Erythropoietin Resistance in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: Current Perspectives.

Anemia is a frequent complication of chronic kidney disease, and its primary cause is erythropoietin deficiency. After diagnosis, treatment begins with administration of an erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA). However, some patients present with resistance to ESA, which needs to be reversed, as it can increase the risk of death in patients with kidney disease. Therefore, we provide a discussion of the current literature regarding the factors that can modify the response to this class of drugs and the strategies that can be considered to optimize the benefits of treating anemia.

Sarcopenia and inflammation in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

INTRODUCTION: Introduction: in individuals with chronic kidney disease, sarcopenia is prevalent and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, and the occurrence of cardiovascular complications. Objective: to verify the relationship between sarcopenia and inflammation in hemodialysis patients. Methods: a cross-sectional study with 209 patients in five hemodialysis units. Demographic, socioeconomic, body composition, clinical laboratory, and functional data were collected. Sarcopenia was diagnosed according to the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (grip strength < 27 kg for men and < 16 kg for women; DEXA muscle mass < 7.0 kg/m² for men and < 5.5 kg/m² for women). Inflammation was assessed by C-reactive protein. Results: mean age was 51.9 ± 15.0 years, with a predominance of males (59.3 %). The prevalence of sarcopenia was 29.1 % and that of inflammation was 50.2 %. A Poisson regression analysis showed that sarcopenia was associated with increased hsCRP values (PR: 1.06; 95 % CI: 1.01-1.10; p-value = 0.005); BMI (PR: 0.74; 95 % CI: 0.65-0.84; p-value < 0.001); age (PR: 1.02; 95 % CI: 1.00-1.03; p < 0.001); male (PR: 5.75; 95 % CI: 3.20-10.34; p-value < 0.001); presence of diabetes mellitus (DM) (PR: 1.87; 95 % CI: 1.27-2.74; p-value < 0.001); % body fat (PR: 1.07; 95 % CI: 1.04-1.09; p-value < 0.001). Conclusion: the prevalence of sarcopenia can be considered high in this study, as well as inflammation. Being inflamed, presence of DM, being male, increasing age, and % body fat were risk factors for sarcopenia. On the other hand, increased BMI had a protective role.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Introducción: en individuos con enfermedad renal crónica, la sarcopenia es prevalente y está asociada a un aumento de la morbilidad y la mortalidad, y a la aparición de complicaciones cardiovasculares. Objetivo: verificar la relación entre sarcopenia e inflamación en pacientes en hemodiálisis. Métodos: estudio transversal de 209 pacientes en cinco unidades de hemodiálisis. Se recopilaron datos demográficos, socioeconómicos, de composición corporal, laboratorio clínico y funcional. La sarcopenia se diagnosticó conforme al Grupo de Trabajo Europeo sobre Sarcopenia en Personas Mayores (fuerza de agarre < 27 kg para hombres y < 16 kg para mujeres; masa muscular DEXA < 7.0 kg/m² para hombres y < 5.5 kg/m² para mujeres). La inflamación se evaluó mediante la proteína C-reactiva. Resultados: la edad media fue de 51,9 ± 15,0 años, con predominio de varones (59,3 %). La prevalencia de la sarcopenia fue del 29,1 % y la de la inflamación del 50,2 %. El análisis de regresión de Poisson mostró que la sarcopenia se asociaba con un aumento de los valores de hsCRP (PR: 1,06; IC del 95 %: 1,01-1,10; valor de p = 0,005); IMC (PR: 0,74; IC del 95 %: 0,65-0,84; valor p < 0,001); edad (PR: 1,02; IC 95 %: 1,00-1,03; p < 0,001); hombre (PR: 5,75; IC 95 %: 3,20-10,34; valor p < 0,001); presencia de DM (PR: 1,87; IC 95 %: 1,27-2,74; valor p < 0,001); % de grasa corporal (PR: 1,07; IC 95 %: 1,04-1,09; valor p < 0,001). Conclusión: la prevalencia de la sarcopenia puede considerarse alta en este estudio, así como la inflamación. Tener inflamación, la presencia de DM, ser hombre, la mayor edad y el % de grasa corporal resultaron ser factores de riesgo de sarcopenia. Por otro lado, el aumento del IMC tuvo un papel protector.

