Occult Adrenal Insufficiency in Patients with Chronic Renal Disease

Background: Addison’s disease is a rare disorder of the adrenal cortex that leads to inadequate production of cortisol initially followed by aldosterone and androgens. Its manifestations are usually slow and non-specific with potential for life-threatening adrenal crisis following hypermetabolic demands (infection, trauma, surgery). Patients: Over the past 10 years, 19 CRD-patients were diagnosed with occult PAI in our center. Results: Unprovoked hypotension was the most common manifestations of occult PAI and was the unmasking event in 11 (58%). It was without significant cardiac and/or severe systemic sepsis and was refractory to isotonic saline infusions. Equal number of the remaining patients (n = 2) presented with persistent and inexplicable electrolytes abnormalities viz. 1) hyponatremia despite restricted oral fluid intake, lack of dehydration and massive fluid overload, as well as 2) hyperkalemia despite potassium-restricted diet, hyperkalemic drugs and adequate therapy with Furosemide and low-potassium dialysis-baths. On the other hand, similar proportions presented with unprovoked 3) progressive weight loss, decrease appetite and cachexia as well as 4) frequent hypoglycemic attacks. All patients were treated and were medically stable after 29 (2 - 60) months of follow up. Autoantibodies to 21-hydroxylase enzyme were positive in 16 (90%). At diagnosis, and subsequent follow up, only 7 patients (37%) had multi-endocrine dysfunction of whom 2 with type 1 and 5 with type 2. Conclusion: High index of suspicion should be exerted in diagnosis of PAI in patients with CRD, since its clinical picture is similar to CRD manifestations and complications. In those patients, confirmatory tests and specific management can save their lives. .

Chronic venous insufficiency, could it be one of the missing pieces in the puzzle of treating pain?

Pain is a common complaint among patients seeking medical care.If left un-treated,pain can become chronic,significantly affecting patients’quality of life.An accurate diagnosis of the underlying cause of pain is crucial for effective treatment.Chronic venous insufficiency(CVI)is frequently overlooked by pain physicians.Moreover,many pain physicians lack sufficient knowledge about CVI.CVI is a common condition resulting from malfunctioning or damaged valves in lower limb veins.Symptoms of CVI,ranging from mild to severe,include pain,heaviness,fatigue,itching,swelling,skin color changes,and ulcers in the lower limbs.Recently,it has become more widely known that these symptoms can be attributed to CVI.Even slight or mild CVI can cause related symptoms.Pain physicians primarily consider neuromusculoskeletal disorders when assessing patients with leg pain,and often neglect the possibility of CVI.In clinical practice,when pain physicians encounter patients with unresolved leg pain,they must assess whether the patients exhibit symptoms of CVI and conduct tests to differ-entiate CVI from other potential causes.

Factors Associated with Renal Impairment in Patients on Tenofovir for Chronic Hepatitis B in Yaoundé (Cameroon)

Background: Tenofovir (TFV) is widely used to treat patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. But kidney abnormalities are the main concern using this drug. Few studies have described the renal impairment due to the TFV in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) in Sub-Saharan Africa. The objective was to evaluate factors associated with renal impairment observed in patients on TFV for CHB. Method: It was a hospital based cross sectional prospective study carried out from June 2023 to July 2023 in Yaoundé (Cameroon) and included any patient treated with TFV for CHB during at least a period of 6 months. For each participant, we collected in the medical report socio-demographic data, clinical data, baseline creatinine, treatment information (type of TFV which was Disoproxil Fumarate (TDF) or Alafenamide (TAF), duration). Then, we collected blood samples to measure serum creatinine and phosphate levels and urine dipstick analysis. Factors associated with renal impairment were assessed with the Odds Ratio. A p value of Results: A total of 60 participants were included. The median age was 44 years [36-55] and median duration of TFV therapy was 17.5 months [11.7-25.7]. The prevalence of reduced eGFR (Conclusion: Kidney function was impaired in some patients receiving TFV for CHB. It should be monitored, particularly after 36 months and for those receiving TDF prodrug.

