Factors affecting dropout in outpatient eating disorder treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the incidence and effects of factors potentially influencing eating disordered patients' dropping out of outpatient cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT). METHOD: Sixty-seven (64 female, 3 male) patients with eating disorders participated in the study. All patients followed a multidisciplinary team approach for a median period of 9 months. Several factors potentially affecting dropout were retrospectively assessed prior to treatment. RESULTS: The dropout rate was significantly higher in patients with purging anorexia nervosa (AN) compared to those with restrictive AN, bulimia nervosa and eating disorder not otherwise specified (33% vs. 27%, 25% or 21%, respectively, p<0.05). Among several factors influencing dropout, there was a significant association of patient low cooperativeness, purging episodes, restrictive eating, use of several weight control practices and psychiatric co-morbidity in patients who dropped out compared to completers (all p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In outpatient eating disorder treatment, non-compliance and premature interruption of therapy are affected primarily by factors which are related to patients' attitude and behaviour. These factors should be carefully addressed in patients with eating disorders to improve outcome.

Donor characteristics can influence transplant activities and the access to transplant for some age groups.

In recent years Italy has experienced a remarkable increase in organ donation and transplant rates for kidney transplantation. The organ donation rate has placed Italy among the European leaders, but a careful comparative evaluation of Italian and international registries data demonstrates that renal transplantations have not shared the same significant growth. In a decisive way donor characteristics have influenced not only the number of renal transplantations, but also the access to transplant for some age groups. We investigated the probability of transplantation from different age groups using the Kaplan-Meier method and the log-rank test. The 7-year probability of transplant was 72% for the 15 to 45 age group, 85.7% for the 46 to 55 age group, and 88.5% for the over 55 years group (P = .0029). Ethical considerations suggest new approaches of innovative promotion of living donor transplants and a revision of organ allocation criteria.

Immunosuppression in renal transplantation: viral diseases and chronic allograft nephropathy.

Chronic allograft dysfunction after renal transplantation can be ascribed to different causes, among which are viral infections. The aim of this work was to show the various ways by which different kinds of viruses affect transplant structure and function. Polyoma virus is an example of viruses directly affecting the kidney because of a specific tropism to the uroepitelial cells. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) has been chosen both because of the frequency of this infection and because CMV (as other viruses) can produce transplant vascular sclerosis. Finally, we describe hepatitis C virus (HCV) because of its capacity to induce renal lesions independently from chronic allograft nephropathy. Indeed HCV is likely to determine immunologically mediated nephritis in the transplanted kidney as well in the native one.

Cardiovascular risk factors in severe chronic renal failure: the role of dietary treatment.

BACKGROUND: Lipoprotein abnormalities and increased oxidized LDL (OxLDL) are often observed in uremia and are reported to play a central role in the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Vegan diet, known for its better lipoprotein profile and antioxidant vitamins content, could protect against CVD. Aim of this study was to investigate the influence of vegan diet supplemented with essential amino acids (EAA) and ketoanalogues (VSD) on both traditional and non-traditional cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF). METHODS: Twenty-nine patients (18 M, 11 F) aged 55 years (range 29-79 years) with advanced chronic renal failure (median sCr: 5.6 mg/dl) on very low protein vegetarian diet (0.3 g/kg/day) supplemented with a mixture of EAA and ketoacids (VSD) and 31 patients (20 M, 11 F) aged 65 years (range 29 - 82 years) on conventional low-protein diet (CD: 0.6 g/kg/day) with a similar renal function (median sCr: 5.2 mg/dl), were investigated for lipids and apolipoprotein parameters (traditional CVRF) as well as for oxidative stress (oxidized LDL, antibodies against OxLDL and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS)), total homocysteine (tHcy), lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)), albumin and c-reactive protein (CRP) (non-traditional CVRF) including vitamins A, E, B12 and folic acid. RESULTS: Compared to patients on CD, those on VSD showed increased HDL cholesterol levels (p < 0.005) with a reduction of LDL cholesterol (p < 0.01) and an increase of apoA1/apoB ratio (p < 0.02). Among non-traditional CVRF, a mild but significant reduction of OxLDL (p < 0.05) with lower TBARS concentrations (p < 0.01) and a significant reduction of total homocysteine (p < 0.002), Lp(a) (p < 0.002) and CRP levels (p < 0.05) were also observed in these patients. Concentrations of vitamin E and A were not different between the two groups while vitamin B12 and folic acid resulted markedly increased in patients on VSD. OxLDL significantly correlated with total and LDL cholesterol, triglycerides and Apo B in CD but not in VSD patients. Patients on CD also showed a significant correlation between urea and CRP. After a multivariate analysis, only urea (p < 0.001) and OxLDL (p < 0.006) were associated to a risk of CRP > 0.3 mg/dl. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate a better lipoprotein profile in patients on vegan diet including non-traditional CVRF. In particular, these patients show a reduced oxidative stress with a reduced acute-phase response (CRP) as compared to patients on conventional diet. We hypothesize that urea, significantly lower in patients on VSD, may account, possibly together with the reduction of other protein breakdown products, for the decreased acute-phase response observed in these patients. Our findings suggest that low-protein diets, and vegan in particular, may exert a beneficial effect on the development of cardiovascular disease in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

Efficacy and safety of Palmaz stent implantation in the treatment of renal artery stenosis in renal transplantation.

