Influence of nutritional status, laboratory parameters and dietary patterns upon urinary acid excretion in calcium stone formers / Influência do estado nutricional e dos parâmetros laboratoriais e dietéticos sobre a excreção urinária ácida em pacientes portadores de litíase cálcica

ABSTRACT Introduction: Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome (MS) are associated with low urinary pH and represent risk factors for nephrolithiasis, especially composed by uric acid. Acidogenic diets may also contribute to a reduction of urinary pH. Propensity for calcium oxalate precipitation has been shown to be higher with increasing features of the MS. Objective: A retrospective evaluation of anthropometric and body composition parameters, MS criteria and the dietary patterns of overweight and obese calcium stone formers and their impact upon urinary pH and other lithogenic parameters was performed. Methods: Data regarding anthropometry, body composition, serum and urinary parameters and 3-days dietary records were obtained from medical records of 102(34M/68F) calcium stone formers. Results: A negative correlation was found between urinary pH, waist circumference and serum uric acid levels (males). The endogenous production of organic acids (OA) was positively correlated with triglycerides levels and number of features of MS (males), and with glucose, uric acid and triglycerides serum levels, and number of features of MS (females). No significant correlations were detected between Net Acid Excretion (NAE) or Potential Renal Acid Load of the diet with any of the assessed parameters. A multivariate analysis showed a negative association between OA and urinary pH. Conclusion: The endogenous production of OA and not an acidogenic diet were found to be independently predictive factors for lower urinary pH levels in calcium stone formers. Hypercalciuric and/or hyperuricosuric patients presented higher OA levels and lower levels of urinary pH.

RESUMO Introdução: A obesidade e a Síndrome Metabólica (SM) se associam a pH urinário ácido e representam fatores de risco para litíase renal, especialmente a úrica. Dietas acidogênicas também podem contribuir para a redução do pH urinário. Já foi demonstrado maior risco de precipitação de oxalato de cálcio em proporção aos critérios de SM. Objetivo: Avaliar retrospectivamente o impacto de parâmetros antropométricos, composição corporal, critérios de SM e padrão alimentar sobre o pH urinário e outros parâmetros litogênicos em pacientes com sobrepeso e obesos com litíase cálcica. Métodos: Foram coletados dados de antropometria, composição corporal, exames séricos e urinários, e registros alimentares (3 dias) de 102 (34M/68F) pacientes com litíase cálcica. Resultados: O pH urinário se correlacionou negativamente com a circunferência da cintura e ácido úrico sérico (homens). A produção endógena de ácidos orgânicos (AO) se correlacionou positivamente com os triglicérides séricos e o número de critérios de SM (homens), e com glicemia, ácido úrico, triglicérides e número de critérios para SM (mulheres). Não se observaram correlações significantes entre a excreção renal líquida de ácidos (NAE) e o potencial de carga ácida renal (PRAL) da dieta com nenhum dos parâmetros avaliados. Na análise de regressão multivariada, os AO apresentaram associação negativa significante com o pH urinário. Conclusão: A produção endógena de AO, e não um padrão de dieta acidogênica, foi o fator determinante independente para menores níveis de pH urinário em pacientes com litíase cálcica. Pacientes com hipercalciúria e/ou hiperuricosúria apresentaram maiores valores de AO e menores de pH urinário.

Lung-dominant connective tissue disease among patients with interstitial lung disease: prevalence, functional stability, and common extrathoracic features / Colagenose pulmão dominante em pacientes com doença pulmonar intersticial: prevalência, estabilidade funcional e manifestações extratorácicas comuns

OBJECTIVE: To describe the characteristics of a cohort of patients with lung-dominant connective tissue disease (LD-CTD). METHODS: This was a retrospective study of patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD), positive antinuclear antibody (ANA) results (≥ 1/320), with or without specific autoantibodies, and at least one clinical feature suggestive of connective tissue disease (CTD). RESULTS: Of the 1,998 patients screened, 52 initially met the criteria for a diagnosis of LD-CTD: 37% were male; the mean age at diagnosis was 56 years; and the median follow-up period was 48 months. During follow-up, 8 patients met the criteria for a definitive diagnosis of a CTD. The remaining 44 patients comprised the LD-CTD group, in which the most prevalent extrathoracic features were arthralgia, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and Raynaud's phenomenon. The most prevalent autoantibodies in this group were ANA (89%) and anti-SSA (anti-Ro, 27%). The mean baseline and final FVC was 69.5% and 74.0% of the predicted values, respectively (p > 0.05). Nonspecific interstitial pneumonia and usual interstitial pneumonia patterns were found in 45% and 9% of HRCT scans, respectively; 36% of the scans were unclassifiable. A similar prevalence was noted in histological samples. Diffuse esophageal dilatation was identified in 52% of HRCT scans. Nailfold capillaroscopy was performed in 22 patients; 17 showed a scleroderma pattern. CONCLUSIONS: In our LD-CTD group, there was predominance of females and the patients showed mild spirometric abnormalities at diagnosis, with differing underlying ILD patterns that were mostly unclassifiable on HRCT and by histology. We found functional stability on follow-up. Esophageal dilatation on HRCT and scleroderma pattern on nailfold capillaroscopy were frequent findings and might come to serve as diagnostic criteria. .

