Renal Patients (renal + patient)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Post induction arrhythmia in a renal patient: an unexpected risk factor

ANAESTHESIA, Issue 4 2009
A. Srivastava
Summary A 44 year-old woman was anaesthetised for a transplant nephrectomy. About 10 min after induction of anaesthesia she had several runs of ventricular tachycardia followed by ventricular fibrillation requiring 30 s of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, after which she reverted to sinus rhythm. Review of her chest X-ray, suggested that the haemodialysis catheter (PermcathÔ) position may have precipitated this event. However, subsequent investigation found that she had toxic serum levels of sotalol, with a prolonged corrected QT interval on the electrocardiogram. She was started on sotalol while her renal graft was functioning well but it was not reviewed when the graft started to fail and she had to commence haemodialysis. This led to the accumulation of sotalol and explains her serum sotalol value of 7.1 mg.l,1 on the day of the event. Concentrations greater than 2.5 mg.l,1 are generally considered toxic. [source]


Improvement in quality of life for cancer patients treated with epoetin alfa

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CANCER CARE, Issue 3 2001
S.E. Libretto PHD BSC MIBIOL CBIOL
Anaemia is a common complication of cancer and cancer therapies, and fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of anaemia, disrupting functional performance and reducing overall quality of life. The positive effects of treating renal patients with recombinant human erythropoietin are well documented. This case report series details the specific effects of fatigue on individual patients with cancer and their way of life, and describes their significant improvement in lifestyle following the reversal of anaemia using recombinant human erythropoietin, epoetin alfa. [source]


Herbal product use in a sample of Turkish patients undergoing haemodialysis

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 15 2009
Belgüzar Kara
Aim., To examine herbal product use among patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing haemodialysis. Background., Herbal therapy is a very popular choice for many patients. However, little information is available about herbal product use in renal patients. Design., The study was designed as a cross-sectional survey. The data were obtained from 114 end-stage renal disease patients in two haemodialysis centres in Ankara, Turkey between June,August 2007. Methods., Data were collected through face-to-face structured interviews. Descriptive statistics and the chi-square test were conducted. Results., Approximately one-third of the patients (28·1%) used a herbal product after the diagnosis of chronic kidney disease. Of these, 13·2% reported currently taking herbal products. A minority of participants (12·5%) informed their physician of herbal product use. Marital status was the only variable significantly associated with herbal product use. Conclusions., The results of this study showed that many patients used herbal products, but most did not disclose this use to their physician. Herbal product use was more prevalent among the participants who were married. Relevance to clinical practice., Understanding the patterns and reasons of herbal use is beneficial in efforts to improve the care of patients with end-stage renal disease. Nurses should be aware of the potential health risks caused by herbal products and should educate the patient and the family. [source]


Occult hepatitis B virus infection and lamivudine-resistant mutations in isolates from renal patients undergoing hemodialysis

JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY, Issue 1 2010
Jorge S. Motta
Abstract Background and Aims:, Patients undergoing hemodialysis are at risk of infection with both hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Occult HBV infection is usually associated with low levels of HBV and is frequently detected in HCV-infected patients. The aims of the present study were to compare the prevalence of occult HBV infection among anti-HCV-positive and anti-HCV-negative patients undergoing hemodialysis, and characterize the molecular patterns of HBV isolates from patients with occult infection. Methods:, Serum samples from 100 patients negative for hepatitis B surface antigen undergoing hemodialysis, half of whom were positive for anti-HCV antibodies, were tested for the presence of HBV-DNA using semi-nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). PCR products of the S gene were directly sequenced. Results:, HBV-DNA was detected in 15 samples. There were no significant differences in HCV status, sex, age, time of dialysis, alanine aminotransferase levels or HBV serological markers between patients with or without occult HBV infection, with the exception of antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc)-only serological marker (P = 0.003). All six HBV isolates that could be sequenced were of genotype A/subgenotype A1. Four of these six HBV isolates contained mutations associated with lamivudine resistance in the DNA polymerase (two with L180M/M204V and two with rt173V/180M/204V) and a specific substitution (Y100C) in the HBV small surface protein. Conclusions:, HBV isolates with the identified substitutions have the potential to spread silently by nosocomial transmission within the hemodialysis unit. These results have potential implications for the management of patients with occult HBV infection undergoing hemodialysis. [source]


A2. The carer's perception of dietitians' advice and its impact on the management of patients receiving haemodialysis

