Background and aim: There had been no randomized end-point studies with statins for patients with severe renal failure. The purpose of this prospective, open, randomized, controlled study was to investigate whether atorvastatin (10 mg/day) would alter cardiovascular end-points and the overall mortality rate of patients with chronic kidney disease stage 4 or 5 (creatinine clearance</30 ml/min) and to influence risk factors. Material & Methods: This was an open, prospective, randomized study. A total of 143 patients were included: 73 were controls and 70 were prescribed 10 mg/day of atorvastatin. As efficacy variables, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels were determined at the start of the study and at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30 and 36 months. The primary end-points were all cause of mortality, non-lethal acute myocardial infarction, and coronary artery intervention. Various risk factors were studied. In the 97 patients on haemodialysis inter dialysis weight gain (IDWG) was calculated as ultrafiltration in kg/body weight in kg given in percentage of the weight. The burden of IDWG was analyzed. Results: In the atorvastatin group, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were significantly reduced, the latter by 35% at 1 month and then sustained. Atorvastatin was withdrawn in 23% of patients due to unacceptable side effects, most frequent complaints being gastrointestinal discomfort and headache. Primary end-points occurred in 74% of the subjects. There was no difference in cardiovascular endpoint and survival between the control and atorvastatin groups. The 5-year end-point-free survival rate from study entry was 20%. There was no evidence of more benefit of atorvastatin for patients with diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease versus the other patients; instead plasma fibrinogen increased. The IDWG was significantly larger in patients who suffered from end-points due to cardiovascular reasons, cardiac reasons, congestive heart failure, aortic aneurysm, and intracerebral bleeding. Conclusion: These data showed that in contrast to other patient groups, patients with severe chronic kidney disease 4 and 5, including those with diabetes mellitus, seem to have no benefit from 10mg/day of atorvastatin. Instead we found a high IDWG to be an important risk factor that should be prevented. There was no evident connection between atorvastatin medication and IDWG.

No description available.

研究目的 對於慢性腎臟病患者而言，睡眠困擾是十分常見的問題。過去相關研究中，研究對象較偏重於已進入透析治療的患者，且大多著重於探討人口學及臨床變項，而忽略了心理及行為因素（例如睡前激發狀態、睡眠衛生行為）的影響。本研究試圖改善過去研究之不足，釐清心理及行為因子在慢性腎臟病患者的睡眠問題中所扮演之角色。 研究方法 本研究採橫斷性調查研究，於腎臟科門診及血液透析室招募第三期到第五期（eGFR＜60 ml/min/1.73m2）的慢性腎臟病患者。最終納入分析的個案共有152人，其中77人為未達尿毒症的慢性腎臟病患者，75人為穩定接受血液透析治療（3個月以上）的尿毒症患者。受試者需完成匹茲堡睡眠品質量表、失眠嚴重度量表、睡眠衛生行為量表、睡前激發狀態量表、醫院焦慮與憂鬱量表，並且回答和不寧腿症候群、疼痛及皮膚癢程度相關的問題，此外，本研究亦從病歷紀錄中抄錄相關的檢驗數値以及共病情形。 研究結果 未透析患者約有29.9%睡眠品質不佳、23.4%有失眠問題；而血液透析患者約有57.3%睡眠品質不佳、28.0%有失眠的問題。血液透析患者和未透析患者相比，其睡眠品質顯著較差，且失眠較為嚴重。迴歸分析結果顯示，MMSE得分較低、共病較多、疼痛程度較高、和焦慮相關行為較多可預測較差的睡眠品質，而焦慮與憂鬱情緒較高、焦慮相關行為較多、和認知激發程度較高可預測較嚴重的失眠。未透析患者的睡眠問題主要是受到和激發相關的行為或認知活動的影響，而血液透析患者的睡眠則較容易受到疾病和症狀相關因素的影響。 結論 疾病與臨床因素、身體症狀、以及睡眠心理及行為相關因素對於慢性腎臟病患者的睡眠有所影響，但對於未透析和已透析的患者，其影響因素和影響程度可能不同。

Background The remarkably efficient mechanisms of the human body to maintain its core temperature of 37°C can be inadequate when harsh climatic conditions and excessive muscle movement lead to heat stress, dehydration and potential heat illness, ranging from minor symptoms such as fatigue to a potentially fatal heat stroke. Agricultural workers in the tropics are at high risk, which is expected to increase with climate change. Sugarcane harvesting in Costa Rica is largely done by cutting the cane with a machete, by temporary, sub-contracted workers who are often migrants and living in poverty. Sugarcane harvesters are known to be affected by an epidemic of chronic kidney disease of non-traditional origin, currently hypothesized to be related to working conditions. Objectives This work aimed to better understand and document sugarcane harvester exposure to heat and the health