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K el-Reshaid

Publications and source records attributed to K el-Reshaid.

16 recordsLinked to original sources

Treatment of children with steroid refractory idiopathic nephrotic syndrome: the Kuwaiti experience.

Data on the treatment and outcome of Kuwaiti children with steroid refractory idiopathic glomerulonephritis (SRIGN), i.e. nephrotic syndrome who failed an eight-week course of prednisone, were collected retrospectively from the records of children attending the two renal centers of Kuwait between January 1, 1990 to December 31, 1996. During those seven years, a total of 34 Kuwaiti children were diagnosed to have SRIGN. Histologically, 22 (65%) of those patients had minimal change, 5 (15%) focal segmental GN, 2 (6%) non-IgA mesangioproliferative GN and one membranous GN. Twenty-two patients had manifested frequent relapses, six were steroid-dependent and six were steroid-resistant. Treatment options were in the following order: (a) small maintenance-dose of corticosteroids (< 0.5 mg/kg/alternate days); (b) cyclophosphamide and or chlorambucil for a single eight week-course or eight then 12 week courses (c) cyclosporin A for three months. The response to therapy was as follows: nine children were cured with low-dose corticosteroids; 17 with chlorambucil and/or cyclophosphamide; and five with cyclosporin A. At the end of study, only three children failed such drug therapy, two of who had focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.

Adolescent↗

Epidemiological profile, mineral metabolic pattern and crystallographic analysis of urolithiasis in Kuwait.

This study was conducted to determine the epidemiological profile of urolithiasis in Kuwaiti patients and the associated metabolic abnormalities favouring stone formation in this patient population. Between 1986 and 1994, a total of 421 Kuwaiti patients were studied in Al-Amiri renal stone laboratory. The mineral composition of stones was determined using a combination of stereoscopic microscopy and infrared spectrophotometry. Mineral metabolic screen (MMS) was available in 306 (72.7%) of those patients. The average annual incidence of new stone formation in Kuwaiti patients was 23.9 per 100,000 population. The incidence was only 6.9 per 100,000 population in those from pediatric age group, 33.4 in adults and 73.6 in the elderly. The frequency of new stone formation was higher among males as compared to females at different age groups. Calcium oxalate (CaO) constituted 72.1% of renal stones encountered in adults as compared to only 52.1% and 40.7% in elderly and pediatric age groups. Eighty four patients had recurrent and/or high stone load. Detailed family history was available in 57 of those 84 patients and was suggestive of strong family aggregation of stone disease in 30 (53%) patients. The proportion of urate stones was 15.4% of all stones formed and constituted a major cause of renal stones in children (24.1%), adults (14.4%) and elderly (12.5%). Cystine stones were found in 10 patients (2.4%). Hyperuricemia was detected in 1/3 of patients from pediatric age group. In adults, 89 (38.4%) of 232 patients had abnormal MMS, of which hyperuricosuria with or without hyperuricemia accounted for 79.8% of those abnormalities. In elderly patients, metabolic disorders were detected in 7 (17.5%) of the 40 patients. In the latter group, all except one, had hyperuricosuria with or without hyperuricemia. Cystinuria, distal renal tubular acidosis (d-RTA) and hyperparathyroidism constituted 6.6% of metabolic abnormalities in the patients studied. Primary abnormalities of upper and lower urinary tract was detected in 6% of adult patients as compared to 47% in children and 30% in the elderly. In conclusion; the incidence rate of new stone former in Kuwait is significantly lower from that reported in Europe and USA. This latter finding and the high familial aggregation of urolithiasis in our area constitute a cogent argument against the role of hot climate in the pathogensis of urolithiasis and are in favour of genetic predisposition. Isolated hyperuricosuria was detected in 17% of idiopathic CaO stone formers. The latter finding is of practical importance since red-meat is a common food item in our area and restriction of purine-intake may help to decrease the frequency of urate and CaO stone formation in predisposed patients.

Adolescent↗

The spectrum of renal disease associated with microscopic polyangiitis and classic polyarteritis nodosa in Kuwait.

