catheters (CVCs) as venous access for hemodialysis, it is also a routine practice for hematologists to benefit from them for their medical applications. There may be immediate or delayed complications of CVC placement and infections are accepted as delayed complications. We aimed to compare CVC-related infections in hematology and hemodialysis patients groups both of whose CVCs were placed by interventional nephrologists. Group specific infectious agents as well as infection risk factors were analyzed in order to develop guides and practices to decrease infection rates for the future.

Method

The number of patients who were placed a CVC in bone marrow transplantation (BMT) unit was 69 (37 males, 32 females) in the year of 2019. These patients were 47,5 ± 14,3 years old. Their CVC infection numbers and rates as well as infection agents were analyzed. This group was compared with hemodialysis patients that have non-cuffed hemodialysis catheters and who were age and sex matched with the BMT group. Infection rates for 1000 catheter days were calculated separately for both groups. Catheter infections were defined as hemoculture positivity of samples obtained from catheter lumens and/or identification of any microorganism in the catheter tip. Cases were followed up from insertion day of the catheters until when infection was identified or until the day of catheter removal.

Results

Catheters remained in a central vein for a median of 25 days in hemodialysis group [range: 10-51 days] while these duration was 16 days [range:8-29 days] for BMT group. The number of cases in whom a catheter related infection was identified was 17 for BMT (24%) and nine (13%) for hemodialysis group. Infection rate was 23 for 1000 catheter days in BMT group while it was 11 for 1000 catheter days in hemodialysis patients. BMT patients have a wider range of infection agents; 78% of them being gram positives and 19% of them being gram negatives. It was noteworthy that all of the catheter related infections in hemdialysis patients were related to gram positive bacteria. Rate of infections due to extended spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL) secreting E.coli or Klebsiella was 24% and infection risk of ESBL secreting agents was directly proportional to the time spent with the catheter. Infection findings in the catheter exit site (e.g. erythema, crusts or effusions) was found as statistically significant risk factors for bloodstream infections in BMT patients while these factors were not statistically significant for hemodialysis patients.

Conclusion

Gram positive infections make up the majority of CVC-related infections both for hematology and hemodialysis patients. Infection risks due to resistant species is proportional to the time spent with catheters. Catheter exit site findings should be cautionary for probable bloodstream infections especially for immunosuppressed patients.

P1010EFFECTS OF SGLT2 INHIBITORS ON DIABETIC NEPHROPATHY: PODOCYTURIA ON FOCUS

Background and Aims

Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors which are a class of oral anti-diabetic drugs are being used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Basically these drugs reduce blood glucose by blocking glucose reabsorption of primary sodium-coupled glucose transporter in the proximal tubules. Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a progressive disease with the pathology of glomerular filtration barrier damage and loss of podocytes. In this respect, podocyturia which is the case characterized with presence of podocytes in urine have recently been considered to be a candidate marker for glomerular damage. Therefore, we aimed to investigate effects of SGLT2 inhibitors on glomerulus through the evaluation of podocyturia in DN patients.

Method

Our study population was composed of two T2D patient groups; one of which received SGLT2 inhibitor (SGLT2 group) and the other one is control which did not received. Patients with T2D for at least 5 years, diagnosed with DN and having microalbuminuria &gt;30 mg/day, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) &gt;60 ml/min and HbA1c&lt; 8.5 were involved. In addition, all patients had received angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotension receptor blocker for at least 6 months. Nephrologic parameters of patients were monitored before and 3rd and 6th month of follow up period. Patients’ age, sex, diabetes duration and HbA1c value were obtained from medical charts. GFR was calculated using the abbreviated MDRD formula. Microalbuminuria was measured in 24 hour urine. Number of podocytes in the urine was determined by immunocytochemical staining of two different markers as podocalyxin (podx) and synaptopodin (synp). Statistical analyses were carried out using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version (SPSS) 24.0 and statistical significance was set as p&lt;0.05.

Results

We evaluated a total of 29 patients (mean age: 57.59 ± 9.66). The number of patients for SGLT2 and control groups are 18 (mean age: 54.89 ± 7.73) and 11 (mean age: 62.00 ± 11.60) respectively. Between these two groups, there was no statistical difference with respect to durations of diabetes (p=0.875) and HbA1c (p=0.05) values except for age (p=0.023) in which control group is statistically higher than the SGLT receiving group. Among the patients receiving SGLT2 inhibitor, podocyturia and microalbuminuria (mca) levels in the 6th month of follow up period were statistically lower than the initial ones [p=0.039 (synp), p=0.016 (podx) and p=0.011 (mca) respectively] while there was no statistical difference for creatinine clearance rate between the initial and follow up period (p:0.371 and ;p=0.111) (Figure-1). For control group, although podocyturia was significantly reduced in the 6th month of follow up period [p=0.013 (synp) and p:0.005 (podx)], microalbuminuria (p=0.263) in addition to creatinine clearance (p:0.214; p=0.173) did not change significantly (p=0.263). Furthermore, while there was no significant difference for initial microalbuminuria level between the control and SGLT2 groups (p=0.353); in the 3rd and 6th month follow up period, microalbuminuria was significantly lower than the control group accordingly (p=0.011 and p=0.015 respectively).

