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.

Depression and chronic heart failure in the elderly： an intriguing relationship

Chronic heart failure and depressive disorders have a high prevalence and incidence in the elderly. Several studies have shown how depression tends to exacerbate coexisting chronic heart failure and its clinical outcomes and vice versa, especially in the elderly. The negative synergism between chronic heart failure and depression in the elderly may be approached only taking into account the multifaceted pathophysiological characteristics underlying both these conditions, such as behavioural factors, neurohormonal activation, inflammatory mediators, hypercoagulability and vascular damage. Nevertheless, the pathophysiological link between these two conditions is not well established yet. Despite the high prevalence of depression in chronic heart failure elderly patients and its negative prognostic value, it is often unrecognized especially because of shared symptoms. So the screening of mood disorders, using reliable questionnaires, is recommended in elderly patients with chronic heart failure, even if cannot substitute a diagnostic interview by mental health professionals. In this setting, treatment of depression requires a multidisciplinary approach including： psychotherapy, antidepressants, exercise training and electroconvulsive therapy. Pharmacological therapy with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, despite conflicting results, improves quality of life but does not guarantee better outcomes. Exercise training is effective in improving quality of life and prognosis but at the same time cardiac rehabilitation services are vastly underutilized.

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.

Wireless capsule endoscopy in the investigation of patients with chronic renal failure and obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (preliminary data)

AIM： To investigate the role of wireless capsule endoscopy （WCE） in detection of small bowel （SB） pathology in patients with chronic renal failure （CRF） and obscure bleeding. METHODS： Consecutive CRF patients with obscure bleeding were prospectively studied. Patients with normal renal function and obscure bleeding, investigated during the same period with WCE, were used for the interpretation of results. RESULTS： Seventeen CRF patients （11 overt, 6 occult bleeding） and 51 patients （33 overt, 18 occult bleeding） with normal renal function were enrolled in this study. Positive SB findings were detected in 70.6% of CRF patients and in 41.2% of non-CRF patients （P〈0.05）. SB angiodysplasia was identified in 47% of CRF patients and in 17.6% of non-CRF patients. Univariate logistic regression revealed CRF as a significant predictive factor for angiodysplasia （P〈0.05）. Therapeutic measures were undertaken in 66% of the patients with the positive findings. CONCLUSION： According to our preliminary results, SB angiodysplasia was found in an increased prevalence among CRF patients with obscure bleeding. WCE is useful in diagnosis of gastrointestinal pathologies and in planning appropriate therapeutic intervention and, therefore, should be included in the work-up of this group of patients.

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.

Inflammatory status in chronic renal failure: The role of homocysteinemia and pro-inflammatory cytokines

