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Background: In our study, diagnostic and demographic characteristics of patients diagnosed with minimal change disease (MCD) by biopsy, clinical and laboratory findings in our country were investigated.Methods: Data were obtained from the Turkish Society of Nephrology Glomerular Diseases (TSN-GOLD) Working Group database. Demographic characteristics, indications for biopsy, diagnosis of the glomerular diseases, comorbidities, laboratory and biopsy findings of all patients were recorded. The data presented is cross-sectional and includes application data for the biopsy period.Results: Of 3875 patients, 233 patients with MCD (median age 35.0 years) were included in the study, which constitutes 6.0% of the total glomerulonephritis database. Renal biopsy was performed in 196 (84.1%) patients due to nephrotic syndrome. Median serum creatinine was 0.7(0.6-1.0)mg/dl, mean eGFR was 104±33ml/min/1.73m2 and median proteinuria 6000 mg/day. The number of patients under the age of 40 years was 139 (59.7%) (Group A), and the number of patients aged 40 years and over was 94 (40.3%) (Group B). Compared to Group A, global sclerotic glomeruli (24 vs. 43,pConclusion: Our data are generally compatible with the literature. Chronic histopathological changes were more common in patients aged 40 years and older than younger patients. Studies investigating the effects of these different features on renal survival are needed.

Background: Polyomavirus BK virus infection is a significant complication of renal transplantation and is an important cause of allograft loss. Today, despite the innovations in the pharmaceutical industry, a curative treatment against the BK virus has not been developed. The management is not standardized and is generally based on reported experience from transplantation centers. However, the literature on the subject with large samples is limited. Therefore, we designed a study to present our countrywide experience with BK virus nephropathy (BKVN) in renal transplant recipients. Methods: Our study was conducted with thirty kidney transplant centers from all provinces of Turkey. Only cases with BKVN proven by allograft biopsy were included in our study. Demographic characteristics and laboratory values of the patients were obtained from the archives and electronic databases of the centers. Results: A total of 13.857 patients from 30 transplantation centers were screened. 207 BKVN cases proven by allograft biopsy were identified and included in the study. The mean age was 46.4±13.1, and 146 (70.5%) patients were male. Twenty-six patients did not receive any induction therapy, 144 patients received anti-T lymphocyte globulin (ATLG), and 37 patients received basiliximab after transplantation. 23.6% of the patients had acute rejection history in the first six months of renal transplantation. all were treated with pulse steroids, and 46 were also treated with ATLG. The mean time to diagnosis of BKVN was 15.8±22.2 months after transplantation. At the time of diagnosis, the patients’ mean creatinine level was 1.8±0.7 mg/dl, and the mean estimated glomerular filtration rate was 45.8±19.6 ml/min. While BKVN was solely reported in 181 cases, there were cellular rejection findings in 21 biopsy specimens and humoral rejection in 4 biopsy specimens. In addition of dose reduction or discontinuation of immunosuppressive drugs, eighteen patients were treated with cidofovir, 11 patients with leflunomide, 17 patients with quinolones, 15 patients with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), five patients with cidofovir+IVIG, and 12 patients with leflunomide+IVIG. None of the patients who received leflunomide and leflunomide+IVIG had allograft loss. Allograft loss was observed in 12 (15%) of 78 patients treated with antivirals or immunomodulators. Allograft loss occurred in 32 patients (15%) during follow-up out of 207 patients with BKVN. Five patients were retransplanted, and none developed BKVN during the follow-up. Conclusions: BKVN is still a significant cause of allograft loss in kidney transplantation, which has not been fully elucidated. Leflunomide appears to be an effective treatment in these patients.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has a higher mortality in the presence of chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, there has not been much research in the literature concerning the outcomes of CKD patients in the post-COVID-19 period. We aimed to investigate the outcomes of CKD patients not receiving renal replacement therapy.In this multicenter observational study, we included CKD patients with a GFR 60 ml/min/1.73 mThere were 173 patients in the COVID-19 group and 207 patients in the control group. Most patients (72.8%) were treated as inpatient in the COVID-19 group (intensive care unit hospitalization: 16.7%, acute kidney injury: 54.8%, needing dialysis: 7.9%). While there was no significant difference between the baseline creatinine values of the COVID-19 group and the control group (1.86 and 1.9, p = 0.978, respectively), on the 1st month, creatinine values were significantly higher in the COVID-19 group (2.09 and 1.8, respectively, p = 0.028). Respiratory system symptoms were more common in COVID-19 patients compared to the control group in the 1st month and 3rd month follow-ups (p 0.001). Mortality at 3 months after the diagnosis of COVID-19 was significantly higher in the COVID-19 group than in the control group (respectively; 5.2% and 1.4%, p:0.037). Similarly, the rate of patients requiring dialysis for COVID-19 was significantly higher than the control group (respectively; 8.1% and 3.4%, p: 0.045).In CKD patients, COVID-19 was associated with increased mortality, as well as more deterioration in kidney function and higher need for dialysis in the post-COVID-19 period. These patients also had higher rate of ongoing respiratory symptoms after COVID-19.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and Minimal Change Disease (MCD) are most common seen glomerulonephritis. Differential diagnosis between FSGS and MCD by light microscopy (LM) cannot be made in some times. In this situation, electron microscopy (EM) is needed for differential diagnosis. Rarely, EM may not be sufficient for differential diagnosis. There are needed new markers for differential diagnose between FSGS and MCD. The aim of this study is to determine which of the glomerular C4d, nephrine staining is specific and sensitive for FSGS and MCD. C4d, Recent experimental data show that complement activation plays a pathogenic role in the development of FSGS. Therefore, C4d staining in the sclerotic focus of the glomeruli in FSGS patients may have an important differential diagnosis. Nephrine is the main component of the slit diaphragm that connects the foot protrusions of the podocytes. Epithelial cell and podocyte dysfunction occurs as a result of defects in the genes encoding these key proteins expressed in GBM. Wilms’ tumour suppressor gene (WT1) is a transcription factor that plays very important role in the embryonal development of the genital organs and kidney. WT-1 is expressed in podocytes and is an important transcription factor for podocyte function. METHOD This is a retrospective study, comprised of patients diagnosed as FSGS, MCD and the ones who diagnosed as having FSGS or MCD couldnot be differentiated. The patients were divided into three groups. Group 1: FSGS patients, Group 2: patients with indefinite diagnosis; either FSGS or MCD and Group 3: MCD patients. All biopsy materials were stained with C4d, WT1 and nephrine. The specificity, sensitivity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of C4d, WT1 and nephrine were evaluated for the diagnosis of both FSGS and MCD. RESULTS C4d staining in group 1 was significantly higher compared with group 2 and group 3 (P < .05). Nephrine was shown significantly more staining in group 3 patients than group 1 (P < .05). C4d was found to be associated with the presence of global or segmental sclerosis in the glomeruli, adhesion to the Bowman's capsule (P < .05). The specificity and sensitivity of C4d in FSGS patients were 85%, 73.9%, while it was 26.1% and 15.4% in MCD. Specificity and sensitivity of nephrine were 87%, 69% in MCD patients compared with 30.8% and 13% in FSGS (Fig. 1). PPV and NPV values of C4d and nephrine in FSGS and MCD were shown in Figure 2. CONCLUSION C4d and nephrine have predictive diagnostic value for FSGS and MCD respectively. C4d and nephrine are more specific and sensitive to FSGS and MCD, respectively. However, there is a need for randomized studies with larger study groups