Double-Blind, Parallel Group Study to Compare the Clinical Effectiveness of Calcium Dobesilate 500 mg BID vs. Calcium Dobesilate LP 1 g OD, in Patients with Chronic Venous Insufficiency of the Lower Limbs

Background: Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) describes a condition that affects the venous system of the lower extremities due to venous hypertension (VH. The prevalence is between 5% - 30%. CVI is associated with older age, smoking, lower extremity trauma, presence of an arteriovenous shunt, and elevated estrogen levels. All patients should be initially treated with conservative management. Venoactive drugs like calcium dobesilate are useful. Objectives: The primary objective compared the clinical improvement in patients with CVI, grades 0 - 3 of the CEAP classification of chronic venous disease, produced by two formulations of calcium dobesilate: calcium dobesilate LP 1 g OD vs calcium dobesilate 500 mg BID, immediate release. The secondary objective assessed the side effects of both formulations. Method: All patients took one tablet and one capsule at 7 am, and one capsule at 7 pm, for 8 weeks. One group received dobesilate 1 g OD and the other group received dobesilate 500 md BID. They were evaluated after 15, 30 and 60 days of treatment, using the symptom evaluation scale. Results: In both groups, there was a significant decrease in the symptom score after 15 days. Four patients in the Dobesilate OD group: had adverse effects, which did not require suspension of treatment. In the BID dobesilate group, there was one therapeutic failure, and one case of gastric discomfort. Conclusions: Prolonged-release Calcium dobesilate 1 g OD is as effective as calcium dobesilate 500 mg BID for the treatment of patients with chronic venous insufficiency.

Assessment of the Level of Knowledge about Chronic Renal Failure in 271 Hypertensive Patients in Brazzaville

Background and Objectives: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is now a global public health problem. In low- and middle-income countries such as the Congo, access to dialysis is low and inequitable. The prevention of CKD involves raising awareness among patients at risk, such as those suffering from arterial hypertension (AH), by improving their knowledge of CKD. The objectives of our work were to determine the level of knowledge about CKD among hypertensive patients and to identify the factors associated with a low level of knowledge. Methodology: We conducted a 3-month descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study from 1 August to 30 October 2023 in 3 large public hospitals in Brazzaville (capital of the Republic of Congo). We included: hypertensive patients aged 18 and over who had freely consented to participate in our study and were able to answer the questions on the survey form. Patients with known hypertension who had been followed for less than 3 years and those with known chronic renal failure were not included. Results: The mean age was 58.4 ± 14.4 years (29 - 88 years). There were 121 men and 150 women (sex ratio = 0.8). All the patients were educated;37.2% with a higher level of education and 13.6% with primary education. 24 patients (9%) had a good level of knowledge about CKD and 153 (56%) had poor knowledge. A good level of knowledge was associated with the duration of hypertension, intellectual level and the existence of associated heart disease. Conclusion: Our study reveals a significant lack of knowledge about chronic kidney disease among hypertensive patients in Brazzaville.

Protective Effects of Mongolian Medicine Borantunggal on Rats with Chronic Renal Insufficiency

[Objectives]To observe the protective effects of Mongolian medicine Borantunggal on rats with chronic renal insufficiency.[Methods]Male Wister rats were gavaged with 50 mg/kg/d adenine for 12 consecutive weeks,and were intervened with positive control drug Niaoduqing and three groups of different doses of Mongolian medicine Borantunggal.The rats general state,such as body posture,hair color,activity status,renal function,thyroid gland,adrenal gland,and gonadal hormone levels,expression levels of inflammatory mediators,α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)and nuclear factor-κB(P65)in renal tissue,and histopathological changes of rat kidney were observed before and after treatment.[Results]The recovery of the general state of rats with chronic renal insufficiency in the low dose group after intervention with Mongolian medicine Borantunggal was the most obvious.Compared with the model group,the level of CRE in the low dose Mongolian medicine group decreased,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Compared with the normal group,the 24-h urinary protein in the low dose Mongolian medicine group had a declining trend,but the difference was not statistically significant(P>0.05).The urea level in low,medium and high dose Mongolian medicine groups showed a declining trend,and the effect of low dose Mongolian medicine was better.Compared with the model group,the feed intake of the low dose Mongolian medicine group had an increasing trend,while P and TCHO also had a declining trend.Compared with the model group,the levels of LH and COR in the low,medium and high dose Mongolian medicine groups decreased significantly,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The levels of T,T3 and T4 were significantly increased,the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05),and the effect of low dose Mongolian medicine was better.Compared with the model group,the levels of IL-6,TNF-αand HIF-1 in the low,medium and high dose Mongolian medicine groups were significantly reduced,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The levels of TGF-β1 and Ang II in the low dose Mongolian medicine group were significantly reduced,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The level of TGF-β1 in the medium and high dose Mongolian medicine groups decreased,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The expression of NF-κB P65 andα-SMA proteins in the low dose Mongolian medicine group showed a declining trend,which was better than Niaoduqing.[Conclusions]Mongolian medicine Borantunggal has significant protective and preventive effects on rats with adenine-induced chronic renal insufficiency.In particular,the dose of 0.31 kg/d had the most significant protective effect.Its action mechanism may be related to regulating hormone levels in the body,improving renal function,reducing renal inflammatory response,reducing the"three highs"in the kidney,and inhibiting renal tubular epithelial cell-to-mesenchymal transition and deposition of extracellular matrix(ECM).

