Clinical analysis of peritoneal dialysis in the treatment of rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis

Objective To observe the clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN) caused by lupus nephritis, antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA)-associated vasculitis, or primary glomerulonephritis who were treated with peritoneal dialysis (PD) and then withdrew PD because of renal recovery. Methods Data of the above patients were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were diagnosed as RPGN and received PD therapy in Kidney Disease Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University from February 2009 to August 2018. The patients were divided into early withdrawal group (PD time≤183 days, n=24) and late withdrawal group (PD time＞183 day, n=24). The differences of clinical characteristics between the two groups were compared. The cumulative incidence of adverse events in both groups was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier curves. Cox proportional hazards model was used to analyze the risk factors influencing the prognosis of patients. Results Forty-eight RPGN patients were included. The median time of maintaining PD was 178(76, 378) days. Compared with the late withdrawal group, the patients in early withdrawal group had lower levels of urine volume, serum albumin and parathyroid hormone, and lower rates of gross hematuria and hypertension at the beginning of PD, and received higher rates of methylprednisolone impulse, combined immunosuppressive agents, and hemodialysis or continuous renal replacement therapy (all P＜0.05). At the time of PD withdrawal, the levels of serum creatinine, serum calcium, serum albumin and parathyroid hormone in the early withdrawal group were significantly lower than those in the late withdrawal group (all P＜0.05). The Kaplan-Meier curves showed that there was no significant difference in the cumulative survival of patients in both groups (log-rank test χ2=3.485, P=0.062). Cox regression analysis revealed serum creatinine≥209 μmol/L at the time of PD withdrawal was an independent risk factor for poor prognosis (HR=5.253，95%CI 1.757-15.702, P=0.003). Conclusions PD can be used for RPGN patients caused by lupus nephritis, ANCA-associated vasculitis and primary nephritis. Serum creatinine≥209 μmol/L at the time of PD withdrawal is an independent risk factor for poor prognosis.     

Analysis of early mortality and related risk factors in maintenance hemodialysis patients

Objective To analyze the early mortality and related risk factors of new hemodialysis patients in Zhejiang province, and provide basis for reducing the death risk of hemodialysis patients. Methods The early mortality and related factors of new hemodialysis patients from January 1, 2010 to June 30, 2018 were retrospectively analyzed using the database of Zhejiang province hemodialysis registration. The early mortality was defined as death within 90 days of dialysis. Cox regression model was used to analyze the related risk factors of the early mortality in hemodialysis patients. Results The mortality was the highest in the first month after dialysis (46.40/100 person year), and gradually stabilized after three months. The early mortality was 25.33/100 person year. The mortality within 120 days and 360 days were 21.40/100 person year and 11.37/100 person year, respectively. The elderly (≥65 years old, HR=1.981, 95%CI 1.319-2.977, P＜0.001), primary tumor (HR=3.308, 95%CI 1.137-5.624, P=0.028), combined with tumors (not including the primary tumor, HR=2.327, 95%CI 1.200-4.513, P=0.012), temporary catheter (the initial dialysis pathway, HR=3.632, 95%CI 1.806-7.307, P＜0.001), lower albumin (＜30 g/L, HR=2.181, 95%CI 1.459-3.260, P＜0.001), lower hemoglobin (every 0.01 g/L increase, HR=0.861, 95%CI 0.793-0.935, P=0.001), lower high density lipoprotein (＜0.7 mmol/L, HR=1.796, 95%CI 1.068-3.019, P=0.027) and higher C reactive protein (≥40 mg/L, HR=1.889, 95%CI 1.185-3.012, P=0.008) were the risk factors of early death for hemodialysis patients. Conclusions The early mortality of hemodialysis patients is high after dialysis, and gradually stable after 3 months. The elderly, primary tumor, combined with tumors, the initial dialysis pathway, lower albumin, lower hemoglobin, lower high density lipoprotein and higher C reactive protein are the risk factors of early death for hemodialysis patients.     

Shortening peel-away sheaths prior to dialysis line insertion--potential decrease of patient risk.

Placement of tunnelled dialysis lines is effective using ultrasoundand fluoroscopic guidance [1] and has a higher success ratethan ‘blind’ insertion [2]. After the ultrasound guided access into a neck vein, wires andcatheters are guided in to a suitable position in the     

A ‘Weight‐Listing’ Paradox for Candidates of Renal Transplantation?

