Effect of chronic hepatitis C virus infection on bone mineral density in pediatric renal transplant recipients

Previous studies have suggested that loss of bone mineral density (BMD) frequently occurs in patients with chronic viral liver disease, presenting with histologically proven liver cirrhosis. However, little is known about the occurrence of bone disease in non-cirrhotic patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Furthermore, to the best of our knowledge, such an effect has never been studied in pediatric renal transplant recipients. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of HCV infection on BMD in pediatric renal transplant patients. We performed a cross-sectional study to assess BMD and HCV in 83 patients who received living renal allotransplants in the Mansoura Urology and Nephrology Center between 1983 and 2005. The mean age of the study patients at transplantation was 13.4 ± 2.9 years; there were 53 males (63.9%) and 30 females (36.1%). BMD was studied using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry at various time intervals up to 16 years after transplantation (mean duration after transplantation was 48 ± 34 months, range 12- 192 months). Thirty-three patients tested positive for HCV-RNA (positive group) and 50 patients were negative (negative group), and we compared the BMD between the two groups. Before transplantation, 58 patients (69.9%) were on maintenance hemodialysis, four (4.8%) were on peritoneal dialysis and 21 (25.3%) were pre-emptive. Among the HCV-positive group, six patients (18.2%) had osteoporosis, 17 (51.5%) had osteopenia and ten (30.3%) had normal BMD. In the HCV-negative group, ten patients (20.0%) had osteoporosis, 24 (48.0%) had osteopenia and 16 (32.0%) had normal BMD. The difference was not significant between the two groups (P = 0.9). Also, there was no significant difference in the serum creatinine, calcium, phosphorus and parathormone levels between the two groups. Our results suggest that chronic HCV infection does not pose a risk for low BMD in pediatric renal transplant recipients.

Intravenous alfacalcidol once versus twice or thrice weekly in hemodialysis patients

Secondary hyperparathyroidism remains a serious problem in hemodialysis patients. The use of vitamin D analogs still constitutes a basis for its treatment. This study was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of intravenous administration of alfacalcidol once versus twice or thrice weekly in hemodialysis patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism. Twenty-nine end-stage renal disease patients maintained on hemodialysis for more than one year were included in this prospective study after signing the consent. These patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism had been on intravenous alfacalcidol twice or thrice per week and were followed up to 4 months (stage 1). Then they were shifted to intravenous alfacalcidol once weekly starting with the last total weekly intravenous dose for another 4 months (stage 2). The dose of alfacalcidol was adjusted according to intact parathyroid hormone, serum calcium and phosphorus levels, and calcium-phosphorus product. Intact parathyroid hormone, calcium, phosphorus, calcium-phosphorus product were measured monthly. Parathyroid ultrasound was done as a baseline and then repeated at the end of stage 1 and stage 2. The intact parathyroid hormone was reduced from 49.72 ± 2.72 pmol/L (mean ± standard error of the mean [SEM] during stage 1 to 42.13 ± 2.15 pmol/L during stage 2 (P = 0.005). Dose of alfacalcidol was reduced from 18.80 ± 1.15 µg/month (mean ± SEM) in stage 1 to 15.18 ± 1.27 µg/month in stage 2 (P = 0.008), and consequently the cost of alfacalcidol was reduced from 21.05 ± 1.25 US$/month (mean ± SEM) during stage 1 to 16.87 ± 1.40 US$/month during stage 2 (P = 0.008). Although the phosphorus level increased from 1.56 ± 0.36 mmol/L (mean ± SD) in stage 1 to 1.70 ± 0.46 mmol/ L in stage 2 (P = 0.003), and calcium-phosphorus product increased from 3.48 ± 0.82 mmol(2)/L(2) (mean ± SD) in stage 1 to 3.76 ± 1.00 mmol(2) /L(2) in stage 2 (P = 0.017), they remained in the target levels recommended by the Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative guidelines. No serious effects were observed during stage 1 and stage 2, respectively. Intravenous alfacalcidol once weekly is effective, safe and less costly in suppressing intact parathyroid hormone compared to twice or thrice weekly administration in chronic hemodialysis patients.