AIM： To evaluate determinants of infammatory mark-ers in chronic renal failure patients according to the level of glomerular fltration rate. METHODS： One hundred ffty four patients （Age： 44 ± 06 years; male/female： 66/88） with chronic renal fail-ure （CRF） were divided into 6 groups according to the National Kidney Foundation （NKF） classification. They included 28 primary stage renal failure patients （CRF 1）, 28 moderate stage renal failure patients （CRF 2）,28 severe stage renal failure patients （CRF 3）, 18 end-stage renal failure patients （CRF 4）, 40 hemodialysis （HD） patients, and 12 peritoneal dialysis （PD） patients. Tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）, interleukin-1β （IL-1β）, interleukin-6 （IL-6） and C-reactive protein （CRP） were analyzed by immunosorbent assay kit （ELISA） （Cayman Chemical’s ACETM EIA kit）. Immunoassay methods were used for total homocysteine （tHcy） （fuorescence polarization immunoanalysis HPLC, PerkinEmer 200 series）, transferrin （MININEPHTM human transferin kit： ZK070.R）, ferritin （ADVIA Centaur ） and fbrinogen analysis （ACL 200）. Differences between groups were performed using SPSS 20.0 and data are expressed as the mean ± SD.RESULTS： Results showed that in comparison with CRF 1 group and other groups, TNF-α and IL-6 levels were respectively more elevated in HD （16.38 ± 5.52 pg/mL vs 0.39 ± 0.03 pg/mL, 11.05 ± 3.59 pg/mL vs 8.20 ± 0.22 pg/mL, P 〈 0.001） and PD （14.04 ± 3.40 pg/mL vs 0.39 ± 0.03 pg/mL, 10.15 ± 1.66 pg/mL vs 8.20 ± 0.22 pg/mL, P 〈 0.001）. IL-1β levels were increased in HD （9.63 ± 3.50 pg/mL vs 3.24 ± 0.10 pg/mL, P 〈 0.001） and CRF 4 （7.76 ± 0.66 pg/mL vs 3.24 ± 0.10 pg/mL, P 〈 0.001） patients than in CRF 1 and in the other groups. Plasma tHcy levels were higher in HD （32.27 ± 12.08 μmol/L） and PD （28.37 ± 4.98 μmol/L） patients compared to the other groups of CRF （P 〈 0.001）. The serum CRP level was signifcantly increased in HD （18.17 ± 6.38 mg/L） and PD （17.97 ± 4.85 mg/L） patients compared to the other groups of CRF patients （P 〈 0.001）. The plasma fbrinogen level was more elevated in HD （6.86 ± 1.06 g/L） and CRF 4 （6.05 ± 0.57 g/L） than in the other groups （ P 〈 0.001）. Furthermore; the ferritin level was higher in HD （169.90 ± 62.16 ng/mL） and PD （90.08 ± 22.09 ng/mL） pa-tients compared to the other groups of CRF （P 〈 0.001）. The serum transferrin value was signifcantly decreased especially in PD （1.78 ± 0.21 g/L） compared to the oth-er groups （P 〈 0.001）. We found a negative correlation between glomerular fltration rate （GFR）, TNF-α levels （ r = -0.75, P 〈 0.001）, and tHcy levels （ r = -0.68, P 〈 0.001）. We observed a positive correlation between GFR and transferrin levels （ r = 0.60, P 〈 0.001）. CONCLUSION： CRF was associated with elevated in-flammatory markers. The inflammation was observed at the severe stage of CRF and increases with progres-sion of renal failure.

Effects of chronic renal failure on the expression of connexin 43 in the rat＇s corpus cavernosum

Aim： To explore the mechanism of chronic renal failure （CRF）-related erectile dysfunction （ED）. Methods： CRF experimental models were established by 5/6 nephrectomy from male Sprague-Dawley rats. Both the rats from the control group （NCRF group, n = 6） and the experimental group （CRF group, n = 30） were injected with a low dose （80 μg/g） of apomorphine in the 12th week after resection surgery to measure corresponding penile erections. Western blot method was thereafter conducted to measure the expression of connexin 43 （CX43） in the rat corpus cavernosum in the 12th week after the resection surgery. Results： There was one death in the NCRF group and five in the CRF group. The penile erection ratio of the CRF group was 28% （7/25）, whereas that of the NCRF group was 100% （5/5）, which presents a significant difference between the two groups （P 〈 0.05）. In terms of penile erection frequency, the average of the CRF group was 1.0 ± 0.0, which was significantly different from that of the NCRF group （2.2 ± 0.8） （P 〈 0.05）. As for the expression of CX43 in the rat corpus cavernosum, a notable difference existed between the CRF group （0.21 ± 0.07） and the NCRF group （0.53 ± 0.27） （P 〈 0.01）. Conclusion： CRF significantly reduces the erectile function of rats. A close correlation exists between the expression of CX43 in rats＇ corpus cavernosum and CRF-related ED. （Asian J Andro12008 Mar; 10： 286-289）

Etiologies of Chronic Renal Failure in Adolescent Patients at the University Hospital of Brazzaville