OBJETIVO: Descrever as características de uma coorte de pacientes com colagenose pulmão dominante (CPD). MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo de pacientes com doença pulmonar intersticial (DPI), anticorpo antinuclear (ANA) positivo (≥ 1/320), com ou sem autoanticorpos específicos, e com a presença de ao menos uma manifestação clínica sugestiva de doença do tecido conjuntivo (DTC). RESULTADOS: Dos 1.998 avaliados, 52 preencheram inicialmente os critérios para o diagnóstico de CPD: 37% eram homens; a média de idade ao diagnóstico era de 56 anos e a mediana do tempo de seguimento era de 48 meses. Durante o seguimento, 8 pacientes preencheram os critérios para um diagnóstico definitivo de DTC. Os 44 pacientes restantes formaram o grupo CPD, no qual as manifestações extratorácicas mais prevalentes foram artralgia, doença do refluxo gastroesofágico e fenômeno de Raynaud. Os autoanticorpos mais prevalentes nesse grupo foram ANA (89%) e anti-SSA (anti-Ro, 27%). A média de CVF no início e na última avaliação foi de 69,5% e 74,0% do predito, respectivamente (p > 0,05). Pneumonia intersticial não específica e pneumonia intersticial usual foram identificadas em 45% e 9% das TCARs, respectivamente; 36% das TCARs eram não classificáveis. Uma prevalência semelhante foi identificada na histologia. Dilatação esofágica difusa foi identificada em 52% das TCARs. Capilaroscopia subungueal foi realizada em 22 pacientes; 17 apresentavam um padrão de esclerodermia. CONCLUSÕES: No grupo CPD, houve predominância feminina, e os pacientes apresentaram alterações espirométricas leves ao diagnóstico, com diferentes padrões de DPI, em sua maioria não classificáveis, tanto em TCAR como na histologia. Estabilidade funcional foi identificada no seguimento. A dilatação esofágica em TCAR e o padrão de esclerodermia na capilaroscopia subungueal foram achados frequentes que poderiam servir como critérios diagnósticos. .

Obesidad y excreción urinaria de sodio en niños y adolescentes / Obesity and urinary sodium excretion in children and adolescents

Background: Qbesity is a disease characterized by an abnormal accumulation body fat that results in neuroen-docrine changes that alter the homeostasis of sodium, producing an increased risk of hypertension in adulthood. objective: To evaluate the effect of obesity on urinary sodium excretion in children and adolescents. subjects and Methods: 266 male and female children in the age group of 5-15 years were studied: 154 obese (OB) with > 95th percentile of BMI, and 112 normal-weight patients (C) with percentile 5-85 of BMI, from the outpatient service of the Children Hospital, Posadas, Misiones, Argentina during the years 2008 -2009. The determinations of serum sodium (Na s) and 24-hour urine (Na ur) were performed using Ion Selective Electrode. The fractional excretion of sodium (FENa percent) was calculated. results: Na ur values (mEq/kg/day) and FENa percent reported significantly lower differences in the obese group compared to controls: OB Na ur 2.23 vs C Na ur 3.40 (p < 0.0001); OB FENa percent 0.59 vs C FENa percent 0.71 (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Results obtained in the present study showed that obese children have a significantly decreased urinary sodium excretion compared to normal weight children. This difference could be caused by renal retention of this ion.