Comparative efficacy of traditional Chinese herbal injection for chronic renal failure:A systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Objective: To conduct a systematic review and network meta-analysis(NMA) for the comparison of the efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal injection(CHI) combined with Western medicine(WM) and WM monotherapy for chronic renal failure(CRF).Methods: Eight databases were searched from inception to August 30, 2022. Randomized controlled trials(RCTs) regarding the comparison of CHI-WM combination therapy and WM monotherapy were included. Literature search, risk-of-bias assessment, and data extraction were conducted by 2 reviewers independently. NMA was performed by Stata 14.0, R 4.0.4 software, and the latest risk of bias assessment tool 2(RoB 2).Results: A total of 53 RCTs were finally included, involving 4445 participants and 16 CHIs. RoB 2 showed that 2 of these studies had a high risk of bias. Tianqi injection(TQ) + WM was the most effective in reducing serum creatinine(Scr) level. Xingding injection(XD) + WM was the most effective in reducing blood urea nitrogen(BUN) and cystatin C(Cys C) levels. Guhong injection(GH) + WM had the highest endogenous creatinine clearance rate(Ccr). Shuxuetong injection(SXT) + WM was the most effective in improving the clinical effective rate. Danhong injection(DH) + WM resulted in the lowest 24-h urinary protein quantity(24 h-UPQ), while Danshen injection(DS) + WM led to the lowest blood uric acid(UA)level. Shenfu injection(SF) + WM was the most effective in increasing hemoglobin(Hb) level.Conclusion: CHIs-WM combination therapy is more effective than WM monotherapy in treating CRF.Considering all of the indicators, SK + WM may be the optimal treatment option for improving renal function in patients with CRF.

Expression of HO-1 in Chronic Renal Insufficiency Rat Kidney and Implication

The expression, activity and clinical implication of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in the chronic renal insufficiency (CRI) rat kidney and its mechanism were investigated The 5/6 nephrectomized rats were assigned to sham operation group, CRI group and Hemin group At the 8th week after second operation, blood pressure, urinary protein, serum creatinine(Scr) and BUN were measured Renal pathologic changes were observed The activity of HO and contents of erythropoietin (EPO) in serum and renal tissue were determined Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression and distribution of HO-1 in the CRI rat kidney As compared with CRI group, the urinary protein, blood pressure, Scr and BUN in Hemin group were reduced significantly ( P< 0 05) The glomerular mesangial proliferation, inflammatory cellular infiltration of renal interstitium and interstitial fibrosis were ameliorated significantly Immunohistochemistry and measurement of HO-1 activity revealed that the expression and activity of HO-1 was decreased in renal tissues and increased in serum in CRI group as compared with normal rats HO-1 distributed mainly in tubular epithelial cells The EPO contents in Hemin group were significantly higher than in CRI group Through up-regulating the EPO level in serum and renal tissues, HO-1 retards the progression of CRI

Epidemiological and Clinical Aspects of Chronic Renal Failure in the Medical Department at the Hospital of Sikasso

