Prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease among Patients Attending an HIV Outpatient Clinic in Kingston, Jamaica / Prevalencia de la enfermedad renal crónica entre los pacientes que asisten a una clínica ambulatoria de VIH en Kingston, Jamaica

ABSTRACT The medical records of 983 patients diagnosed with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) were reviewed, 501 of whom were female and 482 were male. The mean age was 42.1 years, the mean number of years since diagnosis of HIV was 7.4, and the average duration of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) was 51.7 months. The mean CD4 count at diagnosis was 268.5 cells/μL, but the most recent CD4 count was 461 cells/μL, and 85.8% of the patients were on HAART. The mean CD4 count was lower in those with a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of < 60 ml/minute/1.73m2 compared to those patients with only proteinuria and a GFR of > 60 ml/minute/1.73m2. In the sample population, 76.9% of the patients had chronic kidney disease stage 3, 7.7% were in stage 4 and 15.4% in stage 5. There were 3.1% of patients with persistent proteinuria. Hypertension and diabetes mellitus were co-morbidities.

RESUMEN Se revisaron las historias clínicas de 983 pacientes diagnosticados con el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH), 501 de los cuales eran mujeres, y 482 hombres. La edad promedio fue de 42.1 años, el número promedio de años a partir del diagnóstico de VIH fue 7.4, y la duración promedio de la terapia antirretroviral altamente activa (TARAA) fue de 51.7 meses. El conteo de CD4 promedio en el momento del diagnóstico fue de 268.5 células/μl pero el más reciente conteo de CD4 fue de 461 células/μl y el 85.8% de los pacientes se encontraban bajo terapia TARAA. El conteo de CD4 promedio fue menor en aquellos pacientes con una tasa de filtrado glomerular (TFG) de < 60 ml/minuto/1.73 m2, en comparación con los pacientes que tenían sólo proteinuria y una TFG de > 60 ml/minute/1.73 m2. En la población de la muestra, el 76.9% de los pacientes tenía enfermedad renal crónica en etapa 3, el 7.7% estaba en la etapa 4, y el 15.4% en la etapa 5. Había 3.1% de pacientes con proteinuria persistente. La hipertensión y la diabetes mellitus fueron comorbilidades.

The variable African diabetic phenotype: tales from the north and the south

Although most African diabetic patients are clearly phenotypically type 1 or 2, some do not easily fit into these categories. Examples are malnutrition-related diabetes mellitus (MRDM) and atypical ketosis-prone type 2 diabetes. To explore this problem we have compared two cohorts of diabetic patients from very different parts of Africa ­ rural KwazuluNatal in South Africa, and Mekelle District in northern Ethiopia. Basic demographic data were collected as well as measurements of blood pressure (BP) and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c). South African patients were older (56±11 vs 41±16 years, p<0.001) than Ethiopian patients, and more were female (70% vs 30%, p< 0.001). Body mass index (BMI) was higher in South African patients (31.5±6.3 v 20.6±5.4, p<0.001) and 56% were obese (BMI >30.0) compared with 4% in Ethiopia (p<0.001). Hypertension (BP >140/80) affected 80% of South African patients but only 4% of the Ethiopian cohort (p<0.001). Insulin treatment was more common in the Ethiopian patients compared with South Africans (66% vs 25%, p<0.001). Duration of diabetes and HbA1c were similar in both groups. Phenotypically, 96% of the South Africans had typical type 2 diabetes, whereas only 42% of the Ethiopians had such type 2 characteristics (p<0.001). The high occurrence of apparent type 1 diabetes (42%) in the Ethiopian patients, in conjunction with their very low BMI levels and local chronic food shortages, raises the possibility as to whether at least some of this group may have MRDM

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy: 30-day mortality trends and risk factors.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: 30-day Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) mortality of 8% (1992). Recent concerns suggest that mortality may have increased, prompting a comparison of current practice with that reported earlier. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data regarding PEG insertion with relation to case mix, complications, 30-day mortality and associated risk factors, in 2002, in a British University Hospital was compared with that in 1992. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine factors independently predictive of 30-day mortality. RESULTS: In 2002, 112 patients (70% males, mean age 67.5 years; 1992: 63.6 years) underwent PEG. The 30-day mortality increased significantly from 8% (1992) to 22% (2002), P= 0.03. During this time, PEG insertion rate increased ten-fold, however, procedure-related mortality decreased from 2% to nil. In terms of percentage, the indications for PEG in 1992 and 2002 respectively were: cerebrovascular disease (33/25), head and neck tumours (16/24), motor neuron disease (27/11, P= 0.01). The proportion of PEGs for non-evidence-based indications increased from 16% in 1992 to 31% in 2002, P= 0.048. The number of PEGs placed radiologically increased (0/17, P= 0.02). Radiological patients received less antibiotic prophylaxis (P< 0.001) and had more PEG site infections than standard placement, P= 0.04. Multivariate analysis identified nil by mouth > or = 7 days or 11.4 (CI 3.2-41.7), albumin< or = 30 g/L or 12 (2.2-66.7) and > 1 cardiac factor or 5.1 (1.02-25.6) as independent predictors of 30-day mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The ten-fold rise in the PEG insertion rate has been accompanied by a three-fold rise in 30-day mortality. This may reflect a lowered threshold of PEG insertion. The risk factors identified may help decision-making in cases where the risk-benefit relationship is not clear-cut.