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Biomedical subjects

F Caravaca

Publications and source records attributed to F Caravaca.

53 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

[Hypercalcemia in a female patient with chronic kidney failure secondary to sarcoidosis: a metabolic study of the calcium metabolism and bone histology].

We describe the case of a 42-year-old woman diagnosed of chronic renal failure secondary to sarcoidosis. Since the beginning of the dialysis treatment she presented episodes of symptomatic hypercalcemia which did not response to calcium restriction diet and a lower calcium concentration in the dialysate. Secondary hyperparathyroidism and aluminium intoxication were biochemically ruled out. Hypercalcemic crisis were associated to 1.25-dihydroxy-vitamin D (1.25-D) serum levels abnormally raised and they responded quickly to low doses of corticosteroids. Subsequently, this treatment had to be withdrawn because of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, and hypercalcemia recurred. Chloroquine phosphate was prescribed with a rapid response to normalize the serum calcium levels. No side effects was recorded. Twelve months later of chloroquine therapy, the patient remained normocalcemic. A bone biopsy showed an active osteopenia without aluminium deposits, hyperparathyroidism signs or granuloma. We discuss about the pathogenesis of hypercalcemia in this case and its relation with abnormal high serum levels of 1.25-D in hemodialysis patients and sarcoidosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Acute renal failure in visceral leishmaniasis.

We describe the case of a 33-year-old male patient with an acute visceral leishmaniasis (Leishmania donovani) associated with an acute renal failure. The clinical manifestations were dominated by fever, oliguric renal failure and hepatic alterations. Serum C3 and C4 fractions of complement were decreased, and a renal biopsy demonstrated an interstitial nephritis with no glomerular involvement. The clinical course was favorable with recuperation of renal function without sequels.

Acute Kidney Injury↗
PubMed1991

Identification of soybean proteins responsible for respiratory allergies.

Serum samples from 32 patients who suffered attacks during the asthma outbreaks of 1987 and 1988 in Cartagena, Spain, supposedly caused by soybean dust, were studied. At least 90% had specific IgE to shell components and only 13% showed specific IgE to shell-depleted soybean grains. A control group of 32 patients who also suffered asthma attacks but on different days from those of the outbreaks were negative. The shell's most important allergen with an apparent molecular weight of 8 kDa was not present in shell-depleted grains. This allergen as well as other less important shell allergens may be different from the allergens already identified by using serum from patients suffering food allergy to soya.

Allergens↗
PubMed1991

[Amyloid colitis].

A patient is reported who had urolithiasis and pyonephrosis of the right kidney. In the terminal phase of his disease he developed chronic diarrhea and hematochezia. Sigmoidoscopy showed changes in the colo-rectal mucosa compatible with ulcerative colitis with moderate activity. Histology demonstrated large amyloid deposits of the AA type in the lamina propia around the vessels and with atrophy and ulceration if the epithelium.

Amyloidosis↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Influence of residual renal function on dietary protein and caloric intake in patients on incremental peritoneal dialysis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate protein and caloric intake in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients on an incremental dialysis schedule, in an attempt to discriminate the influence of residual renal function (RRF) on these nutritional parameters. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. PATIENTS: Nine patients who had significant RRF at the beginning of PD therapy, which permitted a schedule of incremental PD (i.e., the number of peritoneal exchanges was increased as the RRF fell) in order to maintain the sum of renal and peritoneal clearance (weekly Kt/V urea) at approximately 2. METHODS: The mean adequacy parameters (urine and peritoneal Kt/V urea and creatinine clearance) along with the mean dietary energy (DEI) and protein intake (DPI) estimated by 3-day diet histories, were determined 6 and 9 months after the beginning of PD, when patients had RRF (period 1), and 6 and 9 months after the loss of RRF (period 2). The mean data obtained in both periods were compared. The best determinants for the changes in DEI and DPI after the loss of RRF were also investigated. RESULTS: Mean total Kt/V urea was very similar in both periods (2.16+/-0.32 vs 2.15+/-0.18), although creatinine clearance decreased significantly after the loss of RRF (74.41+/-12.28 L/week/1.73 m2 vs 56.78+/-11.77 L/week/1.73 m2, p = 0.0001). Absolute and normalized DPI values for actual body weight decreased after the loss of RRF (68.21+/-11.87 g/kg vs 59.27+/-13.66 g/kg, p = 0.02; and 1.17+/-0.32 g/kg/day vs 0.97+/-0.32 g/kg/day, p = 0.01). Although the energy delivered by peritoneal glucose uptake increased significantly after the loss of RRF, the mean total energy intake (DEI plus peritoneal glucose uptake) was very similar in both periods (2141+/-339 kcal/day vs 2010+/-303 kcal/day, p = 0.13). However, the mean total energy intake normalized for actual body weight decreased significantly after the loss of RRF (37.5+/-10.1 kcal/kg/day vs 32.8+/-8.9 kcal/kg/day, p = 0.02). The changes in DEI and DPI between periods 1 and 2 correlated negatively with the difference of the energy delivered by peritoneal glucose uptake (r = 0.65, p = 0.05, and r = 0.88, p = 0.001, respectively). The magnitude of DPI changes between both periods correlated significantly with the magnitude of urinary Kt/V urea changes (r = 0.77, p = 0.01). However, there was no correlation between the changes in DPI and the changes in total Kt/V urea, total or renal creatinine clearance, or the length of time on PD. CONCLUSIONS: The loss of RRF led to a reduction in dietary caloric and protein intake. The magnitude of the reduction in the DPI was strongly correlated with the increase in the energy delivered by peritoneal glucose uptake and with the decrease in the urinary Kt/V urea, but not with the total Kt/V urea.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Serum albumin and other serum protein fractions in stable patients on peritoneal dialysis.

