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Edmund J Lewis

Publications and source records attributed to Edmund J Lewis.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Severe lupus nephritis: racial differences in presentation and outcome.

This study assessed whether certain clinicopathologic variables could explain the impact of race on outcome in 86 patients who had severe lupus nephritis and were available for long-term follow-up after participating in a prospective, controlled, clinical trial. Fifty-four (63%) patients were white, 21 (24%) were black, and 11 (13%) were categorized as other. The proportion of patients with anti-Ro, anti-nRNP, and anti-Sm was significantly greater among black patients. Biopsies with segmental active proliferative and necrotizing lesions that involved >or=50% of glomeruli +/- membranous glomerulonephritis (class III >or=50%+/-V) were significantly more common (white 44%, black 76%, other 36%; P < 0.05) and diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis +/- membranous glomerulonephritis (class IV+/-V) was less common (white 54%, black 24%, other 64%) among black patients. Attainment of a remission was greatest among white patients (white 52%, black 29%, other 27%; P = 0.09). Features that were predictive of a remission were white race, baseline serum creatinine, and class IV+/-V lesions. Patient survival at 10 yr (white 81%, black 59%, other 73%; P = 0.029) and renal survival at 10 yr (white 68%, black 38%, other 61%; P = 0.015) were significantly poorer in black patients. Predictors of ESRD were serum creatinine, the presence of anti-Ro antibodies, class III >or=50%+/-V lesions, and failure to achieve a remission. In conclusion, racial differences were observed in the serologic and histologic features at presentation, response to treatment, and outcome of patients with severe lupus nephritis. In a population of patients with severe lupus nephritis, black patients were significantly more likely to have a serologic profile and renal lesions that were associated with more aggressive renal disease and resulted in worse outcomes than white patients.

Adult↗

Independent and additive impact of blood pressure control and angiotensin II receptor blockade on renal outcomes in the irbesartan diabetic nephropathy trial: clinical implications and limitations.

Elevated arterial pressure is a major risk factor for progression to ESRD in diabetic nephropathy. However, the component of arterial pressure and level of BP control for optimal renal outcomes are disputed. Data from 1590 hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes in the Irbesartan Diabetic Nephropathy Trial (IDNT), a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial performed in 209 clinics worldwide, were examined, and the effects of baseline and mean follow-up systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP and the interaction of assigned study medications (irbesartan, amlodipine, and placebo) on progressive renal failure and all-cause mortality were assessed. Other antihypertensive agents were added to achieve predetermined BP goals. Entry criteria included elevated baseline serum creatinine concentration up to 266 micromol/L (3.0 mg/dl) and urine protein excretion >900 mg/d. Baseline BP averaged 159/87 +/- 20/11 mmHg. Median patient follow-up was 2.6 yr. Follow-up achieved SBP most strongly predicted renal outcomes. SBP >149 mmHg was associated with a 2.2-fold increase in the risk for doubling serum creatinine or ESRD compared with SBP <134 mmHg. Progressive lowering of SBP to 120 mmHg was associated with improved renal and patient survival, an effect independent of baseline renal function. Below this threshold, all-cause mortality increased. An additional renoprotective effect of irbesartan, independent of achieved SBP, was observed down to 120 mmHg. There was no correlation between diastolic BP and renal outcomes. We recommend a SBP target between 120 and 130 mmHg, in conjunction with blockade of the renin-angiotensin system, in patients with type 2 diabetic nephropathy.

Amlodipine↗

Impact of achieved blood pressure on cardiovascular outcomes in the Irbesartan Diabetic Nephropathy Trial.

Elevated arterial pressure enhances the risk for cardiovascular (CV) events in patients with diabetic nephropathy. The optimal BP and the component of the elevated BP that affect the risk have not been defined. A post hoc analysis was performed to assess the impact of achieved systolic, diastolic, and pulse pressures on CV outcomes in 1590 adults who had overt diabetic nephropathy and were enrolled in the Irbesartan Diabetic Nephropathy Trial (IDNT) and had a baseline serum creatinine above the normal range, up to 266 micromol/L (3.0 mg/dL), 24-h urine protein >900 mg/d, and at least 6 mo of follow-up. Patients were randomized to irbesartan, amlodipine, or placebo, with other antihypertensive agents to a BP goal of < or =135/85 mmHg. Progressively lower achieved systolic BP (SBP) to 120 mmHg predicted a decrease in CV mortality and congestive heart failure (CHF) but not myocardial infarctions (MI). A SBP below this threshold was associated with increased risk for CV deaths and CHF events. Achieved diastolic BP <85 mmHg was associated with a trend to increase in all-cause mortality, significant increase in MI, but decreased risk for strokes. Increased pulse pressure predicted increased all-cause mortality, CV mortality, MI, and CHF. It is concluded that achieved SBP approaching 120 mmHg and diastolic BP of 85 mmHg are associated with the best protection against CV events in these patients. BP < or =120/85 may be associated with an increase in CV events.

