COVID-19 Outcomes and Vaccinations in Swedish Solid Organ Transplant Recipients 2020-2021: A Nationwide Multi-Register Comparative Cohort Study

Increased COVID-19-related morbidity and mortality have been reported in solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs). Most studies are underpowered for rigorous matching. We report infections, hospitalization, ICU care, mortality from COVID-19, and pertinent vaccination data in Swedish SOTRs 2020-2021. We conducted a nationwide cohort study, encompassing all Swedish residents. SOTRs were identified with ICD-10 codes and immunosuppressant prescriptions. Comparison cohorts were weighted based on a propensity score built from potential confounders (age, sex, comorbidities, socioeconomic factors, and geography), which achieved a good balance between SOTRs and non-SOTR groups. We included 10,372,033 individuals, including 9073 SOTRs. Of the SARS-CoV-2 infected, 47.3% of SOTRs and 19% of weighted comparator individuals were hospitalized. ICU care was given to 8% of infected SOTRs and 2% of weighted comparators. The case fatality rate was 7.7% in SOTRs, 6.2% in the weighted comparison cohort, and 1.3% in the unweighted comparison cohort. SOTRs had an increased risk of contracting COVID-19 (HR = 1.15 p < 0.001), being hospitalized (HR = 2.89 p < 0.001), receiving ICU care (HR = 4.59 p < 0.001), and dying (HR = 1.42 p < 0.001). SOTRs had much higher morbidity and mortality than the general population during 2020-2021. Also compared with weighted comparators, SOTRs had an increased risk of contracting COVID-19, being hospitalized, receiving ICU care, and dying. In Sweden, SOTRs were vaccinated earlier than weighted comparators. Lung transplant recipients had the worst outcomes. Excess mortality among SOTRs was concentrated in the second half of 2021.

Long-term outcome of kidney function in patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis

BACKGROUND

Kidney involvement is common in ANCA associated vasculitis (AAV) and prognosis determined by the severity of kidney damage. This study focused on long-term kidney outcomes, defining possible risk factors and comparing the performance of three different histological classifications to predict outcomes for patients with AAV.

METHODS

The dataset included 848 patients with newly diagnosed AAV who participated in 7 RCTs (1995-2012). Follow up information obtained from questionnaires sent to the principal investigators of the original RCTs.

RESULTS

The cumulative incidence of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) at 5 and 10 years was 17% and 22%, respectively. Patients who developed ESKD had reduced patient survival compared to those with preserved kidney function (HR: 2.8, P-value < 0.001). Comparing patients with AAV and kidney involvement to a matched general population, patients with AAV had poor survival outcomes, even in early stages of CKD. The main cause of death was infection followed by cardiovascular disease in patients developing ESKD and malignancy in those who did not. 34% of patients with initial need for dialysis recovered kidney function after treatment. 35 out of 175 in need of kidney replacement therapy (KRT) during follow up received a kidney transplant with good outcome; 86% patient survival at 10 years.In the subcohort of 214 patients with available kidney biopsies, three scoring systems were tested: the Berden classification, the Renal Risk Score (RRS), and the Mayo Clinic Score (MCCS). The scores highlighted the importance of normal glomeruli and severe glomerulosclerosis on kidney survival (P < 0.001 and P = 0.001, respectively). The RRS demonstrated a moderate prediction of kidney survival (AUC: 0.79; SE: 0.03, 95% CI: 0.71-0.83).

CONCLUSIONS

Early diagnosis is extremely important. Even milder forms of kidney involvement have an impact on the prognosis. Patients in need of KRT had the lowest survival rates, but kidney transplantation has shown favorable outcomes for eligible AAV patients. The three histologic scoring systems were all identified as independent prognostic factors for kidney outcome.

Factors influencing kidney transplantation rates: a study from the ERA Registry

BACKGROUND

Large international differences exist in kidney transplantation (KT) rates. We aimed to investigate which factors may explain the total, deceased donor, and living donor KT rates over the last decade.

