Incidence of clinically relevant psychiatric symptoms during glioblastoma treatment: an exploratory study.

PURPOSE: In addition to neurological symptoms glioblastoma (GBM) patients can experience psychiatric complaints, which are often hard to recognize and difficult to treat. Research on psychiatric symptoms during glioblastoma treatment is limited, but can have significant impact on quality of life, treatment processes and even survival. The aim of this study is to explore the incidence of clinically relevant psychiatric symptoms, during glioblastoma treatment and active surveillance. METHODS: Medical records of 302 GBM patients were reviewed from diagnostic surgery until discontinuation of treatment or active surveillance. Clinical relevance was defined as psychiatric symptoms that interfered with the oncological treatment and required referral to a psychiatrist. "Referred" versus "non-referred" GBM patients were compared using the Pearson Chi-Square test, Fisher's Exact Test or Mann Whitney-U test. RESULTS: Psychiatric symptoms occurred in 11.5% of patients during glioblastoma treatment or active surveillance, most often mood or behavioral symptoms, followed by psychotic symptoms. Referral occurred mainly during concomitant chemoradiation or adjuvant chemotherapy (64.3%). In 28.6% of patients psychiatric symptoms were thought to be attributive to medication. Treatment was discontinued in 17.9% of patients and temporarily interrupted in 3.6%. Possible risk factors included male gender, history of psychiatric disorder, postoperative delirium, non-frontal tumor location, anti-epileptic drug use at baseline and corticosteroid initiation during treatment. CONCLUSION: The found incidence of 11.5% and the high number of patients discontinuing treatment due to psychiatric symptoms justify more research in this, to date, understudied topic in scientific literature. Further prospective studies are needed to identify risk factors and unravel possible effects on survival.

Patient-specific affect-abdominal pain interactions in endometriosis: an experience sampling method (ESM) study.

OBJECTIVES: Cross-sectional studies show that endometriosis-related pain is associated with affect. Measuring these symptoms in real-time in a longitudinal perspective yields the ability to analyze the temporal relationship between variables. The aim was to evaluate the association between affect and abdominal pain, using the Experience Sampling Method (ESM) as a real-time, randomly repeated assessment. METHODS: Thirty-four endometriosis patients and 31 healthy subjects completed up to 10 real-time self-assessments concerning abdominal pain and affective symptoms during seven consecutive days. RESULTS: Endometriosis patients experienced more abdominal pain and negative affective symptoms, and scored lower on positive affect compared to healthy controls. A significant association was found between abdominal pain and both positive and negative affect in endometriosis patients. For healthy controls, less strong or non-significant associations were found. When looking at abdominal pain as a predictor for affect and vice versa, we found that only in endometriosis patients, pain was subsequently accompanied by negative affect, and positive affect may alleviate pain in these patients. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms a concurrent and temporal relationship between affect and abdominal pain in endometriosis patients and supports the use of real-time symptom assessment to interpret potential influencers of abdominal complaints in patients with endometriosis.

The DizzyQuest: relation between self-reported hearing loss, tinnitus and objective hearing thresholds in patients with Meniere's disease.

BACKGROUND: Combining a mobile application-based vestibular diary called the DizzyQuest and an iPad-based hearing test enables evaluation of the relationship between experienced neuro-otological symptoms and hearing thresholds in daily life setting. The aim was to investigate the relationship between self-reported hearing symptoms and hearing thresholds in patients with Meniere's disease (MD), using the DizzyQuest and the iPad-based hearing test simultaneously. METHODS: The DizzyQuest was administered for 3 weeks in 21 patients. Using the experience-sampling-method (ESM), it assessed hearing loss and tinnitus severity for both ears separately. Each day after the DizzyQuest, an iPad-based hearing test was used to measure hearing thresholds. A mixed model regression analysis was performed to investigate relationships between hearing thresholds and self-reported hearing loss and tinnitus severity. RESULTS: Fifteen patients were included. Overall, pure-tone averages (PTAs) were not correlated with self-reported hearing loss severity and tinnitus. Individual differences in PTA results between both ears did not significantly influence the difference in self-reported hearing loss severity between both ears. Self-reported hearing loss and tinnitus scores were significantly higher in ears that corresponded with audiometric criteria of MD (p < 0.001). Self-reported tinnitus severity significantly increased with self-reported hearing loss severity in affected (p = 0.011) and unaffected ears (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Combining the DizzyQuest and iPad-based hearing test, facilitated assessment of self-reported hearing loss and tinnitus severity and their relationship with hearing thresholds, in a daily life setting. This study illustrated the importance of investigating neuro-otological symptoms at an individual level, using multiple measurements. ESM strategies like the DizzyQuest should therefore be considered in neuro-otological research.

