Lorenzo D'Elia, Luciano Cencioni, Martina Ferraresi, Antonio Marciello, Antonietta Rizzuto, Luisa Sandri, Paolo Maurizio Perosa
{"title":"[When a Headache Is Not Just Hypertension: A Case of Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome in a Young Patient].","authors":"Lorenzo D'Elia, Luciano Cencioni, Martina Ferraresi, Antonio Marciello, Antonietta Rizzuto, Luisa Sandri, Paolo Maurizio Perosa","doi":"10.69097/41-03-2024-06","DOIUrl":"10.69097/41-03-2024-06","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Thrombotic microangiopathies represent a group of particularly serious pathologies that can cause a rapid worsening of renal function, especially in young subjects. Through the clinical case described, we will focus our attention on the clinical and laboratory manifestations of the pathology, on the diagnostics and on the therapies to be used. Recent therapeutic innovations for the treatment of this pathology will also be analysed.</p>","PeriodicalId":12553,"journal":{"name":"Giornale italiano di nefrologia : organo ufficiale della Societa italiana di nefrologia","volume":"41 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141467338","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Gerry George Mathew, Narendhiran Pandurangan, Prakash Muthuperumal, Varadharajan Jayaprakash
{"title":"Prevalence and Risk Factors of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction in Middle-Aged Maintenance Haemodialysis Patients on a Twice-Weekly Schedule: Experience from a Single Indian Centre.","authors":"Gerry George Mathew, Narendhiran Pandurangan, Prakash Muthuperumal, Varadharajan Jayaprakash","doi":"10.69097/41-03-2024-01","DOIUrl":"10.69097/41-03-2024-01","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background.</b> Data on the prevalence of cardiac failure with preserved ejection in the haemodialysis population, which impacts treatment strategy, mortality, and morbidity, are scarce. <b>Aims and Objectives.</b> Estimate the prevalence of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) in haemodialysis patients Classify cardiac failure and ascertain the risk factors influencing HFpEF in haemodialysis patients. <b>Methods.</b> All consenting individuals on haemodialysis over 18 years of age were included. Lung ultrasound was performed as per the LUST study protocol, and the labs were documented. Echocardiographic parameters were measured using two-dimensional (2D ECHO). <b>Results.</b> A total of 102 patients consented to participate in the study, which included 63 males (61.8%) and 39 females (38.2%). The mean patient age was 53 ± 13.1 years. The dialysis vintage of the participants was 38.92 ± 6.947 months. 47 (46.1%) patients had diabetes and 88 (80.4%) had hypertension. ECG findings included sinus rhythm (51/102, 50%), sinus tachycardia (22/102, 21.6%), ST-T wave abnormalities (18/102, 17.6%), and atrial fibrillation (11/102, 10.8%). Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) was present in 44/102 (43.14%), heart failure with mid-range EF in 14/102 (13.72%), and heart failure with reduced EF in 13/102 (12.7%) patients. The ejection fraction was positively associated with haemoglobin (r = 0.23; p = 0.044), and calcium levels (r = 0.25; p =0 .03). E/lateral e' ratio was positively correlated with NT pro-BNP (r = 0.63; p < 0.001), systolic blood pressure (r = 0.44; p = 0.003) and age (r = 0.353; p = 0.003) and negatively correlated with transferrin saturation (r = -0.353; p = 0.027) and diastolic blood pressure (r = -0.31; p = 0.040). Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that the odds of diastolic dysfunction increased by 2.3 times with each unit increase of creatinine, and diabetics have 7.66 times higher risk for diastolic dysfunction. Binary logistic regression involving ejection fraction (EF) and all laboratory and clinical parameters revealed odds of HFpEF increased by 1.93 times with each unit increase in age, odds of HFpEF increases by 1.53 times with each unit increase in phosphorous and odds of HFpEF increased by 1.1 times with a unit increase of systolic blood pressure. <b>Conclusion.</b> HFpEF is the predominant form of heart failure in haemodialysis patients. Haemoglobin and calcium were positively associated with ejection fraction. Advancing age, elevated creatinine and diabetes mellitus levels are independent predictors of diastolic dysfunction in haemodialysis patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":12553,"journal":{"name":"Giornale italiano di nefrologia : organo ufficiale della Societa italiana di nefrologia","volume":"41 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141467341","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Brigitta Perencin, Alberto Zacchi, Fabrizio Zanconati, Paola Tomietto, Francesco Bianco, Vittorio Di Maso