METHODS

KT experts from 39 European countries completed the Kidney Transplantation Rate Survey on measures and barriers and their potential effect on the KT rate in their country. In the analyses, countries were divided into low, middle, and high KT rate countries based on the KT rate at the start of study period in 2010.

RESULTS

Experts from low KT rate countries reported more frequently to have taken measures regarding staff, equipment and facilities to increase total KT rate compared with middle and high KT rate countries. For donor type specific KT, the largest international differences in measures taken were reported for deceased donor KT, with middle and high KT rate countries taking more measures, such as the use of expanded criteria donor kidneys, the presence of transplantation coordinators, and (inter)national exchange of donor kidneys. Once a measure was taken, experts' opinion on its success was similar across the low, middle and high KT rate countries. Experts from low KT rate countries more often reported potential barriers, such as patients' lack of knowledge and distrust in the health care system.

CONCLUSIONS

In particular in low KT rate countries, KT rate might be stimulated by optimizing staff, equipment, and facilities. In addition, all countries may benefit from deceased and living donor specific measures.

The association between TMAO, CMPF, and clinical outcomes in advanced chronic kidney disease: results from the European QUALity (EQUAL) Study

BACKGROUND

Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), a metabolite from red meat and fish consumption, plays a role in promoting cardiovascular events. However, data regarding TMAO and its impact on clinical outcomes are inconclusive, possibly due to its undetermined dietary source.

OBJECTIVES

We hypothesized that circulating TMAO derived from fish intake might cause less harm compared with red meat sources by examining the concomitant level of 3-carboxy-4-methyl-5-propyl-2-furanpropionate (CMPF), a known biomarker of fish intake, and investigated the association between TMAO, CMPF, and outcomes.

METHODS

Patients were recruited from the European QUALity (EQUAL) Study on treatment in advanced chronic kidney disease among individuals aged ≥65 y whose estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) had dropped for the first time to ≤20 mL/min per 1.73 m2 during the last 6 mo. The association between TMAO, CMPF, and outcomes including all-cause mortality and kidney replacement therapy (KRT) was assessed among 737 patients. Patients were further stratified by median cutoffs of TMAO and CMPF, suggesting high/low red meat and fish intake.

RESULTS

During a median of 39 mo of follow-up, 232 patients died. Higher TMAO was independently associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality (multivariable HR: 1.46; 95% CI: 1.17, 1.83). Higher CMPF was associated with a reduced risk of both all-cause mortality (HR: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.71, 0.89) and KRT (HR: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.71, 0.90), independently of TMAO and other clinically relevant confounders. In comparison to patients with low TMAO and CMPF, patients with low TMAO and high CMPF had reduced risk of all-cause mortality (adjusted HR: 0.49; 95% CI: 0.31, 0.73), whereas those with high TMAO and high CMPF showed no association across adjusted models.

CONCLUSIONS

High CMPF conferred an independent role in health benefits and might even counteract the unfavorable association between TMAO and outcomes. Whether higher circulating CMPF concentrations are due to fish consumption, and/or if CMPF is a protective factor, remains to be verified.

FC060: Malignancies in Patients With Anca-Associated Vasculitis Treated within the Euvas Trials

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) are known to have an increased risk for the development of malignancies, which has been largely attributed to immunodeficiency or side effects induced by immunosuppressive treatments. Because there is a considerable latency period for cancer development after exposure to immunosuppressive treatments, little data are available on the incidence of cancer for large cohort of patients with AAV and long follow-up. The aim of this study is to describe the cumulative incidence of cancer in patients with AAV who participated in the European Vasculitis Society (EUVAS) therapeutic clinical trials from 1995 to 2012.

METHOD

A total of 848 patients with AAV from 17 European countries were included in the present study. Information was retrieved from questionnaires sent to the principal investigators of the original RCTs (MEPEX, NORAM, CYCAZAREM, CYCLOPS, IMPROVE, RITUXVAS and MYCYC).