Objectives:?The aim of our work was to identify the etiologies of chronic renal failure in adolescent patients.?Patients and Methods:?This is a descriptive cross-sectional retrospective study that included adolescents aged 10 to 19 years hospitalized between January 2014 and December 2017 in the department of nephrology at the?University Hospital of Brazzaville. The CRF was defined according to the ANAES criteria by an estimated glomerular filtration rate less than 60 ml/min/?1.73?m2?of body surface.?Results:?Forty cases of CRF were collected, representing a prevalence of 4.9%. The average age was 16.32 ± 3.64 years and the sex ratio was 3. The most common mode of discovery was edematous syndrome 62.5%. The most common etiology was glomerular nephropathies 60%, hereditary nephropathies 25% and malformative uropathies in 15%. Ten patients (25%) had moderate CFR at admission, 62.5% had severe CRF, 12.5% had terminal CFR?and all of them died during the year.?Conclusion:?Epidemiological data CRF in adolescent patients in developing countries are scarce and limit treatment. Glomerular pathologies represent the most frequent etiology. Early treatment of chronic renal failure in childhood and multidisciplinary collaboration between pediatrician and nephrologist are necessary.

Beta-blocker therapy in elderly patients with renal dysfunction and heart failure

OBJECTIVE To assess the role of beta-blockers(BB)in patients with chronic kidney disease(CKD)aged≥75 years.METHODS AND RESULTS From January 2008 to July 2014,we included 390 consecutive patients≥75 years of age with ejection fraction≤35%and glomerular filtration rate(GFR)≤60 m L/min per 1.73 m^2.We analyzed the relationship between treatment with BB and mortality or cardiovascular events.The mean age of our population was 82.6±4.1 years.Mean ejection fraction was 27.9%±6.5%.GFR was 60-45 m L/min per 1.73 m^2 in 50.3%of patients,45-30 m L/min per 1.73 m^2 in 37.4%,and<30 m L/min per 1.73 m^2 in 12.3%.At the conclusion of follow-up,67.4%of patients were receiving BB.The median follow-up was28.04(IR:19.41-36.67)months.During the study period,211 patients(54.1%)died and 257(65.9%)had a major cardiovascular event(death or hospitalization for heart failure).BB use was significantly associated with a reduced risk of death(HR=0.51,95%CI:0.35-0.74;P<0.001).Patients receiving BB consistently showed a reduced risk of death across the different stages of CKD:stage IIIa(GFR=30-45 m L/min per 1.73 m^2;HR=0.47,95%CI:0.26-0.86,P<0.0001),stage IIIb(GFR 30-45 m L/min per 1.73 m^2;HR=0.55,95%CI:0.26-1.06,P=0.007),and stages IV and V(GFR<30 m L/min per 1.73 m~2;HR=0.29,95%CI:0.11-0.76;P=0.047).CONCLUSIONS The use of BB in elderly patients with HFr EF and renal impairment was associated with a better prognosis.Use of BB should be encouraged when possible.

Prevalence of Severe Anemia (Hb ≤ 5 g/dl) in Non-Dialyzed Chronic Renal Failure Patients in the Nephrology and Hemodialysis Department of Point G University Hospital

