Low-Volume Home Haemodialysis and In-Centre Haemodialysis: Comparison of Dialysis Adequacy in Obese Individuals.

Background Although frequent low-flow, low-volume haemodialysis using the NxStage System One is now well-established as an option for home therapy of end-stage chronic kidney disease, its ability to deliver adequate dialysis in people with high BMI remains questionable. This doubt may lead to obese individuals being denied the potential benefits of this modality. To establish if this doubt is justified, we compared dialysis adequacy in two groups of obese individuals; one receiving standard thrice-weekly in-centre haemodialysis and the other receiving frequent haemodialysis at home using the NxStage System One. Methods This is a retrospective observational cohort study of 105 adult dialysis patients with obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2). All had been on dialysis for at least six months. Fifty-five patients receiving in-centre haemodialysis were compared with 50 patients receiving home haemodialysis using NxStage System One. Dialysis adequacy (standard Kt/V calculated by the Daugirdas equation) was compared between the two groups. The clinical characteristics, laboratory test results, and treatment regimens of each group were also compared. Results The in-centre haemodialysis group was older (63.6 ± 12.8 years vs. 58.5 ± 10.9 years, p=0.033) and had a higher Charlson comorbidity score (5.9 ± 2.1 vs. 4.5 ± 2.5, p=0.003). Standard Kt/V was significantly higher in the home haemodialysis group (2.4 ± 0.5) than in the in-centre haemodialysis group (2.2 ± 0.2) (p = 0.006). The mean serum inorganic phosphate was significantly lower in the home haemodialysis group than in the in-centre haemodialysis group (1.6 ± 0.4 mmol/l vs. 1.8 ± 0.5 mmol/l, p = 0.010). There were no statistically significant differences in the usage of antihypertensives, phosphate binders, or erythropoiesis-stimulating agents between the two groups. Conclusions In this study, dialysis adequacy (expressed as standard Kt/V) was superior to that of standard thrice-weekly in-center haemodialysis delivered by frequent low-volume home haemodialysis using the NxStage System One. Hesitancy about recommending frequent low-volume home haemodialysis to obese individuals is therefore unjustified.

COVID-19 Vaccine-Induced Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia: A Case Series.

Vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia is a life-threatening prothrombotic syndrome that has been associated with two adenoviral vector-based coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines. Although it remains a rare disorder with relatively low incidence, awareness of this condition is crucial given the ongoing vaccination programs of millions around the world. In this case series, we report four cases of vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia, diagnosed at Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth, United Kingdom. We also review the mechanism of this syndrome, its clinical presentation, diagnosis, and course of treatment with emphasis on the role of therapeutic plasma exchange.

Public survey of financial incentives for kidney donation in Bahrain.

With the increasing prevalence of end-stage kidney disease in Bahrain, kidney donation is of vital importance. In this study, we want to assess how financial incentives will influence peoples' views and decisions regarding kidney donation. The aim is to establish strategies to increase the number of kidneys for transplantation in Bahrain. We adapted a previously established questionnaire on financial incentives for living kidney donations. The questionnaire assessed the public opinion in Bahrain on how kidney donation can be influenced by two different financial incentives, namely 10,000 Bahraini Dinars and life-long health insurance. We collected a convenient sample of 446 participants by distributing an electronic version of the questionnaire. IBM SPSS Statistics version 23 software was used for data entry and analysis. Of the total participants, 39% were male and 61% were female. Eighty percent of the participants believed that their chances for kidney donation will not increase in turn of receiving a financial compensation, while 20% of them believed that it will increase. Our study found that generally married participants (70%) find it a preferable development for health insurance companies to offer financial compensation for kidney donation, while nonmarried participants (30%) found it not a preferable but also not an adverse development (P = 0.038). Furthermore, there is a positive correlation between age and preferable views toward financial incentives to increase kidney donation (P <0.001). Although financial incentives for kidney donation might encourage a minority of the population, the majority will not be influenced by implanting a financial incentives' system for kidney donation.

Quality of Life among Renal Transplant Recipients in Bahrain: A Single-Center Experience.

