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| 2. |
- Aradottir, Sigridur Sunna, et al.
(author)
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Factor D Inhibition Blocks Complement Activation Induced by Mutant Factor B Associated With Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome and Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis
- 2021
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In: Frontiers in Immunology. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 1664-3224. ; 12
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Complement factor B (FB) mutant variants are associated with excessive complement activation in kidney diseases such as atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), C3 glomerulopathy and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN). Patients with aHUS are currently treated with eculizumab while there is no specific treatment for other complement-mediated renal diseases. In this study the phenotype of three FB missense variants, detected in patients with aHUS (D371G and E601K) and MPGN (I242L), was investigated. Patient sera with the D371G and I242L mutations induced hemolysis of sheep erythrocytes. Mutagenesis was performed to study the effect of factor D (FD) inhibition on C3 convertase-induced FB cleavage, complement-mediated hemolysis, and the release of soluble C5b-9 from glomerular endothelial cells. The FD inhibitor danicopan abrogated C3 convertase-associated FB cleavage to the Bb fragment in patient serum, and of the FB constructs, D371G, E601K, I242L, the gain-of-function mutation D279G, and the wild-type construct, in FB-depleted serum. Furthermore, the FD-inhibitor blocked hemolysis induced by the D371G and D279G gain-of-function mutants. In FB-depleted serum the D371G and D279G mutants induced release of C5b-9 from glomerular endothelial cells that was reduced by the FD-inhibitor. These results suggest that FD inhibition can effectively block complement overactivation induced by FB gain-of-function mutations.
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| 3. |
- Björk, Jonas, et al.
(author)
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Comparison of glomerular filtration rate estimating equations derived from creatinine and cystatin C : Validation in the Age, Gene/Environment Susceptibility-Reykjavik elderly cohort
- 2018
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In: Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0931-0509 .- 1460-2385. ; 33:8, s. 1380-1388
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background. Validation studies comparing glomerular filtration rate (GFR) equations based on standardized creatinine and cystatin C assays in the elderly are needed. The Icelandic Age, Gene/Environment Susceptibility-Kidney cohort was used to compare two pairs of recently developed GFR equations, the revised Lund-Malmö creatinine equation (LMRCr) and the arithmetic mean of the LMRCr and Caucasian, Asian, Paediatric and Adult cystatin C equations (MEANLMRþCAPA), as well as the Full Age Spectrum creatinine equation (FASCr) and its combination with cystatin C (FASCrþCys), with the corresponding pair of Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equations (CKD-EPICr and CKD-EPICrþCys). Methods. A total of 805 individuals, 74-93 years of age, underwent measurement of GFR (mGFR) using plasma clearance of iohexol. Four metrics were used to compare the performance of the GFR equations: bias, precision, accuracy [including the percentage of participants with estimated GFR (eGFR) within 30% of mGFR (P30)] and the ability to detect mGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2. Results. All equations had a P30 >90%. LMRCr and FASCr yielded significantly higher precision and P30 than CKD-EPICr, while bias was significantly worse. LMRCr, FASCr and CKD-EPICr showed similar ability to detect mGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 based on the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves. MEANLMRþCAPA, FASCrþCys and CKD-EPICrþCys all exhibited consistent improvements compared with the corresponding creatinine-based equations. Conclusion. None of the creatinine-based equations was clearly superior overall in this community-dwelling elderly cohort. The addition of cystatin C improved all of the creatinine-based equations.
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| 4. |
- Boenink, Rianne, et al.