International evaluation of unrecognizably uglifying human faces in late and severe secondary hyperparathyroidism in chronic kidney disease. Sagliker syndrome. A unique catastrophic entity, cytogenetic studies for chromosomal abnormalities, calcium-sensing receptor gene and GNAS1 mutations. Striking and promising missense mutations on the GNAS1 gene exons 1, 4, 10, 4

Hypotheses explaining pathogenesis of secondary hyperparathyroidism (SH) in late and severe CKD as a unique entity called Sagliker syndrome (SS) are still unclear. This international study contains 60 patients from Turkey, India, Malaysia, China, Romania, Egypt, Tunisia, Taiwan, Mexico, Algeria, Poland, Russia, and Iran. We examined patients and first degree relatives for cytogenetic chromosomal abnormalities, calcium sensing receptor (Ca SR) genes in exons 2 and 3 abnormalities and GNAS1 genes mutations in exons 1, 4, 5, 7, 10, 13. Our syndrome could be a new syndrome in between SH, CKD, and hereditary bone dystrophies. We could not find chromosomal abnormalities in cytogenetics and on Ca SR gene exons 2 and 3. Interestingly, we did find promising missense mutations on the GNAS1 gene exons 1, 4, 10, 4. We finally thought that those catastrophic bone diseases were severe SH and its late treatments due to monetary deficiencies and iatrogenic mistreatments not started as early as possible. This was a sine qua non humanity task. Those brand new striking GNAS1 genes missense mutations have to be considered from now on for the genesis of SS.

The cost of hemodialysis in a large hemodialysis center

To assess the cost of hemodialysis (HD) delivered at our center according to the treatment protocols based on the current Kidney Disease Outcome Quality Initiative (K/DOQI) guidelines, we analyzed our cost data during the period from 1st of January 2007 to 30th of June 2010. The methods were used to determine both direct costs (related to dialysis treatment such as dialysis disposables, dialysis related drugs, medical personnel, out-patient medications, laboratory and other ancillary services) and overhead costs (building, maintenance and engineering costs, housekeeping, and administrative personnel). During the study period, an average of 2,500 HD sessions per month were performed for 200 patients. The mean total cost per HD session was calculated as 297 US dollars (USD) [1,114 Saudi Riyals (SR)], and the mean total cost of dialysis per patient per year was 46,332 USD (173,784 SR). Direct costs contributed to 81.15% of the total cost from which the personnel cost represented 41.11% and dialysis disposables represented 13.64%, while medications (outpatient and intravenous dialysis related medications including albumin, erythropoiesis stimulating agents, iron and vitamin D₃) accounted for 12.47% of the total cost. Our total cost level is well below the average cost in the industrialized countries.

Appropriateness of anemia management in hemodialysis patients

The anemia of end stage renal disease (ESRD) is common and often severe complication that can be managed successfully by erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA) administration.

AIMS

To investigate current practice of anemia management in hemodialysis patients and to assess the appropriateness of anemia management by comparing observed practice to the Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (KDOQI) guideline recommendations.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN

The study was conducted at two hemodialysis centers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Data on anemia parameters, comorbidities, ESA dosing and iron supplementation were collected. The data were collected for 7 months retrospectively from April to the end of May 2008 and prospectively from June to October 2008. Patients who were over 18 years of age with ESRD undergoing hemodialysis were included. Patients were excluded if they have cancer or receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

RESULTS

Data were collected from 87 patients. Mean Hgb value for those patients was 11.16 ± 0.97 g/dL. Thirty-nine patients (45%) had mean Hgb values between 11.0 and 12.0 g/dL the target range recommended by KDOQI guideline. The mean weekly prescribed dose of erythropoietin was 8099 ± 5946 IU/Week (135 ± 99 IU/kg/Week). Information on ferritin concentrations was available for 48 (55%) patients. The mean serum ferritin concentration for those patients was 693 ± 420.5 ng/mL. Fifty-two patients had transferrin saturation (TSAT) values recorded. The mean TSAT value was 38.5 ± 19.7%.

