Prevalence and associated factors of hospitalization for dysglycemia among elderly type 2 diabetes patients: A nationwide study

BACKGROUND The prevalence of older individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is increasing due to the aging population and improved medical care. These patients are very susceptible to disease and treatment-related hospitalizations, resulting in higher health care costs, morbidity, and decreased quality of life. However, data of treatment-related complications, especially dysglycemiarelated hospitalizations, are lacking. AIM To assess the prevalence and associated factors for dysglycemia-related hospitalizations among elderly diabetic patients in Thailand using nationwide patient sample. METHODS T2DM patients aged ≥ 65 years who received medical care at public hospitals in Thailand in the year 2014 were included. The prevalence of hospitalization due to dysglycemia within one year was examined. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to assess the independent factors associated with hospitalization due to hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia RESULTS A total of 11404 elderly T2DM patients were enrolled in this study. The mean age was 72.9 ± 5.5 years. The prevalence of hospital admissions due to diabetic ketoacidosis, hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state, hyperglycemic dehydration syndrome, and hypoglycemia among elderly T2DM patients in the year 2014 was 0.1%, 0.1%, 1.7% and 3.1%, respectively. Increased hospitalization due to hypoglycemia was associated with older age, female sex, had hypertension, dementia, lower body mass index, elevated hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C), decreased kidney function, insulin use. Increased hospitalization due to hyperglycemia was associated with dementia, depression, lower body mass index, elevated HbA1C, and insulin use. CONCLUSION The prevalence of dysglycemia-related hospitalization in elderly T2DM patients in Thailand was 4.9%. Close monitoring of blood glucose should be provided in high-risk patients for prevention and early detection for these complications.

Associations of renal function with diabetic retinopathy and visual impairment in type 2 diabetes: A multicenter nationwide cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND Diabetic retinopathy(DR) separately has been noted as a major public health problem worldwide as well. Currently, many studies have demonstrated an association between diabetic nephropathy and DR in type 1 diabetes mellitus(T1DM) patients, but this association is less strong in T2DM. The evidence for an association between renal function and DR and visual impairment among T2DM patients is limited, particularly in the Asian population.AIM To assess the association between glomerular filtration rate(GFR) and DR, severe DR, and severe visual impairment among T2DM patients in Thailand.METHODS We conducted a nationwide cross-sectional study based on the DM/HT study of the Medical Research Network of the Consortium of Thai Medical Schools. This study evaluated adult T2DM patients from 831 public hospitals in Thailand in the year 2013. GFR was categorized into ≥ 90, 60-89, 30-59 and < 30 mL/min/1.73 m^2.The association between GFR and DR, severe DR, and severe visual impairment were assessed using multivariate logistic regression.RESULTS A total of 13192 T2DM patients with available GFR were included in the analysis.The mean GFR was 66.9 ± 25.8 mL/min/1.73 m^2. The prevalence of DR,proliferative DR, diabetic macular edema, and severe visual impairment were 12.4%, 1.8%, 0.2%, and 2.1%, respectively. Patients with GFR of 60-89, 30-59 and <30 mL/min/1.73 m^2 were significantly associated with increased DR and severe DR when compared with patients with GFR of ≥ 90 mL/min/1.73 m^2. In addition,increased severe visual impairment was associated with GFR 30-59 and < 30 m L/min/1.73 m^2.CONCLUSION Decreased GFR was independently associated with increased DR, severe DR, and severe visual impairment. GFR should be monitored in diabetic patients for DR awareness and prevention.

Hepatitis E in solid organ transplant recipients:A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND Hepatitis E virus(HEV)infection is underdiagnosed due to the use of serological assays with low sensitivity.Although most patients with HEV recover completely,HEV infection among patients with pre-existing chronic liver disease and organ-transplant recipients on immunosuppressive therapy can result in decompensated liver disease and death.AIM To demonstrate the prevalence of HEV infection in solid organ transplant(SOT)recipients.METHODS We searched Ovid MEDLINE,EMBASE,and the Cochrane Library for eligible articles through October 2020.The inclusion criteria consisted of adult patients with history of SOT.HEV infection is confirmed by either HEV-immunoglobulin G,HEV-immunoglobulin M,or HEV RNA assay.RESULTS Of 563 citations,a total of 22 studies(n=4557)were included in this metaanalysis.The pooled estimated prevalence of HEV infection in SOT patients was 20.2%[95%confidence interval(CI):14.9-26.8].The pooled estimated prevalence of HEV infection for each organ transplant was as follows:liver(27.2%;95%CI:20.0-35.8),kidney(12.8%;95%CI:9.3-17.3),heart(12.8%;95%CI:9.3-17.3),and lung(5.6%;95%CI:1.6-17.9).Comparison across organ transplants demonstrated statistical significance(Q=16.721,P=0.002).The subgroup analyses showed that the prevalence of HEV infection among SOT recipients was significantly higher in middle-income countries compared to high-income countries.The pooled estimated prevalence of de novo HEV infection was 5.1%(95%CI:2.6-9.6)and the pooled estimated prevalence of acute HEV infection was 4.3%(95%CI:1.9-9.4).CONCLUSION HEV infection is common in SOT recipients,particularly in middle-income countries.The prevalence of HEV infection in lung transplant recipients is considerably less common than other organ transplants.More studies examining the clinical impacts of HEV infection in SOT recipients,such as graft failure,rejection,and mortality are warranted.

