Evaluation of cinacalcet HCl treatment after kidney transplantation

BACKGROUND

Hyperparathyroidism often remains or develops after kidney transplantation. Vitamin D sterol used as treatment for an elevated parathyroid hormone (PTH) level and associated bone disease may be contraindicated due to hypercalcemia. The calcimimetic cinacalcet HCl (cinacalcet), which lowers PTH and calcium (Ca) in chronic kidney disease patients, may represent an alternate therapeutic modality.

METHODS

This multicenter, retrospective, observational study examined 41 kidney transplant patients receiving cinacalcet for ≥3 months starting ≥3 months posttransplantation. Levels of intact PTH, Ca, and phosphorus (P) were examined during the assessment phase (3-6 months after initiation).

RESULTS

Median PTH decreased 21.8% during the assessment phase (P < .001), with 32.5% of patients exhibiting a ≥30% decrease in PTH from baseline. Median Ca decreased 6.8% (P < .0001). Median serum P rose 10.0% (P = .0124), but remained within normal limits. The estimated glomerular filtration rate was stable throughout the study.

CONCLUSIONS

Cinacalcet may be useful for the treatment of hyperparathyroidism after kidney transplantation. Randomized, prospectively designed clinical trials are required to confirm these results.

Nontransplant therapy for dialysis-related amyloidosis

There is no specific treatment for dialysis-related amyloidosis (DRA). Available therapy is directed at removal of large quantities of beta(2)-microglobulin (beta(2)M) and palliation of symptoms. Plasma concentrations of beta(2)M in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) depend on the degree of residual renal function, the type of blood purification therapy, and properties of the dialysis filtration membrane. Retention of beta(2)M appears to be a necessary, although not sufficient, condition for DRA. While preserving residual renal function is important, dialysis modality largely determines beta(2)M removal. Convective dialysis treatments (hemofiltration and hemodiafiltration) remove beta(2)M more efficiently than diffusive treatments (conventional dialysis). In addition, column adsorption of beta(2)M can extensively remove the molecule, as can nocturnal hemodialysis. Hemodialysis membrane properties that are particularly important with regard to beta(2)M removal include permeability, adsorptive capacity, and biocompatibility. As such, beta(2)M removal with highly permeable biocompatible membranes such as polysulfone and polyacrylonitrile is relatively large. Several studies have suggested that use of such membranes can significantly delay DRA development and may be useful in ameliorating DRA-associated symptoms. Non-dialysis-related therapy for DRA is palliative and includes both medical and surgical therapies. Medical therapy includes low-dose corticosteroids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Surgical therapy consists of relief of carpal tunnel syndrome, or palliation of shoulder pain, destroyed weight-bearing joints, or spinal cord compression. DRA is a serious complication of long-term dialysis. It is important for nephrologists to recognize the condition and attempt to slow its progression.

The risks of exercise

Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) can benefit from exercise. At a minimum, progressive deconditioning will be prevented and cardiovascular and musculoskeletal status quo maintained, but it is also possible that physical functioning will be improved and mortality reduced. The risks of exercise must be assessed along with potential benefits. The most serious inherent risk of exercise in this population is a cardiac event, but the most common injuries sustained are to the musculoskeletal system. The exercise prescription must include measures to minimize both cardiovascular and musculoskeletal risk. These include provision of a prolonged warm-up and exercise adaptation period and time allowance for adequate cool-down. If these guidelines are followed and the exercise is begun at a low to moderate intensity, the associated risk to the ESRD patients should be minimal. For most ESRD patients, the risk benefit ratio will fall in favor of exercise, with the majority of patients exposed to greater risk by not exercising. Increased physical activity should be fostered in ways so that it becomes a routine part of the medical therapy and the mindset of the patient who then strives for self-improvement.

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis in a renal allograft recipient

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis rarely occurs in renal allografts. This is the fifth reported case. Diagnosis was made by renal biopsy, which is usually performed to evaluate an elevated serum creatinine. Associated patient symptomology is nonspecific, and graft imaging with ultrasonography and computed tomography was not helpful as it would be with native kidney xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis. Successful treatment with antibiotics may depend on the serum creatinine at presentation. Prognosis, therefore, is guarded, with a common outcome of irreversible renal dysfunction.

