Current epidemiology and practice patterns in prevention and treatment of PD-related infections in Poland.

BACKGROUND: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) related infections are associated with technique failure and mortality. The aim of this multicentre study was to examine epidemiology, treatment and outcomes of PD-related infections in Poland as well as practice patterns for prevention of these complications in the context of current ISPD recommendations. METHODS: A survey on PD practices in relation to infectious complications was conducted in 11 large Polish PD centres. Epidemiology of peritonitis and exit-site infections (ESI) was examined in all patients treated in these units over a 2 year period. RESULTS: The study included data on 559 PD patients with 62.4% on CAPD. Practice patterns for prevention of infectious complications are presented. The rate of peritonitis was 0.29 episodes per year at risk, with Gram positive microorganisms responsible for more than 50% of infections and 85.8% effectively treated. Diagnosis and treatment followed ISPD guidelines however most units did not provide an anti-fungal prophylaxis. Although neither of the centres reported routine topical mupirocin on catheter exit-site, the rate of ESI was low (0.1 episodes per year at risk), with Staphylococcus aureus as most common pathogen and full recovery in 78.3% of cases. CONCLUSION: The study shows rewarding outcomes in prevention and treatment of PD-associated infections, mainly due to a thorough compliance with the current ISPD guidelines, although some deviations from the recommendations in terms of practice patterns have been observed. More studies are needed in large numbers of patients to differentiate the importance of specific recommendations and further support the guidelines.

Achromobacter xylosoxidans Relapsing Peritonitis and Streptococcus suis Peritonitis in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients: A Report of Two Cases.

Peritonitis is considered to be the most common complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD). It is usually caused by Gram positive Staphylococcus epidermidis. Achromobacter xylosoxidans (A. xylosoxidans) and Streptococcus suis (S. suis) are rare pathogens, but there is emerging evidence that they may be also responsible for PD related peritonitis. We described 2 cases of rare peritonitis treated in our center. In our opinion this is the first described case of PD related peritonitis caused by Streptococcus suis.

Assessment of Peritoneal Membrane Arteriolar Structure in Conjunction with Traditional Cardiovascular System Evaluation in Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Stage 5 Patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Cardiovascular complications are responsible for increased mortality and morbidity in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Functional and structural changes of peritoneal membrane are reported in CKD patients both on conservative treatment and on renal replacement therapy (RRT). The aim of the study was to assess the structure of peritoneal membrane small arteries (precapillary arterioles) in diabetic and non-diabetic CKD stage 5 patients before initiation of peritoneal dialysis (PD) and evaluate its relationship with heart and large arteries abnormalities and with selected biochemical parameters. METHODS: Evaluation of 42 CKD stage 5 patients before starting PD. Diabetic (n=26) and non-diabetic (n=16) patients were compared. Peritoneal membrane samples were taken during Tenckhoff catheter insertion. Histopathological evaluation of peritoneal precapillary arterioles (arteriolar evaluation) with measurement of wall thickness (WT) and calculation of lumen/vessel (L/V) ratio was performed in each patients. Echocardiography, intima media thickness (IMT), pulse wave velocity (PWV), ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) and biochemical parameters assessment: serum albumin (SA), total cholesterol (TCH), hemoglobin (Hgb), parathormone (PTH), serum calcium (Ca), serum phosphorus (P), transferrin saturation (TSAT%), C-reactive protein (CRP) were performed in each participant. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in peritoneal membrane arteriolar indices - wall thickness (WT) and L/V ratio between investigated groups. There was statistically significant higher PWV value in diabetic patients. There were no statistically significant differences in echocardiographic indices, IMT, laboratory data in analyzed groups. There were some linear correlations between: PWV vs IMT (R=0,84; p=0,0006); PWV vs PP (R=0,58; p=0,03) in non-diabetic and linear correlation between: PWV vs age (R=0,75; p=0,02); WT vs DP (R=-0,93; p=0,001); WT vs DBP ( R=0,64; p=0,04) in diabetic group. CONCLUSION: Peritoneal membrane arteriolar damage seems to be an integrated part of cardiovascular system damage in CKD stage 5 patients.

