Lower Serum Creatinine Levels Research Articles

To Ligate or Not to Ligate: A Meta-analysis of Cardiac Effects and Allograft Function following Arteriovenous Fistula Closure in Renal Transplant Recipients

There are no available guidelines regarding preserving or ligating an arteriovenous fistula following successful kidney transplantation. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to formulate a clear opinion regarding the status of arteriovenous fistula in renal allograft recipients. We performed an electronic literature search of PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library for eligible studies up to January 2019. We aimed to systematically evaluate cardiac systolic and diastolic function and allograft function after arteriovenous fistula closure. The primary outcome was the differences in left ventricular mass index, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, ejection fraction, and serum creatinine levels between patients with occluded arteriovenous fistula versus patent arteriovenous fistula. Renal transplant recipients with occluded arteriovenous fistula had lower left ventricular mass index values and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter compared with those with patent arteriovenous fistula. The pooled mean differences were 21.67 (95% confidence interval [CI] 19.94 to 23.39, P<0.001) and 2.75 (95% CI 1.47 to 4.04, P<0.001), respectively. Patients with occluded arteriovenous fistula also had lower serum creatinine levels versus those with patent arteriovenous fistula. The pooled mean difference was 0.10 (95% CI 0.04 to 0.17, P=0.003). We saw no difference regarding ejection fraction between the groups. The pooled mean difference was 0.84 (95% CI -0.85 to 2.53, P=0.33). Our meta-analysis demonstrated that arteriovenous fistula closure improves cardiac morphology and has better kidney graft function. Arteriovenous fistula closure may be considered in patients with a well-functioning allograft.

Prognostic factors in patients with acute kidney injury requiring continuous renal replacement therapy

Objective To identify prognostic factors for mortality in patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) requiring continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). Methods A retrospective study was conducted in 138 patients with initiated CRRT due to AKI who were admitted to the Emergency Intensive Care Unit of Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine from May 2012 to December 2016. According to whether these patients survived after 28 days, they were divided into the death group (58 cases) and survived group (80 cases). Demographic and clinical parameters were retrieved and compared between the two groups. Logistic multivariate regression analysis was performed to determine the risk factors related to mortality. Results Of the 138 patients included, 58 patients (42.0%) died after 28 days. Patients in the death group were older, more likely to be male, had a higher score on the acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ (APACHEⅡ), higher serum lactate level and lower serum creatinine level on admission, higher prevalence of coronary artery disease, and were more likely to be mechanically ventilated or treated with vasopressors. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that age (OR=1.064, 95%CI: 1.022-1.108, P=0.002), APACHEⅡ score (OR=1.127, 95%CI: 1.003-1.265, P=0.044), mechanical ventilation (OR=7.432, 95%CI: 2.183-25.308, P=0.001) and use of vasopressors (OR=24.558, 95%CI: 7.651-78.825, P<0.01) were independent risk factors for mortality. Conclusions Older age, higher APACHEⅡ score, mechanical ventilation and use of vasopressors are risk factors for mortality in EICU patients with acute kidney injury requiring CRRT. Key words: Acute kidney injury; Continuous renal replacement therapy; Prognosis; ICU; Risk factors

