Nephrology, dialysis, transplantation : official publication of the European Dialysis and Transplant Association - European Renal Association
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Nephrol. Dial. Transplant. · Apr 2011
National survey of the current provision of specialist palliative care services for patients with end-stage renal disease.
Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) experience a significant symptom burden and have complex needs. However, involvement of specialist palliative care (SPC) services with these patients has previously been shown to be limited. This study assesses the current provision of and access to SPC services for ESRD patients in the UK and considers how the provision has evolved over recent years. ⋯ The majority of SPC services accept ESRD patients, but limited numbers are referred. Respondents indicated that this barrier could be addressed by closer collaboration and better communication and education between renal and SPC services. Other initiatives to enable delivery of SPC to increased numbers of ESRD patients include the use of specific referral and clinical care guidelines and expansion of joint MDT meetings and out-patient clinics.
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Nephrol. Dial. Transplant. · Mar 2011
Comparative StudySerum ratio of soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 to creatinine is a useful marker of infectious complications in myeloperoxidase-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated renal vasculitis.
The contribution of infections to the mortality of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis patients is important and should induce early and careful control of these events. However, the differentiation of infection from active vasculitis is often difficult. The usefulness of serum-soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (TREM-1) for detecting the presence of infectious complications regardless of disease activity was investigated. ⋯ The serum ratio of soluble TREM-1 to creatinine may be a useful marker for detection of infectious complications in MPO-ANCA-associated vasculitis.
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Nephrol. Dial. Transplant. · Feb 2011
Multicenter Study Clinical TrialOutcomes of cancer and non-cancer patients with acute kidney injury and need of renal replacement therapy admitted to general intensive care units.
Studies on cancer patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) are restricted to specialized intensive care units (ICUs). The aim of this study was to compare the characteristics and outcomes of cancer and non-cancer patients requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT) for AKI in general ICUs. ⋯ In general ICUs, one in six patients requiring RRT has cancer. Despite a relatively higher mortality, the presence of cancer was not independently associated with mortality in the present cohort.