Suresh C. Tiwari

Restless legs syndrome in hemodialysis patients in India: a case controlled study

OBJECTIVE To assess the prevalence of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in Indian patients on hemodialysis as compared to controls. METHODS One hundred and twenty-one consecutive hemodialysis patients and 99 controls were evaluated using a standard predesigned questionnaire. The control group comprised completely normal healthy adults who were being evaluated as renal donors. Nerve conduction studies were done in those patients diagnosed with RLS. RESULTS RLS was present in eight hemodialysis patients (6.6%) and none of the controls. Patients (87.5%) with RLS had delayed sleep onset. Nerve conduction showed evidence of sensori-motor neuropathy in five patients and a normal study in one patient. When we compared the patients with RLS to those without RLS, there was no significant difference in their age, duration of hemodialysis, hemoglobin, blood urea, creatinine, serum ferritin or use of erythropoeitin. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of RLS was 6.6% in patients on hemodialysis; and 0% in controls, which is much lower than that reported from the West.

A Prospective Randomized Study to Compare Ultrasound-Guided with Nonultrasound-Guided Double Lumen Internal Jugular Catheter Insertion as a Temporary Hemodialysis Access

Internal jugular venous catheters (IJVC) for hemodialysis are a commonly employed temporary vascular access for hemodialysis. Most hospitals still follow the use of blind technique, which uses anatomical landmarks. Even in the most experienced hands this procedure has a variable success rate. Ultrasound guidance can decrease the incidence of periprocedural complications and improve the success rate. In this randomized study we compared the procedure success rate and periprocedural complications in patients undergoing ultrasound guided vs. nonultrasound guided IJVC insertion for a temporary hemodialysis access. Methods. All patients subjected to insertion of an IJVC between March 2004 and June 2004 were enrolled into the study, randomized to either the blind (group A) or ultrasound guided (group B) procedure, which uses a portable ordinary ultrasound machine without a needle guide. The aseptic Saldinger technique was used for catheterization in both the groups. Baseline characteristics of patient and periprocedural events were recorded. Results. A total of 60 patients were randomized, 30 patients each in two groups. First attempt venous cannulation success rate was 56.7% in group A compared to 86.7% in group B. Chance of occurrence of adverse outcome was significantly more in the blind procedure (P = 0.020). A post-procedure chest radiograph done in all patient showed no complications. Conclusion. Ultrasound guided procedure for internal jugular vein catheter insertion using an ordinary ultrasound machine was significantly safer and more successful as compared to the blind technique.

Prospective randomised trial of isoniazid prophylaxis in renal transplant recipient

Renal transplantation (RT) recipients are at a high risk of developing tuberculosis (TB) following transplantation. Effectiveness of isoniazid (INH) in preventing TB is well documented in immunocompetent as well as immunocompromised persons. There is paucity of data on role of INH prophylaxis in RT recipients. Thus, a prospective randomised trial of INH in RT recipients was carried out to determine the efficacy of daily INH monotherapy in the prevention of TB in these patients. Patients of end stage renal disease (ESRD) taken for RT formed the subjects of study. Patients with active TB and active hepatitis at the time of RT were excluded from the study. Patients were randomised to receive INH 300 mg with pyridoxine 20 mg daily from the day of RT. The duration of the treatment was planned for 1 year or till the development of TB, which ever was earlier. Between October 1998 and September 2000, 114 RT were done at our hospital. Of these, 24 (21%) patients had active TB at the time of RT and thus were excluded. Patients included were randomised with 1:2 ratio of treatment and control group. Of the 90 patients thus enrolled, 30 were randomised in treatment group and 60 in control group. Of the included patients five patients had very early graft loss (three in treatment and two in control group) within days and thus excluded from the analysis. Three of the 27 (11.1%) patients in treatment group and 15 (25.8%) in control group developed TB (P = 0.10). The risk ratio of (RR) of INH versus control group of TB was 0.36 (95% CI, 0.10–1.32) but the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.12). Only one patient developed INH induced hepatitis. In conclusion, with INH prophylaxis, there was a trend towards protection from TB, though it was not statistically significant. Further, all patients tolerated INH and hepatotoxicity was not a major problem in this group of patients.

Expression of complement regulatory proteins in diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis.