Antihypertensive Agents↗

Proteinuria reduction and progression to renal failure in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and overt nephropathy.

BACKGROUND: Little is known of the effects of blood pressure reduction by specific classes of antihypertensive drugs on the association between proteinuria reduction and progression of kidney insufficiency and development of end-stage kidney disease in patients with overt diabetic nephropathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: Associations between baseline proteinuria and proteinuria reduction by either irbesartan, amlodipine, or control for similar decrements in blood pressure and the cumulative incidence of renal end points were examined using the Kaplan-Meier method in patients enrolled in the Irbesartan Diabetic Nephropathy Trial. RESULTS: Risk for kidney failure doubled for each doubling of baseline proteinuria level (hazard ratio, 2.04; 95% confidence interval, 1.87 to 2.22; P < 0.001). For each halving of proteinuria level between baseline and 12 months with treatment, risk for kidney failure was reduced by more than half (hazard ratio, 0.44; 95% confidence interval, 0.40 to 0.49; P < 0.001). For the same proportional change in proteinuria, the reduction in risk for kidney failure was significantly greater for irbesartan compared with amlodipine ( P = 0.048), but not control ( P = 0.245). Proteinuria reduction in the first 12 months of therapy with irbesartan is associated with 36% of the total renoprotective effect observed. CONCLUSION: Baseline proteinuria is an important risk factor for kidney failure and provides a means to identify patients at greatest risk. Halving proteinuria halves the kidney risk. Proteinuria reduction using an angiotensin receptor-blocking agent, such as irbesartan, should be regarded as an important therapeutic goal in renoprotective strategies.

Adult↗

Pulmonary-renal syndrome in a newborn with placental transmission of ANCAs.

Despite clinical and experimental data suggesting a direct relationship between antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCAs) and disease activity in patients with microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), the causal relationship between perinuclear ANCAs specific for myeloperoxidase (MPO-ANCA) and disease manifestations has been controversial. We describe the case of a woman with a history of pulmonary-renal syndrome caused by MPA whose disease became clinically and serologically active during pregnancy. Forty-eight hours after delivery, the newborn developed pulmonary hemorrhage and abnormalities in renal function. The newborn's cord blood showed an immunoglobulin G MPO-ANCA level identical to that of the mother's serum, indicating passive transfer of the antibody to the neonate. Our findings represent the first human model supporting the interpretation that MPO-ANCAs were immunopathogenic.

Adult↗

Heparanase-1 gene expression and regulation by high glucose in renal epithelial cells: a potential role in the pathogenesis of proteinuria in diabetic patients.

The molecular mechanisms of heparan sulfate proteoglycan downregulation in the glomerular basement membrane (GBM) of the kidneys with diabetic nephropathy remain controversial. In the present study, we showed that the expression of heparanase-1 (HPR1), a heparan sulfate-degrading endoglycosidase, was upregulated in the renal epithelial cells in the kidney with diabetic nephropathy. Urinary HPR1 levels were elevated in patients with diabetic nephropathy. In vitro cell culture studies revealed that HPR1 promoter-driven luciferase reporter gene expression, HPR1 mRNA, and protein were upregulated in renal epithelial cells under high glucose conditions. Induction of HPR1 expression by high glucose led to decreased cell surface heparan sulfate expression. HPR1 inhibitors were able to restore cell surface heparan sulfate expression. Functional analysis revealed that renal epithelial cells grown under high glucose conditions resulted in an increase of basement membrane permeability to albumin. Our studies suggest that loss of heparan sulfate in the GBM with diabetic nephropathy is attributable to accelerated heparan sulfate degradation by increased HPR1 expression.