Effect of calcium channel or beta-blockade on the progression of diabetic nephropathy in African Americans

beta-Blockers are known to slow the progression of diabetic nephropathy by lowering arterial pressure. Moreover, in individuals with diabetic nephropathy, antihypertensive agents that provide sustained reductions in proteinuria slow the rate of decline in renal function compared with agents without this antiproteinuric effect. To examine whether differential effects on proteinuria affect the progression of diabetic nephropathy, we conducted a randomized study that compared the effects of a heart rate-lowering calcium channel blocker, sustained-release verapamil, with those of a beta-blocker, atenolol, on the progression of diabetic renal disease. The primary end point of the study was a change in creatinine clearance slope. Thirty-four African Americans with the following inclusion criteria were randomized to one of the two groups: serum creatinine greater than 1.4 mg/dL, proteinuria greater than 1500 mg/d, longer than a 5-year history of both non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and hypertension, and exclusion of other renal diseases. Goal blood pressure was less than 140/90 mm Hg. All subjects received loop diuretics as second line agents to help achieve the blood pressure goal. Twenty-four-hour urinary protein and sodium excretions as well as creatinine clearance were measured at 6-month intervals. Blood pressure was measured every 3 months. After a mean follow-up of 54+/-6 months, the calcium channel blocker group demonstrated both a slower rate of decline in creatinine clearance (-1.7+/-0.9 versus -3.7+/-1.4 mL/min per year per 1.73 m2, P<.01) and a greater reduction in proteinuria compared with the atenolol group. Additionally, a greater proportion of the atenolol group had a 50% or more increase in serum creatinine compared with the verapamil group (32+/-9% versus 16+/-7%, P<.05). These between-group differences could not be explained by differences in blood pressure control. These data support the concept that antihypertensive agents that persistently maintain reductions in both arterial pressure and proteinuria slow the progression of diabetic renal disease in African Americans to a greater extent than those agents without these effects.

Calcium channel blockers versus other antihypertensive therapies on progression of NIDDM associated nephropathy

Treatment of hypertension with ACE inhibitors in diabetic patients reduces proteinuria and slows progression of nephropathy compared with agents that do not maintain declines in proteinuria. Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) have variable effects on proteinuria; their long-term effects on progression of diabetic nephropathy are not known. The current study examines the hypothesis that CCBs that maintain reductions in proteinuria slow progression of nephropathy associated with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) by a degree comparable to ACE inhibitors, given similar levels of blood pressure control. To test this hypothesis we randomized 52 patients with NIDDM associated nephropathy and hypertension, mean age of 63 +/- 8 years, to either the ACE inhibitor, lisinopril (N = 18), nondihydropyridine CCBs (NDCCBs), verapamil SR (N = 8) or diltiazem SR (N = 10), or the beta blocker, atenolol (N = 16). Goal blood pressure was < or = 140/90 mm Hg. Patients were followed for a mean period of 63 +/- 7 months. The primary end point was change in creatinine clearance (CCr) slope in each group. There was no significant difference in mean arterial pressure reduction among the groups over the study period (P = 0.14). The mean rate of decline in CCr was greatest in the atenolol group (-3.48 ml/min/year/1.73 m2; P < 0.0001). There was no difference in the CCr slopes between lisinopril and NDCCBs groups (P = 0.36). Proteinuria was reduced to a similar extent in the lisinopril and NDCCBs groups (P > 0.99). Therefore, in persons with renal insufficiency secondary to NIDDM, similar levels of blood pressure control with either lisinopril or NDCCBs slowed progression of renal disease to a greater extent than atenolol. Moreover, this enhanced slowing of renal disease progression correlated with sustained and significant reductions in proteinuria, findings not observed in the atenolol group.