CONCLUSIONS

There is an opportunity to improve anemia management in hemodialysis patients particularly thorough evaluation of causes of inadequate response rate and better monitoring and management of iron status.

Evaluation of quality of care in a large Saudi Hemodialysis Center (Prince Salman Center for Kidney Diseases, Riyadh, KSA)

INTRODUCTION

The quality of care provided to dialysis patients is under increasing scrutiny and systematic measurements of clinical performance, relying on indicators such as levels of Kt/V, hemoglobin, and serum albumin, have been implemented.

METHODS

In this retrospective study we revised clinical and laboratory data of 146 chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients who met our inclusion criteria in the dialysis unit at Prince Salman Center for Kidney Diseases for a whole year - 2009. This study looked at the extent of adherence to the kidney diseases outcome quality initiative kidney diseases outcome quality initiative (K/DOQI), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for prevention of transmission of infections among HD patients, and American Association of Medical Instrumentation standards for dialysis water quality.

RESULTS

A total of 146 HD patients (54.8% males and 45.2% females) were included in this study with mean age 51.21 ± 15.33 years. About 97.94% of cases had thrice-weekly sessions. An arteriovenous fistula was the vascular access in 78.1% of cases, and a permanent catheter was used in 21.9%. The mean predialysis blood pressure was ≤140/90 in 91.8% of cases. The mean hemoglobin level was 11.44 ± 1.46 g/dL in prevalent HD patients; 79.45% of cases had a hemoglobin level ≥11 g/dL. The mean serum albumin level was 33.53 ± 4.02 g/L; only 31.33% of cases had serum albumin ≥35 g/L. The mean parathormone level was 34.35 ± 28.70 pmol/L; 43.0% of patients had the target range (16.5-33 pmol/L), and the mean calcium level was 2.17 mmol/L; 89.73% of cases had the target range (2.12-2.52 mmol/L) while the mean serum phosphorus level was 1.46 mmol/L; 83.56% of patients had the target range (0.81-1.78 mmol/L). The Ca × Pi product was ≤4.5 in 83.56% of cases. The mean Kt/V value was 1.45 ± 0.18 in prevalent HD patients (98.63% and 60.96% of cases had Kt/V ≥1.2 and ≥ 1.4, respectively). All patients were negative for HIV serology test while the prevalence of hepatitis C virus-positive and hepatitis B virus-positive patients was 24.7% and 4.1%, respectively. All patients (except hepatitis B virus positive) were vaccinated against hepatitis B virus. The annual mortality rate was 5.67%.

CONCLUSION

Our study revealed an excellent quality of care for HD patients in the field of vascular access care, hemoglobin level, blood pressure control, and dialysis adequacy. On the other hand, this study showed the need for improving the nutritional status of patients through more dietary counseling, nutritional education, and early management for nutritional problems.

Obesity and metabolic syndrome in hemodialysis patients: single center experience

Recent evidence highlights the relationship between metabolic syndrome (MS) and increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) diseases. The overall prevalence of the MS is increased in hemodialysis population. To evaluate the prevalence of the MS and obesity in our hemodialysis (HD) patients, we studied 234 HD patients and 34 patients were excluded from the study due to incomplete data at the time of analysis. For the remaining 200 patients, 92% were below the age of 70 years old, 162 (81%) were hypertensive, 90(45%) were diabetic, 54 (27%) had ischemic heart diseases, and 116 (58%) had MS. The incidence of MS in the male and female patients was 50% and 67%, respectively, with a mean abdominal girth more than 94 cm in males and only 14% of the patients revealed abdominal girth measurement below 80 cm in females. We conclude that there is a high prevalence of obesity and MS in our HD patients. Such patients may be at risk of developing morbidities and may benefit from therapy such as lifestyle changes including weight reduction and increased physical activity.

Free thyroxine, free triiodothyronine and thyroid-stimulating hormone before and after hemodialysis in Saudi patients with end-stage renal disease: is there any difference?

