Outcome and predictive factors of acute renal failure in the intensive care unit

The development of acute renal failure (ARF) in the ICU setting carries a high morbidity and mortality. To assess the outcomes and its predictive factors in our ICU, we analyzed the data of patients with ARF treated during 18 months. The 33 patients included 21 men and 12 women of mean age 51 +/- 21.7 years (13 to 87). Sepsis with multi-organ dysfunction (MOD) was the leading cause of ARF (58%). Comorbid conditions were malignancy in 30% of patients, diabetes mellitus in 24%, hypertension in 21%, ischemic heart disease in 21%, liver disease in 15%, and chronic renal failure in 15%. Predisposing factors were hypotension in 67% of cases, dehydration in 36%, drug related in 33%, congestive heart failure in 24%, and liver cirrhosis in 6%. Twenty-five (76%) patients needed mechanical ventilation, 22 (67%) were anuric, 18 (55%) had MODS, and 15 (45%) needed inotropic support. Length of stay in hospital was 27.2 +/- 28.0 days (2 to 94). Nineteen patients (58%) were managed conservatively and 14 (42%) by renal replacement therapy. Patient mortality was 67% and renal mortality 52%. The impact of the following factor: was assessed on patient and renal outcome was assessed ventilation support, presence of oliguria, need for inotropes, and presence of MOD. Patient mortality was significantly influenced by an elevated odds ratios (OR) (95% CI): mechanical ventilation [OR = 34 (95% CI 1.95 to 538)], and presence of MODS [OR = 12.3 (95% CI 2 to 75)]. Renal mortality was influenced by mechanical ventilation [OR = 12.3 (95% CI 1.6 to 119)], oliguria [OR = 12 (95% CI 2 to 72)], inotrope support [OR = 10 (95% CI 2 to 52), and MOD [OR = 35 (95% CI 3.5 to 35.0)]. This study confirms the high patient and renal mortality of ARF among patients to ICU. The four parameters were excellent predictors of renal outcome, while only the need for mechanical ventilation and the presence of MOD were predictors for patient survival.     

Twelve years experience of acute renal failure in Taiwan

Summary: A retrospective analysis of the records of 287 patients diagnosed with acute renal failure (ARF) who were admitted between 1 January 1983 and 30 November 1994 to the emergency Service Department of the National Taiwan University Hospital, Taiwan was conducted. A total of 176 men (61.3%) and 111 women (38.7%) were surveyed. the classification of ARF by year revealed a progressive increase in case numbers. the majority (57.5%) of the patients were elderly, particularly in the years 1987-88 and 1993-94, the differences (aged compared with the young) being statistically significant. There were 176 patients (61.3%) in the pre-renal group (with evident intravascular volume depletion, haemodynamic instability or sepsis, with a urine excretion of sodium (FE_Na<1%), 43 (15%) in the renal group (urine analysis revealing protenuria, granular casts or/and tubular epithelial casts and without response to treatment of volume repletion), and 27 (9.4%) in the postrenal group (diagnosed when there were supporting image studies). Overall mortality was 63% and the pre-renal ARF patients had the poorest survival rate (25.6%). the classification of mortality rates by diagnostic category and year revealed a persistently high mortality rate. We conclude that: there are increasing patients with ARF each year; aged patients comprise the majority of cases; and the mortality rate remains high because of the high mortality rate of the pre-renal group, which was due to the presence of complicating underlying diseases and concomitant organ failure. the effects of having an ageing population were also apparent.     

Long-term outcome after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in patients with chronic renal failure with and without diabetic nephropathy

OBJECTIVE: Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) in patients on maintenance hemodialysis leads to high rates of restenosis and postinterventional complications. The additional influence of diabetes mellitus on the results of PTCA in patients with diabetic nephropathy and reduced but sufficient renal function has not been investigated before. METHODS: In a retrospective case-control study, 51 patients with reduced renal function were compared to 71 matched controls. Patients with elevated creatinine values were divided in two subgroups: diabetic nephropathy (diabetes, n = 15) and stable renal insufficiency (renal failure, n = 36). RESULTS: The control group had normal renal function (creatinine: 1.0 +/- 0.01) and a mean survival time of 3.6 +/- 0.8 years. Patients with renal failure showed a mean survival time of 2.7 +/- 0.3 years (p < 0.001), creatinine values of 2.0 +/- 0.2 and elevated fibrinogen values of 401 +/- 28 (p < 0.01). Patients with diabetes (creatinine: 2.2 +/- 0.2) had a significantly higher mortality rate with a reduced mean survival time of 1.25 +/- 0.3 years (p < 0.001), postinterventional acute renal failure (n = 2, p < 0.01) and Re-PTCA (n = 2, p < 0.05). DISCUSSION: Patients with reduced but stable renal function showed a higher mortality than comparable patients from the control group. The group of patients with diabetic nephropathy has a poor prognosis after PTCA even though renal function was only moderately reduced.     