{"title":"[COVID-19 and Lupus Nephritis Flares in Unvaccinated Patients: A Case Report and Literature Review].","authors":"Brigitta Perencin, Alberto Zacchi, Fabrizio Zanconati, Paola Tomietto, Francesco Bianco, Vittorio Di Maso","doi":"10.69097/41-03-2024-07","DOIUrl":"10.69097/41-03-2024-07","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Viral infections are one of the most common triggers of Systemic Lupus Nephritis (SLE) flare-ups. COVID-19 pneumonia can be severe in patients affected by SLE representing a risk factor for lupus nephritis flare. We report the case of a 28-year-old woman with a history of lupus nephritis (LN), who relapsed with severe nephritic-nephritic syndrome after the resolution of COVID-19 pneumonia. In addition, we conducted a literature review to analyze all described cases of LN, vaccinated and unvaccinated, in COVID-19 showing that the course of COVID-19 is more severe in SLE patients with renal involvement, especially in those who have not been vaccinated. Vaccination is the most important measure for preventing COVID-19 in people with rheumatic diseases such as SLE. The case and data we present suggests that LN relapses can occur even after the infection has resolved and illustrates the benefit of vaccination, the role of modulation of immunosuppression during COVID-19 and the specific risk of disease relapse during SARS-CoV-2 infection.</p>","PeriodicalId":12553,"journal":{"name":"Giornale italiano di nefrologia : organo ufficiale della Societa italiana di nefrologia","volume":"41 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141467333","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Fiorella Iorio, Chiara Summaria, Rosita Greco, Francesca Leone, Paolo Gigliotti, Roberta Arena, Roberta Talarico, Massimo Senatore, Francesco Mollica, Francesco Tosti, Francesco Zingone, Rosalba Di Vilio, Agata Mollica, Teresa Papalia, Angelodaniele Napoletano, Sebastiano Vaccarisi, Michele Provenzano, Gianluigi Zaza
{"title":"[Semaglutide in Chronic Kidney Disease: Great Enthusiasm. But How Does It Work?]","authors":"Fiorella Iorio, Chiara Summaria, Rosita Greco, Francesca Leone, Paolo Gigliotti, Roberta Arena, Roberta Talarico, Massimo Senatore, Francesco Mollica, Francesco Tosti, Francesco Zingone, Rosalba Di Vilio, Agata Mollica, Teresa Papalia, Angelodaniele Napoletano, Sebastiano Vaccarisi, Michele Provenzano, Gianluigi Zaza","doi":"10.69097/41-03-2024-04","DOIUrl":"10.69097/41-03-2024-04","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a clinical condition characterized by the progressive loss of kidney function. 10% of the world's population is affected by this condition, which represents the fifth leading cause of death globally. Furthermore, CKD is associated with increased risk of fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events, and progression to end-stage renal disease. Over the last twenty years, an exponential growth in its prevalence and incidence has been observed. For this reason, various drugs have been developed and implemented in clinical practice, with various mechanisms, with the aim of reducing and minimizing this dramatic \"cardio-renal\" risk. These include SGLT2 inhibitors, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, and endothelin receptor antagonists. However, a large proportion of CKD patients do not respond sufficiently to these treatments. GLP-1 receptor agonists represent a class of antidiabetic and nephroprotective drugs that are very promising in improving the prognosis of patients with CKD, especially if associated with one of the above-mentioned classes. In this article, we discuss the direct and indirect mechanisms through which one of the GLP-1 agonists, semaglutide, ensures nephro- and cardioprotection in patients with CKD and type 2 diabetes.</p>","PeriodicalId":12553,"journal":{"name":"Giornale italiano di nefrologia : organo ufficiale della Societa italiana di nefrologia","volume":"41 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141467336","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Antonino Previti, Sabrina Milan Manani, Vincenzo Cosentini, Antonina Lo Cicero, Marta Guizzo, Monica Apolloni, Marina Cappellari, Sabina Rognini, Mery Zuccolo, Maria Grazia Virzì, Giovanni Gambaro
{"title":"[Peritoneal Dialysis Network in North-East Italy: Survey About the Peritoneal Catheter Exit-Site Infection Management and Comparison with ISPD Guidelines].","authors":"Antonino Previti, Sabrina Milan Manani, Vincenzo Cosentini, Antonina Lo Cicero, Marta Guizzo, Monica Apolloni, Marina Cappellari, Sabina Rognini, Mery Zuccolo, Maria Grazia Virzì, Giovanni Gambaro","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Introduction.</b> The Triveneto Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) Network aims to bring together doctors and nurses who deal with PD in a collaborative network in which to exchange mutual knowledge and optimize the use of this method of replacing renal function. A topic of particular interest was the management of peritoneal catheter exit-site infection, given the recent publication of the new guidelines of the International Society of Peritoneal Dialysis (ISPD). <b>Materials and methods.