Improving self-dependency in Pakistan: Experience of a locally prepared automated PD machine.

The increasing burden of haemodialysis on healthcare systems merits efforts to make peritoneal dialysis (PD) more accessible to the population in need of kidney replacement therapy. Automated PD (APD) may be a suitable alternative to continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis for home dialysis especially for children, elderly and patients who lead a busy schedule in their jobs thus leaving more time for personal and family activities during the day. Recently, a local bioengineering company took the initiative to develop a locally manufactured, low-cost APD cycler in Pakistan, with an aim to improve the self-dependency and home-based kidney replacement therapy.

Prevalence of Hepatitis B core antibodies with negative Hepatitis B surface antigen in dialysis and chronic kidney disease patients.

Occult hepatitis B infection (OBI) is a potential cause of infection transmission in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and dialysis-dependant patients. It is liable to be missed since the marker for OBI, hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb), is not done routinely. We carried out a study to assess the prevalence of OBI in CKD Stage II-V or requiring renal replacement therapy.

Hyponatraemia: Epidemiology and aetiology in a tertiary care centre in Pakistan.

Objective: To determine the incidence, aetiology and epidemiology of hospitalized patients with hyponatraemia.

Methods: Subjects were identified through hospital information system for two consecutive low sodium values (< 130 mEq/L) and charts were reviewed retrospectively. Possible etiologic factors were identified and co-morbidities documented.

Pulmonary renal syndrome in a patient with vasculitis: Case report and review of literature.

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) previously known as Wegner's granulomatosis, is a small vessel vasculitis that preferentially involves capillaries, arterioles and venules, presenting as multisystemic disease classically with alveolar haemorrhage and renal insufficiency. We report a case of GPA diagnosed on history, clinical findings and supported by imaging and very high levels of C-ANCA. Renal biopsy confirmed the typical histopathological findings.

IgG4-related retroperitoneal fibrosis: A case report and review of literature.

Idiopathic Retroperitoneal fibrosis is a rare clinical condition recently identified as an autoimmune process related to Immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) deposition. Herein we report a case of a 46 year old male presenting with 4 months history of backache, fever, flank pain and leg swelling for 2 weeks. Investigations revealed acute kidney injury diagnosed as a result of bilateral ureteric obstruction.

Cerebral salt wasting: a report of three cases.

Hyponatremia secondary to the Syndrome of Inappropriate Anti-Diuretic Hormone (SIADH) secretion is commonly observed in patients with various neurological disorders. Cerebral Salt Wasting (CSW) resulting in hyponatremia is also an infrequent occurrence in some patients with neurological disorders. Confusion in differentiating CSW from SIADH may arise since both results in similar electrolyte disturbances.

Scleroderma renal crises: case report and review of literature.

Scleroderma (systemic sclerosis) is a connective tissue disorder which involves skin, gastrointestinal tract, kidneys and lungs with considerable morbidity. Scleroderma renal crisis is a well-known severe form of renal involvement, characterised by the presence of high blood pressure with variable degrees of renal insufficiency. We report a case of scleroderma renal crisis diagnosed on the basis of history of scleroderma, high blood pressure and renal dysfunction.