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BACKGROUND AND AIMS The interactions of both organs in Cardiorenal Syndrome (CRS) exacerbate the damage and determine a worse prognosis in these patients [1]. The aim of our study is to compare the development and prognosis of CRS patients compared with control patients. METHOD: In a retrospective fashion, we assigned 60 patients with CRS who underwent dialysis, and we compared them with a control population of 60 patients without CRS in dialysis. We analyzed baseline characteristics of the patients and the dialysis parameters. Survival rates at 1 and 5 years were determined. RESULTS The baseline characteristics were similar between groups. The mean age was 72 ± 9 years in CRS and 68 ± 12 years in the control group. Men were more prevalent in both groups CRS (55%) and control (53%). Charlson's Score was 8 ± 2 points in the CRS group and 7 ± 3 points in the control group. Diabetic nephropathy was the most frequent etiology of end-stage renal disease in CRS patients (37%), followed by nephroangiosclerosis (20%). In the control group, the most common etiologies were nephroangiosclerosis (32%), diabetic (22%) and interstitial nephropathy (11%). CRS patients had more diabetes mellitus (55% versus 35%; P Haemodialysis was the most common technique in both groups CRS (98%) and control (95%). The use of permanent tunneled catheters as definite vascular access was more common in CRS patients (60% versus 26%; P The median time in dialysis was inferior in the CRS group [24 (8–42) versus 61 (26–106) months; P The main cause of death was the cardiovascular events in both groups (35% versus 20%; P = 0.06). However, tumor as a cause of death was superior in the control group (18% versus 0%; P CONCLUSION CRS patients have more cardiovascular risk factors and cardiovascular disease as expected, as well as more hospitalizations caused by heart failure before starting dialysis. They have more frequent use of a permanent tunneled catheter. It could be explained because of worse tolerance to the use of arteriovenous fistula in these patients. - The survival rates at 1 and 5 years are significantly inferior in the CRS group, which highlights the poor prognosis of these patients [2,3]. - The tumor as a cause of death was superior in the control group due to greater time in dialysis of these patients compared with CRS patients

BACKGROUND AND AIMS The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has affected our patients not only in renal replacement therapy (RRT), but also in advanced chronic kidney disease (ACKD) consultation. Our aim is to assess the impact of COVID-19 in a group of patients of our ACKD consultation. METHOD Retrospective observational study in our centre of patients from ACKD consultation with hospitalization due to COVID-19 infection in the period from March to December 2020. We have studied demographic parameters, characteristics during hospitalization, analytics values (3 months before and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after infection) and final status at the end of follow-up on 31 December 2021. A value comparison is made with the Wilcoxon test for paired data. RESULTS In an ACKD consultation with 90 patients, 12 (13%) required hospitalization due to COVID-19. 75% were male, with a mean age of 77.6 years (SD 7) (range 59–89 years) and 25% due to Diabetic Kidney Disease. Mean time in consultation 28 months (SD 14) (range 12–58). Mean Comorbidity Charlson Index 8.2 (SD 1.2) (range 7–11), all hypertensive, 42% treatment with insulin, 25% ischemic heart disease and 42% chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In COVID-19 hospitalizations, 83% they had pneumonia, 50% steroid treatment, 75% hydroxychloroquine, 92% several antibiotics, 33% low molecular weight heparin, only two required tocilizumab, and none required admission to the intensive care unit. During hospitalization, 3 (25%) patients died, and one died during follow-up, all were males. The consequences after infection: 42% pneumology (cough, varying degrees of shortness of breath), 8% neurological (headaches, varying degrees of memory loss) and 8% loss of smell (from 1 to 6 moths). At the follow-up, only one patient needs RRT with haemodialysis (at 19 months after COVID-19). Table 1 shows analytics comparison before and after COVID. From 6 months after COVID, the results are like 3 months after the disease. CONCLUSION With the important limitation of few patients and without a control group, ACKD patients with hospitalization to COVID-19 show similar patterns to those with RRT: more frequent in males, advanced age, lung comorbidity and diabetics, elevation of inflammatory parameters, anemia and increase in creatinine during hospitalization. Recovery to values prior to admission occurs from the first month after infection.

