Extrapulmonary manifestations and complications of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 infection: a systematic review

INTRODUCTION@#We aimed to describe the extrapulmonary manifestations of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, including their frequency, onset with respect to respiratory symptoms, pathogenesis and association with disease severity.@*METHODS@#We searched the MEDLINE and Embase databases for SARS-CoV-2-related studies. Meta-analysis, observational studies, case series and case reports published in English or Chinese between 1 January 2020 and 1 May 2020 were included. Reports with only paediatric or obstetric cases were excluded.@*RESULTS@#169 articles were included. Early manifestations (preceding respiratory symptoms until Day 6 of onset) included olfactory and gustatory disturbance (self-reported in up to 68% and 85% of cases, respectively), gastrointestinal symptoms (up to 65.9%) and rash (up to 20.4%). From Day 7 onwards, hypercytokinaemia, paralleled multi-organ complications including acute cardiac injury (pooled incidence of 17.7% in 1,412 patients, mostly with severe disease and 17.4% mortality), kidney and liver injury (up to 17% and 33%, respectively) and thrombocytopenia (up to 30%). Hypercoagulability resulted in venous thromboembolic events in up to 31% of all patients. Uncommon disease presentation and complications comprised Guillain-Barré syndrome, rhabdomyolysis, otitis media, meningoencephalitis and spontaneous pneumomediastinum.@*CONCLUSION@#Although the systemic manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 infection are variegated, they are deeply interwoven by shared mechanisms. Two phases of extrapulmonary disease were identified: (a) an early phase with possible gastrointestinal, ocular and cutaneous involvement; and (b) a late phase characterised by multiorgan dysfunction and clinical deterioration. A clear, multidisciplinary consensus to define and approach thromboinflammation and cytokine release syndrome in SARS-CoV-2 is needed.

Calcium, Vitamin D, and Bone Derangement in Nephrotic Syndrome / Journal of the ASEAN Federation of Endocrine Societies

Introduction@#Derangement in calcium homeostasis is common in nephrotic syndrome (NS). It is postulated that low serum total calcium and vitamin D levels are due to loss of protein-bound calcium and vitamin D. It is unclear if free calcium and free vitamin D levels are truly low. The guideline is lacking with regards to calcium and vitamin D supplementation in NS. This study aims to examine calcium and vitamin D homeostasis and bone turnover in NS to guide practice in calcium and vitamin D levels supplementation.@*Methodology@#This is a prospective pilot study of ten patients diagnosed with NS, and eight healthy controls. Calcium, vitamin D, and bone turnover-related analytes were assessed at baseline, partial and complete remission in NS patients and in healthy controls.@*Results@#NS patients had low free and total serum calcium, low total 25(OH)D, normal total 1,25(OH)D levels and lack of parathyroid hormone response. With remission of disease, serum calcium and vitamin D metabolites improved. However, nephrotic patients who do not attain complete disease remission continue to have low 25(OH)D level.@*Conclusion@#In this study, the vitamin D and calcium derangement observed at nephrotic syndrome presentation trended towards normalisation in remission. This suggested calcium and vitamin D replacement may not be indicated in early-phase nephrotic syndrome but may be considered in prolonged nephrotic syndrome.

Evaluation of different bioimpedance methods for assessing body composition in Asian non-dialysis chronic kidney disease patients

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with fluid retention, which increases total body water (TBW) and leads to changes in intracellular water (ICW) and extracellular water (ECW). This complicates accurate assessments of body composition. Analysis of bioelectrical impedance may improve the accuracy of evaluation in CKD patients and multiple machines and technologies are available. We compared body composition by bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) against multi-frequency bioimpedance analysis (BIA) in a multi-ethnic Asian population of stable, non-dialysis CKD patients. METHODS: We recruited 98 stable CKD patients comprising 54.1% men and 70.4% Chinese, 9.2% Malay, 13.3% Indian, and 8.2% other ethnicities. Stability was defined as no variation in serum creatinine > 20% over three months. Patients underwent BIS analyses using a Fresenius body composition monitor, while BIA analyses employed a Bodystat Quadscan 4000. RESULTS: Mean TBW values by BIS and BIA were 33.6 ± 7.2 L and 38.3 ± 7.4 L; mean ECW values were 15.8 ± 3.2 L and 16.9 ± 2.7 L; and mean ICW values were 17.9 ± 4.3 L and 21.0 ± 4.9 L, respectively. Mean differences for TBW were 4.6 ± 1.9 L (P < 0.001), for ECW they were 1.2 ± 0.5 L (P < 0.001), and for ICW they were 3.2 ±1.8 L (P < 0.001). BIA and BIS measurements were highly correlated: TBW r = 0.970, ECW r = 0.994, and ICW r = 0.926. Compared with BIA, BIS assessments of fluid overload appeared to be more associated with biochemical and clinical indicators. CONCLUSION: Although both BIA and BIS can be used for body water assessment, clinicians should be aware of biases that exist between bioimpedance techniques. The values of body water assessments in our study were higher in BIA than in BIS. Ethnicity, sex, body mass index, and estimated glomerular filtration rate were associated with these biases.

Blood pressure and antihypertensive medication profile in a multiethnic Asian population of stable chronic kidney disease patients

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>Clinical practice guidelines recommend different blood pressure (BP) goals for chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Usage of antihypertensive medication and attainment of BP targets in Asian CKD patients remain unclear. This study describes the profile of antihypertensive agents used and BP components in a multiethnic Asian population with stable CKD.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Stable CKD outpatients with variability of serum creatinine levels < 20%, taken > 3 months apart, were recruited. Mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were measured using automated manometers, according to practice guidelines. Serum creatinine was assayed and the estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) calculated using the CKD Epidemiology Collaboration equation. BP and antihypertensive medication profile was examined using univariate analyses.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>613 patients (55.1% male; 74.7% Chinese, 6.4% Indian, 11.4% Malay; 35.7% diabetes mellitus) with a mean age of 57.8 ± 14.5 years were recruited. Mean SBP was 139 ± 20 mmHg, DBP was 74 ± 11 mmHg, serum creatinine was 166 ± 115 µmol/L and GFR was 53 ± 32 mL/min/1.73 m(2). At a lower GFR, SBP increased (p < 0.001), whereas DBP decreased (p = 0.0052). Mean SBP increased in tandem with the number of antihypertensive agents used (p < 0.001), while mean DBP decreased when ≥ 3 antihypertensive agents were used (p = 0.0020).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Different targets are recommended for each BP component in CKD patients. A majority of patients cannot attain SBP targets and/or exceed DBP targets. Research into monitoring and treatment methods is required to better define BP targets in CKD patients.</p>