Hepcidin and iron deficiency in pre-kidney transplant patients.

Hepcidin is a hormone that regulates the intestinal absorption of iron and its release from the reticuloendothelium. The objective of this study was to determine the use of hepcidin for kidney disease patients with a diagnosis of iron deficiency pretransplantation by evaluating the soluble transferrin receptor (sRTfR-F) index as a marker for iron deficiency. This transverse study of 164 pretransplant patients determined hematometry and conventional markers related to iron metabolism, as well as soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR), its index (sTfR-F), and serum hepcidin concentrations. The following markers of inflammation (MIF) were also assessed C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), soluble IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and soluble TNF-alpha receptor (s-TNF-alphaR). Among the studied patients, 11.4% showed an absolute iron deficiency with ferritin concentrations < 100 ng/mL, a mean hepcidin value of 120.7 +/- 38.5 ng/mL, and a mean sTfR-F value of 1.03 +/- 0.3; 18.2% of patients displayed a ferritin > 800 ng/mL with mean hepcidin and sTfR-F values of 147.5 +/- 36.6 ng/mL and 0.54 +/- 0.2, respectively. Iron deficiency was not observed in the other patients when considering the conventional markers: ferritin > 100 ng/mL and transferrin saturation (ST) > 20%. However, this study showed that determination of hepcidin concentrations together with M/F improved the identification of iron deficiency in pretransplant patients by 21.6%.

Toxicidad por pregabalina en una paciente en hemodiálisis crónica / Pregabalin toxicity in a chronic haemodialysis patient

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Obesity, adiponectin and inflammation as predictors of new-onset diabetes mellitus after kidney transplantation.

The high incidence of new-onset diabetes mellitus after transplantation (NODAT) suggests the need to find new factors to explain the pathogenesis. Our objectives were (1) to confirm that low levels of pre-transplant adiponectin are an independent risk factor for the development of NODAT in a larger transplanted population; (2) to analyze whether adiponectin is a better predictor of NODAT than other inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A)) and (3) to assess the relationship between obesity, inflammatory markers and NODAT. One hundred ninety-nine non-diabetic patients (128 men; age: 53 +/- 11 years; body mass index (BMI) 24.98 +/- 3.76 kg/m2) were included. Pre-transplant plasma glucose, insulin, adiponectin, CRP, TNF-alpha, IL-6 and PAPP-A were measured. Forty-five patients developed NODAT. Patients with NODAT had a greater BMI (p = 0.005). Adiponectin was lower (p < 0.001) and CRP higher (p = 0.032) in patients with NODAT. Multivariate logistic regression and Cox analysis showed that the calcineurin inhibitor used, pre-transplant BMI and adiponectin were predictors of NODAT. ROC analysis showed that an adiponectin concentration of 11.4 microg/mL had a significant negative prediction for NODAT risk (sensitivity: 81% and specificity: 70%). Of the inflammatory markers studied, adiponectin proved to be an independent predictor of NODAT.

Estudio sobre el grado de cumplimiento ambulatorio del documento de consenso 2002 para el control de la nefropatía diabética en Cataluña (ECCODIAB) / Compliance with the document of the Spanish society of nephrology 2002 document for the control of diabetic nephropathy in Catalonia. (ECODIAB)

