Kwang Young Lee

Predicting the probability of survival in acute paraquat poisoning.

Background Paraquat (PQ) concentration–time data have been used to predict prognosis for 3 decades. The aim of this study was to find a more accurate method to predict the probability of survival. Methods This study included 788 patients with PQ poisoning who were diagnosed using plasma PQ concentration between January 2005 and August 2012. We divided these patients into 2 groups (survivors vs. nonsurvivors), compared their clinical characteristics, and analyzed the predictors of survival. Results The mean age of the included patients was 57 years (range, 14–95 years). When we compared clinical characteristics between survivors (n = 149, 19%) and nonsurvivors (n = 639, 81%), survivors were younger (47 ± 14 years vs. 59 ± 16 years) and had lower plasma PQ concentrations (1.44 ± 8.77 μg/mL vs. 80.33 ± 123.15 μg/mL) than nonsurvivors. On admission, serum creatinine was lower in survivors than in nonsurvivors (0.95 ± 0.91 mg/dL vs. 1.88 ± 1.27 mg/dL). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, age and logarithmically converted serum creatinine [ln(Cr)], [ln(time)], and [ln(PQ)] were assessed as prognostic factors to predict survival in PQ poisoning. The predicted probability of survival using significant prognostic factors was exp (logit)/[1 + exp(logit)], where logit = –1.347 + [0.212 × sex (male = 1, female = 0)] + (0.032 × age) + [1.551 × ln(Cr)] + [0.391 × ln(hours since ingestion)] + [1.076 × ln(plasma PQ μg/mL)]. With this equation, the sensitivity and specificity were 86.5% and 98.7%, respectively. Conclusion Age, ln(Cr), ln(time), and ln(PQ) were important prognostic factors in PQ poisoning, and our equation can be helpful to predict the survival in acute PQ poisoning patients.

Clinical significance of red blood cell distribution width in the prediction of mortality in patients on peritoneal dialysis

Background In this study, we assessed whether red blood cell distribution width (RDW) was associated with all-cause mortality in patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD) and evaluated its prognostic value. Methods This study included 136 patients who had RDW levels at PD initiation from January 2007 to January 2014 at the Presbyterian Medical Center and Seoul St. Marys Hospital. We divided these patients into 2 groups (survivors vs. nonsurvivors), compared their clinical characteristics, and analyzed the predictors of survival. Results The study included 79 men and 57 women, with a mean age of 54 years (range, 15–85 years). The mean follow-up duration was 32 months (range, 1–80 months). Of 136 patients, 14 died during the follow-up period. When clinical characteristics of survivors (n = 122) and nonsurvivors (n = 14) were compared, no differences were identified, with the exception of serum albumin, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), left ventricular ejection fraction, total leukocyte count, and RDW value. Survivors had higher serum albumin (3.4 ± 0.5 vs. 3.0 ± 0.5 g/dL, P < 0.001) and left ventricular ejection fraction (56.8 ± 9.8 vs. 48.7 ± 12.8, P = 0.040) and lower TIBC (213.4 ± 40.9 vs. 252.8 ± 65.6, P = 0.010), total leukocyte counts (6.9 × 103/μL vs. 8.6 × 103/μL, P = 0.009), and serum RDW values (13.9 ± 1.7 vs. 16.0 ± 1.8, P < 0.001). Patients with high RDW levels (≥ 14.8) showed significantly higher all-cause mortality than patients with low RDW levels (< 14.8, P < 0.001). In multivariate-adjusted Cox analysis, RDW and TIBC at the start of PD were independent risk predictors for all-cause mortality. Conclusion RDW could be an additive predictor for all-cause mortality in patients on PD.