To verify the long-term efficacy and safety of Palmaz stent implantation in the treatment of transplant renal artery stenosis (TRAS), we reviewed the charts of 26 patients affected by TRAS and treated by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) followed by permanent insertion of a Palmaz stent. The mean follow-up period was 43.31 +/- 33.6 months. The mean blood pressure fell significantly at 1 month after stenting (118 +/- 8.1 vs 101 +/- 7.8 mmHg; P < .0001); then remained stable. Renal artery blood flow, as determined by Doppler ultrasonography, was reduced from 352.5 +/- 56.5 to 157.3 +/- 53.7 cm/sec at 1 month after stenting (P < .0001). Renal function improved after stenting (serum creatinine 2.2 +/- 1.4 mg/dL preinsertion versus 1.72 +/- 1.05 at 3 years). In conclusion, in cases of severe or recurrent TRAS, stenting of the renal artery has proved to be an effective therapeutic tool. This method, which has low procedure costs and an extremely low complication rate has proved to be safe and to offer the potential of preserving luminal patency, improving the long-term efficacy of percutaneous angioplasty.

Nodular macroglossia with combined light chain and beta-2 microglobulin deposition in a long-term dialysis patient.

We describe a case in which nodular macroglossia, a very rare type of tongue involvement, was associated with the co-deposition of lambda light chain and beta-2 microglobulin fibrils in the tongue. The combined presence of two different amyloid fibrils did not lead to a more unfavourable clinical outcome. We believe that both these features often remain underdiagnosed and are in fact more frequent than reported. A careful clinical examination of the tongue together with serum immunofixation should be routine in all patients with dialysis-related amyloidosis in order to investigate the prevalence and type of tongue involvement and to rule out other types of amyloidosis. In all cases of suspected mixed amyloidosis, immunohistochemical characterization of fibrils should be carried out by electron microscopy.

Cationic membranes for phenols production.

Ionic Substitution by Electrodialysis is a good alternative to the industrial conversion of sodium salts of phenols into undissociated phenols, conventionally performed through acidification by strong acids. The acidification through electromembranes combines the possibility to achieve high conversion values with the advantage of keeping the process stream separated from the acid stream. The process is performed through cationic membranes; conversion can be obtained also in the absence of electric current, even if slightly better performances can be achieved by applying an electric field. Process feasibility as well as membrane resistance is tested, for the case of model solutions reproducing the main features of the real process streams. Maximum conversion and process rate are greatly affected by the ratio between protons in the acid solution and sodium ions in the process solution. Phenol losses into the acid stream and chloride contamination of the process stream can be reduced by working with diluted process and acid streams.

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) in the treatment of chronic renal rejection.

BACKGROUND: Experimental studies suggest the efficacy of MMF in the treatment of chronic renal rejection in rats. Studies on the efficacy of MMF in chronic renal rejection in man are scarce and controversial. AIM: The aim of this study was to verify in a prospective non-randomized study the efficacy of MMF given at the dose of 2 g/day in substitution of azathioprine (AZA) in the chronic rejection of cadaveric kidney transplantation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twelve patients with histologically proven chronic renal rejection were enrolled. The patients were 5 males and 7 females. Mean age 38.3 +/- 13.8 years, with a mean duration of transplant of 39 +/- 19 months. Mean serum creatinine values at -6, -3, 0, +3, +6, +12 months were respectively 1.72 +/- 0.33, 1.84 +/- 0.36, 2.15 +/- 0.50, 1.88 +/- 0.54, 1.81 +/- 0.71, 1.73 +/- 0.58 mg/dl. Mean creatinine clearance values were 58.85 +/- 10.06,48.8 +/- 13.3,45.8 +/- 10.2, 54.7 +/- 13.3, 51 +/- 12.7, 57.7 +/- 18.5 ml/min. Mean deltaGFR before MMF was -2.15 ml/month. RESULTS: After MMF introduction, the overall GFR decrease attenuated. In particular in seven patients after MMF administration, we obtained a significant reduction of mean serum creatinine value (1.84 +/- 0.55 vs. 1.38 +/- 0.41mg/dl; p = 0.004). In three patients, we obtained a stabilization in GFR. Two patients were slowly progressing even after MMF introduction. After a switch to MMF in almost all patients, we obtained an improvement of renal function. In three patients, we obtained a stabilization of renal function without regression. In particular, seven patients showed a remarkable improvement of renal function. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion our data even if concerning a small number of patients, confirm the efficacy of MMF in the treatment of renal allograft chronic dysfunction.