consequences of working under such conditions. Specific objectives were to 1) Document working conditions and heat in the Costa Rican sugarcane industry (Paper I); 2) Quantify heat stress exposures faced by sugarcane harvesters in Costa Rica (Paper II); and 3) Quantify the occurrence of heat stress symptoms and abnormal urinary parameters in sugarcane workers in Costa Rica (Papers III and IV). Methods This study took place over three harvests following a pilot assessment prior to the first harvest. Methods included direct observation, semi-structured interviews with 24 individuals and a participatory workshop with 8 harvesters about heat-related perceptions, exposures and coping strategies during the harvest and non-harvest season (Pilot). Researchers accompanied workers in the field during all three harvests, measured wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) and conducted direct observation. Heat exposure assessment was conducted by calculating metabolic load, WBGT and corresponding limit values based on international guidelines (NTP and OSHA) (Harvest 1). Self-reported symptom data were collected using orally-administered questionnaires from 106 sugarcane harvesters and 63 non-harvesters from the same company (Harvest 2). Chi-square test and gamma statistic were used to evaluate differences in self-reported symptoms and trends over heat exposure categories. Finally, liquid consumption during the work shift was documented and urinalysis was conducted pre-and post-shift in 48 sugarcane harvesters on three days; differences were assessed with McNemar´s test on paired proportions (Harvest 3). Results Sugarcane workers in both the harvest and non-harvest seasons are exposed to heat, but particularly during the harvest season. Field workers have to carry their own water to the field and often have no access to shade. Some plantworkers are also exposed to intense heat. The metabolic load of sugarcane harvesting was determined to be 261 W/m2. The corresponding threshold value is 26 ◦C WBGT, above which workers should decrease work load or take breaks to avoid the risk of heat stress. Harvesters in this study were at risk of heat stress as early as 7:15 am on some mornings and by 9:00 am on all mornings. After 9:15 am, OSHA recommendations would require that harvesters only work at full effort 25% of each hour to avoid heat stress. Heat and dehydration symptoms at least once per week were experienced significantly more frequently among harvesters than non-harvesters (p<0.05): headache, tachycardia, fever, nausea, difficulty breathing, dizziness, and dysuria. Percentages of workers reporting heat and dehydration-related symptoms increased over increasing heat exposure categories. Total liquid consumed ranged from 1 to 9 L and differed over days (median 5.0, 4.0 and 3.25 on days 1, 2 and 3 respectively). On these same days, the two principle indicators of dehydration: high USG (≥1.025) and low pH (≤5), changed significantly from pre to post-shift (p=0.000 and p=0.012).Proportions of workers with proteinuria >30 mg/dL, and blood, leucocytes and casts in urine were also significantly different between pre and post-shift samples at the group level, but unlike USG and pH, these alterations were more frequent in the pre-shift sample. 85% of workers presented with proteinuria at least once and 52% had at least one post-shift USG indicative of dehydration. Conclusion Heat exposure is an important occupational health risk for sugarcane workers according to international standards. A large percentage of harvesters experience symptoms consistent with heat exhaustion throughout the harvest season. Pre and post-shift urine samples demonstrate dehydration and other abnormal findings. The results of this study demonstrate an urgent need to improve working conditions for sugarcane harvesters both under current conditions and in adaptation plans for future climate change.