Conclusion

According to our preliminary results; patients receiving SGLT2 inhibitors had better microalbuminuria levels than the ones did not and this parameter was correlated with podocyturia. However, even though microalbuminuria of the control group did not change during the follow up period, podocyturia was found out as reduced in the 6th month of follow up period. This discrepancy in the podocyturia level could be resulted from lower number of patients in control so that there is need for evaluation of more patients to emphasize podocyte protective effect of SGLT2 inhibitors.

P0395DEMOGRAPHIC AND CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF RAPIDLY PROGRESSIVE GLOMERULONEPHRITIS IN TURKEY

Background and Aims

Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN) is a clinical condition that develops due to different etiologic causes, characterized by a rapid and progressive decrease in renal function and progresses to end-stage renal failure in weeks to months if not treated. In our study, diagnostic and demographic characteristics of patients diagnosed with RPGN by biopsy, clinical and laboratory findings in our country were investigated.

Method

Data were obtained from national multicenter (47 centers) data entered into the Turkish Society of Nephrology Glomerular Diseases (TSN-GOLD) Working Group database between May 2009 and June 2019. Demographic characteristics such as age, sex, indications for biopsy, diagnosis of the glomerular diseases, comorbidities, laboratory and biopsy findings of all patients were recorded. The data presented is cross-sectional and includes application data for the biopsy period. According to their types, RPGN patients were classified as type 1 (anti-GBM related), type 2 (immunocomplex related) and type 3 (immune-negative; “pauci-immune”).

Results

After exclusion of 46 patients with missing data, 200 patients (mean age 47.9 ± 16.7 years, 44% female) were included in the study which constitutes 5.2% of the total glomerulonephritis database (total number of patients: 3875). Hypertension was present in 62 patients (31.0%) and diabetes was present in 18 patients (9.0%). Renal biopsy was performed in 147 (73.5%) patients due to nephritic syndrome (RPGN included). 80.2% of the patients' biopsies were performed in nephrology clinics and 19.8% of them were performed in radiology clinics. ANCA positivity was found in 121 (60.5%) patients (proteinase 3-ANCA was positive in 55 and myeloperoxidase-ANCA positive in 66 patients). Type 1 RPGN was detected in 11 (5.5%), type 2 RPGN in 42 (21%) and type 3 RPGN in 147 (73.5%) patients. In 21 patients (10.5%), biopsy revealed RPGN with advanced chronic changes (fibrous global sclerotic glomeruli, advanced interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy). Mean serum creatinine was 4.2 ± 3.4 mg/dl, median glomerular filtration rate was 18 (10-37) ml/min and proteinuria 2100 (1229-3526) mg/day according to CKD-EPI formula. The mean number of glomeruli in the biopsies was 18.8 ± 10.6 and the number of crescentic glomeruli was 9.9 ± 7.7 (ratio: 52.7%) (Figure). The patients were divided into 3 groups according to their crescentic glomeruli ratios. The proportion of crescentic glomeruli is 10-50% in group 1, 50-80% in group 2, and &gt;80% in group 3. The demographic, laboratory and histopathological characteristics of the groups are given in Figure. It was observed that urea and creatinine increased and calcium and hemoglobin decreased with increasing crescentic glomerular ratio.

Conclusion

Our study provides valuable demographic, clinical, laboratory and histopathological data about RPGN in our country. Our data are generally compatible with the literature. In our study, advanced chronic histopathological findings were prominent in the biopsy of 21 patients. Early biopsy should be performed to confirm the diagnosis of RPGN and to avoid unnecessary intensive immunosuppressive therapy. In addition to the treatments applied, detailed data, including patient and renal survival are needed.

Prevalence of anemia in predialysis chronic kidney disease: Is the study center a significant factor?

OBJECTIVES

Anemia is highly prevalent in chronic kidney disease patients; however, its identification and management have been reported to be suboptimal. In this study we aimed to describe the prevalence, severity, risk factors, and treatment of anemia in different nephrology centers, among chronic kidney disease patients who were not given renal replacement therapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a multicenter cross-sectional study in three different nephrology clinics. Adult (>18 years of age) chronic kidney disease patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) below 60 ml/min, and who were not started dialysis were recruited. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data regarding anemia and its management were collected using a standard data form. Anemia was defined as a hemoglobin level below 12g/dL and severe anemia as a hemoglobin level below 10g/dl.

RESULTS

A total of 1066 patients were enrolled in the study. Anemia and severe anemia were present in 55.9% and 14.9% of the patients, respectively. The mean hemoglobin level for the whole cohort was 11.8±1.8 g/dL. Univariate analyses revealed that the mean hemoglobin level was significantly different among the centers. Moreover, the frequency of the presence of anemia stratified by severity was also significantly different among the centers. According to binary logistic regression analysis, gender, levels of eGFR and iron, ferritin ≥ 100 ng/mL, and the nephrology center were independent determinants of severe anemia.

CONCLUSIONS

We found a high prevalence of anemia among chronic kidney disease patients who were not on renal replacement therapy. Each center should determine the treatment strategy according to the patient's characteristics. According to our results, the center-specific management of anemia seems to be important.