Decreased abdominal wall muscle mass defined by muscle ultrasound is associated with malnutrition according to Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition criteria in renal transplant recipients: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Changed body composition with increased fat content and decreased muscle mass is seen in renal transplantation recipients (RTRs). Increased fat mass might mask underlying muscle mass loss; measuring low body mass index and weight reduction alone may not be sensitive enough to diagnose malnutrition in RTRs. We aimed to determine the prevalence of malnutrition in stable RTRs using the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria and to assess the use of muscle ultrasonography (US) to compare the performance of various muscle US measurements in the diagnosis of reduced muscle mass. METHODS: Ninety-one patients who had renal transplantation >6 months ago were enrolled in the study. GLIM criteria were performed for all patients, but not those at risk of malnutrition. Bioelectrical impedance analysis and muscle US were performed to identify reduced muscle mass. RESULTS: The prevalence of malnutrition according to GLIM criteria was 25.3% (n = 23). All muscle US measurements were lower in the malnourished group than the well-nourished group; however, the malnourished group had substantially lower muscle thicknesses in abdominal muscles, specifically the external oblique (EO) and internal oblique (IO) muscles, than the well-nourished group (P = 0.001 and P = 0.007, respectively). There was a significant association between malnutrition and EO (odds ratio [OR] = 0.338, 95% CI = 0.163-0.699; P = 0.003) and IO (OR = 0.620, 95% CI = 0.427-0.900; P = 0.012) regardless of age and sex. CONCLUSION: One in four RTRs experience malnutrition. Muscle US could be used effectively for the diagnosis of reduced muscle mass and malnutrition in RTRs according to GLIM criteria.

Calf circumference predicts sarcopenia in maintenance hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND: Early recognition of sarcopenia in hemodialysis (HD) patients will be of great importance in preventing adverse outcomes and improving the quality of life in these patients. The main goal of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of calf circumference (CC) measurement in detecting sarcopenia among CKD patients undergoing maintenance HD. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 52 patients (53 ± 17 years) who were currently in a maintenance HD. Muscle strength was evaluated using handgrip strength, and smooth muscle mass index (SMI) was assessed through bioelectrical impedance analysis, and CC was measured at the widest part of the calf with the foot pressed against a hard surface. RESULTS: Out of the total patient population, sarcopenia was identified in 32.7% (n = 17). The two groups were comparable in terms of age, weight, and height, but the median body mass index of sarcopenic group was statistically lower than nonsarcopenic group (21.6 kg/m2 [18.9-24.6] vs 24.7 kg/m2 [21.4-27.3]. The sarcopenic group had a substantially smaller CC than the nonsarcopenic group (30.0 cm [26.5-32.0] vs 31.5 cm [30.3-34.8], P = 0.013; respectively). In the regression analysis, CC was found to be independently associated with post-HD SMI (P < 0.001; odds ratio, 1.938; and 95% CI, 1.020-2.856). CC was positively but weakly correlated with handgrip strength, however strong and significant correlation was found between CC and SMI (r = 0.277, P = 0.047 and r = 0.733, P < 0.001; respectively). A CC of 31 cm or less predicted confirmed sarcopenia in HD patients (area under the curve = 0.709, P = 0.006, specificity = 0.556, sensitivity = 0.765). CONCLUSIONS: Low muscle mass and potentially low muscle strength in HD patients can be accurately identified through the use of CC measurements. Specifically, a CC measurement below 31 cm has found to be a useful indicator to identify individuals on maintenance HD.

The Role of Muscle Ultrasonography to Diagnose Malnutrition and Sarcopenia in Maintenance Hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia and malnutrition are commonly seen and fundamental indicators of prognosis and are directly associated with increased mortality in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. We aimed to reveal the frequency of malnutrition and sarcopenia in patients undergoing MHD and investigate the role of muscle ultrasound (US) parameters to predict sarcopenia and malnutrition. METHODS: A total of 45 patients who have undertaken MHD for more than 6 months three times a week were evaluated for the present study. The US measurement was performed on gastrocnemius medialis, rectus femoris (RF), and abdominal muscles, including rectus abdominis, external oblique abdominalis, internal oblique abdominalis, and transversus abdominis. Nutritional status of the participants was assessed by mini-nutritional assessment short-form (MNA-SF). RESULTS: The prevalence of probable and confirmed sarcopenia was 51.1% (n = 23) and 35.6% (n = 16), respectively. The malnutrition and risk of malnutrition were observed in 31.1% of the whole study population (n = 14). All muscle US measurements were lower in the sarcopenic group; however, the difference is meaningful only for RF cross-sectional area (CSA) (P = .046). The malnourished group had substantially lower muscle thickness and CSA, except for the gastrocnemius muscle thickness. The value of RFCSA to predict sarcopenia and malnutrition was observed as 4.61 cm2, respectively (P < .05). RFCSA was independently associated with sarcopenia (odds ratio: 0.37; 95% confidence interval: 0.17-0.79; P = .011) and malnutrition (odds ratio: 0.45; 95% confidence interval: 0.23-0.87; P = .017). CONCLUSION: RFCSA may be a useful and simple predictor for predicting patients undergoing hemodialysis who are at risk of sarcopenia and malnutrition.