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is frequently described as a chronic illness. It is also a life-threatening illness, although this is rarely discussed. When people with CKD face declining kidney function, they need technological assistance to extend life. Many people receiving treatment will also die within 5 years. The experience of living with CKD is often difficult to articulate, and little is known about the aspects of this illness that are often ineffable, difficult to discuss, or beyond words. The purpose of this dissertation is to present four papers in which I investigate the concept of the unsayable and illuminate how this concept may be helpful in exploring individuals’ stories of living with CKD. Located in social constructionism, this narrative research explores the unsayable aspects of experience for people living with CKD as portrayed through their stories and symbols. In the first paper, I present a concept analysis of the unsayable and I define the unsayable as that which is not expressed yet alluded to through language and may be conscious or unconscious. Although the unsayable is intertwined with language, it also transcends articulation. In the second paper, I offer a qualitative meta-synthesis and I show how people with kidney failure have experienced restricted freedom that brings about distant connection, dependent autonomy, abnormal normalcy, and uncertain hope. In the third paper, I present a narrative inquiry using secondary analysis of 46 interviews conducted over 3 years with 14 people living with CKD. Narrative expressions of the unsayable include the following: living with death, embodied experiences that were difficult to language, that which was unthinkable, unknowable mystery, and that which was untold / unheard. Lastly, I offer a narrative visual analysis of symbols that represent living with CKD for 13 participants. Descriptive themes of the symbols include hopes and inspirations, reflections on “who I am,” and confrontations of illness. Participants’ expressions through symbols are described through stories of memories, emotions, and poetic devices. Consideration of the unsayable may offer insights for nurses who work to support individuals and promote quality of life for those living with this chronic and life-threatening illness. / Graduate

Elevated plasma total homocysteine (ptHcy) or hyperhomocysteinemia (hHcy) independently predicts cardiovascular disease in predialysis chronic kidney disease (pCKD). Folate status is one of the known nutritional determinants of ptHcy. In the era of folic acid food fortification, this cross-sectional study aimed to describe in pCKD subjects (n=48): 1) Prevalence of hHcy. 2) Intake and status of nutrients involved in homocysteine metabolism. 3) Determinants of ptHcy. The prevalence of hHcy was 93.8% (95% CI: 81.8 to 98.4). Median (25th, 75th percentile) total folate intake from food and supplements was 389 (282,640) µg DFE/d. No subject was folate deficient (red blood cell < 317 nmol/L). Red blood cell folate (r = - 0.406, p=0.004) and energy-protein undernutrition (r = 0.357, p=0.013) independently predicted ptHcy. To conclude, total folate intake among subjects with pCKD was sufficient to prevent folate deficiency but not able to prevent a high prevalence of hHcy.

Elevated plasma total homocysteine (ptHcy) or hyperhomocysteinemia (hHcy) independently predicts cardiovascular disease in predialysis chronic kidney disease (pCKD). Folate status is one of the known nutritional determinants of ptHcy. In the era of folic acid food fortification, this cross-sectional study aimed to describe in pCKD subjects (n=48): 1) Prevalence of hHcy. 2) Intake and status of nutrients involved in homocysteine metabolism. 3) Determinants of ptHcy. The prevalence of hHcy was 93.8% (95% CI: 81.8 to 98.4). Median (25th, 75th percentile) total folate intake from food and supplements was 389 (282,640) µg DFE/d. No subject was folate deficient (red blood cell < 317 nmol/L). Red blood cell folate (r = - 0.406, p=0.004) and energy-protein undernutrition (r = 0.357, p=0.013) independently predicted ptHcy. To conclude, total folate intake among subjects with pCKD was sufficient to prevent folate deficiency but not able to prevent a high prevalence of hHcy.