BACKGROUND: Hypoalbuminemia is common in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients; but the reduction in serum albumin levels (SAlb) that should be expected in stable PD patients is less clear. OBJECTIVES: To determine prospectively, in a group of stable PD patients without comorbid conditions, the changes in SAlb concentration and in the concentrations of the other serum protein fractions. To investigate the best determinants of a significant decrease in SAlb levels. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. METHODS: Seventeen PD patients in stable clinical condition, with no signs of systemic inflammatory response, were included in the study. SAlb and the electrophoretic pattern of serum proteins were determined immediately before PD start, and after 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, and 24 months on PD. In each study period, clinical characteristics, adequacy parameters, protein catabolic rate (PNPNA: protein equivalent of non protein nitrogen appearance), and protein losses were determined. Patients were divided into two subgroups according to whether SAlb decreased less than 10%, or 10% or more, from baseline values after 24 months on PD. The main differences between the subgroups were investigated. RESULTS: Mean SAlb did not decrease significantly after 24 months on PD (from baseline 3.99 +/- 0.46 g/dL to 3.80 +/- 0.54 g/dL), though percentage SAlb values did (58.36% +/- 5.58% vs 55.15% +/- 5.42%, p < 0.01). A weak increase in alpha2-globulin was observed after 18 months on PD (from 10.62% +/- 2.53% to 12.96% +/- 2.51%, p = 0.001). Alpha-globulin showed a sustained increase from a mean baseline value of 3.51% +/- 1.09% to 6.83% +/- 2.13% after 24 months (p < 0.0001). Seven patients had a reduction in SAlb greater than 10% after 24 months on PD. Kt/V urea and residual renal function tended to be lower in patients whose SAlb decreased. Mean PNPNA was significantly lower in patients who had a reduction in SAlb (0.76 +/- 0.12 g/kg/day vs 0.96 +/- 0.12 g/kg/day, p < 0.0001). However, total protein loss was even greater in patients who had no SAlb reduction. CONCLUSIONS: After 24 months on PD, a mean reduction in SAlb of 10%-15% from baseline values should be expected only in those stable patients whose PNPNA is low.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Predictors of early death during dialysis].