Effect of citrate on serum aluminum concentrations in hemodialysis patients: a prospective study

Twenty hemodialysis patients were prospectively evaluated to determine if concomitant citrate and aluminum administration enhances the absorption of aluminum, thereby increasing the possibility of toxicity. The four-phase study consisted of phase I, a washout phase; phase II, an aluminum treatment phase; phase III, a treatment phase combining aluminum and soluble calcium citrate; and phase IV, a treatment phase with the patient's original prestudy phosphate binder. Results disclosed a progressive rise in serum aluminum levels (microgram/L) from 47 +/- 8 (phase I) to 62 +/- 12 (phase II) to 74 +/- 13 (phase III) and a drop to 58 +/- 12 (phase IV). The difference in levels between phases I and III was significant. Additionally, and despite the fact that serum calcium concentrations did not change, serum phosphate and immunoreactive parathyroid hormone concentrations were significantly lower when aluminum and citrate were used together. This suggests that citrate enhances the absorption of aluminum and therefore increases the possibility of toxicity in the patient with end-stage renal disease.

Longitudinal study of bone mass in end-stage renal disease patients: effects of parathyroidectomy for renal osteodystrophy

The effectiveness of parathyroidectomy (PTHX) for the control of secondary hyperparathyroidism was assessed in 46 adult end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients whose bone mineral content at the midshaft and distal radius was measured using single-photon absorptiometry (SPA) every 6 months before and after the surgery. They were compared to 46 age-, race-, and sex-matched ESRD patient controls who had not undergone surgery but who had had at least five SPA studies at similar intervals. Presurgery midradius bone mass was significantly lower for PTHX patients compared to controls. Comparing changes in bone mass of PTHX patients across surgery to controls in comparable time periods showed that PTHX patients lost significantly less bone mass after surgery. Similar results were obtained when rates of change in bone mass were evaluated. When patient characteristics were examined, the effect of surgery was found to be diminished in elderly patients and in oophorectomized patients. It is concluded that PTHX can have a salutary effect on renal osteodystrophy in the appendicular skeleton, but factors other than bone mass also need to be considered in identifying those patients who will benefit from surgery.

Calcium citrate without aluminum antacids does not cause aluminum retention in patients with functioning kidneys

It has been suggested that calcium citrate might enhance aluminum absorption from food, posing a threat of aluminum toxicity even in patients with normal renal function. We therefore measured serum and urinary aluminum before and following calcium citrate therapy in patients with moderate renal failure and in normal subjects maintained on constant metabolic diets with known aluminum content (967-1034 mumol/day, or 26.1-27.9 mg/day, in patients and either 834 or 1579 mumol/day, or 22.5 and 42.6 mg/day, in normal subjects). Seven patients with moderate renal failure (endogenous creatinine clearance of 43 ml/min) took 50 mmol (2 g) calcium/day as effervescent calcium citrate with meals for 17 days. Eight normal women received 25 mmol (1 g) calcium/day as tricalcium dicitrate tablets with meals for 7 days. In patients with moderate renal failure, serum and urinary aluminum were normal before treatment at 489 +/- 293 SD nmol/l (13.2 +/- 7.9 micrograms/l) and 767 +/- 497 nmol/day (20.7 +/- 13.4 micrograms/day), respectively. They remained within normal limits and did not change significantly during calcium citrate treatment (400 +/- 148 nmol/l and 600 +/- 441 nmol/day, respectively). Similarly, no significant change in serum and urinary aluminum was detected in normal women during calcium citrate administration (271 +/- 59 vs 293 +/- 85 nmol/l and 515 +/- 138 vs 615 +/- 170 nmol/day, respectively). In addition, skeletal bone aluminum content did not change significantly in 14 osteoporotic patients (endogenous creatinine clearance of 68.5 ml/min) treated for 24 months with calcium citrate, 10 mmol calcium twice/day separately from meals (29.3 +/- 13.9 ng/mg ash bone to 27.9 +/0- 10.4, P = 0.727). In them, histomorphometric examination did not show any evidence of mineralization defect. Thus, calcium citrate given alone without aluminum-containing drugs does not pose a risk of aluminum toxicity in subjects with normal or functioning kidneys, when it is administered on an empty stomach at a recommended dose of 20 mmol calcium/day.

