nan Usha

Acute Renal Failure in Pregnancy in a Developing Country: Twenty Years of Experience

Acute renal failure (ARF) has become a rare complication of pregnancy in developed countries. The aim of this study was to describe changing trends in pregnancy-related acute renal failure (PR-ARF) in two successive periods; 1982–1991 and 1992–2002. From July1982 to December 2002, 190 cases of PR-ARF were observed in Eastern India (11.6% of total number of ARF needing dialysis). Obstetrical complications were causative factors for ARF in 15% (65/426) and 10% (125/1201) of patients in the two periods, respectively. The incidence of PR-ARF fell from 15% in 1982–1991 to 10% in 1992–2002, with respect to the total number of acute renal failure cases. Post-abortal ARF showed a declining trend, 9% in the 1980s to 7% in the 2000s, of the total number of ARF cases. Preeclampsia-eclampsia was the cause of obstetrical ARF in 23% (1982–1991) and 14.4% (1992–2002) of cases in these two periods. The percentage of total ARF due to eclampsia declined from 3.5% during the period 1982–1991 to 1.4% in 1992–2002. Puerperal sepsis contributed to 0.8% of total ARF in recent years, compared to 2.4% in the earlier period. The incidence of cortical necrosis decreased significantly (p < 0.001) from 17% in 1982–1991 to 2.4% in the 2000s. The maternal mortality reduced to 6.4% in 1992–2002 from initial high mortality of 20% in the period of 1982–1991. Conclusion. PR-ARF which remained high in the initial period has decreased in recent years. This is associated with a declining trend in post‐abortal ARF and a reduction in maternal mortality as well. We noted a significant decrease (p < 0.001) in the incidence of cortical necrosis in PR-ARF. The reasons for this favorable outcome in obstetrical ARF seem to be due to improved medical care, decrease in the number of septic abortions, effective care of obstetrical complications, and legalization of abortion.

Spectrum of renal cortical necrosis in acute renal failure in Eastern India

Renal cortical necrosis is an uncommon cause of acute renal failure. We report 23 cases of biopsy-proven renal cortical necrosis which constituted 6.3% (23/363) of all cases of acute renal failure studied over a period of seven years (1985-92). The patients were divided into two groups: obstetric and non-obstetric. Obstetric complications were responsible for renal cortical necrosis in 15 (65.2%) patients while non-obstetric conditions accounted for the remaining eight (34.8%) cases. The overall incidence of cortical necrosis in obstetric acute renal failure was 15/63 (23.8%) patients, the incidence being nearly equal in early (20.5%) and late (29%) pregnancy. Post-abortum renal failure was the sole cause of cortical necrosis in early pregnancy in the obstetric group. Haemolytic uraemic syndrome (three patients) and septicaemia (two patients) were the main cause of necrosis in the non-obstetric group. The cortical necrosis was diffuse and patchy in 17 and six patients, respectively. The disease had a fatal prognosis in 20 (87%) patients; mortality was due to uraemic complications and infections in the majority of patients. The high frequency of post-abortum renal cortical necrosis in our patients is similar to the experience of other Indian workers.

Glomerular diseases in the elderly in India

Three hundred fifteen (315) elderly(≥60 years) patients with clinical renaldiseases were evaluated for the evidence ofglomerular diseases between November 1998 toJune 2002. Glomerular diseases (GN) wereobserved in 20.6% (65/315) of the elderlypatients. The age of the patients (male 56;female 9) ranged between 60–90 (mean64.17 ± 3.83) years. The clinicalpresentation of GN included: nephrotic syndrome40 (61.5%), acute nephritic syndrome19 (29.2%), rapidly progressive GN 4 (6.15%)and asymptomatic urinary abnormality 2 (3.0%).Overall, primary and secondary glomerulardisease were seen in 47 (72.3%) and 18 (27.6%)elderly patients respectively. Idiopathicmembranous nephropathy was the most common GNresponsible for nephrotic syndrome in11 (27.5%) of elderly patients. DiabeticNephropathy related to type 2 diabetes mellituswas the second common cause 9 (22.5%) ofnephrotic syndrome. Amyloidosis was noted in6 (15%) patients. Nephrotic syndrome wasrelated to leprosy in one patient. Amyloidosisoccurred in association with multiple myelomain 5 and carcinoma colon in 1 patient. Thus,primary and secondary GN were responsible fornephrotic syndrome in 60% and 40% of casesrespectively. Endocapillary proliferative GN ofpost infectious etiology was the most prevalent(82.6%) form of acute GN in our elderlypatients. Hypertension occurred in 78.2% ofcases and edema in 69.5%. Pulmonary congestion(52.2%) and ARF (73.9%) were the dominantpresenting feature of acute GN and 39% ofpatients required dialytic support. Glomerularcrescents were seen in 4 (17.4%) patients withacute glomerulonephritis. Pauci-immunecrescentic GN which is the commonest type ofacute GN in the elderly in western countrieswas not observed in this study. Renal biopsyrevealed mesangiocapillary GN (1) andmesangioproliferative GN (1) in two patientswith asymptomatic urinary abnormalities.Thus, overall spectrum of glomerular disease inthe Indian elderly population is similar tothat of developed countries except in two ways:(1) post infectious endocapillary proliferativeGN was the commonest type of acute GN (2)rarity or absence of pauci-immune crescenticglomerulonephritis.

