Toru Sanai

Reversible primary hypothyroidism in Japanese patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND/METHODS The presence or absence of hypothyroidism was assessed in 152 consecutive Japanese patients with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis. Eight patients who had undergone treatment for thyroid disease before starting hemodialysis therapy, and 3 patients with amyloidosis due to rheumatoid arthritis were excluded. RESULTS Of the remaining 141 hemodialysis patients, 14 (9.9%) (9 males and 5 females, aged 69.1 A+/- 8.8 years with a mean duration of hemodialysis of 69 A+/- 51 months) were in a hypothyroid state, defined as a thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level > 5 mU/l. Antithyroid peroxidase antibodies were positive in only 1 of the 14 patients, while antithyroglobulin antibodies were negative in all of these patients. After iodide restriction, the serum TSH level decreased in all the patients from a mean of 16.49 A+/- 22.80 to 4.44 A+/- 3.35 mU/l after 1 month, 4.25 A+/- 2.24 mU/l after 2 months and 3.97 A+/- 2.22 mU/l after 3 months. The 3 months of iodide restriction were also associated with decreases in systolic blood pressure (142 A+/- 19 to 125 A+/- 16 mmHg, p < 0.05), diastolic blood pressure (79 A+/- 13 to 72 A+/- 9 mmHg, p < 0.05) and thyroid gland volume estimated by ultrasonography (13.7 A+/- 6.3 to 11.6 A+/- 5.2 ml, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION A high prevalence of reversible primary hypothyroidism was found in end-stage renal disease patients on hemodialysis. Retention of excess iodide may be the mechanism responsible for reversible hypothyroidism rather than immunological perturbations. It is, therefore, recommended to attempt iodide restriction before starting l-thyroxine replacement therapy.

A Case Report of Nephrotic Syndrome Due to Collapsing Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis Treated With Low-density Lipoprotein Apheresis

Abstract:  We herein report the case of a 73‐year‐old woman with steroid and cyclosporine resistant collapsing focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) whose refractory proteinuria and hypoproteinemia were controlled with low‐density lipoprotein apheresis (LDL‐A). She was initially treated with steroid therapy, including methylprednisolone pulse and cyclosporine therapy. However, her hypoproteinemia, accompanied with renal insufficiency, persisted despite these therapies. We treated her using LDL‐A and found improvement in her urine protein excretion, hyperlipidemia, hypoproteinemia, and renal function as a result of this treatment. This suggests that LDL‐A may therefore be an effective therapy for nephrotic syndrome due to collapsing FSGS.

Ultrasonographic Detection of Thyroid Nodules in Hemodialysis Patients in Japan

The study of thyroid nodules in hemodialyzed patients using ultrasonography has been described in a limited number of reports. The thyroid glands of 143 patients with end‐stage renal disease on hemodialysis were examined by ultrasonography using frequency probes. Although a goiter (thyroid volume > 20 mL) was observed in only 20 patients (14%), nodular lesions of the thyroid gland were more frequent and found in 85 patients (59.4%), especially in female patients (42 patients, 72.4%). The etiology of thyroid nodular lesions was as follows: cyst in 43 (30.0%), adenomatous goiter in 14 (9.8%), adenoma in 11 (7.7%), hypoechoic lesion in 17 (11.9%), and intrathyroid calcification in 8 (5.6%). Ultrasound‐guided fine‐needle aspiration cytology was performed in 5 patients, but no abnormal cells were found. Compared to patients without nodules, the age was higher in patients with cysts (54 ± 15 vs. 63 ± 13 years; P < 0.05) and hypoechoic lesions (70 ± 13 years; P < 0.05). The serum thyroglobulin level was higher in patients with adenomatous goiters (26 ± 28 vs. 148 ± 166 ng/mL; P < 0.05). The thyroid volume was greater in patients with adenomatous goiters (14.2 ± 5.7 vs. 19.0 ± 7.3 mL; P < 0.05) and adenomas (18.2 ± 6.7 mL; P < 0.05). In conclusion, patients undergoing hemodialysis frequently develop thyroid abnormalities and ultrasonography is a useful imaging modality to identify these lesions.