Renal outcomes of intensive care burn patients in an Asian tertiary centre

IntroductionAcute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent complication of severe burn injury and is associated with a high mortality rate of up to 80%. We aimed to establish the incidence, mortality rate, and factors related to mortality in adult patients with severe burn injury and AKI with renal replacement therapy (RRT) in Singapore. MethodsWe performed a retrospective cohort study of severely burned patients who were admitted to the Burns Intensive Care Unit (BICU) at the Singapore General Hospital (SGH) from January 2008 to December 2016. We compared patients with AKI with RRT who survived with those who did not survive. As there were changes in the protocol for burns management after 2013, we also compared patients with AKI with RRT who survived with non-survivors in each of the 2008–2012 and 2013–2016 cohorts. ResultsData of 201 patients were studied. The incidence of AKI with RRT use in severe burn injury was 21.9% and their mortality rate was 50.0%. The non-survivors had significantly higher median burned total body surface area (p = 0.043), earlier AKI (p = 0.046), earlier use of RRT (p = 0.035), lower rate of renal recovery (p = <0.0001), higher rates of adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (p = 0.005) and shock with vasopressors (p = 0.009) compared to the survivors. The survival rate was 36.8% in the 2008–2012 cohort, but improved to 60.0% in the 2013–2016 cohort. In the 2008–2012 cohort, the non-survivors developed AKI earlier (day 0 admission vs. day 3 admission, p = 0.039), and were initiated on RRT at lower serum creatinine level (173.5 μmol/L vs. 254.0 μmol/L, p = 0.042), when compared to the survivors in this same cohort. On the other hand, there were no significant differences in the renal status and fluid balance parameters between the non-survivors and survivors in the 2013–2016 cohort. ConclusionsThe incidence of AKI with RRT in the Singapore study cohort was high, but their mortality rate was relatively lower compared to other study cohorts. Severity of AKI and use of RRT were associated with poor prognosis. Large scale study is required to further study the risk factors for mortality in this group of patients and establish cause-and-effect relationship.

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, excluding atypical lesion, is a predictor of renal outcome in patients with membranous nephropathy: a retrospective analysis of 716 cases

BackgroundFocal segmental lesions (FSLs) are not uncommon in idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN). The reported percentage of IMN patients with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) lesions varies widely between studies. The objective of this study was to differentiate atypical FSL (aFSL) from typical FSGS in IMN and to analyse the clinicopathological predictors of primary outcome of IMN patients.MethodsA total of 716 patients with biopsy-proven IMN between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2017 were enrolled in the study. An atypical focal segmental lesion was defined as pure synechia, segmental hyperplasia of podocytes or thickening of the GBM accompanied by proliferation of the mesangial matrix, and absence of typical FSGS. The patients were divided into three groups: patients without FSL (FSL−), patients with typical FSGS (FSGS+), and patients with aFSL (aFSL+).The primary outcome was a 50% decline in the initial estimated glomerular filtration rate or end-stage renal disease (ESRD) incidence. Secondary outcomes included all-cause death and ESRD.ResultsFSGS was present in 174 patients, while aFSL was noted in 161 patients. Systolic blood pressure was higher in both aFSL+ group and FSGS+ groups compared with the FSL− group. IMN patients without FSL and with aFSL had lower serum creatinine levels than IMN patients with FSGS. Both the FSGS+ and aFSL+ groups had higher levels of proteinuria and lower albumin levels than the FSL− group. Renal tissue lesions, including tubulointerstitial fibrosis, glomerular obsolescence, and vascular sclerosis were significantly more severe in the FSGS+ group. Cox multivariate analysis showed that older age ≥ 60 years, eGFR< 60 ml/(min·1.73m2), tubulointerstitial fibrosis area ≥ 15% and FSGS at biopsy were independent risk factors for the primary outcome.ConclusionsNo significant difference in outcome was found between the FSL− and aFSL+ groups, although the patients with aFSL had lower levels of serum albumin and eGFR, higher level of urinary protein, more severe renal lesions with proliferation of the mesangial area,tubulointerstitial fibrosis and vascular sclerosis. FSGS, excluding atypical lesions, was an independent predictor of the primary outcome.

Sarcopenia Strongly Affects Serum Levels of Cystatin C in Patients with Heart Failure