Aldosterone antagonist therapy and its relationship with inflammation, fibrosis, thrombosis, mineral-bone disorder and cardiovascular complications in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients.

BACKGROUND: High aldosterone level may contribute to pathogenesis of hypertension, vessels damage and cardiovascular system deterioration in chronic kidney disease patients. Besides its classical action via mineralocorticoid receptor, aldosterone is also involved in cell growth, inflammation, oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction and exerts fibroproliferative effects. The aim of the study was to assess whether aldosterone antagonist treatment may influence serum level of inflammatory, fibrosis, thrombosis and mineral-bone metabolism markers in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients and blood pressure, aortic stiffness, echocardiographic indices after 12 months of treatment. METHODS: Twenty-two patients on PD were assigned to spironolactone treatment in dose of 50 mg daily during 12 months. Fifteen PD patients were assigned to control group. Echocardiographic indices, PVW, SBP, DBP (mean values from ABPM) and biochemical parameters such as: aldosterone, osteopontin, IL-6, selectin-P, TGF-ß, PTH, MMP-2 were performed at the beginning and after 12 months in spironolactone and control group. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in echocardiographic indices, PWV, BP (ABPM readings) and biochemical markers: MMP-2, serum aldosterone, TGF-ß, IL-6, selectin-P, PTH level after 12 months of spironolactone treatment. There was statistically significant rise in osteopontin level after 12 months of spironolactone treatment. Episodes of life-threatening hyperkalemia were not reported. CONCLUSIONS: Aldosterone antagonists use in PD patients seems to be safe. Longer duration or higher dosage of spironolactone seems to be more effective in improving cardiovascular system status in PD patients. Further studies are required to determine relationship between mineralocorticoid receptor blockade and mineral-bone disturbances in PD patients.

The fructose tolerance test in patients with chronic kidney disease and metabolic syndrome in comparison to healthy controls.

BACKGROUND: Fructose acutely raises serum uric acid in normal subjects, but the effect in subjects with metabolic syndrome or subjects with chronic kidney disease is unknown. The aim of the study was to evaluate changes in serum uric acid during the fructose tolerance test in patients with chronic kidney disease, metabolic syndrome with comparison to healthy controls. METHODS: Studies were performed in 36 subjects with obesity (body mass index >30) and metabolic syndrome, 14 patients with stage 3 chronic kidney disease, and 25 healthy volunteers. The fructose tolerance test was performed in each patient. The change in serum uric acid during the fructose challenge was correlated with baseline ambulatory blood pressure, serum uric acid, metabolic, and inflammatory markers, and target organ injury including carotid intima media thickness and renal resistive index (determined by Doppler). RESULTS: Absolute serum uric acid values were highest in the chronic kidney disease group, followed by the metabolic syndrome and then healthy controls. Similar increases in serum uric acid in response to the fructose tolerance test was observed in all three groups, but the greatest percent rise was observed in healthy controls compared to the other two groups. No significant association was shown between the relative rise in uric acid and clinical or inflammatory parameters associated with kidney disease (albuminuria, eGFR) or metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: Subjects with chronic kidney disease and metabolic syndrome have higher absolute uric acid values following a fructose tolerance test, but show a relatively smaller percent increase in serum uric acid. Changes in serum uric acid during the fructose tolerance test did not correlate with changes in metabolic parameters, inflammatory mediators or with target organ injury. These studies suggest that acute changes in serum uric acid in response to fructose do not predict the metabolic phenotype or presence of inflammatory mediators in subjects with obesity, metabolic syndrome or chronic kidney disease. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov. Identifier : NCT01332526. www.register.clinicaltrials.gov/01332526.

