Safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 SPUTNIK V vaccine in dialysis patients.

INTRODUCTION: Given the vulnerability of chronic kidney disease individuals to SARS-CoV-2, nephrology societies have issued statements calling for prioritization of these patients for vaccination. It is not yet known whether COVID-19 vaccines grant the same high level of protection in patients with kidney disease compared to the non-dialysis population. The aims of this study were to evaluate the safety - measured by the adverse events potentially attributed to vaccines (ESAVI) - and the effectiveness - evaluated by the presence of antibodies - in dialysis patients immunized with the COVID-19 Sputnik V vaccine. METHODS: multicenter, observational and analytical study of a prospective cohort of hemodialysis patients from the Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires participating in an official vaccination program. Dialysis requiring individuals older than 18 years, who received both components of the COVID-19 vaccine were included. RESULTS: Data from 491 patients were included in the safety analysis. ESAVI with either the first or second component was detected in 186 (37.9%, 95% CI 33.6%-42.3%). Effectiveness analysis measuring antibodies levels against SARS-CoV-2 were performed in 102 patients; 98% presented these IgG antibodies at day 21 after the second component. In patients with COVID-19 prior to vaccination, antibodies at day 21 after the first component reached almost the highest levels compared to patients without previous COVID-19, but IgG rise among patients with previous COVID-19 was lower than in those without this previous disease. CONCLUSION: The Sputnik V vaccine has been shown to be safe and effective in this patient's population.

Introducción: Dada la vulnerabilidad al SARS-CoV-2 de las personas con enfermedad renal crónica, las sociedades de nefrología han emitido declaraciones pidiendo priorizar a estos pacientes para la vacunación. Aún no se sabe si las vacunas COVID-19 confieren el mismo nivel de protección en pacientes con enfermedad renal. Los objetivos de este estudio fueron evaluar la seguridad, medida por eventos supuestamente atribuidos a las vacunas (ESAVI) y la efectividad, evaluada por la presencia de anticuerpos en pacientes en diálisis inmunizados con la vacuna COVID-19 Sputnik V. Métodos: estudio multicéntrico, observacional y analítico de una cohorte prospectiva de pacientes en hemodiálisis, en la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, con plan de vacunación. Se incluyeron pacientes mayores de 18 años en diálisis que recibieron ambos componentes de la vacuna COVID-19. Resultados: 491 pacientes fueron incluidos en el análisis de seguridad. Se detectó ESAVI con el primer o el segundo componente en 186 (37.9% IC 95%: 33.6%-42.3%). La efectividad medida por presencia de anticuerpos IgG contra SARS-Cov-2 se realizó en 102 pacientes, 98% presentaba IgG contra SARS-CoV-2, 21 días después del segundo componente. En pacientes con COVID-19 previo a la vacunación, los anticuerpos al día 21 del primer componente alcanzaron niveles casi mayores que en aquellos que no habían sufrido COVID-19, aunque el aumento de los niveles a los 21 días del segundo componente fue menor que en los pacientes sin COVID-19 previo. Conclusión: Los pacientes en diálisis constituyen una población vulnerable para la infección por SARS-CoV-2, por lo tanto, más allá de las recomendaciones implementadas por las unidades de diálisis, la vacunación completa es mandatoria. Se ha demostrado que la vacuna Sputnik V es segura y eficaz en esta población de pacientes.

Safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 SPUTNIK V vaccine in dialysis patients / Seguridad y efectividad de vacuna COVID-19 SPUTNIK V en pacientes en diálisis

Abstract Introduction: Given the vulnerability of chronic kidney disease individuals to SARS-CoV-2, nephrology societies have issued statements calling for prioritization of these patients for vaccination. It is not yet known whether COVID-19 vaccines grant the same high level of protection in patients with kidney disease compared to the non-dialysis population. The aims of this study were to evaluate the safety - measured by the adverse events potentially attributed to vaccines (ESAVI) - and the effectiveness - evaluated by the presence of antibodies - in dialysis patients immunized with the COVID-19 Sputnik V vaccine. Methods: multicenter, ob servational and analytical study of a prospective cohort of hemodialysis patients from the Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires participating in an official vaccination program. Dialysis requiring individuals older than 18 years, who received both components of the COVID-19 vaccine were included. Results: Data from 491 patients were included in the safety analysis. ESAVI with either the first or second component was detected in 186 (37.9%, 95% CI 33.6%-42.3%). Effectiveness analysis measuring antibodies levels against SARS-CoV-2 were performed in 102 patients; 98% presented these IgG antibodies at day 21 after the second component. In patients with COVID-19 prior to vaccination, antibodies at day 21 after the first component reached almost the highest levels compared to patients without previous COVID-19, but IgG rise among patients with previous COVID-19 was lower than in those without this previous disease. Conclusion: The Sputnik V vaccine has been shown to be safe and effective in this patient's population.

Resumen Introducción: Dada la vulnerabilidad al SARS-CoV-2 de las personas con enfermedad renal crónica, las sociedades de nefrología han emitido declaraciones pidiendo priorizar a estos pacientes para la vacunación. Aún no se sabe si las vacunas COVID-19 confieren el mismo nivel de protección en pacientes con enfermedad renal. Los objetivos de este estudio fueron evaluar la seguridad, medida por eventos supuestamente atribuidos a las vacunas (ESAVI) y la efectividad, evaluada por la presencia de anticuerpos en pacientes en diálisis inmuniza dos con la vacuna COVID-19 Sputnik V. Métodos: estudio multicéntrico, observacional y analítico de una cohorte prospectiva de pacientes en hemodiálisis, en la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, con plan de vacunación. Se incluyeron pacientes mayores de 18 años en diálisis que recibieron ambos componentes de la vacuna COVID-19. Resultados: 491 pacientes fueron incluidos en el análisis de seguridad. Se detectó ESAVI con el primer o el segundo componente en 186 (37.9% IC 95%: 33.6%-42.3%). La efectividad medida por presencia de anticuerpos IgG contra SARS-Cov-2 se realizó en 102 pacientes, 98% presentaba IgG contra SARS-CoV-2, 21 días después del segundo componente. En pacientes con COVID-19 previo a la vacunación, los anticuerpos al día 21 del primer componente alcanzaron niveles casi mayores que en aquellos que no habían sufrido COVID-19, aunque el aumento de los niveles a los 21 días del segundo componente fue menor que en los pacientes sin COVID-19 previo. Conclusión: Los pacientes en diálisis constituyen una población vulnerable para la infección por SARS-CoV-2, por lo tanto, más allá de las recomendaciones implementadas por las unidades de diálisis, la vacunación completa es mandatoria. Se ha demostrado que la vacuna Sputnik V es segura y eficaz en esta población de pacientes.

[Perception of kidney transplant patients of the need for information about their donors]. / Percepción de los pacientes trasplantados renales sobre la necesidad de información de sus donantes.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the perceptions of renal transplant patients of the need for information about their donors and the potential influence of their donors' biological sex and age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Analytical, observational, cross-sectional and prospective study. Kidney transplant patients over 18 years old who had been transplanted, at least, one year before were included. A semi-structured survey was conducted, and data were collected from medical records. RESULTS: 104 patients were analyzed, 58% (n=60) were women; median age: 47 years; and median post-transplantation period: 7 years. Seventy-six percent (n=79) expressed that they were interested in knowing their donors' biological sex and age (p < 0.001). When asked whether they would choose their donors' sex and age, only 13% (n=14) answered that they would (p < 0.001). When asked whether they felt that their donors' sex and age might have an influence on them, 78% (n=81) answered that they did not, while 22% answered that they did (p < 0.001). Of the 79 patients who expressed an interest in knowing their donors' biological sex and age, 62% (n=49) stated that appreciation was the reason for it (p=0.0025). CONCLUSION: The appreciation towards that person about whom only sex and age are known would allow patients to imaginarily construct their donors.

