Assessment of chronic kidney disease in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD); A single center experience

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) represents a considerable percentage of chronic liver diseases worldwide. The liver is not the only organ affected by NAFLD but also affects other organs such as the cardiovascular system and the kidney. In recent decades, there has been a growing body of evidence linking NAFLD to kidney function. So, the current study aims to assess the percentage of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in NAFLD patients and its link to different stages of hepatic fibrosis. Patients and Methods: A case-control study evaluated 62 non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients and a control group of 38 volunteers with apparently healthy livers (normal echo pattern by ultrasound). All participants underwent serum creatinine measurement, albumin creatinine ratio in urine, calculation of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), abdominal ultrasound, and fibroScan examination. Results: The authors showed that the percentage of patients with chronic kidney diseases (patients with GFR less than 60 ml or micro-albuminuria) were significantly higher among NAFLD groups than in healthy controls. There was a significant positive correlation between the albumin creatinine ratio and subcutaneous fat thickness, BMI, and steatosis degrees. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and the age of the patients had a significant negative correlation. In comparison, the eGFR and AST levels had a significant positive correlation. Conclusions: Our results showed that NAFLD substantially raises the risk of getting CKD

Early detection of acute renal lesions by serum cystatin C in children at hospital and university Centre of Brazzaville

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is considered one of the main public health problems. The effective management of these alterations is based on the early detection of renal lesions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the contribution of the Cystatin C (CysC) assay in the early diagnosis of acute kidney injury (AKI) in children hospitalized in pediatric intensive care units in Brazzaville. MATERIALS AND METHODS Sixty children at high risk of developing AKI were included. Consent form signed was obtained from parents, socio-demographic data, weight and height of children recorded. Creatinine (Cr), CysC and urea were assayed in serum 24 hours after admission. Glomerular filtration clearance was estimated using serum creatinine and CysC. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was calculated from CysC and Cr. The diagnostic accuracy was determined by comparing the results of CysC to those of Cr (considered as a reference biomarker). RESULTS The median age was 5 years (with extremes ranging from 1 month to 17 years). Cr, CysC, urea, and GFR/Cr (mean ± standard deviation [range]) were 0.94±1.17 (0.2­ 1.4 mg/dl), 0.14 ± 0.062 (0.053-0.095 mg/l), 46.65±47.75 (15.0­45.0 mg/dl), 81.85±31.90 (≥190 ml/min per 1.73 m2 , respectively. The level of CysC in patients with ARL was significantly higher than that of children with normal renal function (p<0.001). Our results show that the performance of serum CysC in detecting AKI early was superior to that of serum Cr in children hospitalized in pediatric intensive care units in Brazzaville

An Evaluation of Risk Factors Associated with Pregnancy Related Acute Kidney Injury in Women Admitted to the High Dependency Care Unit at Women and Newborn Hospital, Lusaka-Zambia

Objective:To evaluate factors associated with Pregnancy-related KidneyInjury(PRAKI) inwomen admitted to high dependency care unit at Women and Newborn Hospital in Lusaka, ZambiaMethodology:This was an unmatched case-control study conducted in the high-dependency care unit at Women and Newborn Hospital in Lusaka. Study participantswererecruitedconsecutivelybyconveniencesampling.Participants'medicalrecords were reviewed to capture serum creatinine levels;whileastructuredquestionnairewasadministeredto eligible andconsentedstudy participants to capture data on sociodemographic, obstetric, and medical factors. Serum creatinine levels above 84µmol/l were used as criteria for classifying PRAKI. Excel was used for data cleaningandStatav13usedforanalysis.Descriptive statistics were done for all variables followed by univariate and multivariable logistic regression to determine association. 95% CI was usedand p value of<0.05 was consideredsignificant.Results:Thestudy comprised of185 study participants, split into 85 women with PRAKI (cases) and 100 women without PRAKI (controls). The median age was 29 years with 11years interquartile range. 75.3%of the study participants wereinmarriagerelationships.Pre-existinghypertension was the most prevalent medical condition in both the cases (51.8%) and the controls (38%). Sickle celldisease was much less common at 1.2% in cases and 8% in controls. Among the obstetric conditions, preeclampsia was the most common condition at 77.6% and 60% in cases and controls respectively. Eclampsia was found in 38.8% of cases and 11% of controls. Sepsis was least common at 4.7% of cases. This study found that obstetricfactorssuch as eclampsia (AOR = 5.12, 95% CI [2.14 ­ 12.23]; p≤0.0001), preeclampsia (AOR = 2.46, 95% CI [1.12 ­ 5.39]; p = 0.025), and postpartum haemorrhage were associated with the development of PRAKI. Medical conditions were not associated with PRAKI.