Clinical significance of NGAL and KIM-1 for acute kidney injury in patients with scrub typhus

Background The aim of this study is to investigate the clinical significance of neutrophil gelatinase–associated lipocalin (NGAL) and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) for acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients with scrub typhus. Methods From 2014 to 2015, 145 patients were diagnosed with scrub typhus. Of these, we enrolled 138 patients who were followed up until renal recovery or for at least 3 months. We measured serum and urine NGAL and KIM-1 levels and evaluated prognostic factors affecting scrub typhus–associated AKI. Results Of the 138 patients, 25 had scrub typhus–associated AKI. The incidence of AKI was 18.1%; of which 11.6%, 4.3%, and 2.2% were classified as risk, injury, and failure, respectively, according to RIFLE criteria. Compared with patients in the non-AKI group, patients in the AKI group were older and showed higher total leukocyte counts and hypoalbuminemia or one or more comorbidities such as hypertension (72% vs 33%, p<0.01), diabetes (40% vs 14%, p<0.01), or chronic kidney disease (32% vs 1%, p<0.01). In addition, serum NGAL values (404± 269 vs 116± 78 ng/mL, P<0.001), KIM-1 values (0.80± 0.52 vs 0.33± 0.68 ng/mL, P<0.001), urine NGAL/creatinine values (371± 672 vs 27± 39 ng/mg, P<0.001) and urine KIM-1/creatinine values (4.04± 2.43 vs 2.38± 1.89 ng/mg, P<0.001) were higher in the AKI group than in the non-AKI group. By multivariate logistic regression, serum NGAL and the presence of chronic kidney disease were significant predictors of AKI. Conclusion Serum NGAL might be an additive predictor for scrub typhus–associated AKI.

Comparison of clinical characteristics of patients with acute kidney injury after intravenous versus inhaled colistin therapy

Background The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and clinical characteristics of intravenous (IV) or inhaled (IH) colistin-associated acute kidney injury (AKI) using the Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss, End-stage Renal Disease criteria. Methods From 2010 to 2014, 160 patients were treated with IV or IH colistin. Of these, we included 126 patients who received colistin for > 72 hours for the treatment of pneumonia and compared the incidence and clinical characteristics of patients in the IV (n = 107) and IH (n = 19) groups. Results The patients included 104 men and 22 women, with a mean age of 69 years (range, 24–91 years). The mortality rate was 45%, and AKI occurred in 75 (60%) patients. At the end of therapy, the bacteriologic cure rate was 66%. There were no differences in the clinical characteristics between the IV and IH groups except for age. In comparison with patients in the IV group, the patients in the IH group were older (74 ± 8 vs. 68 ± 12 years, P = 0.026). The incidence of AKI was not different between the 2 groups (62 vs. 47%, P = not significant), and there was no difference in the severity of AKI according to the Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss, End-stage Renal Disease criteria. Of the 83 patients with AKI, 6 and 1 patients underwent renal replacement therapy, respectively. Conclusion The incidence of AKI in patients with colistin therapy is 60% in our center. It seems that IH colistin therapy could not be better in safety than IV colistin therapy.

Acute interstitial nephritis induced by Solanum nigrum

Acute interstitial nephritis (AIN) is an important cause of reversible acute kidney injury and pathologically characterized by inflammatory infiltrate in the renal interstitium. Solanum nigrum (S. nigrum) is a medicinal plant member of the Solanaceae family. Although S. nigrum has been traditionally used to treat various ailments such as pain, inflammation, and fever, it has also been reported to have a toxic effect, resulting in anticholinergic symptoms. However, there have been no reports of AIN caused by S. nigrum. Here, we report the first case of biopsy-confirmed AIN after ingestion of S. nigrum. The patient was successfully treated using corticosteroid therapy.

Clinical severity of drug-induced hyponatremia: thiazides vs. psychotropics.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with hyponatremia who received thiazide diuretics, psychotropic drugs, or both. METHODS From 2007 to 2013, 266 patients were diagnosed with hyponatremia (P-Na < 135 mol/L) associated with thiazide diuretics (T), psychotropic drugs (P), or both (C). We compared clinical characteristics among the thiazide (T) group (n = 93), the psychotropic drug (P) group (n = 83), and the combination (C) group (n = 90). RESULTS There were no differences in clinical characteristics except for correction time among the three groups. We evaluated the clinical severity among the three groups through initial serum sodium levels (mild: > 125 mmol/L, moderate: 120 - 125 mmol/L, severe: < 120 mmol/L), patient symptoms (mild: general weakness, moderate: nausea or vomiting, severe: syncope or seizure). There were no significant differences in the incidence of severe hyponatremia on the basis of initial serum sodium levels (73.1% vs. 67.5% vs. 71.1%, p = 0.710) and symptoms (20.4% vs. 30.1% vs. 17.8%, p = 0.192) among groups. However, correction time was significantly longer in group C than in groups T or P (41.98 ± 26.89 vs. 34.91 ± 23.96 vs. 51.10 ± 43.86 mg/dL, p = 0.026). CONCLUSION Although patients in group C did not have clinical features that were any more severe than those of the other two groups in terms of initial serum sodium levels and symptoms, correction time was significantly longer for group C than for groups T or P. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to closely monitor patients who receive a thiazide and psychotropic drug simultaneously.