This study assessed the expression of complement receptor 1 (CR1), decay accelerating factor (DAF) and membrane inhibitor of reactive lysis (CD59) on the erythrocytes and glomerulus of diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis (DPGN) of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients using flow cytometry and immunofluorescence techniques to elucidate their role in the pathogenesis of DPGN. Expression of CR1 on the erythrocytes and glomerulus of DPGN patients was reduced compared with expression in normal subjects. However, expression of DAF and CD59 was increased on both erythrocytes and glomerulus of DPGN patients, suggesting the generation of a protective response against complement-mediated injury.

Idiopathic adult focal segmental glomerulosclerosis: a clinicopathological study and response to steroid.

A total of 65 adult cases (53 males, 12 females) with biopsy-proven focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) were studied. Hypertension, ascites and haematuria were seen in 13, 12 and 24 cases, respectively. Decreased creatinine clearance at presentation was found in 9 cases. Mean proteinuria per day, serum cholesterol and total protein were 7.5 +/- 4.3 g, 388.95 +/- 213.4 mg% (10.11 +/- 5.55 mmol/l) and 5.27 +/- 1.1 g% (0.527 +/- 0.11 milligram), respectively. Mesangial proliferation was seen in 13 cases and hilar sclerosis in 5. Fifty percent showed positive immunofluorescence; IgM in 10, C3 in 8, and IgG in 2. Forty-two cases could be followed (mean 32 months), out of which 38 had nephrotic syndrome and were treated with prednisolone; 58% showed response (31% complete remission and 27% partial remission). One patient in each group of responders and nonresponders had renal failure at the end of follow-up. Hypertension, degree of proteinuria, mesangial proliferation, degree of tubular atrophy and immunofluorescence findings did not significantly affect the response to steroids. We conclude that a group of patients with idiopathic adult FSGS has a favourable response to steroids, which cannot be predicted clinically.

Clinicopathologic Course of Hepatitis B Infection in Surface Antigen Carriers Following Living-Related Renal Transplantation

We present the clinical course, serology, and histopathology of 17 living-related renal allograft recipients who were hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive at the time of transplantation. Although 14 patients were hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) positive, none had clinical hepatitis at the time of transplantation. All patients were receiving moderate doses of prednisolone and azathioprine only. At the mean short-term follow-up of 70 months (range, 6 to 132 months), none of the patients had seroconversion to antibody to HBsAg. Four patients died due to extrahepatic complications between 16 and 50 months following transplantation. Of these, three had normal liver function at the time of death and one had portal tract infiltration by chronic inflammatory cells. One patient died due to fulminant hepatitis at 6 months after transplantation. Of the remaining 12 patients, although 11 were HBeAg positive, only two developed chronic active hepatitis. Our short-term follow-up data suggest that chronic liver disease is not a frequent complication following living-related renal transplantation in HBsAg carriers. In addition, the presence of HBeAg at the time of transplantation does not predict a bad prognosis. Thus, in a living-related renal transplant program, asymptomatic carriers of HBsAg with positive HBeAg are not a contraindication for renal transplantation.

Spectrum of poisoning requiring haemodialysis in a tertiary care hospital in India

We report our experience in 66 cases of acute poisoning requiring haemodialysis (HD) in the last 17 years. Barbiturate poisoning was the commonest poisoning (30 cases). Mean blood barbiturate level was 8.9 mg%. Twenty four were in grade IV coma at the time of presentation. Twenty five required one HD and 5 cases needed 2 HD. Four died due to respiratory infection or hypotension. Copper sulphate poisoning was encountered in 19 cases. Common features in this group were: acute renal failure (ARF) (19), haematuria (3), gastrointestinal bleeding (7), intravascular haemolysis (9), jaundice (11), hepatocellular toxicity (8), methaemoglobinuria (8) and circulatory collapse (5). The indication for HD in all these cases was ARF. Seven patients died. There were 9 cases of mercuric chloride poisoning requiring 2-5 HD. Common features in this group were; ARF (9), gastrointestinal bleeding (9), anaemia (8), jaundice (2). Two patients died. Other patients had Mandrax, Naphthalene, Tincture Iodine, Ethylene Bromide and Lithium poisoning. Overall mortality in our study was 24.2%. It is concluded that HD is not the primary mode of therapy for drug intoxication. Adequate supportive management is most important in determining final outcome of these patients.