[Arteriovenous fistulas for hemodialysis: transposition of the cephalic veins, a personal experience]. / Fistole artero/venose per emodialisi. La trasposizione della vena cefalica nella nostra esperienza.

BACKGROUND: Vascular access for hemodialysis has remarkably developed during these years. Since 1966 we have the Brescia-Cimino fistula which is considered nowadays the best choice for angioaccess. The transposed cephalic vein is the "variant" which has been evaluated in a single stage surgical technique. METHODS: A prospective and randomized study regarding 23 patients submitted to operation for first fistula during 1998. With a median follow-up of 10 months, these fistulas have been studied with echocolordoppler in order to verify their primary patency, diameter and blood flow in artery, in vein and anastomosis. RESULTS: Fistulas have been patented in all cases (15 males e 8 females) and used for dialysis after 3 weeks. No early or late complications have been observed. Mean diameter has been 1.2 cm with mean velocity of 1.8 m/sec, in artery mean velocity 2.3 m/sec and in vein 1.1 m/sec. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing length of life even for high critical patients like these with chronic renal failure underlines the need of surgical strategies which may improve the quality to life. This technique of transposed cephalic vein has the same advantages of direct fistulas also for those patients in which we should have used prosthetic grafts.

Regional vs. national renal sharing organizations: pros and cons.

Delayed graft function, defined as the need of dialysis in the first week after transplantation, neither due to immunological nor technical causes, determines a poor outcome of renal grafts. Delayed graft function is related to the cold ischemia time, which is shorter in local allocation programs. These, however, do not assure an optimal HLA-A,B,DR matching that can be provided by national allocation organizations. We reviewed 160 cadaveric kidney grafts performed in our local transplant network. Owing to the long waiting list caused by organ shortage, we were able to ensure both a high-grade histocompatibility and short cold ischemia times. The mean HLA-B,DR mismatch was 1.17. Cold ischemia time was < 24 h in 85% of cases. The incidence of DGF was 23.1%. In our experience a regional sharing program in the case of organ shortage provides good graft outcome (86.9% graft survival at 1 yr) with low incidence of delayed graft function.

Hyperparathyroidism: is it really the major factor affecting glucose tolerance in uremia?

The effects of secondary hyperparathyroidism (sHPTH) on immunoreactive insulin (IRI) release and glucose (G) tolerance were studied in two groups of dialysis patients with normal (NPTH, n = 9) or elevated PTH levels (HPTH, n = 8), 27 +/- 24 and 660 +/- 440 pg/ml, respectively. The patients received an intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT) using 0.33 g/kg of glucose solution. G, IRI and C-peptide (C-p) levels were determined calculating the G constant decay (K) and the relative incremental areas for each study. Regardless of PTH levels, all patients showed an impaired glucose tolerance (GT). IRI secretion and K values were not significantly different between the two groups. However, a significantly lower K value with a reduced (although not significant) early and late IRI secretion was found in the subgroup of patients with more severe. sHPTH (PTH: 560-1,500 pg/ml, n = 5) as compared to patients with moderate sHPTH (PTH: 87-341 pg/ml, n = 4) or normal (5-32 pg/ml, n = 8) PTH levels. No relationship was found between PTH and G, IRI or C-p levels. Our results point to a threshold limit for PTH's inhibitory effect on IRI secretion and suggest that other factors, known to affect IRI secretion and GT besides PTH levels, may modulate the role played by excess PTH levels on carbohydrate metabolism of dialysis patients.

Lipoprotein abnormalities in chronic renal failure and dialysis patients.

Lipoprotein abnormalities are common in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) on either dialysis or conservative therapy. In order to investigate the changes in lipid and apolipoprotein pattern from early CRF to dialysis treatment, plasma lipids with apoproteins AI, B, E, CII, CIII, CII/CIII ratio, E/CIII ratio, parathyroid hormone (PTH) and insulin levels were examined in 72 patients with different degrees of CRF and 31 patients on hemodialysis (HD), and compared the values of 28 controls. A significant decrease in the Apo CII/CIII ratio was the earliest lipoprotein abnormality to occur in CRF. Hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) with reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, increased Apo CIII and decreased Apo E/Apo CIII ratio only occurred in more advanced renal failure (creatinine clearance < 31 ml/min). HD patients showed a general worsening of the lipoprotein profile with elevated Apo E levels and indirect evidence of remnant accumulation. While PTH did not have any significant influence on lipoprotein pattern, increased insulin levels during HD might partly account for the HTG of these patients. Our results point to elevated Apo CIII, reduced Apo CII/Apo CIII and Apo E/ Apo CIII ratios as typical features of uremic hyperlipidemia and show that a defective triglyceride removal is the major pathogenetic mechanism of uremic HTG. HD treatment seems generally to worsen the lipid and apolipoprotein pattern observed in the predialytic stage of CRF.