Introduction Low muscle mass, or sarcopenia, is commonly seen in patients with heart failure (HF). For any given level of renal function, patients with sarcopenia will have lower levels of serum creatinine because there is less muscle mass to produce creatinine. Thus, the use of creatinine to estimate glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is affected by sarcopenia. In contrast to creatinine, cystatin C is considered a better filtration marker to estimate GFR in the setting of sarcopenia because it not seclusively produced by muscle. However, it has not been demonstrated that serum cystatin C levels are independent of sarcopenia in patients with HF. Hypothesis Serum cystatin C levels will be minimally influenced by muscle mass in patients with heart failure. Methods Serum cystatin C and serum creatinine were measured in patients with decompensated heart failure. Strict timed urine collections were used to measure creatinine excretion rate. Muscle mass was estimated with a validated equation based on urine creatinine excretion (Heymsfield). Creatinine clearance was calculated and used as a surrogate for measured GFR. Results Out of the 295 patients analyzed (average age 65 ±14 years), 65% were male and 61% were obese. Baseline levels of serum creatinine were 1.5±0.6 mg/dL and cystatin C were 1.7±0.7 mg/L. In univariate analysis, serum cystatin C showed a negative correlation with muscle mass (rho -0.37, p Conclusion Serum cystatin C serum levels are strongly associated with muscle mass in patients with HF. This may lead to inaccuracies when cystatin C is used to estimate GFR.

Perinatal outcomes of renal transplant pregnancies: a 22-year experience at a single tertiary referral center

Background: Renal transplantation not only prolongs survival but also improves quality of life and fertility, particularly in patients with end-stage renal disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the renal and perinatal outcomes of pregnancy after renal transplantation at a high volume academic tertiary hospital.Methods: Fifty-one renal transplant patients (RTPs) who experienced pregnancy after transplantation and received care at Ege University Hospital between January 1995 and December 2017 were retrospectively identified. Data on demographics, comorbidities, and clinical perinatal outcomes were analyzed.Results: The median age of expectant mothers with renal transplantation was 30.51 ± 5.28 years (range 23–41). The mean interval between discontinuing birth control methods and the last menstrual period was 22 months. Preeclampsia occurred in six pregnancies (11.5%), and 43 of 52 pregnancies resulted in live births (82.6%). The mean gestational age at birth was 36.35 ± 2.36 weeks (range: 26–38). A total of 15 births were preterm deliveries (28.8%). Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) was detected in four cases. The mean birth weight was 2664.58 ± 613.99 g (range: 600–3.800 g). Twelve newborns were hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit (23%). A significant inverse correlation between birth weight and preconception serum creatinine level was found (p < .001; r = −0.532). An inverse correlation between the interval between transplantation and pregnancy and low postpartum serum creatinine level was established significantly (p < .05; r = −0.331). In addition, an inverse correlation between preconceptional serum creatinine and postpartum serum creatinine in the first year was found statistically significant (p < .001, r = −0.681).Conclusion: Even though pregnancy does not seem to adversely affect renal graft function, risks of perinatal as well as obstetrical complications should not be ignored. Pregnancies in RTPs should be followed closely by a multidisciplinary team of experts to minimize perinatal complications before and during pregnancy.

Pretransplant assessment of cyclosporine level as a predictor of cyclosporine dose requirements after kidney transplantation

Introduction and aimsPretransplant administration of cyclosporine (CsA) may reduce post-transplant maintenance dose and consequently CsA inhibitor nephrotoxicity and helps in achieving the desired target C2 levels earlier. The optimum dose or timing of administration of CsA induction dose is still debatable.Patients and methodsWe compared three different protocols for pretransplant administration of CsA aiming to reach a target C2 therapeutic level of greater than 800 ng/ml on the third day post-transplant. Sixty kidney transplant recipients from Cairo University hospitals were divided into: group 1 (n=20) who received a single CsA induction dose of 2 mg/kg 12 h pretransplant; group 2 (n=20) who received four CsA consecutive doses of 4 mg/kg 48 h pre-transplant; and group 3 (n=20) who received four CsA consecutive doses of 2 mg/kg 48 h pretransplant.ResultsThe desired therapeutic level in the earlier post-transplantation period was achieved in 65% in group 1, 100% in groups 2 and 3). In group 2 a lower dose was needed to maintain C2 within the therapeutic range during the first year post-transplantation (P<0.01). Furthermore, a lower number of cases were complicated by CsA nephrotoxicity in group 2 in comparison to groups 1 and 3 (25, 0, 5% in group 1, 2, 3, respectively, P<0.039). A higher longer dose of CsA pretransplant associated with early withdrawal of CsA had a better effect on graft function than lower or shorter induction doses with late withdrawal as evidenced by lower serum creatinine levels all through the follow-up period in group 2 compared with group 3.ConclusionForty-eight-hour pretransplant induction with CsA at a dose of 4 mg/kg with early dose reduction post-transplant was associated with lower CsA maintenance and a better 1-year graft function.

