PGNMID and anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody: a therapeutic challenge.

Monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance (MGRS) designates disorders induced by a monoclonal protein secreted by plasma cells or B-cell clones in patients who do not meet the diagnostic criteria for multiple myeloma or other B-cell malignancies. Proliferative glomerulonephritis with monoclonal immunoglobulin deposits (PGNMID) is a form MGRS. Until now, no guidelines to decide the best therapeutic approach to manage PGNMID exist, and most patients progress to End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) without therapy.

Which low-protein diet for which CKD patient? An observational, personalized approach.

Objectives: Low protein diets (LPDs) are milestones in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Concerns over compliance and safety limit their use. The aim of this study was to test the feasibility and main results of a multiple-choice approach to LPDs, adapted to patient preferences.

Association of low-protein supplemented diets with fetal growth in pregnant women with CKD.

Background And Objectives: Women affected by CKD increasingly choose to get pregnant. Experience with low-protein diets is limited. The aim of this study was to review results obtained from pregnant women with CKD on supplemented vegan-vegetarian low-protein diets.

Interferon beta-related nephropathy and interstitial lung disease: a new association and a long-term warning.

We report on a so-far never described association between glomerulonephritis and sarcoid-like lung disease after long-term interferon beta (IFNb) treatment for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. The interest in this case resides in the documented remission after IFNb discontinuation. The history of IFNb-related adverse events is probably not yet completely written.

Excessive urinary tract dilatation and proteinuria in pregnancy: a common and overlooked association?

Background: Proteinuria and dilatation of the urinary tract are both relatively common in pregnancy, the latter with a spectrum of symptoms, from none to severe pain and infection. Proteinuria is a rare occurrence in acute obstructive nephropathy; it has been reported in pregnancy, where it may pose a challenging differential diagnosis with pre-eclampsia.The aim of the present study is to report on the incidence of proteinuria (≥ 0.

Home dialysis and the Internet: designing an e-learning platform via brainstorming sessions.

Background: The resurgence of home hemodialysis (HHD) underlines the importance of educational programs. Brainstorming is a powerful tool for innovation, widely employed in industry but seldom used in medicine. The aim of this study was to define an e-learning Web platform for HHD patients via a brainstorming approach.

Pregnancy in CKD: whom should we follow and why?

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has a high prevalence in pregnancy. In a period of cost constraints, there is the need for identification of the risk pattern and for follow-up.

Methods: Patients were staged according to K-DOQI guidelines.

Why home hemodialysis? A systematic "marketing" analysis.

Background: Home hemodialysis (HHD) has met with alternating fortunes. The present revival of interest is due to lower costs and more frequent/efficient treatments. HHD is underdeveloped, and a marketing approach may help in defining development strategies.

The clinical and imaging presentation of acute "non complicated" pyelonephritis: a new profile for an ancient disease.

Background: Acute pyelonephritis (APN) is differently defined according to imaging or clinical criteria. In adults information on the relationship between imaging and clinical data is lacking.Our study was aimed at analysing the relationship between the clinical and imaging presentation of APN, defined according to imaging criteria (parenchymal involvement at MR or CT scan).

Positron emission tomography in the diagnostic pathway for intracystic infection in adpkd and "cystic" kidneys. a case series.

Background: Intracystic infection, in Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD) and in kidneys with multiple cysts, is a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge, as conventional imaging techniques may not discriminate among "complicated" cysts (infection, bleeding, neoplasia), and as the clinical picture may be attenuated, in particular in early phases. Positron Emission Tomography with fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG-PET) was recently suggested as a tool to detect infection in ADPKD, in single cases and small series.The aim of the study was to report on the role of FDG-PET in the work-up of 10 cases of suspected cystic infections, affected by ADPKD or with multiple kidney cysts.

Pregnancy in chronic kidney disease: need for a common language.

Introduction: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a growing health care problem, affecting 3% of women of childbearing age.

Aim: This study attempted to systematically review the literature for 2000-2009 on pregnancy in CKD, as a guide for counseling.

Methods: Data sources included a Medline search for 2000-2009, employing MESH and free terms on pregnancy and CKD, limited to humans and English-language publications.

Starting together: a focus group for the organization of a CKD outpatient care unit.

Introduction: The growing interest in patient empowerment in chronic diseases underlines the importance of assessing patients' opinions in planning healthcare strategies. Focus groups are flexible tools for investigating innovative aspects of care. The aim of the study was to use a focus group to define the main requirements for a chronic kidney disease (CKD) outpatient care unit.

Positron emission tomography as a tool for the 'tailored' management of retroperitoneal fibrosis: a nephro-urological experience.

Background: Retroperitoneal fibrosis (RF) is a complex clinical entity characterized by a fibro-inflammatory reaction around the abdominal aorta and iliac arteries extended into the retroperitoneum. No biochemical marker correlates with the disease severity and progression, and imaging data fail to discriminate between fibrotic and florid lesions. Positron emission tomography (PET) was recently suggested as a promising tool to detect the disease.

Pregnancy in dialysis patients: is the evidence strong enough to lead us to change our counseling policy?

Background And Objectives: Although successful pregnancy is rare, results attained with higher dialysis efficiency and the spread of dialysis to different cultural and religious settings are changing the panorama. In this study, we systematically review the recent literature (2000 through 2008) on pregnancy in dialysis.

Design, Setting, Participants, & Measurements: Medline on OVID was searched in November 2008, with MESH and free terms on pregnancy and chronic kidney disease or dialysis; limits were human subjects and English-language articles.