Traditional dietary management of chronic kidney disease (CKD) focuses on the quantity within the diet of energy and protein, and the restriction of single micronutrients, with little mention of dietary quality. Dietary patterns that are more plant-based, lower in meat (including processed meat), sodium and refined sugar, and have a higher content of grains and fibres are now included in multiple clinical guidelines for chronic disease prevention. The Mediterranean diet (MD) has been associated with reduced cardiovascular disease incidence in both observational and interventional studies. A wealth of evidence links MD with other beneficial effects on chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity or cognitive health. This review examines each constituent of the classical MD and evaluates their suitability for the management of patients with CKD. We also evaluate the potential hyperkalaemia risk of increasing fruit and vegetable intake. Overall, a decrease in net endogenous acid production and increase in fibre may lead to a better control of metabolic acidosis. This, together with other putative favourable effects of MD on endothelial function, inflammation, lipid profile and blood pressure, provide mechanistic pathways to explain the observed reduced renal function decline and improved survival in CKD patients adhering to an MD.

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IntroductionThere is a need for treatment guidelines and prognostic factor identification in children with primary IgA nephropathy. We analyzed the causative effect of steroids and the applicability of the Oxford classification.MethodsA total of 82 consecutive children (mean 10.6 years; median follow-up 3.3 years) were reviewed; 21 patients (25.6%) presented with acute kidney injury, and 6 (7.3%) with nephrotic syndrome. Renal biopsies were scored for Oxford classification and podocytopathic features in 2 groups: a group treated with steroid therapy (some in association with cyclophosphamide) and supportive care (renin angiotensin system blockade) and a group treated by supportive care alone.ResultsThe 2 groups were not comparable because baseline clinical data were different. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in immunosupressive group significantly improved between M0 (at onset) and M6 (6 months after treatment) from 89.9 [61.2–114.5] to 110.5 [93.7–120] ml/min per 1.73 m2, P < 0.001. Proteinuria also significantly decreased from (1.6 [1–4.3] to 0.3 [0.2–0.7] g/g, P < 0.001). In the supportive care group, eGFR and proteinuria remained stable. Podocytopathic features were predictive of renal function decline by univariable (−4.9 ± 14.9 ml/min per 1.73 m2, P = 0.0079) and multivariable analysis and of poor renal prognosis to a combined event (renal function impairment more than 10% of the eGFR baseline or chronic kidney disease stage 3 at 6 months) in univariable analysis. MEST-C score failed to prove its prognostic value.ConclusionImmunosuppressive treatment, especially steroid therapy, seems beneficial in children with glomerular inflammation and proliferation. The Oxford classification does not appear to be entirely appropriate in predicting long-term renal prognosis for children, whereas the characteristics of podocytopathy are strongly predictive of renal prognosis.

Background Information regarding coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in haemodialysis (HD) patients is limited and early studies suggest a poor outcome. We aimed to identify clinical and biological markers associated with severe forms of COVID-19 in HD patients. Methods We conducted a prospective, observational and multicentric study. Sixty-two consecutive adult HD patients with confirmed COVID-19 from four dialysis facilities in Paris, France, from 19 March to 19 May 2020 were included. Blood tests were performed before diagnosis and at Days 7 and 14 after diagnosis. Severe forms of COVID-19 were defined as requiring oxygen therapy, admission in an intensive care unit or death. Cox regression models were used to compute adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs). Kaplan–Meier curves and log-rank tests were used for survival analysis. Results Twenty-eight patients (45%) displayed severe forms of COVID-19. Compared with non-severe forms, these patients had more fever (93% versus 56%, P &lt; 0.01), cough (71% versus 38%, P = 0.02) and dyspnoea (43% versus 6%, P &lt; 0.01) at diagnosis. At Day 7 post-diagnosis, neutrophil counts, neutrophil:lymphocyte (N:L) ratio, C-reactive protein, ferritin, fibrinogen and lactate dehydrogenase levels were significantly higher in severe COVID-19 patients. Multivariate analysis revealed an N:L ratio &gt;3.7 was the major marker associated with severe forms, with an aHR of 4.28 (95% confidence interval 1.52–12.0; P = 0.006). After a median follow-up time of 48 days (range 27–61), six patients with severe forms died (10%). Conclusions HD patients are at increased risk of severe forms of COVID-19. An elevated N:L ratio at Day 7 was highly associated with the severe forms. Assessing the N:L ratio could inform clinicians for early treatment decisions.

This study investigated the effect of hypnosis on anxiety, depression, fatigue, and sleepiness in hemodialysis patients. Twenty-nine patients participated in the 15-day study. A single hypnosis session was performed on Day 8. Anxiety, depression, fatigue, and sleepiness were measured at baseline, on Day 8, and on Day 15 (HADS, MFI, ESS). Daily fatigue was also measured numerically. Anxiety, depression, and sleepiness significantly decreased after hypnosis. Weekly measures of fatigue remained stable; however, daily fatigue decreased.