90 day and 1-year mortality and renal outcomes of patients who started hemodialysis treatment for the first time / Mortalidad a los 90 días y al año y resultados renales de pacientes que iniciaron tratamiento con hemodiálisis por primera vez

ABSTRACT Aim: This study aims to investigate the 90-day and 1-year mortality and the affecting factors of mortality in patients who have started dialysis treatment for the first time. Methods: Patients who started intermittent hemodialysis for the first time in the hemodialysis unit were evaluated. Patients who received hemodialysis treatment for any reason before, patients who underwent hemodialysis due to methyl alcohol, lithium, or mushroom poisoning, and patients who started dialysis in the intensive care unit were excluded from the study. The clinical and laboratory data were obtained from the patients, at admission time, from the electronic data record system and patients' charts.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify predictive factors for 90-days and 1-year mortality-dependent variables. Results: 229 patients were included in this study. 133(58.8%) of the patients were male, 96(41.9%) were female, and the median age was 64 years. While 166 patients had pre-existing renal disease, 63 patients had no prior renal disease. The number of patients who died within 90 days, which refers to short-term mortality, was 49 (21.4%). 73 patients (31.9%) died in one year (long-term mortality). At the end of one year, 38% of the whole group of patients continued receiving renal replacement therapy, while 10% of all CKD patients had not a requirement of dialysis, and only 9.17% of the patients had renal recovery. In the multivariate analysis established for short-term mortality, the following parameters showed significant predictive features: ejection fraction (OR = 3.80, 95% CI: 1.05-13.72, p=0.042), CRP (OR = 0.20, 95% CI: 0.04-0.92, p= 0.039), age (OR = 0.21, 95% CI: 0.05-0.91, p= 0.038), and diastolic blood pressure (OR = 0.08, 95% CI: 0.02-0.28, p< 0.001). The multivariate analysis for long-term mortality indicated that systolic blood pressure (OR = 0.26, 95% CI: 0.08-0.82, p= 0.022), diastolic blood pressure (OR = 0.21, 95% CI: 0.68-0.66, p= 0.008), and potassium (OR = 0.27, 95% CI: 0.10-0.70, p= 0.007) were independent predictive markers. Conclusion: Patients with CKD who have not yet started hemodialysis treatment should be followed closely, as hypervolemia, hypotension, and hemodynamic instability increase the risk of death, according to our study. In addition, we recommend that clinical conditions such as hemodynamic instability or sepsis, which may cause hypotension in AKI-D, should be addressed as soon as possible, and optimizing the fluid-electrolyte balance carefully in those patients we determined to be at risk.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Este estudio tiene como objetivo investigar la mortalidad a 90 días y 1 año y los factores que afectan la mortalidad en pacientes que han iniciado tratamiento de diálisis por primera vez. Métodos: Se evaluaron pacientes que iniciaron hemodiálisis intermitente por primera vez en la unidad de hemodiálisis. Se excluyeron del estudio los pacientes que recibieron tratamiento de hemodiálisis por cualquier motivo anteriormente, los pacientes que se sometieron a hemodiálisis por intoxicación con alcohol metílico, litio o hongos y los pacientes que iniciaron diálisis en la unidad de cuidados intensivos. Los datos clínicos y de laboratorio se obtuvieron de los pacientes al momento del ingreso, del sistema de registro electrónico de datos y de las historias clínicas de los pacientes. Se utilizaron análisis de regresión logística univariados y multivariados para identificar factores predictivos para variables dependientes de mortalidad a 90 días y 1 año. Resultados: 229 pacientes fueron incluidos en este estudio. 133 (58,8%) de los pacientes eran hombres, 96 (41,9%) eran mujeres y la mediana de edad fue de 64 años. Mientras que 166 pacientes tenían enfermedad renal preexistente, 63 pacientes no tenían enfermedad renal previa. El número de pacientes que fallecieron dentro de los 90 días, que se refiere a la mortalidad a corto plazo, fue de 49 (21,4%). 73 pacientes (31,9%) fallecieron en un año (mortalidad a largo plazo). Al cabo de un año, el 38% de todo el grupo de pacientes continuaba recibiendo terapia de reemplazo renal, mientras que el 10% de todos los pacientes con ERC no requerían diálisis y solo el 9,17% de los pacientes presentaban recuperación renal. En el análisis multivariante establecido para la mortalidad a corto plazo, los siguientes parámetros mostraron características predictivas significativas: fracción de eyección (OR = 3,80, IC 95%: 1,05-13,72, p=0,042), PCR (OR = 0,20, IC 95%: 0,04 -0,92, p= 0,039), edad (OR = 0,21, IC 95%: 0,05-0,91, p= 0,038) y presión arterial diastólica (OR = 0,08, IC 95%: 0,02-0,28, p< 0,001). El análisis multivariado para la mortalidad a largo plazo indicó que la presión arterial sistólica (OR = 0,26, IC 95%: 0,08-0,82, p= 0,022), la presión arterial diastólica (OR = 0,21, IC 95%: 0,68-0,66, p= 0,008), y el potasio (OR = 0,27, IC 95%: 0,10-0,70, p= 0,007) fueron marcadores predictivos independientes. Conclusión: Los pacientes con ERC que aún no han iniciado tratamiento con hemodiálisis deben ser seguidos de cerca, ya que la hipervolemia, la hipotensión y la inestabilidad hemodinámica aumentan el riesgo de muerte, según nuestro estudio. Además, recomendamos que las condiciones clínicas como la inestabilidad hemodinámica o la sepsis, que pueden causar hipotensión en AKI-D, deben abordarse lo antes posible y optimizar cuidadosamente el balance de líquidos y electrolitos en aquellos pacientes que determinamos que están en riesgo.