Case of fulminant type 1 diabetes mellitus complicated with acute renal failure treated with continuous hemodiafiltration

A 50-year-old male patient developed diabetic ketoacidosis with shock, acute renal failure treated with continuous hemodiafiltration (CHDF) and high serum CPK levels. Because of acute onset of ketoacidosis accompanied with an elevation of serum amylase, and negative findings of antibodies associated with autoimmune type 1 diabetes mellitus, he was diagnosed as a fulminant type 1 diabetes mellitus, which is a newly established subtype of type 1 diabetes mellitus. We managed to keep blood glucose concentrations within 150-200 mg x dl(-1) with continuous insulin intravenous infusion, and controlled circulation with dopamine. Since the blood glucose on admission was extremely high (1,870 mg x dl(-1)), the severe dehydration due to extreme hyperglycemia might have caused acute renal failure (ARF) and rhabdomyolysis. He was treated with CHDF for them. In a case of fulminant type 1 diabetes mellitus complicated with ARF early intensive support including CHDF for ARF must be considered in addition to intensive insulin therapy.     

Profound accidental hypothermia treated with peritoneal dialysis

In five women and two men, profound accidental hypothermia--core temperature on admission 24-28 degrees C--was treated with peritoneal dialysis. In two cases 16 gauge intravenous catheters were used, without difficulty, for the dialysis. Six of the seven patients were intoxicated by hypnotics, and four also by alcohol. Two patients died--one 38 hours after admission due to acute myoglobinuric renal failure arising from gangrene of an arm, and the other after 71 hours, due to cerebral herniation. The remaining five patients recovered without cerebral sequelae. Peritoneal dialysis is a useful procedure for rewarming patients with profound accidental hypothermia.     

Pattern of acute renal failure in a tertiary hospital in the United Arab Emirates

Acute renal failure (ARF) is a challenging problem in nephrology. To evaluate the pattern, management and outcome of ARF in our tertiary hospital, we analyzed the data of all 81 patients admitted with or developing ARF in hospital between January 2002 and June 2003. The 45 men and 36 women of mean age 56.2 +/- 21 (range 13 to 91) years were managed either on the ward (n = 48; 59%) and or in the ICU (n = 33; 41%) 10% were direct admissions to the nephrology service with ARF, and 90% developed ARF in hospital. Thirty percent were referred by oncology services and 15% by general medicine. Sepsis was the cause of ARF in 36 (44%) patients, followed by drug nephrotoxicity in 11 (14%), and obstructive uropathy in 9 (11%). Comorbid conditions were hypertension in 28 (35%); diabetes in 27 (33%); chronic renal failure, 19 (23%); ischemic heart disease 19 (23%); and liver disease 12 (15%). The most common predisposing factor was hypotension in 42 (52%), dehydration in 32 (40%), and drug nephrotoxicity in 20 (25%). Sixty patients (74%) were managed conservatively, and 21 (26%) required renal replacement therapy. The length of hospital stay was 29.5 +/- 38.4 (range 2 to 279) days. Patient survival for those managed on the ward was 71% compared to 33% for ICU patients (P <.00001). Renal survival was 83% for ward patients, compared to 48% for those in the ICU (P <.001). This study showed that majority of ARF developed in-hospital with oncology patients constituting the greatest proportion. Sepsis was the leading cause of ARF and hypotension, the main predisposing factor. Patients treated in the ICU showed a worse prognosis for both patient and renal survival.     