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Haemodialysis (HD) patients are at increased risk for adverse short-term consequences of COVID-19. In this study, we investigated the characteristics of chronic HD patients in the post-COVID-19 period and compared them with the control group. METHOD We conducted a national multicentre observational study involving adult chronic HD patients recovering from COVID-19. The control HD group was selected from patients with similar characteristics who did not have COVID-19 in the same center. SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR negative patients and patients in the active period of COVID-19 were not included. RESULTS A total of 1223 patients (635 COVID-19 groups, 588 control groups) were included in the study from the data collected from 47 centres between 21 April 2021 and 11 June 2021. The patients' baseline demographics, comorbidities, medications, HD characteristics and basic laboratory tests were quite similar between the groups (Table 1). 28th-day mortality and between 28th day and 90th day mortality were higher in the COVID-19 group than in the control group [19 (3.0%) patients and 0 (0%) patients; 15 (2.4%) patients and 4 (0.7%) patients, respectively]. Presence of respiratory symptoms, rehospitalization, need for home oxygen therapy, lower respiratory tract infection and A-V fistula thrombosis were significantly higher in the COVID-19 group in the first 28 days of illness and between 28 and 90 days. Mortality was significantly associated with preexisting COVID-19, age, current smoking, use of tunneled HD catheter, persistence of respiratory symptoms, rehospitalization, need for home oxygen support, presence of lower respiratory tract infection within 28 days and persistence of respiratory symptoms. CONCLUSION In the post-COVID-19 period, mortality, rehospitalization, respiratory problems and vascular access problems are higher in maintenance HD patients who have had COVID-19 compared to control HD patients. Table 2. Comparative presentation of patients data on the 28th day and between 28 and 90 day COVID-19 groupN = 635 Control groupN = 588 28th-day results, n(%) Death* 19(3.0) 0(0) Any respiratory symptoms* 152(23.9) 11(1.9) Rehospitalization for any reason* 52(8.2) 24(4.1) Need for home oxygen support * 26(4.1) 2(0.3) Lower respiratory tract infection* 65(10.2) 8(1.4) AV fistula thrombosis* 13(2.0) 2(0.3) Other thromboembolic events * 15(2.4) 4(0.7) Need for HD catheter placement* 21(3.3) 9(1.5) 28th day-90. day resultsa n(%) N:616 N:588 Death* 15(2.4) 4(0.7) Any respiratory symptoms* 45(7.3) 10(1.7) Rehospitalization for any reason* 44(7.1) 18(3.1) Need for home oxygen support* 12(1.9) 2(0.3) AV fistula thrombosis* 9(1.5) 1(0.2) Other thromboembolic events* 9(1.5) 2(0.3) Need for HD catheter placement 13(2.1) 10(1.7) HD: haemodialysis, AV: arteriovenous. *P