Objetivo: Evaluar el grado de cumplimiento del documento de consenso 2002 (SEN) sobre pautas de detección, prevención y tratamiento de la nefropatía diabética en Cataluña. Pacientes y métodos: Estudio multicéntrico de corte transversal (23 centros hospitalarios), observacional y descriptivo, realizado sobre un total de 413 pacientes diabéticos (61,7% hombres y 38,3% mujeres) con una edad media de 66,2 ± 11,5 años (26-93 años). Para el análisis estadístico entre los diferentes grados de nefropatía diabética y las variables del estudio, se utilizó un test de ANOVA con valoración post-hoc (p 30 kg/m2: 48,7%) y perímetro de cintura 104,1 ± 14 cm (48,6% hombres > 102 cm y 78,9% mujeres > 88 cm). El valor de la creatinina sérica 1,9 ± 1,3 mg/dl y el GFR estimado con la ecuación MDRD simplificada (MDRDs) 45,3 ± 25,0 ml/min/1,73 m2 [65,8% con ERC estadios 3 y 4]. El 80% de los pacientes tenían examen oftalmológico y el 52,8% recibía tratamiento antiagregante. La Hb A1c fue 7,3 ± 1,3%, pero el porcentaje de pacientes con glicadas > 7% y 8% resultó del 54,9 y 28,6% respectivamente [tan sólo el 50,2% había sido visitado por el endocrinólogo en los últimos 6 meses]. El 52,8% de los pacientes se encontraban en tratamiento con insulina y el 44,1% con ADOs, pero tan sólo un 19,6% con antidiabéticos de metabolización hepática. El 61% de la muestra tenia un LDLc > 100 mg/dl (61% tratados) y el 44% triglicéridos (TG) > 150 mg/dl (72% tratados). El 95% de los pacientes presentaban antecedentes de hipertensión arterial (>= 130/80 mmHg) y de estos el 91% se encontraban con tratamiento hipotensor (79,7% con IECAS y/o ARA tipo II). El 81% de los microalbuminúricos y el 78% de los macroalbuminúricos recibía algún tipo de tratamiento antiproteinúrico. Entre el grupo de pacientes considerados con HTA refractaria (>3 fármacos), tan sólo el 29% tenía un MAPA. Se obtuvieron relaciones significativas entre los diferentes estadios de nefropatía diabética y el control glucémico (HBA1c; p = 0,048), tensión arterial sistólica (TAS; p = 0,024), perfil lipídico (HDLc; p = 0,015 y TG; p = 0,034), anemia (Hb; p = 0,010) y grado de ERC (creatinina sérica y MDRDs; p = 0,000). El grado de cumplimiento terapéutico sobre el control lipídico (LDL <= 100 mg/dl y TG <= 150 mg/dl), TA <= 130/80 mmHg y HbA1c <= 7%; fue 1 objetivo: 68%, 2 objetivos: 21,8% y 3 objetivos: sólo el 4% de la muestra. Conclusiones: Según los resultados obtenidos en nuestro estudio, tan sólo un reducido porcentaje de pacientes cumplieron los diferentes «end points» terapéuticos marcados. Futuras acciones deberán ir encaminadas a potenciar la relación entre médico-paciente, con el principal objetivo de intensificar aquellas medidas terapéuticas encaminadas a un mejor control metabólico y tensional, nefroprotector y prevención de los eventos cardiovasculares

Objective: To evaluate the level of compliance with the 2002 consensus document (Spanish Society of Nephrology) on guidelines for the detection, prevention and treatment of diabetic nephropathy in Catalonia. Subjects and methods: Multicenter (23 hospitals), observational, cross-sectional, descriptive study conducted in 413 diabetic patients (61.7% men, 38.3% women) with a median age of 66.2 ± 11.5 years (26-93 years). The ANOVA test (post-hoc analysis; p value 30 kg/m2: 48.7%) and waist circumference 104.1 ± 14 cm (48.6% men > 102 cm and 78.9% women > 88 cm). Serum creatinine 1.9 ± 1.3 mg/dl and simplified MDRD equation 45.3 ± 25.0 ml/min/1.73 m2 [65.8% with CKD stages 3 and 4]. 80% of patients had ophthalmologic examination and 52.8% antiplatelet treatment. Hb A1c was 7.3 ± 1.3%, but the percentage of patients with glycated hemoglobin > 7% and 8% was 54.9 and 28.6% [only 50.2% had been seen by an endocrinologist in the last 6 months]. 52.8% of patients were treated with insulin and 44.1% with anti-diabetic drugs, although only 19.6% used the new anti-diabetic drugs. 61% of patients had an LDLc > 100 mg/dl (61% treated) and 44% had triglycerides (TG) > 150 mg/dl (72% treated). 95% of patients presented with hypertension (BP >= 130/80 mmHg), 91% were undergoing antihypertensive treatment (79.7% with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and / or angiotensin receptor blockers). 81% with microalbuminuria and 78% with established proteinuria were receiving antiproteinuric treatment. Of the patients considered to be refractory to BP (>3 drugs), only 28.9% underwent ambulatory BP monitoring. Significant differences were observed between stages of diabetic nephropathy and glycated hemoglobin (HBA1c; p = 0.048), systolic blood pressure (SBP; p = 0.024), lipidic control (HDLc; p = 0.015 and TG; p = 0.034), anemia (Hb; p = 0.010) and CKD (creatinine and sMDRD; p = 0.000). The levels of compliance with the therapeutic objectives regarding lipid control (LDL <= 100 mg/dl and TG <= 150 mg/dl), BP <= 130/80 mmHg and HbA1c <= 7% were 1 objective: 68%, 2 objectives: 21.8% and 3 objectives: only 4% of patients. Conclusions: According to the results of our study, only a reduced proportion of patients fulfilled the different therapeutic end-points indicated. Future measures will be directed at improving physician-patient relationships with the main aim of intensifying the therapeutic measures to attain better metabolic and blood pressure control, nephroprotection and prevention in the appearance of cardiovascular events

