Safety and cardiovascular effects of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists for patients receiving hemodialysis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction Cardiovascular disease is an important factor in the mortality and morbidity of patients with end-stage renal disease receiving hemodialysis. Although mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists may have potential benefits on the cardiovascular system, their safety for patients on hemodialysis remains unclear, considering the differences between the results of already performed clinical trials. Methods MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, ClinicalTrials.gov and PubMed databases were searched for relevant clinical trials. The Cochrane Collaboration assessment tool was employed to evaluate the quality of the randomized controlled trials. Revman 5.3 was used to perform the meta-analysis. Results Eleven studies (n=379) were included in the systematic review and five randomized controlled trials were included in the meta-analysis (n=248). Mineralocorticoid antagonists (MRAs) did not increase predialysis potassium levels significantly (0.11, 95% confidence interval ?0.03 to 0.25, p?=?0.11). However, the studies included in this review reported inconsistently with respect to effects of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists on blood pressure, left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular hypertrophy, and quantitative analysis was not performed due to insufficient data. One trial showed that the mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists were associated with decreased carotid intima-media thickness and other articles concluded that mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists had no effect on aortic stiffness. Conclusion It is safe to use low dose mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists on patients receiving hemodialysis, at the end of each session of hemodialysis, and close monitoring of serum potassium levels and possible side effects is necessary. The cardiovascular actions still need to be explored and large scale RCTs are in progress.     

Risk factors for mortality in hemodialysis patients with COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundNew evidence from studies on risk factors for mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients with COVID-19 became available. We aimed to review the clinical risk factors for fatal outcomes in these patients.MethodsWe performed meta-analysis using the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases. A fixed- or random-effects model was used for calculating heterogeneity. We used contour-enhanced funnel plot and Egger’s tests to assess potential publication bias.ResultsTwenty-one studies were included. The proportion of males was lower in the survivor group than in the non-survivor group (OR = 0.75, 95% CI [0.61, 0.94]). The proportion of respiratory diseases was significantly lower in the survivor group than in the non-survivor group (OR = 0.42, 95% CI [0.29, 0.60]). The proportion of patients with fever, cough, and dyspnea was significantly lower in the survivor group (fever: OR = 0.53, 95% CI [0.31, 0.92]; cough: OR = 0.50, 95% CI [0.38, 0.65]; dyspnea: OR = 0.25, 95% CI [0.14, 0.47]) than in the non-survivor group. Compared with the non-survivor group, the survivor group had higher albumin and platelet levels and lower leucocyte counts.ConclusionsMale patients might have a higher risk of developing severe COVID-19. Comorbidities, such as respiratory diseases could also greatly influence the clinical prognosis of COVID-19. Clinical features, such as fever, dyspnea, cough, and abnormal platelet, leucocyte, and albumin levels, could imply eventual death. Our findings will help clinicians identify markers for the detection of high mortality risk in HD patients at an early stage of COVID-19.     

Effects of far infrared therapy on arteriovenous fistulas in hemodialysis patients: a meta-analysis

Background: Far infrared (FIR) therapy may have a beneficial effect on maturity and function of arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Therefore, we performed this pooled analysis to assess the protective effects of FIR therapy in HD patients.

Methods: The randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs of FIR therapy for HD patients were searched from multiple databases. Relevant studies were screened according to the predefined inclusion criteria. The meta-analyses were performed using RevMan 5.2 software (The Cochrane Collaboration, Oxford, UK).

Results: Meta-analysis showed that FIR therapy could significantly increase the vascular access blood flow level (MD, 81.69?ml/min; 95% CI, 46.17–117.21; p?p?p?p?p?Conclusions: FIR therapy can reduce AVFs occlusion rates and needling pain level, while significantly improve the level of vascular access blood flow, AVFs diameter and the primary AVFs patency.     

