Effects of incremental peritoneal dialysis with low glucose-degradation product neutral pH solution on clinical outcomes.

PURPOSE: Incremental peritoneal dialysis (IPD) could decrease unfavorable glucose exposure results and preserve (RKF). However, there is no standardization of dialysis prescriptions for patients undergoing IPD. We designed a prospective observational multi-center study with a standardized IPD prescription to evaluate the effect of IPD on RKF, metabolic alterations, blood pressure control, and adverse outcomes. METHODS: All patients used low GDP product (GDP) neutral pH solutions in both the incremental continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (ICAPD) group and the retrospective standard PD (sPD) group. IPD patients started treatment with three daily exchanges five days a week. Control-group patients performed four changes per day, seven days a week. RESULTS: A total of 94 patients (47 IPD and 47 sPD) were included in this study. The small-solute clearance and mean blood pressures were similar between both groups during follow-up. The weekly mean glucose exposure was significantly higher in sPD group than IPD during the follow-up (p < 0.001). The patients with sPD required more phosphate-binding medications compared to the IPD group (p = 0.05). The rates of peritonitis, tunnel infection, and hospitalization frequencies were similar between groups. Patients in the sPD group experienced more episodes of hypervolemia compared to the IPD group (p = 0.007). The slope in RKF in the 6th month was significantly higher in the sPD group compared to the IPD group (65% vs. 95%, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: IPD could be a rational dialysis method and provide non-inferior dialysis adequacy compared to full-dose PD. This regimen may contribute to preserving RKF for a longer period.

Outcomes of early-start peritoneal dialysis (PD) and the comparison with urgent-start hemodialysis and conventional-start PD.

BACKGROUND: Limited data in the literature is comparing early-start peritoneal dialysis (PD), urgent-start hemodialysis (HD) with the jugular central venous catheter (CVC), and conventional-start PD. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted with 148 patients with early-start PD, 104 patients with conventional-start PD, and 100 patients with urgent-start HD. Early-start PD was defined as catheter break-in time between 3 and 14 days. RESULTS: The occurrence of dialysate-leakage was similar between PD groups (p = 0.1). Bleeding at the catheter site was detected in 8 (2.3%) patients with CVC. There was no significant difference in catheter dysfunction and revision. PD groups had statistically similar peritonitis rates (p = 0.5). 19% (19/100) of patients suffered CVC-related bloodstream infection and one patient died due to septic shock. Technique survival was significantly higher at early-start PD than the conventional-start PD at 6 months (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Initiating early-start PD is comparable with conventional-start PD, and it may be an alternative dialysis modality to avoid bloodstream infections in suitable patients.

Metastatic spondylodiscitis in central venous catheter related bloodstream infections in hemodialysis patients: Risk factors and prognosis.

BACKGROUND: Infection is one of the most common causes of death in hemodialysis patients. Catheter infections are among the most common infections in this patient group. Spondylodiscitis which has a high incidence in ESRD is more commonly encountered in patients with CVCs compared to AVF. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the frequency and risk factors of spondylodiscitis in catheter-related bloodstream infections in hemodialysis patients. METHODS: In total, 1620 patients were screened and 42 male and 35 female patients with central catheter infection with a mean age of 65.8 ± 14.9 years were included in this study. Patients with metastatic infections secondary to CVC related bloodstream infections were determined. The diagnosis of spondylodiscitis was based on clinical information, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and vertebral cultures. RESULTS: Metastatic infection due to catheter infection was observed in 15 patients (19.5%). In the regression analysis, CRP level and RRT time were found to be significantly correlated with the development of metastatic infection. Spondylodiscitis was the most common subtype of metastatic infections (8/15). The presence of lumbar hernia was associated with increased risk of metastatic spondylodiscitis in case of catheter infection in hemodialysis patients. The only factor associated with resistance to medical treatment was the time from admission to diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Patients with long RRT time and high blood CRP levels on admission should be closely monitored for metastatic infection in patients with CVC related bloodstream infections. Screening for spondylodiscitis with CT or MRI should be performed in patients with symptoms, since early diagnosis may prevent the development of possible neurological deficits and treatment resistance.

Evaluation of Dynapenia and Sarcopenia and Their Associations With Serum Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 Levels in Renal Transplant Recipients.