Introduction: Chronic renal failure is a real public health problem because of its prevalence, the cost of its management and the high morbidity and mortality rate associated with it. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency, causes and main aggravating factors of chronic renal failure in the medical department of the hospital of Sikasso. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional, retrospective, descriptive study conducted in the medical department of the Sikasso hospital from January 1, 2021 to November 30, 2022. It covered all the records of patients with chronic renal failure hospitalized in the department during this period. The MDRD formula was used to estimate the glomerular filtration rate. The KDIGO 2012 classification was used to stage CKD. Results: Of 820 patient records reviewed, we retained 197 records. The mean age of our patients was 42.25 ± 10 years. The male sex represented 114 (57.9%). The socio-economic level was considered low and precarious in 79.8% of cases. The frequency of chronic renal failure was 24%. The reason for hospitalization was mostly hyper creatinine > 185 μmol/l (92.4%). Herbal medicine was reported in 103 cases (52.3%). Medical history was hypertension 101 cases (51.3%), undocumented gastro duodenal ulcer (UGD) 14 cases (7.6%), hypertension and diabetes 11 cases (5.1%), diabetes 8 cases (4%), lower limb edema 9 cases (4.6%). Hypocalcemia was 147 cases (75.6%) with hyper phosphoremia was 153 cases (77.7%). Hemoglobin level was: <6 g/dl, 44 cases (22.3%);between 6 - 8 g/dl, 77 cases (39.1%), from 8 - 10 g/dl, 54 cases (27.4%). The etiologies of CKD were vascular nephropathy 106 cases (53.8%), interstitial nephropathy, 44 cases (22.3%), glomerular nephropathy, 33 cases (16.8%), diabetic nephropathy, 12 cases (6.1%) and polycystic kidney disease 2 (1%). CKD was classified as stage 5, 171 cases (86.8%), stage 4, 11 cases (5.6%), stage 3, 13 cases (6.6%) and stage 2, 2 cases (1%.) Dialysis was performed in 1095 (5.3%) of our patients. All these patients started dialysis with a central line. Conclusion: This study reveals the high prevalence of chronic renal failure in the department and above all the late diagnosis at very advanced stages. This imposes policies of prevention and effective management of the responsible diseases.

Effects of paricalcitol combined with hemodiafiltration on bonemetabolism-related indexes in patients with diabetic nephropathy and chronic renal failure

BACKGROUND Diabetic nephropathy(DN)is frequently seen in the development of diabetes mellitus,and its pathogenic factors are complicated.Its current treatment is controversial,and there is a lack of a relevant efficacy prediction model.AIM To determine the effects of paricalcitol combined with hemodiafiltration on bonemetabolism-related indexes in patients with DN and chronic renal failure(CRF),and to construct an efficacy prediction model.METHODS We retrospectively analyzed 422 patients with DN and CRF treated in Cangzhou Central Hospital between May 2020 and May 2022.We selected 94 patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria.Patients were assigned to a dialysis group(n=45)and a joint group(n=49)in relation to therapeutic regimen.The clinical efficacy of the two groups was compared after treatment.The changes in laboratory indexes after treatment were evaluated,and the two groups were compared for the incidence of adverse reactions.The predictive value of laboratory indexes on the clinical efficacy on patients was analyzed.RESULTS The dialysis group showed a notably worse improvement in clinical efficacy than the joint group(P=0.017).After treatment,the joint group showed notably lower serum levels of serum creatinine,uric acid(UA)and blood urea nitrogen(BUN)than the dialysis group(P<0.05).After treatment,the joint group had lower serum levels of phosphorus,procollagen type I amino-terminal propeptide(PINP)and intact parathyroid hormone than the dialysis group,but a higher calcium level(P<0.001).Both groups had a similar incidence of adverse reactions(P>0.05).According to least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression analysis,UA,BUN,phosphorus and PINP were related to treatment efficacy.According to further comparison,the non-improvement group had higher risk scores than the improvement group(P<0.0001),and the area under the curve of the risk score in efficacy prediction was 0.945.CONCLUSION For treatment of CRF and DN,combined paricalcitol and hemodiafiltration can deliver higher clinical efficacy and improve the bone metabolism of patients,with good safety.

Real-time shear wave elastography combined with biochemical indicators for evaluating liver injury in patients with chronic kidney disease