Introducing the DizzyQuest: an app-based diary for vestibular disorders.

BACKGROUND: Most questionnaires currently used for assessing symptomatology of vestibular disorders are retrospective, inducing recall bias and lowering ecological validity. An app-based diary, administered multiple times in daily life, could increase the accuracy and ecological validity of symptom measurement. The objective of this study was to introduce a new experience sampling method (ESM) based vestibular diary app (DizzyQuest), evaluate response rates, and to provide examples of DizzyQuest outcome measures which can be used in future research. METHODS: Sixty-three patients diagnosed with a vestibular disorder were included. The DizzyQuest consisted of four questionnaires. The morning- and evening-questionnaires were administered once each day, the within-day-questionnaire 10 times a day using a semi-random time schedule, and the attack questionnaire could be completed after the occurrence of a vertigo or dizziness attack. Data were collected for 4 weeks. Response rates and loss-to-follow-up were determined. Reported symptoms in the within-day-questionnaire were compared within and between patients and subgroups of patients with different vestibular disorders. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients completed the study period. Average response rates were significantly higher than the desired response rate of > 50% (p < 0.001). The attack-questionnaire was used 159 times. A variety of neuro-otological symptoms and different disease profiles were demonstrated between patients and subgroups of patients with different vestibular disorders. CONCLUSION: The DizzyQuest is able to capture vestibular symptoms within their psychosocial context in daily life, with little recall bias and high ecological validity. The DizzyQuest reached the desired response rates and showed different disease profiles between subgroups of patients with different vestibular disorders. This is the first time ESM was used to assess daily symptoms and quality of life in vestibular disorders, showing that it might be a useful tool in this population.

The DizzyQuest: to have or not to have a vertigo attack?

BACKGROUND: The DizzyQuest, an app-based vestibular diary, provides the opportunity to capture the number and nature of vertigo attacks in daily life. To accomplish this, the DizzyQuest provides different strategies: event sampling using an attack questionnaire, and time sampling using an evening questionnaire. Objective of this study was to investigate whether the number and nature of reported vertigo attacks was comparable between the two questionnaires. METHODS: Fifty-seven patients, who reported vertigo attacks, used the DizzyQuest for on average 24 days. The number and nature (including symptoms, triggers and duration) of vertigo attacks were compared between the attack and the evening questionnaire. RESULTS: The attack questionnaire was used 192 times. In contrast, at least 749 new vertigo attacks were reported in 446 evening questionnaires. A vertigo attack was not always reported in both questionnaires during the same day. Vertigo attacks that were most likely captured by both questionnaires were not always reported the same in both questionnaires regarding triggers and duration. CONCLUSION: Event sampling using an attack questionnaire has low recall bias and, therefore, reliably captures the nature of the attack, but induces a risk of under-sampling. Time sampling using an evening questionnaire suffers from recall bias, but seems more likely to capture less discrete vertigo attacks and it facilitates registration of the absence of vertigo attacks. Depending on the clinical or research question, the right strategy should be applied and participants should be clearly instructed about the definition of a vertigo attack.

[HIV, antiretroviral therapy and suicidal behaviour: a multidisciplinary case report and underlying neuroimmunological pathways]. / Hiv, antiretrovirale therapie en suïcidaliteit; een multidisciplinaire gevalsbeschrijving en bijbehorend neuro-immunologisch model.

The relationship between hiv, major depressive disorder and suicidal ideation is well established. For example, hiv-positive patients are seven times more likely to develop depression, and suicidal behaviour is also more prevalent. Antiretroviral therapy is known to further enhance these risks. We saw a 53-year-old patient with a depressive episode and suicidal ideation, possibly related to the use of dolutegravir/abacavir/lamivudine. We provide an overview of the literature and we present a neuro-immunological hypothesis for this psychiatric adverse event, which may occur even after months of treatment.

[Text message reminders in the hospital-psychiatry outpatient setting - a quasi-experimental study on cost aspects]. / Sms-herinneringen op de polikliniek ziekenhuispsychiatrie ­ een quasi-experimenteel onderzoek op kostenaspecten.