Patients on regular hemodialysis (HD) suffer from a chronic illness that is believed not to involve the thyroid gland. However, they may have low levels of serum thyroxine (T4) and tri-iodothyronine (T3). It was found earlier that serum total T3 and free T4 concentrations were significantly higher immediately after a HD session than before. In this single-center prospective study, we evaluated the difference between free T3 (FT3), free T4 (FT4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels before and immediately after HD sessions in 40 Saudi patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing regular HD at the Prince Salman Center for Kidney Disease, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The study involved 23 female and 17 male patients with a mean age of 49.65 ± 16.20 years. None of the study patients had any known thyroid disease. We measured the thyroid hormones monthly for three successive months using the electrochemiluminescence technique both before and after HD sessions. At the end of our study, we found a statistically significant difference between pre-HD and post-HD levels for FT3; in the first month, it was 4.47 ± 1.01 versus 4.86 ± 1.03 pmol/L, (P = 0.004); in the second month, it was 4.48 ± 1.37 versus 4.83 ± 1.64 pmol/L, (P = 0.008); and in the third month, it was 3.84 ± 0.88 versus 4.04 ± 0.84 pmol/L, (P = 0.003). The FT4 in the first month was 15.42 ± 2.75 pmol/L versus 17.20 ± 2.85 pmol/L, P = 0.000, in the second month it was 14.86 ± 2.66 versus 16.74 ± 3.27 pmol/L, P = 0.000 and in the third month it was 14.86 ± 3.93 versus 16.70 ± 4.00 pmol/L, P = 0.000, respectively. However, the pre- and post-HD levels of TSH did not show any statistically significant difference; in the first month it was 3.17 ± 1.47 versus 3.32 ± 1.39 pmol/L, P = 0.254, in the second month it was 2.57 ± 1.36 versus 2.49 ± 1.29 pmol/L, P = 0.299 and in the third month it was 2.36 ± 1.17 versus 2.44 ± 1.22 pmol/L, P = 0.238, respectively. Thus, there was a statistically significant increase in the post-HD levels of FT3 and FT4 although the TSH levels did not show any significant change. Our study suggests that measurement of TSH alone might be more reliable in the assessment of thyroid function in patients on regular HD than FT3 and FT4.

Superior vena cava syndrome in hemodialysis patient

Obstruction of blood flow in the superior vena cava (SVC) results in symptoms and signs of SVC syndrome. SVC obstruction can be caused either by invasion or external compression of the SVC by contagious pathologic processes involving the right lung, lymph nodes, and other mediastinal structures, or by thrombosis of blood within the SVC. Occasionally, both mechanisms co-exist. We hereby report a case of a 28-year-old male, Saudi patient who was diagnosed with end-stage renal disease and was maintained on regular hemodiaysis via right jugular vein dual lumen catheter for ten months. Three years later, the patient presented with signs and symptoms suggestive of SVC obstruction that was successfully managed with SVC stenting.

Cinacalcet effect on severe hyperparathyroidism

To determine the efficacy and safety of cinacalcet, a calcimimetic drug that suppress parathyroid hormone (PTH) production, we studied its effect on 20 patients (13 males) on maintenance hemodialysis (HD), 80% of them have persistent high PTH levels (i.e. more than 80 pmol/L), the remaining patients had PTH levels more than 60 pmol/L. Five of 20 (25%) patients dropped out from the study (2 because of severe GIT upset, one showed severe myalgia and arthralgia, one patient due to non compliance and one died at home due to cardiac arrest). The remaining 15 patients (10 males) had a mean age of 40 ± 12.86 years and dialysis duration of 29.13 ± 18.27 months. The follow-up period on cinacalcet was 4 months with a single daily oral dose started with 30 mg/day and increased gradually according to the PTH levels. Nine (60%) patients were on concomitant active vitamin D during the study period with a mean dose of 7.33 ± 3.39 μg/week. There was a significant decrease in the serum PTH levels at the end the study compared to that at the start (46.4 ± 4.7 pmol/L versus 93.3 ± 25.6 pmol/L, respectively, P< 0.000), and the target PTH level (< 31.6 pmol/L) was achieved in 54% of patients. No significant changes in serum Ca and phosphorous levels were observed. We conclude that cinacalcet is an effective therapy to suppress the serum PTH levels and allows favorable management of the serum calcium and phosphorus levels in HD patients. The drug was well tolerated; however, GIT discomfort is a significant side effect that may necessitate drug withdrawal in some patients.