Diabetes attenuated age-related aortic root dilatation in end-stage renal disease patients receiving peritoneal dialysis.

Aims/IntroductionRecently, some data have supported the concept that diabetes is negatively associated with aortic aneurysm. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between diabetes and cardiac structural and functional characteristics, in particular, aortic root dimensions, in end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) patients.MethodsESRD patients receiving peritoneal dialysis for >3 months were consecutively enrolled. Clinical features and echocardiographic parameters were analyzed according to the presence of diabetes history. Correlation analyses were carried out for diabetes mellitus and aortic root dilatation. Multiple logistic regression analysis was carried out to identify variables correlated with aortic root dilatation.ResultsA total of 218 ESRD patients receiving peritoneal dialysis were enrolled. Patients with diabetes showed lower left ventricular internal measurements in end‐diastole, left ventricular internal measurements in end‐systole and aortic root diameter (ARD)/body surface area (BSA). Worse cardiac diastolic function was also observed in these patients. In addition, the age‐related increase of ARD/BSA and ARD/height was attenuated in patients with diabetes. With the increase of ARD/BSA, lower levels of serum creatinine, phosphorus and serum glucose, as well as higher serum high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and apolipoprotein A‐1 were also observed. Increased normalized left ventricular internal measurements were shown in patients with greater ARD/BSA. Multiple regression analysis showed that diabetes (odds ratio 0.353, P = 0.015) was an independent correlate of aortic root dilatation, even after correction for age, sex and other clinical confounders in the enrolled patients.ConclusionsThe present findings shown an inverse association between diabetes and age‐related aortic root dilatation in ESRD patients. Diabetes remained to be independently correlated with aortic root dilatation even after adjustment for age, sex and other clinical confounders in ESRD patients.

Preventive effect of exercise training on diabetic kidney disease in ovariectomized rats with type 1 diabetes.

To date, no studies have been found evaluating the effects of physical exercise on renal function and structure changes in ovariectomized rats with type 1 diabetes. Therefore, this work emerges with an important tool for strengthening and expanding innovative research on exercise with potential for the prevention of renal diseases in ovariectomized diabetic rats, and future development of studies that seek to increase scientific knowledge about the beneficial effects of physical exercise on renal diseases in humans.

A new nutritional risk index for predicting mortality in hemodialysis patients: Nationwide cohort study.

BackgroundProtein energy wasting (PEW) is a risk factor for death. However, the cutoff vales for PEW are not optimized for early identification of hemodialysis patients with malnutrition. We evaluated the prognosis of Japanese maintenance hemodialysis patients using nutritional indices optimized for them.Materials and methodsWe analyzed data from a nation-wide prospective cohort study of the Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy Renal Data Registry to develop and validate a nutritional risk index (n = 48349, 48349, respectively). The association of nutritional factors with one-year death was tested using Cox proportional hazards models. Their cutoff levels were determined from the hazard ratios or receiver operating characteristic curves. Then, risk index was developed using scoring models.ResultsMale was 61.4%; average age, 65.7±12.2 years; and diabetes mellitus, 32.8%. Four clinical factors were retained in the final model: low BMI (<20kg/m2), yes = 3, no = 0; low serum albumin level (young <3.7g/dL; old <3.5g/dL), yes = 4, no = 0; abnormal serum total cholesterol level, low (<130mg/dL) = 1, high (220≥mg/dL) = 2, no = 0; low serum creatinine level (young female, <9.7mg/dL; old female, <8.0mg/dL; young male, <11.6mg/dL; old male, <9.7mg/dL), yes = 4, no = 0. In the validation dataset, medium- and high-risk groups (total score 8 to 10; 11 or more) showed a higher risk of all-cause death than the low-risk group (0 to 7): medium-risk group (10.5%), hazard ratio adjusted for baseline characteristics 1.96 (95% confidence interval 1.77, 2.16); high-risk group (8.2%), 3.91 (3.57, 4.29). The medium- and high-risk groups also showed a higher risk of cardiovascular disease- and infection-caused deaths than the low-risk group.ConclusionWe developed a new nutritional risk index for hemodialysis patients, which may detect patients with malnutrition with a high-risk of death.

