The "FIFTY SHADOWS" of the RALES Trial: Lessons about the Potential Risk of Dietary Potassium Supplementation in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease.

Hyperkalaemia (HK) is one of the most common electrolyte disorders and a frequent reason for nephrological consultations. High serum potassium (K) levels are associated with elevated morbidity and mortality, mainly due to life-threatening arrhythmias. In the majority of cases, HK is associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD), or with the use of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors (RAASis) and/or mineral corticoid antagonists (MRAs).

Anaerobic submerged membrane bioreactor (AnSMBR) treating municipal wastewater at ambient temperature: Operation and potential use for agricultural irrigation.

A 496 L pilot scale anaerobic submerged membrane bioreactor (AnSMBR) for the treatment of municipal wastewater was evaluated during a year of stable operation at ambient (28-10 °C) temperature, and inoculated with mesophilic inoculum. The temperature was the main parameter affecting the process performance. The chemical oxygen demand (COD) of the effluent was around 150 mg O/L in the summer period, operating with a volumetric loading rate (VLR) of 5 kg COD/m d and hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 8-10 h, with a specific methane production between 0.

Switch from epoetin to darbepoetin alfa in hemodialysis: dose equivalence and hemoglobin stability.

Aim: The objective of the study reported here was to describe dose equivalence and hemoglobin (Hb) stability in a cohort of unselected hemodialysis patients who were switched simultaneously from epoetin alfa to darbepoetin alfa.

Methods: This was a multicenter, observational, retrospective study in patients aged ≥18 years who switched from intravenous (IV) epoetin alfa to IV darbepoetin alfa in October 2007 (Month 0) and continued on hemodialysis for at least 24 months. The dose was adjusted to maintain Hb within 1.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of the Spanish renal replacement therapy program.

Background: We undertook a cost-effectiveness analysis of the Spanish Renal Replacement Therapy (RRT) program for end-stage renal disease patients from a societal perspective. The current Spanish situation was compared with several hypothetical scenarios.

Methods: A Markov chain model was used as a foundation for simulations of the Spanish RRT program in three temporal horizons (5, 10, and 15 years).

Cost analysis of the Spanish renal replacement therapy programme.

Background: A cost analysis of the Spanish Renal Replacement Therapy (RRT) programme in the year 2010, for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients, was performed from the perspective of the Public Administration.

Methods: The costs associated with each RRT modality [hemodialysis (HD), peritoneal dialysis (PD) and kidney transplantation (Tx)] were analysed. The Spanish ESRD incidence and prevalence figures in the year 2010 were forecasted in order to enable the calculation of an aggregate cost for each modality.

[Dialysis and transplant. Spain in 2005].

In 2005, renal replace treatment (dialysis and transplant) was necessary for about 40,000 people, without being known the number accurate and either their basic characteristics, such as: time in treatment, modality or treatment changes. The presented data cover the 76% of the Spanish population and are the result of the cooperation among technicians of registries, nephrologists and transplant coordinations. 4,125 people started RRT in 2005, the total estimated acceptance rate for renal replacement therapy in adults in Spain was 126 pmp and regarding other European countries it locates us in an intermediate area.

Impact of end-stage renal disease care in planned dialysis start and type of renal replacement therapy--a Spanish multicentre experience.

Background: Timely referral, preparation and initiation of dialysis remain problematic issues. The purpose of this study is to analyse the effect of chronic renal disease care and education on the mode of dialysis start (planned vs non-planned) and on the modality of renal replacement therapy (RRT).

Methods: A total of 1504 patients from 35 hospitals started RRT in 2003.

[Prevalence of HIV-1-infection in dialysis units in Spain and potential candidates for renal transplantation: results of a Spanish survey].

Introduction: Patients with HIV infection and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) have improved their survival in the last few years. HIV infection is not considered a contradiction for renal transplantation, but little experience exists in renal transplantation in HIV infected individuals. There is no information about the prevalence of HIV infection in Spanish patients under renal replacement therapies (RRT).

Renal cell carcinoma co-existent with other renal disease: clinico-pathological features in pre-dialysis patients and those receiving dialysis or renal transplantation.

Background: Patients on chronic dialysis are prone to developing acquired cystic kidney disease (ACKD), which may lead to the development of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The risk factors for the development of RCC so far have not been determined in pre-dialysis patients with co-existent renal disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinico-pathological features of RCC in pre-dialysis patients with associated renal diseases or in those undergoing chronic dialysis and renal transplantation.