Validity and completeness of rheumatoid arthritis diagnoses in the nationwide DANBIO clinical register and the Danish National Patient Registry.

Objectives: In Denmark, patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are registered in the nationwide clinical DANBIO quality register and the Danish National Patient Registry (DNPR). The aim was to study the validity of the RA diagnosis and to estimate the completeness of relevant RA cases in each registry.

Study Design And Setting: Patients registered for the first time in 2011 with a diagnosis of RA were identified in DANBIO and DNPR in January 2013.

Urine exosomes from healthy and hypertensive pregnancies display elevated level of α-subunit and cleaved α- and γ-subunits of the epithelial sodium channel-ENaC.

Preeclampsia is characterized by hypertension, proteinuria, suppression of plasma renin-angiotensin-aldosterone, and impaired urine sodium excretion. Aberrantly filtered plasmin in urine may activate proteolytically the γ-subunit of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) and promote Na reabsorption and urine K loss. Plasma and urine was sampled from patients with preeclampsia, healthy pregnant controls and non-pregnant women, and from patients with nephrostomy catheters.

The Danish National Database for Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Aim: The aim of the Danish National Database for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (NDOSA) was to evaluate the clinical quality (diagnostic, treatment, and management) for obstructive sleep apnea and obesity hypoventilation syndrome in Denmark using a real-time national database reporting to the Danish National Patient Registry.

Study Population: All patients diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea or obesity hypoventilation syndrome at public and private in- and out-hospital departments in Denmark were included.

Main Variables: The NDOSA contains information about baseline characteristics, comorbidity, diagnostic procedures conducted, treatment (continuous positive airway pressure and similar treatments, surgery, mandibular advancement devices, etc) complications, and treatment status.

Testicular microlithiasis and preliminary experience of acoustic radiation force impulse imaging.

Background: Elastography of the testis can be used as a part of multiparametric examination of the scrotum.

Purpose: To determine the testicular stiffness using acoustic radiation force impulse imaging (ARFI) technique in men with testicular microlithiasis (TML).

Material And Methods: In 2013, 12 patients with diagnosed testicular microlithiasis in 2008 (mean age, 51 years; age range, 25-76 years) underwent a 5-year follow-up B-mode ultrasonography with three ARFI elastography measurements of each testis.

Discontinuation of steroids in ABO-incompatible renal transplantation.

A steroid-free protocol for ABO-compatible renal transplantation has been used at our center since 1983. To minimize the adverse effects of steroids, we also developed a steroid sparing protocol for ABO-incompatible renal transplantation in 2008. The present study is a report of our results.

Short and Long-Term Effects of the Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker Irbesartan on Intradialytic Central Hemodynamics: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled One-Year Intervention Trial (the SAFIR Study).

Background And Aim: Little is known about the tolerability of antihypertensive drugs during hemodialysis treatment. The present study evaluated the use of the angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) irbesartan.

Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, one-year intervention trial.

Bosniak classification system: a prospective comparison of CT, contrast-enhanced US, and MR for categorizing complex renal cystic masses.

Background The Bosniak classification was originally based on computed tomographic (CT) findings. Magnetic resonance (MR) and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) imaging may demonstrate findings that are not depicted at CT, and there may not always be a clear correlation between the findings at MR and CEUS imaging and those at CT. Purpose To compare diagnostic accuracy of MR, CEUS, and CT when categorizing complex renal cystic masses according to the Bosniak classification.

Performance and acceptability of a combined device for insulin infusion and glucose sensing in the home setting.

The use of sensor-augmented insulin pump (SAP) therapy is increasing. Currently, glucose sensors and insulin infusion cannulas are inserted separately. A new device, MiniMed Duo, combines sensing and infusion capabilities on the same platform and is intended to simplify device insertion and site management.

High-protein diets and renal health.

High-protein diets (i.e., protein content of more than 25% of energy or more than 2 g/kg body weight per day) based on meat and dairy products are repeatedly promoted for weight reduction and better health, but the evidence supporting these notions is quite dubious.

Angiotensin blockade and progressive loss of kidney function in hemodialysis patients: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) declines during long-term dialysis treatment. In peritoneal dialysis, blockade of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system reduces GFR decline. Observational studies suggest that similar treatment may preserve kidney function in hemodialysis (HD).

Acute management of stones: when to treat or not to treat?

Introduction: Stone management is often conservative due to a high spontaneous stone passage rate or non-symptomatic calyceal stones that do not necessarily require active treatment. However, stone disease may cause symptoms and complications requiring urgent intervention.

Material And Methods: In this review, we update latest research and current recommendations regarding acute management of stones, with particular focus on imaging, pain management, active stone interventions, medical expulsive therapy, and urolithiasis in pregnancy and childhood.

Bosniak classification system: inter-observer and intra-observer agreement among experienced uroradiologists.