Effects of vitamin E-coated dialysis membranes on anemia,nutrition and dyslipidemia status in hemodialysis patients: a meta-analysis

Abstract

Background: This was controversial whether vitamin E-coated dialyzer therapy was beneficial for the complications associated with hemodialysis. Therefore, we performed this systematic review to evaluate the effects of vitamin E-coated dialyzer. Methods: Related trials were searched from multiple electronic databases. We conducted meta-analysis to assess changes in the predefined outcomes using RevMan 5.3 software. Results: Meta-analysis showed vitamin E-coated dialyzer therapy could decrease erythropoietin (EPO) resistance index (SMD, ?0.24; 95% CI, ?0.47 to ?0.01; p?=?0.04). However, pooled-analysis showed vitamin E-coated dialyzer therapy could not decrease weekly EPO dose (SMD, ?0.11; 95% CI, ?0.32 to 0.09; p?=?0.28) and intima–media thickness (IMT) of the carotid artery (MD, ?0.09; 95% CI, ?0.2 to 0.01; p?=?0.09), and vitamin E-coated dialyzer therapy did not improve the serum hemoglobin (MD, ?0.03; 95% CI, ?0.18 to 0.13; p?=?0.74), albumin levels (SMD, ?0.64; 95% CI, ?1.62 to 0.34; p?=?0.2), in addition, there was no significant difference in serum cholesterol (SMD, ?0.07; 95% CI, ?0.45 to 0.31; p?=?0.71), triglycerides (MD, ?2.77; 95% CI, ?32.42 to 26.87; p?=?0.85), high density lipoprotein (HDL) (SMD, 0.24; 95% CI, ?0.14 to 0.62; p?=?0.22) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) (SMD, 0.00; 95% CI, ?0.38 to 0.37; p?=?0.98) levels. Conclusions: Vitamin E-coated dialyzer may reduce the EPO resistance, but there is no conclusive evidence that vitamin E-coated dialyzer can improve the renal anemia, malnutrition, dyslipidemia and atherosclerosis status in hemodialysis (HD) patients. However, high-quality trials with hard clinical endpoints are required to fully elucidate the clinical value of vitamin E-coated dialyzer therapy.     

Efficacy of statins on renal function in patients with chronic kidney disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundStudies have shown that the use of statins could significantly improve lipid profiles; however, it remains controversial whether the use of statins could improve renal function in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the effects of statins on renal function in patients with CKD.MethodsWe systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library databases for eligible RCTs from inception to October 2020. Pooled effect estimates were assigned as weighted mean differences (WMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using the random-effects model.ResultsWe selected 33 RCTs that recruited 37,391 patients with CKD patients. The summary results suggested that statin use significantly reduced urinary albumin (WMD: −2.04; 95%CI: −3.53 to −0.56; p = .007) and protein (WMD: −0.58; 95%CI: −0.95 to −0.21; p = .002) excretions and increased creatinine clearance (WMD: 0.86; 95%CI: 0.32–1.41; p = .002). However, there were no significant differences between statin and control groups in terms of changes in estimated glomerular filtration rate (WMD: 0.38; 95%CI: −0.04 to 0.79; p = .075), and serum creatinine levels (WMD: −0.07; 95%CI: −0.25, 0.12; p = .475).ConclusionsWe found that statin use in patients with CKD may slow CKD progression by lowering urinary albumin and protein excretions or increasing creatinine clearance. Further large-scale RCTs should be conducted to evaluate the long-term effects of statins on renal outcomes. Abbreviations: CKD: chronic kidney disease; RCT: randomized controlled trials; WMD: weighted mean differences; CI: confidence intervals; ACEI: angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors; eGFR: estimated glomerular filtration rate     

