Obligatory referral among other factors associated with peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis patients

Aim: Peritonitis is one of the major comorbidities of peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. The aim of this study was to concentrate on potential risk factors, including more recently studied ones among the classical ones for peritonitis, in PD patients. Materials and methods: We analysed 109 patients (F/M = 42/67) followed up at least for 3 months in a single centre, a tertiary referral hospital for 360.1 patient years. In the study which is designed as a retrospective cohort study, demographic characteristics, conditions for choosing PD, type of PD treatment, some chemical tests and peritonitis episodes were recorded from the files of the patients. Results: The rate of peritonitis was found to be 0.22 episode/patient year and 22 (20.18%) of the patients had more than one episode. Twenty seven (24.8%) of the patients were allocated to PD due to obligatory reasons. According to multiple regression analysis, the assosciated factors were found to be PD allocation type (obligatory versus voluntary) (p = 0.04; RR = 2.6), serum albumin level (p = 0.05; RR = 1.2), and anti-hepatitis C Virus Antibody positivity (p = 0.03; RR = 1.6). Frequency of female patients were significantly higher in the group who had multiple episodes (p = 0.01). Conclusion: Obligatory referral which can be an indication of loss of motivation for peritoneal dialysis procedures, is thought to be a strong risk factor for peritonitis in PD patients and should be further studied. Patients with multiple episodes had a higher frequency of obligatory referral as expected and additionally, they were higher in number of females when compared to the ones with single episode (AU)

Objetivo: La peritonitis es una de las principales comorbilidades que presentan los pacientes en diálisis peritoneal (DP). El objetivo de este estudio es centrarnos en los posibles factores de riesgo, incluidos los de más reciente estudio entre los ya clásicos factores de la peritonitis en pacientes en DP. Materiales y métodos: Analizamos 109 pacientes (H/M = 67/42) sometidos a seguimiento durante al menos tres meses en un único centro, un hospital terciario con una tasa de 360,1 años-paciente. En este trabajo, concebido como un estudio de cohorte retrospectivo, se registraron las características demográficas, las condiciones que llevaron a la DP, tipo de DP, pruebas químicas y episodios de peritonitis. Esta información se extrajo de los historiales. Resultados: Se descubrió que la tasa de peritonitis era de 0,22 episodios/años-paciente y 22 pacientes (20,18%) habían padecido más de un episodio. Veintisiete (24,8%) de los pacientes recibían DP por obligación. Gracias al análisis de regresión múltiple, se descubrió que los factores relacionados eran el tipo de llegada al tratamiento (obligatoria frente a voluntaria) (p = 0,04; RR = 2,6), los niveles de albúmina sérica (p = 0,05; RR = 1,2), y la positividad para anticuerpos contra el virus de hepatitis C (p = 0,03; RR = 1,6). La frecuencia de pacientes mujeres era significativamente mayor en el grupo que había padecido múltiples episodios (p = 0,01). Conclusión: La remisión obligatoria, que puede ser un indicio de la falta de motivación por los procedimientos de DP, es un importante factor de riesgo de peritonitis en los pacientes en DP y merece ser objeto de estudio. Como era de esperar, los pacientes con múltiples episodios presentaron una mayor frecuencia de remisión obligatoria y además, el número de mujeres era mayor en comparación con el grupo que había padecido un único episodio (AU)

Obligatory referral among other factors associated with peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis patients.

AIM: Peritonitis is one of the major comorbidities of peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. The aim of this study was to concentrate on potential risk factors, including more recently studied ones among the classical ones for peritonitis, in PD patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analysed 109 patients (F/M = 42/67) followed up at least for 3 months in a single centre, a tertiary referral hospital for 360.1 patient years. In the study which is designed as a retrospective cohort study, demographic characteristics, conditions for choosing PD, type of PD treatment, some chemical tests and peritonitis episodes were recorded from the files of the patients. RESULTS: The rate of peritonitis was found to be 0.22 episode/patient year and 22 (20.18%) of the patients had more than one episode. Twenty seven (24.8%) of the patients were allocated to PD due to obligatory reasons. According to multiple regression analysis, the associated factors were found to be PD allocation type (obligatory versus voluntary) (p = 0.04; RR = 2.6), serum albumin level (p = 0.05; RR = 1.2), and anti-hepatitis C Virus Antibody positivity (p = 0.03; RR = 1.6). Frequency of female patients were significantly higher in the group who had multiple episodes (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Obligatory referral which can be an indication of loss of motivation for peritoneal dialysis procedures, is thought to be a strong risk factor for peritonitis in PD patients and should be further studied. Patients with multiple episodes had a higher frequency of obligatory referral as expected and additionally, they were higher in number of females when compared to the ones with single episode.