RESULTS

Among the total of 848 patients (median follow-up: 8 years, IQR: 2.2–8.8), 149 patients were diagnosed with 181 malignancies. The 10-year cumulative incidence of cancer was estimated at 20.6%. The median duration of start of AAV therapy-to-time of cancer diagnosis was 4.96 years (IQR: 2.24-8.83). The most common cancer types were skin cancer (37.4%), out of which 6 were melanoma and 62 nonmelanoma skin cancer, followed by gastrointestinal cancer (12.6%) and prostatic cancer (9.9%). Patients who developed cancer were significantly older at randomization than those who did not (62 ± 12 versus 57 ± 14 years) (P &lt; 0.001). Considering both remission-induction and remission-maintenance therapies, 94% of the patients received cyclophosphamide, 68.4% azathioprine, 28.2% mycophenolate, 11.4% methotrexate and 10.4% rituximab during the observation period. A total of 6 out of the 28 patients, who were treated with rituximab and two pulses of IV cyclophosphamide as induction therapy, developed cancer. Diagnosis of cancer significantly predicted shorter survival (log-rank = 9.2; P = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

Our findings, which were derived from a large number of patients with AAV enrolled in clinical trials over the past 25 years, estimate the 10-year cumulative incidence of malignancies following the start of AAV therapy at 20.6%. The development of cancer is tightly associated with decreased survival. Analyses of standardized incidence ratios, using the cancer incidence of the background populations as reference, are underway.

Longevity of anti-spike and anti-nucleocapsid antibodies after COVID-19 in solid organ transplant recipients compared to immunocompetent controls

Solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs) are on lifelong immunosuppression, which may interfere with adaptive immunity to COVID-19. The data on dynamics and duration of antibody response in SOTRs are limited. This longitudinal study examined the longevity of both anti-spike (S)- and anti-nucleocapsid (N)-specific IgG antibodies after COVID-19 in SOTRs compared to matched immunocompetent persons. SOTRs (n = 65) were matched with controls (n = 65) for COVID-19 disease severity, age, and sex in order of priority. Serum-IgG antibodies against N and S antigens of SARS-CoV-2 were analyzed. At 1 and 9 months after COVID-19, anti-S-IgG detectability decreased from 91% to 82% in SOTRs versus 100% to 95% in controls, whereas the anti-N-IgG decreased from 63% to 29% in SOTRs versus 89% to 46% in controls. A matched paired analysis showed SOTRs having significantly lower levels of anti-N-IgG at all time points (1 month p = .007, 3 months p < .001, 6 months p = .019, and 9 months p = .021) but not anti-S-IgG at any time points. A mixed-model analysis confirmed these findings except for anti-S-IgG at 1 month (p = .005) and identified severity score as the most important predictor of antibody response. SOTRs mount comparable S-specific, but not N-specific, antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection compared to immunocompetent controls.

[Patients with IgA nephropathy often develop terminal uraemia]

IgA nephropathy is the most common form of inflammatory kidney disease causing uraemia world-wide and initially often a silent disease with microscopic haematuria as the only clinical finding. If left untreated, progress to terminal uraemia and dialysis is not uncommon as at least 30 % develop end stage renal failure. Awareness of the existence of the disease among GPs, internists and urologists may be helpful, not disregarding microscopic haematuria, particularly in combination with albuminuria or finding of renal casts in the urine, especially in younger individuals. No diagnostic marker in blood or urine for the disease has yet been established so kidney biopsy is still needed to confirm diagnosis. The degree of renal dysfunction, hypertension, albuminuria, and histology findings at time of diagnosis have significant impact on renal outcome. Potential biomarkers for progressive disease have been described but no one has so far been implicated in clinical practice. Until now, the only evidence-based medication consists of blockers of the renin-angiotensin-system and corticosteroids. However, new and potentially more specific drugs are under clinical investigation. Early intervention is mandatory to prevent disease progression. Thus, we want to alarm other specialists to an increased alertness for this disease, referring patients at an early stage of possible IgA nephropathy to the nephrologist for diagnosis and interventions.