In December 2019, a series of pneumonia cases of unknown etiology, which were epidemiologically linked to a seafood market, was reported in Wuhan, Hubei province, China. The disease has rapidly spread around the world, becoming a global pandemic. A coronavirus, which was named 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCov), was isolated from respiratory tract samples1 and later identified as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The name of the disease was officially changed to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Pulmonary involvement with alveolar damage and acute respiratory failure has been the most remarkable clinical condition of COVID-19 patients. However, there is increasing evidence that this virus also affects other organs, kidney injury being relatively common in this infection and associated with an increased mortality rate.2 In a large prospective cohort of 701 COVID-19 patients in China, 44% had proteinuria and 27% had hematuria on admission. During hospitalization, 5.1% of them developed acute kidney injury.2 We report a patient who developed systemic symptoms and renal involvement after being hospitalized because of a COVID-19 infection. A mesangial proliferation and IgA deposits in the glomeruli were seen on the kidney biopsy specimen.

La patología glomerular más relacionada con enfermedad COVID-19 hasta la fecha parece ser la glomerulopatía colapsante, principalmente en pacientes de raza afroamericana y con alelos de riesgo para el gen APOL1. No obstante, en nuestra población, conformada por pacientes añosos de raza caucásica, la patología más biopsiada desde el inicio de la pandemia ha sido la nefritis IgA o púrpura de Schönlein-Henoch. Desde la descripción del primer caso de esta entidad tras infección por SARS-CoV-2 por nuestro grupo de investigación hemos objetivado otros tres, los cuales se describen a continuación. En contraste con el resto de los casos publicados de vasculitis IgA, nuestros pacientes presentaban mayor deterioro de función renal y todos requirieron tratamiento inmunosupresor. Además, algunos presentaron recuperación incompleta de función renal. Esta serie de casos afianza la posibilidad de que la infección por SARS-CoV-2 sea un desencadenante más de esta patología.

COVID-19 most related glomerular disease to date seems to be collapsing glomerulopathy, mostly in young Afroamerican patients with APOL1 gene risk alleles. However, in our population, predominant in elderly Caucasian patients, most biopsied pathology since the beginning of the pandemic has been IgA nephritis or Schönlein-Henoch purpura. Since the description of the first case of this entity after SARS-CoV-2 infection by our research group, three more cases have arisen, which are described in the following article. In contrast to the rest of IgA vasculitis cases reported, our patients presented more renal function deterioration and all of them required immunosupresive therapy. Moreover, some showed incomplete recovery of renal function. This case series strengthens the hypothesis that SARS-CoV-2 infection may be another trigger of this pathology.

Background and Aims Due to COVID-19 pandemic we must continue attending in our hospital consultations and, at the same time, avoid transfers and visit that involve risks to our patients. For this reason, we implemented new forms of care. Mainly electronic consultation (eConsult) using institutional email as way of contact between Primary Care Providers (PCPs) and nephrologist, trying to decrease in-person visit. Objective To analyze the results of the creation in June 2020 of a Nephrology electronic consultation in our hospital. Method Retrospective observational study of eConsults made to our department, which serves a population of 200.000 people, with total of 9 primary care centers. The study period was June 10, 2020 to December 31, 2020. We have studied the number of eConsults, response time, type of consult made, problem resolution and subsequent follow up. Results Of 141 workdays, in 61 days (43%) there was eConsult, total 80 eConsults, mean 1.3 and median 1 daily (range 1 to 3). All primary care centers used this communication way, as well as 50 PCPs. Median response time for eConsult was 1 day (range 1-4). 55% patient was male, mean age 70.8 years (SD 13.9) (range 16-95 years). 64% it was his first assessment for Nephrology. The most frequent causes of eConsult: increase of creatinine (41.3%), uncontrolled blood pressure (12.5%), sodium and potassium disturbances (11.3%), treatment adjustment (11.3%) and changes in previous appointment (8.8%). After assessment eConsult, to 55% of patients was treatment adjustment, 22.5% were converted to an in-person visit, 11% they didn´t need any action but only 1 patient was referred to the emergency room. 44% patient is subsequent follow up by PCPs, 39% by nephrologist, 15% joint assessment PCP and nephrologist and 2% by other specialists. Only 2 patients (2.5%) made second eConsult. Conclusion The eConsult is an important help to PCPs to solve doubts quickly, avoid unnecessary the travels to hospital the patients, treatment adjustment above all in control of hypertension an ionic disturbance, and guide in handling of chronic kidney disease. The diffusion and empowerment of this type of consultation in a next future may decrease, partly, the usual saturation of face-to-face visit and optimize the patient population being seen by nephrologist.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.

