Risk Factors and the Clinical Course of Acute Kidney Injury in Patients with a Femoral Fracture / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Femoral fracture occurs most often in elderly patients and is highly associated with medical problems such as acute kidney injury (AKI); however no reports of AKI in femoral fracture patients have been published. This study was performed to identify risk factors and the clinical course of AKI in patients with femoral fracture. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the medical records of 110 patients with femoral fracture between November 2006 and December 2011 at Uijeongbu St. Mary's Hospital. We investigated the incidence and clinical course of AKI in femoral fracture patients and compared the clinical findings between AKI and normal kidney function (NKF) groups. RESULTS: Of the 110 femoral fracture patients, AKI was observed in 19 (17.3%). The peak serum creatinine level in patients with AKI was 2.59 +/- 1.57 mg/dL. Two of 19 patients with AKI died and two progressed to chronic kidney disease. When compared to the NKF group, the AKI group had a higher incidence of elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (63.2% vs. 34.1%, p = 0.020), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (31.6% vs. 6.6%, p = 0.008), and C-reactive protein (57.9% vs. 46.2%, p = 0.042). The AKI group also had a longer hospitalization duration, and more patients were prescribed an angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitor than in the NKF group. Multivariate analysis demonstrated elevated LDH, ESR and ACE inhibitor prescriptions as independent risk factors for AKI in patients with a femoral fracture. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of AKI in patients with a femoral fracture was 17.3%, and AKI was associated with a longer clinical course. We recommend monitoring of laboratory findings and medications and early management to reduce the morbidity of patients with AKI.

Renal artery thrombosis secondary to sepsis-induced disseminated intravascular coagulation in acute pyelonephritis

There are some reports of renal vein thrombosis associated with acute pyelonephritis, but a case of renal artery thrombosis in acute pyelonephritis has not been reported yet. Here we report a case of renal artery thrombosis which developed in a patient with acute pyelonephritis complicated with sepsis-induced disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). A 65-year-old woman with diabetes was diagnosed with acute pyelonephritis complicated with sepsis. Escherichia coli was isolated from both blood and urine cultures. When treated with antibiotics, her condition gradually improved. She suddenly complained of severe right flank pain without fever in the recovery phase. A computed tomography scan revealed right renal artery thrombosis with concomitant renal infarction. Prophylactic anticoagulation therapy was not suggested because of sustained thrombocytopenia and increased risk of bleeding. Flank pain resolved with conservative treatment and perfusion of infarcted kidney improved at the time of discharge. To our knowledge, this is the first case of renal artery thrombosis related to acute pyelonephritis with sepsis-induced DIC.

Clinical Characteristics and Risk Factors of Acute Kidney Injury in Patients with Acute Alcohol Intoxication / 대한신장학회지

PURPOSE: Acute alcohol intoxication (AAI) causes various complications such as electrolyte imbalance, alcoholic ketoacidosis (AKA), rhabdomyolysis, and acute kidney injury (AKI). Although there have been some reports about AKA and rhabdomyolysis, AKI due to acute alcohol intoxication is rarely reported. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the medical records of 371 patients with AAI between January 2004 and May 2010 in Uijeongbu St. Mary's Hospital. We compared the clinical findings, morbidity and mortality rate between AKI and normal kidney function (NKF) groups. RESULTS: Of the total 371 patients with AAI, AKI occurred in 107 patients (28.8%). The peak serum creatinine level in AKI patients was 2.9+/-1.9 mg/dL. Thirteen of the 107 patients (12.1%) received renal replacement therapy. AKI group had higher incidence of decreased mentality (29.0% vs 16.3%, p=0.006), dyspnea (11.2% vs 4.9%, p=0.029) and hypotension (66.0% vs 41.7%, p<0.001), and lower incidence of gastrointestinal bleeding (22.4% vs 34.8%, p=0.019), compared to NKF group. The AKI group also had higher incidence of ketoacidosis (78.5% vs 28.8%, p<0.001), rhabdomyolysis (19.6% vs 4.2%, p<0.001), and pneumonia (22.4% vs 8.0%, p<0.001), compared to NKF group. The length of ICU stay was longer (7.4+/-10.8 vs 4.1+/-6.1 days, p=0.003) and the mortality rate was higher (17.8% vs 2.3%, p<0.001) in AKI group. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that incidence of AKI in patients with AAI was 28.8% and AKI was associated with high morbidity and mortality. And multivariate analysis demonstrated that independent risk factors of AKI were ketoacidosis and increased serum osmolality.

A Case of Pseudomembranous Colitis in a Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis Patient Taking Methotrexate / 대한소화기학회지

Pseudomembranous colitis is mainly caused by antibiotics and Clostridium difficile infection. But conditions such as gastrointestinal surgery, antacid medication, anti-neoplastic agent or immunosuppressive agent which influences the normal flora of colon can induce colitis without the administration of any antibiotics. We experienced a 13 year-old male who was taking low-dose methotrexate for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis complained diarrhea and abdominal pain for 3 weeks. Sigmoidoscopic findings revealed diffuse patch yellowish pseudomembranes on the rectum. Histologic finding was compatible to pseudomembranous colitis. His symptom was improved after stop taking methotrexate and the administration of metronidazole. If a patient treated with immunosuppressive agents or antineoplastic agents complains diarrhea, fever or abdominal pain and has not improved with conservative care, pseudomembranous colitis should be taken into account as a differential diagnosis and prompt treatment is required for better prognosis.