JOURNAL OF HUMAN NUTRITION & DIETETICS, Issue 5 2000
M. A. Rezaie
Background Patients with end stage renal disease and their carers suffer many changes in their daily life style as a result of haemodialysis (HD) treatment. Information and education concerning the management of dietary requirements and restrictions for renal patients should be aimed at both patients and their carers. Aim This study investigated the impact of dietitians' involvement and advice on the carers' ability to manage patients' dietary/fluid requirements. Method A total of 36 carers of renal patients receiving unit haemodialysis treatment were randomly recruited into this study from a hospital in Cardiff, Wales. All the carers completed the Haemodialysis carers questionnaire (HCQ), specifically designed for this study, delivered to them in the outpatient clinic by the dietitian. Results Of the 36 carers, 22 (61%) were female, six (16.7%) were male and eight (22%) did not report their gender. Thirteen (36%) of the carers were between the ages of 20,54 years and 23 (64%) were 55 years of age and older. Twenty-six (72%) of the carers involved in this study were spouses and 34 (94.4%) of the carers lived with the patient. The mean duration of haemodialysis treatment for the patient was found to be 20 months. The results indicated that although the majority of the carers were informed about patients' dietary and fluid restrictions, 45% had not received any dietary information. Dietitians' one-to,one interactions with the carer was the most effective way of providing information in enabling them to better manage the patient compared to other methods such as leaflet and information packs (P = 0.01). The majority of the carers knew how to contact the renal dietitian, however, many did not (P = 0.001). Almost all the carers considered receiving information about the purpose of HD, feed back on the patients' condition, fluid/dietary restriction and details of available community resources as very important. Those carers who had the benefit of a dietitian's involvement believed that their advice was very helpful and enabled them to cope better with the management and complications of patient fluid and dietary requirements (P < 0.02). Strong correlations were found (rs = 0.67; P < 0.01) between the amount of information received by the carers and the level of the carers satisfaction with this information. In contrast, there were no significant correlations between the amount of information received by the carers and different aspects of managing the patients' diet, because 45% of the carers received none or little information. Conclusions Dietitians should involve the carers in the management of HD patient's dietary/fluid requirements and restrictions in order to provide better quality of care and quality of life for both the patient and the carer. [source]


Review article: Luminex technology for HLA antibody detection in organ transplantation

NEPHROLOGY, Issue 2 2009
BRIAN D TAIT
SUMMARY Since its inception in the early 1960s, the serologically based complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) assay has been the cornerstone technique for the detection of human leucocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies, not only in pre-transplant renal patients, but also in other forms of organ transplantation. Recently, solid phase assays have been developed and introduced for this purpose, and in particular the Flow-based bead assays such as the Luminex system. This latter assay has proved to be far more sensitive than the CDC assay and has revealed pre-sensitization in potential transplant recipients not detected by other methods of HLA antibody detection. However, the clinical implications of this increased sensitivity have not been convincingly demonstrated until recently. This technology for HLA antibody detection permits the evaluation of the clinical importance of antibodies directed at, for example, HLA-DPB1 and HLA-DQA1, which has not been possible to date. There are Luminex issues, however, requiring resolution such as the ability to distinguish between complement fixing and non-complement fixing antibodies and determination of their relative clinical significance. Luminex technology will permit a re-evaluation of the role of HLA antibodies in both early and late antibody-mediated rejection. [source]


Adult nephrotic syndrome: Non-specific strategies for treatment (Review Article)

NEPHROLOGY, Issue 1 2008
JOHN A CHARLESWORTH
SUMMARY: Irrespective of aetiology, the nephrotic syndrome presents a range of potentially serious complications. These include thrombo-embolism, infection and hyperlipidaemia. Despite the prevalence of the nephrotic state among renal patients, there has been little prospective analysis of the therapeutic approach to these potentially life-threatening events even though their pathogenesis has been examined in some detail. Most of these complications are more prevalent once the albumin concentration falls below 20 g/L and it is recognized that restoration of serum albumin significantly diminishes their frequency. However, this may be difficult to achieve, especially in adults. The problems of thrombo-embolism and infection are of immediate concern but, in persistent cases, the additional issues of hyperlipidaemia and loss of bone density also require consideration for therapy. Thus, in addition to specific attempts to reduce proteinuria, it is recommended that high-risk nephrotic patients receive anticoagulation, pneumococcal vaccination and lipid lowering therapy. Strategies for the preservation of bone density should also be considered, particularly in patients who receive high-dose corticosteroids. Among a range of non-specific treatments for proteinuria, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors appear best in terms of efficacy and safety. Prospective trials are required to clarify the longitudinal impact of these generic strategies on the protection of the persistently nephrotic patient. [source]


