Effect of Peritoneal Dialysis Modality on the 1-Year Rate of Decline of Residual Renal Function

PURPOSE: The effect of different peritoneal dialysis (PD) modalities on the decline in residual renal function (RRF) is unclear due to inconsistencies among studies. In particular, the effect of automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) modalities [continuous cyclic peritoneal dialysis (CCPD) and nightly intermittent peritoneal dialysis (NIPD)] on RRF has not been examined in a large cohort. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a single-center retrospective study to investigate the association between PD modalities and decline in RRF in 142 incident PD patients [34 on CCPD, 36 on NIPD, and 72 on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD)]. RRF was measured within 2 months from PD start and at 1 year after PD initiation. RESULTS: The RRF at 1 year after PD initiation was 1.98+/-2.20 mL/min/1.73 m2 in CCPD patients and 3.63+/-3.67 mL/min/1.73 m2 in NIPD patients, which were moderately lower than 4.23+/-3.51 mL/min/1.73 m2 in CAPD patients (p=0.064). Moreover, there was no significant difference in the 1-year rate of decline of RRF between CCPD and NIPD patients, although APD patients had a faster 1-year RRF decline rate than CAPD patients (CCPD and NIPD vs. CAPD: -45.68 and -36.69 vs. 1.17%/year, p=0.045). APD was associated with a more rapid decline in RRF in patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing PD, although multivariate analysis attenuated the significance of this finding (beta=-31.50; 95% CI, -63.61 to 0.62; p=0.052). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that CAPD might be more helpful than APD for preserving RRF during the first year of dialysis therapy, although there was no significant difference in the 1-year rate of decline of RRF between the two APD modalities.

Stepwise Treatment Using Corticosteroids Alone and in Combination with Cyclosporine in Korean Patients with Idiopathic Membranous Nephropathy

PURPOSE: We undertook an observational study to investigate the effects of immunosuppressive treatment on proteinuria and renal function in 179 Korean idiopathic membranous nephropathy patients with nephrotic syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The primary outcome was regarded as the first appearance of remission and the secondary outcomes as a decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) >50% or initiation of dialysis, and all-cause mortality. Seventy-two (40.2%) and 50 (27.9%) patients were treated with corticosteroids alone (C) and corticosteroids plus cyclosporine (C+C), respectively, whereas 57 (31.8%) did not receive immunosuppressants (NTx). Cyclosporine was added if there was no reduction in proteinuria of >50% from baseline by corticosteroids alone within 3 months. RESULTS: There were no differences in baseline renal function and the amount of proteinuria among the three groups. Overall, complete remission (CR) was achieved in 88 (72.1%) patients by immunosuppressants. In a multivariate analysis adjusted for covariates associated with adverse renal outcome, the probability of reaching CR was significantly higher in the C [hazard ratio (HR), 4.09; p<0.001] and C+C groups (HR, 2.57; p=0.003) than in the NTx group. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that 5-year CR rates of C, C+C, and NTx groups were 88.5%, 86.2%, and 56.7% (p<0.001). Ten-year event-free rates for the secondary endpoints in these three groups were 91.7%, 79.9%, and 57.2% (p=0.01). CONCLUSION: Immunosuppressive treatment was effective in inducing remission and preserving renal function in these patients. Therefore, stepwise treatment using corticosteroids alone and in combination with cyclosporine is warranted in these patients.

Membranous glomerulonephritis in a patient with myelodysplastic syndrome-refractory cytopenia with multilineage dysplasia

A 74-year-old woman presented with edema in the lower extremities. Laboratory tests revealed anemia, thrombocytopenia, hypoalbuminemia, hypercholesterolemia, and nephrotic-range proteinuria. Myelodysplastic syndrome-refractory cytopenia with multilineage dysplasia (MDS-RCMD) was confirmed by bone marrow biopsy. Renal biopsy demonstrated membranous glomerulonephritis (MGN), stage I. Based on these clinicopathologic results, she was diagnosed as having MGN with MDS-RCMD. This is a rare case report of MGN in a parient with MDS-RCMD featuring nephrotic syndrome.