Acute renal failure in the elderly: particular characteristics

Elderly individuals comprise the faster growing patient population group and acute renal failure (ARF) is quite common among them, although exact numbers are not known. We reviewed the literature with regards to the characteristics of ARF in elderly patients and describe some useful guidelines. The ageing kidney is characterized by many structural and functional changes, which are mainly due to various chronic disorders, such as hypertension, diabetes and atherosclerosis, which are highly prevalent in these patients. A number of structural and functional changes characteristic of the ageing kidney make elderly people especially prone to renal damage. ARF in the elderly is frequently of multifactorial origin and often with an atypical presentation, like the “intermediate syndrome”, which combines characteristics of pre-renal azotemia and acute tubular necrosis. Physical examination and laboratory blood and urine indices may sometimes be misleading occasionally leading to misdiagnosis. Prophylaxis remains the preferred approach to therapy: one should avoid nephrotoxic drugs and poly-pharmacy, adjust drug doses and achieve adequate hydration of the patient as cautiously as possible. Dialysis therapies can be used for treatment of ARF irrespective of age and carry a good prognosis.     

Exacerbated inflammatory response induced by insulin-like growth factor I treatment in rats with ischemic acute renal failure

In agreement with recent studies showing a deleterious effect of growth hormone treatment in critically ill patients, preliminary data showed that insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) administration increased the mortality rate of rats with ischemic acute renal failure (ARF). The present study was designed to investigate the mechanism responsible for this unexpected effect. Male rats with ischemic ARF were given subcutaneous IGF-I, 50 microg/100 g at 0, 8, and 16 h after reperfusion (ARF+IGF-I, n = 5) or were untreated (ARF, n = 5). A group of 5 sham-operated rats were used as controls. Rats were killed 48 h after declamping, and the following studies were performed: in serum, creatinine and urea nitrogen; and in kidneys, histologic damage score, cellular proliferation by bromodeoxyuridine labeling, apoptosis by morphologic criteria, macrophage infiltration by immunohistochemistry using a specific antibody against ED-1, neutrophil infiltration by naphthol AS-D chloroacetate esterase staining, and levels of IGF-I and IGF-I receptor mRNA by RNase protection assay. ARF and ARF+IGF-I groups had a severe and similar degree of renal failure. Kidney damage was histologically more evident in ARF+IGF-I (1.9 +/- 0.1) than in ARF (1.3 +/- 0.2) rats, and the number of neutrophils/mm(2) of tissue was significantly greater in ARF+IGF-I than in ARF rats at the corticomedullary junction (52.3 +/- 5.2 versus 37.2 +/- 4.1) as well as at the renal medulla (172.5 +/- 30.0 versus 42.1 +/- 9.6). No other differences between the groups were found. It is concluded that IGF-I treatment enhanced the inflammatory response in rats with ischemic ARF. Cell toxicity derived from increased neutrophil accumulation might play a key role in the greater mortality risk of critically ill patients that are treated with growth hormone.     

Predictors of mortality in elderly patients with acute renal failure in a developing country

This prospective study was undertaken to systematically analyze the predictors of mortality in the elderly in a developing country. All elderly patients with ARF hospitalized at this tertiary care centre over 1 year were studied. Various predictors analyzed were hospital-acquired ARF, causative factors of ARF, preexisting hypertension and diabetes mellitus, severity of renal failure (initial and peak serum creatinine, need for dialysis), and complications of ARF: infection during the course of illness; serum albumin levels and critical illness defined as presence of two or more organ system failures excluding renal failure. Of 33,301 patients admitted, 4,255 (12.7%) were elderly. Of these 69 (1.6%) had ARF. On analysis of the whole group, both young and elderly, age >60 years had an independent predictor of mortality (odds ratio 5.6, P = 0.001). Forty-two of the 69 (60.9%) elderly ARF patients died. The mortality was significantly increased in those elderly with hospital-acquired ARF (79.2%, P = 0.027), those with sepsis as a cause of ARF (71.2%, P = 0.004), those who required dialysis (72.5%, P = 0.022), those developing an infection during the course of ARF (87.9%, P = 0.000) and in those with a critical illness (90.0%, P = 0.00). On logistic regression analysis of those variables that were significant on univariate analysis, only critical illness (odds ratio 9.97) and infection during course (odds ratio 9.72) were the independent predictors of mortality. To conclude, ARF complicates only 1.6% of hospitalized elderly patients but is associated with a high mortality rate of 61%. Infection during the course of illness and critical illness were the independent predictors of mortality.     