BACKGROUND: During their specialty training program residents are stimulated to think and work in a goal-oriented way. Patient 'no shows' are quite common in the mental healthcare system, consequently causing the ineffective use of healthcare services.
AIM: To reduce the amount of 'no shows' in an outpatient clinic for hospital psychiatry by sending reminders via text messaging.
METHOD: A quasi-experimental study was conducted at an outpatient clinic for hospital-psychiatry in 2016, in which 101 patients were included. Eventually, 50 patients received a text message to remind them of their appointment, while 46 did not. We used a χ2 test to evaluate group differences. The effect size was expressed in the 'number needed to cash' (nnc), similar to the number needed to treat (nnt). Routinely available hospital-data was used to estimate lost revenue per year.
RESULTS: A significant group difference was found in the number of outpatient clinic visits in favour of sending a text message reminder (74% vs. 92%, p = 0.018). This corresponded to a nnc of 5.53, i.e. 6 text messages need to be sent in order to accomplish one extra patient showing up for their intake. Based on hospital-data from 2016 the estimated lost revenue was € 53.017,38 / year at our outpatient clinic.
CONCLUSION: Sending reminders via text messaging is effective in reducing the number of 'no shows' at an outpatient clinic for hospital psychiatry.

Development, content validity, and cross-cultural adaptation of a patient-reported outcome measure for real-time symptom assessment in irritable bowel syndrome.

BACKGROUND: End-of-day questionnaires, which are considered the gold standard for assessing abdominal pain and other gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), are influenced by recall and ecological bias. The experience sampling method (ESM) is characterized by random and repeated assessments in the natural state and environment of a subject, and herewith overcomes these limitations. This report describes the development of a patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) based on the ESM principle, taking into account content validity and cross-cultural adaptation. METHODS: Focus group interviews with IBS patients and expert meetings with international experts in the fields of neurogastroenterology & motility and pain were performed in order to select the items for the PROM. Forward-and-back translation and cognitive interviews were performed to adapt the instrument for the use in different countries and to assure on patients' understanding with the final items. KEY RESULTS: Focus group interviews revealed 42 items, categorized into five domains: physical status, defecation, mood and psychological factors, context and environment, and nutrition and drug use. Experts reduced the number of items to 32 and cognitive interviewing after translation resulted in a few slight adjustments regarding linguistic issues, but not regarding content of the items. CONCLUSIONS AND INFERENCES: An ESM-based PROM, suitable for momentary assessment of IBS symptom patterns was developed, taking into account content validity and cross-cultural adaptation. This PROM will be implemented in a specifically designed smartphone application and further validation in a multicenter setting will follow.

Biomarkers for visceral hypersensitivity in patients with irritable bowel syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Increased visceral sensitivity is observed in up to 60% of patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Mucosal inflammation, altered neuroendocrine activity and intraluminal metabolic processes may contribute to the development of visceral hypersensitivity. Previously, we demonstrated that biomarkers, indicative for these biological processes, were altered in IBS patients compared to healthy controls. However, how these processes relate to visceral hypersensitivity is unknown. AIM: The aim of this study was to provide insight in biological processes associated with visceral hypersensitivity. Fecal and plasma biomarkers were measured in normosensitive and hypersensitive IBS patients. METHODS: A total of 167 IBS patients underwent a rectal barostat procedure to assess visceral sensitivity to pain. Based on the outcome, patients were classified into a normosensitive or hypersensitive group. Calprotectin, human ß-defensin 2 (HBD2), chromogranin A (CgA), and short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were measured in feces, citrulline in plasma, and serotonin and its main metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in platelet-poor plasma. KEY RESULTS: Fecal markers and plasma citrulline were measured in 83 hypersensitive and 84 normosensitive patients, while platelet-poor plasma for the assessment of serotonin and 5-HIAA was available for a subgroup, i.e. 53 hypersensitive and 42 normosensitive patients. No statistically significant differences were found in concentrations of biomarkers between groups. Adjustment of the analyses for potential confounders, such as medication use, did not alter this conclusion. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: Our findings do not support a role for the biological processes as ascertained by biomarkers in visceral hypersensitivity in IBS patients. This study is registered in the US National Library of Medicine (clinicaltrials.gov, NCT00775060).

Prevalence and triage of first contact pelvic floor dysfunction complaints in male patients referred to a Pelvic Care Centre.