A Case of Erythrocytosis Improved after Kidney Transplantation / 대한신장학회지

Renal anemia is a common complication of chronic kidney disease and known to be caused by erythropoietin or iron deficiency. However, erythrocytosis in patients on dialysis has rarely been reported and usually associated with renal cell carcinoma, polycythemia vera or acquired cystic kidney disease. Here we report a case of erythrocytosis in an ESRD patient with resolution after kidney transplantation. A 38-year-old man on peritoneal dialysis for 5 years was admitted for kidney transplantation. On admission, blood Hgb and Hct was 19.7 g/dL and 61.4%, respectively. Serum erythropoietin level was 347 mIU/mL. Multiple variable sized cystic lesions were identified on both kidneys without evidence of internal malignancy in abdomen and pelvis CT scan. After kidney transplantation, Hgb was 12.5 g/dL and serum erythropoietin level was 13.1 mIU/mL. Some of renal cysts on CT scan disappeared or decreased in size. This finding suggests that erythrocytosis in this patient can be associated with acquired cystic kidney disease.

A Case of Peritonitis caused by Chryseobacterium meningosepticum in a Patient Treated with Peritoneal Dialysis / 대한신장학회지

Chryseobacterium meningosepticum is rarely encountered as a pathogen causing peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. We report a case of peritonitis due to Chryseobacterium meningosepticum, which was treated successfully with intraperitoneal (IP) vancomycin and ciprofloxacin, and without PD catheter removal. Peritonitis was developed in a 53-year-old PD patient on the third hospital day. Although empirical IP treatment with cefazolin and tobramycin was initiated and maintained for 3 days, the fever and signs of peritonitis persisted. Antibiotics were changed to cefoperazone/sulbactam, amikacin, and vancomycin due to clinical deterioration. After 3 days of vancomycin use, leukocyte count in PD fluid was less than 100/mm3 and the patient became asymptomatic. On seventh day after the onset of peritonitis, Chryseobacterium meningosepticum was isolated from initial dialysate sample, and this strain was susceptible to ciprofloxacin, piperacillin, and piperacillin/tazobactam. Accordingly, we changed the antibiotics to ciprofloxacin and vancomycin, which were given for the total of 14 days. Even though Chryseobacterium meningosepticum is an uncommon causative organism of peritonitis in PD patients, this report suggests that vancomycin and ciprofloxacin are effective as empiric therapy, and early suspicion and appropriate antimicrobial therapy are crucial to the successful treatment of peritonitis due to Chryseobacterium meningosepticum without catheter removal.

Minimal Change Nephrotic Syndrome Developed after Thymectomy in a Patient with Thymoma / 대한신장학회지

We report a case of patient with malignant thymoma, who developed nephrotic syndrome several years after thymectomy. This 38-year-old man was diagnosed as myasthenia gravis and malignant thymoma and underwent thymectomy in 2004. Tumor resection and systemic chemotherapy were performed after recurrence in pleura in 2006. He also took pyridostigmine to control his symptoms of myasthenia gravis after thymectomy. Four years later, even though there was no evidence of recurrence of thymoma, he developed a nephrotic syndrome and was diagnosed as a minimal change disease on renal biopsy. After pulse therapy with methylprednisolone followed by oral administration of prednisolone therapy, nephrotic syndrome was improved.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Bile Duct Tumor Thrombi / 영남의대학술지

Obstruction of the bile duct owing to the direct extension of a tumor is occasionally found in patients with a hepatic neoplasm, but bile duct tumor thrombus caused by the intrabiliary transplantation of a free-floating tumor is a rare complication of hepatocellular carcinoma. A 50-year-old woman was diagnosed with HCC with bile duct tumor thrombi. She received transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) because her liver function was not suitable for surgery at the time of diagnosis. After TACE, infected biloma occurred recurrently. Thus, resection of the HCC, including the bile duct tumor thrombi, was performed. Six months after the surgery, recurred HCC in the distal common bile duct as drop metastasis was noted. The patient was treated with tomotherapy and has been alive for three years as of this writing, without recurrence. The prognosis of HCC with bile duct tumor thrombi is considered dismal, but if appropriate procedures are selected and are actively carried out, long-term survival can occasionally be achieved.