Renal failure in the ICU: comparison of the impact of acute renal failure and end-stage renal disease on ICU outcomes

BACKGROUND: Acute renal failure (ARF) is associated with a persistent high mortality in critically ill patients in intensive care units (ICUs). Most studies to date have focused on patients with established, intrinsic ARF or relatively severe ARF due to multiple factors. None have examined outcomes of dialysis-dependent chronic renal failure [end-stage renal disease (ESRD)] patients in the ICU. We examined the incidence and outcomes of ARF in the ICU using a standard definition and compared these to outcomes of ICU patients with either ESRD or no renal failure. We sought to determine the impact of renal dysfunction and/or loss of organ function on outcome. METHODS: We prospectively scored 1530 admissions to eight ICUs over a 10-month period for illness severity at ICU admission using the Acute Physiological and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE III) evaluation tool. Patients were defined as having ARF based on the definition of Hou et al (Am J Med 74:243-248,1983) designed to detect significant measurable declines in renal function based on serum creatinine. ESRD patients were identified as being chronically dialysis-dependent prior to ICU admission and the remainder had no renal failure. Clinical characteristics at ICU admission and ICU and hospital outcomes were compared between the three groups. RESULTS: We identified 254 cases of ARF, 57 cases of ESRD and 1219 cases of no renal failure for an incidence of ARF of 17%. Roughly half the ARF patients had ARF at ICU admission and the remainder developed ARF during their ICU stay. Only 11% of ARF patients required dialysis support. ARF patients had significantly higher acute illness severity scores than those with no renal failure, whereas patients with ESRD had intermediate severity scores. ICU mortality was 23% for patients with ARF, 11% for those with ESRD, and 5% for those with no renal failure. There was no difference in outcome between patients who had ARF at ICU admission and those who developed ARF in the ICU. Patients with ARF severe enough to require dialysis had a mortality of 57%. APACHE III predicted outcome very well in patients with no renal failure and patients with ARF at the time of scoring but underpredicted mortality in those who developed ARF after ICU admission and overestimated mortality in patients with ESRD. CONCLUSIONS: ARF is common in ICU patients and has a persistent negative impact on outcomes, although the majority of ARF is not severe enough to require dialysis support. The mortality of patients with ARF from all causes is almost exactly similar to that noted using the same criteria two decades ago. More profound ARF requiring dialysis continues to have an even greater mortality. Nevertheless, acute declines in renal function are associated with a mortality that is not well explained simply by loss of organ function. The majority of ARF patients who did not require dialysis still had a considerably higher mortality than the ESRD patients, all of whom required dialysis; while ARF patients who did require dialysis had a much higher morality than ESRD patients. APACHE III performs well and captures the mortality of patients with ARF at the time of scoring. Development of ARF after scoring has a profound effect on standardized mortality. We were unable to identify a unique mortality associated with ARF, but the presence of measurable renal insufficiency continues to be a sensitive marker for poor outcome.     

Does cyclosporine have a beneficial effect on the course of chronic hepatitis C infection after renal transplantation?

The aim of our study was to assess the long-term liver histology in renal transplant patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) who were treated with a cyclosporine-based regimen. Among 55 anti-HCV+/RNA+ patients, liver biopsies (LB) were requested every 3 to 4 years after transplantation: two LBs (n=55); three LBs (n=44); four LBs (n=10). Overall, the rate of liver fibrosis progression was 0.07+/-0.03 Metavir U/y. Only three patients out of 55 (5.4%) developed cirrhosis. Liver fibrosis remained stable throughout follow-up in 21 patients; increased in 21 patients; and improved in the remaining 13 patients. The incidence of posttransplant diabetes mellitus was low (9%). We concluded that HCV infection is not harmful to liver histology in more than 50% of renal transplant patients with grafts functioning more than 6 years. Cyclosporine might have beneficial effects on the natural course of HCV infection after renal transplantation.     