Associations between depressive symptoms and disease progression in older patients with chronic kidney disease: results of the EQUAL study

Background

Depressive symptoms are associated with adverse clinical outcomes in patients with end-stage kidney disease; however, few small studies have examined this association in patients with earlier phases of chronic kidney disease (CKD). We studied associations between baseline depressive symptoms and clinical outcomes in older patients with advanced CKD and examined whether these associations differed depending on sex.

Methods

CKD patients (≥65 years; estimated glomerular filtration rate ≤20 mL/min/1.73 m²) were included from a European multicentre prospective cohort between 2012 and 2019. Depressive symptoms were measured by the five-item Mental Health Inventory (cut-off ≤70; 0–100 scale). Cox proportional hazard analysis was used to study associations between depressive symptoms and time to dialysis initiation, all-cause mortality and these outcomes combined. A joint model was used to study the association between depressive symptoms and kidney function over time. Analyses were adjusted for potential baseline confounders.

Results

Overall kidney function decline in 1326 patients was –0.12 mL/min/1.73 m²/month. A total of 515 patients showed depressive symptoms. No significant association was found between depressive symptoms and kidney function over time (P = 0.08). Unlike women, men with depressive symptoms had an increased mortality rate compared with those without symptoms [adjusted hazard ratio 1.41 (95% confidence interval 1.03–1.93)]. Depressive symptoms were not significantly associated with a higher hazard of dialysis initiation, or with the combined outcome (i.e. dialysis initiation and all-cause mortality).

Conclusions

There was no significant association between depressive symptoms at baseline and decline in kidney function over time in older patients with advanced CKD. Depressive symptoms at baseline were associated with a higher mortality rate in men.

The relationship between uremic toxins and symptoms in older men and women with advanced chronic kidney disease

Background

Patients with stage 4/5 chronic kidney disease (CKD) suffer from various symptoms. The retention of uremic solutes is thought to be associated with those symptoms. However, there are relatively few rigorous studies on the potential links between uremic toxins and symptoms in patients with CKD.

Methods

The EQUAL study is an ongoing observational cohort study of non-dialyzed patients with stage 4/5 CKD. EQUAL patients from Germany, Poland, Sweden and the UK were included in the present study (n = 795). Data and symptom self-report questionnaires were collected between April 2012 and September 2020. Baseline uric acid and parathyroid hormone and 10 uremic toxins were quantified. We tested the association between uremic toxins and symptoms and adjusted P-values for multiple testing.

Results

Symptoms were more frequent in women than in men with stage 4/5 CKD, while levels of various uremic toxins were higher in men. Only trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO; positive association with fatigue), p-cresyl sulfate (PCS) with constipation and 3-carboxy-4-methyl-5-propyl-2-furanpropionic acid (negative association with shortness of breath) demonstrated moderately strong associations with symptoms in adjusted analyses. The association of phenylacetylglutamine with shortness of breath was consistent in both sexes, although it only reached statistical significance in the full population. In contrast, TMAO (fatigue) and PCS and phenylacetylglutamine (constipation) were only associated with symptoms in men, who presented higher serum levels than women.

Conclusion

Only a limited number of toxins were associated with symptoms in persons with stage 4/5 CKD. Other uremic toxins, uremia-related factors or psychosocial factors not yet explored might contribute to symptom burden.

