Estimation of kidney function in patients with primary neuromuscular diseases: is serum cystatin C a better marker of kidney function than creatinine?

Background: Using serum creatinine leads to an overestimation of kidney function in patients with primary neuromuscular disorders, and reduced kidney function may remain undetected. Cystatin C (CysC) could provide a better estimation.

Aim: To evaluate the precision, accuracy, and bias of two creatinine-, one cystatin C-based and one combined equation to estimate glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in patients with primary neuromuscular disease.

Body composition in patients with primary neuromuscular disease assessed by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and three different bioimpedance devices.

Background: Patients with primary neuromuscular disease have reduced muscle mass, and use of body mass index to assess nutritional status and body composition can therefore be questioned. Dual emission X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) can estimate muscle mass, but is not always readily available. Bioimpedance is a simple, portable and "easy to use" method for the assessment of body composition.

Reduced renal function in patients with Myotonic Dystrophy type 1 and the association to CTG expansion and other potential risk factors for chronic kidney disease.

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) affects several organs. Disease severity and age at onset are correlated to the CTG repeat expansion. The aim of this study was to assess renal function and the association to numbers of CTG repeat expansion in patients with DM1.

Smartphone teledermoscopy referrals: a novel process for improved triage of skin cancer patients.

In this open, controlled, multicentre and prospective observational study, smartphone teledermoscopy referrals were sent from 20 primary healthcare centres to 2 dermatology departments for triage of skin lesions of concern using a smartphone application and a compatible digital dermoscope. The outcome for 816 patients referred via smartphone teledermoscopy was compared with 746 patients referred via the traditional paper-based system. When surgical treatment was required, the waiting time was significantly shorter using teledermoscopy for patients with melanoma, melanoma in situ, squamous cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma in situ and basal cell carcinoma.