Outcome of Leflunomide in the Treatment of Proliferative Lupus Nephritis Compared to Cyclophosphamide

Background: Lupus nephritis (LN) is one of the most common presentations of Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Cyclophosphamide is one of the key immunosuppressive agents for the management of LN. Leflunomide is an isoxazole immunomodulatory agent has been shown to be safe, well tolerated and effective in SLE and LN. Objective: To evaluate the outcome of leflunomide in the treatment of proliferative lupus nephritis compared to cyclophosphamide. Method: This randomized clinical trial was held in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh from July 2017 to August 2019. A total of 66 patients of proliferative lupus nephritis who need induction therapy were enrolled in this study. Leflunomide 100 mg/day for consecutive 3 days followed by 0.5 mg/kg/day in divided dose was given in experimental group (n = 32) and intravenous cyclophosphamide 0.5 gm/m2 of body surface area monthly pulse was given in control group (n = 34). All study patients have received prednisolone and hydroxychloroquine according to KDIGO guideline then followed up monthly for 6 months. Outcomes were measured at 6th month by renal function [S. Creatinine, 24 hours urinary total protein (24-hr UTP)], changes in SELENA-SLEDAI score, anti-ds DNA level, serum complement levels (serum C3 & C4), remission (complete/partial) and adverse drug responses. Result: In experimental group, remission occurred in 18 (56.3%) patients and no remission in 14 (43.7%) patients. In control group, remission occurred in 24 (70.6%) patients and no remission in 10 (29.4%) patients. Adverse effects in experimental group were: elevated ALT (6.3%), hypertension (12.5%), infection (6.3%) and amenorrhea (12.5%). In control group, adverse effects were mainly leucopenia (5.9%), infection (17.7%) and amenorrhea (29.4%). Intergroup analysis for treatment responses and adverse effects showed no significant difference (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Leflunomide combined with prednisolone is effective in the induction treatment of proliferative lupus nephritis in Bangladeshi patients in terms of response rate and adverse effects.

Ocular Fundus Abnormalities in Pre-Dialytic Chronic Kidney Disease Patients

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects 10% - 16% of the adult population. Although ocular findings related to renal insufficiency include cataract, conjunctival calcification, lid edema, conjunctival pallor and xanthalesma, by far the most important is retinopathy. Objective: To evaluate the ocular fundus abnormalities in pre-dialytic chronic kidney disease patients of the adult population. Methodology: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted in the Department of Nephrology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh from April 2012 to March 2014. A total of 100 hospital admitted CKD patients were purposively selected for this study. Age, gender, blood pressure, Body Mass Index (BMI), 24 hours Urinary Total Protein (UTP), haemoglobin level, serum creatinine, serum cholesterol, serum triglyceride and color fundus photography findings of both eyes were recorded for each patient. Inter-group comparisons were made between patients with retinopathy and those without retinopathy. Results: Out of 100 adult non-dialytic CKD patients, 43 (43%) had ocular fundus abnormalities, among them 27 (62.8%) were male and 16 (37.2%) were female. The risk of development of retinopathy was significantly higher among older patients (p = 0.006), those with low haemoglobin level (p = 0.0001) and high blood pressure. Retinopathy was significantly (p = 0.0001) increased with reduction of e-GFR. There was no relationship between BMI and high serum triglyceride level with retinal abnormality. Among 43 (43%) patients with retinal abnormality, 30 (69.76%) patients showed only hypertensive retinopathy and 5 (11.6%) patients showed only diabetic retinopathy. Mixed hypertensive and diabetic retinopathy was found in 8 (18.6%) patients. Maculopathy was seen in 11 (25.58%) patients, of whom 3 (6.98%) had hypertensive retinopathy and 8 (18.87%) had diabetic retinopathy. Optic atrophy was seen in 2 (4.6%) patients and drusen like retinal deposits were seen in 2 (4.6%) patients. Conclusion: Ocular fundus abnormalities are common among adult pre-dialytic CKD patients. Retinopathy is significantly higher in advanced stages of CKD.