COVID-19 in solid organ transplant recipients: A national cohort study from Sweden

Solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients run a high risk for adverse outcomes from COVID-19, with reported mortality around 19%. We retrospectively reviewed all known Swedish SOT recipients with RT-PCR confirmed COVID-19 between March 1 and November 20, 2020 and analyzed patient characteristics, management, and outcome. We identified 230 patients with a median age of 54.0 years (13.2), who were predominantly male (64%). Most patients were hospitalized (64%), but 36% remained outpatients. Age >50 and male sex were among predictors of transition from outpatient to inpatient status. National early warning Score 2 (NEWS2) at presentation was higher in non-survivors. Thirty-day all-cause mortality was 9.6% (15.0% for inpatients), increased with age and BMI, and was higher in men. Renal function decreased during COVID-19 but recovered in most patients. SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were identified in 78% of patients at 1-2 months post-infection. Nucleocapsid-specific antibodies decreased to 38% after 6-7 months, while spike-specific antibody responses were more durable. Seroprevalence in 559 asymptomatic patients was 1.4%. Many patients can be managed on an outpatient basis aided by risk stratification with age, sex, and NEWS2 score. Factors associated with adverse outcomes include older age, male sex, greater BMI, and a higher NEWS2 score.

Aerobic exercise capacity is maintained over a 5-year period in mild-to-moderate chronic kidney disease: a longitudinal study

Background

Aerobic exercise capacity is reduced in non-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD), but the magnitude of changes in exercise capacity over time is less known. Our main hypothesis was that aerobic ExCap would decline over 5 years in individuals with mild-to-moderate CKD along with a decline in renal function. A secondary hypothesis was that such a decline in ExCap would be associated with a decline in muscle strength, cardiovascular function and physical activity.

Methods

We performed a 5-year-prospective study on individuals with mild-to-moderate CKD, who were closely monitored at a nephrology clinic. Fiftytwo individuals with CKD stage 2–3 and 54 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were included. Peak workload was assessed through a maximal cycle exercise test. Muscle strength and lean body mass, cardiac function, vascular stiffness, self-reported physical activity level, renal function and haemoglobin level were evaluated. Tests were repeated after 5 years. Statistical analysis of longitudinal data was performed using linear mixed models.

Results

Exercise capacity did not change significantly over time in either the CKD group or controls, although the absolute workloads were significantly lower in the CKD group. Only in a CKD subgroup reporting low physical activity at baseline, exercise capacity declined. Renal function decreased in both groups, with a larger decline in CKD (p = 0.05 between groups). Peak heart rate, haemoglobin level, handgrip strength, lean body mass and cardiovascular function did not decrease significantly over time in CKD individuals.

Conclusions

On a group level, aerobic exercise capacity and peak heart rate were maintained over 5 years in patients with well-controlled mild-to-moderate CKD, despite a slight reduction in glomerular filtration rate. In line with the maintained exercise capacity, cardiovascular and muscular function were also preserved. In individuals with mild-to-moderate CKD, physical activity level at baseline seems to have a predictive value for exercise capacity at follow-up.

The impact of symptoms on health-related quality of life in elderly pre-dialysis patients: effect and importance in the EQUAL study

BACKGROUND

Quality of life (QoL) is an important outcome in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Patients feel that symptoms are an important determinant of QoL. However, this relation is unknown. The aims of this study were to investigate the impact of the number and severity of symptoms on QoL in elderly pre-dialysis patients, assessed by both the effect of symptoms and their importance relative to kidney function, and other clinical variables on QoL.

METHODS

The European Quality study (EQUAL study) is an ongoing European prospective follow-up study in late Stage 4/5 CKD patients aged ≥65 years. We used patients included between March 2012 and December 2015. Patients scored their symptoms with the Dialysis Symptom Index, and QoL with the research and development-36 (RAND-36) item Health Survey (RAND-36). The RAND-36 results in a physical component summary (PCS) and a mental component summary (MCS). We used linear regression to estimate the relation between symptoms and QoL at baseline and after 6 months, and to calculate the variance in QoL explained by symptoms.

RESULTS

The baseline questionnaire was filled in by 1079 (73%) patients (median age 75 years, 66% male, 98% Caucasian), and the follow up questionnaire by 627 (42%) patients. At baseline, every additional symptom changed MCS with -0.81 [95% confidence interval (CI): -0.91 to -0.71] and PCS with -0.50 (95% CI: -0.62 to -0.39). In univariable analyses, number of symptoms explained 22% of MCS variance and 11% of PCS variance, whereas estimated glomerular filtration rate only explained 1%.

