Introduction: Many low-and middle-income countries are implementing strategies to increase dialysis availability as growing numbers of people reach end-stage renal disease. Despite efforts to subsidize care, the economic sustainability of chronic dialysis in these settings remains uncertain. We evaluated the association of medical subsidy with household financial hardship related to hemodialysis in Kerala, India, a state with high penetrance of procedure-based subsidies for patients on dialysis. Methods: Patients on maintenance hemodialysis at 15 facilities in Kerala were administered a questionnaire that ascertained demographics, dialysis details, and household finances. We estimated direct and indirect costs of hemodialysis, and described the use of medical subsidy. We evaluated whether presence of subsidy (private, charity, or government-sponsored) was associated with lower catastrophic health expenditure (defined as $40% of nonsubsistence expenditure spent on dialysis) or distress financing. Results: Of the 835 patients surveyed, 759 (91%) reported their households experienced catastrophic health expenditure, and 644 (77%) engaged in distress financing. Median dialysis-related expenditure was 80% (25th-75th percentile: 60%-90%) of household nonsubsistence expenditure. Government subsidies were used by 238 (29%) of households, 139 (58%) of which were in the lowest income category. Catastrophic health expenditure was present in 215 (90%) of households receiving government subsidy and 332 (93%) without subsidy. Conclusions: Provision of medical subsidy in Kerala, India was not associated with lower rates of household financial hardship related to long-term hemodialysis therapy. Transparent counseling on impending costs and innovative strategies to mitigate household financial distress are necessary for persons with end-stage renal disease in resource-limited settings.
Plant toxins are known to cause acute kidney injury in tropical countries. We report two cases of acute kidney injury with tubular oxalate deposition following ingestion of Averrhoa bilimbi fruit juice. Both patients had complete renal recovery though one required dialytic support.
Goodpasture's syndrome complicating pregnancy is extremely rare and dialysis requiring anti GBM disease with renal recovery is uncommon. We report a case of a 23-year-old primi gravida who presented with Goodpasture's syndrome during thirteenth week of pregnancy. She was initiated on steroids and cytotoxic drugs along with intensive plasma exchange and alternate day hemodialysis. Her pregnancy was terminated at 15 weeks. Patient improved dramatically with treatment, her renal functions normalized and her Anti GBM antibody titer became negative.
Clinical features of dengue fever were different in renal transplant recipients and patients with CKD. Severe worsening of renal function was common in CKD patients. Worsening of renal function in renal transplant recipients was less severe and transient.
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