Causes and predictors of death in South Africans with systemic lupus erythematosus

Faculty of Health School of Medicine 9101327d [email protected] is known about the epidemiological and mortality patterns of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Africa. Aims of this study- to determine the demographics, clinical features and causes and predictors death in patients attending the Lupus clinic at the Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital in Soweto. Methods- the records of 226 patients who fulfilled American College of Rheumatism criteria for the diagnosis of SLE were reviewed. The mean (± SD) age at presentation was 34 (± 12.5) years. The female to male ratio was 18:1. The commonest clinical feature found was arthritis in 70.4% of patients. Nephritis was present in 43.8% and CNS lupus in 15.9% of patients. 55 patients in this group had died and 64 were lost to follow up. The 5-year survival was 57% uncensored and 72% if censored for loss to follow up. Infection (32.7%) was the commonest cause of death followed by renal failure (16.4%). Nephritis, CNS lupus and hypocomplementaemia were associated with mortality on univariate analysis. Lupus nephritis was the only independant predictor of mortality on multivariate analysis. Conclusion- this study confirms the poor outcome of SLE in the developing world and demonstrates that renal disease is a factor commonly implicated in mortality. The 5-year survival and pattern of mortality is similar to that reported elsewhere in the developing worl

A call to action: Temporal trends of COVID-19 deaths in the South African Muslim community

No abstract

Maximising the efficiency of surveillance for COVID-19 in dialysis units in South Africa : the case for pooled testing

The COVID-19 epidemic in South Africa (SA) is currently in a growth phase with high incidences in most major cities. Patients who are dependent on chronic renal dialysis care, including peritoneal dialysis and haemodialysis, are chronically unwell and usually have multiple comorbidities including hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. These comorbidities are known to increase the risk of adverse outcomes for COVID-19, including hospitalisation with high care or intensive care admission, and/ or death. Haemodialysis patients throughout the country require facility-based support three times a week, and a typical dialysis visit is ~4 hours.The National Research Foundation of South Africahttp://www.samj.org.zaam2021Medical Microbiolog

Guidelines for the prevention, detection and management of the renal complications of COVID-19 in Africa

Africa trails the rest of the world in COVID-19 cases and deaths. However, as the pandemic spreads through the continent, we expect increases in community infection in the months ahead. Patients with kidney infection, especially those with end-stage kidney disease and those with kidney transplants, are at high risk for acquiring the disease and dying from it. While there is limited evidence for the benefit of interventions, we have the advantage of learning from the experiences of those in China, Europe and the Americas. This document sets forth guidance for dealing with our patients who have acute and chronic kidney disease, including those on renal replacement therapy and the staff involved in their care. Emphasis is placed on preparedness and prevention strategies. As evidence and experience accumulate, it is likely that updated guidance will be needed.L’Afrique suit le reste du monde en termes de nombre de cas et de décès dus à COVID-19. Cependant, alors que la pandémie se propage à travers le continent, nous prévoyons une augmentation de l’infection communautaire dans les mois à venir. Les patients atteints d’une maladie rénale, en particulier ceux atteints d’une maladie rénale chronique en phase terminale et ceux ayant subi une transplantation rénale, courent un risque élevé de contracter la maladie et d’en mourir. Bien que les preuves d’interventions soient limitées, nous avons l’avantage de tirer des enseignements des expériences de ceux qui se trouvent en Chine, en Europe et dans les Amériques. Ce document présente des conseils pour traiter nos patients atteints d’insuffisance rénale aiguë et chronique, y compris ceux sous thérapie de suppléance rénale et le personnel impliqué dans leurs soins. L’accent est mis sur les stratégies de préparation et de prévention. Au fur et à mesure que les preuves et l’expérience s’accumulent, il est probable que des directives actualisées seront nécessaires

Correction: Guidelines for the prevention, detection and management of the renal complications of COVID-19 in Africa

The authors of the article ‘Guidelines for the prevention, detection and management of the renal complications of COVID-19 in Africa’ [1] wish to acknowledge the contribution of Professor Hussein El Fishawy. Our guidelines drew on various sources, including the Egyptian Ministry of Health guidelines, portions of which were adapted and reproduced with permission from the Egyptian Ministry of Health. Two of the authors of those guidelines, Professors Elsayed and Zaki, are also coauthors of our paper. Professor El Fishawy was the third author of the Egyptian guidelines and we would like to acknowledge his contribution to our review through this source, especially with respect to the treatment algorithms for patients with kidney transplants and those with acute kidney injury. Reference1. Elsayed HM, Wadee S, Zaki MS, Were AJO, Ashuntantang GE, Bamgboye EL, et al. Guidelines for the prevention, detection and management of the renal complications of COVID-19 in Africa. Afr J Nephrol. 2020; 23(1):109-126

Vaccination of adult patients living with chronic kidney disease against SARS-CoV-2: a position statement by the South African Nephrology Society

Safe and effective vaccination of patients living with chronic kidney disease requires an understanding of the unique immunological milieu of this population and of their potential for disease-specific side effects. This Position Statement, issued on behalf of the South African Nephrology Society, provides recommendations for local policy development and for individual practice administration and monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations in patients living with chronic kidney disease

Guidelines for the prevention, detection and management of the renal complications of COVID-19 in Africa

CITATION: Elsayed, H. M. et al. 2020. Guidelines for the prevention, detection and management of the renal complications of COVID-19 in Africa. African Journal of Nephrology, 23(1):109-126, doi:10.21804/23-1-4097.The original publication is available at https://www.journals.ac.zaENGLISH ABSTRACT: Africa trails the rest of the world in COVID-19 cases and deaths. However, as the pandemic spreads through the continent, we expect increases in community infection in the months ahead. Patients with kidney infection, especially those with end-stage kidney disease and those with kidney transplants, are at high risk for acquiring the disease and dying from it. While there is limited evidence for the benefit of interventions, we have the advantage of learning from the experiences of those in China, Europe and the Americas. This document sets forth guidance for dealing with our patients who have acute and chronic kidney disease, including those on renal replacement therapy and the staff involved in their care. Emphasis is placed on preparedness and prevention strategies. As evidence and experience accumulate, it is likely that updated guidance will be needed. L’Afrique suit le reste du monde en termes de nombre de cas et de décès dus à COVID-19. Cependant, alors que la pandémie se propage à travers le continent, nous prévoyons une augmentation de l’infection communautaire dans les mois à venir. Les patients atteints d’une maladie rénale, en particulier ceux atteints d’une maladie rénale chronique en phase terminale et ceux ayant subi une transplantation rénale, courent un risque élevé de contracter la maladie et d’en mourir. Bien que les preuves d’interventions soient limitées, nous avons l’avantage de tirer des enseignements des expériences de ceux qui se trouvent en Chine, en Europe et dans les Amériques. Ce document présente des conseils pour traiter nos patients atteints d’insuffisance rénale aiguë et chronique, y compris ceux sous thérapie de suppléance rénale et le personnel impliqué dans leurs soins. L’accent est mis sur les stratégies de préparation et de prévention. Au fur et à mesure que les preuves et l’expérience s’accumulent, il est probable que des directives actualisées seront nécessaires.https://www.journals.ac.za/index.php/ajn/article/view/4097Publisher's versio