Survival of the first arteriovenous fistula in 96 patients on chronic hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND: Native arteriovenous fistula (AVF) represents the best vascular approach for chronic hemodialysis. The aim of this study was to determine the survival of the first AVF and to identify the factors responsible for poor AVF survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on 96 chronic hemodialysis patients benefiting from the creation and cannulation of their first AVF at our center, with a minimum follow-up period of 1 year. We collected demographic, clinical, and biological data, as well as analyzed the following AVF characteristics: anatomic site, cannulation time, survival, and complications. To identify the predictive factors of poor AVF survival, we defined and compared two groups of patients on the basis of whether they lost their first AVF during the evolution. RESULTS: Patients' mean age was 42.1 ± 13 years, with predominantly female patients. Mean AVF cannulation time was 17.5 ± 24 days. AVF loss was mainly related to thrombosis in 29% of the cases and stenosis in 9.4%. AVF survival was 87%, 77%, 71%, 67%, and 64% after 1, 3, 5, 8, and 10 years of hemodialysis, respectively. In our study, the main factors associated with AVF loss were lengthy jugular venous catheters placement (p = 0.004), short AVF cannulation time after its creation (p = 0.03), and hypotension episodes during dialysis (p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Long-term survival and quality of life in hemodialysis depend on an appropriate dialysis carried out-thanks to a correct vascular approach! According to the previously published data, survival of the first AVF can vary between 10% and 36% at 10 years. In our study, survival of the first native AVF was satisfying because it reached 64% at 10 years. Early AVF creation and prevention and management of its complications remain the safest and most comfortable solution to ensure AVF survival and thus a satisfying survival and quality of life in chronic hemodialysis patients.

[Pregnancy and lupus nephritis: report of 20 cases]. / Néphropathie lupique et grossesse : à propos de 20 cas.

AIM: Pregnancies in women with lupus nephritis (LN) are a high-risk situation. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of pregnancy on LN on either maternal and fetal prognosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: It is a retrospective study of 20 pregnancies in 12 women with lupus nephritis. RESULTS: There were 19 live births and five fetal losses. LN flares were observed in 50 % of the cases during pregnancy and 25 % after delivery. CONCLUSION: Pregnancies in women with LN require a multidisciplinary monitoring and intense maternal and fetal care.

[The evaluation and analysis of chronic pain in chronic hemodialysis patients]. / Evaluation et analyse de la douleur chez les hémodialysés chroniques.

INTRODUCTION: Pain is a sensorial experience and emotional discomfort associated with a potential tissue damage or described in terms evoking such injuries. Its management is a task for every physician. However, the epidemiology and characteristics of pain among chronic hemodialysis patients are incompletely defined. PURPOSE OF OUR STUDY: To evaluate the prevalence, characteristics, impact and treatment of chronic pain in chronic hemodialysis and its potential risk factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional study included 67 chronic hemodialysis patients in the Ibn Sina Hospital hemodialysis center in Rabat. We evaluated the sociodemographic characteristics of patients and pain features, as well as the response to analgesics. Pain is described as chronic when it persists for more than 3 months. The pain intensity was specified by a verbal scale. RESULTS: The mean age of our patients was 43.5+/-12.9 years with a feminine predominance (58.2%). The prevalence of pain was 50.7%. The pain was noticed for a mean period of 21 months (six to 60). This pain was continuous, frequent, intermittent and rare in respectively 20.6, 17.6, 47.1 and 14.7% of cases. The intensity of the pain was low in 3%, moderate in 41%, severe in 44% and very severe in 12% of cases. An osteoarticular origin was found in 76.5% of cases. A physical activity disorder was found in 67.6% of cases. Half of our patients were taking analgesics in 23.5% of cases, as daily use in 29.7% of cases frequently, and in 47.1% of cases rarely. These analgesics were level 1 in 47.1% and level 2 in 52.9% of cases. The therapeutic response is characterized by the disappearance of pain in 35.5% of cases. During dialysis sessions, pain intensity was the same in 79.4% of the patients. The risk factors associated with pain were an advanced age and a long length of time on dialysis. CONCLUSION: A systematic evaluation of pain is required to improve the quality of life of hemodialysis patients.