Introducción: La obesidad es una enfermedad caracterizada por el aumento de grasa corporal, que genera modificaciones neuroendocrinas involucrando alteraciones en la homeostasis del sodio, que podrían generar hipertensión arterial en la adultez. Objetivo: Evaluar el efecto de la obesidad sobre la excreción urinaria de sodio en niños y adolescentes. Pacientes y Método: Se estudiaron 266 niños de ambos sexos, entre 5 y 15 años: 154 obesos (OB) definidos como IMC percentil > 95, y 112 normopeso (C), IMC percentil 5-85, provenientes del Servicio de Consultorio Externo del Hospital de Pediatría-Posadas, Misiones, Argentina, durante los años 2008-2009. Las determinaciones de sodio en suero (Na s) y orina de 24 h (Na ur) se realizaron con electrodo ion selectivo. Se calculó la excreción fraccional de sodio (EFNa por ciento). Resultados: Los valores de Naur (mEq/ kg/día) y la EFNa por ciento significativamente menores en el grupo de obesos con respecto a los controles: Na ur QB 2,23 vs Na ur C 3,40 (p < 0,0001); EFNa por ciento OB 0,59 vs EFNa por ciento C 0,71 (p = 0,001). Conclusión: En el presente estudio los resultados mostraron que los niños y adolescentes obesos presentan una disminución significativa de la excreción urinaria de sodio respecto de los niños normopeso. Dicha diferencia podría estar generada por la retención renal de dicho ion.

Screening for Cushing's syndrome in obese patients

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the frequency of Cushing's syndrome (CS) in obese patients devoid of specific clinical symptoms of Cushing's syndrome. Methods: A total of 150 obese patients (129 female, 21 male; mean age 44.41 ± 13.34 yr; mean BMI 35.76 ± 7.13) were included in the study. As a first screening step, we measured 24-h urinary free cortisol (UFC). An overnight 1-mg dexamethasone suppression test was also performed on all patients. Urinary free cortisol levels above 100 ìg/24 h were considered to be abnormal. Suppression of serum cortisol <1.8 ìg/dL after administration of 1 mg dexamethasone was the cut-off point for normal suppression. The suppression of the serum cortisol levels failed in all of the patients. Results: Measured laboratory values were as follows: ACTH, median level 28 pg/ml, interquartile range (IQR) 14-59 pg/ml; fasting glucose, 100 (91-113) mg/dL; insulin, 15.7 (7.57-24.45) mU/ml; fT4, 1.17 (1.05-1.4) ng/dL; TSH, 1.70 (0.91-2.90) mIU/L; total cholesterol, 209 (170.5-250) mg/dL; LDL-c, 136 (97.7-163) mg/dL; HDL-c, 44 (37.25-50.75) mg/dL; VLDL-c, 24 (17-36) mg/dL; triglycerides, 120.5 (86-165) mg/dL. The median UFC level of the patients was 30 ìg/24 h (IQR 16-103). High levels of UFC (>100 ìg/24 h) were recorded in 37 patients (24 percent). Cushing's syndrome was diagnosed in 14 of the 150 patients (9.33 percent). Etiologic reasons for Cushing's syndrome were pituitary microadenoma (9 patients), adrenocortical adenoma (3 patients), and adrenocortical carcinoma (1 patient). Conclusion: A significant proportion (9.33 percent) of patients with simple obesity were found to have Cushing's syndrome. These findings argue that obese patients should be routinely screened for Cushing's syndrome.

Excreción urinaria de sodio en niños y adultos de una comuna de la Región Metropolitana de Santiago de Chile / Urinary sodium excretion in children and adults from a bourough of the Metropolitan Region of Chile

Arterial hypertension has increased sharply in Chile, during the last 3 decades. The National Health Survey (2003) registered a 33.7 percent prevalence in Chilean population over 17 years of age. It is known that an excessive sodium intake is a risk factor for arterial hypertension (AH). Objective: To measure urinary sodium excretion in an exploratory study in school age children and adults of a borough of the Metropolitan Region, and later on increase to a representative population sample. Subjects and method: 158 school age children of both sexes aged 10.6 +/- 2.5 years and 48 adults older than 20 years were evaluated. Weight was measured in 0.1 kg precision scale (SECA model 286). Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated according to the formula weight (kg)/stature (m)2. Arterial pressure was measured with a mercury manual sphygmomanometer. Urinary sodium in 24 hours was calculated with the formula of Tanaka et al. This information was used to predict theoretical NaCI intake using the equation Na mg/day = Na mEq/d x 23; NaCI = Na g/d x 100139.3. Results: BMI in children was 19.2 +/- 4,9 In 28.6 percent and 40.5 percent of adults diastolic and systolic pressure were higher than 90 mm Hg and over 130 mm Hg, respectively. In 1.7 percent and 0.9 percent of children systolic and diastolic pressure were high, according to age and sex. Salt intake per day was calculated assuming that all sodium ingested was consumed as NaCI. Children NaCI intake was 3 +/- 2.2 g per day and in adults was 10.4 +/- 2.5 g per day. Conclusions: BMI was elevated in children and adults in accordance with the high obesity prevalence in the country. The high percentages of elevated blood pressure present in adults were in accordance with high prevalence of hypertension in Chilean adults. Salt intake was high in children and adults constituting a risk factor of hypertension in our population.