The mortality among end-stage renal failure (ESRF) patients undergoing renal replacement therapy (RRT) remains high. An important proportion of these patients die shortly after the initiation of RRT. The present study aims to determine the best predictors for the early mortality in a group of 140 ESRF patients who initiated RRT between october 96 and december 99. The mean age of the study group was 61 +/- 13 years, and the mean follow-up time was 20 +/- 12 months. Diabetic nephropathy was the most prevalent etiology of renal failure (30%). The following data, collected immediately before the initiation of RRT, were included as independent variables: demographic and clinical characteristics, including the nutritional status established by the Subjective Global Assessment (SGA), follow-up time in the predialysis clinic (less or longer than 3 months), EPO therapy, vascular access, renal function (creatinine and urea clearances, and Kt/V urea), hematological and biochemical data including serum albumin, bicarbonate, transferrin, PTH and C-Reactive protein, as well as the protein catabolic rate and the percent of lean body mass normalized for ideal body weight, calculated from the 24 h total urine excretion of nitrogen and creatinine. The Cox proportional hazard regression model, stratified for an age over or less than 65 year, was utilized to determine the best predictors for the mortality during the study period. Sixty percent of patients had at least one comorbid condition, and 35% had cardiovascular diseases. Mild-moderate or severe malnutrition was observed in 48% of patients. The creatinine clearance and Kt/V urea before the initiation of RRT were: 9.50 +/- 2.64 ml/min/1.73 m2 and 1.47 +/- 0.44, respectively. Forty-one patients died during the study period (annual death rate: 17%). The best predictor of mortality was the nutritional status assessed by the SGA (OR: 2.32, IC 95% 1.54-3.48, p < 0.0001). In a second analysis in which the SGA was removed from the model, the previous history of cardiovascular diseases (OR: 2.07, CI 95%: 1.06-4.06, p = 0.032), and the percent of lean body mass/ideal weight (OR: 0.96; IC 95%: 0.93-0.99; p = 0.042), proved to be the best predictor of mortality. In conclusion, nutritional indices prior to the initiation of RRT, and the previous history of cardiovascular diseases were the best predictors of the early mortality in this unselected population on dialysis. Because nutritional status appeared to be a marker of the severity of the comorbid conditions, a better control of the number and severity of these comorbid conditions may be the best way for reducing the mortality in patients on RRT.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Long-term results of an eradication regime against Staphylococcus aureus in patients treated with peritoneal dialysis].

Catheter exit site infection (ESI) remains a common complication in peritoneal dialysis patients. All the efforts for controlling ESI have been focused on the preventive eradication of Staphylococcus aureus (SA) colonization, because this microorganisms has been shown to be implicated in most of ESI. The main aims of the present study was to analyse the long-term results from an eradicative regimen of SA colonization, and to compare them with those obtained from a historical control group. From january 1993 to december 1999, 60 unselected patients on PD underwent an exhaustive protocol of SA eradication. Every 30-45 days, cultures from nares and exit site were obtained in each patient. SA colonization in nares or exit site was treated with mupirocin, though the colonization of other microorganisms was not treated prophylactically. Thirty patients from the same unit who were followed between 1989-1992 served as historical control group. The rate of peritonitis and ESI, as well as the epidemiological data from the cultures were also analysed. The peritonitis and ESI rates were significantly less in the study group than those in the control group (0.398 +/- 0.553 vs 0.899 +/- 0.970 ep./pat/year, p = 0.002; and 0.102 +/- 0.235 vs 0.340 +/- 0.553 ep./pat/year, p = 0.004). The ESI rate caused by SA was also significantly less in the study group (0.018 +/- 0.096 vs 0.300 +/- 0.53 ep./pat/year, p = 0.0001), though there was a statistically nonsignificant increase in the ESI rate caused by gram negative microorganisms in the study group (0.066 +/- 0.194 vs 0.040 +/- 0.219 ep./pat./year). The percent of patients free of ESI was larger in the study group (80% vs 63%, p = 0.01), though the percent of patients with more than one ESI was the same in both groups (10%). Nasal and exit-site SA colonization occurred in 52% and 32% of the study patients. The rate of catheter loss was less in the study group, though it did not reach statistical significance (0.043 +/- 0.154 vs 0.178 +/- 0.443 losses/pat./year). In conclusion, the eradication of SA colonization is an efficacious measure for the control of ESI. However, further efforts should be carried out in order to control the emergence of gram negative microorganisms, and to discover which factors make a small proportion of PD patients to be more prone to develop ESI of whatever origin.

Catheterization↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Progression of renal insufficiency in the pre-end-stage renal disease setting].

The rate of decline of renal function (RDRF) in the pre-end stage renal disease setting (pre-ESRD) is highly variable. Several factors have been involved as potential modifiers of renal failure progression. This retrospective study attempts to establish which were the main determinants of the RDRF in pre-ESRD patients followed in the predialysis consult. The study group consisted of 230 patients with pre-ESRD not yet on dialysis who were referred to the predialysis consult from January 1998 to July 2002. The mean follow-up time per patient was 356 days. RDRF was assessed as delta of the average of creatinine and urea clearances (CrCl-UCl). Data obtained at time of referral to the predialysis consult were analyzed as potential predictors of the subsequent RDRF. These independent variables included: demographics, comorbid conditions, main hematological and biochemical data, antihypertensive and statin treatment, mean blood pressure, and CrCl-UCl at time of referral. The predictors of delta CrCl-UCl were determined by multiple linear regression analysis. The determinants of the survival without dialysis were established by the Cox regression hazard model, adjusted to renal function at time of referral. Mean CrCl-UCl at time of referral was 10.98 +/- 2.58 ml/min/1.73 m2, and mean delta CrCl-UCl was -0.37 +/- 0.46 ml/min/1.73 m2/month. Patients with diabetic nephropathy and chronic glomerulonephritis had the fastest RDRF, while patients with ischemic nephropathy and chronic interstitial nephritis had the slowest RDRF. Seventy-five patients (46%) required EPO therapy. The best determinants of delta CrCl-UCl were: the 24-hour proteinuria (p < 0.0001), and the hematocrit at time of referral (p = 0.0024). The best determinants of the survival rate without dialysis during the study period were: the proteinuria (in g/24 hours) (R 1, 16; p < 0.0001), the hematocrit at time of referral (OR: 0.88; p < 0.0001), the treatment with EPO (OR: 0.59; p = 0.02), and the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (OR: 1.59; p = 0.01). In conclusion, apart from the rate of proteinuria, which could represent the best marker of the RDRF in chronic renal diseases, the development of anemia was associated with faster decline in renal function.

