Urate levels and clearance in renal patients under peritoneal dialysis.

Hemodialysis adequately controls serum uric acid (UA) levels, making UA-lowering drugs unnecessary; scant data are available for peritoneal dialysis (PD). We analyzed blood, 24 h urine and dialysis fluid from twenty patients under PD, to assess UA levels and clearances, and factors associated with better performance and maintenance of target levels (<6mg/dL). Median serum UA was 5.4 mg/dL (p25-75 4.4-5.8), mainly achieved through peritoneal clearance (3.0 mL/min/1.73m2, 71.2% of total UA clearance); 75% of participants was on UA targets. Continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis showed highest UA clearance and target achievements. These findings may be of interest for end-stage renal patients with gout.

Envarsus, una novedad para los nefrólogos del trasplante: estudio observacional retrospectivo / Envarsus, a novelty for transplant nephrologists: Observational retrospective study

El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar las concentraciones valle (Cpvalle) y la pauta posológica de tacrolimus tras la conversión de Prograf o Advagraf a Envarsus (nueva forma farmacéutica con tecnología Meltdose que mejora la absorción de fármacos liposolubles) en pacientes con trasplante renal estable, y su función renal. Se seleccionaron los pacientes trasplantados renales estables que fueron convertidos a Envarsus. Se definieron dos periodos: basal y conversión (Envarsus), y se estratificaron en función de la forma farmacéutica utilizada en el periodo basal. Se incluyeron 61 pacientes (24 con Advagraf y 37 con Prograf), con una edad media de 52 años. El tiempo medio postrasplante en el momento de la conversión a Envarsus fue de 76,3 meses y el seguimiento medio en el periodo basal y conversión fue de 10,1 y 11,6 meses, respectivamente. En el grupo Prograf y Envarsus las medianas Cpvalle fueron 6,6 vs 6,4 ng/ml (p = 0,636), con una dosis diaria media que disminuyó significativamente de 3 a 2 mg (p < 0,001), respectivamente, manteniendo el filtrado renal. Las medianas Cpvalle en los grupos Advagraf y Envarsus fueron 5,7 y 6,3 ng/ml (p = 0,07), con una mediana de dosis diaria de 7 y 4 mg (p < 0,001), respectivamente, e igual función renal. En pacientes trasplantados renales estables la conversión de Advagraf a Envarsus ha permitido reducir la dosis de tacrolimus un 42,9% y la de Prograf un 33,3% para mantener unas Cpvalle similares, sin que se altere la función renal

The aim of this study was to evaluate the trough concentrations (Cptrough) and the tacrolimus dosage regimen after the conversion of Prograf or Advagraf to Envarsus (new pharmaceutical form with MeltDose technology that improves the absorption of fat-soluble drugs) in patients with stable renal transplantation, and their renal function. We selected stable renal transplant patients who were converted to Envarsus. Two periods were defined: Baseline and Conversion (Envarsus) and they were stratified according to the pharmaceutical form used in the Baseline period. Sixty-one patients were included (24 with Advagraf and 37 with Prograf), with an average age of 52 years. The mean post-transplant time at the time of conversion to Envarsus was 76.3 months and the mean follow-up in the Baseline and Conversion period was 10.1 months and 11.6 months, respectively. In the Prograf and Envarsus group, the Cptrough medians were 6.6 vs 6.4 ng/mL (P = .636), with a mean daily dose that decreased significantly from 3 mg to 2 mg (P < .001), respectively, maintaining the filtration rate. The median Cptrough values in the Advagraf and Envarsus groups were 5.7 ng/mL and 6.3 ng/mL (P=.07), with a median daily dose of 7 mg and 4 mg (P<.001), respectively, and the same renal function. In stable renal transplant patients, the conversion from Advagraf to Envarsus has allowed the dose of tacrolimus to be reduced by 42.9% and, in the case of Prograf, by 33.3%, maintaining similar Cptrough values, without renal function being altered

Envarsus, a novelty for transplant nephrologists: Observational retrospective study. / Envarsus, una novedad para los nefrólogos del trasplante: estudio observacional retrospectivo.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the trough concentrations (Cptrough) and the tacrolimus dosage regimen after the conversion of Prograf or Advagraf to Envarsus (new pharmaceutical form with MeltDose technology that improves the absorption of fat-soluble drugs) in patients with stable renal transplantation, and their renal function. We selected stable renal transplant patients who were converted to Envarsus. Two periods were defined: Baseline and Conversion (Envarsus) and they were stratified according to the pharmaceutical form used in the Baseline period. Sixty-one patients were included (24 with Advagraf and 37 with Prograf), with an average age of 52years. The mean post-transplant time at the time of conversion to Envarsus was 76.3months and the mean follow-up in the Baseline and Conversion period was 10.1months and 11.6months, respectively. In the Prograf and Envarsus group, the Cptrough medians were 6.6 vs 6.4 ng/mL (P=.636), with a mean daily dose that decreased significantly from 3mg to 2mg (P<.001), respectively, maintaining the filtration rate. The median Cptrough values in the Advagraf and Envarsus groups were 5.7ng/mL and 6.3ng/mL (P=.07), with a median daily dose of 7mg and 4mg (P<.001), respectively, and the same renal function. In stable renal transplant patients, the conversion from Advagraf to Envarsus has allowed the dose of tacrolimus to be reduced by 42.9% and, in the case of Prograf, by 33.3%, maintaining similar Cptrough values, without renal function being altered.