AIMS: (i) To describe and analyse pelvic floor dysfunction symptoms in men referred to a Pelvic Care Centre (PCC). (ii) To describe the triage process of the same patients based on response to a first-contact interview. METHODS: Triage started with a telephone interview using previously constructed questions, asking for six types of PF complaints during the preceding 6 months. If present, complaint severity was registered on a 0-10 scale. Next, these first-contact complaints were used to describe patient case mix profiles using cross-tabular analysis. Later on, at first PCC visit, an intake questionnaire regarding specific PF health problem(s) was filled out. This procedure contributed to a firm baseline characterization of the individual patient profile and a clinically valid allocation to structured, predefined assessment and treatment. RESULTS: From 2005 to 2013 985 first-time patients (mean age 58.2 years (SD 15.3) have been referred to the PCC. Most frequently mentioned complaints: voiding dysfunctions (73.9%), urinary incontinence (29.5%), sexual problems (16.6%), faecal incontinence (13.9%), constipation (9.6%), and prolapse (0.3%). A first appointment to a single specialist was determined in 805 (81.7%) patients, in 137 (13.9%) consultation of >1 specialist. Data analysis revealed higher-order interactions between PF complaints, suggesting patient profile complexity and patient population heterogeneity. CONCLUSIONS: One out of seven PCC patients showed multifactorial problems, needing >1 specialist. PF complaints either turned out to stand alone or cluster with others, or even to strengthen, weaken, nullify or inverse relationships. Neurourol. Urodynam. 35:487-491, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Prevalence and triage of first-contact complaints on pelvic floor dysfunctions in female patients at a Pelvic Care Centre.

AIMS: (i) To describe and analyse pelvic floor dysfunction symptoms in women referred to a Pelvic Care Centre (PCC). (ii) To describe the triage process of the same patients based on response to a first-contact interview. METHODS: Triage started with a telephone interview using previously constructed questions, asking for seven types of PF complaints during the preceding 6 months. If present, complaint severity was registered on a 0-10 scale. Next, these first-contact complaints were used to describe patient case mix profiles using cross-tabular analysis. Later on, at first PCC visit, an intake questionnaire containing questions on specific PF health problem(s) was filled out. This procedure contributed to a firm baseline characterization of the individual patient profile and a clinically valid allocation to structured, predefined assessment, and treatment. RESULTS: From 2005 to 2013, 4473 first-time patients (mean age 56.9 (SD 16.2) have been referred to the PCC. Most frequently mentioned complaints: voiding dysfunction (59.5%), urinary incontinence (46.6%), prolapse (41.1%), fecal incontinence (15.1%), constipation (12.6%), and sexual problems (4.6%). A first appointment to a single specialist was determined in 3.110 (69.5%) patients, in 1.192 (26.7%) consultation of >1 specialist. Data analysis revealed higher-order interactions between PF complaints, suggesting patient profile complexity and patient population heterogeneity. CONCLUSIONS: More than one out of four PCC patients showed multifactorial problems, needing >1 specialist. PF complaints either turned out to stand alone or cluster with others, or even to strengthen, weaken, nullify, or inverse relationships. Neurourol. Urodynam. 35:503-508, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The Experience Sampling Method--a new digital tool for momentary symptom assessment in IBS: an exploratory study.

BACKGROUND: Retrospective questionnaires are frequently used for symptom assessment in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients, but are influenced by recall bias and circumstantial and psychological factors. These limitations may be overcome by random, repeated, momentary assessment during the day, using electronic Experience Sampling Methodology (ESM). Therefore, we compared symptom assessment by ESM to retrospective paper questionnaires in IBS patients. METHODS: Twenty-six IBS patients (Rome III) were included, of which 16 were diagnosed with panic disorder (DSM-IV-TR). Patients scored symptoms using end-of-day diaries during 14 days and the gastrointestinal symptom rating scale (GSRS) once. ESM was used on seven consecutive days during the same time period. KEY RESULTS: End-of-day diary abdominal pain scores were 0.4 (SE 0.1, p < 0.001) point higher (on a 1-to-5-point scale) compared to corresponding ESM mean-scores in IBS patients. The difference was even more pronounced for upper abdominal pain scores assessed by the GSRS (4.77 ± 1.50) compared to ESM mean-scores (2.44 ± 1.30, p < 0.001), both on 1-to-7-point scale. For flatulence, comparable results were found. Nausea and belching scores showed small, but significant differences between end-of-day diary and ESM. All tested symptoms were scored higher on GSRS compared to ESM mean-scores (p < 0.01). Affective comorbidity did not influence differences in pain reporting between methods. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: IBS patients report higher scores for abdominal pain in retrospective questionnaires compared to ESM, with a tendency to report peak rather than average pain scores. ESM can provide more insight in symptom course and potential triggers, and may lead to a better understanding of IBS symptomatology.