(author)
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Trends in kidney transplantation rate across Europe : a study from the ERA Registry
- 2023
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In: Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0931-0509 .- 1460-2385. ; 38:6, s. 1528-1539
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background. The aim of this study was to identify trends in total, deceased donor (DD) and living donor (LD) kidney transplantation (KT) rates in European countries. Methods. The European Renal Association (ERA) Registry and the Global Observatory on Donation and Transplantation (GODT) databases were used to obtain the number of KTs in individual European countries between 2010 and 2018. General population counts were obtained from Eurostat or the national bureaus of statistics. The KT rate per million population (p.m.p.) and the average annual percentage change (APC) were calculated. Results. The total KT rate in the 40 participating countries increased with 1.9% annually [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.5, 2.2] from 29.6 p.m.p. in 2010 to 34.7 p.m.p. in 2018, reflecting an increase of 3.4 p.m.p. in the DD-KT rate (from 21.6 p.m.p. to 25.0 p.m.p.; APC 1.9%; 95% CI 1.3, 2.4) and of 1.5 p.m.p. in the LD-KT rate (from 8.1 p.m.p. to 9.6 p.m.p.; APC 1.6%; 95% CI 1.0, 2.3). The trends in KT rate varied widely across European countries. An East-West gradient was observed for DD-KT rate, with Western European countries performing more KTs. In addition, most countries performed fewer LD-KTs. In 2018, Spain had the highest DD-KT rate (64.6 p.m.p.) and Turkey the highest LD-KT rate (37.0 p.m.p.). Conclusions. The total KT rate increased due to a rise in the KT rate from DDs and to a lesser extent from LDs, with large differences between individual European countries.
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| 5. |
- Cranston, Mark, et al.
(author)
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Postgraduate education in internal medicine in Europe
- 2013
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In: European Journal of Internal Medicine. - : Elsevier BV. - 1879-0828 .- 0953-6205. ; 24:7, s. 633-638
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Limited information exists on the framework and content of postgraduate education in internal medicine in Europe. This report describes the results of a survey of postgraduate training in internal medicine in the European countries. Methods: Two online questionnaire-based surveys were carried out by the European Board of Internal Medicine, one on the practice of internists and the other on postgraduate training in internal medicine. The national internal medicine societies of all 30 member countries of the European Federation of Internal Medicine were invited to participate. The responses were reviewed by internal medicine residents from the respective countries and summaries of the data were sent to the national societies for approval. Descriptive analysis of the data on postgraduate training in internal medicine was performed. Results: Twenty-seven countries (90%) completed the questionnaire and approved their datasets. The length of training ranged from four to six years and was commonly five years. The majority of countries offered training in internal medicine and a subspecialty. A common trunk of internal medicine was frequently a component of subspecialty training programmes. Hospital inpatient service was the predominant setting used for training. A final certifying examination was in place in 14 countries. Conclusion: Although some similarities exists, there appear to be significant differences in the organisation, content and governance of postgraduate training in internal medicine between the European countries. Our findings will prove invaluable for harmonisation of training and qualification in internal medicine in Europe. (C) 2013 European Federation of Internal Medicine. Published by Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.
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| 6. |
- Cranston, Mark, et al.
(author)
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The practice of internal medicine in Europe: organisation, clinical conditions and procedures
- 2013
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In: European Journal of Internal Medicine. - : Elsevier BV. - 1879-0828 .- 0953-6205. ; 24:7, s. 627-632
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Current information on the role of internists in the European countries is scarce. This report describes the results of a survey of the practice of internists in Europe. Methods: Two online questionnaire-based surveys were carried out by the European Board of Internal Medicine, one on the practice of internists and the other on postgraduate training in internal medicine. The national internal medicine societies of all 30 member countries of the European Federation of Internal Medicine were invited to participate. The responses were reviewed by internal medicine trainees from the respective countries and summaries of the data were sent to the national societies for approval. Descriptive analysis of the data on the practice of internists was carried out. Results: Twenty-seven countries (90%) completed the questionnaire and approved their datasets. In 8 European countries, most internists practised internal medicine alone and in 7 countries at least half of physicians practised internal medicine together with a subspecialty. Internal medicine was considered a hospital-based specialty in most countries. The majority of selected presenting problems and diagnoses were rated as commonly encountered in all countries. More variability between countries was observed in the performance of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Conclusion: Many similarities exist in the practice of internal medicine between the European countries, while some differences are present that likely reflect the variable impact of subspecialisation. The results of the survey should prove valuable for the definition of specific competencies and development of a common curriculum for internal medicine at the European level. (C) 2013 European Federation of Internal Medicine. Published by Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.
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| 7. |
- Delanaye, Pierre, et al.