Free and total 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels in subjects with renal disease

Patients with nephrotic syndrome and varying degrees of renal failure, including those on chronic hemo- and peritoneal dialysis, may have low serum concentrations of total 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2D]. However, it is unknown whether the true activity of 1,25(OH)2D is better reflected by the free 1,25(OH)2D fraction. We measured total 1,25(OH)2D, free 1,25(OH)2D, and vitamin-D-binding protein (DBP) in normal subjects (group A), subjects with moderate renal failure (group B), subjects on hemodialysis (group C), subjects on peritoneal dialysis (group D), and subjects with nephrotic syndrome (group E). The serum concentrations of total and free 1,25(OH)2D decreased with worsening renal function in groups A through C, with a high degree of correlation (r = 0.974, P less than 0.0001). Levels of DBP and the percent free 1,25(OH)2D remained constant in these groups. Patients on peritoneal dialysis and nephrotic patients had lower levels of DBP (203 +/- 14 micrograms/ml and 371 +/- 46 micrograms/ml, respectively) than normal subjects (436 +/- 33 micrograms/ml) and had significantly higher percent free 1,25(OH)2D (0.98 +/- 0.13% and 1.27 +/- 0.14%, respectively) compared to 0.63 +/- 0.03% (P less than 0.05). Thus, the loss of DBP in these patients correlated with a rise in the percent free 1,25(OH)2D. We conclude that levels of total 1,25(OH)2D are an accurate representation of 1,25(OH)2D status in normal subjects, subjects with renal insufficiency without nephrotic syndrome, and hemodialysis patients. In peritoneal dialysis and nephrotic patients, who lose DBP, measurements of free 1,25(OH)2D may be necessary in order to accurately assess 1,25(OH)2D status.

Prospective comparison of peritoneoscopic and surgical implantation of CAPD catheters

Prospectively collected data were analyzed comparing surgically and peritoneoscopically placed peritoneal dialysis catheters in 88 patients. Peritoneoscopically placed catheters were found to survive longer than surgically placed ones. Rates of exit site infection and pericatheter leaks were found to be similar with both techniques.

Soft tissue calcification in renal failure

Disorders of phosphorus, calcium, and vitamin D are common in patients with renal failure. Medical management, including dietary phosphorus restriction, administration of phosphate binding agents, and calcium and vitamin D sterol supplementation, must be instituted to control serum concentrations of these substances because of the loss of normal homeostatic mechanisms. If these measures are not employed, soft tissue calcification and hyperparathyroidism may result. We report the case of a 22-year-old woman with endstage renal disease treated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis who developed secondary hyperparathyroidism and tumorous calcinosis as a result of noncompliance with dietary phosphorus restriction and phosphate-binding agent therapy. The etiology and treatment of soft tissue calcification in patients with renal disease are discussed. Compliance with dietary restrictions and phosphate binding agents is frequently problematic in this population. Pharmacists should play an active role in educating patients with renal disease on the consequences of noncompliance with dietary and drug therapy.

Attending rounds: a survey of physician attitudes

To determine attitudes regarding attending rounds, the authors surveyed all internal medicine residents and attending physicians at the eight Army teaching hospitals. The response rate was 86%, including 166 (76%) of 217 residents and 246 (93%) of 264 attendings. Of 12 educational activities, attending rounds were ranked seventh by residents in their perceived value. Both residents and attendings favored sessions that lasted 90 minutes or less and were held three to four times per week. Most respondents felt case presentations should take 5 minutes or less and be delivered away from the patient's bedside. On average, residents preferred less time at the bedside than did attendings (25% vs. 34% of attending round time). Residents desired substantial control of the agenda for rounds and also wanted to be responsible for one-third of the teaching. The attending-physician attributes that residents valued most highly were fund of knowledge, availability, and relating well to housestaff. Since residents' and attending physicians' attitudes may differ, expectations regarding attending rounds should be clarified at the beginning of a ward rotation so that mutually acceptable goals can be established.

