Volumetric reduction and dissolution prediction of monosodium urate crystal during urate-lowering therapy - a study using dual-energy computed tomography.

Methods: Baseline and follow-up DECTs were performed under a standard ULT protocol. Monthly dissolution rates were calculated by simple and compound methods. Correlations with average SU were compared and analyzed.

Donor-Derived Genotype 4 Hepatitis E Virus Infection, Hong Kong, China, 2018.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotype 4 (HEV-4) is an emerging cause of acute hepatitis in China. Less is known about the clinical characteristics and natural history of HEV-4 than HEV genotype 3 infections in immunocompromised patients. We report transmission of HEV-4 from a deceased organ donor to 5 transplant recipients.

Relatives in silent kidney disease screening (RISKS) study: A Chinese cohort study.

Aim: Family members of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) have higher risk for chronic kidney disease (CKD). Limited study has examined the risk of developing CKD in relatives of patients in earlier stages of CKD.

Methods: From January 2008 to June 2009, the Hong Kong Society of Nephrology studied first-degree relatives of stage 1-5 CKD patients from 11 local hospitals.

Early detection and prevention programs for kidney diseases in Hong Kong.

Two local studies were performed in Hong Kong for early detection and prevention of chronic kidney disease (CKD) which demonstrated the efficacy for screening asymptomatic individuals in the population for silent kidney disease while first degree relatives of known CKD patients should have a higher priority on future screening in view of their higher prevalence of silent CKD. Simple measures like urine dipstick tests and blood pressure measurement would suffice for screening. Regular health education programs are useful for conveying the key messages of kidney protection to the general public.

Cordyceps sinensis (a traditional Chinese medicine) for treating chronic kidney disease.

Background: Cordyceps sinensis (Cordyceps, Dong Chong Xia Cao), a herbal medicine also known as Chinese caterpillar fungus, is one of the most commonly used ingredients in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of people with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Objectives: This review aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects and potential adverse effects of Cordyceps sinensis for the treatment of people with CKD.

Search Methods: We searched the Cochrane Renal Group's Specialised Register to 14 April 2014 through contact with the Trials' Search Co-ordinator using search terms relevant to this review.

Melamine toxicity and the kidney.

The toxicity of melamine caught the attention of physicians as a result of a recent spate of renal injury after exposure to melamine-tainted milk in China. Melamine is an organic nitrogenous compound used in the production of plastics, dyes, fertilizers, and fabrics. In the current incident, melamine was added to milk to elevate falsely assay results for protein content.

Preparing patients for peritoneal dialysis.

When told of their need for dialysis, patients often cannot accept it and are fearful toward dialysis. Pre-dialysis counseling programs help patients to face dialysis, to make the right choice of dialysis modality, and to prepare themselves for life on dialysis. Clear explanations of peritoneal dialysis (PD) help patients choosing PD.

Renal registry and peritoneal dialysis management: the Hong Kong perspective.

The Hong Kong Renal Registry (HKRR) is an electronic paperless registry that services as database for patients on various renal replacement therapies in the territory. The database consists of demographic data, dialysis and transplant treatments, complications, and inquiries and reports. The HKRR can be helpful for individual patient's management, for renal center management, and for territory-wide management.

The use of enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium in the treatment of relapsing and steroid-dependent minimal change disease.

We report on the successful treatment of 5 consecutive adult patients with steroid-dependent or frequently relapsing minimal change disease (MCD), using a regimen of enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium (E-MPS) and prednisolone. E-MPS was used for induction therapy in 3 patients, and maintenance therapy in 2, all in conjunction with steroid treatment in tapering doses. Eventually 4 patients managed to discontinue steroid treatment, and 2 of them were also withdrawn from E-MPS.

Palliative care for patients with end-stage renal disease: experiences from Hong Kong.

As the number of patients with end-stage renal disease continues to grow in Hong Kong, many are opting to be managed conservatively without dialysis. A new service was initiated in Tuen Mun Hospital in 2004 aimed at offering palliative care to dying patients with renal failure. This paper presents retrospective data reflecting our dealings with patients who decided not to initiate or considered discontinuation of dialysis.

Use of allopurinol in slowing the progression of renal disease through its ability to lower serum uric acid level.

Background: Hyperuricemia is associated strongly with the development of hypertension, renal disease, and progression. Allopurinol decreases serum uric acid levels by inhibiting the enzyme xanthine oxidase. We hypothesized that administrating allopurinol to decrease serum uric acid levels to the normal range in hyperuricemic patients with chronic kidney disease may be of benefit in decreasing blood pressure and slowing the rate of renal disease progression in these patients.

Fatal case of Aspergillus coinfection in a renal transplant recipient suffering from cytomegalovirus pneumonitis.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease is common in postrenal transplant recipients, and may predispose the patients to secondary bacterial or fungal infections. However, simultaneous coinfection is rare and often makes diagnosis difficult. We report a case of CMV pneumonitis in a renal transplant recipient presenting with elevated CMV pp65 antigen level and abnormal chest radiograph.

Clinical outcomes of systemic lupus erythematosus patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD).

Methods: Eighteen SLE patients who had been undergoing CAPD for at least 3 months in our unit were compared with 36 other age- and gender-matched non-diabetic CAPD patients with an underlying primary chronic glomerulonephritis (CGn). The clinical outcome, infective complications, lupus activities, biochemical parameters, haemoglobin level and the use of erythropoietin were reviewed.

Use of intraperitoneal urokinase for resistant bacterial peritonitis in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

Intraperitoneal (IP) urokinase is a fibrinolytic agent that has been used in the adjunctive treatment of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and resistant and relapsing peritonitis. However, its efficacy and role in treating resistant CAPD bacterial peritonitis remain unclear and results from previous prospective studies have been conflicting. We prospectively randomized 88 CAPD patients with bacterial peritonitis resistant to initial empirical IP antibiotics into two groups: IP urokinase 60,000 IU and a placebo group.

Prevalence of silent kidney disease in Hong Kong: the screening for Hong Kong Asymptomatic Renal Population and Evaluation (SHARE) program.

Background: End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is epidemic worldwide. In Hong Kong, the annual incidence of ESRD has risen from 100 pmp (per million population) in 1996 to 140 pmp in 2003. SHARE (Screening for Hong Kong Asymptomatic Renal Population and Evaluation program) is a population-based screening program aimed at identifying the prevalence of unrecognized renal disease in asymptomatic individuals, allowing further evaluation and disease-modifying interventions.

Haemodialysis catheter-related right transverse cervical artery pseudoaneurysm and treatment by coil embolization.

In patients with end-stage renal disease, temporary placement of venous catheters for haemodialysis (HD) is often necessary, and the right internal jugular (RIJ) vein is the usual preferred site of HD catheter placement. We report here a patient who experienced complications because of the development of a pseudoaneurysm of the transverse cervical artery following an apparently uneventful RIJ vein cannulation for temporary HD, using the blind landmark-guided technique. This is a rare complication of RIJ vein cannulation and HD catheter placement.

Ultrasonography in the management of exit site infections in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Aim: To assess the efficacy of using ultrasonography (USG) in monitoring the progress of exit site infection (ESI) in patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD).

Methods: Twenty-two cases of newly diagnosed ESI and 20 cases with normal exit sites as controls were assessed by using USG. The exit sites were reassessed by using USG after finishing a course of antibiotic therapy, and the sonographic findings were correlated with the clinical outcome.