(author)
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CKD : A Call for an Age-Adapted Definition
- 2019
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In: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology. - 1046-6673. ; 30:10, s. 1785-1805
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Current criteria for the diagnosis of CKD in adults include persistent signs of kidney damage, such as increased urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio or a GFR below the threshold of 60 ml/min per 1.73 m2 This threshold has important caveats because it does not separate kidney disease from kidney aging, and therefore does not hold for all ages. In an extensive review of the literature, we found that GFR declines with healthy aging without any overt signs of compensation (such as elevated single-nephron GFR) or kidney damage. Older living kidney donors, who are carefully selected based on good health, have a lower predonation GFR compared with younger donors. Furthermore, the results from the large meta-analyses conducted by the CKD Prognosis Consortium and from numerous other studies indicate that the GFR threshold above which the risk of mortality is increased is not consistent across all ages. Among younger persons, mortality is increased at GFR <75 ml/min per 1.73 m2, whereas in elderly people it is increased at levels <45 ml/min per 1.73 m2 Therefore, we suggest that amending the CKD definition to include age-specific thresholds for GFR. The implications of an updated definition are far reaching. Having fewer healthy elderly individuals diagnosed with CKD could help reduce inappropriate care and its associated adverse effects. Global prevalence estimates for CKD would be substantially reduced. Also, using an age-specific threshold for younger persons might lead to earlier identification of CKD onset for such individuals, at a point when progressive kidney damage may still be preventable.
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| 8. |
- Derner, Ondrej, et al.
(author)
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Incidence of Kidney Replacement Therapy and Subsequent Outcomes Among Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus : Findings From the ERA Registry
- 2022
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In: American Journal of Kidney Diseases. - : Elsevier BV. - 0272-6386. ; 79:5, s. 635-645
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Rationale & Objective: There is a dearth of data characterizing patients receiving kidney replacement therapy (KRT) for kidney failure due to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and their clinical outcomes. The aim of this study was to describe trends in incidence and prevalence of KRT among these patients as well as to compare their outcomes versus those of patients treated with KRT for diseases other than SLE. Study Design: Retrospective cohort study based on kidney registry data. Setting & Participants: Patients recorded in 14 registries of patients receiving KRT that provided data to the European Renal Association Registry between 1992 and 2016. Predictor: SLE as cause of kidney failure. Outcomes: Incidence and prevalence of KRT, patient survival while receiving KRT, patient and graft survival after kidney transplant, and specific causes of death. Analytical Approach: Kaplan-Meier methods and Cox regression models were fit to compare patient survival between the SLE and non-SLE groups, overall KRT, dialysis, and patient and graft survival after kidney transplant. Results: In total, 1,826 patients commenced KRT for kidney failure due to SLE, representing an incidence of 0.80 per million population (pmp) per year. The incidence remained stable during the study period (annual percent change, 0.1% [95% CI, −0.6% to 0.8%]). Patient survival among patients with SLE receiving KRT was similar to survival in the comparator group (hazard ratio [HR], 1.11 [95% CI, 0.99-1.23]). After kidney transplant, the risk of death was greater among patients with SLE than among patients in the comparator group (HR, 1.25 [95% CI, 1.02-1.53]), whereas the risk of all-cause graft failure was similar (HR, 1.09 [95% CI, 0.95-1.27]). Ten-year patient overall survival during KRT and patient and graft survival after kidney transplant improved over the study period (HRs of 0.71 [95% CI, 0.56-0.91], 0.43 [95% CI, 0.27-0.69], and 0.60 [95% CI, 0.43-0.84], respectively). Patients with SLE receiving KRT were significantly more likely to die of infections (24.8%) than patients in the comparator group (16.9%; P < 0.001). Limitations: No data were available on extrarenal manifestations of SLE, drug treatments, comorbidities, kidney transplant characteristics, or relapses of SLE. Conclusions: The prognosis of patients with SLE receiving KRT has improved over time. Survival of patients with SLE who required KRT was similar compared with patients who required KRT for other causes of kidney failure. Survival following kidney transplants was worse among patients with SLE.
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| 9. |
- Hruskova, Zdenka, et al.