Infecciones urinarias por microorganismos multirresistentes en pacientes trasplantados renales internados / Multidrug-resistant microorganisms causing urinary infections in hospitalized patients with renal transplant

INTRODUCCIÓN: En la actualidad existe un crecimiento de infecciones urinarias en trasplantados renales, por organismos multirresistentes (OMR) que se han convertido en un desafío médico.OBJETIVO: Describir la prevalencia de infección urinaria (ITU) por OMR en pacientes trasplantados renales (PTxR) hospitalizados, sus factores de riesgo, el tratamiento y la evolución a 1 año. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se revisaron las historias clínicas y los cultivos de PTxR internados infectados con OMR en el período entre el 1/1/2016 y el 31/12/2017. Se evaluaron los factores de riesgo como: género, edad avanzada, presencia prolongada de catéter doble J, complicaciones quirúrgicas e internación prolongada y la función renal al momento de la internación, al alta y al año y la aparición de rechazos al año. RESULTADOS: La presencia de gérmenes multirresistentes se encontró en 58 PTxR (31,18%) que presentaron 105 episodios de ITU, 36 tuvieron una sola infección y 22 P sufrieron más de una. El 55,17% (32) fueron hombres y la edad promedio fue 50,52 ±14,24 años. Del total de pacientes 43 (74,15%) tenían factores de riesgo tales como: extracción tardía del catéter doble J en 8 (13,8%), complicaciones quirúrgicas en 11 (18,9%), internación prolongada en 12 (20,7%) y 18 (31,03%) eran mayores de 60 años. En la evolución, 9 requirieron diálisis, de los cuales 4 recuperaron la función renal. La creatinina al momento de la internación en los pacientes que no necesitaron diálisis fue de 1.8 (1.39 ­ 3.01) mg/dl; al alta 1.5 (1.1 ­ 2.1) mg/dl (p=0.025) y al año fue de 1.5 (1.18 ­ 2.1) mg/dl sin diferencia significativa con respecto a la del alta. (p=0.089). En el seguimiento anual 5 pacientes fallecieron y 5 perdieron el injerto. La incidencia de rechazo fue del 15,51%. Los gérmenes rescatados fueron 13 A. baumanii cpx. (ABA) (11,92%), E. Coli (ECO) 24 (22,01%), Enterobacter spp. 4 (3,66%), Enterococcus spp. 3 (2,75%), Klebsiella spp. 58 (53,21%), Serratia spp. 5 (4,58%), Proteus spp. 1 (0,91%) y Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PAE) (0,91). De los 105 episodios de ITU, 79 se trataron con monoterapia: 57 con carbapenem (54,28%), 10 con Colistin (9,51%), 4 con Linezolid (3.8%), 4 con Piperacilina + Tazobactan (3.8%), 3 con Ciprofloxacina (2.85%) y 1 con Nitrofurantoína (0,95%). En 26 episodios se utilizó terapias combinadas de Carbapenem en 21 casos, colistin en 14, amikacina en 13, fosfomicina en 2 y en 1 oportunidad se utilizó tigeciclina y en otra ciprofloxacina. CONCLUSIÓN:Las ITUs por ORM fueron frecuentes y semejantes a las descritas en otras series. No se encontraron diferencias en la evolución de la función renal, en los rechazos, en la mortalidad en las ITUs por OMR con o sin factores de riesgo asociados, tampoco se observó influencia de las ITUs recurrentes ni de las recidivantes. Son necesarios estudios ulteriores con mayor número de pacientes para evaluar pronóstico y evolución de los pacientes con estas infecciones