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Recently, prognostic importance of antibodies in primary membranous nephropathy is well defined. However, knowledge about antibodies related to disease activity in membranous lupus nephritis (MLN) is limited. Exostosin1 and exostosin2 (EXT1/2) are novel antibodies detected in MLN, and further studies are needed for the prognostic significance of them as a marker. The aim of this study is to determine whether renal prognostic markers differ between EXT1/2 positive and negative MLN patients. METHOD This is a single-center, retrospective and observational study. Class 5 MLN patients aged 18 or older were included in the study. Clinical characteristics, results of biochemical analysis and histopathological examination were recorded from 6 to 18 months. The end-point of the study was determined as complete remission, partial remission, need for renal replacement therapy (RRT) and exitus. Group 1: EXT1/2 positive patients. Group 2: EXT1/2 negative patients. Light, immunofluorescent and electron microscopy findings and laboratory parameters were evaluated in EXT1/2 positive and negative patients. RESULTS Group 1: n = 11 patients. Group 2: n = 7 patients. The main demographic, biochemical and histopathological characteristics of the groups were shown in Table 1. EXT1/2 negative patients, a higher number of sclerotic glomeruli, interstitial fibrosis and a higher amount of proteinuria were present than positive patients (P CONCLUSION EXT1/2 negative class 5 LMN patients have more poor renal prognostic indicators than positive patients. RRT or exitus rate is higher in EXT1/EXT2 negative patients than positive patients. However, more randomized controlled studies are needed.

Introduction: Hemodialysis (HD) patients have increased risk for short-term adverse outcomes of COVID-19. However, complications and survival at the post-COVID-19 period have not been published extensively.Methods: We conducted a national, multicenter observational study that included adult maintenance HD patients recovered from confirmed COVID-19. A control HD group without COVID-19 was selected from patients in the same center. We investigated the characteristics and outcomes in the follow-up of HD patients and compare them with the non-COVID-19 group.Results: A total of 1223 patients (635 patients in COVID-19 group, 588 patients in non-COVID-19 group) from 47 centers were included in the study. The patients' baseline and HD characteristics were almost similar. The 28th-day mortality and mortality between 28th day and 90th day were higher in the COVID-19 group than non-COVID-19 group (19 [3.0%] patients vs. none [0%]; 15 [2.4%] patients vs. 4 [0.7%] patients, respectively). The presence of respiratory symptoms, rehospitalization, need for home oxygen therapy, lower respiratory tract infection, and arteriovenous (AV) fistula thrombosis was significantly higher in the COVID-19 group in both the first 28 days and between 28 and 90 days. In the multivariable analysis, age (odds ratio [OR] [95% CI]: 1.029 [1.004-1.056]), group (COVID-19 group vs. non-COVID-19 group) (OR [95% CI]: 7.258 [2.538-20.751]), and vascular access type (tunneled catheter/AV fistula) (OR [95% CI]: 2.512 [1.249-5.051]) were found as independent parameters related to 90-day mortality.Conclusion: In the post-COVID-19 period, maintenance HD patients who have had COVID-19 have increased rehospitalization, respiratory problems, vascular access problems, and high mortality compared with the non-COVID-19 HD patients.

Objective Older adults with co‐morbidities have been reported to be at higher risk for adverse outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). The characteristics of COVID‐19 in older patients and its clinical outcomes in different kidney disease groups are not well known. Methods Data were retrieved from a national multicentric database supported by Turkish Society of Nephrology, which consists of retrospectively collected data between 17 April 2020 and 31 December 2020. Hospitalised patients aged 18 years or older with confirmed COVID‐19 diagnosis suffering from stage 3‐5 chronic kidney disease (CKD) or on maintenance haemodialysis (HD) treatment were included in the database. Non‐uraemic hospitalised patients with COVID‐19 were also included as the control group. Results We included 879 patients [388 (44.1%) female, median age: 63 (IQR: 50‐73) years]. The percentage of older patients in the CKD group was 68.8% (n = 188/273), in the HD group was 49.0% (n = 150/306) and in the control group was 30.4% (n = 70/300). Co‐morbidities were higher in the CKD and HD groups. The rate of presentation with severe‐critical disease was higher in the older CKD and HD groups (43.6%, 55.3% and 16.1%, respectively). Among older patients, the intensive care unit (ICU) admission rate was significantly higher in the CKD and HD groups than in the control group (38.8%, 37.3% and 15.7%, respectively). In‐hospital mortality or death and/or ICU admission rates in the older group were significantly higher in the CKD (29.3% and 39.4%) and HD groups (26.7% and 30.1%) compared with the control group (8.6% and 17.1%). In the multivariate analysis, in‐hospital mortality rates in CKD and HD groups were higher than control group [hazard ratio (HR): 4.33 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.53‐12.26) and HR: 3.09 (95% CI: 1.04‐9.17), respectively]. Conclusion Among older COVID‐19 patients, in‐hospital mortality is significantly higher in those with stage 3‐5 CKD and on maintenance HD than older patients without CKD regardless of demographic characteristics, co‐morbidities, clinical and laboratory data on admission.