Effects of vitamin E-coated dialyzer on oxidative stress and inflammation status in hemodialysis patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Vitamin E-coated dialyzer may have an effect on oxidative stress and inflammation status in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Therefore, we performed a systematic review to assess the anti-oxidation and anti-inflammatory effects of vitamin E-coated dialyzer in HD patients. Methods: The randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs of vitamin E-coated dialyzer versus conventional dialyzer for HD patients were searched from multiple databases. We screened relevant studies according to predefined inclusion criteria and performed meta-analyses using RevMan 5.1 software. Results: Meta-analysis showed vitamin E-coated dialyzer therapy could significantly decrease the serum thiobarbituric acid reacting substances (TBARS) (SMD, ?0.95; 95% CI, ?1.28 to ?0.61; p?p?=?0.005), interleukin-6 (IL-6) (SMD, ?0.65; 95% CI, ?0.97 to ?0.32; p?p?=?0.03) compared with that of the control group. However, vitamin E-coated dialyzer did not result in increasing the total antioxidant status (TAS) (SMD, 0.23; 95% CI, ?0.16 to 0.61; p?=?0.25) and the fractional clearance of urea index (Kt/v) levels (MD, ?0.07; 95% CI, ?0.14 to 0.00; p?=?0.06), in addition, there was no significant difference in plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD) level compared with that of the conventional dialyzer &; oral vitamin E group (SMD, 0.28; 95% CI, ?0.20 to 0.75; p?=?0.26). Conclusions: Vitamin E-coated dialyzer can reduce the oxidative stress and inflammation status reflected by the decreasing of serum TBARS, oxLDL, CRP, and IL-6 levels, and this new dialyzer does not affect the dialysis adequacy.     

The efficacy and safety of dutasteride and finasteride in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundAlthough the efficacy and safety of monotherapy in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) have been established clinically, the efficacy and safety of dutasteride and finasteride have not been compared. The aim was to systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of the two drugs in the treatment of BPH to provide medical evidence for clinical treatment.MethodsA search of relevant articles was conducted using the electronic databases PubMed, Embase, Medline, Cochrane Library, China Academic Journals Full-text Database (CJFD), Chinese Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP) and Wanfang Database. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the efficacy of finasteride (control group) with that of dutasteride (experimental group) in the treatment of BPH with respect to the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), the maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), prostate volume (PV), quality of life (QOL), serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level and adverse drug reactions (ADRs) after medication were strictly evaluated and considered for inclusion. Rev Man 5.4 software was used for the meta-analysis.ResultsA total of 8 RCTs were included, with a total of 2,116, patients. The meta-analysis showed that compared with finasteride, dutasteride can effectively improve the Qmax of patients with BPH [mean difference (MD) =0.32; 95% confidence interval (CI): (0.01, 0.63); P=0.04]. There was no significant difference in reducing IPSS [MD =0.13; 95% CI: (−0.55, 0.82); P=0.70], improving PV [MD =−1.25; 95% CI: (−3.30, 0.79); P=0.23], reducing QOL [MD =−0.44; 95% CI: (−0.93, 0.05); P=0.08] and serum PSA level [MD =−0.04; 95% CI: (−0.15, 0.07); P=0.50], and the occurrence of ADRs [relative risk (RR) =−0.01; 95% CI: (−0.05, 0.04); P=0.72], there was no significant difference.DiscussionDutasteride is better than finasteride in improving the Qmax of patients with BPH. There was no statistically significant difference in symptoms, PV, PSA, QOL, or adverse reactions. Dutasteride is an effective and safe treatment for BPH. Due to the limitations of the methodological quality and sample size of the included studies, this conclusion needs to be verified by stratified RCTS with high volumes and long follow-up times.     

Effect of peritoneal dialysis versus hemodialysis on renal anemia in renal in end-stage disease patients: a meta-analysis

The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the effect of peritoneal dialysis (PD) and hemodialysis (HD) on renal anemia (RA) in renal disease patients by a meta-analysis. Relevant studies published before June 2015 were searched. Pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to evaluate the effect of HD and PD on RA based on five indexes: hemoglobin, ferritin, transferrin saturation index, serum albumin, and parathyroid hormone. Sensitivity analysis and publication bias assessment were conducted to evaluate the stability and reliability of our results. A total of fourteen eligible studies with 1103 cases underwent HD and 625 cases underwent PD were used for this meta-analysis. There were no significant difference for levels of hemoglobin (SMD?=??0.23, 95% CI: ?0.74 to 0.28), ferritin (SMD?=?0.01, 95% CI: ?0.59 to 0.62), parathyroid hormone (SMD?=?0.11, 95% CI: ?1.53 to 1.75) and transferrin saturation index (SMD?=??0.06, 95% CI: ?0.67 to 0.56) between HD and PD group. However, the content of serum albumin in HD group was much more than that in PD group (SMD?=?1.58, 95% CI: 0.35 to 2.81). Neither of the included studies could reverse the pooled side effect and Egger’s test demonstrated no publication bias. Both of the two dialysis strategies have a similar effect on RA in renal disease patients.     

