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The protein-energy wasting (PEW) syndrome is a common complication in hemodialysis (HD) patients associated to morbidity and mortality. Our objective was to assess the prevalence of PEW and its association with erythropoietin resistance index (ERI) score, body composition by impedance, health-related quality of life, and muscle strength.In this cross-sectional, observational, multicenter study, we included data from 191 HD patients from three HD clinics located in Mexico City, Mexico. Clinical and biochemistry variables, body composition, handgrip strength, and the KDQOL-SF36 questionnaire were collected for each patient.Prevalence of PEW was 22% (n = 41/191), with a higher frequency in those with diabetes mellitus (59% vs. 49%, p = 0.04). Subjects with PEW had lower hemoglobin levels (9.5 + 1.6 g/dl vs. 10.3 + 1.7 g/dl; p = 0.005) and higher ERI scores (19.2 ± 11.2 vs. 15.6 ± 8.2; p = 0.04) compared with the non-PEW group. In analysis of body composition, PEW was associated to higher overhydration status (42.2 vs. 24.9 OH/kg; p = 0.009), higher extracellular water (263 ± 40 vs. 246 ± 32 ml/kg; p = 0.019), lower lean tissue index (12.2 ± 3.2 vs. 14.1 ± 3.7 ml/mIn this study, PEW was associated to poor responsiveness to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, lower muscle strength, and higher overhydration status due to the increase in extracellular water which replaced the loss of tissue. Nevertheless, quality-of-life assessment was not different in patients with PEW compared with those without this complication.

Background and Aims The use of intradialytic exercise has been associated with improved clearance, oxygen consumption, quality of life, and physical performance. The aim of this study was to describe the association between of intradialytic exercise and some outcomes in a Mexican maintenance hemodialysis (HD) population. Method Observational comparative study that included 84 maintenance HD patients from one HD center in Mexico City. The population was grouped according to the intradialytic exercise local record. The aerobic intradialytic exercise protocol includes cycling for 30-45 min during the first 2 hours of the HD according to each patient’s ability. A retrospective registry of clinical and biochemical parameters was realized. Also, the hemodynamic parameters of the last six HD sessions for each patient was included. Data analysis was carried out through descriptive and inferential statistics. Results Of the total population, 45.2% were men (n= 38) and the mean age was 53.6 + 17 years. Fifty one percent (n= 43) had diabetes mellitus (DM), which resulted more prevalent in the subgroup of patients without intradialytic exercise (p=0.03) No differences between groups were present in age, history of previous peritoneal dialysis or kidney transplant. The rest of baseline data are shown in Table 1. The subgroup of patients who underwent intradialytic exercise presented higher levels of serum albumin (p=0.03) and lower levels of parathormone (p=0.03). A total of 504 HD sessions were analysed and intradialytic exercise was performed in 64.3% (n=324). Patients in the intradialytic exercise program presented high levels of systolic and diastolic blood pressure (graphic 1). Intradialytic hypotension occurred in 5.2% (n=26) and no differences are shown between groups (p=0.78). No mayor side effects were reported. Conclusion The intradialytic exercise could improve nutritional and bone-mineral status markers. The patients in an intradialytic exercise program presented higher levels of blood pressure.

Introduction: High-dose corticosteroids remain the first-line therapy for focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), whereas calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) are reserved for those patients resistant to corticosteroid therapy. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort analysis in patients with primary FSGS diagnosed between 2007 and 2014. According to the administered treatment, patients were segregated into 3 groups: high-dose prednisone, first-line CNIs plus low-dose prednisone, and rescue CNIs. Cumulative corticosteroid doses were compared as well as response to therapy and long-term renal survival by Cox regression analysis. Results: A total of 66 patients were included (39 treated with high-dose prednisone, 11 treated with first-line CNI, 16 treated with high-dose prednisone followed by rescue CNI). Cumulative doses of prednisone in the high-dose group were 9.3 g (interquartile range [IQR] = 7.5−12.5 g), compared to 2.5 g (IQR = 1.82−3.12 g) in the first-line CNI plus low-dose corticosteroid group and 13.8 g (IQR = 9.2−15.8 g) rescue CNI groups, respectively (P < 0.001). Time under corticosteroid management was also higher in the high-dose prednisone group compared to the first-line CNI group. There was a response to treatment in 76.9%, 72.7%, and 87.5% of high-dose prednisone, first-line CNI and rescue CNI groups, with complete remission in 48.7%, 36.4%, and 31.3% respectively. There was no difference in relapse incidence after treatment (48.4%, 44.4%, and 46.7%) or in 5-year renal survival (87.2%, 81.8%, and 87.5%). Baseline proteinuria, biopsy chronicity score, and response to therapy were independent predictors of renal survival. Conclusion: An initial CNI plus low-dose corticosteroid approach in primary FSGS reduces corticosteroid exposure with a response-to-therapy rate similar to that of the currently recommended high-dose corticosteroid regimen. These findings justify a randomized trial to formally test this hypothesis. Keywords: calcineurin inhibitor, corticosteroids, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, FSGS, nephrotic syndrome