Comparative Performance of Creatinine-Based Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate Equations in the Malays: A Pilot Study in Tertiary Hospital in Malaysia

Aim. To validate the accuracy of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) equations in Malay population attending our hospital in comparison with radiolabeled measured GFR. Methods. A cross-sectional study recruiting volunteered patients in the outpatient setting. Chromium EDTA (51Cr-EDTA) was used as measured GFR. The predictive capabilities of Cockcroft-Gault equation corrected for body surface area (CGBSA), four-variable Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (4-MDRD), and Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equations were calculated. Results. A total of 51 subjects were recruited with mean measured GFR 42.04 (17.70–111.10) ml/min/1.73 m2. Estimated GFR based on CGBSA, 4-MDRD, and CKD-EPI were 40.47 (16.52–115.52), 35.90 (14.00–98.00), and 37.24 (14.00–121.00), respectively. Higher accuracy was noted in 4-MDRD equations throughout all GFR groups except for subgroup of GFR ≥ 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 where CGBSA was better. Conclusions. The 4-MDRD equation seems to perform better in estimating GFR in Malay CKD patients generally and specifically in the subgroup of GFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 and both BMI subgroups

Creatinine clearance in selection of living kidney donor among the Malaysian population: is it safe?

Abstract Background Assessment of donor renal function is made by the measurement of Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR). Exogenous markers are preferred over creatinine clearance and are widely used for measuring GFR. However, they are difficult to obtain, costly and laborious. This is a study to look into the safety and accuracy of creatinine clearance for renal assessment among the living kidney donors in the Malaysian population. Methods This is a retrospective, single-centre study comprising 105 living kidney donor candidates from the year 2007 to 2020. By comparing against 51-Chromium ethylenediamine-tetraacetic acid (51Cr-EDTA), we analysed creatinine clearance for correlation, bias, precision and accuracy. Results The study group had a mean age of 45.68 ± 10.97 years with a mean serum creatinine of 64.43 ± 17.68 µmol/L and a urine volume of 2.06 ± 0.83 L. Mean measured GFR from 51Cr-EDTA was 124.37 ± 26.83 ml/min/1.73m2 whereas mean creatinine clearance was 132.35 ± 38.18 ml/min/1.73m2. Creatinine clearance overestimated 51Cr-EDTA significantly with a correlation coefficient of 0.48 (p < 0.001) and an accuracy of 78.10% and 64.0% within 30% and 20% respectively of 51Cr-EDTA. Conclusion Creatinine clearance is an acceptable and affordable alternative for donor renal assessment in the absence of exogenous markers with an emphasis on adequate urine collection followed by using measured GFR in selected cases

Estimating Renal Function in the Elderly Malaysian Patients Attending Medical Outpatient Clinic: A Comparison between Creatinine Based and Cystatin-C Based Equations

Background. To assess the performance of different GFR estimating equations, test the diagnostic value of serum cystatin-C, and compare the applicability of cystatin-C based equation with serum creatinine based equation for estimating GFR (eGFR) in comparison with measured GFR in the elderly Malaysian patients. Methods. A cross-sectional study recruiting volunteered patients 65 years and older attending medical outpatient clinic. 51 chromium EDTA (51Cr-EDTA) was used as measured GFR. The predictive capabilities of Cockcroft-Gault equation corrected for body surface area (CGBSA), four-variable Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (4-MDRD), and Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equations using serum creatinine (CKD-EPIcr) as well as serum cystatin-C (CKD-EPIcys) were calculated. Results. A total of 40 patients, 77.5% male, with mean measured GFR 41.2±18.9 ml/min/1.73 m2 were enrolled. Mean bias was the smallest for 4-MDRD; meanwhile, CKD-EPIcr had the highest precision and accuracy with lower limit of agreement among other equations. CKD-EPIcys equation did not show any improvement in GFR estimation in comparison to CKD-EPIcr and MDRD. Conclusion. The CKD-EPIcr formula appears to be more accurate and correlates better with measured GFR in this cohort of elderly patients

Clinical Significance of Renal Allograft Protocol Biopsies: A Single Tertiary Center Experience in Malaysia

Background. The role of protocol renal allograft biopsy in kidney transplantation is controversial due to the concern with procedural-related complications; however, its role is slowly evolving. Recent evidence suggests that protocol biopsy is useful in detecting subclinical renal pathology. Early recognition and treatment of renal pathologies can improve long-term outcomes of renal allografts. Methodology. A total of 362 renal allograft protocol biopsies were performed in adult recipients of kidney transplantation between 2012 and 2017. After excluding those with poor quality or those performed with a baseline serum creatinine level >200 umol/L, we analyzed 334 (92.3%) biopsies. Histology reports were reviewed and categorized into histoimmunological and nonimmunological changes. The immunological changes were subcategorized into the following: (1) no acute rejection (NR), (2) borderline changes (BC), and (3) subclinical rejection (SCR). Nonimmunological changes were subcategorized into the following: (1) chronicity including interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy (IFTA), chronic T-cell-mediated rejection (TCMR), unspecified chronic lesions, and arterionephrosclerosis, (2) de novo glomerulopathy/recurrence of primary disease (RP), and (3) other clinically unsuspected lesions (acute pyelonephritis, calcineurin inhibitors toxicity, postinfective glomerulonephritis, and BK virus nephropathy). Risk factors associated with SCR were assessed. Results. For the histoimmunological changes, 161 (48.2%) showed NR, 145 (43.4%) were BC, and 28 (8.4%) were SCR. These clinical events were more pronounced for the first 5 years; our data showed BC accounted for 59 (36.4%), 64 (54.2%), and 22 (40.7%) biopsies within 5 years, respectively (p = 0.011). Meanwhile, the incidence for SCR was 6 (3.7%) biopsies in 5 years after transplantation (p=0.003). For the nonimmunological changes, chronicity, de novo glomerulopathy/RP, and other clinically unsuspected lesions were seen in 40 (12%), 10 (3%), and 12 (3.6%) biopsies, respectively. Living-related donor recipients were associated with decreased SCR (p=0.007). Conclusions. Despite having a stable renal function, our transplant recipients had a significant number of subclinical rejection on renal allograft biopsies