INTRODUCTION: There exists a current growth of urinary tract infections in kidney transplant recipients caused by multidrug-resistant organisms (MRO), which has become a medical challenge. Objective: To describe the prevalence of urinary tract infection (UTI) from MRO in hospitalized kidney transplant recipients (KTR), their risk factors, treatment and evolution at 1 year. METHODS: Clinical records and cultures of hospitalized KTR infected by MRO were reviewed between January 1st 2016 and Dec. 31st 2017. The following risk factors were evaluated: gender, advanced age, prolonged presence of double-J stent, surgical complications and long-term hospitalization, renal function at the time of admission, at discharge and at one year, and the appearance of any rejection after one year. RESULTS: The presence of multiresistant germs was found in 58 KTR (31.18%), who presented 105 episodes of UTI; 36 of them had a single infection and 22 suffered more than one. 55.17% (32) were men and the average age was 50.52 ± 14.24 years. Of the total of patients, 43 (74.15%) had these risk factors: late extraction of double-J stent in 8 patients (13.8%), surgical complications in 11 (18.9%), long-term hospitalization in 12 (20, 7%) and 18 (31.03%) were older than 60. During evolution, 9 patients required dialysis, 4 of which recovered their renal function. The creatinine at the time of admission of the patients who did not need dialysis was 1.8 (1.39 - 3.01) mg/dL; at discharge it was 1.5 (1.1 - 2.1) mg/dL (p = 0.025) and after one year it was 1.5 (1.18 - 2.1) mg/dL without significant difference with respect to discharge (p = 0.089). In the annual follow-up, 5 patients died and 5 lost the transplant. The incidence of rejection was 15.51%. The presence of risk factors and recurrent and / or recurrent ITUs did not result in significant differences in renal function at follow-up, nor in patient and graft survival. The following germs were found: 13 A. baumannii cpx. (ABA) (11.92%); 24 E. Coli (ECO) (22.01%); 4 Enterobacter spp. (3.66%), 3 Enterococcus spp. (2.75%); 58 Klebsiella spp. (53.21%); 5 Serratia spp. (4.58%); 1 Proteus spp.(0.91%), and 1 Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PAE) (0.91%). Of the 105 episodes of UTI, 79 were treated with monotherapy: 57 with carbapenem (54.28%), 10 with colistin (9.51%), 4 with linezolid (3.8%), 4 with piperacillin + tazobactan (3.8%), 3 with ciprofloxacin (2.85%) and 1 with nitrofurantoin (0.95%). In 26 episodes, combined therapies of carbapenem were used in 21 cases; colistin in 14; amikacin in 13; fosfomycin in 2, and on one occasion tigecycline was used and in another, ciprofloxacin. CONCLUSION: The urinary tract infections caused by MRO were frequent and similar to those described in other series. No differences were found in the evolution of renal function, in rejections, in mortality in UTI due to MOR with or without associated risk factors, neither of recurrent UTIs influence or relapsing observed were found. Further studies with a larger number of patients are necessary to evaluate the prognosis and evolution of patients with these infections

Retraso de la función del injerto en trasplante renal / Delayed graft function on kidney transplant recipients

Introducción: el retraso de la función del injerto (RFI) es una complicación frecuente en trasplante renal y tiene consecuencias sobre su evolución. Objetivos: Conocer su incidencia en un centro de trasplante, describir los factores de riesgo del donante y receptor, del procedimiento y la evolución del injerto y receptor. Material y métodos: Se estudiaron 178 pacientes (P) trasplantados renales con donante cadavérico. Se definió retraso de la función del injerto al requerimiento de diálisis en la primera semana post trasplante. Se analizaron factores del donante, del receptor, y del procedimiento del trasplante. Resultados: La incidencia del RFI fue del 75.8% (135 pacientes). Los factores de riesgo relacionados a la misma fueron: el tiempo de isquemia fría en minutos (1389 vs. 1224; P=0.01), la edad del receptor en años (47.24 vs 40.71; P=0.001) y el IMC del donante (27.5 vs 25.17; P= 0.001). En 170 pacientes se evaluó la presencia de rechazo, los que presentaron RFI tuvieron más rechazos (35.6% vs. 19.5%; P=0.046). El grupo con RFI mostró menor sobrevida del injerto a 5 años (P=0.0473), no se encontraron diferencia en la sobrevida del paciente. Conclusión: El RFI es más alto que el descrito en la literatura. Se deben hacer esfuerzos para disminuir su incidencia, focalizando los mismos en la reducción de la isquemia fría y en mejorar el mantenimiento del donante.