Introduction: Chronic renal failure (CRF) is defined as glomerular filtration rate (GFR) less than 60 ml/min/1.73m2 for at least three (3) months. Anemia is one of its most common complications. Anemia increases the risk factor for cardiovascular mortality by 18% per gram of hemoglobin loss. Objectives: To determine the prevalence and characteristics of this severe anemia, to determine the indications for transfusion, the complications related to this anemia, the evolution and the prognosis of these patients. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive study with retrospective data collection over 18 months (January 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018) that included hospitalized CRF patients. Were included, non-dialyzed chronic renal failure patients with Hb ≤ 5 g/dl hospitalized during the said period. Not included were chronic renal failure patients with an Hb level ≥ 5 g/dl, those followed up and/or hospitalized outside the study period. Results: Among 1176 patients, 26 had severe anemia (Hb level ≤ 5 g/dl) on CRF, a prevalence of 2.21%. The mean age was 40 years ± 32.62 with extremes of 15 and 67 years. Seventeen women and 9 men. The etiology of chronic renal failure (CRF) was hypertensive vascular nephropathy in 50% of cases. CRF was end-stage in 18 patients (69.2%). The mean hemoglobin level was 4.10 g/dl ± 0.64 with extremes of 2 and 5 g/dl. The anemia was microcytic hypochromic in 50% and aregenerative (96.2%). The main symptoms were asthenia in 20 cases (76.9%), dizziness in 20 cases (76.9%), exertional dyspnea in 19 cases (73.1%). Signs of cardiac decompensation (n = 12) were jugular turgor 10 cases (38.5%), hepato-jugular reflux 06 cases (23.1%), mitral insufficiency murmur 06 cases (23.1%). The main complication was left ventricular hypertrophy 17 cases (77.3%). There was no correlation between anemia and sex (p = 0.291), age (p = 0.778), malaria (p = 0.158), etiology of CRF (p = 0.26). The evolution after treatment of anemia was favorable in 19 patients (73.1%), unfavorable in 02 patients (7.7%) and 05 deaths (19.2%). The deaths were of cardiovascular cause: left ventricular insufficiency 04 cases, stroke 01 case. Conclusion: Anemia is frequent in patients with chronic renal failure and remains an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease and poor general condition.

The Possibilities of Chronic Renal Failure Patients Contracting Occult Hepatitis B Virus Infection, Sudan

Introduction: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major cause of death in sub-Saharan Africa. The effects of the CKD on the host and the continuous therapeutic measures increase the hypothesis of blood-borne diseases transmission. Objective: This study aimed to find the frequency of occult hepatitis B virus (OBI) in patients of chronic renal failure (CRF) and to study the possibilities of infection acquisition. Methods: During 2017 and 2019, two hundred CRF patients under regular haemodialysis and attending Gezira Hospital for Renal Diseases and Surgery were recruited. Plasma specimens were collected and used for detection of hepatitis B surface antigens (HbsAg), total hepatitis B core antibodies (anti-HBc) and hepatitis B virus DNA isolation. Nested PCR reaction was followed to identify HBV. Socio-clinical data for each participant was obtained. Results: Male patients represented 64% (128/200), most frequent age group was from 41 to 60 years with percentage of 56.5% (113/200), 86% (172/200) of CRF patients were received blood while 42% (84/200) get HBV vaccination. Hepatitis B core antibodies were found in 54% (108/200) of studied cases, and 22% (42/188) of tested DNA were positively amplified for target gene. Detection of Hepatitis B core antibodies was significantly associated with marital status while absence of vaccination significantly associated with the detection of both hepatitis B core antibodies and HBV DNA. Conclusion: This study found high frequency of OBI in CRF patients, to reduce the transmission of the disease, possible hypotheses should be studied, including blood transfusion, haemodialysis process and HBV vaccination status.

Effect of adjuvant salvia miltiorrhiza and ligustrazine therapy on renal function, renal blood perfusion as well as CTGF and TGF-β1 content in patients with chronic renal failure

