Hemodialysis patients treated with recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) need adequate iron supplementation to avoid rhEPO hyporesponsiveness due to iron deficiency. Low serum ferritin reflects absolute iron deficiency, whereas normal or high ferritin values in combination with low transferrin saturation (< 20%) indicate functional iron deficiency. In this study, healthy subjects (group I) were compared with intravenous (i.v.) rhEPO-treated and i.v. iron-saccharate-treated regular hemodialysis patients that were subdivided into three groups as follows: patients with serum ferritin > 100 and < 350 micrograms/L (group II), patients with ferritin < 60 micrograms/L (group III), and patients with ferritin > 650 micrograms/L but transferrin saturation < 20% (group IV). Polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMNL) parameters (phagocytosis, intracellular killing of bacteria, oxidative metabolism, glucose uptake, intracellular calcium) for each group were compared with those of multitransfused, iron-overloaded primary hematologic patients (group V) and those of patients suffering from hereditary hemochromatosis (group VI). Compared with PMNL obtained from healthy subjects (group I), group II hemodialysis patients showed mild inhibition of phagocytosis but significant inhibition of intracellular killing of bacteria. Oxidative burst of PMNL from group II patients was also significantly reduced after stimulation in vitro. These dysfunctions were not affected by absolute iron deficiency (comparable data in group III patients). However, impairment of PMNL was markedly aggravated in group IV patients. Intracellular calcium concentration under basal conditions and after stimulation was not different. These data suggest that iron is responsible for the PMNL dysfunctions observed in group IV patients. The PMNL defect of group IV patients was comparable to group V and group VI patients with normal renal function, suggesting again a direct inhibitory effect of iron. It is concluded that hemodialysis patients with high ferritin but low serum iron and low transferrin saturation ("functional iron deficiency") display a significant impairment of fundamental PMNL functions during i.v. iron and rhEPO therapy. This may result in increased risk of infectious complications. Therefore, overtreatment of hemodialysis patients with i.v. iron should be avoided.
Diabetes mellitus is the leading single cause for renal replacement therapy. Its development and progression, however, can be ameliorated by adequate therapy. The present article represents the recommendations of the Austrian Diabetes Association and the Austrian Society for Nephrology for the prevention and treatment of diabetic nephropathy.
Since the introduction of peritoneal dialysis (PD) into clinical nephrology at the end of the 1970s, many improvements have led to acceptance of this method as renal replacement therapy equivalent to hemodialysis. It is unclear whether the diabetic patient is the ideal candidate for PD and if this procedure should be the preferred method of treatment of renal failure in these patients, especially when kidney transplantation cannot be performed. PD may provide several advantages for diabetic patients with end-stage renal failure; for example, better hemodynamic stability is achieved during peritoneal ultrafiltration and vascular access surgery becomes unnecessary. On the other hand, the continuous glucose absorption may lead to increased insulin requirements, obesity and hyperlipidemia. Furthermore, peritoneal protein loss may aggravate malnutrition, which is frequently present in these patients. However, for a differentiated assessment of outcome in PD, the individual history (diabetes type 1 or type 2) and accompanying comorbidity of diabetic patients have to be considered. Nowadays nephrologists have to be aware of the concept of individualized therapy, which is integrated into an overall plan and takes into account the different conditions of diabetic patients and their treatment options. By improving removal of sodium and water, as well as improving quality of metabolic control, new dialysis solutions (icodextrin, neutral-pH solutions) and automated PD could have a positive impact on outcome in diabetic patients. In contrast, from retrospective studies on PD there is evidence of higher long-term mortality rates in elderly women with diabetes and in patients with cardiac insufficiency than in those on hemodialysis. Further research is necessary in order to optimize individualized therapy for diabetic patients with end-stage renal disease in the future.
Increasing life expectancy results in an increased number of elderly cancer patients. Comorbidities and functional impairment influence the patient's course of disease and the choice of antineoplastic treatment. The Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) supports the appraisal of the patient's individual health characteristics, especially due to the fact that chronologic age does not always correlate with the patient's health. Next to the appraisal of comorbidities and functional impairment, nutritional state, cognitive impairment, psychological state, social support, quality of life and the patient's medication are recorded. The Society of Geriatric Oncology (SIOG) recommends the CGA in cancer patients older than seventy years. While planning a systemic antineoplastic therapy, renal, hepatic, cardiac and bone marrow insufficiencies have to be considered. Renal and hepatic impairment often cause in dose reduced antineoplastic treatment, whereas in patients with cardiac insufficiency liposomale substances and in patients with decreased bone marrow function growth factors are available. Additionally to the oncological treatment, an early involvement of palliative care specialists should be considered.
ZusammenfassungEpidemiologische Untersuchungen zeigen, dass etwa 2–3 % aller Österreicher*innen einen Diabetes mellitus mit Nierenbeteiligung aufweisen. Dies betrifft somit in Österreich etwa 250.000 Menschen. Das Risiko des Auftretens und Fortschreitens der diabetischen Nierenerkrankung kann durch Lebensstilinterventionen und Optimierung des arteriellen Blutdrucks, Blutzuckers und spezielle Medikamentenklassen vermindert werden. In diesem gemeinsamen Artikel der Österreichischen Gesellschaften für Nephrologie und Diabetologie werden die entsprechende Diagnostik und therapeutische Strategien bei diabetischer Nierenerkrankung vorgeschlagen.
Zusammenfassung Rezente epidemiologische Untersuchungen zeigen, dass etwa 2-3 % aller Österreicher Diabetes mit Nierenbeteiligung aufweisen. Diese betrifft somit in Österreich etwa 250.000 Menschen. Das Risiko des Auftretens und Fortschreitens der Erkrankung kann durch Lebensstilinterventionen und Optimierung der Einstellung des Blutdrucks, Blutzuckers und spezielle Medikamentenklassen vermindert werden. In diesem gemeinsamen Artikel der H. Sourij ( ) Klinische
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