Renal Outcomes of Childhood IgA Nephropathy and Henoch Schönlein Purpura Nephritis

Background: Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis (HSPN) is considered the systemic form of IgA nephropathy (IgAN). However, differing clinicopathological features and renal outcomes of children with IgAN and HSPN have been reported in some studies. Methods: This study retrospectively reviewed children with IgAN and HSPN younger than 18 years, between January 2004 and December 2015. The clinicopathological characteristics at diagnosis and the renal outcomes after at least 1 year of follow-up were compared between the two groups. Results: A total of 54 children, comprising 21 with IgAN and 33 with HSPN, were recruited. The children with HSPN were younger than the children with IgAN. Gross hematuria and nephritic syndrome at the initial presentation were more common in children with IgAN. Regarding the pathological findings, IgAN had greater chronicity than HSPN. After a median follow-up period from first presentation to renal outcomes measurement of 4.0 years (1.3-12.2) in children with IgAN and 4.2 years (1.1-11.4) in children with HSPN, the renal outcomes were better in the latter group. The incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) was 28.6% in children with IgAN and 6.1% in children with HSPN (p = 0.02). Complete recovery was observed more frequently in children with HSPN than in children with IgAN (57.1% in IgAN vs. 87.9% in HSPN, p = 0.01). Conclusions: Childhood IgAN has greater chronicity and worse renal outcomes than childhood HSPN, with a lower rate of complete recovery and a higher frequency of CKD. We recommend long-term follow-up for CKD in children with IgAN

Factors Affecting the Mental Health of Thai Medical Staff during the Second and Third Waves of the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Online Cross-sectional Survey

Objective: This comparative study of the second and third waves of the COVID-19 pandemic aimed to: 1) examine the mental health status of hospital staff; 2) describe the associations among various factors that affect mental health; and 3) investigate the impact of COVID-19. Materials and Methods: Data were collected from Siriraj Hospital staff using online questionnaires including demographics, staff characteristics, health behavior, readiness to handle COVID-19; COVID-19 impact; and the Thai version of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales–21 (DASS-21). Results: Depression, anxiety, and stress scores were significantly higher in the third wave. Living in a high-surveillance area, social distancing difficulties, health behaviors, and office work all impacted mental health in both waves. Demographics, infection exposure outside the hospital, awareness of social distancing, and readiness to work from home impacted only the second wave. Direct work with COVID-19 patients impacted only the third wave. The common stressors included living expenses, daily life changes, and disease prevention costs in both waves, with COVID-19 news having a greater impact in the third wave. Main daily life impacts were income, transportation, and disease prevention equipment in both waves, with food becoming more important in the third wave. Conclusion: Mental health should be prioritized especially in severe waves, focusing on staff at high risk of infection, experiencing social distancing challenges, daily life changes, and having health problems. Disease protection should also be emphasized early on

Plasma neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin (NGAL) is associated with kidney function in uraemic patients before and after kidney transplantation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin (NGAL) is a biomarker of kidney injury. We examined plasma levels of NGAL in a cohort of 57 kidney allograft recipients (Tx group, 39 ± 13 years), a uraemic group of 40 patients remaining on the waiting list (47 ± 11 years) and a control group of 14 healthy subjects matched for age, sex and body mass index (BMI). The kidney graft recipients were studied at baseline before transplantation and 3 and 12 months after transplantation and the uraemic group at baseline and after 12 months.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>NGAL was measured using a validated in-house Time-Resolved Immuno-flourometric assay (TRIFMA). Repeated measurements differed by < 10% and mean values were used for statistical analyses. Spearman rank order correlation analysis and the Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric test were used to evaluate the association of NGAL concentrations with clinical parameters.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Plasma NGAL levels before transplantation in the Tx and uraemic groups were significantly higher than in the healthy controls (1,251 μg/L, 1,478 μg/L vs. 163 μg/L, p < 0.0001). In the Tx group NGAL concentrations were associated with serum creatinine (R = 0.51, p < 0.0001), duration of end-stage renal failure (R = 0.41, p = 0.002) and leukocyte count (R = 0.29, p < 0.026). At 3 and 12 months plasma NGAL concentrations declined to 223 μg/L and 243 μg/L, respectively and were associated with homocysteine (R = 0.39, p = 0.0051 and R = 0.47, p = 0.0007).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Plasma NGAL is a novel marker of kidney function, which correlates to duration of end-stage renal failure (ESRD) and serum creatinine in uraemic patients awaiting kidney transplantation. Plasma NGAL is associated with homocysteine in transplanted patients. The prognostic value of these findings requires further studies.</p

Cardio-renal syndromes: report from the consensus conference of the Acute Dialysis Quality Initiative

A consensus conference on cardio-renal syndromes (CRS) was held in Venice Italy, in September 2008 under the auspices of the Acute Dialysis Quality Initiative (ADQI). The following topics were matter of discussion after a systematic literature review and the appraisal of the best available evidence: definition/classification system; epidemiology; diagnostic criteria and biomarkers; prevention/protection strategies; management and therapy. The umbrella term CRS was used to identify a disorder of the heart and kidneys whereby acute or chronic dysfunction in one organ may induce acute or chronic dysfunction in the other organ. Different syndromes were identified and classified into five subtypes. Acute CRS (type 1): acute worsening of heart function (AHF–ACS) leading to kidney injury and/or dysfunction. Chronic cardio-renal syndrome (type 2): chronic abnormalities in heart function (CHF-CHD) leading to kidney injury and/or dysfunction. Acute reno-cardiac syndrome (type 3): acute worsening of kidney function (AKI) leading to heart injury and/or dysfunction. Chronic reno-cardiac syndrome (type 4): chronic kidney disease leading to heart injury, disease, and/or dysfunction. Secondary CRS (type 5): systemic conditions leading to simultaneous injury and/or dysfunction of heart and kidney. Consensus statements concerning epidemiology, diagnosis, prevention, and management strategies are discussed in the paper for each of the syndromes

Wasp Stings with Multiple Organ Dysfunction in Children

Objective: Allergic reactions from wasp stings usually occur shortly after the stings. Serious and less common systemic mani- festations including multiple organ dysfunction can also occur at a later time. Methods: Medical records of pediatric patients admitted because of wasp stings into the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital from 2000 to 2009 were reviewed. Results: Nine cases were admitted because of systemic reactions from wasp stings. Most required only intravenous fluid and antihistamine. Two young children developed multiple organ dysfunction more than 24 hours after multiple stings. Both patients required artificial ventilation. The first patient received 20 days of renal replacement therapy and recovered completely. The second patient developed sepsis during peritoneal dialysis and died on the 34th day. Conclusion: Clinicians should be aware that young children with multiple stings are at risk of multiple organ dysfunction. We suggest hospitalization for at least 48 hours to provide early detection of complications and management