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to examine prospectively the epidemiological profile of renal disease associated with microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) and classic polyarteritis nodosa (classic PAN) in Kuwait and its clinicopathological correlation. METHODS: Between 1 January 1993 and 31 December 1996, all patients referred to Al-Amiri renal centre were subjected to renal biopsy and/or arteriography if they manifested systemic manifestations of vasculitis or had rapid or unexplained renal failure with or without proteinuria. Patients who fulfilled the criteria of MPA and classic PAN, according to the Chapel Hill Consensus Conference (CHCC), were included in the study. RESULTS: Over those 4 years, 47 patients were diagnosed as having such vasculitides, 22 of whom were Kuwaiti nationals. This gave an average annual incidence of 45 cases/million adult Kuwaiti nationals (95% CI, 27-64). Histological examination revealed necrotizing glomerulonephritis (GN) in 11 patients and crescentic GN in 13, while isolated small- and/or medium-sized-arteritis were evident in six more patients. In 10 of the remaining patients; bands of fibrosis alternating with healthy renal tissue were seen and on arteriography non-atherosclerotic stenoses, infarctions, and/or microaneurysms were evident. The remaining seven patients were diagnosed by arteriography alone, five of whom had bilateral small kidneys. Constitutional manifestations of vasculitis were present in 32 patients (68%) and multisystem involvement in 19 (40%). ANCA levels were high in 24 (55%) of the 44 patients tested and seropositivity, as an antimyeloperoxidase, was a constant finding. Only six patients presented with rapidly progressive renal failure, while 31 presented with chronic renal disease, 18 of whom had protein excretion in excess of 2 g/day. CONCLUSIONS: These findings emphasize the limited role of clinical assessment in establishing a definite diagnosis of renal vasculitis and put in question its value in retrospective analysis of causes of ESRD in different populations.

Adolescent↗

Comparison of the efficacy of two injectable forms of vitamin D3 and oral one-alpha in treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients on maintenance hemodialysis.

In the present study, we compared the efficacy of two intravenous forms of vitamin D3[Calcijex: 1,25(OH)2D3 and One-Alpha: 1(OH)D3] and that of oral One-Alpha in the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis. Twenty patients were assigned to 1 of 2 treatment groups (A and B) which were matched for age, sex, and duration of maintenance hemodialysis. None of the patients included had chronic liver disease or had received drugs known to interfere with hepatic enzymes. All patients had received a stable dose of oral calcium and One-Alpha for a minimum period of 1 year, which maintained corrected serum calcium at the upper limit of the normal range. At the start of the study, oral One-Alpha was replaced by Calcijex in group A and injectable One-Alpha in group B. Treatment was maintained for 3 months (phase I). Subsequently, injectable vitamin D3 was discontinued and all patients received their previous dose of oral One-Alpha for a period of 1 month. Finally, oral One-Alpha was discontinued again and the injectable forms of vitamin D3 were crossed over in the 2 treatment groups for another 3 months (phase II). The results showed that the serum concentrations of 1,25(OH)2D3, measured 48 h after intravenous injection of One-Alpha, were not different from that produced by an equivalent dose of Calcijex in the same group of patients. Furthermore, overall analysis of intact parathyroid levels during the cross-over, using ANOVA with repeated responses, indicated that the two analogues were equipotent as regards suppression of PTH secretion. In our study, treatment with intravenous vitamin D3 led to significant suppression of PTH secretion. These results were achieved by a lower drug dosage of vitamin D3 and at lower trough blood levels of 1,25(OH)2D3 as compared to those of oral One-Alpha. Our findings are in favor of the early use of either forms of injectable vitamin D3 in the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Adenoma↗

Progressive ischemic gangrene in dialysis patients: a clinicopathological correlation.

The syndrome of progressive ischemic gangrene (PIG) of the extremities was examined over 3.5 years in patients undergoing maintenance dialysis (MD) in Kuwait and was compared to that in a similar age group (> 40 years) in the general population. The incidence of PIG in MD patients was 15.4/1000 person years of observation (PYO) versus 0.086/1000 PYO in the general population. Patients with diabetes mellitus were found to be at particular risk. PIG developed in 41.4/1000 PYO of diabetic patients who received MD, compared to 7.1/1000 in nondiabetic patients on MD and 0.14/1000 in diabetics without renal disease. The clinical, biochemical, radiological, and histological findings in the 8 patients who developed PIG while on maintenance dialysis (MD) are presented. Two patients had severe hyperparathyroidism and their histological findings were consistent with systemic calciphylaxis. Histological examination, in the remaining patients, showed severe calcified atherosclerosis. Intimal hypertrophy was common especially in patients with long duration on dialysis. The three lesions produced a variable degree of luminal narrowing and were associated with arterial thrombosis. None of the patients showed evidence of iron deposition even in those with systemic calciphylaxis and excessive iron stores. Our study indicated a high incidence of PIG in patients undergoing MD, especially in those with diabetes mellitus. These findings constitute a cogent argument in favor of early parathyroidectomy in selected cases and concern with long-term consequences of atherosclerosis in this patient population.