Introduction: delayed graft function (DGF) is a common complication in renal transplant and has implications for its development. Objectives: To know its incidence in a single transplant center, to describe the risk factors in donor and recipient, the procedure and the evolution of the graft and recipient. Methods: 178 renal transplant patients (P) with grafts from cadaveric donors were studied. Delayed graft function was defined as dialysis requirement in the first week post transplantation. We analyzed risk factors in the donor and recipient as well as the transplant procedures. Results: DGF incidence was 75.8% (135 patients). Risk factors for DGF were: greater cold ischemia time in minutes (1389 vs. 1224; P=0.01), greater recipientÆs age in years (47.24 vs 40.71; P=0.001) and greater BMI of the donor (27.5 vs 25.17; P= 0.001). In 170 patients the presence of rejection was evaluated: those who had DGF presented more rejections (35.6% vs. 19.5%; P=0.046). The group with DGF showed lower graft survival at 5 years (P=0.0473), there was no difference in patient survival. Conclusion: The DGF incidence is higher than reported in the literature. Efforts should be made to reduce its incidence, focusing in reducing cold ischemia and improving maintenance of the donor.

C.E.R.A. maintains stable hemoglobin in Latin American patients on dialysis.

BACKGROUND: C.E.R.A. is a continuous erythropoietin receptor activator with characteristics that permit a once-monthly schedule of administration for the maintenance treatment for chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. The main objective of this study was to assess the maintenance of Hb concentration with once-monthly intravenous and/or subcutaneous C.E.R.A. therapy in Latin American dialysis patients with chronic renal anemia previously treated with epoetin alfa s.c or i.v 1-3 times per week. METHODS: This was a single-arm, open-label, multicenter, 32-week study of anemic patients with CKD previously treated with epoetin alfa sc or iv 1-3 times per week. After a 4-week screening period, during which mean Hb levels were maintained between 10.5 and 12.5 g/dL on their previous erythropoiesis stimulating agent, eligible patients entered a 16-week C.E.R.A. dose titration period followed by a 4-week efficacy evaluation period (EEP) and a 28-week safety follow-up. The starting dose of C.E.R.A. was based on the previous dose of epoetin alfa. Doses of C.E.R.A. were then adjusted to maintain Hb levels within ±1.0 g/dL of the reference concentration and between 10.5 and 12.5 g/dL. The Hb reference concentration was defined as the mean of all Hb levels during screening. The primary end point was the proportion of patients maintaining a mean Hb concentration (g/dL) within ±1 g/dL of their reference Hb and between 10.5 and 12.5 g/dL during the EEP. RESULTS: A total of 163 patients from 27 centers in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela entered the treatment period and 102 completed the prescribed course of C.E.R.A. Forty-five patients (43.7 %) maintained a mean Hb concentration within ±1 g/dL of their reference Hb value and between 10.5 and 12.5 g/dL during the EEP. The median monthly dose remained constant at 120 µg during the titration period and during the EEP. On the average, there were only 2.3 dose changes per patient in 28 weeks of treatment, covering 7 C.E.R.A. scheduled administrations. 53 % of all dose changes were dose decreases, 47 % increases. A total of 10 AEs and 4 SAEs were considered to be related to the study treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Once-monthly C.E.R.A. treatment effectively maintains stable Hb concentrations in patients with chronic renal anemia undergoing dialysis with a good safety and tolerability profile.