Objective:To analyze the effect of adjuvant salvia miltiorrhiza and ligustrazine therapy on renal function, renal blood perfusion as well as connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 content in patients with chronic renal failure.Methods:80 patients with chronic renal insufficiency treated in our hospital between March 2013 and March 2016 were selected for study and randomly divided into observation group (n=40) and control group (n=40). Control group received conventional therapy and observation group received conventional + adjuvant salvia miltiorrhiza and ligustrazine therapy. After 3 months of treatment, differences in renal function indexes, illness-related indexes, renal blood perfusion, CTGF and TGF-β1 content, and so on of two groups of patients were determined. Results: After 3 months of treatment, serum urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (Scr),β2 microglobulin (β2-MG), intermedin (IMD), fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), cystatin C (CysC), CTGF and TGF-β1 content as well as 24 h urine albumin excretion rate (UAER) level in urine of observation group were significantly lower than those of control group (P<0.05) while glomerular filtration rate (GFR) level and serum adiponectin (APN) content were significantly higher than those of control group (P<0.05);renal perfusion parameters renal cortex Tmax (ATc) and medulla Tmax (ATm) levels of observation group were significantly lower than those of control group while cortex peak intensity change (ΔAc), medulla peak intensity change (ΔAm) and peak intensity (PI) levels were significantly higher than those of control group.Conclusions:Adjuvant salvia miltiorrhiza and ligustrazine therapy can effectively control the overall condition of patients with chronic renal failure, and plays a positive role in improving renal function and increasing renal blood perfusion.

Clinical evaluation of herbal extract niaoduqing in the treatmentofearly stage chronic renal failure

in the advanced stage of kidney diseases,the functional capacity of the diseased kidney gradually declines , and develops into uremia. There is no medicine to retard the progression of early stage chronic renal failure to end-stage renal failure. For this reason, a clinical study was performed in two groups of patients with early stage chronic renal failure. Group 1 patients (400 cases) were treated with a herbal preparation, niaoduqing,and group 2 patients (160 cases) received therapy with Oxyamyli Tectus Sldehydum. It was found that both blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (Scr) levels decreased in group 1 patients (P<0. 05). The group 2patients showed a decreased BUN level (P<0. 05) ,but the decrease of Scr level was not significant (P>0. 05).According to theory of traditional Chinese medicine , niaoduqing can clear BUN and Scr . ameliorate uremic symptoms and protect the residual renal function. From the study, it is suggested that this herbal mixture can be used to treat patients with moderate renal failure. Furthermore , the mixture can be conveniently taken orally and has no side effects.

Digestive Pathologies during Chronic Renal Failure in the Nephrology and Haemodialysis Department at the University Hospital Center of Point G in Mali

Introduction: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is the progressive and irreversible loss of kidney function. It exposes to many complications, among which, digestive complications. In Mali, we do not have data on the prevalence of digestive pathologies in people with chronic renal failure, hence the interest of this study. Objective: To determine the prevalence of digestive pathologies and to describe their manifestations during chronic renal failure. Patients and Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional study conducted from September 2016 to August 2017, a period of 12 months. Included were patients hospitalized in our department with CKD who received digestive endoscopy and/or liver serology. Results: Seventy-one patients underwent digestive endoscopy with oesogastroduodenal fibroscopy (60 patients), rectoscopy (6 patients) and anoscopy (5 patients), i.e. 15.9% of those hospitalized. The mean age of the patients was 48 ± 14 years with extremes of 15 and 84 years. The sample consisted of 59.2% men versus 40.8% women, for a sex ratio of 1.5. The functional signs are in order of frequency: vomiting (72.4%), anorexia (51.3%) and epigastralgia (48.7%). Terminal CKD by creatinine clearance accounted for 88.2% of cases, of which 47.4% were monitored by hemodialysis. Hepatitis C virus infection was present in 21.3% of cases, hepatitis B (18%) and HIV (7.5%). Endoscopic examinations were represented by fibroscopy (84.5%), rectoscopy (8.5%) and anuscopy (7%). The fibroscopic lesions were respectively gastric (96.8%), duodenal (14.1%) and esophageal (12.5%). They were dominated by gastritis (40.5%), duodeno-gastric reflux (16.4%), pyloric gap (12.6%). Rectoscopy found 4 cases of hemorrhoids, 2 cases of rectitis and no lesions were observed at anuscopy. Conclusion: The prevalence of these digestive manifestations and the endoscopic lesions encountered indicate the importance of digestive endoscopy and the performance of hepatic serologies in chronic renal failure patients with digestive symptoms and/or treated by hemodialysis.