Effect of hypertension and type II diabetes on renal function in an urban population

End-stage renal disease is a devastating complication of essential hypertension and type II diabetes mellitus, conditions that commonly occur together. We and others have previously suggested that the outcome of both conditions may be influenced by more aggressive treatment. We examined a large general medicine outpatient population; 72% were black and 41% were diabetic (95% type II). Decreased renal function, defined as a serum creatinine greater than or equal to mg/dL, developed in 18.1%. A multivariable logistic regression analysis identified glucose control, systolic blood pressure level, and male gender as indicators of decreased renal function. These data suggested that both glucose and blood pressure control may decrease the frequency of impaired renal function. However, when these variables were controlled, blacks still had almost twice the risk for renal dysfunction of whites. The data draw attention to, and elucidate the exceptionally high incidence of renal dysfunction in hypertensive blacks with or without diabetes. Further, they may explain the inordinate numbers of blacks with hypertension requiring dialysis. Prospective trials to test the efficacy of blood pressure and glucose control on the course of renal disease in hypertensive and/or type II diabetic patients are warranted.

Lysine vasopressin in the treatment of refractory hemodialysis-induced hypotension

The etiology of hemodialysis-induced hypotension is multifactorial. We assessed the efficacy of intranasal lysine vasopressin (LV) in 6 patients with refractory hemodialysis-induced hypotension. Autonomic testing was abnormal in all. Intranasal LV and placebo were assessed in a double-blind crossover fashion. With LV, the mean number of hypotensive episodes was less (0.9 +/- 0.8 vs. 1.5 +/- 1; t = 3.95, p less than 0.05), as was the total volume of intravenous fluid administered because of hypotension (155 +/- 57 vs. 280 +/- 123 cm3; t = 2.98, p less than 0.05). Systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial blood pressures were significantly greater at 90 min of the dialysis session. Measured baseline epinephrine, norepinephrine, and antidiuretic hormone levels were elevated above normal levels and fell with hypotension despite the use of LV. The results from this study demonstrate the utility of LV in the treatment of refractory hemodialysis-induced hypotension.

Communication of information about therapeutic alternatives: end-stage renal disease model

We analyzed data from questionnaires obtained from 59 patients with end-stage renal disease and nine nephrologists and transplant surgeons to determine outcome of transplantation and dialysis (probability estimates) and the relative advantages of these two treatments (attitudinal responses). Data from national and local studies were available for comparison with the probability estimates. Results indicate that although personal experience with transplantation can bias a patient's estimate of treatment outcome, neither physicians nor patients had a bias toward optimism. Attitudinal responses were similar for patients and physicians, suggesting that physicians communicate personal views more easily than information. Results suggest that shortcomings in information processing need not make informed consent procedures invalid.

Back to basics: the urinalysis: a selected national survey and review

An accurately performed urinalysis is vital to the screening and assessment of renal disease. We sent questionnaires to nephrology training programs throughout the United States and compared techniques described in the responses to standard urinalysis methodology gleaned from literature review. There were notable deviations in performance and interpretation between the nephrologists and the standard urinalysis. It appears that additional emphasis should be place don this basic and important laboratory test. Further study is needed to determine if more accurate performance will influence patient diagnosis and outcome.

Effect of red blood cell lysis on protein quantitation in hematuric states

To simulate hematuria, blood from healthy volunteers was added to urine samples of varying osmolalities to produce urocrits ranging from 0.01 to 3.0%. Specimens were then analyzed for protein concentration by a method using a combination of 3% sulfosalicylic and trichloroacetic acids. Microscopic hematuria (urocrit of less than 0.05%) was not associated with proteinuria, but gross hematuria often resulted in substantial amounts of protein being detected. In iso- and hypertonic urines, modest elevations in protein concentration (69-97 mg/dl) were detected. Hypotonic urines produced marked proteinuria (1,302-1,863 mg/dl). Urine protein electrophoreses identified hemoglobin as the responsible protein. Isolated hematuria can cause false-positive proteinuria on the basis of RBC lysis and release of hemoglobin into the urine. The diagnostic and prognostic implications of clinical proteinuria in the hematuric patient can be significant. Thus, in a patient with gross hematuria, a urine protein electrophoresis should be accomplished to assess the contribution of hemoglobin to the total protein determination.

