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Objective: End points currently used in lupus nephritis (LN) clinical trials lack uniformity and questionably reflect long‐term kidney survival. This study was undertaken to identify short‐term end points that predict long‐term kidney outcomes for use in clinical trials. Methods: A database of 944 patients with LN was assembled from 3 clinical trials and 12 longitudinal cohorts. Variables from the first 12 months of treatment after diagnosis of active LN (prediction period) were assessed as potential predictors of long‐term outcomes in a 36‐month follow‐up period. The long‐term outcomes examined were new or progressive chronic kidney disease (CKD), severe kidney injury (SKI), and the need for permanent renal replacement therapy (RRT). To predict the risk for each outcome, hazard index tools (HITs) were derived using multivariable analysis with Cox proportional hazards regression. Results: Among 550 eligible subjects, 54 CKD, 55 SKI, and 22 RRT events occurred. Variables in the final CKD HIT were prediction‐period CKD status, 12‐month proteinuria, and 12‐month serum creatinine level. The SKI HIT variables included prediction‐period CKD status, International Society of Nephrology (ISN)/Renal Pathology Society (RPS) class, 12‐month proteinuria, 12‐month serum creatinine level, race, and an interaction between ISN/RPS class and 12‐month proteinuria. The RRT HIT included age at diagnosis, 12‐month proteinuria, and 12‐month serum creatinine level. Each HIT validated well internally (c‐indices 0.84–0.92) and in an independent LN cohort (c‐indices 0.89–0.92). Conclusion: HITs, derived from short‐term kidney responses to treatment, correlate with long‐term kidney outcomes, and now must be validated as surrogate end points for LN clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a major cause of chronic liver disease globally and in India. The already high burden of NAFLD in India is expected to further increase in the future in parallel with the ongoing epidemics of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Given the high prevalence of NAFLD in the community, it is crucial to identify those at risk of progressive liver disease to streamline referral and guide proper management. Existing guidelines on NAFLD by various international societies fail to capture the entire landscape of NAFLD in India and are often difficult to incorporate in clinical practice due to fundamental differences in sociocultural aspects and health infrastructure available in India. A lot of progress has been made in the field of NAFLD in the 7 years since the initial position paper by the Indian National Association for the Study of Liver on NAFLD in 2015. Further, the ongoing debate on the nomenclature of NAFLD is creating undue confusion among clinical practitioners. The ensuing comprehensive review provides consensus-based, guidance statements on the nomenclature, diagnosis, and treatment of NAFLD that are practically implementable in the Indian setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive disease leading to requirement of renal replacement therapy (RRT) over a period of time. Limited availability and high cost of RRT in many countries necessitates the researchers to focus on either prevention or slowing the progression of CKD. High dose probiotics have been hypothesized to metabolize the nitrogenous waste products, thus delaying the requirement of dialysis. The purpose of this short term intervention study was to study the effect of probiotic-prebiotic therapy and diet counseling on nutrition, renal progression, and overall health of CKD patients. Thirty predialysis CKD patients (21 males, 9 females) were included in the study. The diet charts were designed according to the underlying nutritional status and blood parameters. Calorie intake was 30-40kcal/kg; proteins 0.6-0.8g/kg (with at least 50% high biological value); potassium 1.5-2gm./day; and phosphorus <1gm./day. All patients were prescribed enteric coated gelatin capsules containing lyophilized Streptococcus Thermophilus, Lactobacillus Acidophilus, and Bifidobacterium Longum, in a dose of 15 billion colony forming units along with 100mg Lactitol monohydrate as prebiotic. Each patient received two capsules three times a day with each meal. The mean age was 45 years (range 18-68). The statistical analysis was done using ‘RGui’ software version 2.13.0 and the outcomes were tested using paired t-test at 5% level of significance. The mean calorie intake increased from 1479kcal/day to 1869kcal/day (p<0.0005), with significant reduction in protein, phosphorus and potassium intake. There was significant improvement in body mass index (p=0.002) and serum albumin levels (p=0.005). All but four patients showed improvement or stabilisation of glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and the mean GFR improved from 24.72ml/min to 27.73ml/min (p=0.03). There was also significant improvement in triglyceride and LDL cholesterol levels. Twenty five patients showed improvement in five point quality of life visual analogue score, while no patient reported any significant adverse event. In conclusion, this short term study of diet counselling with probiotic supplementation showed significant improvement in various parameters of CKD necessitating a longer term study. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]