Erythropoietin↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Epidemiologic study of contact dermatitis in hemodialysis patients.

Hemodialysis (H) implies the application of different topical substances (such as antiseptics, plaster and rubber chemicals, etc.) and the contact with potential allergenic materials (like gloves, catheters, needles, etc.). H patients may present contact dermatitis (allergic or irritant) as a consequence of this procedure. The frequency of this dermatitis is not known, as reports of isolated cases constitute the only source of information. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of contact dermatitis and positive patch tests (PT) in patients treated with chronic maintenance H. Eighty patients (40 females and 40 males) on chronic H were studied. We found a low frequency of eczematous lesions among our H patients (1.25%). PT were carried out with the GEIDC standard panel and a "dialysis" battery. Fourteen patients (17.5%) had positive PT, 3 of them having polysensitization. The most frequent sensitizing agents were p-phenylenediamine (3.75%), carba mix (3.75%) and Betadine solution (3.75%). Irritative patch test reactions were seen in 29 patients (36.2%), all of them due to Betadine solution (povidone-iodine). There was no relationship between the length of time of H, sex, age, history of contact dermatitis or cutaneous examination for dermatitis, and PT results. Regarding our results one might suggest that H is a low source of sensitization, but one has to take into account the state of anergy typical of uremic patients. Although the H procedure could be responsible for those sensitizations, it is also possible that they were acquired before H treatment.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Risk factors for developing peritonitis caused by micro-organisms of enteral origin in peritoneal dialysis patients.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the risk factors associated with the development of peritonitis caused by enteral bacteria in peritoneal dialysis patients, including the prescription of gastric acid inhibitors as a potential risk factor. DESIGN: Retrospective single-center study. SETTING: Tertiary university hospital. PATIENTS AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Fifty-five patients who entered into our continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) program during the last 6 years were included. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to establish the best determinants over the development of at least one episode of enteric peritonitis. The predictive variables included in the model were: age, gender, diabetic versus nondiabetic, polycystic versus nonpolycystic kidney diseases, history of constipation, presence or absence of moderate/severe malnutrition, peritoneal transport characteristics, peritoneal protein losses, rate of exit-site infections, rate of total peritonitis, intestinal abnormalities, and treatment with inhibitors of gastric acid secretion. RESULTS: The total number of peritonitis episodes during the studied period was 88, which clustered in 34 of 55 patients. Fourteen (16%) were caused by enteric micro-organisms in 10 patients: Escherichia coli (6), Klebsiella sp (2), Enterobacter sp (1), and Enterococcus sp (5). Nine of 10 patients who developed enteric peritonitis were on gastric acid inhibitors (3 patients on omeprazole and 6 patients on H2-antagonists), while 15 of 45 patients who did not develop enteric peritonitis were on gastric acid inhibitors (all of them on H2-blockers). There were temporal relationships between the start of gastric acid inhibitors and the development of enteric peritonitis in 6 of 9 patients who were on this medication. Four of 10 patients who developed enteric peritonitis had diverticulosis. Ten of 45 patients who did not develop enteric peritonitis had been diagnosed with diverticulosis of the colon or sigmoid prior to entry to CAPD. The unique patient who was not on gastric acid inhibitors and developed enteric peritonitis, had been diagnosed with chronic atrophic gastritis with achlorhydria. By multiple logistic regression analysis, the treatment with gastric acid inhibitors was the only independent variable that entered into the best predictive equation over the development of enteric peritonitis (log likelihood ratio = -26.077, odds ratio = 18; 95% CI odds ratio: 2 - 155). CONCLUSION: Gastric acid inhibitors may increase the risk for developing enteric peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Adult↗