Efficacy and safety of percutaneous nephrolithotomy combined with negative pressure suction in the treatment of renal calculi: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundWith advances in medicine, there have been more and more ways to treat renal calculi in recent years. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is a safe and effective treatment. The purpose of this paper is to study the efficacy and safety of PCNL combined with negative pressure suction in the treatment of renal calculi by meta-analysis.MethodsThe PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Chinese Journal Full-Text Database, VIP, Wanfang Science and Technology Journal Full-Text Database, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Search databases were searched for articles related to the efficacy and safety of PCNL combined with negative pressure suction in the treatment of renal calculi from the establishment of the databases to October 2021. Endnote X9 software was first used to check and eliminate the articles, and the quality of the included articles were evaluated according to the risk of bias tool of Cochrane Collaboration. Stata 15.1 software was used to record the data. A meta-analysis was performed on the stone clearance rate, operation time, postoperative complications, postoperative fever, septic shock, intrapelvic pressure, and blood loss of PCNL combined with negative pressure suction in the treatment of renal calculi. The reliability of the results was assessed by a sensitivity analysis. Egger’s linear test was used to test the publication bias of the articles.ResultsA total of 10 articles were included in the meta-analysis, and the total sample size of the study was 820. The meta-analysis showed that when PCNL combined with negative pressure suction was used to treat renal calculi, the stone clearance rate and the occurrence of septic shock of the test group did not differ significantly from that of the control group; the incidence rate of postoperative complications、the operation time, the intraoperative bleeding and the postoperative fever of the test group was significantly better than that of the control group.DiscussionCompared to the group without negative pressure, PCNL reduces the operation time, postoperative complications, postoperative fever, septic shock, and intraoperative blood loss without increasing the risk of septic shock.     

Efficacy and safety of single port robotic radical prostatectomy and multiport robotic radical prostatectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundThe purpose of this study is to compare the clinical efficacy and safety of single port (SP) robot radical prostatectomy and multiport (MP) robot radical prostatectomy.MethodsUsing the China National Knowledge database, EMBASE, Cochrane library, PubMed, and other databases to obtain relevant research, SP robot radical prostatectomy and MP robot radical prostatectomy were comprehensively evaluated. The software used to evaluate the impact of the results in the selected articles was Review Manager 5.2. Deviation analysis, forest plot analysis, and sensitivity analysis were carried out for the collected data.ResultsA total of 7 related studies that met the criteria were finally included. The data showed that the operation time of MP in the control group was significantly longer than that in the SP group [mean difference (MD) =−13.29; 95% confidence interval (CI): (−17.35, −9.23); P<0.00001; I²=50%]. The duration of intensive care unit (ICU) stay for SP surgery was shorter than that for MP surgery [MD =−18.30; 95% CI: (−29.17, −7.42); P=0.0010; I²=94%]. The blood loss of SP surgery was less than that of MP surgery [MD =−15.54; 95% CI: (−28.37, −2.71); the total effective rate was 0.02; I²=0%]. There was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative complications between SP and MP surgery [risk ratio (RR) =0.95; 95% CI: (0.55, 1.63); P=0.85; I²=0%]. At the same time, the sensitivity analysis and funnel plot showed that this study was robust and publication bias was limited.DiscussionOur results show that SP robotic radical prostatectomy is superior to MP robotic radical prostatectomy in terms of efficacy and safety. SP robot radical prostatectomy is worthy of wide promotion.     

Prognostic factors in patients with spinal metastasis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Context

Incidence of symptomatic spinal metastasis has increased owing to improvement in treatment of the disease. One of the key factors that influences decision-making is expected patient survival. To our knowledge, no systematic reviews or meta-analysis have been conducted that review independent prognostic factors in spinal metastases.