Turnaround time for electrolytes, urea, and creatinine in a clinical laboratory

Background: Timeliness is expressed as the turnaround time and is often used by the clinician as a benchmark for laboratory performance.Clinicians depend on fast turnaround time to achieve early diagnosis and treatment of their patients and early patient discharge from departments or hospital in-patient services. Determination of the turnaround time would enable a critical self- appraisal of our laboratory services and improve our turnaround time. Objective: This study assessed the turnaround time for electrolytes, urea and creatinine tests from the emergency departments of the hospital. Materials and Methods: An observational study was conducted between September and October 2016 amongst patients from the Intensive Care Unit, Accident and Emergency Department and Children Emergency Room, whose blood specimens were received at the Chemical Pathology Department foremergencyelectrolytes, urea and creatinine tests. A total of 122 specimens were randomly selected and the average time taken to complete each phase was measuredand the overall turnaround time calculated. Data was analysed using statistics software SPSS (version 13.5). Results: Audited cases consisted of 20 (16.4%) specimens from the Intensive Care Unit, 40 (32.8%) from the Children Emergency Room and 62 (50.8%) from the Accident and Emergency Department. The average turnaround time for the Accident and Emergency Department, Intensive Care Unit, and Children Emergency room were 6.5hours, 4.2hours and 5.2hours respectively. Conclusion: This study revealed that the turnaround time for electrolytes, urea and creatinine for patients in the emergency units is quite long and requires some improvement which could be done with the use of Laboratory Information System to track specimens from the various emergency units of the hospital

Clinician Compliance with Laboratory Monitoring and Prescribing Guidelines in HIV-1-Infected Patients Receiving Tenofovir

BACKGROUND:Tenofovir is part of the preferred first-line regimen for HIV-infected patients in South Africa (SA); but is associated with kidney toxicity. SA antiretroviral therapy (ART) guidelines recommend creatinine monitoring at baseline (ART start) and at 3; 6 and 12 months; and substituting tenofovir with zidovudine; stavudine or abacavir should creatinine clearance (CrCl) decrease to etlt;50 mL/min. OBJECTIVE:To assess clinician compliance with tenofovir monitoring and prescribing guidelines.METHODS:We described the proportion of adult patients on tenofovir-based first-line ART who were screened for baseline renal impairment; were monitored according to the SA antiretroviral treatment guidelines; and were switched from tenofovir if renal function declined.RESULTS:We included 13 168 patients who started ART from 2010 to 2012. Creatinine concentrations were recorded in 11 712 (88.9%) patients on tenofovir at baseline; 9 135/11 657 (78.4%) at 3 months; 5 426/10 554 (51.4%) at 6 months; and 5 949/ 8 421 (70.6%) at 12 months. At baseline; 227 (1.9%) started tenofovir despite a CrCl etlt;50 mL/min. While on tenofovir; 525 patients had at least one CrCl of etlt;50 mL/min. Of 382 patients with =3 months' follow-up after a CrCl etlt;50 mL/min; 114 (29.8%) stopped tenofovir within 3 months. Clinicians were more likely to stop tenofovir in patients with lower CrCl and CD4 count. Of 226 patients who continued to receive tenofovir and had further CrCls available; 156 (69.0%) had a CrCl =50 mL/min at their next visit.CONCLUSIONS:Creatinine monitoring is feasible where access to laboratory services is good. Kidney function recovered in most patients who continued to receive tenofovir despite a CrCl etlt;50 mL/min. Further research is needed to determine how best to monitor renal function with tenofovir in resource-limited settings

Urea and Creatinine Clearances in the Three Trimesters of Pregnancy

The aim of this study was to determine the creatinine and urea clearances; as indices of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) during the three trimesters of pregnancy. A total of 108 healthy subjects between the ages of 18 and 37years were divided into non-pregnant women (28+5years; n=30); 1st trimester of pregnancy (28+5years; n=18); 2nd trimester of pregnancy (28+4years; n=30). Serum and urine samples were collected at mid-trimester period. Creatinine and urea concentrations in serum and urine were determined using Jaffe's method for creatinine and the urease (Ccr) and urea clearance (Uurea) in the three trimesters when compared with the non-pregnancy value. The increase in creatinine clearance peaked in the second trimester (64.76+1.37 (non-pregnancy vs. 2nd trimester); while the increases of 34.50+3.68ml/min (non-pregnancy vs. 1st trimester); and 38.63+1.56 (nonpregnancy vs. 3rd trimester) were similar. These increases in Ccr were associated with a significant fall (p0.01) in all trimesters of pregnancy. Il is conclued that GFR increases in pregnancy until term; with a peak at the seond trimester

Contrast Medium-induced Nephropathy. Aspects on Incidence; Consequences; Risk Factors; and Prevention

"Contrast media-induced nephropathy (CIN) is a well-known complication of radiological examinations employing iodine contrast media (I-CM). The rapid development and frequent use of coronary interventions and multi-channel detector computed tomography with concomitant administration of relatively large doses of I-CM has contributed to an increasing number of CIN cases during the last few years. Reduced renal function; especially when caused by diabetic nephropathy or renal arteriosclerosis; in combination with dehydration; congestive heart failure; hypotension; and administration of nephrotoxic drugs are risk factors for the development of CIN. When CM-based examinations cannot be replaced by other techniques in patients at risk of CIN; focus should be directed towards analysis of number and type of risk factors; adequate estimation of GFR; institution of proper preventive measures including hydration and post-procedural observation combined with surveillance of serum creatinine for 1-3 days. For the radiologist; there are several steps to consider in order to minimise the risk for CIN: use of ""low-"" or ""iso-osmolar"" I-CM and dosing the I-CM in relation to GFR and body weight being the most important as well as utilizing radiographic techniques to keep the I-CM dose in gram iodine as low as possible below the numerical value of estimated GFR. There is as yet no pharmacological prevention that has been proven to be effective."

Presentation and clinical course of end stage renal failure in Ghana - a preliminary prospective study

Thirty-four patients with end stage renal failure seen over a 1-year period were included in this study. All patients presented with severe hypertension; moderate anaemia and raised blood urea and creatinine levels; findings which in the tropical setting usually suggested the diagnosis of end stage renal failure