Cutaneous Abnormalities in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients with and without Dialysis

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is increasingly prevalent worldwide. CKD may present with different cutaneous manifestations. Objectives: To evaluate the dermatological manifestations and compare these manifestations between patients with maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) and non-dialysis groups. Methods: It was a cross sectional study conducted in the Department of Nephrology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh from April 2013 to March 2014. A total of 150 hospital admitted CKD patients were evaluated for dermatological manifestations. Age, gender, haemoglobin level, 24-hours urinary total protein (UTP), serum creatinine, serum fasting lipid profile, estimated glomerular filtration rate (e-GFR) and dermatological manifestations of the study subjects were recorded accordingly. Inter-group comparisons were made between patients with and those without cutaneous abnormality. Results: Out of 150 study subjects, 99 (66%) were male and 51 (34%) were female, 69 (46%) patients were on MHD and 81 (54%) patients were without dialysis, their mean (±SD) age was 44.6 ± 12.3 year. A Total of 126 (84%) patients had cutaneous abnormalities;among them 69 (54.76%) were pre-dialytic and 57 (45.24%) were on MHD group. The mean (±SD) serum creatinine was relatively higher but haemoglobin level was significantly lower (p = 0.021), while UTP was significantly higher (p = 0.038) among patients with cutaneous abnormality. There was no relationship between lipid profile with cutaneous abnormality. Among 126 (84%) patients with cutaneous abnormality;pallor was the most common cutaneous abnormality (72%) followed by xerosis (68.66%), pruritus (65.33%), half and half nails (38.66%), pigmentation (33.33%), purpura/ecchymosis (16.66%), fungal infection (16%), ulcerative stomatitis (10.66%) and bacterial infection (10%). Pigmentation (52.6%), purpura (35.1%), ulcerative stomatitis (21.1%) and bacterial infection (19.3%) were significantly higher in MHD group. Among 69 (54.76%) predialytic patients;11 (15.94%), 20 (28.98%) and 38 (55.07%) of them were on CKD stage-III, IV and V respectively. Conclusions: The dermatological disorders are frequent among CKD patients. Pallor, pruritus, xerosis, pigmentation and purpura are predominant changes. Pigmentation, purpura, ulcerative stomatitis and bacterial infection are significantly higher in MHD patients. Cutaneous abnormalities are more frequent in advance stages of CKD.

Incidence, Risk Factors and Short Term Outcome of Acute Kidney Injury among Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome

Background: Cardio-renal syndrome is the leading cause of death globally. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a major complication among patients admitted in Coronary Care Unit (CCU) with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). AKI in ACS patients is associated with higher morbidity, mortality and prolong hospital stay. Objective: To determine the incidence, risk factors and short term outcome of acute kidney injury (AKI) among the patients admitted in CCU with ACS. Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted at Department of Nephrology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh from January 2013 to December 2013. Following selection criteria a total of two hundred (200) patients with ACS were studied. AKI was defined according to the KDIGO guideline and further categorized by RIFLE criteria. Data of patients with AKI and those without AKI were analyzed and compared by statistical tests. Results: Majority of the study patients were male (79.5%). AKI was developed in 40 of the 200 study patients (20.0%). The mean (±SD) age of the study patients was 60.1 ± 11.1 years in patients with AKI and 55.9 ± 10.1 years in patients without AKI. Our data analysis showed that older age (>65 years), diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia and smoking were significantly correlated to the development of AKI. Mortality was significantly high in AKI group (7.15%) compared to no AKI group (1.25%). Out of 27 patients who achieved renal recovery most (80.8%) belonged to risk class. Severity of AKI showed significant effect on renal recovery and final outcome. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that, incidence of AKI among patients with ACS was 20%. Elderly patients, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and exposure to smoking were significantly associated with development of AKI in ACS.