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Calciphylaxis is a rare and life-threatening disease that classically manifests with painful skin lesions. It occurs mainly in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) treated with dialysis, has poor outcomes, and has no FDA-approved treatment. Our cohort study aims to examine the clinical and pathological features of calciphylaxis and investigates the correlation between cutaneous clinical manifestations and histopathological findings. Data from 70 calciphylaxis patients who were evaluated at the Massachusetts General Hospital between January 2014 and April 2018 were collected from the institutional electronic database. The median age was 58 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 49–69 years), 60% were women, and 73% were of white race. Most (74%) patients reported severe pain at the time of calciphylaxis diagnosis with a median pain intensity score of 8/10 (IQR: 6–10) on a 0–10 pain scale. The median time from symptom onset to clinical diagnosis was 9 weeks (IQR: 6–16 weeks). The majority (87%) of patients presented with open necrotic wounds (advanced stage lesion) at the time of diagnosis. Common cutaneous clinical features included ulceration (79%), induration (57%), and erythema (41%), while common pathological features included cutaneous microvascular calcification (86%) and necrosis (73%). The presence of fibrin thrombi in skin biopsies was associated with pain severity (p = 0.04). The stage of a skin lesion positively correlated with the presence of necrosis on histological analyses (p = 0.02). These findings have implications for improving understanding of calciphylaxis origins and for developing novel treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Uncontrolled hypertension is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and is the leading cause of mortality in haemodialysis patients. The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of self‐management support (SMS) for blood pressure (BP) control and health behaviours. Methods: We conducted a cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT) in which 90 adult haemodialysis patients were assigned to either an SMS or common intervention (CI) group. The SMS group received an intervention consisting of self‐management education and motivational interviewing. The CI group received standard care and routine health education. The primary outcome was the BP monitored before each haemodialysis. Secondary outcomes included salt intake (measured using a balance formula), home BP monitoring (HBPM) (assessed using two self‐administered questions), and medication adherence (measured using the Medication‐taking Behavior Scale). Data were collected at baseline and at 1, 3 and 6 months post‐intervention. Results: The SMS group showed continuous reductions in systolic BP from baseline: –9.2, −8.7, and −8.4 mmHg at 1, 3 and 6 months after the intervention, respectively (P < 0.01). Compared with the CI group, the SMS group had a greater decrease in systolic BP at 1 month: –5.9 mmHg (P = 0.0388), but no significant difference was found at 3 or 6 months (P > 0.05). SMS patients showed an improvement in health behaviours relative to baseline (less salt intake, more consistent HBPM, and greater medication adherence) (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Self‐management support obtained short‐term success in improving salt restriction, regular performance of HBPM and medication adherence, which led to better BP control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on calciphylaxis which is a complex disorder of microvascular calcification that is typically manifested as painful cutaneous lesions and results in poor outcomes. It mentions that Calciphylaxis occurs in patients with earlier stages of chronic kidney disease, acute kidney injury, and kidney transplantation. It states that extracutaneous vascular calcifications leads to skeletal myopathy, intestinal bleeding and visual impairment.

Background. Hip fractures are among the most serious bone fractures in the elderly, producing significant morbidity and mortality. Several observational studies have found that mild hyponatremia can adversely affect bone, with fractures occurring as a potential complication. We examined if there is an independent association between prolonged chronic hyponatremia (>90 days duration) and risk of hip fracture in the elderly. Methods. We performed a retrospective cohort study in adults >60 years of age froma prepaid healthmaintenance organization who had two or more measurements of plasma sodium between 2005 and 2012. The incidence of hip fractures was assessed in a very restrictive population: subjects with prolonged chronic hyponatremia, defined as plasma sodium values <135 mmol/L, lasting >90 days. Multivariable Cox regression was performed to determine the hazard ratio (HR) for hip fracture risk associated with prolonged chronic hyponatremia after adjustment for the propensity to have hyponatremia, fracture risk factors and relevant baseline characteristics. Results. Among 31 527 eligible patients, only 228 (0.9%) had prolonged chronic hyponatremia. Mean plasma sodium was 132 ± 5 mmol/L in hyponatremic patients and 139 ± 3 mmol/L in normonatremic patients (P < 0.001). The absolute risk for hip fracture was 7/282 in patients with prolonged chronic hyponatremia and 411/313 299 in normonatremic patients. Hyponatremic patients had a substantially elevated rate of hip fracture [adjusted HR 4.52 (95% CI 2.14-9.6)], which was even higher in those with moderate hyponatremia (<130 mmol/ L) [adjusted HR 7.61 (95% CI 2.8-20.5)]. Conclusion. Mild prolonged chronic hyponatremia is independently associated with hip fracture risk in the elderly population, although the absolute risk is low. However, proof that correcting hyponatremia will result in a reduction of hip fractures is lacking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Virtually all investigators now agree that self-induced water intoxication, symptomatic hospital-acquired hyponatremia, and hyponatremia associated with intracranial pathology are true emergencies that demand prompt and definitive intervention with hypertonic saline. A 4- to 6-mmol/L increase in serum sodium concentration is adequate in the most seriously ill patients and this is best achieved with bolus infusions of 3% saline. Virtually all investigators now agree that overcorrection of hyponatremia (which we define as 10 mmol/L in 24 hours, 18 mmol/L in 48 hours, and 20 mmol/L in 72 hours) risks iatrogenic brain damage. Appropriate therapy should keep the patient safe from serious complications of hyponatremia while staying well clear of correction rates that risk iatrogenic injury. Accordingly, we suggest therapeutic goals of 6 to 8 mmol/L in 24 hours, 12 to 14 mmol/L in 48 hours, and 14 to 16 mmol/L in 72 hours. Inadvertent overcorrection owing to a water diuresis may complicate any form of therapy, including the newly available vasopressin antagonists. Frequent monitoring of the serum sodium concentration and urine output are mandatory. Administration of desmopressin to terminate an unwanted water diuresis is an effective strategy to avoid or reverse overcorrection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]