Pure versus hand-assisted retroperitoneoscopic live donor nephrectomy: a retrospective cohort study of 1508 transplants from two centers.

Although minimally invasive procedures have been established as the standard for a donor nephrectomy, there are many different surgical techniques described in the literature. The aim of this study is to compare the outcomes of kidney transplant procedures using the pure retroperitoneoscopic donor nephrectomy (PRDN) and hand-assisted retroperitoneoscopic donor nephrectomy (HARDN) techniques. A retrospective study involving 1508 transplant procedures was conducted; 874 were PRDN procedures; and 634 were HARDN. We reviewed the outcomes of the PRDN and HARDN groups, which were performed at two different centers over an identical time period. Donors in the PRDN group had a longer operation time (P < 0.0001), reduced estimated blood loss (P < 0.0001), less open conversion (P = 0.0002), lower postoperative serum C-reactive protein levels (P < 0.0001), and a shorter postoperative hospital stay (P < 0.0001) than the HARDN group. Recipients in the PRDN group had lower serum creatinine levels at postoperative day 1-6 and the decreased incidence of slow graft function (P = 0.0017) than the HARDN group. The HARDN procedure was an independent risk factor for the incidence of acute rejection (P = 0.0211) and graft loss (P = 0.0193). Our study suggests that the PRDN procedure is less invasive for donors as it results in reduced blood loss, lower postoperative serum CRP levels, and a shorter postoperative stay than the HARDN procedure. Additionally, PRDN provides a better outcome for recipients as it lowers the incidence of acute rejection and improves graft survival compared to HARDN.

Differential effects of age on quality of sleep and depression in patients receiving maintenance haemodialysis

Poor quality of sleep and depression are common and highly associated with each other in patients on haemodialysis. We aimed to investigate whether they share common risk factors and how age may influence their development. Cross-sectional observation study on 120 haemodialysis patients with quality of sleep and depression assessed by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Taiwanese Depression Questionnaire (TDQ), respectively. The prevalence of poor quality of sleep and depression was 92.5% and 43.3%, respectively. PSQI scores were associated with age, gender, education and monthly income while TDQ scores were associated with low serum creatinine and albumin levels. Elderly patients at ages older than 65 had the highest average PSQI score (12.26 ± 4.35) than the young group at age 20-44 (8.25 ± 4.39) (P = 0.028) but the average TDQ scores were similar across three age groups. The proportion of those who had high PSQI scores was significantly higher in the elderly group (54.4%, P = 0.017) and the 44-65-years group (51.9%, P = 0.028) than the young group (16.7%). The proportion of those who reported normal quality of sleep was much lower in the elderly group (0.0%) than the other two groups (25.0%, P < 0.001 and 11.7%, P < 0.01). The proportions of those who had different ranges of TDQ scores did not show such a pattern of strong age dependence. Poor quality of sleep in haemodialysis patients is associated with socio-economic factors while depression is more related to biochemistry indicators. A majority of older patients suffer very poor quality of sleep while depression appears equally severe and common across different age groups.