Acute renal failure with lactic acidosis

This study examined the acid base disturbances in 18 adults with acute renal failure (ARF) from one of new aspects, which is lactate metabolism and pathophysiology. 10 patients (55%) of them were accompanied by lactic acidosis and 9 patients (90%) of those with lactic acidosis also had severe hepatic failure. Mortality of patients with lactic acidosis was 80%, and much higher than that of ARF (66.7%). Lactate, pyruvate, lactate-to-pyruvate ratio (L/P) were 76.7 +/- 15.66 mg/dl, 3.30 +/- 0.74 mg/dl and 19.9 +/- 1.41, respectively. All of them significantly raised, compared to values of healthy adults, patients with liver cirrhosis, chronic renal failure and diabetes mellitus. Arterial pH and HCO3- levels were 7.20 +/- 0.04 and 10.6 +/- 1.20 mEq/l. Anion gap (AG) was 30.0 +/- 3.66 mEq/l. Significant correlations of lactate with pH, HCO3-, AG and L/P were demonstrated, while correlations of lactate with BUN, CR and prothrombin time were not significantly observed. Lactic acidosis results from two mechanisms. One is lactate overproduction (e.g tissue hypoxia) and the other is lactate underutilization (e.g severe liver and/or renal failure). Whenever lactic acidosis occurred, both mechanisms were present simultaneously and continuously. Especially, the latter mechanism had a very important role on it, and seemed to decide the prognosis of the patients with lactic acidosis. Therapy of lactic acidosis was very difficult. First of all, we tried to improve the circulatory failure and severe acidemia (pH less than 7.20) not to fall into vicious cycle. Then, CAVH, if combined with alkali infusion, seemed to be the most useful technique in managing lactic acidosis with ARF.     

Acute renal failure in severely burned patients

Acute renal failure (ARF) is a well known complication of severe burns and is an important factor leading to an increase in mortality. In order to analyze possible pathogenetic and prognostic factors associated with ARF in burned patients we reviewed in a retrospective study the files of 328 patients with burns > 10% body surface area (BSA), admitted to our burn unit between 01.01.94 and 01.05.98. We found 48 patients with acute renal failure corresponding with an incidence of 14.6%. Patients with ARF had a mean burned surface area of 48% (13-95) and an abbreviated burn severity index score (ABSI) of 9.8 (4-15). Thirty eight (79%) of these patients had an inhalation injury diagnosed. Renal insufficiency was divided in a late and an early form depending on its time of onset and we found 15 (31%) patients with ARF occurring within the first 5 days of the hospital stay and 33 (69%) patients with ARF developing >5 days following the thermal injury. The incidence of myoglobinuria and hypotension during the resuscitation phase was significantly higher in the group with early ARF, whereas patients with late ARF presented sepsis more frequently than patients with early occurring renal failure. Accordingly, potential nephrotoxic antibiotics were administered more often in patients with late ARF. Patients with ARF were treated by continuous arteriovenous hemofiltration (CAVH) for a mean period of 10.5 days (1-47) and CAVH was associated with a complication rate of 10%. Most of the complications were associated with the vascular access in the femoral artery. The mortality rate in patients with ARF was 85% and death was due to multiple organ failure in 83% of the cases. Only burned BSA and inhalation injury proved to be significantly correlated with the development of ARF, whereas age, third degree burn or electric injury were not significantly different between the two groups. Neither age, TBSA, day of onset of ARF nor duration of the renal replacement therapy proved to be significantly different comparing survivors with non-survivors, and thus predictive for the survival rate.     

Acute renal failure after cadaveric related liver transplantation

Acute renal failure (ARF) is a frequent medical complication after liver transplantation (LT). We analyzed cadaveric related liver transplant recipients who had developed ARF early in the postoperative course. Between January 1982 and August 2003, a total of 67 patients underwent cadaveric related LT. Their mean age was 28.64 years at LT. The 67 recipients had the following indications: biliary atresia (n = 17), Wilson's disease (n = 15), hepatitis B-related liver cirrhosis (n = 14), hepatitis C-related liver cirrhosis (n = 4), primary biliary cirrhosis (n = 4), hepatitis B-related liver cirrhosis with hepatoma (n = 3), hepatitis C-related liver cirrhosis with hepatoma (n = 2), Budd-Chiari syndrome (n = 2), neonatal hepatitis (n = 1), choledochus cyst (n = 1), autoimmune cirrhosis (n = 1), neuroendocrine tumor (n = 1), and hemangioendothelioma (n = 1). Forty-nine patients received cyclosporine (CsA), azathioprine, and steroids and 18, a combination with tacrolimus (FK506). Eight (11.94%) patients developed ARF at a mean time of 17.25 days after LT. The mean peak serum creatinine was 2.24 mg%. Four of these patients had a diagnosis of hepatitis B-related liver cirrhosis; two, hepatitis C-related liver cirrhosis; one, primary biliary cirrhosis; and one, hepatitis B-related liver cirrhosis with hepatoma. The ARF etiology was multifactorial for the majority of patients. Eight ARF patients had a history of liver cirrhosis, which may be a risk factor for intraoperative ARF. ARF treatment included fluid replacement, decreased or altered immunosuppressive agents, avoiding exposure to nephrotoxic drugs, and adjusting antibiotic dosages. The majority of patients returned to normal renal function at 1 to 3 weeks after the diagnosis of ARF. No patient required dialysis and/or experienced a mortality. We conclude that the incidence of ARF is relatively low and with good outcomes. ARF etiology was multifactorial for the majority of patients, but eight patients had a history of liver cirrhosis, which may be a risk factor for intraoperative ARF. We suggest that in the early postoperative period of LT cases diagnosis and treatment of ARF are important.     