Rituximab or plasmapheresis for prevention of recurrent focal segmental glomerulosclerosis after kidney transplantation:A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis(FSGS)is one of the most common glomerular diseases leading to renal failure.FSGS has a high risk of recurrence after kidney transplantation.Prevention of recurrent FSGS using rituximab and/or plasmapheresis has been evaluated in multiple small studies with conflicting results.AIM To assess the risk of recurrence of FSGS after transplantation using prophylactic rituximab with or without plasmapheresis,and plasmapheresis alone compared to the standard treatment group without preventive therapy.METHODS This meta-analysis and systematic review were performed by first conducting a literature search of the MEDLINE,EMBASE,and Cochrane databases,from inception through March 2021;search terms included‘FSGS,’’steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome’,‘rituximab,’and‘plasmapheresis,’.We identified studies that assessed the risk of post-transplant FSGS after use of rituximab with or without plasmapheresis,or plasmapheresis alone.Inclusion criteria were:Original,published,randomized controlled trials or cohort studies(either prospective or retrospective),case-control,or cross-sectional studies;inclusion of odds ratio,relative risk,and standardized incidence ratio with 95%confidence intervals(CI),or sufficient raw data to calculate these ratios;and subjects without interventions(controls)being used as comparators in cohort and cross-sectional studies.Effect estimates from individual studies were extracted and combined using a random effects model.RESULTS Eleven studies,with a total of 399 kidney transplant recipients with FSGS,evaluated the use of rituximab with or without plasmapheresis;thirteen studies,with a total of 571 kidney transplant recipients with FSGS,evaluated plasmapheresis alone.Post-transplant FSGS recurred relatively early.There was no significant difference in recurrence between the group that received rituximab(with or without plasmapheresis)and the standard treatment group,with a pooled risk ratio of 0.82(95%CI:0.47-1.45,I2=65%).Similarly,plasmapheresis alone was not associated with any significant difference in FSGS recurrence when compared with no plasmapheresis;the pooled risk ratio was 0.85(95%CI:0.60-1.21,I2=23%).Subgroup analyses in the pediatric and adult groups did not yield a significant difference in recurrence risk.We also reviewed and analyzed posttransplant outcomes including timing of recurrence and graft survival.CONCLUSION Overall,the use of rituximab with or without plasmapheresis,or plasmapheresis alone,is not associated with a lower risk of FSGS recurrence after kidney transplantation.Future studies are required to assess the effectiveness of rituximab with or without plasmapheresis among specific patient subgroups with high-risk for FSGS recurrence.

Contrast-induced acute kidney injury in kidney transplant recipients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

AIM To evaluate the incidence of contrast-induced acute kidney injury(CIAKI) in kidney transplant recipients. METHODS A literature search was performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews from the inception of the databases through July 2016. Studies assessing the incidence of CIAKI in kidney transplant recipients were included. We applied a randomeffects model to estimate the incidence of CIAKI.RESULTS Six studies of 431 kidney transplant recipients were included in the analyses to assess the incidence of CIAKI in kidney transplant recipients. The estimated incidence of CIAKI and CIAKI-requiring dialysis were 9.6%(95%CI: 4.5%-16.3%) and 0.4%(95%CI: 0.0%-1.2%), respectively. A sensitivity analysis limited only to the studies that used low-osmolar or iso-osmolar contrast showed the estimated incidence of CIAKI was 8.0%(95%CI: 3.5%-14.2%). The estimated incidences of CIAKI in recipients who received contrast media with cardiac catheterization, other types of angiogram, and CT scan were 16.1%(95%CI: 6.6%-28.4%), 10.1%(95%CI: 4.2%-18.0%), and 6.1%(95%CI: 1.8%-12.4%), respectively. No graft losses were reported within 30 d post-contrast media administration. However, data on the effects of CIAKI on long-term graft function were limited.CONCLUSION The estimated incidence of CIAKI in kidney transplant recipients is 9.6%. The risk stratification should be considered based on allograft function, indication, and type of procedure.