A comparison of mycophenolate mofetil with mycophenolate sodium in renal transplant recipients on tacrolimus-based treatment.

We compared the tolerability and efficacy of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) versus mycophenolate sodium (MPS) among renal transplant recipients on tacrolimus-based immunosuppression. The 105 patients who underwent kidney transplantation between January 2002 and March 2008 and were treated with steroid, tacrolimus, and a mycophenolic acid compound were enrolled in the study. From patient files we collected on demographics data, donors, immunosuppressive drug doses, biochemical and hematologic parameters, gastrointestinal and hematologic side effects, and kidney function. Fifty-six patients were prescribed MMF and 49 of them were taking MPS. Demographic parameters and pretransplantation dialysis duration were similar between the 2 groups. After the third month, the MPS dose was higher than that of MMF. There were no clinically important differences between the 2 groups, regarding other immunosuppressive drug doses. Gastrointestinal side effects were similar: 42.4% in the MMF versus 44.8% in the MPS group (P = .846). Six patients in the MMF group and 1 patient in the MPS group underwent a switch of the mycophenolic acid therapy due to severe gastrointestinal side effects (P = .183). Biopsy-proven acute rejection was reported in 6 patients on MMF and 7 patients on MPS therapy (P = .768). The log-rank test evaluating a 50% reduction in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) showed no significant difference between the 2 groups (P = .719). No deaths were recorded during the study period; there was only 1 graft loss, which occurred in the MMF group. We did not observe a significant difference in tolerability and efficacy between the 2 widely used mycophenolic acid derivatives. Economic considerations can be an important factor when choosing the drug.

Treatment of renal transplant recipients with low bone mineral density: a randomized prospective trial of alendronate, alfacalcidol, and alendronate combined with alfacalcidol.

We sought to compare the treatment modalities of alendronate, alfacalcidol, and alendronate combined with alfacalcidol in renal transplant recipients with low bone mineral density. Sixty-four kidney graft recipients (22 women, 42 men) were recruited to this study. Of these 64 patients, 9 served as the control group with T scores more than -1. The remaining 55 patients randomly assigned to treatment had T scores less than -1 and were assigned to 3 groups: group 1 received alfacalcidol (0.5 microg/d); group 2, alendronate (10 mg/d); and group 3, alendronate (10 mg/d) + alfacalcidol (0.5 microg/d per os). Twenty-five patients were allocated to alfacalcidol, 13 patients to alendronate, and 17 patients to alendronate + alfacalcidol treatment. Bone mineral densities of the lumbar spine and femoral neck were measured before and 12 months after treatment. The groups were compared for risk factors of osteoporosis, biochemistry, and bone mineral density. Kruskal-Wallis, one-way ANOVA, and Student t tests were used. With the alendronate + alfacalcidol group, bone mineral density at the lumbar spine significantly increased by 7.9% (P = .006) with a significant improvement in T score (P = .003). Bone mineral density at the femoral neck significantly increased by 8% in the alendronate + alfacalcidol group (P = .01) with a significant improvement in T score (P = .02). The use of a combination of alendronate and alfacalcidol seemed to be safe and more effective than the separate use of the 2 agents to improve bone mass in renal transplant recipients.

Osteoporosis after renal transplantation.