Research suggests that end-stage renal disease patients with elevated body mass index (BMI) have superior outcomes on dialysis. In contrast, low and high BMI patients represent the highest risk cohorts for kidney transplant recipients. The important question remains concerning how to manage transplant candidates given the potentially incommensurate impact of BMI by treatment modality. We conducted a retrospective analysis of waitlisted and transplanted patients in the United States from 1990 to 2003. We constructed Cox models to evaluate the effect of BMI on mortality of waitlisted candidates and identified risk factors for rapid weight change. We then assessed the impact of weight change during waitlisting on transplant outcomes. Decline in BMI on the waiting list was not protective for posttransplant mortality or graft loss across BMI strata. Substantial weight loss pretransplantation was associated with rapid gain posttransplantation. The highest risk for death was among listed patients with low BMI (13-20 kg/m(2), adjusted hazard ratio = 1.47, p < 0.01). Approximately one-third of candidates had a change in BMI category prior to transplantation. While observed declines in BMI may be volitional or markers of disease processes, there is no evidence that candidates have improved transplant outcomes attributable to weight loss. Prospective trials are needed to evaluate the efficacy of weight loss protocols for candidates of kidney transplantation.     

Peritoneal dialysis patient survival: a comparison between a Swedish and a Korean centre.

BACKGROUND: Dialysis patient mortality remains high, and this high mortality may be due to many factors. In peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients, old age, co-morbid diseases, malnutrition, low residual renal function (RRF) and a high peritoneal transport rate have been shown to influence survival, but the relative importance of these factors may differ between different patient populations. Besides, centre practice patterns may differ between centres and may influence patient survival. In addition, the literature suggests that dialysis patient survival may be better in Asian than in Caucasian patients. METHODS: The influence of centre and patient characteristics on patient survival was investigated in 132 Korean and 106 Swedish incident PD patients, who underwent initial biochemical measurements and assessment of adequacy of dialysis, nutritional status, RRF and peritoneal transport characteristics. RESULTS: At the start of PD, Korean patients had a higher prevalence of diabetes, peritoneal Kt/V(urea), peritoneal creatinine clearance and peritoneal fluid removal, and lower body mass index, RRF and dialysate to plasma creatinine concentration ratio (D/P Cr) compared with Swedish patients. Significantly more patients from Korea were placed on temporary haemodialysis before PD (100 out of 132) when compared with Swedish patients (21 out of 106). During the follow-up, there was a significantly higher rate of transfer to other units in Korea and a significantly higher rate of kidney transplantation in Sweden. On Kaplan-Meier analysis, overall patient survival did not differ and relative risk for death was also not different between the two centres even after adjustment for age, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, RRF and D/P Cr. On Cox proportional hazards multivariate analysis, age, diabetes, RRF and D/P Cr were found to be independent predictors of mortality in the combined cohort of patients. While age, diabetes and D/P Cr were independent predictors of mortality in Korean patients, age and RRF independently predicted mortality in Swedish patients. CONCLUSION: Although there were significant differences in centre and patient characteristics, we were unable to confirm a survival advantage for Korean over Swedish PD patients. The results of this study suggest that the reported difference in survival between Asian and Caucasian dialysis patients may have been due, in part, to differences in centre and patient characteristics rather than to race as such. The genetic influence on patient characteristics remains, however, to be elucidated.     

软胶囊崩解迟缓现象影响因素研究

目的：研究储存条件以及软胶囊处方对明胶胶片稳定性的影响，探讨软胶囊崩解迟缓的原因。方法：制备明胶胶片模拟软胶囊囊壳，采用溶胀动力学法测定明胶胶片平衡溶胀量(Seq)，同时测定软胶囊内容物溶媒PEG400中甲醛含量。以上述结果为指标，考察不同储存条件与胶囊处方对明胶胶片交联程度的影响。结果：空白明胶胶片在40℃条件下Seq与对照组具有极显著性差异，PEG400中甲醛含量增加。含有甘油、山梨醇、二氧化钛等辅料的胶片浸泡在PEG400中后Seq与对照组具有极显著性差异，PEG400中甲醛含量量著增加。加速条件下含有抗氧剂的胶片Seq与PEG400中甲醛含量变化不大。结论：在考察的储存条件中，温度对软胶囊稳定性影响较大。含有一些常用辅料的明胶胶片易受PEG400中外源性醛类杂质的影响，Seq降低。低沮保存、纯化辅料以及添加抗氧剂有助于缓解软胶囊崩解迟缓现象的发生。     

Sequential bilateral minimum incision endoscopic radical nephrectomy in dialysis patients with bilateral renal cell carcinomas

Since 1998, we have performed minimum incision endoscopic surgery (MIES) for renal cell carcinoma (RCC). For seven dialysis patients with bilateral RCC, we have performed sequential bilateral MIES radical nephrectomy. It was carried out by retroperitoneal approach through a single minimum incision that narrowly permitted extraction of the specimen using endoscopy and direct stereovision, without trocar ports, without gas insufflation and without the insertion of the hands of operators into the operative field. Although six of the seven patients had multiple complications in addition to chronic renal failure (CRF), bilateral kidneys were successfully removed by sequential MIES radical nephrectomy without major operative complication. Postoperative recovery was prompt with all patients resuming oral feeding and walking by the second postoperative day. Sequential bilateral MIES radical nephrectomy, leaving the peritoneal cavity intact and without imposing circulatory stress caused by gas insufflation, is a feasible treatment for bilateral RCCs in dialysis patients.