Incidence of kidney stones in kidney transplant recipients:A systematic review and meta-analysis

AIM To evaluate the incidence and characteristics of kidney stones in kidney transplant recipients. METHODS A literature search was performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews from the inception of the databases through March 2016. Studies assessing the incidence of kidney stones in kidney transplant recipients were included. We applied a randomeffects model to estimate the incidence of kidney stones.RESULTS Twenty one studies with 64416 kidney transplant patients were included in the analyses to assess the incidence of kidney stones after kidney transplantation. The estimated incidence of kidney stones was 1.0%(95%CI: 0.6%-1.4%). The mean duration to diagnosis of kidney stones after kidney transplantation was 28 ± 22 mo. The mean age of patients with kidney stones was 42 ± 7 years. Within reported studies, approximately 50% of kidney transplant recipients with kidney stones were males. 67% of kidney stones were calcium-based stones(30% mixed CaO x/CaP, 27%CaO x and 10%CaP), followed by struvite stones(20%) and uric acid stones(13%).CONCLUSION The estimated incidence of kidney stones in patients after kidney transplantation is 1.0%. Although calcium based stones are the most common kidney stones aftertransplantation, struvite stones(also known as "infection stones") are not uncommon in kidney transplant recipients. These findings may impact the prevention and clinical management of kidney stones after kidney transplantation.

Prediction of mortality among patients with chronic kidney disease:A systematic review

BACKGROUND Chronic kidney disease(CKD)is a common medical condition that is increasing in prevalence.Existing published evidence has revealed through regression analyses that several clinical characteristics are associated with mortality in CKD patients.However,the predictive accuracies of these risk factors for mortality have not been clearly demonstrated.AIM To demonstrate the accuracy of mortality predictive factors in CKD patients by utilizing the area under the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve(AUC)analysis.METHODS We searched Ovid MEDLINE,EMBASE,and the Cochrane Library for eligible articles through January 2021.Studies were included based on the following criteria:(1)Study nature was observational or conference abstract;(2)Study populations involved patients with non-transplant CKD at any CKD stage severity;and(3)Predictive factors for mortality were presented with AUC analysis and its associated 95%confidence interval(CI).AUC of 0.70-0.79 is considered acceptable,0.80-0.89 is considered excellent,and more than 0.90 is considered outstanding.RESULTS Of 1759 citations,a total of 18 studies(n=14579)were included in this systematic review.Eight hundred thirty two patients had non-dialysis CKD,and 13747 patients had dialysis-dependent CKD(2160 patients on hemodialysis,370 patients on peritoneal dialysis,and 11217 patients on non-differentiated dialysis modality).Of 24 mortality predictive factors,none were deemed outstanding for mortality prediction.A total of seven predictive factors[N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP),BNP,soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor(suPAR),augmentation index,left atrial reservoir strain,C-reactive protein,and systolic pulmonary artery pressure]were identified as excellent.Seventeen predictive factors were in the acceptable range,which we classified into the following subgroups:predictors for the non-dialysis population,echocardiographic factors,comorbidities,and miscellaneous.CONCLUSION Several factors were found to predict mortality in CKD patients.Echocardiography is an important tool for mortality prognostication in CKD patients by evaluating left atrial reservoir strain,systolic pulmonary artery pressure,diastolic function,and left ventricular mass index.

Associations of new-onset atrial fibrillation and severe visual impairment in type 2 diabetes:A multicenter nationwide study

BACKGROUND Many studies have demonstrated an association between type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)and atrial fibrillation(AF).However,the potential independent contributions of T2DM and AF to the prevalence of visual impairment have not been evaluated.AIM To determine whether such an association between T2DM and incident AF with visual impairment exists,and if so,the prevalence and magnitude of this association.METHODS We conducted a nationwide cross-sectional study based on the DM/HT study of the Medical Research Network of the Consortium of Thai Medical Schools.This study had evaluated adult T2DM patients from 831 public hospitals in Thailand in the year 2013.T2DM patients were categorized into two groups:patients without and with incident AF.T2DM patients without AF were selected as the reference group.The association between incident AF and visual impairment among T2DM patients was assessed using multivariate logistic regression.RESULTS A total of 27281 T2DM patients with available eye examination data were included in this analysis.The mean age was 60.7±10.5 years,and 31.2%were male.The incident AF was 0.2%.The prevalence of severe visual impairment in all T2DM patients,T2DM patients without AF,and T2DM patients with incident AF were 1.4%,1.4%,and 6.3%,respectively.T2DM patients with incident AF were associated with an increased OR of 3.89(95%CI:1.17-13.38)for severe visual impairment compared with T2DM patients without AF.CONCLUSION T2DM patients with incident AF were independently associated with increased severe visual impairment.Therefore,early eye screening should be provided for these high-risk individuals.