Background/aim: Hospital-acquired acute kidney injury (HA-AKI) may commonly develop in Covid-19 patients and is expected to have higher mortality. There is little comparative data investigating the effect of HA-AKI on mortality of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients and a control group of general population suffering from Covid-19. Materials and methods: HA-AKI development was assessed in a group of stage 3-5 CKD patients and control group without CKD among adult patients hospitalized for Covid-19. The role of AKI development on the outcome (in-hospital mortality and admission to the intensive care unit [ICU]) of patients with and without CKD was compared. Results: Among 621 hospitalized patients (age 60 [IQR: 47-73]), women: 44.1%), AKI developed in 32.5% of the patients, as stage 1 in 84.2%, stage 2 in 8.4%, and stage 3 in 7.4%. AKI developed in 48.0 % of CKD patients, whereas it developed in 17.6% of patients without CKD. CKD patients with HA-AKI had the highest mortality rate of 41.1% compared to 14.3% of patients with HA-AKI but no CKD (p < 0.001). However, patients with AKI+non-CKD had similar rates of ICU admission, mechanical ventilation, and death rate to patients with CKD without AKI. Adjusted mortality risks of the AKI+non-CKD group (HR: 9.0, 95% CI: 1.9-44.2) and AKI+CKD group (HR: 7.9, 95% CI: 1.9-33.3) were significantly higher than that of the non-AKI+non-CKD group. Conclusion: AKI frequently develops in hospitalized patients due to Covid-19 and is associated with high mortality. HA-AKI has worse outcomes whether it develops in patients with or without CKD, but the worst outcome was seen in AKI+CKD patients. Turkish Society of Nephrology for the organization We thank Turkish Society of Nephrology for the organization and funding of the study. We also would like to express our gratitude to the patients whose records were used in this study, without which this research would not be possible.

Background: we aimed to present the demographic characteristics, clinical presentation, and outcomes of our multicenter cohort of adult KTx recipients with COVID-19.Methods: we conducted a multicenter, retrospective study using data of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 collected from 34 centers in Turkey. Demographic characteristics, clinical findings, laboratory parameters (hemogram, CRP, AST, ALT, LDH, and ferritin) at admission and follow-up, and treatment strategies were reviewed. Predictors of poor clinical outcomes were analyzed. The primary outcomes were in-hospital mortality and the need for ICU admission. The secondary outcome was composite in-hospital mortality and/or ICU admission.Results: one hundred nine patients (male/female: 63/46, mean age: 48.412.4years) were included in the study. Acute kidney injury (AKI) developed in 46 (42.2%) patients, and 4 (3.7%) of the patients required renal replacement therapy (RRT). A total of 22 (20.2%) patients were admitted in the ICU, and 19 (17.4%) patients required invasive mechanical ventilation. 14 (12.8%) of the patients died. Patients who were admitted in the ICU were significantly older (age over 60 years) (38.1% vs 14.9%, p=0.016). 23 (21.1%) patients reached to composite outcome and these patients were significantly older (age over 60years) (39.1% vs. 13.9%; p=0.004), and had lower serum albumin (3.4g/dl [2.9-3.8] vs. 3.8g/dl [3.5-4.1], p=0.002), higher serum ferritin (679 mu g/L [184-2260] vs. 331 mu g/L [128-839], p=0.048), and lower lymphocyte counts (700/mu l [460-950] vs. 860 /mu l [545-1385], p=0.018). Multivariable analysis identified presence of ischemic heart disease and initial serum creatinine levels as independent risk factors for mortality, whereas age over 60 years and initial serum creatinine levels were independently associated with ICU admission. On analysis for predicting secondary outcome, age above 60 and initial lymphocyte count were found to be independent variables in multivariable analysis. Conclusion: over the age of 60, ischemic heart disease, lymphopenia, poor graft function were independent risk factors for severe COVID-19 in this patient group. Whereas presence of ischemic heart disease and poor graft function were independently associated with mortality., NA

Background Maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients are at increased risk for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The aim of this study was to describe clinical, laboratory, and radiologic characteristics and determinants of mortality in a large group of MHD patients hospitalized for COVID-19. Methods This multicenter, retrospective, observational study collected data from 47 nephrology clinics in Turkey. Baseline clinical, laboratory and radiological characteristics, and COVID-19 treatments during hospitalization, need for intensive care and mechanical ventilation were recorded. The main study outcome was in-hospital mortality and the determinants were analyzed by Cox regression survival analysis. Results Of 567 MHD patients, 93 (16.3%) patients died, 134 (23.6%) patients admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) and 91 of the ones in ICU (67.9%) needed mechanical ventilation. Patients who died were older (median age, 66 [57–74] vs. 63 [52–71] years, p = 0.019), had more congestive heart failure (34.9% versus 20.7%, p = 0.004) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (23.6% versus 12.7%, p = 0.008) compared to the discharged patients. Most patients (89.6%) had radiological manifestations compatible with COVID-19 pulmonary involvement. Median platelet (166 × 103 per mm3 versus 192 × 103 per mm3, p = 0.011) and lymphocyte (800 per mm3 versus 1000 per mm3, p p = 0.001) on admission were lower in patients who died. Age (HR: 1.022 [95% CI, 1.003–1.041], p = 0.025), severe-critical disease clinical presentation at the time of diagnosis (HR: 6.223 [95% CI, 2.168–17.863], p p = 0.009), ferritin levels on admission (HR; 1.057 [95% CI, 1.006–1.111], p = 0.028), elevation of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (HR; 3.909 [95% CI, 2.143–7.132], p 3 per mm3) during hospitalization (HR; 1.864 [95% CI, 1.025–3.390], p = 0.041) were risk factors for mortality. Conclusion Hospitalized MHD patients with COVID-19 had a high mortality rate. Older age, presence of heart failure, clinical severity of the disease at presentation, ferritin level on admission, decrease in platelet count and increase in AST level during hospitalization may be used to predict the mortality risk of these patients.