Changing epidemiology of community-acquired acute kidney injury in developing countries: analysis of 2405 cases in 26 years from eastern India.

Background The epidemiology of acute kidney injury (AKI) differs from country to country and varies from center to center within a country. Owing to the absence of a central registry, data on overall epidemiology of AKI are scanty from India. Methods This study aimed at describing changes in epidemiology of community-acquired AKI (CAAKI) over a time span of 26 years in two study periods, namely, 1983–95 and 1996–2008. Results We studied 2405 (1375 male and 1030 female) cases of AKI in the age range 1–95 (mean: 40.32) years. The incidence of CAAKI in 1983–95 and 1996–2008 was 1.95 and 4.14 per 1000 admission, respectively (P < 0.01). Obstetrical AKI has decreased because of the declining number of post-abortal AKI. Surgical AKI decreased from 13.8% in 1983–95 to 9.17% in 1996–2008(P < 0.01). Malarial AKI increased significantly from 4.7% in the first half of the study to 17% in the later period (P < 0.01). Diarrhea-associated AKI had significantly decreased from 36.83% in 1983–95 to 19% in 1996–2008 (P < 0.01). Sepsis-related AKI had increased from 1.57% in 1983–95 to 11.43% in 1996–2008 (P < 0.01). Nephrotoxic AKI showed an increasing trend in recent years (P < 0.01) and mainly caused by rifampicin and NSAIDs. Liver disease-related AKI increased from 1.73% in 1983–95 to 3.17% in 1996–2008 (P < 0.01). Myeloma-associated acute renal failure (ARF) accounted for 1.25% of the total number of ARF cases in the period 1996–2008. HIV infection contributed to 1.65% of ARF of the total number of AKI cases in the second period (1996–2008). Incidence of renal cortical necrosis (RCN) decreased significantly from 5.8% in 1983–95 to 1.3% in 1996–2008 of the total number of ARF cases (P < 0.01). However, during the same period ARF due to acute tubular necrosis, acute glomerulonephritis and acute interstitial nephritis remained unchanged. The mortality rate from AKI decreased significantly from 20% in 1983–95 to 10.98% in 1996–2008 (P < 0.01). Conclusions The epidemiological characteristics of CAAKI have changed over the past three decades. There has been an increase in the overall incidence of ARF with the changing etiology of AKI in recent years. Incidences of obstetrical, surgical and diarrheal AKI have decreased significantly, whereas those of AKI associated with malaria, sepsis, nephrotoxic drugs and liver disease have increased. RCN has decreased significantly. In contrast to developed nations, community-acquired AKI is more common in developing countries. It often affects younger individuals and is caused by single and preventable diseases.

