Background
In dialysis patients, skin disorders (dryness and itching) are frequently observed and treated with a moisturizer, in the absence of clear evidence of efficacy.
Study Design
An open-label, randomized, before/after, parallel-group, comparative/exploratory study.
Setting & Participants
12 Japanese patients with chronic kidney failure undergoing maintenance hemodialysis who presented with dry skin and itching.
Intervention
Patients received a topical heparinoid moisturizer as the study drug for 2 weeks from the first day of the study treatment, followed by either a 2-week washout (group A: 6 participants) or further 2-week treatment (group B: 6 participants).
Outcomes
The primary end point was change in water content in the stratum corneum in the hypochondrium. Secondary end points included change in visual analogue scale itching score and subjective evaluations of symptoms. To evaluate safety, adverse events were also investigated.
Measurements
Water content of the stratum corneum, dryness/itching improvement rating, itching visual analogue scale/duration of itching, photographic evaluation of skin symptoms, principal investigator’s overall assessment of study drug, and adverse events.
Results
Mean water content of the stratum corneum in the combined groups significantly increased at week 2 (51.2 arbitrary units [AU] vs treatment start day, 31.6 AU;
P
<0.001), but significantly decreased at week 4 in group A, in which patients discontinued treatment with the study drug (39.4 AU;
P
= 0.005). Other efficacy end points, including the visual analogue scale itching score, were also improved by treatment with the study drug, but such improvement was not sustained after discontinuation of treatment. There were no adverse events related to the study treatment.
Limitations
Only Japanese patients were included in the study, with a small sample size.
Conclusions
Continuous application of the topical heparinoid moisturizer increased water content in the stratum corneum and lessened itching in dialysis patients.
Funding
Maruho Co, Ltd.
Trial Registration
Registered at the University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry with study number UMIN000017016.
BackgroundThe long-term prognosis of immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is reportedly poor. In Japan, tonsillectomy-steroid pulse therapy has frequently been used for treatment of early IgAN, with favorable outcomes. However, steroid usage is sometimes limited due to adverse reactions. To reduce the total dose of steroids, we have been using mizoribine (MZR) in combination with tonsillectomy-steroid pulse therapy since 2004. Here we report a retrospective evaluation of our protocol outcome.MethodsForty-two patients aged <70 years with histopathologically confirmed IgAN and an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 30 ml/min/1.73 m2 or higher were enrolled. After giving informed consent, all the patients underwent bilateral tonsillectomy. One week later, intravenous methylprednisolone pulse therapy (500 mg/day) was administered for 3 days, followed by oral prednisolone (30 mg/day and tapered to 0 over 7 months) and MZR (150 mg/day for 11 months). The complete remission (CR) rate and renoprotective effect were assessed.ResultsThe CR rate at 6, 12, and 24 months was 33.3, 69.1, and 76.2%, respectively. Despite a relatively low total steroid dose, renal function was satisfactorily maintained for 24 months or longer with no relapse. The eGFR in patients with stage 3 chronic kidney disease was significantly improved at 6 months after start of treatment. Three patients (7.1%) had mild and transient adverse events.ConclusionThis protocol appears to be highly effective and safe for IgAN patients with renal dysfunction.
Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is associated with various clinicopathological conditions, including hypertension. We report here a case of secondary FSGS associated with malignant hypertension. A 33-yearold man with a 1-month history of visual impairment and headache visited the Department of Ophthalmology at our hospital and was found to have hypertensive retinopathy and severe hypertension (230/160 mmHg). He was referred to our department based on suspected renal dysfunction. His blood pressure on admission was 250/130 mmHg. Physical examination and laboratory tests revealed hypertensive cardiac dysfunction, focal brain edema, renal dysfunction (serum creatinine, Cr 7.07 mg/dl, blood urea nitrogen, BUN 49.9 mg/dl), massive proteinuria (10.7 g/day), and thrombotic microangiopathy. Funduscopy showed exudate, hemorrhage, and papilledema. The cause of secondary hypertension could not be identified. He was treated for primary malignant hypertension, but required hemodialysis 3 days after admission due to anuria. Treatment with antihypertensive agents resulted in the gradual recovery of renal function, although heavy proteinuria continued with nephrotic syndrome. Renal biopsy performed 1 month after admission showed features of malignant nephrosclerosis with secondary FSGS. Hemodialysis was discontinued following further improvement in renal function and the most recent laboratory tests showed proteinuria 1.8 g/day and persistent renal dysfunction (BUN 36.5 mg/dl, Cr 3.14 mg/ dl). Malignant hypertension may cause various injuries, including glomerular endothelial and epithelial cell injuries in glomerular hypertension and hyperfiltration, increase of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, and endothelialepithelial interaction, resulting in the development of secondary FSGS and heavy proteinuria.
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