Genetic testing in focal segmental glomerulosclerosis: in whom and when?

Background: Genetic causes are increasingly recognized in patients with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), but it remains unclear which patients should undergo genetic study. Our objective was to determine the frequency and distribution of genetic variants in steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome FSGS (SRNS-FSGS) and in FSGS of undetermined cause (FSGS-UC).

Methods: We performed targeted exome sequencing of 84 genes associated with glomerulopathy in patients with adult-onset SRNS-FSGS or FSGS-UC after ruling out secondary causes.

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibition in primary and secondary glomerulonephritis.

Background: The role of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) in the management glomerular/systemic autoimmune diseases with proteinuria in real-world clinical settings is unclear.

Methods: This is a retrospective, observational, international cohort study. Adult patients with biopsy-proven glomerular diseases were included.

Clinical Profiles and Patterns of Kidney Disease Progression in C3 Glomerulopathy.

Key Points: Kidney survival in C3 glomerulopathy is significantly higher in patients with a disease chronicity score <4 and proteinuria <3.5 g/d, regardless of baseline eGFR. A faster eGFR decline in C3 glomerulopathy is associated with higher probability of kidney failure.

IgA vasculitis with nephritis (Henoch-Schönlein purpura) after COVID-19: A case series and review of the literature.

COVID-19 most related glomerular disease to date seems to be collapsing glomerulopathy, mostly in young Afroamerican patients with APOL1 gene risk alleles. However, in our population, predominant in elderly Caucasian patients, most biopsied pathology since the beginning of the pandemic has been IgA nephritis or Schönlein-Henoch purpura. Since the description of the first case of this entity after SARS-CoV-2 infection by our research group, three more cases have arisen, which are described in the following article.

[IgA vasculitis with nephritis (Henoch-Schönlein purpura) after COVID-19: A case series and review of the literature].

COVID-19 most related glomerular disease to date seems to be collapsing glomerulopathy, mostly in young Afroamerican patients with APOL1 gene risk alleles. However, in our population, predominant in elderly Caucasian patients, most biopsied pathology since the beginning of the pandemic has been IgA nephritis or Schönlein-Henoch purpura.Since the description of the first case of this entity after SARS-CoV-2 infection by our research group, three more cases have arisen, which are described in the following article.

Echocardiographic findings in haemodialysis patients according to their state of hydration.

Background: Chronic fluid overload is frequent in hemodialysis patients (P) and it associates with hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and higher mortality. Moreover, echocardiographic data assessing fluid overload is limited. Our aim was to evaluate the relationship between fluid overload measured by bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) and different echocardiographic parameters.

Hypogonadism associated with muscle atrophy, physical inactivity and ESA hyporesponsiveness in men undergoing haemodialysis.

Background: Testosterone deficiency (hypogonadism) is common among men undergoing haemodialysis, but its clinical implications are not well characterized. Testosterone is an anabolic hormone that induces erythrocytosis and muscle synthesis. We hypothesized that testosterone deficiency would be associated with low muscle mass, physical inactivity and higher dosages of erythropoietin-stimulating agents (ESA).

Glomerulonephritis and cryoglobulinemia: first manifestation of visceral leishmaniasis.

Visceral leishmaniasis due to Leishmania Infantum is an endemic parasitic infection in the Mediterranean area. Since 2009, Europe's largest outbreak of Leishmaniasis has been reported in the region of Madrid (Spain). Renal involvement is an unusual complication.

Lower plasma sodium is associated with a microinflammatory state among patients with advanced chronic kidney disease.

Background/aims: Lower serum sodium levels have been associated with increased mortality among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Our aim was to analyze the independent factors associated with lower sodium levels among nondialysis patients with advanced CKD and to evaluate the evolution of these patients in comparison to those with higher plasma sodium over a 1-year period.

Methods: We included 72 patients with CKD stages 4 and 5 without clinically evident cardiopathy or liver disease.

Geriatric assessment for therapeutic decision-making regarding renal replacement in elderly patients with advanced chronic kidney disease.

Unlabelled: In patients older than 75 years with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD), the decision between treatment with dialysis [intention to treat with dialysis (ITD)] or conservative care (CC) is a challenge. Geriatric assessment can be helpful. The aim was to identify which factors had had an influence on decision-making.

Cystatin C as a predictor of mortality and cardiovascular events in a population with chronic kidney disease.

Background. We examine whether cystatin C, a surrogate marker of renal function, could identify patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) with an increased risk of renal disease progression, death, or cardiovascular events. Methods.

Lack of influence of serum magnesium levels on overall mortality and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease.

Background. Low serum magnesium has been associated with an increased cardiovascular risk in the general population and in dialysis patients. Our aim was to analyze the influence of serum magnesium on overall mortality and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with advanced CKD not yet on dialysis.

Serum alkaline phosphatase levels and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease.

Background: High levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) have been associated with increased mortality in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD). We hypothesize that elevated ALP could be partly explained by subclinical liver congestion related to left ventricular diastolic dysfunction.

Methods: Doppler echocardiography was performed in 68 patients with advanced CKD followed up for a median of 2.

Vitamin D deficiency in dialysis patients: effect of dialysis modality and implications on outcome.

Objective: Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to cardiovascular disease and mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients. The purpose of the present cross-sectional study was to analyze the Vitamin D status of dialysis patients from a single center, study determinants of Vitamin D deficiency, and assess its implications on outcome.

Methods: A prospective observational study of 115 prevalent dialysis patients was carried out, in which clinical and dialysis-related characteristics including routine biochemistry were studied in relation to levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin-D (25[OH]D, chemiluminescence).

Strict volume control and longitudinal changes in cardiac biomarker levels in hemodialysis patients.

Background: Our aim was to analyze the longitudinal changes in cardiac biomarker levels in hemodialysis patients with high comorbidity treated in our special hospital unit. We hypothesize that strict volume control strategy (salt-restricted diet, extended dialysis sessions and dry weight clinical assessment and reassessment in every session) could prevent progression of left-ventricular damage and, therefore, progressive increment in cardiac biomarker levels over time.

Methods: This is a longitudinal cohort study including 46 dialysis patients in which a strategy of strict volume control has been adopted.

Two-year experience with telemedicine in the follow-up of patients in home peritoneal dialysis.

We evaluated the use of telemedicine in the long-term control of stable patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis at home. From September 2003 to August 2005, patients were randomly selected from current cases and invited to join study group A, in which they had telemedicine support. Patients not selected for this group, or who refused the invitation, were placed in study group B, and used for comparison.

Predictive value of troponin T levels for ischemic heart disease and mortality in patients on hemodialysis.

Background: Serum cardiac troponin T (cTnT) levels are elevated in a high percentage of hemodialysis (HD) patients and as a result, they have been considered low specificity for ischemic heart disease (IHD). Recently, several authors have indicated the value of cTnT as a marker of IHD and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), as well as a mortality predictor. We try to establish the value of cTnT as an IHD marker and a mortality predictor in our patients on HD.