Autopsy↗

Glomerular podocytopathy in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

A series of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and proteinuria were studied to determine whether nephrotic-range proteinuria was associated with diffuse epithelial cell foot process effacement in the absence of peripheral glomerular immune aggregate deposition. Biopsies from patients with known or suspected SLE and a histologic diagnosis of (1) normal by light microscopy, (2) mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis, or (3) focal segmental glomerulosclerosis were studied. Biopsies were excluded when they demonstrated endocapillary proliferation or necrosis by light microscopy or electron-dense glomerular basement membrane deposits by electron microscopy. Patients were required to fulfill four of 11 American Rheumatologic Association criteria for the diagnosis of SLE, and proteinuria could not be associated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use. Eighteen biopsies were studied, eight from patients with nephrotic-range proteinuria (>/=3 g/d) and 10 from patients with non-nephrotic proteinuria. The time from diagnosis of SLE to biopsy was shorter for nephrotic patients that for nonnephrotic patients. Seven of eight biopsies from nephrotic patients demonstrated at least 80% foot process effacement, whereas no biopsy from a nonnephrotic patient exhibited >20% effacement. There were no other significant pathologic differences between the nephrotic and nonnephrotic patients. The single common morphologic feature associated with nephrotic proteinuria was diffuse visceral epithelial cell foot process effacement. It is concluded that the development of nephrotic-range proteinuria in patients with SLE without peripheral immune aggregate deposition or endocapillary proliferation on renal biopsy is more likely a manifestation of SLE than the coexistence of idiopathic minimal-change glomerulopathy and SLE.

Adult↗

Clinically unrecognized Q-wave myocardial infarction in patients with diabetes mellitus, systemic hypertension, and nephropathy.

During the Irbesartan Diabetic Nephropathy Trial, 1,387 participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and nephropathy underwent serial electrocardiograms for the identification of Q-wave myocardial infarction (MI). During a mean follow-up of 2.5 years, 14 of 99 first nonfatal MIs in this group were clinically unrecognized, accounting for 14% of all first nonfatal MIs.

Adult↗

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in nephrotic adults: presentation, prognosis, and response to therapy of the histologic variants.

The histopathologic diagnosis of primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) has come to include a number of histologic lesions (variants), but the prognostic significance of these discrete lesions is controversial because published information regarding the presentation, course, and response to treatment is limited. A retrospective analysis was conducted of 87 nephrotic adult patients with biopsy-proven primary FSGS. Patients were categorized on the basis of histologic criteria into those with a classic scar (36 patients), the cellular or collapsing lesion (40 patients), or the tip lesion (11 patients) of FSGS to evaluate differences in presentation, response to therapy, and clinical outcomes. The clinical features at biopsy were similar among the three groups with the exception that patients with the tip lesion were older and patients with the collapsing lesion had more severe proteinuria. Over the course of follow-up, 63% of patients treated attained remission and the response to steroid therapy was similar among the groups (classic scar 53% versus collapsing lesion 64% versus tip lesion 78%; P = 0.45). The overall renal survival was significantly better for patients who entered remission compared with patients who did not enter remission (92% versus 33% at 10 yr; P < 0.0001). The renal survival at 10 yr for patients who entered remission was similar among the three groups (classic scar 100% versus tip lesion 100% versus collapsing lesion 80%; P = 0.61). In patients who did not enter remission, the renal survival at 10 yr was significantly worse for patients with collapsing lesion and tip lesion (classic scar 49% versus tip lesion 25% versus collapsing lesion 21%; P = 0.002). In conclusion, the prognosis for nephrotic FSGS patients who enter remission is excellent regardless of the histologic lesion. Because the remission rate after treatment is similar among patients with the histologic variants, response to therapy cannot be predicted on the basis of histology alone. Thus, nephrotic patients with primary FSGS should receive a trial of therapy irrespective of the histologic lesion when not contraindicated.

Adult↗

Predictors of cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetic nephropathy and hypertension: a case for albuminuria.

Individuals with type 2 diabetes and nephropathy represent a particularly high-risk group for both adverse cardiac as well as renal events. Using the Irbesartan in Diabetic Nephropathy Trial (IDNT) cohort, our objective was to determine baseline characteristics of individuals with type 2 diabetic nephropathy and hypertension predictive for cardiac events. IDNT identified 1715 individuals with type 2 diabetic nephropathy and hypertension having serum creatinine of 1.0 to 3.0 mg/dL and urinary albumin excretion rates > or = 900 mg/day. A cardiovascular (CV) composite was used consisting of CV death, nonfatal MI, hospitalization for heart failure, stroke, amputation, and coronary and peripheral revascularization. Using multivariable Cox regression analysis, 41 baseline characteristics determined a priori were analyzed for their potential relationship to risk of experiencing a CV event. Of the 1715 individuals, 518 (30.2%) had at least one of the CV composite end points. Older age, male gender, longer duration of diabetes, history of cardiovascular disease, history of CHF, high urinary albumin:creatinine ratio, and low serum albumin were strong predictors for CV events; of these, prior history of CVD (RR 2.00, 95% CI 1.63-2.45; P < 0.0001) and high urinary albumin:creatinine ratio (RR 1.29 per natural log unit, 95% CI 1.13-1.48; P = 0.0002) at baseline were highly predictive for cardiovascular events. In conclusion, among individuals with hypertension and diabetic nephropathy, both the degree of albuminuria and lower serum albumin levels provide additional prognostic information concerning cardiovascular risk, in addition to traditional coronary risk factors.