[Collaborative care for co-morbid major depressive disorder in chronically ill outpatients in a general hospital]. / Collaborative care voor de behandeling van comorbide depressieve stoornis bij chronisch lichamelijk zieke patiënten op een polikliniek van een algemeen ziekenhuis.

BACKGROUND: Depression is highly prevalent in patients with chronic physical illnesses. A promising intervention for this group of patients is the collaborative care treatment as developed in the us. AIM: To demonstrate the prevalence of depression and the risk factors of depression in diabetes patients, to describe how the screening for depression can be carried out and to assess whether the collaborative care treatment in the Netherlands is effective. METHOD: A questionnaire was completed every three months in order to determine whether there was an improvement in patients' depression and physical symptoms. The outcomes were analysed by means of the multilevel logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: On the basis of the Patient Health Questionnaire, about 26% of the diabetes patients were found to have a depression. This questionnaire was validated for the measurement of depression in diabetes patients, the best results being found at a cut-off point of 12. In cases of fairly severe depression, collaborative care had no effect on depressive symptoms but did reduce severe physical complications. In cases of more severe depression, collaborative care only had an effect on depressive symptoms, but was not found to have any effect on physical complications. CONCLUSION: There is evidence that collaborative care can reduce depression and physical complications in chronically ill patients. However, more research is needed to find out whether collaborative care can become more effective if it is supplemented with digital methods and group therapy.

[Body dysmorphic disorder in cosmetic surgery - prevalence, psychiatric comorbidity and outcome]. / Stoornis in de lichaamsbeleving bij patiënten binnen de cosmetische chirurgie.

BACKGROUND: Patients suffering from body dysmorphic disorder (bdd) are preoccupied with a slight or imagined defect in appearance. AIM: First of all, to review the literature on the prevalence of bdd in cosmetic surgery and thereafter to review the literature on psychiatric comorbidity and the outcome of surgical interventions. METHOD: We based our search strategy on Embase, Medline and PubMed, using the search terms 'body dysmorphic disorder', 'cosmetic surgery', 'prevalence', 'comorbidity' and 'outcome'. Our search covered English and Dutch literature published after the introduction of bdd in dsm-iii-r and before 1 November, 2013. A study of the relevant articles enabled us to access additional articles mentioned in these texts. RESULTS: Our initial search strategy turned out to be too narrow. It was therefore broadened to include 'body dysmorphic disorder', 'cosmetic surgery', and 'prevalence'. Eventually we included 23 original articles. In 11 of these the prevalence of bdd varied from 3.2 to 53.6%. Twelve articles on psychiatric comorbidity revealed predominantly mood and anxiety disorders on axis I and cluster C personality disorders on axis II. Only two studies reported on the outcome of cosmetic surgery performed on bdd patients; surgical interventions, however, seemed to result in new preoccupations with the prolongation of psychiatric comorbidity. CONCLUSION: bdd is a common psychiatric disorder that can sometimes lead to cosmetic surgery. However, pre-operative screening of bdd patients is vital so that efficient psychiatric treatment can be initiated and patients are not subjected to surgical interventions which may be ineffective or even harmful.

[A profound retrograde amnesia of almost 30 years and the role of organic, intentional and psychogenic factors]. / Een omvangrijke retrograde amnesie van bijna 30 jaar en de rol van organische, intentionele en psychogene factoren.

A 57-year-old man was referred to the Department of Psychiatry & Psychology of a university hospital because of recurrent depressive episodes. He claimed to have had a total amnesia for approximately the first 30 years of his life following an incident resembling a fugue. This case of a focal retrograde amnesia shows the limitations of a dichotomic view of organic, psychogenic and intentional factors.

[The Kleine-Levin syndrome and the treatment with methylphenidate]. / Het syndroom van Kleine-Levin en de behandeling met methylfenidaat.

A 17-year-old man was referred to the Med-Psych-Unit because of recurrent episodes of hypersomnia, megaphagia, hypersexual behaviour and cognitive disturbances. Over the period of three years he suffered more than 10 episodes of hypersomnia each lasting 8 to 16 days. The clinical presentation was suggestive of the Kleine-Levin syndrome. The symptoms disappeared after treatment with methylphenidate, but it was not clear whether this could be attributed to the medication or to the self-limiting character of the illness. The Kleine-Levin syndrome is often clinically not recognised due to the variation in the symptoms and the lack of objective diagnostic examination.

