Canadian Journal of Kidney Health and Disease: a unique launch of a unique journal.

Usually inaugural editorials are written by the Editor-in-Chief to describe the scope and vision for the journal to potential authors and readers. This editorial is written by the Editor-in-Chief, the Deputy Editors and the Associate Editors collaboratively as a clear signal that this is a unique and different journal. We will build this journal on a set of principles which are fundamental to improving the outcomes of patients with kidney disease.

Early onset obsessive compulsive disorder with obsessive slowness: a case report and demonstration of management.

Obsessive slowness is a rare entity and is conceptualized either as primary psychiatric illness or as part of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Often its outcome is frustrating even with treatment. We report a case of early onset severe OCD with obsessive slowness which showed good response to combined pharmacotherapy and behavioral therapy.

Lorazepam withdrawal catatonia: a case report.

Catatonia is a rare manifestation of benzodiazepine withdrawal in elderly patients who have used it for a long time. We present a case of lorazepam withdrawal catatonia and highlight issues in diagnosis and management.

Predicting risk of mortality in dialysis patients: a retrospective cohort study evaluating the prognostic value of a simple chest X-ray.

Background: Clinical outcomes of dialysis patients are variable, and improved knowledge of prognosis would inform decisions regarding patient management. We assessed the value of simple, chest X-ray derived measures of cardiac size (cardiothoracic ratio (CTR)) and vascular calcification (Aortic Arch Calcification (AAC)), in predicting death and improving multivariable prognostic models in a prevalent cohort of hemodialysis patients.

Methods: Eight hundred and twenty-four dialysis patients with one or more postero-anterior (PA) chest X-ray were included in the study.

Association of frailty and physical function in patients with non-dialysis CKD: a systematic review.

Background: Frailty is a condition characterized by a decline in physical function and functional capacity. Common symptoms of frailty, such as weakness and exhaustion, are prevalent in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The increased vulnerability of frail patients with coexisting CKD may place them at a heightened risk of encountering additional health complications.

Caregiver burden and disability in somatization disorder.

Objective: Authors assessed disability and caregiver burden in patients with somatization disorder (SOM-D), and compared it with that in patients with schizophrenia and chronic depression.

Methods: The sample consisted of 30 patients diagnosed as SOM-D as per ICD 10 Diagnostic Criteria for Research (ICD-10-DCR), and 30 age- and gender-matched patients each of schizophrenia and depression, who served as comparison groups. Disability and caregiver burden were assessed using WHO's Disability Assessment Schedule (WHO-DAS) and the Family Burden Assessment Schedule (FBAS) respectively.

Canadian Society of Nephrology commentary on the 2012 KDIGO Clinical Practice Guideline for Anemia in CKD.

The KDIGO (Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes) 2012 clinical practice guideline for anemia management in patients with chronic kidney disease provides the structural and evidence base for the Canadian Society of Nephrology commentary on this guideline's relevancy and application to the Canadian health care system. While in general agreement, we provide commentary on 11 of the 61 KDIGO guideline statements. Specifically, we agreed that a therapeutic trial of iron is appropriate in cases in which a reduction in erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) dosage or avoidance of ESA and transfusion is desired, transferrin saturations are >30%, and ferritin concentrations are >500 μg/L.

Wires in the body: a case of factitious disorder.

Factitious disorder can present with a wide variety of symptomatology. We present a case of a young girl presenting with spontaneous extrusion of wires from her limbs. These metallic wires were present in both her upper and lower limbs in the muscle bulk and were visible on X-ray.

Reduced hospitalizations in severe, refractory congestive heart failure with peritoneal dialysis: a consecutive case series.

Background: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) for long-term management of diuretic resistant volume overload in heart failure (HF) may provide potential benefit with few adverse consequences. We examined the impact of PD on clinical status hospitalizations, and complications of therapy in severe end-stage HF.

Methods: A consecutive case series of 10 transplant ineligible patients receiving PD solely for HF volume management between 2007 and 2011 was evaluated with clinical data reviewed pre- and post-PD initiation.

Incidence, secular trends, and outcomes of cardiac surgery in Aboriginal peoples.

Background: Canada's Aboriginal people experience a disproportionate burden of comorbid illnesses predisposing them to higher rates of atherosclerotic disease. We set out to investigate secular rates of cardiovascular surgery (CVSx) and postsurgical outcomes in Aboriginals compared with non-Aboriginals.

Methods: All patients undergoing CVSx in Manitoba, Canada from 1995-2007 (N =12,170 [Aboriginal, 574, 4.

Metabolic syndrome in schizophrenia: Differences between antipsychotic-naïve and treated patients.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been recognized as a risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in general population and in patients with severe mental illnesses like schizophrenia. This paper reviews studies on MetS in schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders, and assesses the contribution of antipsychotics toward the development of MetS. Databases of Medline (PubMed), PsycINFO, and Scopus were searched for MetS, psychotic disorders, and antipsychotic drugs from inception till present.

Association rule mining based study for identification of clinical parameters akin to occurrence of brain tumor.