Aged↗

Long-term cyclosporin A treatment in adults with refractory nephrotic syndrome.

Patients with refractory nephrotic syndrome (NS) are at risk of infections, thrombosis, renal failure, or inherent side effects of immunosuppressive therapy. In the present study we investigated the efficacy of cyclosporin A (Cy A) in treatment of adult patients with steroid-refractory NS. Fifteen patients were included, 13 of whom were steroid resistant. Initial renal histology showed minimal-change glomerulonephritis (MCGN) in 3 patients, focal segmental glomerulonephritis (FSGN) in 6 patients, and membranous glomerulonephritis (MGN) in 6 patients. Two steroid-dependent patients (one with MCGN and the other with FSGN) were included due to severe steroid side effects. Complete remission (CR) was achieved in those 2 patients, while in the steroid-resistant patients remission was only partial response (PR) and occurred in about half of the patients in each histological subgroup. In patients who responded to Cy A treatment, two attempts were made to taper off the drug, after 6 and 24 months. Unfortunately, both attempts were unsuccessful and NS relapsed. Except for hypertension in those with advanced renal insufficiency, the drug was well tolerated on long-term usage. A second kidney biopsy was carried out in patients in whom renal failure progressed despite Cy A therapy, and who did not show evidence of Cy A toxicity. These findings are in favor of Cy A for treatment of patients with refractory NS. Treatment with Cy A should be maintained for a minimum period of 3 months before considering its failure. The drug was found to be superior to steroid and conventional immunosuppressive drugs in treatment of steroid-refractory NS; however, the response was partial and was limited to only one-half of the patients in the different subgroups.

Administration, Oral↗

Takayasu's arteritis in Kuwait.

The present study describes the epidemiological profile and clinical features of Takayasu's arteritis (TA) in Kuwait, as well as its association with other autoimmune diseases and primary hypercoagulable states. Thirteen patients were included from its start on 1 January 1989 till 30 June 1994. Diagnosis of TA was established by angiographic studies. Twelve patients were Arabs and 7 were Kuwaiti nationals. Five patients were males and renal disease secondary to isolated involvement of the abdominal aorta (TA, type II) was the main presentation in 4 patients. Coagulation tests were performed in 7 patients and included antiphospholipid antibody (aPL) assay as well as protein S, protein C and antithrombin III activity. Only one manifested recurrent thrombosis and laboratory tests confirmed the presence of a hypercoagulable state secondary to aPL and protein S deficiency. Serological tests of systemic lupus erythematosis (SLE) were positive in this patient. These data indicate that TA is not a rare disease in the Arabic population. In our study, female predominance was not a common feature of TA and renal disease secondary to TA type II disease was commonly encountered. The association of TA with SLE and primary hypercoagulable states was not a consistent finding in our patients with TA, and hence, the proposed role for thrombotic vasculopathy in the pathogenesis and progression of this disease was unfounded.

Adolescent↗

Amyloidosis of the thyroid gland: role of ultrasonography.

We studied the role of ultrasound assessment of the thyroid gland in detecting amyloid deposition in 9 patients confirmed to have renal amyloidosis because the thyroid gland is a readily accessible organ. Ultrasound examination of the thyroid gland showed a distinctive abnormal appearance in 7 patients. There was enlargement of one or both lobes of the thyroid, a high echogenicity approaching that of the surrounding connective tissue, and a very fine homogeneous echotexture similar to ground glass appearance. Four patients showed dilated follicles in the thyroid gland. The other two patients had normal ultrasound findings. Open wedge biopsy of the thyroid gland in 4 patients, (3 with abnormal ultrasound findings and 1 with normal ultrasound findings) showed amyloid deposits in the 3 patients with abnormal echo findings and no amyloid deposits in the 1 patient with normal findings. In 10 healthy individuals, 10 patients who were just initiated on maintenance hemodialysis and another 10 patients on dialysis for more than 1 year, the thyroid gland was of normal size and appearance in the ultrasound examination. We conclude that ultrasound examination by an experienced radiologist is a useful tool in the diagnosis of thyroid amyloidosis.

