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Biomedical subjects

R P Burden

Publications and source records attributed to R P Burden.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Diabetic glomerulosclerosis without diabetes mellitus--two case reports and a review of the literature.

The duration of diabetes mellitus and presence of hyperglycaemia appear to be important in the development of diabetic nephropathy. The presence of nodular glomerulosclerosis is thought to be pathognomonic of the condition. We report two patients with histological features of diabetic glomerulosclerosis who did not have diabetes mellitus. The discussion reviews the literature and concludes that diabetic glomerulosclerosis with normal glucose tolerance is very rare and that most cases are due to overt diabetes mellitus or a degree of glucose intolerance. However, cases with only minimal glucose intolerance suggest that factor(s) other than hyperglycaemia are responsible for diabetic renal damage.

Aged

Early deaths on renal replacement therapy: the need for early nephrological referral.

Forty-four patients who commenced renal replacement therapy between January 1983 and January 1988 died within 1 year of starting treatment. To examine the factors influencing early mortality of patients on renal replacement therapy these patients (group A) were compared with a group of 44 age- and sex-matched subjects who started dialysis over the same period and who survived more than 1 year (group B). The interval between first presentation and dialysis was significantly shorter in group A (median 36 days) than group B (median 30 months) patients. Plasma urea and creatinine were significantly greater in group A than group B at the time of first presentation to a nephrologist but not at first dialysis. Patients in group A were more often treated first by haemodialysis. Systemic disease as the cause of renal failure did not appear to influence early death. Early death on renal replacement therapy appears to be associated with late referral to a nephrologist. Early referral may be beneficial because it allows for planning of dialysis and treatment of the complications of progressive uraemia.

Adult

Post-transplant erythrocytosis and immunosuppression with cyclosporin: a case-control study.

Review of 142 renal transplant recipients treated with cyclosporin and prednisolone revealed 23 patients with post-transplant erythrocytosis. The clinical characteristics of these patients were compared with 23 cyclosporin/prednisolone-treated control subjects matched for age, sex, and duration of transplant. Erythrocytosis developed between 6 weeks and 30 months (median 12 months) after transplant. It persisted in 16 patients and resolved spontaneously in five. In two patients the decrease in haematocrit was associated with acute leukaemia in one and sudden deterioration of renal function in the other. In the study group there were fewer HLA (A, B and DR) mismatches (P less than 0.05) and greater pretransplant haematocrit (P less than 0.01) than in the control group. Other clinical factors--previous allografts, panel reactive cytotoxic antibodies, duration and type of dialysis, transplant function, pre- and post-transplant blood pressure, number of rejection episodes, cyclosporin concentration and dose, smoking habits and use of diuretics--did not differ significantly between the two groups. In our experience, erythrocytosis in cyclosporin-treated patients is a relatively common phenomenon and does not, in general, resolve spontaneously. It is unrelated to transplant function or rejection episodes but affects patients with well-matched kidneys and elevated pretransplant haematocrit values.

Adult

Peritonitis complicating continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis in Nottingham 1983-1988.

During the period 1983-1988 the incidence of peritonitis in patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) in Nottingham fell from 2.0 to 1.2 episodes/patient/year. Cefuroxime, given intraperitoneally for 10 days, as recommended in published guidelines, failed to cure 35% of episodes of peritonitis, although only 7% of the pathogens responsible for these episodes were resistant in vitro. Cefuroxime is probably no longer appropriate as first line treatment of CAPD peritonitis.

Bacteria

Very late recurrence of renal vasculitis.

We report a case of renal vasculitis with a relapse occurring 9 and a half years after the original presentation. The plasma creatinine six months before relapse was only 118 mumol/l. During the initial illness there was histological evidence of glomerular damage but at the time of relapse renal biopsy showed the remaining glomeruli to be normal with the destructive process causing fibrinoid necrosis of arteries.

Biopsy

Glycated haemoglobin and fructosamine in non-diabetic subjects with chronic renal failure.

Measurements of glycated haemoglobin by electroendosmotic and chromatographic methods, fructosamine, and fructosamine:albumin ratio were made in 91 non-diabetic subjects with chronic renal failure managed conservatively (n = 25), by continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (n = 22), by haemodialysis (n = 22), or by renal transplantation (n = 22). Results were compared with those in a control group of 43 non-diabetic subjects with normal renal function. Mean glycated haemoglobin measured by electroendosmosis was significantly greater in all groups with chronic renal failure except the transplant group. Mean glycated haemoglobin measured by affinity chromatography was not significantly different from controls in any of the groups with chronic renal failure. No difference in mean fructosamine concentration was detected in the transplant or conservatively managed groups compared to controls, but values were significantly lower in the CAPD group, and greater in the haemodialysis group predialysis. Post-haemodialysis samples showed a significant reduction in mean fructosamine concentration when compared with prehaemodialysis samples. Fructosamine:albumin ratios were elevated in all groups of patients with renal failure, with the exception of the transplant group. Of the four indices of glycaemic control considered in this study, only glycated haemoglobin measured by affinity chromatography appears to be unaffected by chronic renal failure.