The prevalence of frailty in patients on hemodialysis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

International Urology and Nephrology - Coexistence of frailty and hemodialysis is related to higher risk of hospitalization, falls and mortality. Given the potential reversibility of frailty,...     

Efficacy and safety of immunological checkpoint inhibitors combined with anti-angiogenic drugs in first-line treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundImmune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have shown promising results for the second-line treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). Several randomized controlled trials have so far also evaluated the efficacy of ICIs for first-line treatment of mRCC. In this study, we conducted a meta-analysis of relevant studies to further clarify the efficacy and safety of ICIs combined with anti-angiogenic drugs for the treatment of mRCC.MethodsWe searched the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane libraries for RCT trials of ICIs combined with anti-angiogenic drugs for first-line treatment of mRCC published before November 20, 2019. A meta-analysis was conducted based on methodological recommendations by the Cochrane Collaboration.ResultsFour articles with a total of 2,967 patients met the inclusion criteria. Our meta-analysis revealed that progression-free survival (PFS) and objective response rate (ORR) were significantly improved in the experimental group while there was no significant difference in overall survival (OS) (HR 0.75, 95% CI: 0.67–0.84; HR 1.43, 95% CI: 1.07–1.91; HR 0.74, 95% CI: 0.53–1.03). After stratification for PD-L1 expression, OS, PFS, and ORR of PD-L1 positive patients were significantly increased in the experimental group (HR 0.74, 95% CI: 0.56–0.96; HR 1.66, 95% CI: 1.11–2.49; HR 0.65, 95% CI: 0.57–0.75).ConclusionsImmunological checkpoint inhibitors combined with anti-angiogenic drugs as a first-line treatment for mRCC improve PFS and ORR. This effect is more pronounced in PD-L1 positive patients, where ICIs also improve OS. ICIs do not increase the incidence of adverse events.     

Albumin administration for fluid resuscitation in burn patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective

The objective was to systematically review the literature summarizing the effect on mortality of albumin compared to non-albumin solutions during the fluid resuscitation phase of burn injured patients.

非小细胞肺癌合并慢性阻塞性肺疾病患者围手术期综合管理有效性和安全性的系统评价及Meta分析

目的系统评价围手术期综合管理措施对非小细胞肺癌(non-small cell lung cancer,NSCLC)合并慢性阻塞性肺疾病(chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,COPD)患者的有效性及安全性。方法计算机检索PubMed、EMbase、The Cochrane Library、中国生物医学文献数据库、中国知网、万方数据库,纳入所有关于NSCLC合并COPD的临床研究。检索时间为数据库建库至2017年11月1日。由2位评价员独立筛选文献、提取资料并评价纳入研究的偏倚风险后,采用Rev Man 5.3和Stata 14.0软件进行Meta分析。结果共纳入20个研究1 079例NSCLC合并COPD患者。Meta分析结果表明:在肺功能方面,围手术期综合管理可改善患者第一秒用力呼气量(FEV1)、用力肺活量(FVC)、最大自主通气量(MVV)、预计术后一秒率(ppoFEV1%)、肺一氧化碳弥散量(DLCO)和第一秒用力呼气率(FEV1%),且与治疗前的差异有统计学意义[分别为:MD=–0.47,95%CI(–0.62,–0.32),P<0.000 01;MD=–0.17,95%CI(–0.22,–0.11),P<0.000 01;MD=–4.24,95%CI(–5.37,–3.11),P<0.000 01;MD=–7.54,95%CI(–8.33,–6.76),P<0.000 01;MD=–1.33,95%CI(–2.16,–0.50),P=0.002;MD=–6.93,95%CI(–9.45,–4.41),P<0.000 1],但一氧化碳弥散率(DLCO%)和最大负荷量通气(VEmax)方面差异无统计学意义[MD=–2.91,95%CI(–11.31,5.50),P=0.5;MD=0.18,95%CI(–2.23,2.58),P=0.89];在心功能方面,综合管理可改善患者最大摄氧量(VO2max)、6分钟步行距离(6MWD)和无氧阈值(AT),且与治疗前的差异有统计学意义[MD=–2.28,95%CI(–3.41,–1.15),P<0.000 1;MD=–57.77,95%CI(–77.90,–37.64),P<0.000 1;MD=–2.71,95%CI(–3.30,–2.12),P<0.000 1];和常规治疗相比,综合治疗可明显减少术后肺部短期并发症,明显缩短住院时间[OR=0.39,95%CI(0.26,0.58),P<0.000 01;MD=–2.38,95%CI(–3.86,–0.89),P=0.002]。结论围手术期综合管理可明显改善NSCLC合并COPD患者的肺功能,减少术后肺部短期并发症,缩短住院时间,具有良好的有效性及安全性。     