Pseudohyperkalemia caused by essential thrombocythemia in a patient with chronic renal failure: A case report

BACKGROUND Hyperkalemia is one of the most common complications of chronic renal failure.Pseudohyperkalemia is caused by elevated levels of serum potassium in vitro and is usually accompanied by thrombocythemia.Although an elevated level of potassium is typically correlated with impaired renal function,pseudohyperkalemia has been rarely reported in patients with chronic renal failure.Here,we conducted a review of the literature to study the case of pseudohyperkalemia caused by the essential thrombocythemia in a patient with chronic renal failure.CASE SUMMARY A 73-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with complaints of palpitation,dyspnea,and acratia for 2 d and a history of essential thrombocythemia for 1 year.The routine blood test showed platelet count of 1460×10^9/L,and biochemistry tests showed that the patient suffered from hyperkalemia(potassium:7.50 mmol/L)and renal failure(estimated glomerular filtration rate:8.88 mL/min).Initial treatment included medicines to lower her potassium-levels and hemodialysis.However,the therapy did not affect her serum potassium levels.Plasma potassium concentration measurements and a history of essential thrombocythemia established the diagnosis of pseudohyperkalemia.The treatments of the platelet disorder gradually normalized serum potassium levels;however,the treatments had to be discontinued later due to the severe leukopenia,and enhanced levels of serum potassium concentrations were observable in the patient.Since plasma sampling was not permitted,doctors had to use a diuretic just in case.Finally,the patient collapsed into unconsciousness and died due to multiple organ dysfunction and electrolyte disturbance.CONCLUSION We reviewed the literature and suggest that serum and plasma potassium values should both be measured for patients whose platelet counts exceed 500×10^9/L to eliminate chances of pseudohyperkalemia,especially for those with chronic renal failure.An inappropriate treatment for pseudohyperkalemia can aggravate a patient's condition.

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.

The Effect of Glucose Added to the Dialysis Fluid on Blood Pressure, Vasoactive Hormones and Energy Transfer during Hemodialysis in Chronic Renal Failure

Background: Previous studies showed that blood pressure was reduced in patients with chronic renal failure during hemodialysis with glucose added to the dialysis fluid. We wanted to test the hypotheses that blood pressure is reduced in non-diabetic and diabetic dialysis patients, when glucose is added to the dialysis fluid, and that blood pressure changes are caused by changes in plasma concentrations of vasoactive hormones or to vasodilation secondary to an increase in body temperature. Methods: The effect of dialysis with glucose added to the dialysis fluid was measured in three randomized, placebo-controlled, un-blinded and cross-over studies with periods of one week duration. In non-diabetic nephropathy (Study 1, n = 19) and diabetic nephropathy (Study 2, n = 15), we measured blood pressure (BP) and pulse rate (PR), plasma concentrations of glucose (p-Glucose), renin (PRC), angiotensin II (p-AngII), endothelin (p-Endot), insulin (p-Ins), glucagon (p-Glu), and human growth hormone (p-hGH). In non-diabetic nephropathy (Study 3, n = 24), we measured the effect of dialysis with glucose added to the dialysis fluid on energy transport from form the body using body temperature control. Results: Study 1 and 2 showed that BP, PRC, p-AngII, and p-Ins were unchanged, whereas P-Endot increased and P-hGH decreased, in dialysis patients with or without glucose added to the dialysis fluid. In diabetics, a marginal increase in p-Glu was measured during dialysis with glucose, but not without glucose. Study 3 showed that SBP increased significantly using dialysis with temperature control of dialysis fluid compared with no temperature control (145 versus 138 mm Hg). In parallel with the increase in SBP, the energy flux from the patients was significantly higher with temperature control than without. Conclusion: In non-diabetics and diabetics, blood pressure was unchanged during dialysis with glucose added to the dialysis fluid in a short-term study. Vasoactive hormones in plasma were changed in the same way independently of glucose in the dialysis fluid. Systolic blood pressure increased using dialysis with temperature control of dialysis fluid, presumably due to vasoconstriction to prevent or antagonize a fall in body temperature.