Systemic lupus erythematosus in North Indian Asians

SummaryOne hundred and one patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) from North Indian stock are presented. The clinical manifestations, laboratory parameters, causes of death, and survival are compared and contrasted with the other major reported series. SLE of North Indian Asians has several features comparable to those reported from the West, but other features are more similar to the SLE seen in Mongoloid races.

Results of conversion from triple-drug to double-drug therapy in living related renal transplantation.

Results of 34 recipients of living related renal allografts initially treated with cyclosporine, azathioprine, and prednisolone and later electively converted to AZA and PRED are presented. Thirteen (group A), 14 (group B), and 7 (group C) patients were converted before 9 months, between 9 and 12 months, and after 12 months, respectively. Thirty-four patients who were on AZA and PRED and had never received CsA served as controls. Of the 34 patients, 33 were HLA haploidentical with their donors and 1 was HLA identical. All patients received a mean 8.62 +/- 7.39 third-party blood transfusions. In the control group, 29 patients received haploidentical grafts. The number of blood transfusions given to this group was 7.09 +/- 9.13. Of the 34 patients receiving triple-drug therapy, 9 (26%) had acute rejection within 3 months after conversion, as compared with 5 (14.7%) in the control group (P > 0.05). Although 1 case had acute rejection before conversion, all recipients had stable graft function at the time of conversion. Of these 9 recipients, 7 had conversion over 4-7 weeks, while 2 had rapid conversion. Following treatment of the rejection episodes, 4 patients in the study group responded to therapy, as compared with 3 cases in the control group (P > 0.05). After a mean follow-up of 18.62 +/- 10.31 months (range 3-41 months) following conversion, 4 patients were normal, 4 had chronic rejection (mean serum creatinine = 3.0 mg/100 ml), and 1 was back on regular dialysis. Eventually, of the 34 patients who were converted from triple-drug to double-drug therapy, 25 were normal, 5 had stable chronic rejection, 2 were back on regular dialysis, 1 was retransplanted, and 1 died due to failed graft. At the end of follow-up, graft survival in the study group was 88.2%, as compared with 85.5% in controls (P > 0.05). We conclude that conversion from triple-drug to double-drug therapy is not without risk, even in living related primary renal transplantation. Degree of HLA matching, number of pretransplant blood transfusions, and rejection before conversion did not have any significant effect on rejections following conversion, and the graft loss following conversion is unpredictable.

Assessing Suitability for Renal Donation: Can Equations Predicting Glomerular Filtration Rate Substitute for a Reference Method in the Indian Population?

Background: Accurate measurement of donor renal function has important long-term implications for both the donor and recipient. As the use of recommended filtration markers is limited by cumbersome and costly techniques, renal function is typically estimated using 24-hour urinary creatinine clearance (urine-CrCl). Prediction equations used for rapid bedside estimation of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) are simple and overcome the inaccuracies of urinary collection and, if validated, can expedite the donor workup besides reducing the cost. We assessed the suitability of urine-CrCl and prediction equations for evaluating potential Indian renal donors. Methods: 173 consecutive renal donors were enrolled. The predictive capabilities of the Cockcroft and Gault equation for creatinine clearance (CrCl) corrected for body surface area (CG-CrCl), CG-CrCl corrected for GFR (CG-GFR), MDRD-1, MDRD-2 and urine-CrCl were evaluated with 99mTc-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)-GFR as reference GFR. Results: The study population had a mean age of 44.1 years with 74% being females. Mean DTPA-GFR was 83.85 ml/min/1.73 m2. The median percent absolute difference was most with urine-CrCl and least with CG-GFR (21.84 and 13.82). The Pearson’s correlation varied from 0.08 to 0.26 (urine-CrCl and MDRD-1). The precision was most with MDRD-1 and least with urine-CrCl (0.07 and 0.01). The bias was least with CG-GFR and most with MDRD-2 (1.34 and 17.16). The number of subjects with predicted GFR values within 30% of DTPA was most with MDRD-1 (86%) and least with urine-CrCl (69%). The sensitivity for selecting a donor with a GFR of ≧80/ml/min/1.73 m2 was the most with CG-GFR (65.7%), while specificity was maximum with MDRD-2 (90.1%). Conclusion: Our results in potential Indian renal donors show that of all the prediction equations MDRD-1 is the most precise and accurate, while CG-GFR is the least biased. However, the poor correlation and level of error exhibited by these equations makes them suboptimal for donor evaluation.