Enteral Baicalin, a Flavone Glycoside, Reduces Indicators of Cardiac Surgery-Associated Acute Kidney Injury in Rats

Background/Aims: Cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury (CSA-AKI) is one of the most common postoperative complications in intensive care medicine. Baicalin has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant roles in various disorders. We aimed to test the protective effects of baicalin on CSA-AKI using a rat model. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats underwent 75 min of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) with 45 min of cardioplegic arrest (CA) to establish the AKI model. Baicalin was administered at different doses intragastrically 1 h before CPB. The control and treated rats were subjected to the evaluation of different kidney injury index and inflammation biomarkers. Results: Baicalin significantly attenuated CPB/CA-induced AKI in rats, as evidenced by the lower levels of serum creatinine, serum NGAL, and Kim1. Baicalin remarkably inhibited oxidative stress, reflected in the decreased malondialdehyde and myeloperoxidase activity, and enhanced superoxide dismutase activity and glutathione in renal tissue. Baicalin suppressed the expression of IL-18 and iNOS, and activated the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. Conclusion: Our data indicated that baicalin mediated CPB/CA-induced AKI by decreasing the oxidative stress and inflammation in the renal tissues, and that baicalin possesses the potential to be developed as a therapeutic tool in clinical use for CSA-AKI.

Prognostic factors and impact of peritoneal dialysis-related early peritonitis on mortality in Sardjito General Hospital, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Background Peritonitis has been reported to be asso­ciated with high mortality. However, information on the impact of the first peritonitis episode on continu­ous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients is sparse. ObjectiveTo determine the association between peritoneal dialysis-related early peritonitis and mor­tality. To determine prognostic factors on mortality in peritonitis patients with peritoneal dialysis. Methods A retrospective observational cohort study was conducted over 5 years at a single PD unit in Sardjito Hospital. Inclusion criteria: First onset of peritonitis patients with peritoneal dialysis from 2013 -2017, age ≥ 18 years old. Exclusion criteria: Incomplete medical records. A total of 48 patients on CAPD with peritonitis was divided into the early onset of peritonitis (&lt; 20 months) and late onset of peritonitis ( ≥ 20 months. Kaplan-Meier survival curve was used to display cumulative relative risk as a parameter of prognostic factors. Results A total of 48 patients (early onset of peritonitis, n = 31; late onset of peritonitis, n = 17) were analyzed in our study with a mean of age50.6 years consisted of males 64.6%. There was a significant difference in patients’ mortality between the early and late onset of peritoni­tis. The Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that log-rank test, p&lt;0.05 with a mean survival time of patients with early peritonitis and late peritonitis was 236 days (95% CI: 162-309 days) and 1702 days (95% CI: 1067-2338 days) consecutively. Compared to those who were nor­moweight, underweight or overweight patients had in­creased risk of mortality, (RR 1.14 and 1.15; p=0.003, respectively). There was a significant association be­tween diabetes mellitus and lower serum creatinine levels, and the risk of mortality (RR 1.43, p=0.03 and mean difference -6.01, p&lt; 0.001, respectively). Conclusions Early peritonitis patients have a poor prognosis compared to the late peritonitis group. Pa­tients with shorter time to first peritonitis were prone to having a higher mortality rate. Diabetes mellitus, under­weight or overweight, and lower serum creatinine are prognostic factors of mortality in peritonitis patients.

Prognostic factors and impact of peritoneal dialysis-related early peritonitis on mortality in Sardjito General Hospital, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Background Peritonitis has been reported to be asso­ciated with high mortality. However, information on the impact of the first peritonitis episode on continu­ous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients is sparse. ObjectiveTo determine the association between peritoneal dialysis-related early peritonitis and mor­tality. To determine prognostic factors on mortality in peritonitis patients with peritoneal dialysis. Methods A retrospective observational cohort study was conducted over 5 years at a single PD unit in Sardjito Hospital. Inclusion criteria: First onset of peritonitis patients with peritoneal dialysis from 2013 -2017, age ≥ 18 years old. Exclusion criteria: Incomplete medical records. A total of 48 patients on CAPD with peritonitis was divided into the early onset of peritonitis (&lt; 20 months) and late onset of peritonitis ( ≥ 20 months. Kaplan-Meier survival curve was used to display cumulative relative risk as a parameter of prognostic factors. Results A total of 48 patients (early onset of peritonitis, n = 31; late onset of peritonitis, n = 17) were analyzed in our study with a mean of age50.6 years consisted of males 64.6%. There was a significant difference in patients’ mortality between the early and late onset of peritoni­tis. The Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that log-rank test, p&lt;0.05 with a mean survival time of patients with early peritonitis and late peritonitis was 236 days (95% CI: 162-309 days) and 1702 days (95% CI: 1067-2338 days) consecutively. Compared to those who were nor­moweight, underweight or overweight patients had in­creased risk of mortality, (RR 1.14 and 1.15; p=0.003, respectively). There was a significant association be­tween diabetes mellitus and lower serum creatinine levels, and the risk of mortality (RR 1.43, p=0.03 and mean difference -6.01, p&lt; 0.001, respectively). Conclusions Early peritonitis patients have a poor prognosis compared to the late peritonitis group. Pa­tients with shorter time to first peritonitis were prone to having a higher mortality rate. Diabetes mellitus, under­weight or overweight, and lower serum creatinine are prognostic factors of mortality in peritonitis patients.