Background and Aims Anemia is one of the most important complications in chronic renal disease and inadequate erythropoietin production is the most important reason for anemia. Fibrosis of renal interstitium may be associated with inadequate synthesis of erythropoietin and anemia. In our study, we investigated the relationship between the severity of interstitial fibrosis (IF) in patients with primary glomerulonephritis (PGN) and anemia parameters. Method A total of 2794 patients who were recorded to the database of the Turkish Society of Nephrology, Glomerular Diseases (TSN-GOLD) Working Group between May 2009 and June 2019 were included in our national multicenter (44 centers) study. Patients aged 16 years or more with documented biopsy were included in the study. Patients were divided into four groups according to IF severity. IF was not detected in the interstitial area, was defined as none, if fibrosis was present in less than 25% of the area, defined as mild, if fibrosis was present in 25-50%, defined as moderate and if more than 50%, defined as severe. Anemia was defined as hemoglobin Results In the study, 57% of the patients were male and their mean age was 41.0 ± 14.3 years. The mean eGFR was 82.7 ± 36.9 ml / min / 1.73 m2 and the hemoglobin level was 13.1 ± 1.9 g/dl. General characteristics of patients with and without anemia are given in Table 1. While 41.1% of patients had no IF, 41.2% had mild, 14.1% had moderate and 3.5% had severe IF. When the patients were divided into four groups according to the severity of IF, the mean hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were significantly different between the groups (Figure 1). Anemia was present in 960 patients (34.4%) (Figure 2). Anemia rate was significantly higher in the patients with IF than patients without IF (36.8% vs 30.9%, p = 0.001). Anemia rate was %25.1 in patients with eGFH≥60 ml/min/1.73m2 and 56% in patients with eGFR Conclusion Approximately one-third of PGN patients had anemia at the time of biopsy and the frequency of anemia increases in patients with IF. The presence of IF is an independent risk factor associated with the development of anemia in PGN. The elucidation of the etiopathogenesis of anemia in PGN patients may play an important role in the follow-up and treatment of patients. Studies on IF can play a critical role.

Background and Aims In IgA nephropathy (IgAN), which is characterized by mesangial IgA accumulation, there is the formation of circulating autoantibodies against galactose deficient IgA1s (Gd-IgA1). IgG / Gd-IgA1 immunocomplexes accumulate in the glomerular mesangium and play a role in the pathogenesis of IgAN. Recent studies have suggested a relationship between glomerular IgG deposition and the severity of glomerular inflammation. However, detection of the presence and severity of IgG in routine immunofluorescence microscopy (IFM) may fail. This study aims to investigate whether IgG positivity detected by IFM is associated with poor renal prognostic indicators and whether renal prognosis can be predicted according to IgG positivity. Method 4399 patients who were enrolled between May 2009-June 2019 in database of Turkish Society of Nephrology, Glomerular Diseases Working Group (TSN-GOLD) including 44 centers were evaluated. After exclusion criteria, 994 primary IgAN patients were included in the study. Glomerular IgG negative and positive patients were compared by means of Oxford classification scores, histopathological evaluations, proteinuria, creatinine, albumin, blood pressures. IgG positive patients were divided into subgroups according to the grade of the IFM positivity. The relationship between IgG positivity and poor prognosis criteria were evaluated. Results Demographic and biochemical findings of glomerular IgG positive and negative patients at the time of biopsy are shown in Table 1. No difference was found between the groups. There was no difference in the demographic and biochemical findings at the time of biopsy in IgG subgroup analyses (Table 2). There was no difference between the histopathological and Oxford MEST scores of the subgroups. Glomerular IgG positivity was not associated with diastolic blood pressure, systolic blood pressure, urea, uric acid, age, eGFR, albumin, proteinuria (p> 0.05 for all, r= -0.084, r= -0.102, r= -0.006, r=0.062, r= 0.014, r= -0.044, r= -0.061, r= -0.066, r= 0.150, respectively). Conclusion Glomerular IgG positivity detected by routine IFM in IgAN is not associated with poor renal prognostic indicators. It is difficult to predict renal prognosis by looking at the severity of IgG positivity at the baseline evaluation.

Background and Aims The largest data on the epidemiology of primary glomerular diseases (PGD) are obtained from the databases of countries or centers. Here, we presented the extended results of the Primary Glomerular Diseases Study of the Turkish Society of Nephrology Glomerular Diseases (TSN-GOLD)Working Group. Method The data of patients who underwent renal biopsy and diagnosed as primary glomerular disease were recorded in the database prepared for the study. Between May 2009 and May 2019, a total of 4399 patients from 47 centers were evaluated. Basal data of 3875 patients were analyzed after exclusion of those lacking light microscopy and immunofluorescence findings. Results The mean age was 41.5 ± 14.9 years. Of the patients, 1690 were female (43.6%) and 2180 (56.3%) were male. Nephrotic syndrome was the most common biopsy indication (51.7%). This was followed by asymptomatic urinary abnormalities (18.3%) and nephritic syndrome (17.8%). The most common PGH was IgA nephropathy (25.7%), followed by membranous nephropathy (25.6%) and FSGS (21.9%). The mean total number of glomeruli per biopsy was 17 ± 10. Mean baseline systolic blood pressure was 130 ± 20 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure was 81 ± 12 mmHg. Median proteinuria was 3300 (IQR: 1467-6307) mg / day, mean serum creatinine, estimated GFR and albumin values were 1.4 ± 1.5 mg / dl, 80.7 ± 39.1 ml / min and 3.2 ± 0.9 g / dl, respectively. Conclusion In Turkey, the incidence of IgA nephropathy patients have become more common than membranous nephropathy among PGD patients diagnosed with renal biopsy.