Disruption of Transitional Stages in 24-h Blood Pressure Recording in Renal Transplant Recipients.

Patients with kidney replacement exhibit disrupted circadian rhythms. Most studies measuring blood pressure use the dipper/non-dipper classification, which does not consider analysis of transitional stages between low and high blood pressure, confidence intervals nor shifts in the time of peak, while assuming subjective onsets of night and day phases. In order to better understand the nature of daily variation of blood pressure in these patients, we analyzed 24 h recordings from 41 renal transplant recipients using the non-symmetrical double-logistic fitting assessment which does not assume abruptness nor symmetry in ascending and descending stages of the blood pressure profile, and a cosine best-fitting regression method (Cosinor). Compared with matched controls, double-logistic fitting showed that the times for most transitional stages (ascending systolic and descending systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressure) had a wider distribution along the 24-h. The proportion of individuals without daily blood pressure rhythm in the transplanted group was larger only for systolic arterial pressure, and the amplitude showed no significant difference. Furthermore, the transplant recipient group had a less pronounced slope in descending systolic and ascending mean blood pressure. Cosinor analysis confirmed this phase-related changes, showing a wider distribution of times of peak (acrophases). We conclude that daily disruptions in renal transplant recipients can be explained not necessarily by an absence in diurnal variation, but also by changes in waveform-related parameters of the rhythm, and that alterations in the phase of the rhythm are the most consistent finding in these patients.

Síndrome de Churg Strauss y riñón / Churg Strauss syndrome and the kidney

El diagnóstico del SCS es problemático ya que ninguno de los elementos clínicos o histopatológicos son característicos de esta enfermedad. Objetivos: Describir los criterios clínicos diagnósticos para el síndrome de CHurg Strauss en una paciente, identificar los órganos comprometidos y describir los tratamientos y fisiopatología de esta enfermedad.

Síndrome de Churg Strauss y riñón / Churg Strauss syndrome and the kidney

El diagnóstico del SCS es problemático ya que ninguno de los elementos clínicos o histopatológicos son característicos de esta enfermedad. Objetivos: Describir los criterios clínicos diagnósticos para el síndrome de CHurg Strauss en una paciente, identificar los órganos comprometidos y describir los tratamientos y fisiopatología de esta enfermedad.(AU)

Transición de la atención pediátrica a la del adulto en transplante renal / Transition from pediatric to adult medical attention inn renal transplantation

La transición de la atención pediátrica a la del adulto en pacientes con enfermedades crónicas presenta aspectos que merecen ser tenidos en cuenta a la hora de repensar el pasaje como un protocolo de actuación decidimos explorar las características de la derivación y la satisfacción con la atención profesional que experimentaron los pacientes trasplantados renales en el proceso de trancisión de la atención pediátrica a la atención del adulto.

Transición de la atención pediátrica a la del adulto en transplante renal / Transition from pediatric to adult medical attention inn renal transplantation

La transición de la atención pediátrica a la del adulto en pacientes con enfermedades crónicas presenta aspectos que merecen ser tenidos en cuenta a la hora de repensar el pasaje como un protocolo de actuación decidimos explorar las características de la derivación y la satisfacción con la atención profesional que experimentaron los pacientes trasplantados renales en el proceso de trancisión de la atención pediátrica a la atención del adulto.(AU)

Gastrointestinal (GI)-Specific patient reported outcomes instruments differentiate between renal transplant patients with or without GI symptoms: results from a South American cohort.