Prognostic Factors in Cholinesterase Inhibitor Poisoning

Background Organophosphates and carbamates are insecticides that are associated with high human mortality. The purpose of this study is to investigate the prognostic factors affecting survival in patients with cholinesterase inhibitor (CI) poisoning. Material/Methods This study included 92 patients with CI poisoning in the period from January 2005 to August 2013. We divided these patients into 2 groups (survivors vs. non-survivors), compared their clinical characteristics, and analyzed the predictors of survival. Results The mean age of the included patients was 56 years (range, 16–88). The patients included 57 (62%) men and 35 (38%) women. When we compared clinical characteristics between the survivor group (n=81, 88%) and non-survivor group (n=11, 12%), there were no differences in renal function, pancreatic enzymes, or serum cholinesterase level, except for serum bicarbonate level and APACHE II score. The serum bicarbonate level was lower in non-survivors than in survivors (12.45±2.84 vs. 18.36±4.73, P<0.01). The serum APACHE II score was higher in non-survivors than in survivors (24.36±5.22 vs. 12.07±6.67, P<0.01). The development of pneumonia during hospitalization was higher in non-survivors than in survivors (n=9, 82% vs. n=31, 38%, P<0.01). In multiple logistic regression analysis, serum bicarbonate concentration, APACHE II score, and pneumonia during hospitalization were the important prognostic factors in patients with CI poisoning. Conclusions Serum bicarbonate and APACHE II score are useful prognostic factors in patients with CI poisoning. Furthermore, pneumonia during hospitalization was also important in predicting prognosis in patients with CI poisoning. Therefore, prevention and active treatment of pneumonia is important in the management of patients with CI poisoning.

A case of peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis by Rothia mucilaginosa

Rothia muciliaginosa (R. mucilaginosa) is a facultative, Gram-positive coccus that is considered to be part of the normal flora of the mouth and respiratory tract. There are sporadic reports of the organism causing endocarditis in patients with heart valve abnormalities, as well as meningitis, septicemia, and pneumonia associated with intravenous drug abuse. However, it is an unusual pathogen in cases of peritoneal dialysis (PD)-associated peritonitis. Although R. mucilaginosa is generally susceptible to penicillin, ampicillin, cefotaxime, imipenem, rifampicin, and glycopeptides, there are no guidelines for the treatment of PD-associated peritonitis. Herein, we report a case of PD-associated peritonitis due to R. mucilaginosa that was resolved with intraperitoneal antibiotic treatment.

Hypothermia-induced acute kidney injury in an elderly patient.

Hypothermia, defined as an unintentional decline in the core body temperature to below 35℃, is a life-threatening condition. Patients with malnutrition and diabetes mellitus as well as those of advanced age are at high risk for accidental hypothermia. Due to the high mortality rates of accidental hypothermia, proper management is critical for the wellbeing of patients. Accidental hypothermia was reported to be associated with acute kidney injury (AKI) in over 40% of cases. Although the pathogenesis remains to be elucidated, vasoconstriction and ischemia in the kidney were considered to be the main mechanisms involved. Cases of AKI associated with hypothermia have been reported worldwide, but there have been few reports of hypothermia-induced AKI in Korea. Here, we present a case of hypothermia-induced AKI that was treated successfully with rewarming and supportive care.

Idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis associated with Hashimoto's thyroiditis in a patient with a single functioning kidney

Retroperitoneal fibrosis (RPF) is a rare disease characterized by the presence of fibroinflammatory tissue around the abdominal aorta and ureteral entrapment in most cases. Idiopathic RPF is frequently reported in association with autoimmune diseases; however, there have been few reports of idiopathic RPF associated with Hashimotos thyroiditis. Here, we report a case of idiopathic RPF with Hashimotos thyroiditis in a patient with a single functioning kidney, which was successfully treated by corticosteroid therapy and transient intraureteral stent insertion with a double-J catheter.