Efficacy and safety of local anaesthetics for premature ejaculation: a systematic review and meta-analysis

To assess the efficacy and safety of local anaesthetics for premature ejaculation (PE), a systematic review of the literature was performed using the Cochrane Library, PUBMED and EMBASE. We screened and retrieved the randomized controlled trials on the treatment of PE with local anaesthetics. End points included intravaginal ejaculation latency time (IELT), patient-reported outcome assessments and adverse events. Meta-analyses were conducted with Stata 11.0. In total, seven publications involving 566 patients with local anaesthetics and 388 with placebos strictly met our eligibility criteria. Meta-analyses showed that after the patients were treated with the local anaesthetics, the value of the standardized mean difference of the changes in IELT was 5.02 (95% CI: 3.03–7.00). A higher rate of adverse events occurred compared with placebos (odds ratio: 3.30, 95% CI: 1.71–6.36), but these events were restricted to local side effects. In addition, significantly greater improvement was observed in patient-reported outcomes. In summary, local anaesthetics can prolong IELT and improve ejaculatory control and sexual satisfaction.     

Risk factors for mortality in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

AimInconsistent investigations of the risk factors for all-cause mortality in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD) were reported. The present meta-analysis aimed to assess the impact of some clinical characteristics on the risk of mortality in PD patients.MethodsPubMed and Embase were systematically searched for studies evaluating the risk factors for all-cause mortality in PD patients. Hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were derived using a random-effect or fixed-effect model considering the heterogeneity across studies.ResultA total of 26 studies were included in this meta-analysis in accordance with the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Age, primary cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, and high level of alkaline phosphatase showed significant positive associations with elevated risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in PD patients, while hemoglobin acted as a benefit factor. Furthermore, early onset of peritonitis, high peritoneal transport status, elevated body mass index and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein could also considerably increase the risk of all-cause mortality. The absolute serum level of magnesium, potassium, and uric acid required to improve survival in PD patients should be verified further.ConclusionsMultiple factors could affect the risk of mortality in PD patients.     

Effects of allopurinol on renal function in patients with diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background/ObjectiveDiabetes mellitus is a common “non-gout” disease with high incidence. Several studies have shown that serum uric acid level in patients with diabetes is higher than that in healthy individuals, and is accompanied by severe albuminuria and high serum creatinine (Scr). Recent clinical studies have found that uric acid-lowering therapy (such as allopurinol) could reduce urinary albumin excretion rates (UAER) and Scr, increase eGFR, and thus reduce kidney damage in patients with diabetes. Therefore, this meta-analysis [PROSPERO CRD42021274465] intended to evaluate the efficacy and safety of allopurinol in patients with diabetes mellitus.MethodsWe thoroughly searched five electronic resource databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared the efficacy and safety of allopurinol versus conventional treatment or placebo for the treatment of patients with diabetes mellitus. Predetermined outcomes were considered continuous variables, mean difference (MD) was used for the determination of effect size (standardized mean difference [SMD] was used to determine the effect size when there were different evaluation criteria in different articles), and the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated. All outcome measures were analyzed using a random-effects model for data analysis.ResultsTen eligible trials with a total of 866 participants were included in the meta-analysis. Allopurinol was more effective in decreasing serum uric acid (SUA) levels compared with conventional treatment (p = 0.0001) or placebo (p < 0.00001). Moreover, the levels of 24-hour urine protein were significantly lower in the allopurinol group (p < 0.00001). The subgroup analysis of Scr showed that the Scr of patients with an allopurinol treatment duration of fewer than six months was significantly lower than that of the control group (p = 0.03). No significant difference in adverse events (AEs) was identified between the treatment and control groups.ConclusionsOur meta-analysis of RCTs showed that oral administration of allopurinol effectively reduced SUA levels in patients with diabetes, and patients’ renal function was protected. More RCTs with larger sample sizes and higher quality are needed to clarify the role of allopurinol use in decreasing blood pressure, maintaining blood glucose levels, and improving renal function in patients with diabetes.     