(author)
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Characteristics and Outcomes of Patients With Systemic Sclerosis (Scleroderma) Requiring Renal Replacement Therapy in Europe: Results From the ERA-EDTA Registry
- 2019
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In: American Journal of Kidney Diseases. - : W B SAUNDERS CO-ELSEVIER INC. - 0272-6386 .- 1523-6838. ; 73:2, s. 184-193
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Rationale amp; Objective: Data for outcomes of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) secondary to systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT) are limited. We examined the incidence and prevalence of ESRD due to scleroderma in Europe and the outcomes among these patients following initiation of RRT. Study Design: Registry study of incidence and prevalence and a matched cohort study of clinical outcomes. Setting amp; Participants: Patients represented in any of 19 renal registries that provided data to the European Renal Association-European Dialysis and Transplant Association (ERA-EDTA) Registry between 2002 and 2013. Predictor: Scleroderma as the identified cause of ESRD. Outcomes: Incidence and prevalence of ESRD from scleroderma. Recovery from RRT dependence, patient survival after ESRD, and graft survival after kidney transplantation. Analytical Approach: Incidence and prevalence were calculated using population data from the European Union and standardized to population characteristics in 2005. Patient and graft survival were compared with 2 age- and sex-matched control groups without scleroderma: (1) diabetes mellitus as the cause of ESRD and (2) conditions other than diabetes mellitus as the cause of ESRD. Survival analyses were performed using Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox regression. Results: 342 patients with scleroderma (0.14% of all incident RRT patients) were included. Between 2002 and 2013, the range of adjusted annual incidence and prevalence rates of RRT for ESRD due to scleroderma were 0.11 to 0.26 and 0.73 to 0.95 per million population, respectively. Recovery of independent kidney function was greatest in the scleroderma group (7.6% vs 0.7% in diabetes mellitus and 2.0% in other primary kidney diseases control group patients, both Pamp;lt;0.001), though time required to achieve recovery was longer. The 5-year survival probability from day 91 of RRT among patients with scleroderma was 38.9% (95% CI, 32.0%-45.8%), whereas 5-year posttransplantation patient survival and 5-year allograft survival were 88.2% (95% CI, 75.3%-94.6%) and 72.4% (95% CI, 55.0%-84.0%), respectively. Adjusted mortality from day 91 on RRT was higher among patients with scleroderma than observed in both control groups (HRs of 1.25 [95% CI, 1.05-1.48] and 2.00 [95% CI, 1.69-2.39]). In contrast, patient and graft survival after kidney transplantation did not differ between patients with scleroderma and control groups. Limitations: No data for extrarenal manifestations, treatment, or recurrence. Conclusions: Survival of patients with scleroderma who receive dialysis for more than 90 days was worse than for those with other causes of ESRD. Patient survival after transplantation was similar to that observed among patients with ESRD due to other conditions. Patients with scleroderma had a higher rate of recovery from RRT dependence than controls.
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| 10. |
- Huijben, Jilske A., et al.
(author)
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Increasing numbers and improved overall survival of patients on kidney replacement therapy over the last decade in Europe : an ERA Registry study
- 2023
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In: Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0931-0509 .- 1460-2385. ; 38:4, s. 1027-1040
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: The aim of this study was to describe the trends in the incidence, prevalence and survival of patients on kidney replacement therapy (KRT) for end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) across Europe from 2008 to 2017. Methods: Data from renal registries in 9 countries and 16 regions that provided individual patient data to the ERA Registry from 2008 to 2017 were included. These registries cover 34% of the general population in Europe. Crude and standardized incidence and prevalence per million population (pmp) were determined. Trends over time were studied using Joinpoint regression. Survival probabilities were estimated using Kaplan-Meier analysis and hazard ratios (HRs) using Cox regression analysis. Results: The standardized incidence of KRT was stable [annual percentage change (APC): -1.48 (-3.15; 0.21)] from 2008 (146.0 pmp) to 2011 (141.6 pmp), followed by a slight increase [APC: 1.01 (0.43; 1.60)] to 148.0 pmp in 2017, although trends in incidence varied across countries. This increase was primarily due to a rise in the incidence of KRT in men older than 65 years. Moreover, as a cause of kidney failure, diabetes mellitus is increasing. The standardized prevalence increased from 2008 (990.0 pmp) to 2017 (1166.8 pmp) [APC: 1.82 (1.75; 1.89)]. Patient survival on KRT improved in the time period 2011-13 compared with 2008-[adjusted HR: 0.94 (0.93; 0.95)]. Conclusion: This study showed an overall increase in the incidence and prevalence of KRT for ESKD as well as an increase in the KRT patient survival over the last decade in Europe.
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