A standard hemodialysis prescription to prevent osmotic demyelination in hyponatremic patients requiring dialysis.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to investigate the effect of a standard hemodialysis prescription in hyponatremic patients requiring hemodialysis on the development of osmotic demyelination syndrome. METHODS: Ninety-nine patients who were treated with hemodialysis for the first time and had a pre-dialysis sodium value of ≤125 meq/L included in the study. Standard hemodialysis treatment was applied to all patients. Biochemical data before, immediately after and 24 h after hemodialysis were recorded retrospectively. All patients followed up for 2 weeks and magnetic resonance imaging was performed in patients with neurological symptoms. RESULTS: Eight patients had a sodium increase of more than 12 meq/L at 24-h after hemodialysis. Although hyponatremia was corrected rapidly with hemodialysis, none of the 99 azotemic patients developed osmotic demyelination syndrome. CONCLUSION: We did not observe osmotic demyelination syndrome in hyponatremic patients with azotemia treated with standard protocol hemodialysis. However, caution should still be exercised in high-risk patients for osmotic demyelination.

Comparison of relapse rates in Behçet's disease with venous involvement on different doses of azathioprine therapy, a retrospective observational study.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate relapse rates in azathioprine (AZA) maintenance therapy at different doses in Behçet's disease (BD) with venous involvement. METHOD: Clinical records of patients who met the diagnostic criteria of International Study Group (ISG) for BD, were diagnosed with venous involvement of BD for at least 6 months and sustained clinical remission with AZA for at least 3 months were analyzed retrospectively. The analysis cohort was divided into 2 groups based on AZA dose (Group A: ≥ 2 mg/kg/d and Group B: <2 mg/kg/d). Relapse was defined as requiring another antirheumatic/immunosuppressive drug or more than dose of 10 mg/d of prednisolone. RESULTS: Of 78 patients who were included into the study, there was no significant difference between the 2 groups in terms of age, gender and clinical characteristics. Mean relapse-free survival time was found to be higher in group A compared to group B (111.6 ± 11.2, 95% CI 89.5 ± 133.8 versus 51.5 ± 6.1, 95% CI 39.5 ± 63.4 months). CONCLUSION: Relapse-free survival rate was less in the group receiving low-dose AZA and shows the importance of effective dose of AZA in maintenance therapy.

Favorable retention rates and safety of conventional anti-rheumatic drugs in older patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Physicians are challenged by the recognition and treatment of older patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of this case-control study was to evaluate the retention and safety of conventional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs in older patients with RA.In this observational case-control study, we assessed older patients with RA (≥65 years) who were diagnosed in 3 different rheumatology centers from Turkey. Patients were divided as to those aged ≥65 years (elderly rheumatoid arthritis [ERA]) and those aged <65 years (young rheumatoid arthritis [YRA]) at the time of conventional DMARD treatment initiation. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for the comparison of 2 non-normally distributed groups. The Chi-square (χ) test was used for categorical variables. Survival analysis were performed using the Kaplan-Meier method.Four hundred eighteen patients with RA (296 females [71%]) were included from January 2010 to January 2018. The age of treatment onset of 190 (47%) patients was in the elderly period and they were included in the ERA group. In the analysis of drug retention rates, there was no significant difference between the ERA and YRA groups for each conventional DMARD (methotrexate 71.2% in ERA, 62.7% in YRA, P = .817; hydroxychloroquine 82.9% in ERA, 78.8% in YRA, P = .899; leflunomide 81.4% in ERA, 84.4% in YRA, P = .205; sulfasalazine 37.5% in ERA, 40.9% in YRA, P = .380). The adverse event data were also similar in both groups.The drug retention and adverse effect rates in older patients with RA using conventional DMARDS are similar to the rates in young patients with RA.