Calcium citrate, a nonaluminum-containing phosphate-binding agent for treatment of CRF

Calcium citrate was evaluated as a dietary phosphate binder in 81 patients with end-stage renal disease. These patients were grouped as follows: Group 1, 43 patients who were treated with calcium citrate; and Group 2 (the control group), 38 patients who were treated with aluminum-containing compounds. Blood chemistries were measured monthly and medications adjusted to maintain the following levels: serum calcium, greater than 9 mg/dl; serum phosphorus, less than 5.5 mg/dl; and total CO2 content, greater than 22 mmol/liter. At the end of the treatment period, the following serum values were obtained in Groups 1 and 2, respectively: calcium, 9.6 +/- 1.2 mg/dl (mean +/- SD) versus 8.9 +/- 0.8 mg/dl (P less than 0.001); phosphorus 5.5 +/- 1.9 mg/dl versus 7.0 +/- 2.3 mg/dl (P less than 0.005); and calcium-phosphate product, 52 +/- 18 versus 61 +/- 21 (P less than 0.05). Differences in alkaline phosphatase, total CO2 content, and C-terminal parathyroid hormone (C-PTH) values were not statistically significant between the two groups. Fifteen patients in Group 1 were then switched to aluminum-containing compounds and chemistries were compared one month later. During calcium citrate therapy, serum calcium was significantly higher, while C-PTH and serum alkaline phosphatase were significantly reduced. No difference was noted in serum phosphorous and total CO2 content. A questionnaire completed by 17 patients in Group 1 documented excellent patient tolerance to calcium citrate. Hypercalcemia (greater than 10.5 mg/dl) was the only significant complication, but only one patient became symptomatic. We conclude that, as a phosphate binder, calcium citrate is at least as effective as aluminum-containing compounds.

Prevention of peritoneal dialysis catheter-related infections

There is a significant correlation between patient morbidity and peritoneal dialysis-associated catheter-related infections. Infection occurs when barriers to microorganism invasion are disrupted. To establish and maintain strong barriers against this invasion, care must be taken with placement of the catheter and with short- and long-term maintenance. There must be particular emphasis on planning placement of the catheter. Exit-site selection, type and configuration of the catheter, whether the catheter will contain one or two cuffs, and whether placement will be midline or lateral are all important factors to be considered. Tips are offered to enhance barrier establishment as the catheter is placed, as is a discussion of postplacement exit-site and wound care, and exit-site care after healing has occurred. Finally, the importance of recognizing catheter-related infections is emphasized and four types of infection are defined. Given the anecdotal nature of much of the material presented and the lack of well-defined clinical research on the subject, carefully designed randomized prospective studies are needed to determine the best method for both catheter placement and maintenance.

Improving house staff ordering of three common laboratory tests. Reductions in test ordering need not result in underutilization

Most studies of modifying test ordering have focused on costs. Questions not addressed are whether programs to reduce testing lead to a higher proportion of clinically indicated tests and is underutilization an adverse outcome of such programs? To investigate this, we studied the house staff's ordering of three common laboratory tests at baseline and after educational and administrative interventions. Over a 2-year period, 3,603 urine cultures, sputum cultures, and admission urinalyses were reviewed. A lecture emphasizing the indications for these tests followed by chart audit and weekly feedback increased the proportion of clinically indicated tests. Subsequently, an administrative intervention requiring the intern to list the reason for ordering the test on the laboratory request form further improved test ordering. Underutilization, defined as a failure to order a potentially indicated test, was assessed during two representative periods. The "underutilization rate" (omitted tests per 100 patients) was no worse during maximal intervention than it was 9 months after the last intervention (7.7 vs. 11.1, NS). No immediate adverse consequences resulted from tests not ordered. Our findings indicate that it may be possible to selectively reduce the ordering of unnecessary tests without sacrificing quality of care.