Beneficial Effects of Oral Iron in Japanese Patients on Hemodialysis

Objective Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) has become important with regard to mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Therefore, it is necessary to optimize the treatment of these patients. Methods IDA in end-stage renal disease patients on HD was observed in 42 (33.6%) of 125 patients. We examined the influence of daily orally iron [sodium ferrous citrate (SFC) iron/tablet 50 mg, 1-2 tablets] on the renal function markers, anemia and iron data for about 6 months. Results The hematocrit and hemoglobin levels were significantly increased in the patients treated with SFC [hematocrit: before 28.5%±2.1% (mean ± standard deviation), 1st month 30.0%±2.3%, p<0.05; 3rd month 32.4%±2.9%, p<0.05; 6th month 31.3%±3.4%, p<0.05; and hemoglobin: before 9.25±0.70, 1st month 9.72±0.71, p<0.05; 3rd month 10.54±0.96, p<0.05; 6th month 10.25±1.21 g/dL, p<0.05]. The transferrin saturation (TSAT) and serum ferritin levels were significantly increased in the patients treated with SFC (TSAT: before 21.5%±10.0%, 1st-3rd month, 34.1%±15.1%, p<0.05; 6-8th month 34.7%±11.9%, p<0.05; and ferritin: before 38.2±37.1, 6-8th month 67.5±44.0 ng/mL, p<0.05). The present findings clearly indicate that oral iron is an effective route of iron supplementation in HD patients, and no adverse effects associated with SFC occurred during the treatment and follow-up period. Conclusion Our results clearly indicate that oral iron delivered via SFC is a well-tolerated and effective form of iron supplementation in long-term HD and IDA patients in Japan.

Masked hyperthyroidism in a haemodialysis patient successfully treated by potassium iodide.

Hyperthyroidism should be suspected in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients who exhibit signs and symptoms including weight loss, tremor, palpitation or atrial fibrillation (Af) [1–5]. This report presents the case of an 82-year-old Japanese female on maintenance haemodialysis (HD) and paroxysmal Af (pAf). Although the serum thyroid hormone levels were within normal reference values for a young healthy control, she was found to have masked hyperthyroidism.

A case of endocapillary glomerulonephritis associated with peripheral blood natural killer cell proliferation

A 69-year-old male was admitted to our hospital due to rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis. A peripheral blood smear showed a marked increase in large granular lymphocytes. Flow cytometry analysis of the blood showed a marked increase in CD3-negative and CD56-positive natural killer (NK) cells. A renal biopsy showed a characteristic pathological pattern that involved endocapillary proliferation, a predominance of mononuclear cells and mesangiolysis. Prednisolone was administered, and the patient’s renal function subsequently improved concomitant with the amelioration of NK cell proliferation. In our case, there was evidence of a strong association between NK cell proliferation and glomerulonephritis.

Elevated serum thyroglobulin levels as a marker of reversible hypothyroidism in patients with end-stage renal disease due to chronic glomerulonephritis

Abstract Difference in thyroid function depending on the etiology of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) was evaluated in 124 Japanese patients on haemodialysis (HD) due to either chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN, n = 82) or lifestyle related systemic disease (non-CGN, n = 42), such as diabetes mellitus (n = 30) or hypertension (n = 12). There was no significant difference in serum free thyroxine, free triiodothyronine and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level, but serum thyroglobulin (Tg) level was significantly higher in CGN (p = 0.0151). Prevalence of the patients with hypothyroidism (TSH > 4.83 mU/l) was 11 or 13.4% in CGN and 4 or 9.5% in non-CGN (p = 0.017). The most striking finding was the elevated Tg in 38 or 46.3% in CGN and in 11 or 26.2% in non-CGN (p = 0.034). Logistic regression analysis revealed elevated serum TSH level and higher thyroid volume were the significant factors associated with elevated Tg level. Extreme Tg elevation over 100 ng/ml was found only in CGN (12 or 14.6%), and 2 of the patients were overtly hypothyroid but became euthyroid after iodide restriction. Elevated Tg responding to elevated TSH mainly found in CGN suggested the relatively preserved thyroid tissue and reversible recovery of the thyroid function.

Partial Blood Recirculation: A New Trial for Prolonging Filter Life During Continuous Hemodiafiltration

Abstract:  Although continuous hemodiafiltration (CHDF) has been widely accepted in the management of complicated acute renal failure, the requirement for prolonged continuous systemic anticoagulation appears to be a major drawback. We herein describe the case of a patient who developed postoperative multiple organ failure and received CHDF therapy with partial blood recirculation (PBR). PBR is a mode of extracorporeal circulation used as an anticoagulation modality. The technique accelerates the blood flow rate with the goal of extending filter life, and it was performed because the filter life had been significantly shortened (10.5 ± 5.1 h) during the CHDF process in this case. Despite increasing the dose of the anticoagulant, changing the hemofilter and changing the mode from postdilution to predilution, we did not obtain amelioration of filter life. The filter life was significantly improved (41.5 ± 1.4 h) when we performed PBR. It is difficult to minimize the bleeding risk and maintain filter life during CHDF. Our success in prolonging the filter life during this case therefore suggests that PBR might resolve one of the main problems related to CHDF, although more study is needed to clarify the advantages of this system.