</b> The survey concerned the criteria for carrying out nasal swab and exit-site, management of exuberant granulation tissue \"Proud Flesh\", treatment of exit-site infection (ESI), use of silver dressings, the role of subcutaneous tunnel ultrasound and cuff shaving. <b>Results.</b> All PD centers in the North-East Italy area have joined the survey with at least one operator per centre. There was a wide variability between the indications for performing the exit-site swab. In the presence of ESI, the prevalent approach is that of oral systemic empiric therapy associated (20.0%) or less (28.9%) with topical therapy, and then adapting it in a targeted manner to the culture examination. <b>Discussion.</b> From the discussion of the survey emerged the importance of the ESI as an outcome indicator, which allows us to verify whether our clinical practice is in line with the reference standards. It is essential to know and base our activity on what is indicated in national and international guidelines and to document the events that occur in the patient population of each dialysis unit.</p>","PeriodicalId":12553,"journal":{"name":"Giornale italiano di nefrologia : organo ufficiale della Societa italiana di nefrologia","volume":"41 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140848287","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Vincenzo Cosentini, Sabina Rognini, Lina Giannella Mantovani, Laura Zennari, Alireza Hasheminia, Ivano Dal Dosso, Linda Gammaro
{"title":"[Cuff Shaving in Recurrent Exit-Site Infections in a Patient on Peritoneal Dialysis].","authors":"Vincenzo Cosentini, Sabina Rognini, Lina Giannella Mantovani, Laura Zennari, Alireza Hasheminia, Ivano Dal Dosso, Linda Gammaro","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In patients on peritoneal dialysis, the cutaneous emergency (exit-site) represents a potential access route to the peritoneum; consequently, it can become a site for microbial infections. These infections, initially localized to the exit-site, may spread to the peritoneum causing peritonitis, which is the most common cause of drop-out from peritoneal dialysis and transition to hemodialysis. Peritoneal catheters have dacron caps which have the function of counteracting the traction of the catheter itself and at the same time acting as a barrier for microorganisms, preventing the spread towards the peritoneum. Despite this, the same dacron cap can represent a sort of nest for microorganisms to colonize and, with the formation of a biofilm that facilitates their proliferation, make the same organisms impervious to antibiotic therapy and even resistance to them. The most effective tool for monitoring the health status of the exit-site is represented by the objective examination. This examination, through the use of well-defined scales, helps to provide a pathological score of the exit, facilitating the implementation of necessary precautions. In the presence of recurrent exit-site infections, from both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria, minimally invasive surgical therapy is a valid approach to break this vicious circle. It helps avoid subjecting the patient to the removal of the peritoneal catheter, temporary transition to hemodialysis with the insertion of a central venous catheter, and subsequent repositioning of another peritoneal catheter. We propose the case of a recurrent Staphylococcus Aureus infection resolved after cuff shaving of the exit-site.</p>","PeriodicalId":12553,"journal":{"name":"Giornale italiano di nefrologia : organo ufficiale della Societa italiana di nefrologia","volume":"41 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140850801","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Giulia Belluardo, Dario Galeano, Concetto Sessa, Luca Zanoli, Walter Morale
{"title":"[Executive Dysfunction in Patients Undergoing Chronic Haemodialysis Treatment: A Possible Symptom of Vascular Dementia].","authors":"Giulia Belluardo, Dario Galeano, Concetto Sessa, Luca Zanoli, Walter Morale","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Introduction.</b> Patients undergoing chronic haemodialysis (HD) treatment have an 8-10 times higher risk of experiencing stroke events and developing cognitive impairment. The high vascular stress they are subjected to may be the basis for the development of vascular dementia (VaD). <b>Objective.</b> The aim of the study is to investigate the executive functions, typically impaired in VaD, of patients undergoing chronic haemodialysis treatment. <b>Method.</b> HD patients were recruited from the U.O.C. of Nephrology and Dialysis (ASP Ragusa). Risk factors for VaD were collected and then the Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB) was administered. <b>Results.</b> 103 HD patients were included (males = 63%, age 66 ± 14 years). Risk factors for VaD included a high percentage of patients with anaemia (93%), hypertension (64%) and coronary artery disease (68%). The cognitive data obtained via FAB show a percentage of 55% deficit scores. All risk factors found a significant association with cognitive scores. Anemia, hypertension, intradialytic hypotension, coronary artery disease, and homocysteine are negative predictors of executive function integrity. <b>Conclusions.