Orientador: Roberto Jorge da Silva Franco / Resumo: Introdução: A doença renal crônica (DRC) tem uma inter-relação complexa com outras doenças. A literatura relata a associação direta entre declínio da função renal e comprometimento cognitivo, o qual está relacionado com pior qualidade de vida (QV). Alterações na hemodinâmica cerebral podem desempenhar papel relevante na patogenia da disfunção cognitiva entre pacientes em hemodiálise (HD). Recentemente, surgiram evidências que apoiam o papel da atividade física na prevenção ou no adiamento do declínio cognitivo. Objetivo: Avaliar os efeitos do treinamento aeróbico intradialítico sobre o fluxo sanguíneo cerebral, função cognitiva e QV em pacientes com DRC que realizam HD. Casuística e Métodos: Estudo clínico controlado e randomizado de intervenção fisioterápica, com análise de intenção de tratar. Trinta pacientes foram submetidos a teste ergométrico, avaliação do fluxo sanguíneo cerebral, avaliação da rigidez arterial, teste de função cognitiva e questionário de QV. O grupo de intervenção (GI), com quinze pacientes, foi submetido a treinamento aeróbico intradialítico, três vezes por semana, durante quatro meses. O grupo controle (GC), com quinze pacientes, não teve intervenção. Todos os pacientes foram reavaliados após o término do protocolo de atividade física ou após quatro meses da primeira avaliação, para o grupo controle. Resultados: No GI, os resultados mostraram melhora estatisticamente significante da função cognitiva (p<0,001), velocidade máxima do fluxo sanguíneo da a... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Introduction: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has a complex interrelationship with other diseases. The literature reports a direct association between decline in kidney function and cognitive impairment, which is associated with worse quality of life (QoL). Changes in cerebral hemodynamics may play a role in the pathogenesis of cognitive impairment among patients on hemodialysis (HD). Recently, there is evidence to support the physical activity role in preventing or delaying cognitive decline. Objective: To evaluate the effects of intradialytic aerobic training on cerebral blood flow, cognitive function and QoL in patients with CKD in HD. Methods: randomized controlled trial of physiotherapy intervention, with analysis intention to treat. Thirty patients underwent exercise testing, evaluation of cerebral blood flow, arterial stiffness, cognitive function test and QoL questionnaire. Fifteen patients in intervention group (IG) underwent intradialytic aerobic exercise three times a week for four months. Others fifteen patients in control group (CG) had no intervention. All patients were reassessed after the physical activity protocol or four months after the first evoluation, for the control group. Results: In IG, results showed statistically significant improvement of cognitive function (p <0.001), maximum blood flow velocity of the basilar artery (p = 0.029) and QoL in the fields dialysis staff encouragement (p = 0.025) and pain (p = 0.008). The variable arterial stiffness was no... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

Introduction: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and congestive heart failure (CHF) patients have higher serum B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), which alters the test interpretation. We aim to define BNP cutoff levels to diagnose acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) in CKD according to CHF subtype: heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Material and methods: We reviewed 1,437 charts of consecutive patients who were admitted for dyspnea. We excluded patients with normal kidney function, without measured BNP, echocardiography, or history of CHF. BNP cutoff values to diagnose ADHF for CKD stages according to CHF subtype were obtained for the highest pair of sensitivity (Sn) and