Uremic clearance granule combined with Alprostadil in the treatment of chronic renal failure: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective: To evaluate whether the combination of Uremic clearance granule with Alprostadil is superior to Alprostadil alone for CRF. Methods: Relevant RCTs were searched through March 2019. Data were analyzed by Stata 15.0. Results: Nine articles involving 726 patients were enrolled in this study. Meta-analysis showed that the total effective rate [OR = 3.68 (2.44, 5.55), P < 0.001], Scr [SMD =-2.34 (-3.49,-1.19), P < 0.001], BUN [SMD =-1.80 (-2.73,-0.87), P < 0.001], Ccr [SMD = 0.71 (0.44, 0.97), P < 0.001] were better in the experimental group. But there were no significant difference in UA, CysC, 24h-Upro and incidence of adverse reactions (all P > 0.05) between two groups. No serious adverse reactions were found. Conclusions: The effect of the integrated medicine on CRF was better than Alprostadil alone. Uremic clearance granule is safe and has no obvious adverse reactions.

Detection and clinical significance of immune function, inflammatory factors, Hcy, SF and β2-MG in elderly patients with chronic renalfailure

Objective: To explore the detection and clinical significance of immune function, inflammatory factors, Hcy, SF and β2-MG in elderly patients with chronic renal failure. Methods: We selected 95 elderly patients with chronic renal failure treated in our hospital from March 2016 to December 2017 as the observation group, and 100 healthy elderly patients were selected as the control group during the same period. The levels of immune parameters, inflammatory factors, Hcy, SF and β2-MG levels were compared and analyzed. Results: The levels of IgA in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group, while IgG, IgM, C3, and C4 were significantly lower than those in the control group. The levels of hs-CRP and IL-6 in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant. the levels of Hcy, SF andβ2-MG in Observation group were significantly higher than that of in the control group, the difference was statistically significant. Conclusions: Elderly patients with CRF have low immune function, high inflammation level, high expression of Hcy, SF and β2-MG. The diagnosis of these indicators is of great significance for the early diagnosis, prevention and prognosis of elderly CRF patients.

Acute Renal Failure in the Elderly in the Nephrology Department of Aristide Le Dantec Hospital in Senegal: About 45 Cases

Introduction: The incidence of acute renal failure (ARF) increases with age. In Senegal, few studies have described the epidemiology of ARF in the elderly. The aim of our study is to establish the epidemiological profile of elderly patients with ARF, identify the causes of ARF in the elderly and assess treatment and prognosis. Methods: We conducted a descriptive and retrospective study over a five-year period from 2011 to 2015 involving patients aged 60 and over, treated for ARI during the study period. Data entry and analysis were done on Epi info 7.3. Results: We included a total of 45 patients. The prevalence of ARF was 3.34%. The mean age was 70.31 years (60 - 83) and the sex ratio was 3.5. Phytotherapy was found in 68.9%, hypertension was found in 68.9%, and diabetes was found in 31.1%. Prostate hypertrophy was found in 53.4% of patients. Pre-renal ARF was the most common (46.6%). Most of the cases, 66.67%, were at Stage 3 of KDIGO. The most common etiologies were respectively tumor (35.5%) and infection (20%). The most common complications were respectively hyperkalemia (33.3%) and hyponatremia (33.3%). Recovery was complete in 62.6% of cases, partial in 37.8% of patients and 13.3% of patients ended up on chronic hemodialysis. Mortality was 4.4%. Conclusion: Herbal medicine, hypertension and diabetes are frequently associated with ARF in the elderly. This justifies increased monitoring of the elderly subject with these conditions in order to subject him to early and appropriate care.