Artículo escrito por un elevado número de autores, solo se referencian el que aparece en primer lugar, el nombre del grupo de colaboración, si le hubiere, y los autores pertenecientes a la UAM, Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations., Hay una corrección posterior a este artículo: http://hdl.handle.net/10486/703679, Background X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) is a hereditary rare disease caused by loss-of-function mutations in PHEX gene leading tohypophosphatemia and high renal loss of phosphate. Rickets and growth retardation are the major manifestations of XLH in children, but there is a broad phenotypic variability. Few publications have reported large series of patients. Current data on the clinical spectrum of the disease, the correlation with the underlying gene mutations, and the long-term outcome of patients on conventional treatment are needed, particularly because of the recent availability of new specific medications to treat XLH. Results The RenalTube database was used to retrospectively analyze 48 Spanish patients (15 men) from 39 different families, ranging from 3 months to 8 years and 2 months of age at the time of diagnosis (median age of 2.0 years), and with XLH confirmed by genetic analysis. Bone deformities, radiological signs of active rickets and growth retardation were the most common findings at diagnosis. Mean (± SEM) height was − 1.89 ± 0.19 SDS and 55% (22/40) of patients had height SDS below—2. All cases had hypophosphatemia, serum phosphate being − 2.81 ± 0.11 SDS. Clinical manifestations and severity of the disease were similar in both genders. No genotype—phenotype correlation was found. Conventional treatment did not attenuate growth retardation after a median follow up of 7.42 years (IQR = 11.26; n = 26 patients) and failed to normalize serum concentrations of phosphate. Eleven patients had mild hyperparathyroidism and 8 patients nephrocalcinosis. Conclusions This study shows that growth retardation and rickets were the most prevalent clinical manifestations at diagnosis in a large series of Spanish pediatric patients with XLH confirmed by mutations in the PHEX gene. Traditional treatment with phosphate and vitamin D supplements did not improve height or corrected hypophosphatemia and was associated with a risk of hyperparathyroidism and nephrocalcinosis. The severity of the disease was similar in males and females, This research has been partially funded by Kyowa Kirin Farmacéutica S.L.U., project PI17/01745 from Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Acción Estratégica en Salud 2017-2020 and FEDER funds, Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias (FIS), Fundación Nutrición y Crecimiento (FUNDNYC), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA) and Fundación para la Investigación y la Innovación Biosanitaria del Principado de Asturias (FINBA)

Background: Chronic fluid overload is frequent in hemodialysis patients (P) and it associates with hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and higher mortality. Moreover, echocardiographic data assessing fluid overload is limited. Our aim was to evaluate the relationship between fluid overload measured by bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) and different echocardiographic parameters. Methods: Cross-sectional observational study including 76 stable patients. Dry weight was clinically assessed. BIS and echocardiography were performed. Weekly time-averaged fluid overload (TAFO) and relative fluid overload (FO/ECW) were calculated using BIS measurements. Results: Based on TAFO three groups were defined: A- dehydrated, TAFO < -0.25 L 32 P (42%); B- normohydrated, TAFO between -0.25 and 1.5 l: 26 (34%); C- overhydrated, TAFO>1.5 l: 18 (24%). We found significant correlation between TAFO and left atrial volume index (LAVI) (r: 0.29; p = 0.013) but not with FO/ECW (r: 0.06; p = 0.61). TAFO, but not FO/ECW kept a significant relationship with LAVI (p = 0.03) using One-Way ANOVA test and linear regression methods. LVH was present in 73.7% (concentric 63.2%, eccentric in 10.5%). No differences between groups in the presence of LVH or left ventricular mass index were found. Conclusions: We found that left atrial volume index determined by echocardiographic Area-length method, but not left ventricle hypertrophy or dimensions of cavities, are related on hydration status based on bioimpedance measured time-averaged fluid overload (TAFO), and not with FO/ECW.