肝移植后并发他克莫司不良反应者的西罗莫司单药转换治疗14例

目的 总结出现钙调磷酸酶抑制剂(CNI)相关并发症的患者采用西罗莫司(SRL)单药转换治疗的体会.方法 肝移植患者14例,其中因CNI类药物致肾功能受损而行转换治疗者13例,因移植后血糖升高而行转换治疗者1例.转换治疗前,患者采用他克莫司(Tac)和糖皮质激素预防排斥反应,部分患者还加用霉酚酸酯.进行转换治疗后,初次给予SRL 4 mg/d;1周内给予SRL 1～2 mg/d,同时Tac的用量减至原来的一半;治疗1周后,根据血SRL浓度调整其剂量,维持血SRL浓度谷值为5～10μg/L,于转换治疗后1～2周完全撤除Tac.观察患者转换治疗后并发症的改善情况,肾功能、肝功能和急性排斥反应的发生情况及药物不良反应等.结果 转换治疗前,13例肾功能受损者的血肌酐为(158.3±41.6)μmol/L,随访结束时降低到(103.7±21.2)μmol/L;另1例血糖升高者在转换治疗后血糖得到有效控制,胰岛素用量由转换前的80 IU/L减少至24 IU/L.转换治疗后6个月内,14例中有2例(14.3%)发生急性排斥反应,治疗后均逆转.随访过程中,4例出现血脂升高,4例出现贫血或血小板减少,5例出现溃疡型口疮,但无患者因SRL不良反应而终止转换治疗.结论 肝移植术后出现CNI相关并发症的患者可以采用SRL单药转换治疗.     

Spectrum of acute renal failure in the intensive care unit: the PICARD experience

BACKGROUND: Acute renal failure (ARF) in the critically ill is associated with extremely high mortality rates. Understanding the changing spectrum of ARF will be necessary to facilitate quality improvement efforts and to design successful interventional trials. METHODS: We conducted an observational cohort study of 618 patients with ARF in intensive care units at five academic medical centers in the United States. Participants were required to sign (or have a proxy sign) informed consent for data collection. A comprehensive data collection instrument captured more than 800 variables, most on a daily basis, throughout the course of ARF. Patient characteristics, dialysis status, and major outcomes were determined and stratified by clinical site. RESULTS: The mean age was 59.5 years, 41% were women, and 20% were of minority race or ethnicity. There was extensive comorbidity; 30% had chronic kidney disease, 37% had coronary artery disease, 29% had diabetes mellitus, and 21% had chronic liver disease. Acute renal failure was accompanied by extrarenal organ system failure in most patients, even those who did not require dialysis. Three hundred and ninety-eight (64%) patients required dialysis. The in-hospital mortality rate was 37%, and the rate of mortality or nonrecovery of renal function was 50%. The median hospital length of stay was 25 days (26 days, excluding patients who died). CONCLUSION: There is a changing spectrum of ARF in the critically ill, characterized by a large burden of comorbid disease and extensive extrarenal complications, obligating the need for dialysis in the majority of patients. There is wide variation across institutions in patient characteristics and practice patterns. These differences highlight the need for additional multicenter observational and interventional studies in ARF.     