Objective To observe the value of real-time shear wave elastography(SWE)combined with biochemical indicators for evaluating liver injury in patients with chronic kidney disease(CKD).Methods Totally 210 patients with CKD(CKD group)and 64 healthy subjects(control group)were retrospectively enrolled.Patients in CKD group were further divided into CKD1—5 subgroups according to CKD stages.SWE parameters of liver and kidney,including mean value,the maximum value and the median value of Young's modulus(EQI mean,EQI max and EQI med)were compared between CKD subgroups and control group.Spearman correlation analysis were performed to explore the correlations of liver and kidney SWE parameters with CKD stage,as well as of liver SWE parameters with biochemical indicators.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to screen independent predictors of liver injury in CKD patients.Receiver operating characteristic curves were drawn,the area under the curves(AUC)were calculated to evaluate the efficacy of the independent predictors alone and their combination for assessing liver injury in CKD patients.Results Significant differences of liver and kidney SWE parameters were found among CKD subgroups and control group(all P≤0.001).Pairwise comparison showed that liver SWE parameters in CKD5 subgroup and liver EQI max in CKD4 subgroup were all higher than those in control group(all P<0.003).Kidney SWE parameters in CKD3 subgroup were all higher than those in control group,while in CKD4 subgroup were all higher than those in control group and CKD1—3 subgroup(all P<0.003).Kidney EQI mean and EQI med in CKD5 subgroup were all higher than those in control group and CKD1—4 subgroup,while kidney EQI max in CKD5 subgroup were higher than those in control group and CKD1—3 subgroup(all P<0.003).Liver and kidney SWE parameters were lowly-moderately and positively correlated with CKD stages(r=0.364—0.665,all P<0.001).Liver SWE parameters of CKD were weakly and positively correlated with alkaline phosphatase(ALP)(r=0.229—0.248,all P<0.01).Theγ-glutamyl transferase,ALP and liver EQI max were all independent predictors of liver injury in CKD patients(all P<0.01),with AUC for evaluating liver injury in CKD patients alone of 0.645,0.756 and 0.741,respectively,lower than that of their combination(0.851,all P<0.01).Conclusion Real-time SWE combined with liver function indicators could reflect degree of liver injury in patients with different CKD stages.

Efficacy and safety of Nafamostat mesylate in patients with endstage renal failure

BACKGROUND Recent studies on dialysis anticoagulation therapy in patients with renal failure have shown that Nafamostat mesylate,a broad-spectrum potent serine protease inhibitor,has strong anticoagulation and anti-fiber activity.AIM To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Nafamostat mesylate in patients with end-stage renal failure.METHODS Seventy-five patients with end-stage renal failure who received hemodialysis at our hospital between January 2020 and August 2021 were selected and divided into the observation group(Nafamostat mesylate for injection,n=33)and control group(heparin sodium injection,n=32).General patient data,indicators of clinical efficacy,dialyzer hemocoagulation parameters,coagulation function indices,and hemoglobin concentration and platelet count before and after treatment,and the occurrence of adverse reactions after treatment were compared between the two groups.RESULTS The two groups showed no significant differences in general patient data(P>0.05).The post-treatment effectiveness rate in the control group was lower than that in the observation group(P<0.05).The two groups showed no significant difference in the number of patients in grade I(P>0.05),while the number of patients in grade 0 was lower in the control group,and the number of patients in grades II and III was higher in the control group(P<0.05).The post-treatment prothrombin time,activated partial thromboplastin time,thrombin time,and international normalized ratio values in the control group were higher than those in the observation group,while the fibrinogen level in the control group was lower than that in the observation group(P<0.05).The two groups showed no significant difference in the platelet count and hemoglobin level before and after treatment(P>0.05).The total number of post-treatment adverse reactions in the observation group was lower than that in the control group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Treatment of patients showing end-stage renal failure with Nafamostat mesylate can significantly improve therapeutic efficacy and has high safety and clinical value.

Outcomes of Hemodialysis Patients in Public Centres in Abidjan from September 2018 to October 2021: Data from the Renal Registry of Cote d’Ivoire

Background: Hemodialysis is the most widely used renal replacement therapy in developing countries such as Cote d’Ivoire. Objective: To study the outcome of chronic hemodialysis patients in public centres in Abidjan using data from the Renal Registry of Cote d’Ivoire (2RCI). Method: This was a prospective analytical cohort study of End Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD) patients undergoing iterative hemodialysis in the network of public hemodialysis centres in Abidjan and who had been registered in the 2RCI register by September 2018. Results: Our study involved 363 cases out of 379 patients registered in the 2RCI registry database in 2018. The mean age of the patients was 47.3 ± 12.1 years, with a male predominance (sex ratio 1.97). In 70.24% of cases, they had no health insurance. The average duration of dialysis for our patients was 6.94 ± 4.1 years, with extremes of 2 and 28 years. This duration was less than 5 years in 44.3% of cases, between 6 and 10 years in 42.9% and more than 10 years in 12.6% of cases. The comorbidities found were hypertension in 95.6% of cases, diabetes in 7.8% and HIV in 4.6%. Anemia was found in 68% of cases and stroke in 8.6%. During the study period, 161 deaths were observed, representing a mortality rate of 44.35%. Acute lung oedema (29.8%), stroke (6.8%) and other cardiovascular diseases (19.3%) were the main causes of death. In multivariate analysis, factors such as age ≥ 65 years (HR = 3.66;CI 95% = 1.55 - 8.67;p = 0.003), “married/coupled” status (HR = 2.02;CI 95% = 1.24 - 3.31;p = 0.005) and normal weight at the start of dialysis (OR = 9.59, CI95% = 4.19 - 21.95;p = 0.001) were associated with the risk of death. Conclusion: Hemodialysis is performed in Abidjan on young patients. The mortality rate after three years of dialysis is very high. Hence the need to pursue the policy of decentralizing public centres and optimizing access to dialysis in terms of quality and quantity in order to improve patient survival.