Recovery after acute kidney injury requiring kidney replacement therapy in patients with left ventricular assist device: A metaanalysis

BACKGROUND Acute kidney injury(AKI)is a common and severe complication after left ventricular assist device(LVAD)implantation with an incidence of 37%;13%of which require kidney replacement therapy(KRT).Severe AKI requiring KRT(AKI-KRT)in LVAD patients is associated with high short and long-term mortality compared with AKI without KRT.While kidney function recovery is associated with better outcomes,its incidence is unclear among LVAD patients with severe AKI requiring KRT.AIM To identify studies evaluating the recovery rates from severe AKI-KRT after LVAD placement,which is defined by regained kidney function resulting in the discontinuation of KRT.Random-effects and generic inverse variance method of DerSimonian-Laird were used to combine the effect estimates obtained from individual studies.METHODS A total of 268 patients from 14 cohort studies that reported severe AKI-KRT after LVAD were included.Follow-up time ranged anywhere from two weeks of LVAD implantation to 12 mo.Kidney recovery occurred in 78%of enrollees at the time of hospital discharge or within 30 d.Overall,the pooled estimated AKI recovery rate among patients with severe AKI-KRT was 50.5%(95%CI:34.0%-67.0%)at 12 mo follow up.Majority(85%)of patients used continuous-flow LVAD.While the data on pulsatile-flow LVAD was limited,subgroup analysis of continuous-flow LVAD demonstrated that pooled estimated AKI recovery rate among patients with severe AKI-KRT was 52.1%(95%CI:36.8%-67.0%).Metaregression analysis did not show a significant association between study year and AKI recovery rate(P=0.08).There was no publication bias as assessed by the funnel plot and Egger's regression asymmetry test in all analyses.RESULTS A total of 268 patients from 14 cohort studies that reported severe AKI-KRT after LVAD were included.Follow-up time ranged anywhere from two weeks of LVAD implantation to 12 mo.Kidney recovery occurred in 78%of enrollees at the time of hospital discharge or within 30 d.Overall,the pooled estimated AKI recovery rate among patients with severe AKI-KRT was 50.5%(95%CI:34.0%-67.0%)at 12 mo follow up.Majority(85%)of patients used continuous-flow LVAD.While the data on pulsatile-flow LVAD was limited,subgroup analysis of continuous-flow LVAD demonstrated that pooled estimated AKI recovery rate among patients with severe AKI-KRT was 52.1%(95%CI:36.8%-67.0%).Metaregression analysis did not show a significant association between study year and AKI recovery rate(P=0.08).There was no publication bias as assessed by the funnel plot and Egger's regression asymmetry test in all analyses.CONCLUSION Recovery from severe AKI-KRT after LVAD occurs approximately 50.5%,and it has not significantly changed over the years despite advances in medicine.

Proton pump inhibitors and adverse effects in kidney transplant recipients: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND The adverse renal effects of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are increasingly recognized in both the general population and patients with chronic kidney disease. Several pharmacokinetic studies have also raised concerns regarding the interaction between PPIs and immunosuppressive drugs in transplant patients. Whether the adverse effects of PPIs have a clinical significance in kidney transplant recipients remains unclear. We performed this meta-analysis to assess the risk of adverse effects in kidney transplant recipients on PPI compared with those without PPI exposure. AIM To investigate the risk of acute rejection, graft loss, hypomagnesemia, renal dysfunction, and overall mortality in kidney transplant recipients on PPI compared with those without PPI exposure. METHODS A systematic review was conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases from inception through October 2018 to identify studies that evaluated the adverse effects of PPIs in kidney transplant recipients, including biopsyproven acute rejection, graft loss, hypomagnesemia, renal function, and overall mortality. Effect estimates from the individual studies were extracted and combined using random-effect, generic inverse variance method of DerSimonian and Laird. The protocol for this meta-analysis is registered with PROSPERO, No. CRD42018115676. RESULTS Fourteen observational studies with 6786 kidney transplant recipients were enrolled. No significant association was found between PPI exposure and the risk of biopsy-proven acute rejection at ≥ 1 year [pooled odds ratio (OR), 1.25;95% confidence interval (CI), 0.82-1.91, I2 = 55%], graft loss at 1 year (pooled OR = 1.30, 95%CI: 0.75-2.24, I2 = 0%) or 1-year mortality (pooled OR = 1.53, 95%CI: 0.90-2.58, I2 = 34%). However, PPI exposure was significantly associated with hypomagnesemia (pooled OR = 1.56, 95%CI: 1.19-2.05, I2 = 27%). Funnel plots and Egger regression asymmetry test were performed and showed no publication bias. CONCLUSION PPI use was not associated with significant risks of higher acute rejection, graft loss, or 1-year mortality. However, the risk of hypomagnesemia was significantly increased with PPI use. Thus, future studies are needed to assess the impact of PPIs on long-term outcomes.