This study was performed to determine risk factors associated with osteoporosis that develops after renal transplantation. Sixty-five kidney graft recipients were included in this study. They were divided into four groups according to the time since transplantation: Group 1 (< 1 year; n = 26), group 2 (1-3 years; n = 16), group 3 (3-5 years; n = 12) and group 4 (> 5 years; n = 11). These groups were matched according to probable risk factors for osteoporosis, findings of serum biochemistry, biochemical markers of bone turnover and measurements of bone mineral density. One way ANOVA test and Kruskal-Wallis test were used for statistical analysis. Osteoporosis was found in 22 recipients (33.8%). There were significant differences in recipient age, cumulative steroid dose, and episodes of acute rejection between the four groups. Increasing age, cumulative steroid dose and episodes of acute rejection were found to be risk factors for osteoporosis in our study.

Acute renal failure due to carnitine palmitoyltransferase II deficiency.

Carnitine palmitoyltransferase II (CPT-II) deficiency is the most common long-chain fatty acid oxidation defect, resulting in rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure (ARF). There are three forms of CPT-II deficiency: the neonatal, infantile and adult form. We report an adult form of CPT-II deficiency in a patient who presented with attacks of exercise-induced rhabdomyolysis and ARF.

Osteoporosis after renal transplantation / Osteoporosis después del trasplante renal

This study was performed to determine risk factors associated with osteoporosis that develops after renal transplantation. Sixty-five kidney graft recipients were included in this study. They were divided into four groups according to the time since transplantation : Group 1 (< 1 year ; n = 26 ), group 2 (1 – 3 years ; n = 16), group 3 (3-5 years ; n = 12) and group 4 (> 5 years ; n = 11). These groups were matched according to probable risk factors for osteoporosis, findings of serum biochemistry, biochemical markers of bone turnover and measurements of bone mineral density. One way ANOVA test and Kruskal-Wallis test were used for statistical analysis. Osteoporosis was found in 22 recipients (33.8%). There were significant differences in recipient age, cumulative steroid dose, and episodes of acute rejection between the four groups. Increasing age, cumulative steroid dose and episodes of acute rejection were found to be risk factors for osteoporosis in our study (AU)

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo determinar factores de riesgo asociados a osteoporosis que se desarrolla después del trasplante renal. En este estudio se incluyeron 65 pacientes portadores de un trasplante renal. Se dividieron en 4 grupos de acuerdo al tiempo desde el trasplante: Grupo 1 (< 1 año; n = 26), grupo 2 (1-3 años; n = 16), grupo 3 (3 a 5 años = 12) y grupo 4 (> 5 años; n = 11). Todos los grupos se ajustaron de acuerdo a probables factores de riesgo de osteoporosis, marcadores bioquímicos, marcadores de recambio óseo y densidad mineral ósea. El análisis estadístico se realizó por medio de ANOVA y mediante el test Kruskal-Wallis. Se encontró osteoporosis en un total de 22 receptores de trasplante de riñón (33,8%). La edad de recepción del trasplante, la dosis acumulada de esteroides y los episodios de rechazo agudo de trasplante renal fueron estadísticamente significativos entre los cuatro grupos. El aumento de la edad, la dosis acumulada de esteroides y los episodios de rechazo agudo fueron factores de riesgo de osteoporosis en nuestro estudio (AU)

Amyloid goitre in familial Mediterranean fever: report on three patients and review of the literature.

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is a hereditary disease, the most threatening complication of which is systemic amyloidosis. The thyroid gland may be asymptomatically involved in most patients with systemic amyloidosis secondary to FMF. However, clinically detectable thyroid goitre is quite rare, and until now only nine cases of thyroid goitre secondary to amyloid deposition in FMF have been reported. Of 1,100 FMF patients regularly followed up at our centre, thyroid goitre due to the accumulation of amyloid substance could be detected in only three (0.27%). In this report, we summarise the clinical and laboratory features of these patients. All three patients were euthyroid. Total thyroidectomy was performed for compressive symptoms in one patient and for aesthetic purposes in the other two. In countries with a high prevalence of FMF, such as Turkey, secondary amyloidosis of the thyroid gland should be borne in mind in long-standing FMF patients.

Colchicine neuromyopathy: a report of six cases.