Background: The Bosniak classification is a diagnostic tool for the differentiation of cystic changes in the kidney. The process of categorizing renal cysts may be challenging, involving a series of decisions that may affect the final diagnosis and clinical outcome such as surgical management.

Purpose: To investigate the inter- and intra-observer agreement among experienced uroradiologists when categorizing complex renal cysts according to the Bosniak classification.

No significant effect of angiotensin II receptor blockade on intermediate cardiovascular end points in hemodialysis patients.

Agents blocking the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system are frequently used in patients with end-stage renal disease, but whether they exert beneficial cardiovascular effects is unclear. Here the long-term effects of the angiotensin II receptor blocker, irbesartan, were studied in hemodialysis patients in a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled 1-year intervention trial using a predefined systolic blood pressure target of 140 mm Hg (SAFIR study). Each group of 41 patients did not differ in terms of age, blood pressure, comorbidity, antihypertensive treatment, dialysis parameters, and residual renal function.

Training the resident in percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

Objective: From the trainers' perspective percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is one of the most challenging endourological procedures. In this review we examine the problems arising when training residents in PCNL, and how to facilitate this process.

Methods: The recommendations are derived from discussions and consensus during the First European Urolithiasis Society (EULIS) meeting held in London in September 2011.

Differences in ureteroscopic stone treatment and outcomes for distal, mid-, proximal, or multiple ureteral locations: the Clinical Research Office of the Endourological Society ureteroscopy global study.

Background: Ureteroscopy has traditionally been the preferred approach for treatment of distal and midureteral stones, with shock wave lithotripsy used for proximal ureteral stones.

Objective: To describe the differences in the treatment and outcomes of ureteroscopic stones in different locations.

Design, Setting, And Participants: Prospective data were collected by the Clinical Research Office of the Endourological Society on consecutive patients treated with ureteroscopy at centres around the world over a 1-yr period.

Morphine versus oxycodone analgesia after percutaneous kidney stone surgery: a randomised double blinded study.

According to previous studies oxycodone might have some advantages over morphine in the treatment of visceral pain. This study investigated the opioid consumption (primary outcome), pain relief and side effects (secondary outcomes) of morphine versus oxycodone after percutaneous nephrolithotomy using a method where the somatic pain component was minimized. Forty-four adult patients were studied.

Evaluation of Bosniak category IIF complex renal cysts.

Purpose: To evaluate moderately complex renal cysts of Bosniak category IIF.

Materials And Methods: The regional ethics committee approved the study. In the period 2003-2009, radiological CT reports of 8,402 CT examinations of the kidneys were analysed retrospectively by one radiologist.

Distension of the renal pelvis in kidney stone patients: sensory and biomechanical responses.

The pathogenesis of symptoms in urolithiasis is poorly understood. Traditionally increased endoluminal pressure is considered the main mechanism causing pain in the upper urinary tract but clinical data are sparse. The aim of the present study was to develop a new model related to mechanosensation in order to describe the geometric and mechanical properties of the renal pelvis in patients with kidney stone disease.

Can the CT planning image determine whether a kidney stone is radiopaque on a plain KUB?

Almost all kidney stones are CT positive. Before a CT scan can be done a CT planning image (CTI) is generated in order to select the exact scanning area. The CTI looks approximately like a normal kidney-ureter-bladder abdominal radiography (KUB) but with reduced quality.

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy among patients with renal anomalies: patient characteristics and outcomes; a subgroup analysis of the clinical research office of the endourological society global percutaneous nephrolithotomy study.

Purpose: This study compared the characteristics and outcomes of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in patients with and without renal malformations using the Clinical Research Office of the Endourological Society (CROES) PCNL Global Study database.

Patients And Methods: The CROES PCNL Global Study collected prospective data for consecutive patients who were treated with PCNL at centers around the world during 1 year. Patient characteristics, operative data, and outcomes of PCNL in patients with renal anomalies and those with normal kidneys were compared.

Characterization of complex renal cysts: a critical evaluation of the Bosniak classification.

Objective: Complex renal cysts represent a major clinical problem, since it is often difficult to exclude malignancy. The Bosniak classification system, based on computed tomography (CT), is widely used to categorize cystic renal lesions. The aim of this study was to evaluate critically available data on the Bosniak classification.

Myocardial response to a triathlon in male athletes evaluated by Doppler tissue imaging and biochemical parameters.

The aim of this study was to examine cardiac dysfunction following ultra-endurance exercise in male athletes. Fourteen athletes (mean+/-SD, age 39+/-8 years) were evaluated before and after the European Championship in Triathlon 2003 using echocardiogram (ECG), cardiac markers [cardiac troponin T (cTnT) and pro-brain natriuretic peptide (pro-BNP)] and echocardiography. Conventional echocardiography techniques and new Doppler tissue imaging (DTI) modalities were applied before and immediately after the competition.