Sarcopenia and inflammation in patients undergoing hemodialysis / Sarcopenia e inflamación en pacientes sometidos a hemodiálisis

INTRODUCTION: in individuals with chronic kidney disease, sarcopenia is prevalent and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, and the occurrence of cardiovascular complications. OBJECTIVE: to verify the relationship between sarcopenia and inflammation in hemodialysis patients. METHODS: a cross-sectional study with 209 patients in five hemodialysis units. Demographic, socioeconomic, body composition, clinical laboratory, and functional data were collected. Sarcopenia was diagnosed according to the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (grip strength < 27 kg for men and < 16 kg for women; DEXA muscle mass < 7.0 kg/m² for men and < 5.5 kg/m² for women). Inflammation was assessed by C-reactive protein. RESULTS: mean age was 51.9 ± 15.0 years, with a predominance of males (59.3 %). The prevalence of sarcopenia was 29.1 % and that of inflammation was 50.2 %. A Poisson regression analysis showed that sarcopenia was associated with increased hsCRP values (PR: 1.06; 95 % CI: 1.01-1.10; p-value = 0.005); BMI (PR: 0.74; 95 % CI: 0.65-0.84; p-value < 0.001); age (PR: 1.02; 95 % CI: 1.00-1.03; p < 0.001); male (PR: 5.75; 95 % CI: 3.20-10.34; p-value < 0.001); presence of diabetes mellitus (DM) (PR: 1.87; 95 % CI: 1.27-2.74; p-value < 0.001); % body fat (PR: 1.07; 95 % CI: 1.04-1.09; p-value < 0.001). CONCLUSION: the prevalence of sarcopenia can be considered high in this study, as well as inflammation. Being inflamed, presence of DM, being male, increasing age, and % body fat were risk factors for sarcopenia. On the other hand, increased BMI had a protective role

INTRODUCCIÓN: en individuos con enfermedad renal crónica, la sarcopenia es prevalente y está asociada a un aumento de la morbilidad y la mortalidad, y a la aparición de complicaciones cardiovasculares. OBJETIVO: verificar la relación entre sarcopenia e inflamación en pacientes en hemodiálisis. MÉTODOS: estudio transversal de 209 pacientes en cinco unidades de hemodiálisis. Se recopilaron datos demográficos, socioeconómicos, de composición corporal, laboratorio clínico y funcional. La sarcopenia se diagnosticó conforme al Grupo de Trabajo Europeo sobre Sarcopenia en Personas Mayores (fuerza de agarre < 27 kg para hombres y < 16 kg para mujeres; masa muscular DEXA < 7.0 kg/m² para hombres y < 5.5 kg/m² para mujeres). La inflamación se evaluó mediante la proteína C-reactiva. RESULTADOS: la edad media fue de 51,9 ± 15,0 años, con predominio de varones (59,3 %). La prevalencia de la sarcopenia fue del 29,1 % y la de la inflamación del 50,2 %. El análisis de regresión de Poisson mostró que la sarcopenia se asociaba con un aumento de los valores de hsCRP (PR: 1,06; IC del 95 %: 1,01-1,10; valor de p = 0,005); IMC (PR: 0,74; IC del 95 %: 0,65-0,84; valor p < 0,001); edad (PR: 1,02; IC 95 %: 1,00-1,03; p < 0,001); hombre (PR: 5,75; IC 95 %: 3,20-10,34; valor p < 0,001); presencia de diabetes mellitus (DM) (PR: 1,87; IC 95 %: 1,27-2,74; valor p < 0,001); % de grasa corporal (PR: 1,07; IC 95 %: 1,04-1,09; valor p < 0,001). CONCLUSIÓN: la prevalencia de la sarcopenia puede considerarse alta en este estudio, así como la inflamación. Tener inflamación, la presencia de DM, ser hombre, la mayor edad y el % de grasa corporal resultaron ser factores de riesgo de sarcopenia. Por otro lado, el aumento del IMC tuvo un papel protector

Abdominal obesity and reduction of glomerular filtration.