BACKGROUND: Immunosuppressive therapies have burdensome side effects which may lead to sub-therapeutic dosing and non-compliance. Patients on different immunosuppressant regimens may feel less bothered by Gastrointestinal (GI) side effects or report better health-related quality of life (HRQL). We evaluated the reliability and validity of two GI-specific outcome instruments (Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS; higher scores = increased severity) and Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI; higher scores = better GI-specific HRQL)) in renal transplant patients in South America. METHODS: Data from 5 South American centers participating in an international, longitudinal, observational study were analyzed. Patients were > or = 1 month post transplant and on mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and a calcineurin inhibitor. Patients completed the GSRS, GIQLI, and Psychological General Well-Being (PGWB; higher scores = better HRQL) Index at baseline and at 4-6 weeks. Internal consistency, test-retest reliability and construct and discriminant validity were assessed. RESULTS: Sixty-two participants were enrolled. Mean age was 42 years; mean time since transplant was 3.3 years; 57% were male; 65% received a deceased organ transplant and 68%had GI events. The GSRS and GIQLI demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach's alphas 0.72-0.96). Test-retest reliability was adequate (intraclass correlation coefficient > 0.6) for all GIQLI subscales and all GSRS subscales except Diarrhea and Reflux syndrome. Correlations between the GSRS and PGWB were moderate (range: -0.21 to -0.53, all p < 0.001 except 6 correlations with p < 0.05); correlations between the GIQLI and PGWB were higher (range: 0.36 to 0.71 p < 0.001), indicating good construct validity. The GSRS and GIQLI demonstrated good discriminant validity, as they clinically and statistically distinguished between patients with and without GI complaints and among patients with varying GI complication severity. Patients with GI complaints reported higher GSRS scores than patients without complaints (all p < 0.001). GIQLI scores were lower in patients with GI complaints than patients without complaints (all p < 0.001). The GSRS and GIQLI differentiated among patients with four GI severity levels (overall Kruskall-Wallis test p < 0.001, except for one scale). The GSRS and GIQLI are acceptable for use in South American renal transplant patients. These two instruments demonstrate adequate reliability and validity. Patients with GI complaints reported poor HRQL and strategies are needed to improve patients' HRQL.

Fibrosis sistémica nefrogénica vinculada a gadolinio con evolución fatal / Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis related to gadolinium with fatal outcome

La fibrosis sistémica nefrogénica (FSN), primero conocida como dermopatía fibrosante nefrogénica, es una rara entidad recientemente descripta que se desarrolla en pacientes insuficientes renales. Nueva evidencias relacionan la FSN con medios de contraste basados en gadolinio (MCBG). Diagnosticamos esta enfermedad en una paciente femenina adulta de 33 años con insuficiencia renal crónica terminal en hemodiálisis. Un mes previo al inicio de los síntomas había recibido MCBG. Al examen físco presentaba placas firmes en ambos miembros superiores e inferiores, con endurecimiento y engrosamiento cutáneo marcado, que posteriormente se extendieron a abdomen inferior y mamas. Asociaba dolor, contracturas articulares en flexión y movilidad restringida. Evolucionó con progresión del cuadro, falleciendo al mes de la primera consulta. La FSN puede presentar una evolución rápidamente progresiva que resulta en discapacidad e incluso la muerte. Esto hace necesaria una revisión sobre su posible vinculación con MCBG y sobre las precauciones sugeridas para su indicación en estos pacientes.

Patient-reported gastrointestinal symptom burden and health-related quality of life following conversion from mycophenolate mofetil to enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium.