CONCLUSIONS

In elderly CKD Stage 4/5 patients, symptoms have a substantial impact on QoL. This indicates symptoms should have a more prominent role in clinical decision-making.

Cardiovascular changes in patients with mild-to-moderate chronic kidney disease compared with healthy subjects: a 5-year follow-up study

BACKGROUND

There is limited knowledge about how cardiovascular parameters change over time in patients with mild-to-moderate chronic kidney disease (CKD). We studied several cardiovascular biomarkers over a 5-year period in patients with mild-to-moderate CKD and in healthy controls.

METHODS

Fifty-four patients with CKD stages 2-3 and 54 controls were included. The CKD patients were closely monitored and well controlled for hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors. Ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring, ankle-brachial index (ABI), carotid and cardiac ultrasound (including measurement of the left ventricular mass index (LVMI)), and biochemical analyses were evaluated.

RESULTS

Renal function decreased in both groups, with no significant difference in the change over time. In the CKD patients, none of the BP variables increased over time, but in the controls, average 24-h and daytime systolic BP increased significantly. ABI increased slightly in the CKD patients (P<0·001), but not in the controls (P = 0·963), and phosphate had a significant positive effect on ABI. Although in the CKD patients, there was no significant increase over time in common carotid artery diameter (P = 0·274), there was a small but significant increase in the controls (P = 0·001). LVMI increased significantly over time in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In our study of patients with mild-to-moderate CKD, the progression of cardiovascular changes over time was relatively slow. Good BP control and treatment of other risk factors may have contributed to slow the progress of cardiovascular involvement, which emphasizes the importance of dedicated care in this population.

Aspects of carotid structure and function in health and different stages of chronic kidney disease

INTRODUCTION

Arterial remodelling and stiffening have been demonstrated in end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The presence of vascular alterations in earlier-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD) is less studied. We evaluated vascular structure and function in mild-to-moderate CKD (stages 2-3) compared with healthy subjects and advanced CKD (stages 4-5).

METHODS

Carotid ultrasound was performed in 103 non-dialysis CKD patients and 54 healthy controls. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and common carotid artery (CCA) diameter were measured. Strain, stiffness and the pressure-strain elastic modulus (E_p ) of the right CCA were calculated.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in CCA diameter between CKD 2-3 and controls. The CCA diameter was larger in CKD 4-5 compared with CKD 2-3 and controls (CKD 4-5, 6·50 ± 0·79 mm versus CKD 2-3, 6·08 ± 0·56 mm, P = 0·003; and versus controls 5·97 ± 0·53 mm, P<0·001). However, after adjustments, the difference in CCA diameter was valid only for older ages and also dependent on systolic blood pressure (SBP). There were no significant differences in CIMT, strain or stiffness between the groups, but E_p was higher in CKD 4-5 compared with controls (P = 0·006).

CONCLUSION

In mild-to-moderate CKD, there were no significant differences in carotid artery structure or function compared with healthy subjects. Only patients with advanced CKD and older ages showed signs of arterial remodelling. Our study indicates that vascular alterations occur in advanced CKD, with SBP and age as important contributing factors.

Early Changes in Monocyte Adhesion Molecule Expression and Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Levels in Chronic Kidney Disease - A 5-Year Prospective Study

BACKGROUND

Despite the absence of clinical symptoms, patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) exhibit elevated levels of pro-inflammatory markers. To investigate whether it is possible to detect inflammatory activity and altered monocyte function at an early stage of renal disease, we studied patients with CKD stages 2-3 over 5 years.

METHODS

The expression of adhesion molecules on monocytes at resting state and after stimulation with formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP), as well as oxidative metabolism capacity was measured with flow cytometry in 108 CKD patients and healthy controls. Soluble markers of inflammation, such as cytokines, were analyzed using the Milliplex technique.