Amiloidosis secundaria por leishmaniasis visceral como causa de fracaso renal agudo irreversible en paciente con SIDA / Secondary amyloidosis with irreversible acute renal failure caused by visceral leishmaniasis in a patient with Aids

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[Compliance with the 2002 consensus document of the Spanish Society of Nephrology for the control of diabetic nephropathy in Catalonia (ECCODIAB)]. / Estudio sobre el grado de cumplimiento ambulatorio del documento de consenso 2002 para el control de la nefropatía diabética en Cataluña (ECCODIAB).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the level of compliance with the 2002 consensus document (Spanish Society of Nephrology) on guidelines for the detection, prevention and treatment of diabetic nephropathy in Catalonia. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Multicenter (23 hospitals), observational, cross-sectional, descriptive study conducted in 413 diabetic patients (61.7% men, 38.3% women) with a median age of 66.2 +/-11.5 years (26-93 years). The ANOVA test (post-hoc analysis; p value< 0.05) was used to study the relationships between the stages of diabetic nephropathyand different variables. RESULTS: 90.3% of the patients had type 2 DM. The following anthropometric parameters were observed: BMI 29.8 +/- 5 kg/m2 (BMI > 30 kg/m2: 48.7%) and waist circumference 104.1 +/- 14 cm (48.6% men > 102 cm and 78.9% women > 88 cm). Serum creatinine 1.9 +/- 1.3 mg/dl and simplified MDRD equation 45.3 +/- 25.0 ml/min/1.73 m2 [65.8%with CKD stages 3 and 4]. 80% of patients had ophthalmologic examination and 52.8% antiplatelet treatment. Hb A1c was 7.3 +/- 1.3%, but the percentage of patients with glycated hemoglobin > 7% and 8% was 54.9 and 28.6% [only 50.2% had been seen by an endocrinologist in the last 6 months]. 52.8% of patients were treated with insulin and 44.1% with anti-diabetic drugs, although only 19.6% used the new anti-diabetic drugs. 61% of patients had an LDLc > 100 mg/dl (61% treated) and 44% had triglycerides (TG) > 150 mg/dl (72% treated). 95% of patients presented with hypertension (BP > or = 130/80 mmHg),91% were undergoing antihypertensive treatment (79.7% with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and / or angiotensin receptor blockers). 81% with microalbuminuria and 78%with established proteinuria were receiving anti-proteinuric treatment. Of the patients considered to be refractory to BP (>3 drugs), only 28.9% underwent ambulatory BP monitoring. Significant differences were observed between stages of diabetic nephropathy and glycated hemoglobin (HBA1c; p = 0.048), systolic blood pressure (SBP; p = 0.024), lipidic control (HDLc; p = 0.015 and TG; p = 0.034), anemia (Hb; p = 0.010) and CKD (creatinine and sMDRD; p = 0.000). The levels of compliance with the therapeutic objectives regarding lipid control (LDL < or = 100 mg/dl and TG< or = 150 mg/dl), BP < or = 130/80 mmHg and HbA1c < or =7% were 1 objective: 68%, 2 objectives: 21.8% and 3 objectives: only 4% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of our study, only a reduced proportion of patients fulfilled the different therapeutic end-points indicated. Future measures will be directed at improving physician-patient relationships with the main aim of intensifying the therapeutic measures to attain better metabolic and blood pressure control, nephroprotection and prevention in the appearance of cardiovascular events.

[Secondary amyloidosis with irreversible acute renal failure caused by visceral leishmaniasis in a patient with AIDS]. / Amiloidosis secundaria por leishmaniasis visceral como causa de fracaso renal agudo irreversible en paciente con SIDA.

We report a case of visceral leishmaniasis and acute renal failure in a white male patient, 28 years of age, infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The clinical presentation of the patient was diarrheic syndrome of long evolution, fever, hepatosplenomegaly and pancytopenia, accompanied by nephrotic syndrome and irreversible acute renal failure. Renal biopsy showed glomerular AA amyloid deposits. This is the first case described in humans of secondary amyloidosis caused by visceral leishmaniasis.

[Abdominal bruit associated with hypertension]. / Hipertensión arterial y soplo abdominal.