specificity (Sp). We calculated positive and negative likelihood ratios (LR+ and LR–, respectively), and diagnostic odds ratios (DOR), as well as the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC) for BNP. Results: We evaluated a cohort of 348 consecutive patients: 152 had ADHF, and 196 had stable CHF. In those with HFpEF with CKD stages 3–4, BNP < 155 pg/ml rules out ADHF (Sn90%, LR– = 0.26 and DOR = 5.75), and BNP > 670 pg/ml rules in ADHF (Sp90%, LR+ = 4 and DOR = 6), with an AUC = 0.79 (95% CI: 0.71–0.87). In contrast, in those with HFrEF with CKD stages 3–4, BNP < 412.5 pg/ml rules out ADHF (Sn90%, LR– = 0.19 and DOR = 9.37), and BNP > 1166.5 pg/ml rules in ADHF (Sp87%, LR+ = 3.9 and DOR = 6.97) with an AUC = 0.78 (95% CI: 0.69–0.86). All LRs and DOR were statistically significant. Conclusions: BNP cutoff values for the diagnosis of ADHF in HFrEF were higher than those in HFpEF across CKD stages 3–4, with moderate discriminatory diagnostic ability. / Revisión por pares

Made available in DSpace on 2015-07-22T20:50:49Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-02-22 / Considerando a elevada prevalência de hipovitaminose D em pacientes na fase não dialítica da doença renal crônica (DRC) e os efeitos benéficos da restauração do estado nutricional de vitamina D nos pacientes com DRC nos parâmetros do metabolismo mineral, os guias de práticas clínicas para prevenção e tratamento dos distúrbios do metabolismo mineral ósseo, Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (K-DOQI) e Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO), sugerem a suplementação com vitamina D (ergocalciferol ou colecalciferol) para pacientes com DRC na fase não dialítica com hipovitaminose D. No entanto, poucos estudos avaliaram o efeito da suplementação nessa população. Dessa forma, este estudo tem como objetivo investigar os efeitos da suplementação com colecalciferol sobre marcadores séricos do metabolismo mineral de pacientes com hipovitaminose D na fase não dialítica da DRC. Estudo 1. Suplementacao com colecalciferol na doenca renal cronica: restauracao do estado nutricional de vitamina D e impacto sobre o paratormonio. O estudo foi prospectivo com duracao de 6 meses. Foram incluidos 45 pacientes com deficiencia de vitamina D 25-hidroxivitamina D [25(OH)D] < 15 ng/mL. Os pacientes foram suplementados com 50.000 UI/semana de colecalciferol durante 3 meses, sendo que naqueles que alcancaram niveis de 25(OH)D„d 30 ng/mL a dose foi modificada para 50.000 UI/mes durante os proximos 3 meses. Para os demais pacientes, a mesma dose inicial foi mantida por mais 3 meses. Apos o inicio da suplementacao observou-se um aumento significativo nos niveis de 25(OH)D no tempo 3 e no tempo 6. Nos primeiros 3 meses de suplementacao, 78% dos pacientes atingiram niveis de 25(OH)D„d 30 ng/mL. No entanto, apos o ajuste da dose, somente 43% mantiveram esses niveis. Houve uma diminuicao nos niveis de paratormonio (PTH) no tempo 3, periodo em que os pacientes receberam a maior dose de colecalciferol. As mudancas nos niveis de 25(OH)D durante os 3 meses correlacionaram-se positivamente com as mudancas dos niveis de 1,25-diidroxivitamina D [1,25(OH)2D] (r= 0,37; P= 0,01). As variacoes nos niveis de PTH correlacionaram-se inversamente com as mudancas nos niveis de calcio serico (r= -0,42; P= 0,004) e diretamente com as mudancas na creatinina serica (r= 0,38; P= 0,01). A analise de regressao logistica incluindo a proteinuria do inicio do estudo e as mudancas nos niveis sericos de creatinina, demonstrou que o excesso de adiposidade foi o principal fator associado com uma menor resposta a suplementacao nos primeiros 3 meses (IMC „d 25 kg/m2: ƒÒ= 2,35, EP= 1,15, P= 0,04; indice de gordura do tronco: ƒÒ= 2,59, EP= 1,13, P= 0,02). Este estudo concluiu que o tratamento com 50.000 UI por semana de colecalciferol foi efetivo em restaurar o estado nutricional de vitamina D na maioria dos pacientes sem apresentar