Risk factors for calciphylaxis in Chinese hemodialysis patients: a matched case-control study

IntroductionCalciphylaxis is a rare but potentially fatal disease commonly occurred in dialysis patients. Despite some previous studies on risk factors for calciphylaxis, there is still a lack of data from Chinese population.MethodsThe retrospective matched case–control study about calciphylaxis was performed in Zhongda Hospital affiliated to Southeast University. The case group involved 20 hemodialysis patients who were newly diagnosed with calciphylaxis from October 2017 to December 2018. The 40 noncalciphylaxis patients undergoing dialysis with the same age and duration of dialysis were randomly selected as controls.ResultsMost of calciphylaxis patients were male and elderly, while overweight people were more susceptible to the disease. Although incidence of secondary hyperparathyroidism was higher in calciphylaxis patients, the differences in duration of elevated serum intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) and its highest value did not reach statistical significance compared with controls. No significant difference in warfarin therapy was discernible between two groups. The univariate regression analysis indicated that male, score of use of activated vitamin D and its analogues, corrected serum calcium level, serum phosphate, Ca × P product, iPTH, albumin, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level were significantly associated with calciphylaxis. Elevated levels of serum phosphate (OR 4.584, p = 0.027) and ALP (OR 1.179, p = 0.036), decreased level of serum albumin (OR 1.330, p = 0.013) were independent risk factors after multivariate analysis.ConclusionThis is the first report of risk factors associated with calciphylaxis in China. Increased levels of serum phosphate and ALP, decreased level of serum albumin were vital high-risk factors for calciphylaxis in Chinese hemodialysis population.     

前白蛋白与维持性血液透析患者死亡的关系

目的探讨前白蛋白与维持性血液透析(MHD)患者死亡的关系。 方法回顾分析了2012年1月至2018年6月北京民航总医院行维持性血液透析(透析龄≥3月)的患者的一般情况、生化指标以及预后;以死亡患者为研究组,存活患者为对照组;以t检验、非参数检验、χ²检验将两组患者数据进行比较,并使用Logistic回归分析的方法分析与MHD患者全因死亡相关的危险因素。 结果①纳入研究患者325例,平均年龄(63.4±13.4)岁,透析龄64.0(41.5±98.5)月,存活组210例、死亡组115例,死亡原因主要包括感染(24%)、心血管疾病(17%)、脑血管疾病(16%)、恶液质(12%)、肿瘤(10%)等。②死亡组白蛋白、前白蛋白、血肌酐、尿素氮、血磷、全段甲状旁腺激素均明显低于存活组(P<0.05);CRP(Z＝－5.824)、透析龄(Z＝－2.827)及年龄(t＝7.672)明显高于存活组(P<0.05)。男性与女性的死亡率无明显差别(χ²＝0.274,P>0.05),糖尿病组与非糖尿病组死亡率具有明显差异(χ²＝7.230,P<0.05)。③多因素Logistic回归分析显示年龄、透析龄、是否合并糖尿病、白蛋白、前白蛋白与MHD患者死亡独立相关;白蛋白(OR＝0.854)及前白蛋白(OR＝0.983)是独立保护因素(P<0.05);增龄(OR＝1.046)、透析龄延长(OR＝1.012)、合并糖尿病(OR＝2.201)是独立危险因素(P<0.05)。④前白蛋白与白蛋白正相关(r＝0.609,P<0.001),前白蛋白与其他营养指标相关性比白蛋白强。 结论前白蛋白与白蛋白对MHD患者的死亡具有独立保护作用,在预测MHD患者死亡时至关重要。