En las últimas 3 décadas en Chile, la hipertensión arterial se incrementó notoriamente. La Encuesta Nacional de Salud (año 2003) registró que esta enfermedad afectaba al 33.7 por ciento de la población chilena mayor de 17 años. Se conoce que la ingesta excesiva de Na constituye un factor de riesgo para el desarrollo de hipertensión arterial (HTA). Objetivo: Medir la excreción urinaria de Na en escolares y adultos de una comuna de la Región Metropolitana en estudio exploratorio, para posteriormente ampliarlo a una muestra representativa poblacional. Sujetos y método: Se evaluaron 158 escolares de ambos sexos con edad promedio de 10.6 +/- 2.5 años y 48 adultos mayores de 20 años. El peso se determinó con una báscula con precisión de 0.10 kg (SECA, modelo 286). El índice de Masa Corporal (IMC) se calculó con la ecuación: peso (kg)/talla². La presión arterial se midió con un esfigmomanómetro manual de mercurio. La excreción urinaria de Na en 24 horas fue calculada utilizando la ecuación de Tanka T y col. Este dato se utilizó para predecir la ingesta teórica de NaCI, utilizando las siguientes ecuaciones: Na mg/día = Na mEq/d x 23, NaCl = Na g/d x 100/ 39.3. Resultados: El IMC en niños fue de 19.2 +/- 4.9 y en adultos de 29.0 +/- 5.9. En el 28.6 por ciento y en el 40.5 por ciento de los sujetos adultos evaluados se registró una cifra alta de de presión diastólica (> 90 mm Hg) y sistólica (130 > mm Hg), respectivamente. En 1.7 por ciento de los niños se detectó presión sistólica elevada y en 0.9 por ciento de la diastólica, de acuerdo a la edad y sexo. Se calculó la ingesta de sal por día, suponiendo que todo el sodio ingerido se consumió como NaCI. Los niños evaluados ingirieron 7.3 +/- 2.2 gramos de NaCl por día y los adultos 10.4 +/- 2.5 gramos de NaCI por día. Conclusiones: El IMC era elevado en adultos y niños, de acuerdo con las altas tasas de obesidad de nuestra población. Las porcentajes de presión elevada fueron mucho mayores en los adultos y ...

Dosagem de microalbuminúria em hipertensos e em pacientes portadores de doença coronariana / Determination of microalbuminuria in hypertensive patients and in patients with coronary artery disease

FUNDAMENTO: A taxa normal de excreção de albumina em 24 horas é de 20 mg. A taxa persistente de 30 a 300 mg/dia é chamada de microalbuminúria (MA) e está relacionada com maior prevalência de doença cardiovascular. OBJETIVO: Determinar a prevalência de microalbuminúria em um grupo de hipertensos e em um grupo de portadores de doença coronariana; e determinar a relação da presença de microalbuminúria com hipertensão arterial, diabete melitus, dislipidemia, tabagismo e obesidade. MÉTODOS:: Determinamos a presença de microalbuminúria num grupo de hipertensos (73 indivíduos) e num grupo de coronariopatas (39 indivíduos), e comparamos com um grupo-controle (43 indivíduos). Considerou-se como microalbuminúria a relação albumina/creatinina maior que 30 e menor que 300 em amostra isolada de urina matinal. Na análise estatística, foram utilizados os testes do qui-quadrado e o teste exato de Fisher. RESULTADOS: A microalbuminúria esteve presente em 9,5 por cento dos hipertensos, em 33 por cento dos coronariopatas e não esteve presente em nenhum indivíduo do grupo-controle. Ao analisar a ocorrência de microalbuminúria segundo os diversos parâmetros clínicos, independentemente do grupo a que pertenciam, verificamos correlação estatisticamente significativa com idade, diabete e dislipidemia. CONCLUSÃO: 1) A prevalência de microalbuminúria em indivíduos hipertensos é elevada, sendo ainda mais elevada em portadores de doença coronariana; 2) existe correlação da presença de microalbuminúria com idade, diabete e dislipidemia.