Although a positive effect of renal transplantation on quality of life (QOL) scores was demonstrated in numerous international studies, there are a few studies in renal transplant recipients in Arabic countries. The purpose of this study was to assess the QOL in renal transplant recipients in Bahrain. We used the standard QOL Index (QOLI) score instrument in Arabic languages. This study included 58 patients, aged 26-71 years, and 63.8% of them were males. We excluded patients below 18 years old and failed renal transplant at the time of the study. The highest QOL score was in the psychological/spiritual domain (87.4 ± 12.2), followed by the family domain (85.5 ± 13.1), the health and functioning domain (82.7 ± 13.3), and the social and economic domain (80.5 ± 13.9). There was a highly significant high positive correlation between the QOLI and each of the tested domains (P <0.001). Married participants had a significantly higher QOL score in the family domain, compared to unmarried participants (P = 0.025). The QOL scores in the health and functioning domain were significantly affected by the patient's social status, residence, and coexisting diabetes mellitus. In addition, the QOLI scores were significantly greater among patients who did their transplants in Bahrain (P = 0.045). Most of the renal transplant patients in Bahrain are satisfied with their QOL. Their QOL was also variably impacted by the different sociodemographic and clinical factors.

Acute Kidney Injury in COVID-19 Pneumonia: A Single-Center Experience in Bahrain.

Background Kidney disease accompanying coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is not well understood, and information about the presentation of acute kidney injury (AKI), its risk factors, and outcomes is scarce, particularly in Bahrain and the Gulf region. In this study, we aimed to determine the rate of AKI among patients hospitalized with COVID-19 pneumonia at a tertiary hospital in Bahrain and to describe the various aspects of AKI in these patients, including its relationship with respiratory failure and in-hospital mortality. Methods This retrospective observational cohort study of patients admitted with COVID-19 pneumonia from April 1 to May 31, 2020, excluded those aged less than 18 years, those with end-stage renal disease, and those with renal transplants. Clinical and laboratory patient data were collected. The Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria were used to define AKI. Results The mean age across the 73 included patients was approximately 54 years; about 60% were men, and nearly 58% were Bahraini nationals. Of the patients, 39.7% (29) developed AKI during hospitalization, out of which 11.0% reached stage 1, 15.1% reached stage 2, and 13.7% reached stage 3. Of all patients, seven (9.6%) required hemodialysis. Chronic kidney disease conferred an increased risk for AKI (P = 0.003) as did critical COVID-19 status (P < 0.001) and the necessity for mechanical ventilation or intensive care admission (P < 0.001 for both). Additionally, AKI was significantly associated with a lower PaO2/FiO2 (partial pressure of arterial oxygen/percentage of inspired oxygen) ratio (P < 0.001) and a greater number of medications for COVID-19 pneumonia (P = 0.003). Finally, in-hospital death tolls were remarkably higher in patients with AKI (P < 0.001). No association was found between AKI and each of the following therapies: angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers, tocilizumab, and convalescent plasma. Conclusions The rate of AKI in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 pneumonia at our institution is relatively high and is strongly associated with disease severity, respiratory failure, and in-hospital mortality. Awareness of kidney disease in COVID-19 patients is crucial and of vital importance.

Acute Appendicitis in a Child With Acute Leukemia and Chemotherapy-Induced Neutropenia: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Acute appendicitis is a rare but important complication in children with leukemia. It can be difficult to diagnose, and it has a complicated disease course, especially in patients receiving chemotherapy. Awareness of these complications is critical, particularly in cases where surgical intervention is required. We report a child with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and chemotherapy-induced neutropenia who presented with acute appendicitis. He was successfully treated with broad-spectrum empiric antibiotics and a delayed laparoscopic appendectomy.

Herpes-Zoster-Associated Voiding Dysfunction in an Immunocompromised Patient.

During herpes zoster infection, immunocompromised hosts are especially vulnerable to complications, which include visceral organ involvement. Voiding dysfunction secondary to herpes zoster infection is an uncommon clinical presentation and has numerous enigmatic mechanisms. This case of herpes-zoster-associated voiding dysfunction occurred in a patient with nephrotic syndrome treated with immunosuppressives (prednisolone and mycophenolate mofetil). The patient presented with acute urinary retention and extensive lumbosacral herpetic infection. He responded positively to treatment and completely recovered following a 14-day course of intravenous acyclovir and intermittent self-catheterization (two to three times daily) for four weeks.

A Hemodialysis Patient with Severe COVID-19 Pneumonia.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a novel coronavirus that has spread rapidly, resulting in a worldwide pandemic. Even though end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients are particularly susceptible to COVID-19 infection and can develop severe to critical disease, there are limited studies and case reports about COVID-19 in ESRD patients. We report a case of a 63-year-old gentleman with ESRD on regular hemodialysis. We describe the clinical presentation of this patient, the diagnostic process, the laboratory and imaging investigations, as well as the course of treatment. He positively responded to a 14-day course of Lopinavir-Ritonavir, Ribavirin, Azithromycin, and Hydroxychloroquine.