BACKGROUND: The benefit of converting renal transplant recipients with gastrointestinal (GI) complaints from mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) to enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium (EC-MPS) has not been evaluated using patient-reported outcomes. METHODS: A multicenter, open-label, prospective study was undertaken in MMF-treated renal transplant patients. Patients experiencing GI complaints were converted to equimolar EC-MPS (Cohort A). Patients without GI complaints remained on MMF (Cohort B). At baseline and Visit 2 (4-6 weeks postbaseline), patients completed the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS), Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI) and Psychological General Well-being Index (PGWBI). At Visit 2, patients and physicians completed the Overall Treatment Effect (OTE) scale for GI symptoms. Additionally, patients completed the OTE for health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Minimal important difference (MID) was calculated for GSRS and GIQLI based on patients' and physicians' OTE evaluation. RESULTS: Of 328 patients enrolled (i.e. the intent-to-treat and safety populations), 278 formed the per-protocol population (Cohort A, n=177; Cohort B, n=101). At baseline, Cohort A had significantly worse scores on all GSRS, GIQLI and PGWBI subscales compared to Cohort B (all P<0.0001). All GSRS, GIQLI and PGWBI subscale scores improved significantly in Cohort A between baseline and Visit 2 (all P<0.0001). Mean improvements in all GSRS subscales and most GIQLI subscores exceeded the calculated MID. GSRS, GIQLI and PGWBI subscales remained stable in Cohort B. CONCLUSION: This first exploratory study indicates that converting patients with mild, moderate or severe GI complaints from MMF to EC-MPS significantly reduces GI-related symptom burden and improves patient functioning and well-being.

Trombosis venosa del injerto renal: evaluación con Eco Doppler / Venous thrombosis of renal graft: evaluation with duplex Doppler sonography

Objetivo: Evaluar la utilidad del Eco Doppler en el diagnóstico de la trombosis venosa del injerto renal. Material y métodos: Desde el 1/1/94 al 1/12/97 se han realizado 147 trasplantes renales en la unidad de Nefrología del HGA Cosme Argerich. Todos los pacientes fueron evaluados con eco Doppler diariamente durante la primer semana de postoperatorio y cada vez que la evolución clínica y de laboratorio así lo requirió. Ante el hallazgo de flujo reverso durante toda la diástole o en alguna fase de la misma se sometió a los pacientes a distintos procedimientos (punción biopsia renal, cámara gamma, venografía, angiografía y exploración quirúrgica). Resultados: 4 pacientes (2,7 por ciento) presentaron trombosis de vena renal. Los hallazgos ecográficos fueron. Aumento del tamaño renal (3), disminución de ecogenicidad del parénquima (3), aumento del tamaño de las pirámides (2), sin cambios estructurales (1). En el análisis audioespectral se observó ausencia de reflujo arterial diastólico, con índice de resistencia mayor a 1 en todos los casos. Conclusión: En el riñón trasplantado, el hallazgo de flujo arterial reverso en diástole y la ausencia de registro Doppler en el árbol venosos del injerto son signos característicos de trombosis oclusiva de la vena renal

Trombosis venosa del injerto renal: evaluación con Eco Doppler / Venous thrombosis of renal graft: evaluation with duplex Doppler sonography

Objetivo: Evaluar la utilidad del Eco Doppler en el diagnóstico de la trombosis venosa del injerto renal. Material y métodos: Desde el 1/1/94 al 1/12/97 se han realizado 147 trasplantes renales en la unidad de Nefrología del HGA Cosme Argerich. Todos los pacientes fueron evaluados con eco Doppler diariamente durante la primer semana de postoperatorio y cada vez que la evolución clínica y de laboratorio así lo requirió. Ante el hallazgo de flujo reverso durante toda la diástole o en alguna fase de la misma se sometió a los pacientes a distintos procedimientos (punción biopsia renal, cámara gamma, venografía, angiografía y exploración quirúrgica). Resultados: 4 pacientes (2,7 por ciento) presentaron trombosis de vena renal. Los hallazgos ecográficos fueron. Aumento del tamaño renal (3), disminución de ecogenicidad del parénquima (3), aumento del tamaño de las pirámides (2), sin cambios estructurales (1). En el análisis audioespectral se observó ausencia de reflujo arterial diastólico, con índice de resistencia mayor a 1 en todos los casos. Conclusión: En el riñón trasplantado, el hallazgo de flujo arterial reverso en diástole y la ausencia de registro Doppler en el árbol venosos del injerto son signos característicos de trombosis oclusiva de la vena renal (AU)