The objective was to evaluate the association between nutritional status and the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in remaining quilombolas. Cross-sectional study carried out on 32 remaining quilombola communities in the municipality of Alcântara-MA. The nutritional indicators (IN) used were: body mass index (BMI); Waist circumference (WC); Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR); Waist-to-height ratio (WHtR); conicity index (CI) and estimated visceral adipose tissue (VAT). GFR was estimated from the CKD-EPI creatinine-cystatin C formula. The Shapiro Wilk test was used to evaluate the normality of the quantitative variables. In order to compare the second IN sex, the chi-square test was applied. The Anova or Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to verify the association between IN and GFR. Of the 1,526 remaining quilombolas studied, 89.5% were black or brown, 51.2% were women, 88.6% belonged to economic classes D and E and 61.2% were farmers or fishermen. Clinical investigation revealed 29.2% of hypertensive patients, 8.5% of diabetics and 3.1% with reduced GFR. The BMI revealed 45.6% of the remaining quilombolas with excess weight. When compared to men, women presented a higher prevalence of overweight by BMI (56.6% vs 33.8%, p <0.001) and abdominal obesity CC (52.3% vs 4.3%), WHR (76,5% vs 5.8%), WHtR (82.3% vs 48.9%) and VAT (27.1% vs 14.5%) (p <0.001). Comparing the means of IN according to the GFR, it was observed that the higher the mean value of the IN lower the GFR (p <0.05). The GFR reduced with increasing mean values of nutritional indicators of abdominal obesity, regardless of sex.

Abdominal obesity and reduction of glomerular filtration

SUMMARY The objective was to evaluate the association between nutritional status and the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in remaining quilombolas. Cross-sectional study carried out on 32 remaining quilombola communities in the municipality of Alcântara-MA. The nutritional indicators (IN) used were: body mass index (BMI); Waist circumference (WC); Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR); Waist-to-height ratio (WHtR); conicity index (CI) and estimated visceral adipose tissue (VAT). GFR was estimated from the CKD-EPI creatinine-cystatin C formula. The Shapiro Wilk test was used to evaluate the normality of the quantitative variables. In order to compare the second IN sex, the chi-square test was applied. The Anova or Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to verify the association between IN and GFR. Of the 1,526 remaining quilombolas studied, 89.5% were black or brown, 51.2% were women, 88.6% belonged to economic classes D and E and 61.2% were farmers or fishermen. Clinical investigation revealed 29.2% of hypertensive patients, 8.5% of diabetics and 3.1% with reduced GFR. The BMI revealed 45.6% of the remaining quilombolas with excess weight. When compared to men, women presented a higher prevalence of overweight by BMI (56.6% vs 33.8%, p <0.001) and abdominal obesity CC (52.3% vs 4.3%), WHR (76,5% vs 5.8%), WHtR (82.3% vs 48.9%) and VAT (27.1% vs 14.5%) (p <0.001). Comparing the means of IN according to the GFR, it was observed that the higher the mean value of the IN lower the GFR (p <0.05). The GFR reduced with increasing mean values of nutritional indicators of abdominal obesity, regardless of sex.