BACKGROUND: The normal 24-hour albumin excretion rate is of 20 mg. A persistent rate of 30 to 300 mg/day is called microalbuminuria and is related to a higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease. OBJECTIVE: 1) To determine the prevalence of microalbuminuria in a group of hypertensive patients and in a group of patients with coronary artery disease; 2) To determine the relationship between the presence of microalbuminuria and hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, smoking and obesity. METHODS: The presence of microalbuminuria in a group of hypertensive patients (73 individuals) and in a group of patients with coronary artery disease (39 individuals) was determined and compared with a control group (43 individuals). Microalbuminuria was defined as an albumin/creatinine ratio higher than 30 and lower than 300 in a spot morning urine sample. The chi-square test and the Fisher’s exact test were used in the statistical analysis. RESULTS: Microalbuminuria was present in 9.5 percent of the hypertensive individuals and in 33 percent of the patients with coronary artery disease, and was absent in individuals of the control group. When the occurrence of microalbuminuria was analyzed according to the different clinical parameters, regardless of the group involved, a statistically significant correlation was found with age, diabetes and dyslipidemia. CONCLUSION: 1) The prevalence of microalbuminuria in hypertensive individuals is high, and is even higher in patients with coronary artery disease; 2) There is a correlation of the presence of microalbuminuria with age, diabetes and dyslipidemia.

Increased diagnostic probability of subclinical cushing’s syndrome in a population sample of overweight adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Endogenous Cushing’s Syndrome (CS) is unusual. Patients with subclinical CS (SCS) present altered cortisol dynamics without obvious manifestations. CS occurs in 2-3 percent of obese poorly controlled diabetics. We studied 103 overweight adult outpatients with type 2 diabetes to examine for cortisol abnormalities and SCS. All collected salivary cortisol at 23:00 h and salivary and serum cortisol after a 1 mg dexamethasone suppression test (DST). Patients whose results were in the upper quintile for each test (253 ng/dL, 47 ng/dL, and 1.8 mg/dL, respectively for the 23:00 h and post-DST saliva and serum cortisol) were re-investigated. Average values from the upper quintile group were 2.5-fold higher than in the remaining patients. After a confirmatory 2 mg x 2 day DST the investigation for CS was ended for 61 patients with all normal tests and 33 with only one (false) positive test. All 8 patients who had two abnormal tests had subsequent normal 24h-urinary cortisol, and 3 of them were likely to have SCS (abnormal cortisol tests and positive imaging). However, a final diagnosis could not to be confirmed by surgery or pathology. Although not confirmatory, the results of this study suggest that the prevalence of SCS is considerably higher in populations at risk than in the general population.

A síndrome de Cushing (SC) endógena é rara. Pacientes com SC subclínica (SCS) apresentam hipercortisolismo sem manifestações clínicas. SC ocorre em 2-3 por cento de diabéticos mal controlados. Estudamos 103 pacientes adultos obesos ambulatoriais com diabetes mellitus tipo 2 para avaliar alterações do cortisol e SCS. Todos coletaram cortisol salivar às 23:00 h e cortisol salivar e sérico após teste de supressão com 1 mg de dexametasona (DST). Pacientes cujos resultados de qualquer teste estavam no quintil superior (253 ng/dL, 47 ng/dL e 1,8 mg/dL, respectivamente para cortisol salivar 23:00 h e salivar e sérico pós-DST) foram reavaliados. Os valores médios desse grupo encontravam-se 2,5 vezes acima dos valores dos demais pacientes. Após um teste confirmatório com 2 mg x 2 dias DST, a investigação da SC foi encerrada para 61 pacientes com todos os testes normais e 33 com apenas um teste (falso) positivo. Todos os 8 pacientes com dois testes alterados apresentaram cortisol urinário normal, mas 3 deles mostraram maior probabilidade diagnóstica de SCS (hipercortisolismo e alterações em exames de imagem). Contudo, o diagnóstico final não pode ser confirmado por cirurgia ou patologia em nenhum deles. Embora não confirmatórios, os resultados deste estudo sugerem que a prevalência de SCS seja maior em populações de risco do que na população geral.