Kovvuru, Karthik

Very-low-carbohydrate diets or ketogenic diets are frequently used for weight loss in adults and as a therapy for epilepsy in children. The incidence and characteristics of kidney stones in patients on ketogenic diets are not well studied. Methods: A systematic literature search was performed, using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews from the databases’ inception through April 2020. Observational studies or clinical trials that provide data on the incidence and/or types of kidney stones in patients on ketogenic diets were included. We applied a random-effects model to estimate the incidence of kidney stones. Results: A total of 36 studies with 2795 patients on ketogenic diets were enrolled. The estimated pooled incidence of kidney stones was 5.9% (95% CI, 4.6–7.6%, I2 = 47%) in patients on ketogenic diets at a mean follow-up time of 3.7 +/− 2.9 years. Subgroup analyses demonstrated the estimated pooled incidence of kidney stones of 5.8% (95% CI, 4.4–7.5%, I2 = 49%) in children and 7.9% (95% CI, 2.8–20.1%, I2 = 29%) in adults, respectively. Within reported studies, 48.7% (95% CI, 33.2–64.6%) of kidney stones were uric stones, 36.5% (95% CI, 10.6–73.6%) were calcium-based (CaOx/CaP) stones, and 27.8% (95% CI, 12.1–51.9%) were mixed uric acid and calcium-based stones, respectively. Conclusions: The estimated incidence of kidney stones in patients on ketogenic diets is 5.9%. Its incidence is approximately 5.8% in children and 7.9% in adults. Uric acid stones are the most prevalent kidney stones in patients on ketogenic diets followed by calcium-based stones. These findings may impact the prevention and clinical management of kidney stones in patients on ketogenic diets.

Background: Fabry disease (FD) is a rare X-linked lysosomal storage disorder with progressive systemic deposition of globotriaosylceramide, leading to life-threatening cardiac, central nervous system, and kidney disease. Current therapy involves symptomatic medical management, enzyme replacement therapy (ERT), dialysis, kidney transplantation, and, more recently, gene therapy. The aim of this systematic review was to assess outcomes of kidney transplantation among patients with FD. Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted utilizing MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Database, from inception through to 28 February 2020, to identify studies that evaluate outcomes of kidney transplantation including patient and allograft survival among kidney transplant patients with FD. Effect estimates from each study were extracted and combined using the random-effects generic inverse variance method of DerSimonian and Laird. Results: In total, 11 studies, including 424 kidney transplant recipients with FD, were enrolled. The post-transplant median follow-up time ranged from 3 to 11.5 years. Overall, the pooled estimated rates of all-cause graft failure, graft failure before death, and allograft rejection were 32.5% (95%CI: 23.9%–42.5%), 14.5% (95%CI: 8.4%–23.7%), and 20.2% (95%CI: 15.4%–25.9%), respectively. In the sensitivity analysis, limited only to the recent studies (year 2001 or newer when ERT became available), the pooled estimated rates of all-cause graft failure, graft failure before death, and allograft rejection were 28.1% (95%CI: 20.5%–37.3%), 11.7% (95%CI: 8.4%–16.0%), and 20.2% (95%CI: 15.5%–26.0%), respectively. The pooled estimated rate of biopsy proven FD recurrence was 11.1% (95%CI: 3.6%–29.4%), respectively. There are no significant differences in the risks of all-cause graft failure (p = 0.10) or mortality (0.48) among recipients with vs. without FD. Conclusions: Despite possible FD recurrence after transplantation of 11.1%, allograft and patient survival are comparable among kidney transplant recipients with vs. without FD.

Globally, diabetes mellitus is a leading cause of kidney disease, with a critical percent of patients approaching end-stage kidney disease. In the current era, sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) have emerged as phenomenal agents in halting the progression of kidney disease. Positive effects of SGLT2i are centered on multiple mechanisms, including glycosuric effects, tubule—glomerular feedback, antioxidant, anti-fibrotic, natriuretic, and reduction in cortical hypoxia, alteration in energy metabolism. Concurrently, multiple kidney and cardiovascular outcome studies have reported remarkable advantages of SGLT2i including mortality benefits. Additionally, the superiority of combination therapies (SGLT2I along with metformin/DDP-4 Inhibitors) in treatment-naïve diabetic patients is further looked into with potential signal towards glycemic and blood pressure control. Reported promising results initiate a gateway for future research targeting kidney outcomes with combination therapies as an initial approach. In the current paper, we summarize leading cardiovascular and kidney outcome trials in patients with type 2 diabetes, the role of SGLT2i in non-diabetic proteinuric kidney disease, and the potential mechanisms of action of SGLT2i with special focus on combination therapy as an initial therapeutic approach in treatment-naïve diabetic patients.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common clinical condition among patients admitted in the hospitals. The condition is associated with both increased short-term and long-term mortality. With the development of a standardized definition for AKI and the acknowledgment of the impact of AKI on patient outcomes, there has been increased recognition of AKI. Two advances from past decades, the usage of computer decision support and the discovery of AKI biomarkers, have the ability to advance the diagnostic method to and further management of AKI. The increasingly widespread use of electronic health records across hospitals has substantially increased the amount of data available to investigators and has shown promise in advancing AKI research. In addition, progress in the finding and validation of different forms of biomarkers of AKI within diversified clinical environments and has provided information and insight on testing, etiology and further prognosis of AKI, leading to future of precision and personalized approach to AKI management. In this this article, we discussed the changing paradigms in AKI: From mechanisms to diagnostics, risk factors, and management of AKI.