Depressive symptoms amongst asthmatic children's caregivers

PEDIATRIC ALLERGY AND IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 4p2 2010
Alexandra Szabó
Szabó A, Mezei G, K,vári É, Cserháti E. Depressive symptoms amongst asthmatic children's caregivers. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2010: 21: e667,e673. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S We wanted to find out, whether the number of depressive symptoms is higher amongst asthmatic children's caregivers, compared to international data, to the Hungarian population average, and to parents of children with chronic renal disease. Are these depressive symptoms connected to the children's psychological status, asthma severity or current asthma symptoms? One-hundred and eight, 7- to 17-yr-old asthmatic children were enrolled, who have been treated at the Semmelweis University, First Department of Pediatrics. Children were suffering from asthma for at least 1 yr, with a median of 8 yr (1,16 yr), they started to develop asthmatic symptoms between the age of 0.5,14 yr (median: 3 yr). We also identified 27 children with chronic renal diseases and their caregivers, who functioned as a control group. Children were asked to complete the Hungarian-validated versions of the Child Depression Inventory, the Spielberger State Anxiety Inventory for Children and the Juniper Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire. Asthma severity and current symptoms were also documented, 56% had no symptoms on the preceding week. Caregivers were asked to complete the Hungarian versions of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) short form, the Spielberger Anxiety Inventory and the Juniper Pediatric Asthma Caregivers' Quality of Life Questionnaire. Caregivers of asthmatic children had significantly more depressive symptoms (7.73 ± 6.69 s.d.) than the age-specific normal population (p < 0.01). Caregivers of renal patients also experience more depressive symptoms (9.61 ± 7.43 s.d.) than their healthy peers, but difference between the two chronic diseases' group did not prove to be significant. Asthmatic children's caregivers who scored more points on the BDI than the population average suffer from more anxiety symptoms, but their quality of life is not worse than the caregivers' with less depressive points. Depressive symptoms were neither connected to the children's psychological and asthmatic symptoms nor quality of life. Amongst caregivers of asthmatic children, at least mild depressive symptoms were represented amongst 39% of men and 33% of women. Gender difference was not significant, despite observations in the normal Hungarian population. Amongst caregivers of renal patients, depressive symptoms were represented in 14% of men and 50% of women. Gender difference was significant. (p = 0.05). Significant difference was observed between male asthmatic and renal caregivers, albeit difference was not significant between the female groups. No difference was found in depressive symptoms according to caregivers' level of education. Caregivers of children with asthma have more depressive symptoms than the average Hungarian population, but their results do not differ from caregivers taking care of children with chronic renal diseases. Caregivers of asthmatic children having at least mild depressive symptoms tend to have higher anxiety symptoms as well. Up to date, childhood chronic disease management and long-term care should also focus on parental psychology, mainly on depression and anxiety, as prevalence is higher than in the average population. [source]


Tubular kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) in human renal disease,

THE JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY, Issue 2 2007
MM van Timmeren
Abstract KIM-1, a transmembrane tubular protein with unknown function, is undetectable in normal kidneys, but is markedly induced in experimental renal injury. The KIM-1 ectodomain is cleaved, detectable in urine, and reflects renal damage. KIM-1 expression in human renal biopsies and its correlation with urinary KIM-1 (uKIM-1) is unknown. In biopsies from various renal diseases (n = 102) and controls (n = 7), the fraction of KIM-1 positive tubules and different renal damage parameters were scored. Double labelling was performed for KIM-1 with macrophages (MØ), ,-smooth muscle actin (,-SMA), proximal (aquaporin-1) and distal (E-cadherin) tubular markers and a dedifferentiation marker (vimentin). uKIM-1 at the time of biopsy (n = 53) was measured by ELISA. Renal KIM-1 was significantly increased in all diseases versus controls (p < 0.05), except minimal change. KIM-1 was primarily expressed at the luminal side of dedifferentiated proximal tubules, in areas with fibrosis (,-SMA) and inflammation (MØ). Independent of the disease, renal KIM-1 correlated positively with renal damage, negatively with renal function, but not with proteinuria. uKIM-1 was increased in renal patients versus controls (p < 0.001), including minimal change, and correlated positively with tissue KIM-1 and MØ, negatively with renal function, but not with proteinuria. In conclusion, KIM-1 is upregulated in renal disease and is associated with renal fibrosis and inflammation. uKIM-1 is also associated with inflammation and renal function, and reflects tissue KIM-1, indicating that it can be used as a non-invasive biomarker in renal disease. Copyright © 2007 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]