'Idiopathic' hematuria. A prospective evaluation

Evaluation of the patient with isolated hematuria is often problematic. Sixty-five patients with this entity were studied prospectively with renal biopsy; serum IgA levels, skin biopsy for IgA immunofluorescence, and HLA typing were also studied in most patients. Previously, all patients had had a non-contributory history and physical examination, normal results of structural evaluation, serologic and clotting studies, and proteinuria of less than 1000 mg/d (less than 1 g/d). Seventy-eight percent were found to have abnormal renal biopsy results and were divisible into two patient groups: those with IgA nephropathy (49%, 32/65) and those with multiple nonspecific abnormalities (29%, 19/65). Ancillary testing, demographic data, and clinical data, other than abnormal amounts of proteinuria, were not distinguishable between these groups and patients with normal renal biopsy results (22%, 14/65). Etiologic differentiation of the hematuria was possible only by renal biopsy. At present, renal biopsy in this group of patients makes no difference therapeutically or, probably, prognostically. It should not, therefore, be considered necessary for routine management of asymptomatic hematuria.

The admission urinalysis: impact on patient care

Although urinalysis is one of the most frequently ordered tests in primary care, its usefulness in screening has not been demonstrated. A retrospective review of 1,607 admission urinalyses for inpatients in a referral/community hospital identified 861 as clinically indicated and 746 as routine. Routine urinalyses were abnormal less frequently than clinically indicated urinalyses (18.1% vs 39.6%) and when abnormal, were responded to less often (33.3% vs 75.4%). Forty-five (6.0%) of the routine urinalyses yielded an abnormality that led to diagnostic action. Of these, 18 were normal on repeat testing and 17 were considered unlikely to represent significant disease. Therefore, only ten (1.3%) of the routine urinalyses affected patient therapy. In eight of these cases, the abnormality was pyuria, of which six proved to be asymptomatic bacteriuria. The admission urinalysis as a routine test had little impact on patient care in the authors' institution.

Isolated asymptomatic hematuria in the adult

The term "isolated asymptomatic hematuria," as it relates to both gross and microscopic hematuria, is defined; and the pros and cons of detection techniques used to localize the source of the hematuria are discussed. An algorithm is provided to optimize detection of structural defects and intrinsic renal disease in an effort to avoid subjecting the patient with this difficult-to-diagnose problem to unnecessary invasive tests. Although invasive tests should be performed where deemed necessary in the clinician's aggressive search to detect any structural abnormality, controversial areas of the evaluation of these patients are addressed. To justify various branch points of the algorithm, a discussion of both renal cell carcinoma and primary renal hematuria is proffered.

Primary renal hematuria presenting as unilateral gross hematuria

A patient with unilateral gross hematuria was found to have mesangial proliferation and IgM deposition on renal biopsy, consistent with the entity of primary renal hematuria. This case refutes previous assumptions that renal biopsy is normal in patients with unilateral hematuria. Glomerular lesions may be more common than previously suspected in the setting of unilateral hematuria. Renal biopsy can be useful both to define the natural history of unilateral hematuria and prevent repeated diagnostic procedures in patients with abnormal biopsies.

Utility of skin biopsy in the diagnosis of IgA nephropathy

Thirty-seven patients with the diagnosis of IgA nephropathy were evaluated with punch skin biopsies of non-sun exposed skin. Biopsies were performed regardless of clinical activity. Biopsies were positive for IgA immunofluorescence in two patients. In an effort to enhance positivity of biopsies, patients were pretreated with 0.1 mL of histamine and then repeat biopsies were performed on 14 patients with previously negative skin biopsies. All 14 patients had negative repeat skin biopsies for IgA immunofluorescence. A review of the literature revealed 76 positive skin biopsies in a total of 138 patients with IgA nephropathy. Positive skin biopsies were also reported in 169 of 510 patients with other renal diseases. We conclude that a 4 mm punch skin biopsy with or without histamine is an insensitive and non-specific test for diagnosing IgA nephropathy.

Acute interstitial nephritis associated with mezlocillin, nafcillin, and gentamicin treatment for Pseudomonas infection

Two patients developed acute interstitial nephritis (AIN) following treatment with mezlocillin sodium. Diagnosis was made by renal biopsy. Gallium 67 citrate scanning was abnormal in both. All patients were receiving multiple-drug therapy, but AIN has either not been described with the other drugs, or the temporal relationship between the AIN and termination of other drug therapy makes a causative relationship unlikely. All were infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A role for the infecting organism or drug synergism in contributing to the renal disease cannot be excluded.

Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis and scleroderma

A patient with scleroderma has been maintained on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) for the past 18 months after having developed associated renal failure. Peritoneal clearances, pulmonary function tests, and hand studies have shown seasonal changes from summer to winter with ambient temperature variations. Rehabilitation and quality of life have been acceptable, blood pressure has been well controlled off all medications, and there has been relatively little disease progression. Attempts have been made to maintain low-dose captopril therapy to suppress plasma renin activity. This case suggests that CAPD is an acceptable and, perhaps, indicated treatment modality for renal failure associated with scleroderma.

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis: a case report and comment on reliability of testing sources

A case of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is presented. Difficulty in establishing the diagnosis occurred because of a false-negative precipitin result obtained from a commercial laboratory. This would seem to support the contention that the paucity of ABPA cases reported in the United States is secondary to the low potency and variable composition of commercial antigens available for skin tests and immunodiffusion, resulting in false-negative skin and precipitin tests. Furthermore, positive tests to species of Aspergillus other than fumigatus heretofore considered non-pathogenic must now be considered as possible etiologic explanations.

Renal failure with minimal change nephrotic syndrome: reversal with hemodialysis

A patient with acute renal failure accompanying nephrotic syndrome associated with minimal change nephropathy acutely reversed with hemodialysis and ultrafiltration. This response is felt to support the interstitial edema tubular obstruction theory of renal failure occurring with minimal change disease. Acute hemodialysis with significant fluid removal may dramatically reverse severe degrees of azotemia in this condition independent of corticosteroid therapy. The latter, however, may be necessary for remission of the nephrotic syndrome.

Nephrotic range pseudoproteinuria in a tolmetin-treated patient

False-positive proteinuria by acid precipitation testing in tolmetin-treated patients has been noted on routine urinalysis screening. However, the magnitude of such false positivity has not been previously reported. We present a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus who presented with nephrotic range pseudoproteinuria using an acid precipitation method of testing. This misleading laboratory result and alternative methods of testing for proteinuria in tolmetin-treated patients are discussed.

Thrombocytopenia and low-dose heparin

We present two cases in which thrombocytopenia developed during low-dose heparin therapy. They seem to represent the spectrum of heparin-associated thrombocytopenia described by Carreras. Because of the increasing use of low-dose heparin for thromboembolism prophylaxis, and because patient reexposure to heparin is not uncommon, the identification of even a modest fall in platelet count in association with heparin therapy is important.

Failure to recover alpha-hemolytic streptococci or malignancy-associated microorganisms from patients with kidney disease and from healthy humans

We duplicated blood culture techniques and media used by workers reporting alpha-hemolytic streptococci from nephropathy patients as well as from healthy persons. We studied 33 kidney patients presenting 12 diagnosed kidney diseases. The study was expanded to duplicate the experimental blood culture techniques of workers who reported Bacillus licheniformis and Cryptocides tumefaciens from patients with malignancies and, to a lesser degree, from healthy people. Seven culture media and 21 conditions of growth were used. There were no streptococcal isolates, and the few random isolates of other bacteria indicated that they were contaminants. Thus, our study did not corroborate the previous reports.

The quality of life of hemodialysis and transplant patients

This study demonstrates the application of a more comprehensive methodology for evaluating quality of life of hemodialysis and transplant patients and provides some heuristic data. Physiologic and psychologic measures were combined to assess the quality of life of 59 patients treated for endstage renal disease (ESRD). Patients with successful cadaveric transplants gave evidence of greater physical and occupational rehabilitation than patients on chronic hemodialysis. On measures of subjective quality of life, however, successful transplant and hemodialysis patients were similar in reporting normal affect whereas failed transplant patients showed a diminished quality of life. These results suggest that cadaveric transplantation may have limited value as an intervention to improve quality of life for patients with ESRD. Moreover, the results demonstrate the usefulness of questionnaire techniques adapted from psychological research for evaluating the quality of life of patients following medical intervention.