Abstract
Data surrounding sex-specific differences in ANCA-associated vasculitis glomerulonephritis (ANCA-GN) outcomes is sparse. We hypothesised that the previously observed increased risk of ...end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) in males is driven by sex-specific variation in immunosuppression dosing. Patients were recruited to the Irish Rare Kidney Disease Registry or followed by the Royal Free Hospital vasculitis team (2012–2020). Inclusion criteria: prior diagnosis of ANCA-GN (biopsy proven pauci-immune glomerulonephritis) and positive serology for anti-MPO or -PR3 antibodies. Renal and patient survival, stratified by sex and Berden histological class, was analysed. The cumulative- and starting dose/kilogram of induction agents and prednisolone, respectively, was compared between sexes. 332 patients were included. Median follow-up was time 40.2 months (IQR 17.3–69.2). 73 (22%) reached ESKD and 47 (14.2%) died. Overall 1- and 5-year renal survival was 82.2% and 76.7% in males and 87.1% and 82.0% in females, respectively (
p
0.13). The hazard ratio for ESKD in males versus females, after adjustment for age, ANCA serology, baseline creatinine and histological class was 1.07 (95% CI 0.59–1.93). There was no difference between sexes in the dose/kilogram of any induction agent. We did not observe a strong impact of sex on renal outcome in ANCA-GN. Treatment intensity does not vary by sex.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Approximately 500 monogenic causes of chronic kidney disease (CKD) have been identified, mainly in pediatric populations. The frequency of monogenic causes among adults with CKD has been less ...extensively studied. To determine the likelihood of detecting monogenic causes of CKD in adults presenting to nephrology services in Ireland, we conducted whole exome sequencing (WES) in a multi-centre cohort of 114 families including 138 affected individuals with CKD. Affected adults were recruited from 78 families with a positive family history, 16 families with extra-renal features, and 20 families with neither a family history nor extra-renal features. We detected a pathogenic mutation in a known CKD gene in 42 of 114 families (37%). A monogenic cause was identified in 36% of affected families with a positive family history of CKD, 69% of those with extra-renal features, and only 15% of those without a family history or extra-renal features. There was no difference in the rate of genetic diagnosis in individuals with childhood versus adult onset CKD. Among the 42 families in whom a monogenic cause was identified, WES confirmed the clinical diagnosis in 17 (40%), corrected the clinical diagnosis in 9 (22%), and established a diagnosis for the first time in 16 families referred with CKD of unknown etiology (38%). In this multi-centre study of adults with CKD, a molecular genetic diagnosis was established in over one-third of families. In the evolving era of precision medicine, WES may be an important tool to identify the cause of CKD in adults.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Background
Evidence surrounding vascular access options for commencing dialysis in pregnancy complicated by chronic kidney disease (CKD) is limited. Creation of new arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) in ...pregnant women is rare.
Methods
Retrospective cohort study of approaches to vascular access in pregnancy in centres in Australia, the United Kingdom (UK) and Canada (2002–2018).
Results
Twenty-three women with advanced CKD commenced dialysis in pregnancy (n = 20) or planned to commence (n = 3). Access at dialysis start was a tunnelled catheter (n = 13), temporary catheter (n = 1), AVF created pre-conception but used in pregnancy (n = 3) and AVF created during pregnancy (n = 3). No women commencing dialysis with an AVF required a catheter. No differences in perinatal outcomes were observed comparing AVFs and catheters at dialysis commencement. No AVFs were created in pregnancy in Canadian women. From Australia and the UK, 10 women had a new AVF created in pregnancy, at median gestation 14.5 weeks (IQR 12.5, 20.75). Four women still needed a catheter for dialysis initiation and 3 eventually used the new AVF. Six AVFs were successfully used in pregnancy at median gestation 24 weeks (IQR 22.5, 28.5), 2 were successfully created but not used and 2 had primary failure. No catheter-associated complications were identified except one episode of catheter-related sepsis.
Conclusions
Catheter-related complications were minimal. In selected women, with sufficient pre-planning, an AVF can be created and successfully used during pregnancy to minimise catheter use if preferred. Pre-conception counselling in advanced CKD should include discussing vascular access options reflecting local expertise and patient preferences.
Graphic abstract
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Abstract
Tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) inhibitors are frequently used for the treatment of immune-mediated diseases. Conversely, cytokine therapy has the potential to paradoxically induce ...autoimmunity. A number of case reports have emerged concerning sarcoid-like granulomatosis secondary to TNF-α therapy, an adverse effect that typically affects the pulmonary and cutaneous systems. Granulomatous interstitial nephritis (GIN) is a relatively unknown, relatively under-reported consequence of adalimumab therapy that can have important clinical implications. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of GIN secondary to anti-TNF-α therapy necessitating a prolonged period of dialysis and the first report demonstrating the successful use of secukinumab as an alternative immunomodulatory agent.
Abstract
Background
The aetiology of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) and triggers of relapse are poorly understood. Vitamin D (vitD) is an important immunomodulator, potentially responsible for the ...observed latitudinal differences between granulomatous and non-granulomatous AAV phenotypes. A narrow ultraviolet B spectrum induces vitD synthesis (vitD-UVB) via the skin. We hypothesised that prolonged periods of low ambient UVB (and by extension vitD deficiency) are associated with the granulomatous form of the disease and an increased risk of AAV relapse.
Methods
Patients with AAV recruited to the Irish Rare Kidney Disease (RKD) (
n
= 439) and UKIVAS (
n
= 1961) registries were studied. Exposure variables comprised latitude and measures of ambient vitD-UVB, including cumulative weighted UVB dose (CW-D-UVB), a well-validated vitD proxy. An
n
-of-1 study design was used to examine the relapse risk using only the RKD dataset. Multi-level models and logistic regression were used to examine the effect of predictors on AAV relapse risk, phenotype and serotype.
Results
Residential latitude was positively correlated (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.14–1.74,
p
= 0.002) and average vitD-UVB negatively correlated (0.82, 0.70–0.99,
p
= 0.04) with relapse risk, with a stronger effect when restricting to winter measurements (0.71, 0.57–0.89,
p
= 0.002). However, these associations were not restricted to granulomatous phenotypes. We observed no clear relationship between latitude, vitD-UVB or CW-D-UVB and AAV phenotype or serotype.
Conclusion
Our findings suggest that low winter ambient UVB and prolonged vitD status contribute to AAV relapse risk across all phenotypes. However, the development of a granulomatous phenotype does not appear to be directly vitD-mediated. Further research is needed to determine whether sufficient vitD status would reduce relapse propensity in AAV.