Background and Aims Minimal change disease (MCD) is the most common cause of the nephrotic syndrome (NS) in children. Although there are many data regarding the course, response to treatment, and outcomes in pediatric patients, only a few series have examined these issues in adults. The aim of the study was to delineate the demographic and clinical properties of MCD of adult population in our country. Method All over the country, a total of 47 centers entered data between May 2009 and May 2019 to the database created by of Turkish Society of Nephrology Glomerular Diseases (TSN-GOLD) Working Group. Demographic and clinical characteristics and biopsy findings recorded to the database were analyzed. Results In total, 258 patients were compatible with the pathological diagnosis of MCD. Mean age was 36.16±15.44 years and 53.88% were male. At diagnosis, 66.7% patients presented with pretibial edema,15.9% with hypertension. Microscopic hematuria occured in 18.2% patients. Only 24 patients (9.3%) presented with a decrease in renal function (serum creatinine greater than 1.3 mg/dl). The mean daily proteinuria was 6.3 g, and serum albumin was 2.6 mg/dl. The most frequent indication for biopsy was NS (86.4%). On kidney biopsy, the mean number of glomeruli was 18.08±11.11. Mezangial proliferation and mezangial IgM were present in 27.5% and 22.5%, respectively. Only in 3.5% of the included patients, electron microscopic studies were performed. Conclusion This study describes the characteristics of a cohort of adult patients with MCD. MCD in adults may sometimes present concurrently with hematuria, hypertension, and acute kidney injury.

As the population gets older, the elderly and very elderly patients are increasingly been treated in nephrology intensive care units (ICU). In this study we evaluated the characteristics and outcomes of the octogenarians (80–89 years old), nonagenarians (≥ 90 years old) and compared them with elderly (65–79 years old) patients treated in nephrology ICU. Eighteen nonagenarians, 70 octogenarians and 88 elderly patients were included in the study. Indication for hospitalization, presence of comorbid diseases, and requirement for acute dialysis treatment were investigated. Need for mechanical ventilation, vasopressors, central venous catheterization, urinary catheterization, anticoagulation, and transfusion of blood products were evaluated. Mortality rate and hospital cost were calculated. Data about survival at 1 month after discharge was collected. Causes of hospitalization, need for dialysis treatment, mechanical ventilation, vasopressors, central venous catheterization, urinary catheterization, anticoagulation, and transfusion of blood products were not different between age groups. Diabetes mellitus and malignancy were more frequent in elderly, whereas dementia/Alzheimer’s disease was more common in nonagenarians. Although, mortality in ICU was increased as the age increased, it was statistically insignificant. However, 1 month mortality rate after discharge from hospital was increased especially in nonagenarians. In nonagenarians infection, whereas in octogenarians need for dialysis treatment, were related with mortality. Length of intensive care stay and hospital cost did not differ between age groups. Length of nephrology intensive care stay, mortality rate and hospital cost did not differ for very elderly age groups, but mortality risk was higher for nonagenarians after discharge from hospital.

A 23-year-old male patient who presented with impaired kidney function tests attended to hospital for hemodialysis and underwent 18F-FDG positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) examination for the metabolic characterization of the intra-abdominal mass which was found in the ultrasonography. 18F-FDG PET/CT revealed a mass lesion adjacent to the liver which was hypermetabolic and the pathology of the lesion was determined as amyloidosis. To the best of our knowledge, the case with 18F-FDG PET/CT images of a huge amyloid mass is the first in the literature.

Living with end-stage renal disease may be burdensome, not only for patients, but also for caregivers. In this study, we aim to compare caregiver burden, psychological symptoms in caregivers of peritoneal dialysis (PD), hemodialysis (HD), and transplantation (TX), and find out associated factors. A total of 43 PD, 42 HD, 42 TX patients and a total of 127 caregivers that were actively involved with the care of their patients’ dialysis were enrolled. Patients had been on renal replacement therapy at least for 6 months and caregivers had given care at least for 6 months. The World Health Organization Quality of Life short version and hospital anxiety and depression scale (HAD) were applied to the patients. Symptom Checklist-90-Revised and Zarit caregiver burden scale were applied to the caregivers. Zarit caregiver burden score was found highest in HD group, which was significantly higher than PD and TX. All three groups had similar HAD anxiety scores, whereas the HAD depression score was highest in HD group, lower in PD, and lowest in TX. Quality of life was lowest in HD group. Zarit caregiver burden score was found higher in caregivers with symptoms like somatization, anxiety, obsessive–compulsive, depression, interpersonal sensitivity, psychoticism, paranoid ideation, hostility, and additional psychological symptoms than the ones who did not have these symptoms. Psychological symptoms were similar in PD, HD, and TX groups. Caregiver burden was found highest in HD group. Educational, social, and psychological support interventions may be considered for caregivers.