efeitos adversos. A restauracao dos niveis de vitamina D resultou na diminuicao do PTH mesmo com uma reducao da funcao renal. Estudo 2. Suplementacao com colecalciferol em pacientes com doenca renal cronica e insuficiencia de vitamina D. O estudo foi prospectivo com duracao de 6 meses, randomizado e cego. Foram incluidos 75 pacientes com insuficiencia de vitamina D [25(OH) D „d 15 e < 30 ng/mL. Os pacientes foram tratados de acordo com a recomendacao de suplementacao proposta pelo K-DOQI para pacientes com insuficiencia de vitamina D (50.000 UI de colecalciferol mensalmente durante 6 meses). Os mesmos foram aleatoriamente alocados em dois grupos: Grupo Colecalciferol (n= 38 pacientes) ou Grupo Placebo (n= 37 pacientes). O grupo colecalciferol recebeu durante todo periodo de estudo 50.000 UI de colecalciferol mensalmente. Todos os pacientes incluidos no estudo receberam protetor solar durante o periodo de suplementacao. Apos o periodo de suplementacao houve um aumento significativo nos niveis de 25(OH)D no grupo colecalciferol. Com relacao aos demais parametros do metabolismo mineral, nao foram observados modificacoes em nenhum dos parametros durante o seguimento. Apos 6 meses de suplementacao, 46% dos pacientes tratados nao atingiram niveis de 25(OH)D > 30 ng/mL. Esses pacientes apresentaram uma maior quantidade de gordura corporal quando comparados com aqueles que alcancaram esses niveis. Ja no grupo placebo, 40,5% dos pacientes atingiram niveis de 25(OH)D > 30 ng/mL no tempo 6. A epoca da coleta (verao/outono) para a determinacao dos niveis de 25(OH)D no tempo 6 foi o unico parametro que diferiu dos demais pacientes que mantiveram os niveis de 25(OH)D< 30 ng/mL. Em resumo, os resultados do presente estudo demonstram que o protocolo de tratamento proposto pelo K-DOQI parece nao ser adequado para restaurar o estado nutricional de vitamina D em pacientes com insuficiencia desta vitamina. No entanto, a gordura corporal e a epoca da coleta sao fatores que podem ter contribuido para o achado negativo deste estudo. / Background: The effective protocol for treatment of hypovitaminosis D in non-dialysis dependent chronic kidney disease (NDD-CKD) patients has not yet been defined. In the present study we aimed to investigate the impact of cholecalciferol supplementation on serum markers of bone and mineral metabolism using the K/DOQI recommendation for NDD-CKD patients with vitamin D insufficiency. Methods: This was a prospective, randomized, single-blinded interventional study with 6 month of follow-up. This study included 75 patients, randomly assigned for the cholecalciferol group (n=38; 50,000 IU per month for 6 months) or for the placebo group (n=37). Results: After cholecalciferol supplementation, 25(OH)D levels increased significantly at 3 and 6 months in the intervention group and was maintained in the placebo group. No change was found in serum parathyroid hormone as well as in the other serum markers of mineral metabolism studied during the follow-up in both groups. In the end of the study, 46% of the treated patients did not achieve 25(OH)D levels higher than 30 ng/mL. This group of patients had a greater body fat index when compared with those who achieved this level. In the placebo group 40.5% increased 25(OH)D levels higher than 30 ng/mL after 6 months. The season (summer/autumn) when blood was collected for 25(OH)D determination was the only parameter that differed from the group of patients who maintained 25(OH)D levels below 30 ng/mL. Conclusion: Our results indicate that the protocol for treatment of vitamin D insufficiency proposed by the K/DOQI guideline seems not to be adequate for completely restore the vitamin D status of NDD-CKD patients. The lack of adequate response to cholecalciferol supplementation together with the unpredicted restoration of vitamin D status in the placebo group may account, at least in part, for the negative results of the present study. / TEDE