DUCHENNE MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY – IMAGING AND BIOMARKERS: P.31Serum creatinine: a promising biomarker for distinguishing Duchenne muscular dystrophy from Becker muscular dystrophy in patients aged ≤ 3 Years

Dystrophinopathy is a common muscular dystrophy, consisting of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD). The prognosis and treatment strategy between DMD and BMD are totally different. This study was designed to investigate correlations between the level of serum creatinine and clinical phenotypes of dystrophinopathy in young patients. We enrolled sixty-eight patients with dystrophinopathy, whose diagnosis were based on clinical manifestation, biochemical changes, and molecular analysis. The levels of serum creatinine were determined when patients were ≤ 3 years old. Each patient was followed up, and motor function and clinical phenotype were assessed when the same patients were ≥ 4 years old. The results indicated that in young patients, lower serum creatinine levels were associated with increased disease severity (p < 0.01), and that serum creatinine levels were the highest in patients exhibiting mild BMD (p < 0.001) and the lowest in patients with DMD (p < 0.01), and were significantly higher in patients carrying in-frame mutations than in patients carrying out-of-frame mutations (p < 0.001). Serum creatinine level cut-off values for identifying mild BMD [18 μmol/L; area under the curve (AUC): 0.947; p < 0.001] and DMD (17 μmol/L; AUC: 0.837; p < 0.001) were established. These results suggest that serum creatinine might be a promising biomarker for distinguishing DMD from BMD in patients aged ≤ 3 years and could assist in the selection of appropriate treatment strategies.

Gender disparities in liver transplant candidates with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is the fastest growing indication for liver transplantation (LT). Data from the UNOS database were used to compare rates of listing and LT between men and women with NASH. The study population consisted of 76149 patients listed for LT between 2005 and 2012, 5492 (7.2%) of who were listed for NASH. Patient characteristics and outcomes were compared by gender. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis was a more frequent indication for transplant listing in women than men throughout the study period. Women had lower serum creatinine levels at listing (1.18±0.76mg/dL vs 1.28±0.79mg/dL, P<.001) and were less likely to be listed with exception points (17.7% vs 24.9%, P<.001). Transplantation was less common among women than men with NASH (52.4% vs 64.3%), and women were more likely to experience death on the waiting list (17.1% vs 11.4%) In multivariable analysis adjusting for covariates, the rate of LT remained lower for women with NASH (aHR 0.81 95% CI: 0.75-0.88). Women with NASH cirrhosis had a higher risk of death on the LT waiting list and were less likely to receive LT compared to men.

Detection of Hepatis C Virus-Related Immunologic Markers and Their Impact on Outcomes of Living-Donor Kidney Transplant Recipients.