Background. Predicting the progression of kidney failure in patients with chronic kidney disease is difficult. The aim of this study was to assess the predictors of rapid kidney decline in a cohort of patients referred to a single outpatient nephrology clinic. Design. Longitudinal, prospective cohort study with a median follow-up of 3.39 years. Methods. Data were obtained from 306 patients with chronic renal failure based on serum creatinine-estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFRcreat) < 90 mL/min/1.73 m2. After excluding patients who died (n=30) and those who developed end-stage renal failure (n=6), 270 patients were included. This population was grouped according to the rate of kidney function decline. Rapid kidney function decline was defined as an annual eGFRcreat loss > 4 mL/min/1.73 m2. We recorded nonfatal cardiovascular events at baseline and during follow-up in addition to biochemical parameters. Results. The mean loss in renal function was 1.22 mL/min/1.73 m2 per year. The mean age was 75 ± 8.8 years old, and the mean baseline eGFRcreat was 42 ± 14 mL/min/1.73 m2. Almost one-fourth of the sample (23.3% [63 patients]) suffered a rapid decline in renal function. In a logistic regression model with rapid decline as the outcome, baseline characteristics, lower serum albumin (OR: 0.313, 95% CI: 0.114–0.859), previous cardiovascular disease (OR: 1.903 95% CI: 1.028–3.523), and higher proteinuria (g/24 h) (OR: 1.817 CI 95%: 1.213–2.723) were the main predictors of rapid kidney decline. On multivariate analysis, including baseline and follow-up data, we obtained similar adjusted associations of rapid kidney decline with baseline serum albumin and proteinuria. The follow-up time was also shorter in the group with rapid rates of decline in renal function. Conclusion. Renal function remained stable in the majority of our population. Previous cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular incidents, lower serum albumin, and higher proteinuria at baseline were the main predictors of rapid kidney decline in our population.

Background: High levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) have been associated with increased mortality in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD). We hypothesize that elevated ALP could be partly explained by subclinical liver congestion related to left ventricular diastolic dysfunction. Methods: Doppler echocardiography was performed in 68 patients with advanced CKD followed up for a median of 2.1 years. Time-averaged levels of ALP and γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT) were compared between patients with and without diastolic dysfunction. We also evaluated the effect of intensifying diuretic treatment on ALP levels in a small group of 16 patients with high ALP and signs of volume overload. Results: ALP correlated significantly (p < 0.001) with GGT but not with parathyroid hormone (p = 0.09). Patients with diastolic dysfunction showed higher ALP (p = 0.01), higher GGT (p = 0.03) and lower albumin (p = 0.04). The highest values of ALP were observed in patients with diastolic dysfunction plus pulmonary hypertension (p = 0.01). Intensifying diuretic therapy in a subgroup of patients with signs of fluid overload induced a significant reduction in body weight, GGT (p < 0.001) and ALP levels (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Elevated ALP in patients with advanced CKD could be partly explained by subclinical liver congestion related to left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, hypervolemia or both. The worse prognosis of these patients could be explained by their myocardial damage.

Spontaneous remission is a well known characteristic of idiopathic membranous nephropathy, but contemporary studies describing predictors of remission and long-term outcomes are lacking. We conducted a retrospective, multicenter cohort study of 328 patients with nephrotic syndrome resulting from idiopathic membranous nephropathy that initially received conservative therapy. Spontaneous remission occurred in 104 (32%) patients: proteinuria progressively declined after diagnosis until remission of disease at 14.7 ± 11.4 months. Although spontaneous remission was more frequent with lower levels of baseline proteinuria, it also frequently occurred in patients with massive proteinuria: 26% among those with baseline proteinuria 8 to 12 g/24 h and 22% among those with proteinuria >12 g/24 h. Baseline serum creatinine and proteinuria, treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor antagonists, and a >50% decline of proteinuria from baseline during the first year of follow-up were significant independent predictors for spontaneous remission. Only six patients (5.7%) experienced a relapse of nephrotic syndrome. The incidence of death and ESRD were significantly lower among patients with spontaneous remission. In conclusion, spontaneous remission is common among patients with nephrotic syndrome resulting from membranous nephropathy and carries a favorable long-term outcome with a low incidence of relapse. A decrease in proteinuria >50% from baseline during the first year predicts spontaneous remission.