Adult↗

Comparison of two immunization schedules with recombinant hepatitis B vaccine and natural immunity acquired by hepatitis B infection in dialysis patients.

In a prospective study over a 2-year period we compared two practical dosage schedules to vaccinate dialysis patients against hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection using a yeast-derived recombinant hepatitis B vaccine (Engerix-B). In addition, the natural history of this acquired immunity was compared with that developed through HBV infection in dialysis patients and healthy subjects. Patients on dialysis treatment (haemo or peritoneal) who were tested to be negative for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), anti-HBs and anti-HB core were allocated at random to receive HB vaccine according to one of the two schedules. The two groups receiving the vaccine were matched for age, sex, mean duration on dialysis and the form of dialysis treatment received. The group of patients who received a four-dose schedule (at 0, 1, 2 and 6 months) of 40 micrograms of HB vaccine each time (group 2) achieved a seroconversion rate of 79% 1 month after the last dose (at month 7) compared with a seroconversion rate of 55% in those who received three doses (at 0, 1 and 6 months) of 40 micrograms each (group 1). Healthy controls who received half the amount of vaccine on a three-dose schedule (group 3) attained 100% seroconversion (p < 0.05). When retested at 24 months, 30% of seroconverters in group 1 had lost their protective immunity, compared with only 6% in group 2 and 15% in group 3. The magnitude of antibody response (total and anti-(a)-specific) was assessed in the vaccinees at 24 months and compared with that of two other control groups, dialysis patients (group 4) and healthy volunteers (group 5), who had acquired immunity from HBV infection. In general, the total and anti-(a)-specific HBs titres in the dialysis patients (groups 1, 2 and 4) were lower than in their corresponding healthy controls (groups 3 and 5), irrespective of whether the protective immunity was acquired by vaccination or HBV infection. However, the anti-HBs titres in dialysis patients who received four doses were significantly higher than in those who received only three doses (p < 0.05), which indicated a better protective immunity in favour of the former regime. The magnitude of antibody response in the vaccinees of groups 2 and 3 compared well with their respective controls, groups 4 and 5, who had acquired their immunity through HBV infection. This implied that the yeast-derived vaccine was sufficiently immunogenic and provided lasting protection in patients and healthy subjects vaccinated by an appropriate dosage schedule.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adult↗

Erythropoietin treatment in haemodialysis patients with iron overload.

Erythropoietic response to exogenously administered recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEpo) was examined in 11 maintenance haemodialysis patients with iron overload (IO). All had required numerous blood transfusions earlier (> 12 units/year). Diagnosis of IO was established by high serum ferritin (SF) levels (> 1,100 micrograms/l), high hepatic CT density (> 70 Hounsfield units; HU) and excessive iron stores in bone marrow aspirate (grade 6). None of the patients had osteitis fibrosa cystica, aluminium intoxication, haemoglobinopathy or haemochromatosis alleles (HLA A3, B7 and B14). All patients responded to rHuEpo treatment (target haemoglobin level of 9-10 g/dl). None of the patients required iron supplementation or developed 'functional anaemia'. During 30 +/- 3 months of therapy, the initial maintenance dose of rHuEpo (103 +/- 12 units/kg/week) and median SF levels (2,250 micrograms/l) fell (50 +/- 8 units/kg/week and 1,060 micrograms/l, respectively) (p = 0.0003 and 0.0007). The initial and final rHuEpo doses correlated well with the respective SF levels (r = 0.89, p < 0.001). The maintenance dose of rHuEpo required for patients with IO at the start of the treatment period was significantly higher than that (50 +/- 5 units/kg/week) required by a control group of patients with adequate iron stores (SF = 100-600 micrograms/l) who were matched for age, sex and frequency of previous blood transfusions (p = 0.002). The findings suggested that excessive IO caused relative resistance to erythropoiesis on exogenous administration of rHuEpo and that iron supplementation was not warranted during rHuEpo therapy in those patients.

Adult↗

The impact of Iraqi occupation on end-stage renal disease patients in Kuwait, 1990-1991.

