Polycystic kidney disease in patients on the renal transplant waiting list: trends in hematocrit and survival

BACKGROUND: The patient characteristics and mortality associated with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (PKD) have not been characterized for a national sample of end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on the renal transplant waiting list. METHODS: 40,493 patients in the United States Renal Data System who were initiated on ESRD therapy between 1 April 1995 and 29 June 1999 and later enrolled on the renal transplant waiting list were analyzed in an historical cohort study of the relationship between hematocrit at the time of presentation to ESRD and survival (using Cox Regression) in patients with PKD as a cause of ESRD. RESULTS: Hematocrit levels at presentation to ESRD increased significantly over more recent years of the study. Hematocrit rose in parallel in patients with and without PKD, but patients with PKD had consistently higher hemoglobin. PKD was independently associated with higher hematocrit in multiple linear regression analysis (p < 0.0001). In logistic regression, higher hematocrit was independently associated with PKD. In Cox Regression analysis, PKD was associated with statistically significant improved survival both in comparison with diabetic (hazard ratio, 0.64, 95% CI 0.53–0.77, p < 0.001) and non-diabetic (HR 0.68, 95% CI 0.56–0.82, p = 0.001) ESRD patients, adjusted for all other factors. CONCLUSIONS: Hematocrit at presentation to ESRD was significantly higher in patients with PKD compared with patients with other causes of ESRD. The survival advantage of PKD in ESRD persisted even adjusted for differences in hematocrit and in comparison with patients on the renal transplant waiting list

Clinical characteristics and outcome of dogs with presumed primary renal lymphoma

Objectives: To characterise the presentation, clinicopathologic data and outcome of 29 dogs with presumed primary renal lymphoma. Materials and methods: Retrospective analysis of medical records of dogs with suspected primary renal lymphoma from 11 institutions. Results: All dogs were substage b, and lethargy and gastrointestinal signs were common presenting complaints, as were azotaemia (n=25; 86%) and erythrocytosis (n=15; 51%) on biochemical testing. Ultrasonography typically revealed bilateral renal lesions (n=23; 79%), renomegaly (n=22; 76%) and abdominal lymphadenopathy (n=14; 48%). Chemotherapy was the only treatment in 23 dogs, of which 11 responded, all considered partial responses. For all dogs the median progression-free survival and median overall survival times were 10 days (range: 1 to 126) and 12 days (range: 1 to 212), respectively, and for dogs that responded to chemotherapy 41 days (range: 10 to 126) and 47 days (range: 10 to 212), respectively. Clinical significance: Primary renal lymphoma in dogs appears to be associated with a poor prognosis and short-lived response to chemotherapy

Throat related symptoms and voice: development of an instrument for self assessment of throat-problems

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Symptoms from throat (sensation of globus; frequent throat clearing; irritated throat) are common in patients referred to voice clinics and to ENT specialists. The relation to symptoms of voice discomfort is unclear and in some cases patients do not have voice problems at all. Instruments for patients' self-reporting of symptoms, and assessment of handicap, such as the Voice Handicap Index (VHI), are in common use in voice clinics. Symptoms from throat are however only marginally covered. Purpose: To develop and evaluate an instrument that could make the patients' estimation of symptoms from the throat possible. Further to facilitate the consideration of the relation between throat- and voice problems with the Throat subscale together with a Swedish translation of the Voice Handicap Index. Finally to try the VHI with the Throat subscale: the VHI-T, for test-retest reliability and validity.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A subscale with 10 throat related items was developed for appliance with the VHI. The VHI was translated to Swedish and retranslated to English. The questionnaire was tried in two phases on a total of 23+144 patients and 12+58 voice healthy controls. The reliability was calculated with Cronbach's alpha, ICC and Pearson's correlation coefficient. The validity was estimated by independent T-test.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The difference in VHI-T scores between the patients and the voice-healthy controls was significant (<it>p </it>= < 0,01) and there was a good correlation of the test- retest occasions. The reliability testing of the entire questionnaire showed an alpha value of <it>r </it>= 0,90 and that for the Throat subscale separately a value of <it>r </it>= 0,87 which shows a high degree of reliability.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>For the estimation of self-perceived throat and voice problems the scale on throat related problems together with the present Swedish translation of the Voice Handicap Index, (VHI) the VHI-Throat, proves to be a valid and reliable instrument. The throat subscale seems to help revealing a category of symptoms that are common in our patients. These are symptoms that have not earlier been possible to cover with the questionnaires designed for use in the voice clinic.</p

Brief Report - The Role of ACE Gene Polymorphism in Rapidity of Progression of Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis

BACKGROUND: The insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene has been associated with progression of renal diseases. AIMS: We investigated its role in the rate of progression of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). METHODS: Forty-seven patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) due to FSGS were evaluated. RESULTS: The distribution of ACE genotype was II-25.5%, ID-55.5%, and DD-19%, as compared to 40 controls with genotype of 7.5%, 60%, and 32.5%, respectively (p= NS). In African Americans (AA) the gene frequencies among patients and controls were I-43%, D-57% vs I-36%, D-64%, respectively. This was different than the gene frequencies in White/Hispanic (W/H) patients I-61.5%, D-38.5% vs I-38.6%, D-61.4%, in controls (P 0.05). With respect to rate of progression, D allele frequency was similar in AA patients (RP 64% vs SP 50%) and W/H patients (RP 36% vs SP 40%). CONCLUSION: Our study reveals no association between the I/D polymorphism of the ACE gene and the presence of and rapidity progression of FSGS

Brief Report - The Role of ACE Gene Polymorphism in Rapidity of Progression of Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis

BACKGROUND: The insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene has been associated with progression of renal diseases. AIMS: We investigated its role in the rate of progression of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). METHODS: Forty-seven patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) due to FSGS were evaluated. RESULTS: The distribution of ACE genotype was II-25.5%, ID-55.5%, and DD-19%, as compared to 40 controls with genotype of 7.5%, 60%, and 32.5%, respectively (p= NS). In African Americans (AA) the gene frequencies among patients and controls were I-43%, D-57% vs I-36%, D-64%, respectively. This was different than the gene frequencies in White/Hispanic (W/H) patients I-61.5%, D-38.5% vs I-38.6%, D-61.4%, in controls (P &lt; 0.05). In 22 patients with rapid progression (RP) of FSGS to ESRD the genotype distribution was II-18%, ID -64%, and DD-18%. In 25 patients with FSGS who progressed slowly (SP) the genotype was similar (II-32%, ID-48% and DD-20%, P &gt;0.05). With respect to rate of progression, D allele frequency was similar in AA patients (RP 64% vs SP 50%) and W/H patients (RP 36% vs SP 40%). CONCLUSION: Our study reveals no association between the I/D polymorphism of the ACE gene and the presence of and rapidity progression of FSGS