Liver disease is an important cause of morbidity and mortality among recipients of transplanted organs. In addition to the liver, hepatitis C virus infection has a significant prevalence among recipients of kidney transplant and is related to worse graft and recipient survival as the kidney is an important component of the hepatitis C virus clinical syndrome. This retrospective single center study included 336 patients with end-stage renal disease who received a kidney transplant at the Mansoura Urology and Nephrology Center from January 1992 to December 1995. Of 336 patients, 63 were excluded, and the remaining 273 patients were divided into 3 groups: viremic active (72 patients), viremic inactive (108 patients), and nonviremic (93 patients). Division of patients was based on hepatitis C virus RNA complement level (C3 and/or C4 consumption), circulating cryoglobulins, and rheumatoid factor detection. Our study showed insignificant differences regarding patient characteristics and demographic data among the study groups but significantly higher incidence of transaminitis in viremic (active and inactive) patients. Nonsignificant differences were found regarding proteinuria among the 3 groups, including among those who had levels in either nephrotic or nonnephrotic ranges. Biopsy-proven acute rejection episodes among the 3 groups of recipients were statistically comparable, with significantly higher frequency of chronic rejection episodes among viremic active patients. Nonviremic recipients had significantly lower serum creatinine levels than viremic (active and inactive) recipients. Patient and graft survival results were comparable among the groups. Presence of hepatitis C virus immunologic markers does not have a significant effect on patient and graft survival; however, it may be a clue for long-term incidence of chronic rejection.

N-acetylcysteine versus ascorbic acid or N-acetylcysteine plus ascorbic acid in preventing contrast-induced nephropathy: A meta-analysis.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) versus ascorbic acid (VC) or NAC plus (+) VC on the prevention of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) in patients undergoing contrast administration. We searched databases including Medline, Embase and Cochrane Library up to Feb 22 (th), 2017. Pooled risk ratios (RRs) or weighted mean difference (WMD) with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using fixed-effects model or random-effects model when appropriate. All analyses were performed using the Review Manager 5.2. A totalof six randomized controlled trials including 919 patients (478 cases received NAC administration and 441 cases received VC or NAC+VC administration) were considered in the meta-analysis. Results showed that there was no significant difference in preventing CIN between NAC and NAC+VC administration as well as between NAC and VC administration. In addition, significant difference was found in serum creatinine level between NAC and VC or NAC+VC administration (WMD=-0.31, 95% CI: -0.48 to -0.14, P=0.0003) as well as NAC and VC administration (WMD=-0.05, 95% CI: -0.08 to -0.02, P=0.002). Besides, NAC and NAC+VC administration also has significant difference (WMD=-0.72, 95% CI: -1.33 to -0.11, P=0.02). In conclusion, the prevention effect of NAC administration and VC or NAC+VC administration on CIN was similar in patients undergoing contrast administration. But NAC administration was associated with a significantly lower serum creatinine levels compared to VC and NAC+VC administration.

Survival predictors in anuric patients on peritoneal dialysis: A prospective, multicenter, propensity score-matched cohort study.

Prevalent anuric peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients usually have higher mortality than PD patients with residual urine volume. We aimed to evaluate the predictors of survival in anuric PD patients. Anuric PD patients (n = 505, <100 mL of daily urine) enrolled in Korean nationwide prospective cohort were analyzed. Survived and non-survived anuric PD patients were compared by propensity score matching analysis with a ratio of two to one. The propensity method was used to adjust for patient age, dialysis duration, and presence of diabetes. Among the total anuric PD patients, non-survived patients showed a significantly older age, higher incidence of diabetes, coronary artery disease, and arrhythmia, and lower serum creatinine and albumin. After propensity score matching, multivariate Cox regression analysis for patient survival showed a decreasing risk as serum albumin increased (HR = 0.347, p = 0.0094). Analysis using the receiver-operating-characteristic (ROC) curve showed that survival could be predicted with a sensitivity of 59.4% and a specificity of 63.2% using a cutoff value of 3.6 g/dL of serum albumin in unmatched total PD patients. The beneficial impact of high albumin level on death was significantly greater for patients with older age (≥50 years), no diabetes, low ultrafiltration (UF) volume (<1000 mL/day), and low levels of serum creatinine (<10 mg/dL), total cholesterol (<177.5 mg/dL), ferritin (<100 ng/mL), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (<0.1 mg/dL). Survival in anuric PD patients was associated with age, comorbidities, and nutritional factors such as creatinine and albumin. After adjustment by propensity score matching, serum albumin level was an independent predictor for survival in anuric PD patients.