This paper describes the impact of Iraqi invasion and occupation on 196 end-stage renal failure (ESRD) patients maintained on dialysis treatment in Kuwait. Seventeen patients were abroad on holidays at the time of invasion, 77 fled the country for safety, and the rest (102) remained in Kuwait. Nearly half of those patients who remained in Kuwait died during the period of occupation. The mortality rate was as high as 95% in the intermittent cycler peritoneal dialysis (IPD) patients and 41% in haemodialysis patients compared to only 12.7% for those who left the country for treatment. Failure to reach dialysis centres, sepsis, myocardial infarction, and cerebral haemorrhage were the major causes of death. Shortage of skilled nurses was the major detrimental factor which necessitated major policy changes in the treatment programme. Those were (1) restriction of haemodialysis treatment hours and (2) discontinuation of IPD and transfer of patients to continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). The incidence of new ESRD Kuwaiti patients entering dialysis programme during the occupation period and soon afterwards was only 37 per million Kuwaiti population compared to 60 per million in the previous years.

Humans↗

Acute renal failure in Kuwait--a prospective study.

This prospective study was conducted over a period of 18 months (February 1989 to July 1990) in the State of Kuwait. It covered a population of 1,024,211 and eight multidisciplinary hospitals with an in-patient admission of 118,079 per year. Two hundred and twenty-six adult patients with acute renal failure (ARF) were seen and followed up by nephrologists. This made the calculated annual incidence of ARF 14.7 per 100,000 population, nearly five times that reported by the EDTA registry (Biesenbach et al. 1991). Drugs, sepsis and volume depletion were the most frequent causes, with sepsis resulting in 36% cause specific mortality compared to zero mortality with the other two. The overall mortality rate was only 14% which clearly indicated a markedly improved prognosis in cases of ARF. The prognosis in ARF depended on two major factors, viz. the type of aetiological insult and the presence of predisposing associated medical illnesses. Multiple insults, though common, do not affect the mortality rate. Secondary sepsis or gastrointestinal bleeding as a cause of death in ARF was rarely seen in our study. Those who required dialytic support for renal failure had a 45% patient mortality rate in general. Over 40% of our patients were 60 years or older compared with only 3.5% in the local population. This indicated old age as a major risk factor in the development of ARF. The overall mortality in the elderly did not differ from that in the young, but sepsis in the elderly carried a mortality rate of 60% compared to only 14.8% in the younger age group.

Acute Kidney Injury↗

Decreased aortic valve prosthesis-associated haemolysis after changing from haemodialysis to peritoneal dialysis.

We report here a chronic haemodialysis patient who had severe anaemia following replacement of his aortic valve. The investigations confirmed a traumatic valve effect. The surgeons were reluctant to replace the valve because of the high cardiothoracic risk and absence of significant leak or stenosis. Furthermore, the patient refused to consider additional surgery. We changed his modality of dialysis to continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis; subsequently, there was a dramatic decrease in his transfusion requirement, and the patient was symptomatically and functionally better. A literature search indicates that this therapeutic response has not been reported before.

Anemia, Hemolytic↗

Endocrine abnormalities in hemodialysis patients with iron overload: reversal with iron depletion.

The endocrine function was studied in 9 hemodialysis patients with iron overload (IO) before and after iron depletion. Diagnosis of IO was established by high serum ferritin (> 1100 micrograms/L), high hepatic CT density (> 70 Hounsfield units), and excessive iron stores in bone marrow aspirate (grade 6). At the start of the study, 8 patients had gonadal failure, 6 of whom had hypothalamopituitary disease, and 4 manifested thyroid abnormalities. At the end of the study, the hypothalamopituitary function and thyroid abnormalities improved in all patients except one who manifested hypothalamic disease. Primary gonadal failure persisted in the 8 patients. ACTH stimulation produced adequate increments in plasma cortisol at the start and end of the study. Pancreatic (beta cell) function was adequate at the end of the study as shown by normal oral glucose tolerance test and free insulin increments during the test. The CT scan and follow-up indicated significant iron mobilization from the liver, pancreas, and the adrenal glands. Hormonal studies were repeated in 4 of the 5 patients who manifested endocrine abnormalities and had received recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO), 3 mo after discontinuation of the drug. Improvement in the endocrine function persisted in those patients. Our results indicated that dialysis patients exposed to iron overload are at risk for development of multiple endocrine defects. Fortunately, aggressive iron depletion can mobilize iron from these organs and reverse some of the defects.

Adult↗