Nephroprotective role of salacia chinensis in diabetic CKD patients: A pilot study

BACKGROUND Present study aimed to study effect of Salacia Chinensis, a herbal drug, on stabilization of renal functions, and markers of endothelial dysfunction in diabetic chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS 30 stable diabetic CKD patients were randomized into 2 groups; group A and B of 15 patients each. Group A was given trial drug Salacia chinensis 1000 mg twice-daily while group B received placebo. Measures of renal function: Serum creatinine and creatinine clearance; markers of endothelial dysfunction: Interleukin-6 and serum Homocysteine, and lipid profile were measured at baseline and during follow-up period of 6 months. RESULTS There was stabilization of renal function as measured by serum creatinine and creatinine clearance in patients who received Salacia Chinensis compared to placebo (P value < 0.05), suggesting that Salacia chinensis may retard the progression of chronic kidney disease. Similarly, there was significant decline in both serum homocysteine and IL-6 levels. [P value < 0.05 for both]. CONCLUSION This pilot study showed a promising role for Salacia chinensis as a renoprotective drug, but further prospective studies involving large number of patients are needed to confirm this and also to delineate possible mechanisms.

Outcome of malaria-associated acute kidney injury: a prospective study from a single center

Abstract Objective: The aim of this prospective study was to determine the outcome of patients suffering from malaria with acute renal dysfunction. Methods: All adult patients of laboratory-proven malaria with acute kidney injury (AKI) admitted during the period of May 2010 to June 2011 were included. Patient characteristics, physical examination findings, and laboratory parameters were recorded. Patient outcome was assessed in terms of peak serum creatinine level, duration of hospital stay, need for dialysis, and in-hospital mortality rate. Surviving patients were followed up for 3 months to determine progression to chronic kidney disease. Results: This study enrolled 101 patients of malarial AKI. Mean age was 33.70 ± 15.39 years. Oliguric AKI was observed in 44.6% cases. Mean duration of hospital stay was 8.75 ± 7.60 days. Renal replacement therapy was required in 36.6% patients. Ten (9.9%) patients succumbed to illness during hospital stay. Majority of deaths occurred shortly after admission. Mortality risk was significantly associated with raised LDH (p = 0.019), lower hemoglobin level (p = 0.015), raised aspartate transaminases (p < 0.001), and elevated alanine transaminases (p = 0.016). Cerebral malaria was an important determinant of mortality (p = 0.002). Renal parameters, including severity of renal dysfunction and need for dialysis, were not associated with mortality risk. Among 91 survivors, 79 patients completed a 3-month follow-up and all of them had normalization of renal function. Conclusion: We observed 9.9% in-hospital mortality rate in the study cohort. Cerebral malaria was an important risk factor for mortality in malarial AKI patients. Severity of renal dysfunction did not correlate with the mortality risk in our study.

Mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis: An important glomerulonephritis in nephrotic syndrome of young adult

Mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis (MesPGN) consists 10% of the total renal biopsy of glomerulonephritis. Aim of the present study was to find out clinicopathological changes in MesPGN and differences between diffuse and focal variety. MesPGN was seen mostly in young adults with mean age of 28.63 years for males and 26.3 years for females. Male predominance was noted (M:F ratio - 1.4:1). About 70.83% patient presented with edema feet, followed by hypertension (29.19%), fever (16.66%), oliguria, nausea and vomiting (10.41%). Urine analysis in 50 patients revealed that 70% patients presented with nephrotic-range proteinuria, 36% patients with microscopic hematuria and 56% patients with leukocyturia. Statistically, no significant difference was found in clinical features of diffuse and focal MesPGN. Microscopic comparison between diffuse and focal variety showed that significant increase of focal glomerular basement membrane thickening, focal endothelial cell proliferation, focal smooth muscle hyperplasia, hyaline sclerosis and vasculitis was more common in diffuse variety. In focal variety, Capillary loop congestion, periglomerulitis, cloudy swelling and vacuolar degeneration in tubules were significantly more as compared to diffuse variety. Details of the clinical features, special laboratory tests and histological details revealed that diffuse variety had systemic diseases, which included Wegners granulomatosis, microscopic polyangitis, Henochs schonlein purpura, systemic lupus erythematosus (two cases) and one case each of Kimuras disease, pyelonephritis and tuberculosis. Only one case of focal MesPGN showed tuberculosis. Thus, our study concludes that MesPGN is an important cause of nephrotic syndrome among young adults. Secondly, search for some other diseases should be made and thirdly, if biopsy shows focal mesangial cell proliferations in minimal change glomerulonephritis (MCGN), it should be diagnosed as focal MesPGN rather than MCGN because these cases show recurrences.