RESUMO O objetivo foi avaliar a associação entre o estado nutricional e a taxa de filtração glomerular (TFG) em remanescentes quilombolas. Estudo transversal, realizado em 32 comunidades remanescentes de quilombolas, no município de Alcântara - MA. Os indicadores nutricionais (IN) utilizados foram: índice de massa corporal (IMC); circunferência da cintura (CC); relação cintura-quadril (RCQ); relação cintura-estatura (RCEst); índice de conicidade (Índice C) e tecido adiposo visceral estimado (TAVe). A TFG foi estimada a partir da fórmula do CKD-EPI creatinina-cistatina C. O teste Shapiro Wilk foi utilizado para avaliar a normalidade das variáveis quantitativas. Para comparar os IN segundo sexo foi aplicado o teste qui-quadrado. Os testes Anova ou Kruskal-Wallis foram usados para verificar a associação entre os IN e a TFG. Dos 1.526 remanescentes quilombolas estudados, 89,5% eram da cor preta ou parda, 51,2% eram mulheres, 88,6% pertenciam às classes econômicas D e E e 61,2% eram lavradores ou pescadores. A investigação clínica revelou 29,2% de hipertensos, 8,5% de diabéticos e 3,1% com TFG reduzida. O IMC revelou 45,6% dos remanescentes quilombolas com excesso de peso. Quando comparadas aos homens, as mulheres apresentaram maior prevalência de excesso de peso pelo IMC (56,6% vs. 33,8%; p <0,001) e obesidade abdominal CC (52,3% vs. 4,3%), RCQ (76,5% vs. 5,8%), RCEst (82,3% vs. 48,9%) e TAVe (27,1% vs. 14,5%) (p<0,001). Comparando as médias dos IN segundo a TFG observou-se que, quanto maior o valor médio dos IN, menor a TFG (p<0,05). A TFG foi reduzida com o aumento dos valores médios dos indicadores nutricionais de obesidade abdominal, independentemente do sexo.

Association analysis of human leukocyte antigen class II (DRB1) alleles with leprosy in individuals from São Luís, state of Maranhão, Brazil

Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that the variability of the clinical response to infection caused by Mycobacterium leprae is associated with host genetic factors. The present study investigated the frequency of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II (DRB1) alleles in patients with leprosy from São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil. A case-control study was performed in 85 individuals with leprosy and 85 healthy subjects. All samples were analysed via polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific oligonucleotide probes. The HLA-DRB1*16 allele showed a higher frequency in the group with leprosy [(9.41% vs. 4.12%) odds ratio (OR) = 2.41 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.96-6.08) p = 0.05], whereas the HLA-DRB1*11 allele was less frequent in the group with leprosy [(6.47% vs. 11.76%) OR = 0.51 95% CI (0.23-1.12) p = 0.09]. The frequency of HLA-DRB1* alleles between the control group and leprosy patient subgroups presenting different forms of the disease showed that the HLA-DRB1*16 (16.13% vs. 8.24%, OR = 4.10, CI = 1.27-13.27, p = 0.010) and HLA-DRB1*14 (5% vs. 3.53%, OR = 4.63, CI = 1.00-21.08, p = 0.032) alleles were significantly more frequent in patients with different clinical subtypes of leprosy. The sample size was a limitation in this study. Nevertheless, the results demonstrated the existence of a genetic susceptibility associated with the clinical forms of leprosy. The low frequency of the HLA-DRB1*11 allele should be further studied to investigate the possible protective effect of this allele.

Association analysis of human leukocyte antigen class II (DRB1) alleles with leprosy in individuals from São Luís, state of Maranhão, Brazil.

Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that the variability of the clinical response to infection caused by Mycobacterium leprae is associated with host genetic factors. The present study investigated the frequency of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II (DRB1) alleles in patients with leprosy from São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil. A case-control study was performed in 85 individuals with leprosy and 85 healthy subjects. All samples were analysed via polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific oligonucleotide probes. The HLA-DRB1*16 allele showed a higher frequency in the group with leprosy [(9.41% vs. 4.12%) odds ratio (OR) = 2.41 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.96-6.08) p = 0.05], whereas the HLA-DRB1*11 allele was less frequent in the group with leprosy [(6.47% vs. 11.76%) OR = 0.51 95% CI (0.23-1.12) p = 0.09]. The frequency of HLA-DRB1* alleles between the control group and leprosy patient subgroups presenting different forms of the disease showed that the HLA-DRB1*16 (16.13% vs. 8.24%, OR = 4.10, CI = 1.27-13.27, p = 0.010) and HLA-DRB1*14 (5% vs. 3.53%, OR = 4.63, CI = 1.00-21.08, p = 0.032) alleles were significantly more frequent in patients with different clinical subtypes of leprosy. The sample size was a limitation in this study. Nevertheless, the results demonstrated the existence of a genetic susceptibility associated with the clinical forms of leprosy. The low frequency of the HLA-DRB1*11 allele should be further studied to investigate the possible protective effect of this allele.