First cause of secondary hypertension is renovascular hypertension which presents abdominal bruit in 16 to 20% of cases. This clinical sign is also associated with other vascular disease of the abdomen such as celiac trunk stenosis and/or aneurysms located on the pancreaticoduodenal or gastroduodenal arcs level, with little representation among aneurysm. They usually appear on a context of digestive complications like neoplasias, chronic pancreatitis or gastric obstructions possibly with obstructive icterus, hemorrhage and acute abdomen episodes. Its presentation in other contexts is rare and constitutes a diagnostic challenge. Diagnosis is made by abdominal arteriography which is the best method because you can locate the problem as well as intervene therapeutically with embolization of the aneurysme. We would like to emphasize the importance of a quick diagnosis due to the risk of rupture and the high morbi-mortality associated.

[Left atrial thrombus in multiple myeloma treated with thalidomide]. / Thrombus de l'oreillette gauche au cours d'un myélome multiple traité par thalidomide.

The occurrence of a left atrial thrombus without a haemodynamic predisposing factor (arrhythmia, mitral valvulopathy, severe left ventricular dysfunction) is a rare event. We report a case during the progression of refractory myeloma, four months after stopping treatment with thalidomide. The promoting haemodynamic factors for left atrial thrombosis in sinus rhythm, described in the literature, had been excluded. In our case the potential role of thalidomide is debatable, in the light of recent publications about venous and arterial thromboses observed with this treatment.

[Infectious endocarditis. A study of 50 patients in a non-university hospital]. / Endocardite infectieuse. A propos de 50 patients consécutifs d'un hôpital non universitaire.

The authors report the results of a single centre study of 50 consecutive patients (average age 66 +/- 14 years; 36 men), admitted between 1992 and 2001 to a peripheral hospital for infectious endocarditis (IE). The median interval to diagnosis was 57 days. There was an underlying cardiac disease in 52% of cases, usually valvular (42%). The site of the IE was the mitral valve in 21 cases, the aortic valve in 19 cases, mitro-aortic valves in 5 cases, native tricuspid valves in 2 cases and pacing catheters in 4 cases (associated with valvular endocarditis in one patient). The causal organism was usually a streptococcus (60%, including 28% of streptococcus bovis), or a staphylococcus (22%): no organism could be found in 7 patients. The average follow-up was 33 +/- 30 months: surgery was indicated in half the patients and 3 patients were turned down because of their poor general condition. In all, 34% of patients died (24% of their IE) in a median interval of 6 months, mainly from infectious or haemodynamic complications. Poor prognostic factors were: age > 70 years, "blind" antibiotic therapy, large-sized vegetations, embolism and renal failure. These data, comparable to the results observed in large series in the literature, underline the importance of multi-disciplinary management of IE and strict prophylaxis.

Does anaesthesia cause postoperative cognitive dysfunction? A randomised study of regional versus general anaesthesia in 438 elderly patients.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a common complication after cardiac and major non-cardiac surgery with general anaesthesia in the elderly. We hypothesized that the incidence of POCD would be less with regional anaesthesia rather than general. METHODS: We included patients aged over 60 years undergoing major non-cardiac surgery. After giving written informed consent, patients were randomly allocated to general or regional anaesthesia. Cognitive function was assessed using four neuropsychological tests undertaken preoperatively and at 7 days and 3 months postoperatively. POCD was defined as a combined Z score >1.96 or a Z score >1.96 in two or more test parameters. RESULTS: At 7 days, POCD was found in 37/188 patients (19.7%, [14.3-26.1%]) after general anaesthesia and in 22/176 (12.5%, [8.0-18.3%]) after regional anaesthesia, P = 0.06. After 3 months, POCD was present in 25/175 patients (14.3%, [9.5-20.4%]) after general anaesthesia vs. 23/165 (13.9%, [9.0-20.2%]) after regional anaesthesia, P = 0.93. The incidence of POCD after 1 week was significantly greater after general anaesthesia when we excluded patients who did not receive the allocated anaesthetic: 33/156 (21.2%[15.0-28.4%]) vs. 20/158 (12.7%[7.9-18.9%]) (P = 0.04). Mortality was significantly greater after general anaesthesia (4/217 vs. 0/211 (P < 0.05)). CONCLUSION: No significant difference was found in the incidence of cognitive dysfunction 3 months after either general or regional anaesthesia in elderly patients. Thus, there seems to be no causative relationship between general anaesthesia and long-term POCD. Regional anaesthesia may decrease mortality and the incidence of POCD early after surgery.

[Hepatic tuberculosis in a patient with diabetic nephropathy. An unusual clinical presentation]. / Tuberculosis hepática en paciente con nefropatía diabética. Una presentación infrecuente.