Background Although tacrolimus is recommended by KDIGO Clinical Practice Guideline for Glomerulonephritis for the treatment of idiopathic membranous nephropathy (MN), little is known about factors that influence response and relapse of the disease after tacrolimus therapy. Methods Multicentre study that collected 122 MN patients with nephrotic syndrome and stable renal function treated with tacrolimus. Duration of treatment was 17.6 ± 7.2 months, including a full-dose and a tapering period. Results The percentage of remission was 60, 78 and 84% after 6, 12 and 18 months of treatment, respectively. The amount of proteinuria at baseline significantly predicted remission, the lower the baseline proteinuria the higher the probability of remission. Only 10 patients (8%) received concomitantly corticosteroids, and their rate of remission was similar (80% at 18 months). Among responders, 42% achieved complete remission (CR) and 58% partial remission (PR). Almost half (44%) of the responder patients relapsed. The amount of proteinuria at the onset of tacrolimus tapering was significantly higher in relapsing patients. By multivariable analysis, the presence of a PR versus CR at the onset of tacrolimus tapering and a shorter duration of the tapering period significantly predicted relapses. Tolerance was good and the number of adverse events low. Conclusions Tacrolimus monotherapy is an effective and safe option for the treatment of MN with stable renal function. Relapses are frequent in patients with PR and can be partially prevented by a longer tapering period.

Background. We examine whether cystatin C, a surrogate marker of renal function, could identify patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) with an increased risk of renal disease progression, death, or cardiovascular events.Methods. Data were obtained for 180 patients, with a diagnosis of chronic renal failure based on serum creatinine estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFRcreat) 2. This population was grouped in tertiles according to cystatin C and creatinine values at baseline. Cardiovascular events and overall mortality were estimated for each tertile. Predictors of overall mortality and for the development of renal disease progression were analyzed.Results. The median age was 75 years (interquartile range 69–82) and the median eGFRcreat38 mL/min m2(interquartile range 33–49). Overall mortality was lower on the first and on the second tertiles of cystatin C than on the third one (HR = 0.060; 95% CI: 0.008–0.447 and HR = 0.094; 95% CI: 0.022–0.406, resp.). Deaths related to the creatinine tertiles followed the same pattern, but differences were not as large. Cardiovascular mortality was lower on the second than on the third cystatin C tertile (HR = 0.198; 95% CI: 0.040–0.987), but it did not show differences on the first and the second creatinine tertiles compared with the third one (HR = 0.126; 95% CI: 0.013–1.265 and HR = 0.403; 95% CI: 0.093–1.740). The only independent predictors of mortality during followup were baseline cystatin C (OR = 0.100; 95% CI: 0.021–0.463) and baseline uric acid (OR = 1.377; 95% CI: 1.070–1.773).Conclusion. Cystatin C may be an alternative to creatinine for detecting a high risk of death and cardiovascular events in a population with CKD.

Background. Low serum magnesium has been associated with an increased cardiovascular risk in the general population and in dialysis patients. Our aim was to analyze the influence of serum magnesium on overall mortality and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with advanced CKD not yet on dialysis. Methods. Seventy patients with CKD stages 4 and 5 were included. After a single measurement of s-magnesium, patients were followed a mean of 11 months. Primary end-point was death of any cause, and secondary end-point was the occurrence of fatal or nonfatal CV events. Results. Basal s-magnesium was within normal range (2.1±0.3 mg/dL), was lower in men (P=0.008) and in diabetic patients (P=0.02), and was not different (P=0.2) between patients with and without cardiopathy. Magnesium did not correlate with PTH, calcium, phosphate, albumin, inflammatory parameters (CRP), and cardiac (NT-proBNP) biomarkers but correlated inversely (r=−0.23; P=0.052) with the daily dose of loop diuretics. In univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models, magnesium was not an independent predictor for overall mortality or CV events. Conclusions. Our results do not support that serum magnesium can be an independent predictor for overall mortality or future cardiovascular events among patients with advanced CKD not yet on dialysis.