OBJECTIVES: Dynapenia and sarcopenia are related to increased morbidity and mortality in the general population. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) causes sarcopenia and dynapenia with different mechanisms. The aim of this study is to compare the muscle parameters in renal transplant recipients to CKD patients and patients without kidney disease and assess their associations with serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels. METHOD: In total, 120 renal transplant recipients (mean age: 40.4 ± 10.5 years), 60 CKD patients (mean age: 41.9 ± 11.4 years), and 60 control subjects with normal kidney function (mean age: 38.8 ± 9.9 years) were enrolled. Body mass index, hand grip strength, bioelectrical impedance analysis, 6-minute walking test, and serum IGF-1 level were measured and compared between groups. Muscle parameters were evaluated according to The Foundation for the National Institutes of Health Biomarkers Consortium Sarcopenia Project criteria. RESULTS: IGF-1 levels were highest in the renal transplantation group and lowest in the control group (P = .029). In total, 12.5% of patients in the renal transplantation group (13.3% overweight, 20% obese), 11.6% in the CKD group, and 1.6% in the control group had dynapenia (P = .015). In addition, 8.3% of patients in the CKD group, 3.3% in the renal transplantation group (50% overweight), and none of the patients in the control group had sarcopenia (P = .054). In multivariate analyses, muscle strength was associated with IGF-1 levels in renal transplant recipients (beta = 2.314, t = 3.456, P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: Serum IGF-1 is closely associated with muscle strength in renal transplant recipients. The negative effects of CKD on muscle system cannot be completely resolved with renal transplantation. Sarcopenic obesity and dynapenic obesity need special attention and therefore body mass index cannot be used as the only parameter to evaluate frailty in renal transplant recipients.

FGF23, NGAL, and Endostatin: the Predictors of Allograft Function in Renal Transplant Recipients.

OBJECTIVES: Increased circulating levels of fibroblast growth factor 23, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, and endostatin are independent risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Here, we evaluated correlations among these parameters and graft dysfunction and their relation with arterial stiffness. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study included 73 maintenance kidney transplant patients with stable allograft function who had received the transplant at least 36 months previously. We calculated the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Pulsewave velocity was determined. Serum levels of fibroblast growth factor 23, neutrophil gelatinaseassociated lipocalin, and endostatin were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Demographic characteristics and pulse-wave velocity values were similar in groups 1 and 2 (GFR < 60 and > 60 mL/min, respectively). Mean levels of fibroblast growth factor 23 (P = .036), neutrophil gelatinaseassociated lipocalin (P = .018), and endostatin were significantly higher in group 1. Fibroblast growth factor 23 was negatively correlated with eGFR (r = -0.267, P = .023) and positively correlated with neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (r = 0.258, P = .036) and endostatin (r = 0.321, P = .006). Serum endostatin levels were positively correlated with pulse-wave velocity (r = 0.276, P = .019). In linear regression analysis, eGFR was detected as the unique predictor of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (P = .001). In addition, each 1 mL/min decrease in eGFR resulted in a 0.281 pg/mL increase in fibroblast growth factor 23 (P = .023) and a 0.04 ng/mL increase in neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (P = .007); each 1 cm/s increase in pulse-wave velocity resulted in a 3648.7 U/L increase of endostatin (P = .019). CONCLUSIONS: All 3 parameters were associated with loss of graft function in kidney transplant recipients. Moreover, endostatin can be used as an independent predictor for cardiovascular morbidity in this population.

Iloprost as an acute kidney injury-triggering agent in severely atherosclerotic patients.

BACKGROUND: Iloprost, a stable prostacyclin analog, is used as a rescue therapy for severe peripheral arterial disease (PAD). It has systemic vasodilatory and anti-aggregant effects, with severe vasodilatation potentially causing organ ischaemia when severe atherosclerosis is the underlying cause. In this study, we retrospectively analysed renal outcomes after iloprost infusion therapy in 86 patients. METHODS: Eighty-six patients with PAD who received iloprost infusion therapy were retrospectively analysed. Clinical and biochemical parameters were recorded before (initial, Cr1), during (third day, Cr2), and after (14th day following the termination of infusion therapy, Cr3) treatment. Acute kidney injury (AKI) was defined according to KDIGO guidelines as a ≥ 0.3 mg/dl (26.52 µmol/l) increase in creatinine levels from baseline within 48 hours. RESULTS: Cr2 (1.46 ± 0.1 mg/dl) (129.06 ± 8.84 µmol/l) and Cr3 (1.53 ± 0.12 mg/dl) (135.25 ± 10.61 µmol/l) creatinine levels were significantly higher compared to the initial value (1.15 ± 0.6 mg/dl) (101.66 ± 53.04 µmol/l). AKI was observed in 36 patients (41.86%) on the third day of iloprost infusion. Logistic regression analysis revealed smoking and not using acetylsalicylic acid as primary predictors (p = 0.02 and p = 0.008, respectively) of AKI during iloprost treatment. On the third infusion day, patients' urinary output significantly increased (1813.30 ± 1123.46 vs 1545.17 ± 873.00 cm3) and diastolic blood pressure significantly decreased (70.07 ± 15.50 vs 74.14 ± 9.42 mmHg) from their initial values. CONCLUSION: While iloprost treatment is effective in patients with PAD who are not suitable for surgery, severe systemic vasodilatation can cause renal ischaemia, resulting in nonoliguric AKI. Smoking, no acetylsalicylic acid use, and lower diastolic blood pressure are the clinical risk factors for AKI during iloprost treatment.