PubMed ID: 30251011 Purpose: Renal infarction is a clinical condition which is caused by renal artery occlusion and leads to permanent renal parenchymal damage. In the literature, there are generally case reports on this subject, and few studies that include a large group of patients. Therefore, we aimed to present the data of a large group of patients who were diagnosed with acute renal infarction in our country in this retrospective study. Methods: The data of patients who were diagnosed with acute renal infarction according to clinical and radiological findings in Turkey in the last 3 years were examined. For this purpose, we contacted with more than 40 centers in 7 regions and obtained support from clinically responsible persons. Demographic data of patients, laboratory data at the time of diagnosis, tests performed for etiologic evaluation, given medications, and patients’ clinical status during follow-up were obtained from databases and statistical analysis was performed. Results: One-hundred and twenty-one patients were included in the study. The mean age was 53 ± 1.4 (19–91) years. Seventy-one (58.7%) patients were male, 18 (14.9%) had diabetes, 53 (43.8%) had hypertension, 36 (30%) had atrial fibrillation (AF), and 6 had a history of lupus + antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Forty-five patients had right renal infarction, 50 patients had left renal infarction, and 26 (21.5%) patients had bilateral renal infarction. The examinations for the ethiologies revealed that, 36 patients had thromboemboli due to atrial fibrillation, 10 patients had genetic anomalies leading to thrombosis, 9 patients had trauma, 6 patients had lupus + APS, 2 patients had hematologic diseases, and 1 patient had a substance abuse problem. Fifty-seven (57%) patients had unknown. The mean follow-up period was 14 ± 2 months. The mean creatinine and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) values at 3 months were found to be 1.65 ± 0.16 mg/dl and 62 ± 3 ml/min, respectively. The final mean creatinine and GFR values were found to be 1.69 ± 0.16 mg/dl and 62 ± 3 ml/min, respectively. Conclusions: Our study is the second largest series published on renal infarction in the literature. More detailed studies are needed to determine the etiological causes of acute renal infarction occurring in patients. © 2018, Springer Nature B.V.

WOS:000544516800001 PubMed ID: 32597278 Background:Prediction of prognosis in Immunoglobulin A Nephropathy (IgAN) and taking appropriate precautions may reduce annual incidence of chronic kidney disease. This may be possible by close follow-up for the development and progression of interstitial fibrosis (IF) or interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy (IFTA) in IgAN patients. Aim:To investigate whether Young's elastic modulus (YM) which measured shear wave elastography (SWE) might be used for follow-up of IF or IFTA in IgAN patients. Methods:Prospective study was approved by Human Research Ethics Committee. Group 1 consisted of patients with IgAN. Group 2 consisted of healthy control participants. Young's elastic modulus which is a value of stiffness along with longitudinal stiffness was used to evaluate tissue elasticity. Specificity, sensitivity, positive predictive value (PPV) of YM for the presence of IF and IFTA were evaluated. Results:Group 1 consisted of 30 participants, and group 2 consisted of 32 participants. Sensitivity and specificity of SWE to diagnose presence of IF for YM > 15 kPa were 89% and 90%, respectively. PPV among the ones whom IF was diagnosed by YM >15 kPa was 91%. Sensitivity and specificity of SWE to diagnose presence of IFTA for YM > 15 were 65% and 51%, respectively. PPV among the ones whom IFTA was diagnosed by YM >15 kPa was 78.1%. Conclusions:YM which measured SWE is highly specific and sensitive in the diagnosis of IF, but not for IFTA in IgAN patients. Therefore, progression for IF in IgAN may be followed by SWE.

Background The largest data on the epidemiology of primary glomerular diseases (PGDs) are obtained from the databases of countries or centers. Here, we present the extended results of the Primary Glomerular Diseases Study of the Turkish Society of Nephrology Glomerular Diseases (TSN-GOLD) Working Group. Methods Data of patients who underwent renal biopsy and received the diagnosis of PGD were recorded in the database prepared for the study. A total of 4399 patients from 47 centers were evaluated between May 2009 and May 2019. The data obtained at the time of kidney biopsy were analyzed. After the exclusion of patients without light microscopy and immunofluorescence microscopy findings, a total of 3875 patients were included in the study. Results The mean age was 41.5 ± 14.9 years. 1690 patients were female (43.6%) and 2185 (56.3%) were male. Nephrotic syndrome was the most common biopsy indication (51.7%). This was followed by asymptomatic urinary abnormalities (18.3%) and nephritic syndrome (17.8%). The most common PGD was IgA nephropathy (25.7%) followed by membranous nephropathy (25.6%) and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (21.9%). The mean total number of glomeruli per biopsy was 17 ± 10. The mean baseline systolic blood pressure was 130 ± 20 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure was 81 ± 12 mmHg. The median proteinuria, serum creatinine, estimated GFR, and mean albumin values were 3300 (IQR: 1467–6307) mg/day, 1.0 (IQR: 0.7–1.6) mg/dL, 82.9 (IQR: 47.0–113.0) mL/min and 3.2 ± 0.9 g/dL, respectively. Conclusions The distribution of PGDs in Turkey has become similar to that in other European countries. IgA nephropathy diagnosed via renal biopsy has become more prevalent compared to membranous nephropathy.