Albuminuria↗

Impact of irbesartan, blood pressure control, and proteinuria on renal outcomes in the Irbesartan Diabetic Nephropathy Trial.

BACKGROUND: It is important to know the reliability of early changes in proteinuria in predicting late renal outcomes. The IDNT was a trial in which treatment assignment, baseline and follow-up blood pressure determinations, and albumin/creatinine ratios (ACR), and renal outcomes were recorded. METHODS: Risk of renal outcomes in the IDNT was assessed by proportional hazards modeling as a function of treatment assignment, and achieved systolic blood pressure (SBP) both without, and then with, inclusion of values for baseline proteinuria and early changes in proteinuria. RESULTS: In models without ACR variables, both treatment with irbesartan and achieved SBP during follow-up were significantly predictive of the risk of renal outcomes. Addition of ACR variables to the models reduced the apparent impact of assignment to irbesartan by 52% to 81%, and irbesartan was no longer a significant predictor of renal outcomes. Conversely, addition of ACR variables to the models attenuated the effect of achieved follow-up SBP by only 32% to 46%, and follow-up BP remained a highly significant predictor of renal outcomes. CONCLUSION: The ability of early changes in proteinuria to predict the impact of treatment on renal outcomes is a function of the specific treatment. One must use caution in using early changes in proteinuria as a surrogate for longer-term renal outcomes.

Antihypertensive Agents↗

Cardiovascular outcomes in the Irbesartan Diabetic Nephropathy Trial of patients with type 2 diabetes and overt nephropathy.

BACKGROUND: Patients with diabetes have increased risk for adverse cardiovascular events. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors are protective in type 1 diabetes. However, no definitive studies have examined the use of angiotensin-receptor blockers in patients with type 2 diabetes and overt nephropathy. The primary outcomes of the Irbesartan Diabetic Nephropathy Trial were doubling of serum creatinine levels, end-stage renal disease, and death from any cause. OBJECTIVE: To compare rates of cardiovascular events among patients with type 2 diabetic nephropathy who received conventional antihypertensive therapy with an angiotensin-receptor blocker (irbesartan) or a calcium-channel blocker (amlodipine), or placebo. DESIGN: Randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with a median follow-up of 2.6 years. A time event analysis was used. SETTING: 209 centers in the Americas, Europe, Israel, and Australasia. PARTICIPANTS: 1715 adults with type 2 diabetic nephropathy and hypertension; serum creatinine levels of 89 micromol/L (1.0 mg/dL) to 266 micromol/L (3.0 mg/dL) in women and 106 micromol/L (1.2 mg/dL) to 266 micromol/L (3.0 mg/dL) in men; and urinary protein excretion rates of at least 900 mg/d. INTERVENTION: Treatment with irbesartan, amlodipine, or placebo. MEASUREMENTS: Time to cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, strokes, and coronary revascularization. RESULTS: The three groups were not statistically different in the composite of cardiovascular events. Among the components of the composite, there was a trend toward a decrease in strokes in patients receiving amlodipine versus those receiving placebo (hazard ratio, 0.65 [95% CI, 0.35 to 1.22]; P = 0.18). Likewise, patients receiving amlodipine had a significantly lower rate of myocardial infarction when compared with placebo recipients (hazard ratio, 0.58 [CI, 0.37 to 0.92]; P = 0.02). In contrast, patients receiving irbesartan had a significantly lower incidence of congestive heart failure when compared with placebo recipients (hazard ratio, 0.72 [CI, 0.52 to 1.00]; P = 0.048) or amlodipine recipients (hazard ratio, 0.65 [CI, 0.48 to 0.87]; P = 0.004). CONCLUSION: The composite cardiovascular event rate did not differ in patients with type 2 diabetes and overt nephropathy treated with irbesartan, amlodipine, or placebo in addition to conventional antihypertensive therapy.