Colchicine has been in use for therapeutic purposes for many years. It can, however, cause subacute onset muscle and peripheral nerve toxicity in patients with chronic renal failure. In this report we describe 6 patients who developed neuromyopathy after the administration of colchicine. All patients presented with proximal muscle weakness, elevated serum creatine kinase (CK) levels, and neuropathy and/or myopathy on electromyography (EMG). The diagnosis of colchicine toxicity was confirmed in all cases by the normalization of CK levels and EMG after discontinuation of the drug. Toxicity developed in 4 renal failure patients on therapeutic doses of the drug, while one patient took a massive dose for suicidal reasons, and the other was on high-dose therapy. Patients using colchicine--especially those with renal failure--should be warned about the side effects of the drug and physicians should be careful in the administration of the drug.

Prevalence of serum antibodies to hepatitis B and C viruses in patients with primary glomerulonephritis.

We retrospectively analysed the medical records of patients who underwent renal biopsy in our nephrology department over the past 8 years. Our aim was to discover the frequency of hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in patients with primary glomerulonephritis (GN) in Turkey, a moderately endemic country for both infections. The study included 144 male and 104 female patients aged between 12-70 years. The frequency of HBsAg and anti-HCV were found to be similar to healthy controls, respectively 6.5% and 1.6% (p>0.05). As is true for low endemic countries, HBV and HCV infections might be rarely associated with GN in Turkey.

Fever of unknown origin in uremic patients: a controlled prospective study.

Twenty-nine uremic patients with fever of unknown origin (FUO) admitted to our clinic between 1994 and 1998 were evaluated prospectively. A group of 50 consecutive non-uremic patients with FUO followed up during the same period was used for comparison. The causes of FUO found in the uremic and non-uremic groups, respectively were as follows: infectious diseases, 69 vs. 44% (p = 0.03); collagen vascular diseases, 6.9 vs. 6%; neoplasms, 3.4 vs. 26%; miscellaneous causes, 3.4 vs. 16%; and undiagnosed, 17.2 vs. 8%. Tuberculosis was the most common cause of FUO in both groups. The spectrum of underlying conditions for FUO in our uremic patients differed from that in the non-uremic patients and the uremic patients had a very high propensity for infectious diseases, especially tuberculosis.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections after renal transplantation.

The incidence of tuberculosis was found to be 5.8% (16/274) in 274 kidney graft recipients in our centre between 1986 and 1998. The kidney recipients were evaluated retrospectively. A total of 51 recipients received isoniazid prophylaxis for 6 months. The prevalence of tuberculosis was found similar (6% vs. 8.8%, p = 0.15) between recipients with prophylaxis and no prophylaxis. Eight patients were recipients of cadaveric donor kidneys and 8 were recipients of living donor kidneys. Lungs were the most frequently affected site, as in the normal population. M. tuberculosis grew in 7 patients. In 5 patients, M. tuberculosis was also detected on direct microscopy and polymerase chain reaction. In 4 patients, diagnosis was made on clinical grounds and later confirmed by positive response to therapy. In 8 patients, invasive procedures were performed for diagnosis. Five patients had miliary tuberculosis at the time of diagnosis. In 3 patients dissemination occurred during follow-up. Nine patients responded to anti-tuberculous therapy while still preserving their graft function, 1 patient rejected the graft while under treatment and returned to haemodialysis. Five patients (31%) died. Since the risk of dissemination of tuberculosis is high in these patients, anti-tuberculous therapy should be started whenever clinical findings suggestive of tuberculosis are present, even in the absence of any microbiological and/or histological evidence.

Salmon calcitonin in the treatment of bone metastases.

The effects of salmon calcitonin administered 100 IU i.m. daily for 30 consecutive days were evaluated in patients with painful bone metastasis secondary to different types of solid cancer. The results were compared with placebo-receiving patients. In the 22 patients treated with calcitonin a significant reduction ( p less than 0.001) was observed in the severity of bone pain. Significant reductions were also encountered in the serum alkaline phosphatase (p less than 0.02) and urinary hydroxyproline excretion values (p less than 0.05) in calcitonin-treated patients, indicating an inhibition of bone destruction. It is concluded that salmon calcitonin has an important place in the treatment of patients with metastatic bone lesions both as a potent analgesic and as an effective inhibitor of bone destruction.