[Nephrotic syndrome in Crohn's disease].

Background: The differential diagnosis of nephrotic syndrome is diverse. Systemic conditions and medication such as NSAIDs can cause this syndrome.

Case Description: A 33-year-old male with Crohn's disease for which he was receiving adalimumab noticed he was gaining weight and had swollen ankles.

15-year follow-up of a multicenter, randomized, calcineurin inhibitor withdrawal study in kidney transplantation.

Background: Calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) are essential immunosuppressive drugs after renal transplantation. Because of nephrotoxicity, withdrawal has been a challenge since their introduction.

Methods: A randomized multicenter trial included 212 kidney patients transplanted between 1997 and 1999.

A psychometric analysis of the Rotterdam Renal Replacement Knowledge-Test (R3K-T) using item response theory.

Knowledge is a prerequisite for promoting well-informed decision-making. Nevertheless, there is no validated and standardized test to assess the level of knowledge among renal patients regarding kidney disease and all treatment options. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties of such a questionnaire for use in research and practice.

[Impaired renal function: be aware of exogenous factors].

Background: Renal function is currently estimated using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) formula, which is partly based on the serum creatinine level. Patients with impaired renal function are referred to nephrologists in accordance with the Dutch national transmural agreement for 'Chronic renal impairment'.

Case Description: A 54-year-old woman without significant history was referred to analyse a coincidentally found decline in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).

Justification for a home-based education programme for kidney patients and their social network prior to initiation of renal replacement therapy.

In this article, an ethical analysis of an educational programme on renal replacement therapy options for patients and their social network is presented. The two main spearheads of this approach are: (1) offering an educational programme on all renal replacement therapy options ahead of treatment requirement and (2) a home-based approach involving the family and friends of the patient. Arguments are offered for the ethical justification of this approach by considering the viewpoint of the various stakeholders involved.

Formation of donor-specific human leukocyte antigen antibodies after kidney transplantation: correlation with acute rejection and tapering of immunosuppression.

Background: Before kidney transplantation, a serological crossmatch is routinely performed between donor and recipient to prevent hyperacute rejection by donor-specific anti-human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies. After transplantation, the presence of these antibodies is not routinely monitored. We wanted to know whether donor-specific anti-HLA antibodies are detectable during acute rejection (AR), before or after reduction of immunosuppression in kidney transplant recipients who were converted from cyclosporine A (CsA) to the less nephrotoxic azathioprine (AZA) or mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) at 1 year after transplantation.

Withdrawal of cyclosporine or prednisone six months after kidney transplantation in patients on triple drug therapy: a randomized, prospective, multicenter study.

Uncertainty exists regarding the necessity of continuing triple therapy consisting of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), cyclosporine (CsA), and prednisone (Pred) after kidney transplantation (RTx). At 6 mo after RTx, 212 patients were randomized to stop CsA (n = 63), stop Pred (n = 76), or continue triple drug therapy (n = 73). The MMF dose was 1000 mg twice daily, target CsA trough levels were 150 ng/ml, and Pred dose was 0.