糖尿病早期肾损害的彩色多普勒超声研究

目的：探讨彩色多普勒超声肾血流测定对诊断糖尿病早期肾损害的价值。方法：以尿白蛋白排泄率（UAER）作为早期肾损害指标,对60例糖尿病患在26例正常人行彩色多普勒超声肾血流检查,结果：小叶间动脉收缩期峰值流速（Vs),弓状动脉及小叶间动脉舒张末期流速（Vd)的减慢是糖尿病患最早出现的肾内血流动力学改变;有肾脏早期损害的糖尿病患肾血流频谱参数特点是肾内弓状动脉,小叶间动脉的Vs和肾内各分支动脉的Vd明显减低,肾内各分支动脉的阻力指数（RI）明显增高,RI与糖尿病患肾功能损害程度相关。结论：彩色多普勒超声肾血流检测是早期诊断糖悄病肾损害的简便,可靠的方法。     

Predictors of mortality in acute renal failure in a developing country: a prospective study

Acute renal failure (ARF) occurs in wide range of conditions, making the evaluation of its prognosis a difficult task. Data regarding prognostic factors in ARF in a general population in developing countries are scarce. The objective of the study was to describe predictors of mortality in ARF that are relevant in the developing world. This prospective study was carried out over a one-year period; all hospitalized adults with ARF were included in the study. Predictors of mortality studied included causes of ARF, pre-existing diseases, and severity as well as complications of ARF. Of 33,301 patients admitted during the study period, 294 (0.88%) were either admitted with or developed ARF after hospitalization. Mean age was 43.9 +/- 16.9 (18-86 yrs). Sepsis was the most common cause (63.26%). Pre-existing diseases like cardiovascular disease (CVSD), respiratory system disease (RSD), central nervous system disease (CNSD), hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), and malignancy were significantly higher in elderly as compared to younger patients. On univariate analysis sepsis, hypoperfusion as a cause of ARF and hospital-acquired ARF were associated with higher mortality. Pre-existing diseases viz. RSD, CVSD, CNSD, and DM had higher mortality. Among the severity and complications of ARF, oliguria, bleeding and infection during the course of ARF and critical illness were predictors of poor outcome. Age > 60 yrs was associated with significantly higher mortality. However, on multivariate analysis, only critical illness (odds ratio 37.3), age > 60 years (odds ratio of 5.6), and sepsis as cause of ARF (odds ratio of 2.6) were found to be independent predictors of mortality.     

Impact of secondary foot complications on the inpatient department of the diabetes unit of Yaounde Central Hospital

Diabetic foot ulceration and gangrene are preventable long-term complications of diabetes mellitus. This cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the impact of secondary foot complications on hospital admission and activities of the diabetes service of Yaoundé Central Hospital (YCH). A total of 207 patient files were included in this study, the period of which was from November 1999 to October 2000, 1 year of activity of the inpatient department of the Diabetes and Endocrine Unit of YCH. General characteristics of the patients were considered, the reason for their admission, the duration of their hospitalization in the service, and the outcome. The diabetic foot problem was the second most common cause of hospital admission in 27 (13%) patients. Secondary foot complication was the associated cause of mortality in 19.3% of cases of death (6 out of 31) in this study. The highest duration of hospitalization was recorded in patients with foot problems (29.4+/-5.4 days), the finding being statistically significant. Foot problems accounted for 0.25% of bed occupancy for the selected period. Five patients underwent amputation because of foot problems. A high rate of hospital discharge upon request was recorded among patients with foot problems (25% of the cases). This study suggests that diabetic foot is the second biggest cause of hospital admission in this setting; however, it is the main cause of prolonged hospital stay and bed occupancy.     

Improvement in prognosis of patients with acute renal failure over a period of 15 years: an analysis of 710 cases in a dialysis center.

In order to evaluate the changes in causes and outcome of acute renal failure (ARF) during the years 1975-1989, 710 patients treated in our dialysis center were analyzed. We compared the etiology, the severity and catabolic state of ARF, the techniques of renal replacement therapy, which were employed and the ages and mortality rates of these patients, who received dialysis therapy during the years 1975-79 (n = 227), 1980-84 (n = 240) and 1985-89 (n = 243). The number of postoperative, posttraumatic and non-traumatic cases of ARF was approximately the same in all three 5-year periods, only the frequency of postrenal failure decreased from 7% in the years 1975-79 to 3% in the years 1985-89. The incidence of sepsis as a major cause of ARF and the most important risk factor was comparably high in the surgical and medical patients during all of the periods, but it increased in the traumatic patients from 7% in the years 1975-79 to 28% during the last 5-year period. The prevalence of respiratory failure and jaundice as additional organ failures, the severity of ARF (oligonanuric-nonoliguric) and the metabolic state were not different in the three patient groups. The magnitude of rise in serum creatinine before the start of renal replacement therapy was significant lower in the last 5-year period in comparison to the years 1975-79 (p < 0.05). Hemodialysis was the treatment in choice of 98 and 93% of the cases during the first two periods, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)