Self-monitoring of Blood Pressure in Patients With Hypertension-Related Multi-morbidity: Systematic Review and Individual Patient Data Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that self-monitoring of blood pressure (BP) is effective when combined with co-interventions, but its efficacy varies in the presence of some co-morbidities. This study examined whether self-monitoring can reduce clinic BP in patients with hypertension-related co-morbidity. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted of articles published in Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Library up to January 2018. Randomized controlled trials of self-monitoring of BP were selected and individual patient data (IPD) were requested. Contributing studies were prospectively categorized by whether they examined a low/high-intensity co-intervention. Change in BP and likelihood of uncontrolled BP at 12 months were examined according to number and type of hypertension-related co-morbidity in a one-stage IPD meta-analysis. RESULTS: A total of 22 trials were eligible, 16 of which were able to provide IPD for the primary outcome, including 6,522 (89%) participants with follow-up data. Self-monitoring was associated with reduced clinic systolic BP compared to usual care at 12-month follow-up, regardless of the number of hypertension-related co-morbidities (-3.12 mm Hg, [95% confidence intervals -4.78, -1.46 mm Hg]; P value for interaction with number of morbidities = 0.260). Intense interventions were more effective than low-intensity interventions in patients with obesity (P < 0.001 for all outcomes), and possibly stroke (P < 0.004 for BP control outcome only), but this effect was not observed in patients with coronary heart disease, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease. CONCLUSIONS: Self-monitoring lowers BP regardless of the number of hypertension-related co-morbidities, but may only be effective in conditions such obesity or stroke when combined with high-intensity co-interventions.

Chronic subdural haematoma after endoscopic treatment of a supracellar arachnoid cyst.

Neuroendoscopy is considered a safe treatment option for intracranial arachnoid cysts. However a variety of complications has been reported after such interventions. Here we present the first case of a chronic subdural hematoma two months after the combined treatment of a supracellar arachnoid cyst with endoscopic third ventriculostomy and cyst fenestration.

Immunoglobulin and complement deposition in glomeruli of 756 subjects who had committed suicide or met with a violent death.

AIMS: To study immune deposits in renal glomeruli. METHODS: Tissue was obtained from 756 necropsy cases from people who had committed suicide or met with a violent death. Glomerular immune deposits were examined by immunofluorescence microscopy and a light microscopy. The clinical histories of all the decreased were studied to ascertain reasons for the deposits. RESULTS: Immune deposits were found in glomeruli in 91 (12%) cases. In 52 (6.8%) cases mesangial IgA was observed as a solitary finding in 34 (4.5%), and was accompanied by other immunoglobulins in 18 (2.4%). Mesangial IgM was present in 19 (2.5%) and IgG in 11 cases (1.5%). Two cases had capillary IgG (0.3%). Light microscopic examination showed mesangial enlargement in eight of the cases with mesangial IgA. These included one with IgA glomerulonephritis diagnosed before death. Two cases with normal glomerular morphology and mesangial IgA deposits had clinical laboratory evidence of renal disease. In two subjects with normal glomerular morphology, mesangial IgM and microscopic haematuria were present. In one case with capillary IgG membranous glomerulonephritis was detected. CONCLUSIONS: Ten cases had mesangial IgA together with morphological or clinical laboratory findings suggestive of renal disease. If all these are regarded as IgA glomerulonephritis, then its prevalence can be estimated at 1.3%. For IgM glomerulonephritis, a prevalence of 0.3% was deduced.

Immunofluorescence of immunoglobulins and complement in kidneys taken at necropsy.

The immunofluorescence of immunoglobulins and complement components in kidney specimens taken at necropsy was investigated to determine the persistence of antigenicity of immune reactants. Of 74 consecutive necropsies, 12 cases had positive glomerular fluorescence. The pattern and intensity were followed up for up to 15 days. Along with necropsy specimens, tissue samples of normal looking kidney from 14 nephrectomies were also studied. Two of these specimens turned out to be positive in the immediate immunofluorescence study. To rule out possible false positive staining after death immunofluorescence findings in all nephrectomy specimens were followed up for up to 19 days. The presence of immunoglobulins and complement could be shown for between 12 and 15 days after death; no changes in immunofluorescence findings occurred during this period. It is concluded that immunofluorescence provides valuable information when immunologically mediated reactions need to be clarified in necropsy kidneys.

Mortality from renal diseases in Finland.

A study of mortality from renal disease in Finland in 1951-1982 showed overall rise up to 1962 and thereafter decrease. Extensive use of phenacetin may have contributed to the temporary increase of deaths, but precise evidence is lacking. Renal dialysis and transplantation have effected notable reduction of mortality rates. In the early 1980s half of those who died of renal disease at ages younger than 70 had not received dialysis or transplantation. If these measures had been unrestrictedly available, more patients in this group might have survived.

Hospitalization for renal diseases in Finland 1969-1982.

The number of hospitalized renal patients and the number of days they stayed in hospitals were studied in Finland 1969-1982. In 1969 3.3% and in 1982 1.7% of all bed-days available were occupied by renal patients. The number of hospitalized renal patients first decreased and after 1976 no notable changes were observed. A rising trend in the number of patients as well as in the corresponding bed-days was seen in diabetic nephropathy, lupus nephropathy, renal amyloidosis and polycystic kidney disease. A declining trend, in contrast, was observed in renal infections and nephritis. The proportion of patients over 70 years increased during the study period. An approximation of the outcome of renal diseases was made using the ratio of the number of deaths against the number of hospitalized renal patients. The outcome of patients under 50 years has improved. A slight improvement was observed in most renal diseases, partially due to the increased capacity of dialysis treatment and renal transplantations.