Effects of Salacia oblonga on cardiovascular risk factors in chronic kidney disease patients: A prospective study

The present study is aimed to evaluate the effect of the herbal drug Salacia oblonga on reduction of cardiovascular risk factors in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Sixty patients were randomized in four groups; group A1 = non-diabetic CKD given trial drug Salacia oblonga for six months, group A 2 = non-diabetic CKD intended to receive placebo, group B1 = diabetic CKD treated with Salacia oblonga for six months and group B 2 = diabetic CKD patients intended to receive placebo. Estimation of renal function tests including blood urea, serum creatinine and creatinine clearance was performed at baseline and after that at monthly intervals. Lipid profile, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured at baseline and were repeated at three months and six months. After six months of treatment, Salacia oblonga could reduce the triglyceride levels by 23.66% (P = 0.008) in non-diabetic and by 17.45% (P = 0.01) in diabetic CKD patients. In comparison with placebo, both non-diabetic and diabetic CKD patients treated with Salacia oblonga showed significant reduction in CRP levels (P = 0.002 and 0.03, respectively), while significant reduction in IL-6 (P-value = 0.0003) and serum cholesterol levels (P-value = 0.0001) was seen only in diabetic CKD patients treated with Salacia oblonga. Stabilization of creatinine clearance with Salacia oblonga was observed in both non-diabetic (P = 0.05) and diabetic CKD (P = 0.04) patients in comparison with placebo. Salacia oblonga has significant beneficial effects on lipid profile and markers of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction in CKD patients. Salacia oblonga also seems to have a reno-protective effect, as reflected by stabilization of creatinine clearance at six months in this study.

Serum sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis of patients with membranous nephropathy and focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis.

Diagnosis of membranous nephropathy (MN) and focal and segmental glomerulo- sclerosis (FSGS) needs a renal biopsy, which is an invasive procedure with potentially serious complications. Proteomics may be applied for the development of a biomarker for these diseases which will obviate the need of biopsy. Serum sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electro-phoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis gives an idea of the various proteins with different molecular weights (MWs) in a given sample. This study was conducted to analyze proteins with different MWs in patients with MN and FSGS and to compare the two groups with regard to their protein profile. This was a comparative, experimental study performed from June 2013 to July 2014 in the Department of Nephrology, Sir Sunderlal Hospital, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. Twenty-three histologically diagnosed cases of primary MN and 25 cases of FSGS were included in the study. Patients were categorized as having mild, moderate, and severe proteinuria with 24 h urinary protein levels of <4, 4- 8 and ≥8 g/24 h, respectively. SDS-PAGE analysis was performed by the method of Laemmli and revealed a significantly higher number of patients with FSGS (80%) having a protein corresponding to 29 kDa MW, than those with MN (39.1%) (P = 0.004). Protein of 5 kDa MW was present in a significantly higher number of patients with moderate (80%) and severe (100%) proteinuria than those with mild proteinuria (25%) (P <0.001). Thus, protein of MW 29 kDa may be a marker for FSGS and needs further characterization. Similarly, 5 kDa protein, present in patients with moderate and severe proteinuria, might be either contributing to or be a marker of severe illness.

Insulin resistance in predialytic, nondiabetic, chronic kidney disease patients: A hospital-based study in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, India

Most investigations have focused on patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). More recently, due to increased recognition of the high prevalence of moderate-to-severe chronic kidney disease (CKD), attention has been redirected to this patient population to identify risk factors associated with hospitalization, death, and progression to ESRD. The objective of this study was to examine the degree and determinants of insulin resistance (IR) in predialytic, nondiabetic, CKD patients. Our study is a hospital-based cross-sectional study. The participants were aged 18 years and above with CKD due to any cause, were all nondiabetic patients, and the mean serum creatinine was 1.41-5 mg/dL. Anthropometric parameters included body weight, height, and skinfold thickness. Homeostasis model assessment of IR (HOMA-IR) score was 2.5 ± 1.2 in CKD patients and 1.9 ± 0.7 in controls. In the unadjusted analysis, there was a significant (P <0.05) correlation between HOMA-IR and body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, cholesterol, and triglyceride (TG) levels. Upon adjusting for age and sex, total body fat (BF), globulin, TG, and C-reactive protein were having positive, significant (P <0.05) correlation with HOMA-IR. In multivariate regression models, BMI and total BF% were significant (P <0.05) predictors of IR in patients with CKD but not in controls. BF% and BMI are indicators of IR in CKD as in non-CKD population.