Trasplante exprés: un tratamiento audaz en el fallo técnico precoz del injerto / Immediate re-transplantation: An audacious approach to early vascular renal transplant failure

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How a Bottom-Up Multi-Stakeholder Initiative Helped Transform the Renal Replacement Therapy Landscape in Spain.

Healthcare reforms aim to change certain parts of the health system to improve quality of care, access, or financial sustainability. Traditionally, healthcare reform is understood as an action undertaken by a government at a national or local level. However, bottom-up changes can also lead to improvements in the health system. This paper describes the efforts of a coordinated multi-stakeholder advocacy group in Spain to promote a more cost-effective and patient-centred treatment for people receiving renal replacement therapy and assesses the outcomes of their advocacy for health system financing and patient satisfaction. It concludes that bottom-up initiatives do indeed have the power to change health policy and that policy makers should pay attention to their arguments.

What is the link between poor ultrafiltration and increased mortality in anuric patients on automated peritoneal dialysis? Analysis of data from EAPOS.

BACKGROUND: Primary analysis of the European Automated Peritoneal Dialysis Outcomes Study (EAPOS) found that patients with daily ultrafiltration (UF) below a predefined target of 750 mL at baseline experienced increased mortality and continuing low UF over 2 years. SETTING: Multicenter, prospective observational study of prevalent, functionally anuric patients on automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) treated to predefined standards. METHODS: Secondary data analysis to determine clinical covariates that might support a link between poor UF and outcome, including pattern of comorbidity, prescription, nutrition as determined by Subjective Global Assessment (SGA), membrane function, and blood pressure (BP). Ultrafiltration was treated as a categorical (comparing patients above and below target at baseline) and continuous dependent variable in univariate and multivariate regression. The relationship between BP and survival was also explored. RESULTS: Of 177 patients recruited from 28 centers across Europe, 43 were below the UF target at baseline. Compared to those above target, there were no differences in the spread of comorbidity, type of APD prescription, SGA, BP, hemoglobin, HCO3, or parathyroid hormone, at baseline or at any later time. At baseline, plasma calcium and, at 12 months, plasma phosphate were lower in the low UF group. There was a weak positive correlation between baseline systolic or diastolic BP and UF, which remained on multivariate analysis but accounted for just 9% of the variability in BP. There was no clear relationship between baseline BP and survival, although, if anything, low BP was associated with earlier death. Poor UF was associated with lower mean dialysate glucose concentration during the first 4 months and with consistently worse membrane function. CONCLUSIONS: The increased mortality associated with poor UF is likely multifactorial and not easily explained by clear differences in comorbidity, nutritional state, or other indices of treatment at baseline. The lower plasma phosphate suggests a subsequent fall in appetite. Poor BP control is unlikely to be the explanation, and a link between lower BP, reduced UF, and earlier death is suggested. Failure to achieve adequate UF due to worse membrane function remains an important and potentially reversible or preventable cause.

Hidrotórax en paciente con tratamiento de diálisis peritoneal. Resolución mediante pleurodesis con talco / No disponible

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Tratamiento mantenido a largo plazo en infección crónica del orificio de salida del catéter / Maintaining long-term treatment in chronic infections of the catheter outlet

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Comorbidity and mortality in peritoneal dialysis: a comparative study of type 1 and 2 diabetes versus nondiabetic patients. Peritoneal dialysis and diabetes.

We conducted a retrospective study with 750 peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients in a Spanish multicenter registry between 1993 and 1999 to analyze comorbidity and mortality in type 1 diabetes (T1D), type 2 diabetes (T2D) and nondiabetic (ND) patients. 163 patients (21.7%) were diabetic--96 T1D (58.8%) and 67 T2D (42.2%)--while 587 were not (78.3%). Different comorbidity factors such as the presence of cardiovascular disease, age over 70 and dyslipidemia at the start of PD were analyzed as well as the incidence of peritonitis, the peritonitis-free interval, need for hospitalization, mortality rate, early mortality rate, survival curves (log rank) and the impact factor (Cox) on mortality for the different variables. The comorbidity index (number of comorbidity factors when starting the treatment) and the peritonitis incidence were higher for T2D. Hospitalization rates were similar, but mortality rates were higher for T2D and early mortality rates (death during the 1st year of treatment) were higher for T1D. The actuarial survival curves showed a higher mortality for T2D with no differences between ND and T1D after adjustment for age. The mortality odds ratio was 1.78 for T2D and 1.13 for T1D, differences which were not significant after adding age over 70 and cardiovascular disease to the variables analyzed. Our results show that associated comorbidity is the most important difference between ND, T1D and T2D. While cardiovascular comorbidity is responsible for the higher percentage of early mortality found in T1D when compared to ND, both age and cardiovascular disease are responsible for the higher comorbidity and mortality found in T2D.