ABSTRACT
BackgroundTo date, large amounts of epidemiological and case study data have been available for the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), which suggested that the mortality was related to not just respiratory complications. Here, we specifically analyzed kidney functions in COVID-19 patients and their relations to mortality. MethodIn this multi-centered, retrospective, observational study, we included 193 adult patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 from 2 hospitals in Wuhan, 1 hospital in Huangshi (Hubei province, 83 km from Wuhan) and 1 hospital in Chongqing (754 km from Wuhan). Demographic data, symptoms, laboratory values, comorbidities, treatments, and clinical outcomes were all collected, including data regarding to kidney functions. Data were compared among three groups: non-severe COVID-19 patients (128), severe COVID-19 patients (65) and a control group of other pneumonia (28). For the data from computed tomographic (CT) scans, we also included a control group of healthy subjects (110 cases, without abnormalities in the lung and without kidney diseases). The primary outcome was a common presence of kidney dysfunctions in COVID-19 patients and the occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in a fraction of COVID-19 patients. Secondary outcomes included a survival analysis of COVID-19 patients in conditions of AKI or comorbid chronic illnesses. FindingsWe included 193 COVID-19 patients (128 non-severe, 65 severe (including 32 non-survivors), between January 6th and February 21th,2020; the final date of follow-up was March 4th, 2020) and 28 patients of other pneumonia (15 of viral pneumonia, 13 of mycoplasma pneumonia) before the COVID-19 outbreak. On hospitaladmission, a remarkable fraction of patients had signs of kidney dysfunctions, including 59% with proteinuria, 44% with hematuria, 14% with increased levels of blood urea nitrogen, and 10% with increased levels of serum creatinine, although mild but worse than that in cases with other pneumonia. While these kidney dysfunctions might not be readily diagnosed as AKI at admission, over the progress during hospitalization they could be gradually worsened and diagnosed as AKI. A univariate Cox regression analysis showed that proteinuria, hematuria, and elevated levels of blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, uric acid as well as D-dimer were significantly associated with the death of COVID-19 patients respectively. Importantly, the Cox regression analysis also suggested that COVID-19 patients that developed AKI had a [~]5.3-times mortality risk of those without AKI, much higher than that of comorbid chronic illnesses ([~]1.5 times risk of those without comorbid chronic illnesses). InterpretationTo prevent fatality in such conditions, we suggested a high degree of caution in monitoring the kidney functions of severe COVID-19 patients regardless of the past disease history. In addition, upon day-by-day monitoring, clinicians should consider any potential interventions to protect kidney functions at the early stage of the disease and renal replacement therapies in severely ill patients, particularly for those with strong inflammatory reactions or a cytokine storm. FundingNone.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the metabolic profile of uric acid and the significance of the altered renal expression of urate trans-porter 1(URAT1) in patients with uric acid nephrolithiasis. Methods The data of 24 patients in our hospital from January 2012 to October 2013 were analyzed retrospectively. Participants in the research were divided into three groups:patients with uric acid nephrolithiasis,other patients with nephrolithiasis and normal participants. The basic clinical data and the related data of uric acid metabolition of participants were collected,URAT1 gene expression in renal tissures of three groups was detected by Real-time PCR technique. All data were statistically ana-lyzed and compared between these groups. Results Uric acid levels in plasma,body mass index and age were significantly higher in patients with uric acid nephrolithiasis than other two groups (P0. 05). The result of Real-time PCR suggested that the URAT1 renal expression was significantly higher in patients with uric acid nephrolithiasis than other two groups (P<0. 05). Conculusion Patients with uric acid nephrolithiasis are closely related with hyperuricemia,but unrelated with renal over-ex-cretion of uric acid. The upregulated URAT1 expression in the kidney may be an important molecular mechanism of the clinical features.
ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the curative effect of polyscope modular flexible ureteroscope combined with Holmium laser lithotrip-sy in the treatment of renal calculi. Methods 53 patients with renal calculi were performed CTU to detect the position of renal calculi before operation. The patients were treated with polyscope modular flexible ureteroscope combined with Holmium laser, and the double J tube were routinely indwelled 4 to 12 weeks after surgery. Results All the 52 patients has successfully completed the operation in the frist stage. The mean operative time was about 38 minutes. 6 patients were treated with flexible ureteroscope for second stage operation. One week after oper-ation, the review showed that there were residual calculi existed in 24 cases and there were 56 cases of post-operative infection, including 17 cases of sepsis or sepsis shock. Conclusion Polyscope modular flexible ureteroscope can be used for all kinds of kidney stones surgery and is characterized by safety and mild tissue injury. But we should pay more attention to the post-operative infection especially urosepsis.
