Effect of pentoxifylline on renal function and urinary albumin excretion in patients with diabetic kidney disease: the PREDIAN trial.

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the leading cause of ESRD. We conducted an open-label, prospective, randomized trial to determine whether pentoxifylline (PTF), which reduces albuminuria, in addition to renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blockade, can slow progression of renal disease in patients with type 2 diabetes and stages 3-4 CKD. Participants were assigned to receive PTF (1200 mg/d) (n=82) or to a control group (n=87) for 2 years.

Should we adjust erythropoiesis-stimulating agent dosage to postdialysis hemoglobin levels? A pilot study.

Background: Predialysis hemoglobin (Hb) may overestimate the true erithropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA) requirements. We tested whether predialysis Hb is a reliable predictor of the postdialysis level to better control ESA dosage, and evaluated the relation between ESA, Hb and cardiovascular events (CVE).

Methods: Cohort study including 67 stable hemodialysis patients.

Infectious spondylodiscitis in hemodialysis.

Infectious spondylodiscitis is an infection seen with increasing frequency in patients receiving chronic hemodialysis. Often accompanied by bacteremia, it is associated with the use of central venous catheters for hemodialysis access. Initial symptoms can be relatively insidious and nonspecific.