Adolescent

Characteristics of cadaveric renal allograft recipients developing chronic rejection.

As the early results of renal transplantation improve, chronic rejection is increasing in relative importance as a cause of graft loss. The aetiology of the condition is unknown. In order to identify possible predisposing factors, the characteristics of 22 patients with chronic rejection were compared with those of 50 patients with stable graft function 2 years or more after transplantation. Patients with chronic rejection had significantly more acute rejection episodes in the first 6 months after transplant (P less than 0.01), a higher incidence of acute rejection with vascular features (P less than 0.01), and longer ischaemic times (P less than 0.05) compared to patients with stable graft function. In a logistic regression analysis both frequency and severity of acute rejection episodes were significantly associated with the subsequent development of chronic rejection. Thus chronic rejection is associated with early injury to the transplanted kidney.

Adult

The increasing importance of chronic rejection as a cause of renal allograft failure.

A consequence of reducing early graft failure due to acute rejection has been that more patients are at risk of chronic rejection, something which has become an increasingly important cause of graft loss. We examine the graft survival rates and reasons for failure in our unit from 1981 to 1986. Patients were divided into two series according to treatment of acute rejection episodes. From 1983 onwards, by treating acute vascular (poor prognosis) episodes with antilymphocyte globulin (ALG), we have significantly improved the 6-month actuarial graft survival rate. However, the percentage of total graft failure due to chronic rejection in this second series has significantly increased. The need for greater understanding of the aetiology of chronic rejection, together with its present unsatisfactory treatment, is discussed.

Adult

Analysis of reciprocal creatinine plots by two-phase linear regression.

The progression of renal diseases is often monitored by the serial measurement of plasma creatinine. The slope of the linear relation that is frequently found between the reciprocal of creatinine concentration and time delineates the rate of change in renal function. Minor changes in slope, perhaps indicating response to therapeutic intervention, can be difficult to identify and yet be of clinical importance. We describe the application of two-phase linear regression to identify and characterise changes in slope using a microcomputer. The method fits two intersecting lines to the data by computing a least-squares estimate of the position of the slope change and its 95% confidence limits. This avoids the potential bias of fixing the change at a preconceived time corresponding with an alteration in treatment. The program then evaluates the statistical and clinical significance of the slope change and produces a graphical output to aid interpretation.

Adult

The late results of renal transplantation and the importance of chronic rejection as a cause of graft loss.

The results of 279 renal transplants performed in a single centre between 1974 and 1986 are reviewed. Improvements in the management of acute rejection and a reduction in mortality have resulted in an improvement in 1-year actuarial graft survival rates from 44% for transplants performed before 1980 to 68% for those performed after 1983. After the second year post-transplant there has been a steady rate of graft failure (6% per annum), mainly due to chronic rejection. In total 52 grafts have developed chronic rejection (19% of the total and 30% of those at risk at 6 months). Chronic rejection is assuming greater relative importance as a cause of graft loss as early results improve.

Adult

Use of older patients as cadaveric kidney donors.

We have no fixed upper age limit for cadaveric kidney donors and donors over the age of 50 provided kidneys for 22 per cent of our adult transplant recipients between 1983 and 1986. Immediate function following transplantation occurred in 17 per cent of these kidneys compared with 58 per cent for kidneys from donors under the age of 50. The 1-year actuarial graft survival rate for transplants from donors over 50 was 52 per cent, compared with 70 per cent for transplants from donors under 50 (P less than 0.05). Thus kidneys from older donors make an important contribution to the total pool of organs available for transplantation, but their use leads to inferior results in comparison with kidneys from younger donors.

Adolescent

Causes of death in diabetic patients with impaired renal function. An audit of a hospital diabetic clinic population.

Of over 2000 diabetic patients whose serum creatinine had been measured regularly, 107 died between January, 1983, and March, 1985, and 27 (median age at death 66 years) had renal impairment (serum creatinine over 130 mumol/l). Cause of death was determined from clinical and necropsy data. 11 died of cardiovascular disease and 10 of causes unrelated to cardiac or renal disease; in only 6 was renal impairment the main cause of death. All 6 had severe physical and/or social disabilities and 2 were over the age of 75. Median serum creatinine in patients who died was 269 mumol/l (range 135-1135 mumol/l) and exceeded 500 mumol/l in only 5. Of the few patients who would have received RRT under a more liberal dialysis policy, all had severe physical disabilities.

Adult