Healthcare sector is generating a large amount of information corresponding to diagnosis, disease identification and treatment of an individual. Mining knowledge and providing scientific decision-making for the diagnosis & treatment of disease from the clinical dataset is therefore increasingly becoming necessary. Aim of this study was to assess the applicability of knowledge discovery in brain tumor data warehouse, applying data mining techniques for investigation of clinical parameters that can be associated with occurrence of brain tumor.

Potential of the SPY intraoperative perfusion assessment system to reduce ischemic complications in immediate postmastectomy breast reconstruction.

Background: The quality and viability of mastectomy flaps remain a central challenge in reconstructive surgery, particularly for immediate breast reconstruction. Insufficient perfusion in tissue flaps is a leading cause of early complications following reconstructive procedures, and clinical judgment alone is not completely reliable for the assessment of flap viability. Accurate and reliable intraoperative methods for assessment of tissue perfusion are needed to help surgeons identify tissue at risk for ischemia and necrosis, thereby allowing for maneuvers to improve tissue flap viability.

Medium term results of the Miller-Galante knee arthroplasty with 10 year survivorship.

Seventy-four Miller-Galante unicompartmental knee arthroplasty procedures were performed in 69 patients between 1990 and 2003. All patients underwent regular prospective clinical and radiological followup. Their average age at the time of surgery was 63.

Predictors of publication of randomized controlled trials in nephrology.

Background And Aims: Changes in clinical practice based on research findings are dependent on the dissemination of information, which is a goal at national meetings. Given that evidence for many interventions in nephrology is lacking, it is important to determine predictors of publication of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) presented as abstracts at national conferences.

Materials And Methods: All abstracts submitted to the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) meeting 2005 were reviewed to identify completed RCTs.

Acute kidney injury among critically ill patients with pandemic H1N1 influenza A in Canada: cohort study.

Background: Canada's pandemic H1N1 influenza A (pH1N1) outbreak led to a high burden of critical illness. Our objective was to describe the incidence of AKI (acute kidney injury) in these patients and risk factors for AKI, renal replacement therapy (RRT), and mortality.

Methods: From a prospective cohort of critically ill adults with confirmed or probable pH1N1 (16 April 2009-12 April 2010), we abstracted data on demographics, co-morbidities, acute physiology, AKI (defined by RIFLE criteria for Injury or Failure), treatments in the intensive care unit, and clinical outcomes.

A pilot study exploring the role of physical therapists and transition in care of pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis to the adult setting.

Background: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a disease that requires intensive multidisciplinary care, including care by physical therapists (PTs). People with CF are now living well into adulthood, necessitating a transfer of care from the pediatric setting to an adult one. Physical therapists play a large role in the care of the person with CF; however, there is little known about the PT role in transition of care.

Oral fluid testing as an alternative to urine testing for drugs of abuse in inpatient forensic settings: giving patients choice.

Background And Aims: The abuse of illicit substances is very common amongst forensic psychiatry populations and is known to be one of the most potent risk factors for interpersonal violence. Forensic psychiatry units hence strive to keep themselves as free as possible from illicit substances and in Scotland drugs of abuse have traditionally been screened for by means of urine testing. The aim of this study is to examine patients' preferences for drug testing methods and to compare the acceptability of urine testing versus oral fluid testing (OFT) within a secure hospital setting.

Major bleeding events and risk stratification of antithrombotic agents in hemodialysis: results from the DOPPS.

Benefits and risks of antithrombotic agents remain unclear in the hemodialysis population. To help clarify this we determined variation in antithrombotic agent use, rates of major bleeding events, and factors predictive of stroke and bleeding in 48,144 patients in the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS) phases I-IV. Antithrombotic agents including oral anticoagulants (OACs), aspirin (ASA), and anti-platelet agents (APAs) were recorded along with comorbidities at study entry, and clinical events including hospitalization due to bleeding were then collected every 4 months.

Olanzapine induced neuroleptic malignant syndrome.

An 18 year old male diagnosed as a case of bipolar affective disorder (BPAD), developed neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) following treatment with olanzapine (20 mg per day), an atypical antipsychotic drug. NMS is usually seen with typical antipsychotic drugs. The patient was diagnosed as a case of NMS, offending agent was immediately withdrawn and prompt treatment with bromocriptine and levodopa produced a good recovery.

The risk of peritonitis after an exit site infection: a time-matched, case-control study.

Background: Exit site infections (ESIs) have been previously associated with the development of peritonitis; however, the evidence to support this association is limited. We conducted a time-matched, case-control study to determine the association between ESIs and subsequent peritonitis.

Methods: The cohort comprised 962 incident adult peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients from January 2000 to December 2009.

Young aboriginals are less likely to receive a renal transplant: a Canadian national study.

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated Aboriginals are less likely to receive a renal transplant in comparison to Caucasians however whether this applies to the entire population or specific subsets remains unclear. We examined the effect of age on renal transplantation in Aboriginals.

Methods: Data on 30,688 dialysis (Aboriginal 2,361, Caucasian 28, 327) patients obtained between Jan.