Hepatic tuberculosis is an exceptional form of presentation of extrapulmonary tuberculosis, but in the last years a greater incidence has been found in patients with HIV infection and/or consumptive diseases or immunosuppressive treatment. For this condition, the diagnosis of hepatic tuberculosis in other population groups represents a true clinical challenge because of the scarce specificity of both the clinical and biological manifestations. Despite deferral of the diagnosis, fast improvement is observed in the clinical symptomatology in most cases following initiation of tuberculostatic treatment.

Homocysteine and lipid peroxidation in haemodialysis: role of folinic acid and vitamin E.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in haemodialysis patients. Hyperhomocysteinaemia is an independent risk factor. Basic research has provided strong evidence that oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Oxidative stress, lipid metabolism alterations, and hyperhomocysteinaemia observed in haemodialysis patients could induce increases in LDL oxidation. This study was designed to determine the effect of folinic acid on hyperhomocysteinaemia and to assess the antioxidant efficacy of folinic acid. The antioxidant effect of folinic acid was compared with that of vitamin E. METHODS: Sixteen stable patients (11 men, five women; mean age 54.3+/-6.32 years) on standard haemodialysis received 400 mg of vitamin E, orally, at the end of each haemodialysis session for 3 months. After a 1-month wash-out, they received 10 mg of folinic acid, intravenously, at the end of each haemodialysis session for an additional 3 months. Blood samples were drawn in the morning after an overnight fast and before dialysis. Plasma vitamin E was analysed by high-pressure liquid chromatography. Malondialdehyde (MDA) was determined using a fluorimetric method and plasma copper oxidized anti-LDL antibodies (Ab-LDLox) were measured with an ELISA method using native LDL and oxLDL as antigens. Plasma homocysteine was determined by an FPIA method. RESULTS: Folinic acid supplements significantly reduced hyperhomocysteinaemia (-44%), MDA concentrations (-40%), and IgG-LDLox titres (-13%). CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with folinic acid lowers plasma homocysteine levels and, like vitamin E, affords antioxidant protection, which prevents lipid peroxidation. This lowering of lipid peroxidation may reduce the risk of atherosclerosis and prevent or delay cardiovascular complications in HD patients.

Clinical pharmacy in inpatient care.

The aim of this paper is to describe how interventions by clinical pharmacists can provide quality pharmaceutical care to inpatients. Evidence-based pharmacotherapy is necessary for the practice of clinical pharmacy. The use of published data, patient-specific data, and data generated by conducted research are discussed with respect to unit dose computer systems, nutrition teams, and pharmacokinetic services, based on the experience of an European hospital pharmacy. Incorporating evidence into clinical pharmacy activities results in added value to these services. The implementation of evidence-based pharmacotherapy is not an easy task for three reasons: a lack of scientific evidence in many medical areas, a lack of authority of pharmacists in Europe to take an active part in decision-making for drug prescribing, and reluctance of some physicians to accept pharmacists within the health care team. Also, efforts are required to change education programs at the universities in Europe to better prepare clinical pharmacists in pharmacotherapy and pharmaceutical care.

Microbiological quality control study of "all-in-one" total parenteral nutrition admixtures.

A microbiological quality control study of parenteral nutrition (PN) is presented. The study was carried out in the Pharmacy and Microbiology Services of the Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau (Barcelona, Spain) from April 1991 to May 1998 and represents more than 25,000 lipid-containing PN admixtures prepared during that 7-year period. A randomized sampling procedure according to the cumulative sum control charts was performed and a 0.45-microm membrane filtration method was used as the microbiological test. Validation showed that the method is sensitive for sterility tests. Bacterial growth was observed on 59 filters (4.58% of the samples). A second control was made for these positive outcomes, and bacterial growth was found in only two cases. The patients' clinical history was reviewed and no relation between the microorganisms of the nutrition and the results obtained from blood cultures was observed. The quality control study revealed a low incidence of contamination in our PN preparation process.

[Inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysm]. / Anévrisme inflammatoire de l'aorte abdominale.

A 58-years-old man, with no medical past history, was examined for abdominal pain and weight loss. An enlarged kidney could be palpated, and abdominal echography showed left hydronephrosis due to ureteral compression by abdominal aortic aneurysm. Laboratory data showed an inflammatory syndrome. CT scan suggested the diagnosis of inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysm. The use of corticosteroids brought about the regression of the symptoms and the resolution of the ureteral obstruction, permitting aneurysmectomy and prosthesis replacement without ureterolysis. This report shows the interest of preoperative radiological diagnosis of the inflammatory character of abdominal aneurysm. For uncomplicated cases, preoperative treatment using corticosteroids could allow partial regression of the periaortic inflammation and easier surgical repair.