Optimizing growth in pediatric renal transplant recipients: An update

Growth retardation is a significant complication observed in pediatric renal transplant recipients,originating from a multifactorial etiology.Factors contributing to growth impairment encompass pre-transplant conditions such as primary kidney disease,malnutrition,quality of care,growth deficits at the time of transplantation,dialysis adequacy,and the use of recombinant human growth hormone.Additionally,elements related to the renal transplant itself,such as living donors,corticosteroid usage,and graft functioning,further compound the challenge.Although renal transplantation is the preferred renal replacement therapy,its impact on achieving final height and normal growth in children remains uncertain.The consequences of growth delay extend beyond the physi-ological realm,negatively influencing the quality of life and social conditions of pediatric renal transplant recipients,and ultimately affecting their educational and employment outcomes.Despite advancements in graft survival rates,growth retardation remains a formidable clinical concern among children undergoing renal transplantation.Major risk factors for delayed final adult height include young age at transplantation,pre-existing short stature,and the use of specific immunosuppressive drugs,particularly steroids.Effective management of growth retardation necessitates early intervention,commencing even before transplantation.Strategies involving the administration of recombinant growth hormone both pre-and post-transplant,along with protocols aimed at minimizing steroid usage,are important for achieving catch-up growth.This review provides a comprehensive outline of the multifaceted nature of growth retardation in pediatric renal transplant recipients,emphasizing the importance of early and targeted interventions to mitigate its impact on the long-term well-being of these children from birth to adolescence.INTRODUCTION Children with chronic kidney disease(CKD)endure frequent hospitalizations and ongoing treatment,which significantly affect their quality of life.One of the most noticeable effects of CKD in children is poor growth,with stunted height being a common sign of chronic malnutrition.Growth assessment involves regularly measuring weight and height/length and comparing these against z-score charts,along with other anthropometric indicators like head circumference and mid-upper arm circumference.Data from the North American Pediatric Renal Trials and Collaborative Studies(NAPRTCS)registry shows that over 35%of children enrolled had stunted growth at the time of admission,with growth impairment being more severe in younger children(58%in those aged under 1 year,compared to 22%in those aged over 12 years).Additionally,the same data revealed that growth impairment worsens as the severity of the disease increases.Although recent advances in science have enabled better outcomes for children with CKD,in resource-limited settings,numerous children are still deprived of achieving optimal growth owing to the disease and its related factors.Stunting is a key indicator of chronic growth impairment in children.A study by Wong et al[1]in the United States Renal Data System found that each SD decrease in height among children with stage V CKD is linked to a 14%increase in the risk of death[1].Similarly,research by Furth et al[2]using data from the NAPRTCS indicated that children with a height standard deviation score(SDS)of-2.5 face a relative hazard of death of 2.07.Stunting also correlates with increased hospitalizations.A study in the United States followed 1112 pediatric patients with end-stage renal disease from 1990 to 1995.It showed that children with severe or moderate growth failure had higher hospitalization rates compared to those with normal growth.Specifically,the relative risk for hospitalization was 1.14(95%CI:1.1-1.2)for those with moderate growth failure and 1.24(95%CI:1.2-1.3)for those with severe growth failure,even after adjusting for age,sex,race,cause,and duration of end-stage renal disease,and treatment type[2](dialysis or transplant).The growth of a child significantly affects his/her psychological and overall well-being as an adult.Short children are often embarrassed by peers,and it has been observed that height influences employment status,with unemployment being more prevalent among stunted individuals.Further,marital opportunities can be fewer among stunted individuals[3].Hence,all measures to achieve adequate growth should be attempted in children with CKD,regardless of whether they undergo transplantation.