Electrolyte imbalance is a common problem affecting the elderly. Increased number of comorbidities and frequent use of drugs may contribute to increased risk of hypokalemia in the elderly. This study was performed to investigate the prevalence of community-acquired hypokalemia (CAH), risk factors for its development, related factors with hypokalemia, and morbidities and all-cause mortality rates (MR) of CAH in the elderly patients. Total of 36,361 patients aged above 65 years were screened retrospectively. Group 1 consisted of 269 elderly patients with potassium level ≤3.5 mmol/L, and group 2 (control group) consisted of 182 subjects with potassium level between 3.6 and 5.5 mmol/L. Etiologic factors of CAH, presence of comorbidities, duration of hospital stay, hospital cost, and clinical outcomes were recorded. Prevalence of hypokalemia was found 3.24% in patients aged above 65 years. Duration of hospital stay, presence of ≥2 comorbid diseases, hospital cost, and MR were significantly higher in group 1 compared to group 2 (p

Although the risk and related factors of hyperkalemia developed in the hospital are known in elderly, risk and related factors of community-acquired hyperkalemia (CAH) in this population are not well known. This study was performed to investigate the risk of CAH in elderly and evaluate the related factors and clinical outcomes. Study design, setting and participants, intervention: Patients (aged ≥65 years) with hyperkalemia were screened. Group 1 (young-old); 65-74 years/old, Group 2 (middle-old); 75-84 years/old, Group 3 (oldest-old); ≥85 years/old, and Group 4 (control group); ≥65 years/old (normal serum potassium levels). The relation between CAH and hospital expenses (HE), the number of comorbid diseases (NCD), and all-cause of mortality rates (MR) were evaluated. We also investigated whether drugs, sex, and NCD are risk factors for the development of CAH.There was a positive correlation between serum potassium levels and length of hospital stay, MR, HE, and NCD (p 0.001). Risk factors for CAH were the use of non-steroidal-anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (Odds Ratio [OR]: 2.679), spironolactone (OR: 2.530), and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) (OR: 2.242), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) (OR: 2.679), ≥2 comorbid diseases (OR: 2.221), female gender (OR: 2.112), and renal injury (OR: 5.55). CAH risk was found to be increased 30.03 times when any of ACEI, ARB, NSAIDs, or spironolactone is given to a patient with a renal injury.Use of NSAIDs, ACEI, ARB, spironolactone and increased NCD are all independent risk factors for CAH in the elderly, especially in patients with kidney diseases.

Renal transplant patients may have recurrent episodes of acute kidney injury (AKI) during the posttransplant period. Determination and management of risk factors may help to prevent recurrence of AKI and allograft loss. In this study, we investigated the clinical features of renal transplant patients with recurrent AKI and evaluated etiologies and risk factors.A total of 19 patients with 79 AKI episodes were examined retrospectively. AKI classes, etiologies, and risk factors were investigated. Their features were compared with 38 renal transplant patients without AKI.Distribution of AKI episodes according to the type of injury was as follows: 15 prerenal, 43 renal, 6 postrenal, and 15 mixed. Renal transplant patients with recurrent AKI had a greater duration of dialysis before transplantation (P.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed no predictor for recurrent AKI after renal transplantation. Infections participated in the development of 45 AKI episodes. Chronic kidney disease developed in 16 patients.Infections are the leading condition associated with recurrent AKI in renal transplant patients. Recurrent AKI may contribute to the development and progression of chronic kidney injury.

Native kidney function can still contribute to the total renal function after preemptive renal transplantation, and the primary problems of native kidneys such as tubular disorders may persist or reappear in the post-transplantation period. Bartter syndrome is a rare hereditary tubulopathy characterized by renal salt wasting, hypokalemia, metabolic alkalosis, and normotensive hyperreninemic hyperaldosteronism. In this case report, we described a patient who presented with episodes of recurrent hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, and metabolic alkalosis in the post-transplantation period, probably due to the tubular disorder of the native kidneys. The primary kidney disease had not been adequately investigated in the pre-transplant period, and Bartter syndrome was the most likely diagnosis. Identifying primary kidney disease in the pre-transplantation period is important for patient follow-up.

Although various studies have improved our knowledge about the clinical features and outcomes of acute kidney injury developing in the hospital (AKI-DI) in elderly subjects, data about acute kidney injury developing outside the hospital (AKI-DO) in elderly patients (age ≥ 65 years) are still extremely limited. This study was performed to investigate prevalence, clinical outcomes, hospital cost and related factors of AKI-DO in elderly and very elderly patients. We conducted a prospective, observational study in patients (aged ≥ 65 years) who were admitted to our center between May 01, 2012, and May 01, 2013. Subjects with AKI-DO were divided into two groups as “elderly” (group 1, 65–75 years old) and “very elderly” (group 2, >75 years old). Control group (group 3) consisted of the hospitalized patients aged 65 years and older with normal serum creatinine level. In-hospital outcomes and 6-month outcomes were recorded. Rehospitalization rate within 6 months of discharge was noted. Hospital costs and mortality rates of each group were investigated. Risk factors for AKI-DO were determined. The incidence of AKI-DO that required hospitalization in elderly and very elderly patients was 5.8 % (136/2324) and 11 % (100/905), respectively (p

Gitelman syndrome is an autosomal recessive tubulopathy that is characterized by metabolic alkalosis, hypomagnesemia, hypocalciuria, secondary hyperreninemic hyperaldosteronism and low blood pressure. Acquired Gitelman syndrome is very rarely seen, and usually associated with autoimmune diseases or developing after kidney transplantation. Celiac disease is an enteropathy for which the etiology is not known and where environmental, immunologic and genetic factors may all contribute to the disease. Celiac disease may lead to hypokalemia. Here, we describe a case of Celiac disease and Gitelman syndrome that were both diagnosed during the investigation of hypokalemia.