</b> More than half of the patients had deficit scores on the FAB. Reduced cognitive flexibility, high sensitivity to interference, poor inhibitory control and impaired motor programming with the dominant hand were evident. In conclusion, a marked impairment of the executive functions, generally located in the frontal lobes of the brain, was detected in the HD patient, which could be a symptom of a dementia of a vascular nature.</p>","PeriodicalId":12553,"journal":{"name":"Giornale italiano di nefrologia : organo ufficiale della Societa italiana di nefrologia","volume":"41 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140857133","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"[The Medical Art Towards New Paradigms].","authors":"Ortensio Zecchino","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":12553,"journal":{"name":"Giornale italiano di nefrologia : organo ufficiale della Societa italiana di nefrologia","volume":"41 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140862639","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Fabio Cembrani, Piergiorgio Fedeli, Diego De Leo, Mariano Cingolani
{"title":"[Medical overuse, defensive medicine and new reform of professional mistake].","authors":"Fabio Cembrani, Piergiorgio Fedeli, Diego De Leo, Mariano Cingolani","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Reflecting on the inappropriateness (medical overuse) and on defensive medicine, the Authors wonder whether the new Italian reform of professional guilt, desired at all institutional levels, will actually contain the high economic costs produced by these large and widespread phenomena. After having characterized the medical overuse and the defensive medicine indicating the common traits and main differences, the reflection is conducted by exploring the many scientific evidence that does not document any causal link between the decriminalization of professional conduct and the containment of the costs produced by the prescriptive inappropriateness. They conclude by stating that, for their containment, a third reform of professional liability will not be helpful. Instead, it must focus on other issues, mainly addressing the excessive reliance on judicial recourse. It should provide for mandatory out-of-court conciliatory mechanisms and clarifying the protective umbrella of the doctor's non-criminality.</p>","PeriodicalId":12553,"journal":{"name":"Giornale italiano di nefrologia : organo ufficiale della Societa italiana di nefrologia","volume":"41 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140847901","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Maria Cristina Pinerolo de Septis, Elena Alberghini, Marina Cornacchiari, Andrea Galassi, Marco Heidempergher, Simone Vettoretti, Rossella de Leonardis, Luisa Sangalli, Filippo Aucella, Ciro Esposito
{"title":"[Palliative and Supportive Dialysis: Current Practices and Recommendations for Best Clinical Practice].","authors":"Maria Cristina Pinerolo de Septis, Elena Alberghini, Marina Cornacchiari, Andrea Galassi, Marco Heidempergher, Simone Vettoretti, Rossella de Leonardis, Luisa Sangalli, Filippo Aucella, Ciro Esposito","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>\"Palliative dialysis\" is defined as the renal replacement therapy directed to patients living the most critical phases of illness and the end-of-life stage. Offering targeted dialysis prescriptions becomes imperative when health conditions, along with comorbidities, unfavorable prognosis and complications, do not allow standard dialysis to be started or continued. Management should also integrate adequate supportive care measures in both incident and prevalent patients. This document summarizes nephrological recommendations and scientifical evidence regarding the palliative approach to dialysis, and proposes operative tools for a good clinical practice. After planning and sharing the route of care (\"shared-decision-making\"), which includes multidimensional evaluation of the patient, a pathway of treatment should be started, focusing on combining the therapeutical available options, adequacy and proportionality of care and patients' preferences. We propose a framework of indications that could help the nephrologist in practicing appropriate measures of treatment in patients' frailest conditions, with the aim of reducing the burden of dialysis, improving quality of life, providing a better control of symptoms, decreasing the hospitalization rates in the end-of-life stage and promoting a home-centered form of care. Such a decisional pathway is nowadays increasingly needed in nephrology practice, but not standardized yet.</p>","PeriodicalId":12553,"journal":{"name":"Giornale italiano di nefrologia : organo ufficiale della Societa italiana di nefrologia","volume":"41 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140853363","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}