Hematological Alterations in an Eastern Sudanese Chronic Kidney Disease Patient Population

Background: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), associated with a slow and progressive loss of kidney function over a period of several years, is an important clinical disaster with an increasing rate of morbidity and mortality especially in the least developed countries. Many hematological parameters are thought to alter dramatically during the course of the disease. These include white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. Methods: We tried, retrospectively, to evaluate the peripheral blood hematological alterations in a group of patients undergoing hemodialysis in an eastern Sudan dialysis center to add local medical information. Results: Anemia (Low hemoglobin and hematocrit) was detected in 94% of the patients’ group. Mean Erythrocyte count (3.32vs.4.76 (×109/L)), Hemoglobin concentration (9.4vs.13 (g/dl)), Hematocrit (28.7vs.38.7 (L/L)) and platelet count (296 vs. 238 (×109/L)) were significantly lower in the patients’ group than in the control group (P-values Conclusion: Five out of eight studied parameters (Red cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean cell hemoglobin concentration, and platelets count) have shown a significant alteration in CKD patients. As the complete blood count (CBC) test is the most utilized test in clinical laboratory practice, these alterations may be considered as early indicators for CKD. Furthermore, all patients with CKD must be routinely checked for these alterations.

Clinical Features of Renal Insufficiency due to Multiple Myeloma and Related Risk Factors

Objective: To study clinical features of the patients with multiple myeloma(MM) accompanied by renal insufficiency and investigate the related risk factors of renalimpairment. Methods: A control study of clinical characteristics was performed between 91 patientswith renal insufficiency due to MM and 165 patients with normal renal function in MM during the sameperiod. The data were statistically analyzed by chi-square test and logistic regression analysis.Results: Renal insufficiency was the initial presentation in 48 (52.7%) of the 91 patients, and 30(62.5%) of the 48 patients were misdiagnosed. The prognosis of group with renal insufficiency wassignificantly poorer than that of group with normal renal function: mortality in 3 months, 3months-1 year was 26/91 vs 14/165 (P 【 0.0001), 14/91 vs 12/165 (P 【 0.05) respectively, andpatients survived 】 1 year was 18/91 vs 95/165 (P 【 0.0001). The incidence of hypercalcemia,hyperuricemic, severe anemia, high serum M-protein concentration and lytic bone lesions weresignificantly higher in renal insufficiency group than those in control group (P 【 0.05). Logisticregression analysis identified 5 risk factors of renal impairment, including, severe anemia(Exp(β)=13.819, P 【 0.0001), use of nephrotoxic drugs (Exp(β)=6.217, P = 0.001), high serumM-protein concentration (Exp(β) = 5.026, P = 0.001), male (Exp(β)=3.745, P=0.006), andhypercalcemia (Exp(β)=3A72, P=0.006), but age, serum density of uric acid, type of serum M-protein,and Bence Jones proteinuria were not significantly associated with renal insufficiency. Conclusion:Renal insufficiency was a common early complication of MM, which often resulted in misdiagnosis.The status of these patients tended to be very bad, with many other complications, when MM wasdiagnosed, so their prognosis was poor. The occurrence of renal insufficiency in patients with MMand hypercalcemia, severe anemia, high serum M-protein concentration, especially use of nephrotoxicdrugs should be alert.

Evaluation of chronic kidney disease in chronic heart failure: From biomarkers to arterial renal resistances

Chronic kidney disease and its worsening are recurring conditions in chronic heart failure(CHF) which are independently associated with poor patient outcome.The heart and kidney share many pathophysiological mechanisms which can determine dysfunction in each organ. Cardiorenal syndrome is the condition in which these two organs negatively affect each other, therefore an accurate evaluation of renal function in the clinical setting of CHF is essential. This review aims to revise the parameters currently used to evaluate renal dysfunction in CHF with particular reference to the usefulness and the limitations of biomarkers in evaluating glomerular dysfunction and tubular damage. Moreover, it is reported the possible utility of renal arterial resistance index(a parameter associated with abnormalities in renal vascular bed) for a better assesment of kidney disfunction.