RESULTS

Patients showed significantly lower CD11b expression after stimulation during the 3rd (p = 0.002) and the 5th year (p < 0.001), together with a lower oxidative burst in response to fMLP over time (p = 0.02). The expression of CD62L on resting monocytes was lower during the 3rd (p = 0.001) and the 5th (p = 0.001) year in patients. Levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and RANTES were significantly increased (p = 0.001, p = 0.006) and interleukin-12 levels were also higher in CKD patients during the 5th year (p = 0.007).

CONCLUSION

Monocytes in CKD stages 2-3 show emerging functional abrasions, with altered adhesion molecule expression and impaired fMLP response. These findings suggest that a transformation of monocyte function occurs at an early phase of renal impairment and may together with increased plasma levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines contribute to the higher vulnerability of CKD patients to comorbidities, such as infections and cardiovascular disease.

Cardiac remodelling and functional alterations in mild-to-moderate renal dysfunction: comparison with healthy subjects

Introduction

Left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy (LVH) and reduced LV function correlate with poor prognosis in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Our aim is to investigate whether mild-to-moderate CKD is associated with cardiac abnormalities.

Methods

Echocardiography, including tissue Doppler imaging, was performed in 103 patients with CKD at stages 2–3 and 4–5, and in 53 healthy controls. The systolic (s′) and diastolic myocardial velocity (e′), and the transmitral diastolic flow velocity (E) were measured, and E/e′ was calculated.

Results

Patients with chronic kidney disease had higher mean E/e′ than controls (mean E/e′: controls 5·00 ± 1·23 versus CKD 4–5 6·36 ± 1·71, P<0·001 and versus CKD 2–3 5·69 ± 1·47, P = 0·05), indicating altered diastolic function in the patients. The CKD groups showed lower longitudinal systolic function than controls, as assessed by atrio-ventricular plane displacement and s′ (mean s′: controls 11·5 ± 1·9 cm s⁻¹ versus CKD 4–5 10·4 ± 2·1 cm s⁻¹, P = 0·03 and versus CKD 2–3 10·4 ± 2·1 cm s⁻¹, P = 0·02). The prevalence of LVH was higher in patients with CKD than in controls (controls 13% versus CKD 4–5 37%, P = 0·006 and versus CKD 2–3 30%, P = 0·03).

Conclusion

Alterations in systolic and diastolic myocardial function can be seen in mild-to-moderate CKD compared with controls, indicating that cardiac involvement starts early in CKD, which may be a precursor of premature cardiac morbidity.

Increased accumulation of CD16+ monocytes at local sites of inflammation in patients with chronic kidney disease

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) display a high prevalence of cardiovascular events and acute infections. Potential effector cells are the CD16(+) monocytes, known to be increased in the peripheral circulation in CKD. The aim of this study was to assess the expression of CD16 and CX3 CR1 on peripheral and in vivo extravasated monocytes in patients with CKD (GFR < 20 ml/min × 1.73 m²) using flow cytometry. In vivo extravasated monocytes were collected from a local inflammatory site, induced by a skin blistering technique. Soluble markers were assessed by Luminex. The number of CD16(+) monocytes was significantly higher in patients with CKD compared with healthy subjects, both in the peripheral circulation (P < 0.05) and at the site of induced inflammation (P < 0.001). Patients with CKD displayed significantly higher concentration of soluble CX3 CL1 both in the peripheral circulation (P < 0.01) and in the interstitial fluid (P < 0.001). In addition, patients with CKD had a significantly higher concentration of TNF-α in the peripheral circulation (P < 0.001). On the contrary, at the inflammatory site, concentrations of both TNF-α and IL-10 were significantly lower in patients with CKD compared with healthy controls (P < 0.05 for both). In conclusion, patients with CKD have an increased percentage of CD16(+) monocytes in both circulation and at the inflammatory site, and this finding is in concurrence with simultaneous changes in CX3 CR1. Together with distorted TNF-α and IL-10 levels, this may have potential impact on the altered inflammatory response in CKD.