[Cardiovascular system in patients in different stages of chronic kidney disease]. / Stan ukladu sercowo-naczyniowego u pacjentów w róznych stadiach przewleklej choroby nerek.

The term "chronic kidney disease" (CKD) was introduced recently to nephrological literature. CKD is a growing epidemic problem, which affects 11% of adult US population. CKD, particularly with GFR below 60 ml/min/1, 73 m2 is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. It is a result of coexistance of "traditional" cardiovascular risk factors cumulation such as hypertension, lipid and carbohydrate disorders but also "non-traditional" cardiovascular risk factors such as: anemia, calcium-phosphate metabolism disturbances, chronic inflammation and others. The paper discusses changes in left ventricle structure and function, arterial structure and function and cardiovascular calcifications in different stages of chronic kidney disease, and their prognostic significance. Result of the study in 31 CKD patients (GFR 39,4 +/- 14, 1 ml/min/m2) and 18 appearently healthy controls are also presented in the paper. Cardiovascular risk factors assessment, echocardiography, common carotid artery USG with diameter and intima-media thickness (IMT) measurement and aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) measurement were performed in all participants. We found higher total cholersterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglicerides, CRP, advanced glycation end-products (AGE), and calcium x phosphorus product and lower hemoglobin concentration in CKD patients. Fasting glucose and insulin concentration did not differ between CKD patients and control group but insulin/glucose ratio was higher in CKD group. Abnormal left ventricular heart structure was found in 55% of CKD patients. Carotid artery internal diameter, intima-media thickness and aortic PWV--a marker of increased arterial stiffness - were higher in CKD patients. The study indicates that cardiovascular risk factors and cardiac and arterial abnormalities should be evaluated from the start of CKD.

[Endothelial dysfunction in peritoneal dialysis patients and its relationship to nutrition]. / Zaburzenia funkcji sródblonka u chorych dializowanych otrzewnowo i ich zwiazek ze stanem odkywienia.

Endothelial dysfunction (ED) in peritoneal dialysis patients plays pivotal role in progression of atherosclerosis and hemostasis disturbances. Malnutrition is one of the most important complication of PD. Both ED and malnutrition cause higher rate of cardiovascular events in these patients. 32 PD patients were analyzed. Endothelial function was assessed by measurements of serum level of vWF:Ag; t-Pa:Ag; TM:Ag. Nutritional status assessment included: body mass index-BMI, MAMC measurements; and serum albumin, total protein, prealbumin, transferrin, cholesterol, insulin, insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). There were higher levels of vWF:Ag but lower of t-PA:Ag and TM:Ag after 12 month of observation. Serum levels of prealbumin, insulin, cholesterol were stable, but there were lower levels of albumin, IGF-1, and higher of transferrin at the end of the follow up. There were no differences in anthropometric indices during the follow up. We found statistically significant linear correlations: t-Pa:Ag vs prealbumin; t-Pa:Ag vs cholesterol; TM:Ag vs albumin. In the course of 12 months observation of peritoneal dialysis patients we found deterioration of endothelial function, expressed by evaluated endothelial antigens. Some correlations found in our study might express close relationship between endothelial function markers and nutritional status.

[Torasemide (Trifas) in clinical practice--own experience]. / Zastosowanie torasemidu (Trifas) w praktyce klinicznej--doswiadczenia wlasne.

Torasemide (Trifas, Berlin Chemie/Menarini) is a loop diuretic and its site of action in the nephron is the afferent section of Henle's loop. Associated with this is its increased effectiveness and reduction of side effects in comparison with other loop diuretics like furosemide. Torasemide acts proportionately to the administered dose, which allows to asses its diuretic effect. It has been used in our Clinic in patients not responding to previous diuretic treatment. The diuretic effect of torasemide has been satisfactory, with no side effects. However, the trial group has not been numerous and was non-homogeneous in regard to renal failure and other disorders.