Amlodipine↗

Treatment of diabetic nephropathy with angiotensin II receptor antagonist.

Type 2 diabetes is an ever-growing problem worldwide. Approximately 40% of the patients with type 2 diabetes will develop diabetic kidney disease. In the United States, diabetes has become the most common single cause of endstage renal disease defined by the need for dialysis or transplantation. Patients with type 2 diabetes and diabetic nephropathy have a dramatically increased cardiovascular risk. The Irbesartan Diabetic Nephropathy Trial was designed to determine whether the use of irbesartan or a calcium channel blocker would provide protection against the progression of nephropathy due to type 2 diabetes beyond that attributable to the lowering of blood pressure. In that study, 1715 hypertensive patients with nephropathy due to type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned to irbesartan 300 mg/day or amlodipine 10 mg/day, or placebo. All patients randomized in this trial had more than 900 mg of protein in their urine and serum creatinines between 1.0 mg/dl and 3.0 mg/dl. The target blood pressure was 135/85 mmHg or less in all groups. The primary outcome was time to a combined endpoint of doubling of their baseline serum creatinine concentration, the development of endstage renal disease, or death from any cause. The mean duration of follow-up was 2.6 years. Treatment with irbesartan was associated with a risk of the primary composite endpoint that was 20% lower than that in the placebo group ( P = 0.02) and 23% lower than that in the amlodipine group ( P = 0.006). The risk of doubling of the serum creatinine concentration was 33% lower in the irbesartan group than in the placebo group ( P = 0.003) and 37% lower in the irbesartan group than in the amlodipine group ( P < 0.001). Treatment with irbesartan was associated with a relative risk of endstage renal disease that was 23% lower than that in both other groups. These differences were not accounted for by differences in the blood pressures that were achieved. Proteinuria was reduced on average by 33% in the irbesartan group as compared with 6% in the amlodipine group and 10% in the placebo group. The angiotensin II receptor blocker irbesartan was shown to be effective in protecting against the progression of nephropathy due to type 2 diabetes. In a study done in patients with type 2 diabetes and early nephropathy as manifested by microalbuminuria, 590 hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes and microalbuminuria were randomized to receive either irbesartan 150 mg/day or irbesartan 300 mg/day and followed for 2 years. The primary outcome in that trial was the time to the onset of diabetic nephropathy, defined by persistent albuminuria in overnight specimens, with a urinary albumin excretion rate that was more than 200 mg/min or at least 30% higher than the baseline level. The irbesartan 150 mg/day group demonstrated a 39% relative risk reduction versus the control group in the development of overt proteinuria. The irbesartan 300 mg/day group demonstrated a highly significant 70% risk reduction versus the control group ( P < 0.001). The albumin excretion rate was reduced in the two irbesartan groups throughout the study (-11% and -38% at 24 months compared with baseline in the irbesartan 150-mg and 300-mg groups, respectively). The albumin excretion rate remained unchanged in the control group. Irbesartan was demonstrated in the above study to be renoprotective, independent of its blood pressure-lowering effect, in patients with type 2 diabetes and microalbuminuria. Thus, irbesartan, an angiotensin receptor blocker, was demonstrated to be significantly renoprotective in patients with type 2 diabetes with either early nephropathy (microalbuminuria) or late nephropathy (proteinuria). The renoprotective effects of irbesartan were above and beyond the effects irbesartan had on systemic blood pressure. Patients with type 2 diabetes and either early or late diabetic nephropathy should be treated with the angiotensin II receptor blocker irbesartan.

Amlodipine↗

The cost-effectiveness of irbesartan in the treatment of hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetic nephropathy.

BACKGROUND: End-stage renal disease (ESRD)-related health care costs are substantial. Improving clinical outcomes in patients at risk of progression to ESRD could lead to considerable health care savings. OBJECTIVE: We estimated the cost-effectiveness of irbesartan compared with placebo or amlodipine in the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and overt nephropathy. METHODS: Three treatments for hypertension patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and nephropathy were assessed: (1) irbesartan, (2) amlodipine, and (3) placebo. A Markov model was developed based on primary data from the Irbesartan in Diabetic Nephropathy Trial and the United States Renal Data System. Projected survival and costs were compared for each treatment at 3-, 10-, and 25-year time horizons. Different assumptions of treatment benefits and costs were tested with use of sensitivity analyses. RESULTS: At 10 and 25 years, the model projected irbesartan to be both the least costly and most effective (ie, demonstrating a survival advantage) strategy. At 25

Adult↗