Proteinuria among renal transplant patients and its relation to hepatitis C virus and graft outcome: a single center experience

OBJECTIVES

Chronic hepatitis C virus has been associated with glomerular disease in native and transplanted kidneys. Reports suggest that hepatitis C virus-infected renal recipients may develop de novo glomerulonephritis. We evaluated the presence of hepatitis C virus at transplant, the occurrence of proteinuria in Egyptian renal transplant patients, and its possible link with graft survival.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Three hundred seventeen patients with end-stage renal disease receiving transplants in Mansoura Urology and Nephrology Center were retrospectively evaluated between 2000 and 2003. Their sera were assayed for anti-hepatitis C virus antibodies at transplant. The relation between hepatitis C virus and development of posttransplant proteinuria was evaluated, along with possible effects of proteinuria on long-term graft survival.

RESULTS

Two hundred seventy-three recipients fulfilled the inclusion criteria, 169 were positive and 104 were negative for hepatitis C virus-antibodies by ELISA. Mean duration of posttransplant follow-up was 87.73 +/- 26.79 and 84.29 +/- 28.55 months for both groups. Groups were comparable regarding the incidence and quantity of hepatitis C virus positive patients and 0.4 g/d (P = .09 of proteinuria). In both hepatitis C virus-positive and negative groups, those with nephrotic range proteinuria showed worse graft survival (P = .001) and higher frequency of chronic allograft nephropathy (P = .05) compared with nonproteinuric patients.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a high prevalence of hepatitis C virus in our end-stage renal disease patients awaiting renal transplant. The incidence and quantity of proteinuria is similar in both hepatitis C virus-positive and hepatitis C virus-negative transplant recipients. Nephrotic range proteinuria is associated significantly with a higher incidence of chronic allograft nephropathy. Independent from serology, it is associated with poorer graft outcome.

Online conductivity monitoring of dialysis adequacy versus Kt/V derived from urea reduction ratio: a prospective study from a Saudi Center

INTRODUCTION

Adequate delivered dose of solute removal (as assessed by urea reduction and calculation of Kt/V) is an important determinant of clinical outcome in chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients. This requires both prescription of an adequate dose of HD and regular assessment that the delivered treatments are also adequate. Online conductivity monitoring (OCM) using sodium flux as a surrogate for urea allows for the repeated non-invasive measurement of Kt/V on each HD treatment.

METHODS

We prospectively studied 17 (9 males, 8 females) established chronic HD patients over an eight-week period (408 treatments). A pre- and post-dialyzer measurement of the conductivity is performed by two mutually independent temperature-compensated conductivity cells equipped with Fresenius 4008 S(R) dialysis machines. Urea reduction was measured once a week by a single-pool calculation using immediate post-treatment sampling. No changes were made to any of the dialysis prescriptions over the study period. Values of calculated Kt/V and simultaneously obtained online Kt/V were compared.

RESULTS

There was a statistically significant difference between calculated Kt/V and online Kt/V over the study period. The mean calculated Kt/V was 1.37 +/- 0.09, and mean online Kt/V 1.02 +/- 0.15 (p = 0.000). Calculated Kt/V >or= 1.2 was achieved in all our patients, while online Kt/V >or= 1.2 was achieved in only 17.64%. Yet there was moderate correlation between calculated Kt/V and online Kt/V (r(2) = 0.48).

CONCLUSIONS

Online conductivity monitoring (OCM) results underestimates dialysis efficiency compared to calculated Kt/V readings. This difference has to be considered when applying Kt/V to clinical practice.