[Serotonin-noradrenalin reuptake inhibitors in the treatment of non-malignant pain syndromes; a systematic review]. / Serotonine-noradrenalineheropnameremmers bij chronische niet-maligne pijnsyndromen; een systematisch overzicht.

BACKGROUND: Chronic pain and depressive symptoms are often comorbid. Antidepressants seem to influence not only the symptoms of depression but also the perception of pain. AIM: To give a systematic overview of the efficacy and safety of serotonin-noradrenalin reuptake inhibitors (SNRI) in the treatment of chronic non-malignant pain syndromes. METHODS: We reviewed the literature by means of PubMed and PsycInfo using combinations of the words 'pain' 'venlafaxine' and 'duloxetine'. We selected clinical studies that investigated the influence of SNRIs on pain perception. RESULTS: Fourteen articles met our selection criteria. Medical conditions involved were fibromyalgia, diabetic neuropathy and post mastectomy pain. Twelve studies demonstrated the efficacy and safety of venlafaxine and duloxetine in the treatment of non-malignant pain. CONCLUSION: The results revealed that SNRIs are effective in reducing pain particularly in the treatment of diabetic neuropathy. Results with regard to the other medical conditions are less clear. More research is needed to find out in which medical conditions SNRIs have a significant pain reducing effect and why this effect does not hold in the case of other medical conditions.

[Should depressive symptoms in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism be treated with thyroid hormone?]. / Moeten depressieve klachten bij patiënten met subklinische hypothyreoïdie worden behandeld met schildklierhormoon?

BACKGROUND: Although there are theoretical grounds for using hormone therapy to treat depressive symptoms in patients with hypothyroidism, the clinical evidence for this is unclear. objective To investigate the efficacy of treating depression with thyroid hormone in a population with subclinical hypothyroidism. METHOD: Literature search in various databases for double-blind randomised placebo-controlled studies that provided clinical evidence for the effect of thyroid hormone on depressive symptoms in a population with subclinical hypothyroidism. results Three randomized controlled trials (RCTS) were included. None of these was concerned primarily with patients suffering from depressive disorder, but focused mainly on subjects with subclinical hypothyroidism, with the score on the depressive scale as secondary outcome. In all the studies selected subclinical hypothyroidism was treated with levothyroxine which had no beneficial effect on depression. CONCLUSION: Since there is a lack of evidence of beneficial effects in a population with subclinical hypothyroidism and a lack of research into the effects in a depressive population, no definite answer can yet be given to the question posed in the title.

Lactate- or bicarbonate-buffered solutions in continuous extracorporeal renal replacement therapies.

BACKGROUND: Continuous renal replacement therapies (CRRTs) are well accepted for critically ill patients with acute renal failure (ARF). Today, daily fluid exchange in CRRT reaches 30 to 40 liter and more. Therefore, the composition of the substitution/dialysate fluid, often primarily developed either for intermittent treatment or for peritoneal dialysis, becomes more relevant. Lactate (30 to 45 mmol/liter) is frequently used as the buffer because of the high stability of this substance. However, lactate is thought to have negative effects on metabolic and hemodynamic parameters. METHODS: Published data for different substitution fluids are presented with respect to acidosis and lactate concentration, uremia, and hemodynamic and metabolic alterations. RESULTS: Only a few studies compare substitution fluids with different buffers. Uremia and acidosis (pH, base excess) were sufficiently controlled during CRRT with an exchange volume of in average 30 liters using either buffer. If patients with severe liver failure and lactic acidosis were excluded, no difference in hemodynamic and metabolic parameters between the solutions occurred. The plasma lactate concentration was elevated during lactate use in some cases, but lactate levels remained within normal limits in patients without liver impairment. The bicarbonate concentration in the solutions should exceed 35 to 40 mmol/liter, as in some cases the buffer capacity of the solutions was inadequate. In patients with severe liver failure or lactic acidosis, solutions with lactate buffer were shown not to be indicated. CONCLUSION: In patients with reduced lactate metabolism, for example, concomitant severe liver failure, after liver transplantation or in lactic acidosis, bicarbonate-buffered solutions should be used. In nearly all other cases of critically ill patients with ARF, lactate-buffered solutions may be used as well as bicarbonate solutions.