Kidney transplant in sensitized patients: A case series from a premier teaching hospital in Malaysia

Background: Kidney transplantation is associated with improved survival as opposed to long-term dialysis in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. In Malaysia, due to the limited number of cadaveric and compatible living related renal transplant (LRRT), there is a need to explore the potential of transplant with ABO-incompatible and positive donor specific antibodies (DSA). This report describes a case series of sensitized patients undergoing kidney transplant. Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the immediate graft function (IGF), graft functions at the 1st month, 3rd month, 6th month and 12th month post-transplant. Graft functions were assessed using serum creatinine, protocol biopsy (at 1st, 3rd, 6th and 12th months post-transplant) and DSA level. Methods: Data was collected from all sensitized kidney transplant done at the University Malaya Medical Center (UMMC) between February 2016 and April 2017. ABO-incompatible kidney transplant will be excluded from this study. The patient's progress and outcome (kidney function) are fully documented. Results: Five patients were analyzed for this report. The first two patients developed antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) immediately, post-transplant. Learning from initial experience, we have adopted our own desensitization protocol and subsequent to that, all three patients had IGF. Three out of five patients have borderline rejection on protocol biopsy but did not require pulse with methylprednisolone or intensification of immunosuppression. Three patients had negative preformed DSAs at 3-month post-transplant. Conclusion: Desensitization protocols may help to overcome incompatibility barriers in live-donor renal transplantation. Based on our experiences we have adopted a protocol that comprises of intravenous rituximab, plasma exchange and intravenous thymoglobulin. Keywords: Kidney transplant, Donor specific antibodies, Desensitization, Plasma exchang

Shear wave elastography in the evaluation of renal parenchymal stiffness in patients with chronic kidney disease

objective: To investigate the use of shear wave elastography (SWE)-derived estimates of Young's modulus (YM) as an indicator to detect abnormal renal tissue diagnosed by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). methods: The study comprised 106 chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients and 203 control subjects. Conventional ultrasound was performed to measure the kidney length and cortical thickness. SWE imaging was performed to measure renal parenchymal stiffness. Diagnostic performance of SWE and conventional ultrasound were correlated with serum creatinine, urea levels and eGFR. results: Pearson's correlation coefficient revealed a negative correlation between YM measurements and eGFR (r = −0.576, p < 0.0001). Positive correlations between YM measurements and age (r = 0.321, p < 0.05), serum creatinine (r = 0.375, p < 0.0001) and urea (r = 0.287, p < 0.0001) were also observed. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for SWE (0.87) was superior to conventional ultrasound alone (0.35-0.37). The cut-off value of less or equal to 4.31 kPa suggested a non-diseased kidney (80.3% sensitivity, 79.5% specificity). conclusion: SWE was superior to renal length and cortical thickness in detecting CKD. A value of 4.31 kPa or less showed good accuracy in determining whether a kidney was diseased or not

Outcomes of STEMI patients with chronic kidney disease treated with percutaneous coronary intervention: the Malaysian National Cardiovascular Disease Database – Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (NCVD-PCI) registry data from 2007 to 2014

Abstract Background Patients with renal impairment often left out from most major clinical trials assessing the optimal treatment for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Large body of evidence from various cardiovascular registries reflecting more ‘real-world’ experience might contribute to the knowledge on how best to treat this special cohort. We aim to analyze the outcomes of Malaysian STEMI patients with renal impairment treated with coronary angioplasty. Methods Utilizing the Malaysian National Cardiovascular Disease Database-Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (NCVD-PCI) registry data from 2007 to 2014, STEMI patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were stratified into presence (GFR < 60 mls/min/1.73m2) or absence (GFR ≥ 60 mls/min/1.73m2) of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Patient’s demographics, extent of coronary artery disease, procedural data, discharge medications, short (in-hospital) and long (1 year) term outcomes were critically assessed. Results A total of 6563 patients were included in the final analysis. STEMI CKD cohort was predominantly male (80%) with mean age of 61.02 ± 9.95 years. They had higher cardiovascular risk factors namely diabetes mellitus (54.6%), hypertension (79.2%) and dyslipidemia (68.8%) in contrast to those without CKD. There were notably higher percentage of CKD patients presented with Killip class 3 and 4; 24.9 vs 8.7%. Thrombolytic therapy remained the most commonly instituted treatment regardless the status of kidney function. Furthermore, our STEMI CKD cohort also was more likely to receive less of evidence-based treatment upon discharge. In terms of outcomes, patients with CKD were more likely to develop in-hospital death (OR: 4.55, 95% CI 3.11–6.65), MACE (OR: 3.42, 95% CI 2.39–4.90) and vascular complications (OR: 1.88, 95% CI 0.95–3.7) compared to the non-CKD patients. The risk of death at 1-year post PCI in STEMI CKD patients was also reported to be high (HR: 3.79, 95% CI 2.84–5.07). Conclusion STEMI and CKD is a deadly combination, proven in our cohort, adding on to the current evidence in the literature. We noted that our STEMI CKD patients tend to be younger than the Caucasian with extremely high prevalence of diabetes mellitus. The poor outcome mainly driven by immediate or short term adverse events peri-procedural, therefore suggesting that more efficient treatment in this special group is imperative