Background: Mycophenolate (MF) is effective as induction therapy for lupus nephritis (LN) in patients with normal renal function; however, little is known about its role in patients with impaired renal failure. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the response to MF in LN and its association with baseline renal function. Methods: Data were obtained for 90 patients from 12 Spanish renal units who were receiving MF as induction therapy for LN. Patients were classified into 2 groups: group 1 (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] ≥60 ml/min/1.73 m2) and group 2 (eGFR 2). The primary outcome measure was the percentage of patients who achieved any response and its relationship with initial eGFR. The secondary outcome measures were the percentage of patients who achieved a complete response (CR) or partial response (PR) and the appearance of relapses during treatment and side effects. Results: At initiation of MF treatment, there were no differences in the main parameters between group 1 (n = 63; eGFR 87 ± 23 ml/min/ 1.73 m2) and group 2 (n = 27; eGFR 44 ± 12 ml/min/1.73 m2). Exposure to prednisone and MF was similar. The percentages of patients who achieved a response in groups 1 and 2 were, respectively, 69.2 and 43.8% at 6 months and 81.3 and 73.7% at 12 months. CR was more frequent in group 1, whereas PR was similar in both groups. Four patients relapsed and side effects were unremarkable. Conclusions: MF is effective and safe as induction therapy for LN, and response is even achieved in patients with baseline renal impairment.

Background. An elevated serum C-reactive protein(CRP) has been shown to be strongly predictive ofmorbidity and mortality in dialysis patients. However,the significance of high CRP levels in the pre-dialysisperiod has not been studied extensively. The aim of ourstudy was to analyse the evolution of our pre-dialysispopulation according to their basal levels of CRP.Methods. A cohort of 66 pre-dialysis patients wasfollowed for 1 year, after initial determination ofserum CRP. The evolution of blood pressure (BP)control, CRP levels, nutritional data (body mass index,serum albumin, prealbumin, transferrin, cholesterol),proteinuria, calcium-phosphorus product, bicarbonate,haemoglobin (Hb), the weekly dose of erythropoietin(Epo)ukg body weight, and the HbuEpo dose ratio weremeasured and compared between patients with high()6mgul) or low (-6mgul) CRP levels at baseline. Thedecline in renal function, hospitalization, and deathalso were measured and compared between the twogroups.Results. At baseline, 23 patients (35%) showed high()6mgul) CRP levels. CRP was higher in patients witha previous history of cardiovascular disease (P-0.01),as well as in patients in whom ischaemic nephropathyor nephrosclerosis was the cause of end-stage renaldisease (P-0.01). There were no differences betweendiabetic and non-diabetic patients. During the studyperiod, patients with higher CRP levels at baselinemaintained higher levels (P-0.001). During thisperiod, these patients showed lower (P-0.05) albuminconcentration, higher bicarbonate levels, lower Hbconcentration, and lower HbuEpo ratio and neededhigher Epo doses. There were no differences in systolicBP, the degree of proteinuria, and the decline in renalfunction between groups; diastolic BP was lower inpatients with high CRP levels. Hospitalization washigher (P-0.005) in this group. Only one patient died.Conclusions. The prevalence of inflammation is highin pre-dialysis patients. High serum CRP levels predicta constant inflammatory state on follow-up. As occursin dialysis patients, pre-dialysis inflammation predictslower serum albumin concentration, poorer responseto Epo, and a higher hospitalization rate. The declinein renal function does not seem to be related to theinflammatory state. Mortality was not affected onshort-term follow-up.Keywords: erythropoietin response; hospitalization;hypoalbuminaemia; inflammation; pre-dialysis