Study on Yangxue Qingnao Granule (养血清脑颗粒) in Treating Chronic Cerebrovascular Insufficiency

Objective: To observe the therapeutic effect of Yangxue Qingnao granule (养血清脑颗粒, YXQNG) in treating chronic cerebrovascular insufficiency (CCI) and its possible mechanism. Methods: Eighty -three patients with CCI were randomly divided into YXQNG and nimodipine (ND) groups, the score of vertigo and the change in cerebral blood velocity before and after treatment were observed. And in the animal experiment, the authors adopted bilateral ligation of cervical carotid communis artery to establish CCI rat models in order to observe the effect of YXQNG and ND on incubation period of vertigo in rats and on memory performance. Results: After clinical treatment, the vertigo score of YXQNG group was 2.34, and that of the ND group was 4.18, the comparison between the two groups showed that the difference was significant ( P < 0.05 ). After treatment, the middle cerebral artery mean velocity (MCA Vm) of YXQNG group was 64.78 cm/s, vertebral artery mean velocity (VA Vm) was 29.78 cm/s, while that of ND group was 60.34 cm/s and 23.23 cm/s respectively, the comparison between these two groups showing statistical significance and the difference being obvious ( P <0.05). Experimental study showed that the rats in the model group after 12 weeks learning and memory were markedly lowered, the vertigo incubation period significantly lengthened, and compared with that of the model group, learning and memory of the YXQNG group was markedly improved and vertigo incubation period shortened, with the difference from that of the ND group insignificant, P >0.05. Conclusion: YXQNG could effectively improve CCI patients' vertigo and other clinical symptoms and increase the cerebral blood flow, lessen the vertigo incubation of model group rats, elevate model group rats' memory performance.

Effects of Helicobacter pylori infection on gastric epithelial cell kinetics in patients with chronic renal failure

AIM： To evaluate the effects of Helicobacter pylori infection on gastric epithelial cell kinetics in patients with chronic renal failure （CRF）. METHODS： Forty-four patients were enrolled in this study and divided into four groups with respect to their Helicobacter pylori （H pylori） and CRF status. Groups were labeled as follows： la： normal renal function, H pylori negative （n = 12）, lb： normal renal function, H pylori positive （n = 11）, 2a： CRF, H pylori negative （n = 10）, 2b： CRF, H pylori positive （n = 11）. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was done in all the patients involved in the study. During endoscopical investigation, antral biopsy specimens were taken from each patient. In order to evaluate the cell apoptosis and proliferation in gastric epithelial cells, Bax and proliferating cell nuclear antigen （PCNA） labeling indexes （LI） were assessed with immunohistochemical staining method. RESULTS： For groups la, lb, 2a, and 2b, mean Bax LI was identified as 34.4±13.7, 44.1±16.5, 46.3±20.5, 60.7±13.8, respectively and mean PCNA LI was identified as 36.2±17.2, 53.6±25.6, 59.5±25.6, 67.2±22, respectively. When the one-way ANOVA test was applied, statistically significant differences were detected between the groups for both Bax LI （P = 0.004 〈0.01） and PCNA LI （P = 0.009 〈0.01）. When groups were compared further in terms of Bax LI and PCNA LI with Tukey＇s HSD test for multiple pairwise comparisons, statistically significant difference was observed only between groups la and 2b （P = 0.006 〈0.01）.CONCLUSION： In gastric epithelial cells, expression of both the pre-apoptotic protein Bax and the proliferation marker PCNA increase with H pylori infection. This increase is more evident in patients with uremia. These findings suggest that uremia accelerates apoptosis and proliferation in gastric epithelial cells.

Detection of the Level of Urinary FPA in Chronic Nephritis with Renal Failure and Its Clinical Implication

The level of urinary FPA was assayed by high per formance liquid chromatography (HPLC ) in 42 normal controls, 57 cases of chronic glomeru-lonephritis, including 24 with normal renal function, 12 with renal insufficiency and 21 with uremia. Their levels were 24. 40± 10. 30 μg/L, 26. 99±5.77 μg/L,38. 81±6. 28 μg/L, 79. 74± 18. 76 μg/L, respectively. The level of urinary FPA in renal insufficiency function group was significantly higher than those of the con-trol group and normal renal function group (P<0.01). The patients with uremia presented dramatically higher level of urinary FPA than those in the renal insufficiency group (P<0.01). A positive correlation was found between the level of urinary FPA and the blood creatine (r= 0. 9120, P<0. 01 ). It was suggested that a hypercoagulable state existed in the patients with chronic nephritis with renal failure, in which the severity was closely related with the occurrence and development of the disease. The urinary FPA could serve as a good indicator for renal function.