Karnofsky Performance Score-Failure to Thrive as a Frailty Proxy?

Unlabelled: Among patients listed for kidney transplantation, the Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) Scale has been used as a proxy for frailty and proposed as a predictor of long-term posttransplant outcomes. The KPS is required by the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network for all transplants; however, the interrater reliability of KPS reporting in kidney transplant candidates has not been well investigated, and there is concern regarding limitations of using KPS that may influence transplant eligibility.

Methods: We performed an observational study using existing Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients data from 2006 to 2020 to examine the variability, reliability, and trends in the KPS among patients on the kidney transplant waitlist.

Performance versus Risk Factor-Based Approaches to Coronary Artery Disease Screening in Waitlisted Kidney Transplant Candidates.

Introduction: Current screening algorithms for coronary artery disease (CAD) before kidney transplantation result in many tests but few interventions.

Objective: The aim of this study was to study the utility of 6-minute walk test (6MWT), an office-based test of cardiorespiratory fitness, for risk stratification in this setting.

Methods: We enrolled 360 patients who are near the top of the kidney transplant waitlist at our institution.

Toward telemedicine-compatible physical functioning assessments in kidney transplant candidates.

Frailty is associated with adverse kidney transplant outcomes and can be assessed by subjective and objective metrics. There is increasing recognition of the value of metrics obtainable remotely. We compared the self-reported SF-36 physical functioning subscale score (SF-36 PF) with in-person physical performance tests (6-min walk and sit-to-stand) in a prospective cohort of kidney transplant candidates.

Identification of glomerular and podocyte-specific genes and pathways activated by sera of patients with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) accounts for about 40% of all nephrotic syndrome cases in adults. The presence of several potential circulating factors has been suggested in patients with primary FSGS and particularly in patients with recurrent disease after transplant. Irrespectively of the nature of the circulating factors, this study was aimed at identifying early glomerular/podocyte-specific pathways that are activated by the sera of patients affected by FSGS.

Septic thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein, a case of Lemierre's syndrome.

An 18-year-old gentleman with a history of recurrent tonsillitis presented to the emergency room complaining of worsening sore throat. He was found to have a peritonisillar abscess, and imaging revealed a non-occlusive left internal jugular vein thrombosis. Lemierre's syndrome is a rare, potentially fatal condition characterized by internal jugular vein thrombosis with septicemia following an acute oropharyngeal infection.

Screening for asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.

Background: Approximately 10% of ischemic strokes are caused by carotid artery stenosis (CAS). Estimated prevalence of asymptomatic CAS is 1%.

Purpose: To evaluate evidence on screening and treating asymptomatic adults for CAS.