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Home blood pressure monitoring in combination with cointerventions can contribute to a better blood pressure control. More complex telemonitoring projects have shown promising initial results in studies in primary care and also in certain patient groups (e.g. pregnant women). The integration into the clinical routine is of crucial importance because "stand-alone" solutions have yet to show convincing effects on blood pressure. The new German Digital Care Act (Digitale-Versorgung-Gesetz, DVG) provides a framework to introduce, validate and prescribe digital applications in routine care financed by the Statutory Health Insurance, when positive effects on care have been confirmed and they are listed in the register of the digital healthcare applications (Verzeichnis der digitalen Gesundheitsanwendungen, DiGA).

Primary aldosteronism (PA) is a frequent cause of resistant hypertension. The clinical presentation is heterogeneous, but a suppressed or low normal renin (especially with ACE inhibitors or sartans) should raise suspicion for primary aldosteronism, even when aldosterone levels are in the normal range. Diagnosis of unilateral hormone production from an adrenal adenoma (Conn syndrome), which is curable by surgery, requires adrenal vein sampling, which should be performed in experienced centers.

Background: Kidney involvement is a common complication in patients with plasma cell diseases., Objective: This article outlines the spectrum of renal involvement in plasma cell dyscrasia and describes diagnostic and therapeutic measures to guide clinical management., Material and Methods: Evaluation and discussion of the current literature as well as existing guidelines and recommendations of professional societies., Results: The clinical manifestations of renal involvement in plasma cell disorders are heterogeneous and range from acute cast nephropathy in multiple myeloma to rare forms of glomerulonephritis. The term monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance (MGRS) was introduced to describe kidney involvement caused by monoclonal gammopathy but without evidence for underlying malignancy. Light chain cast nephropathy is the most common renal manifestation in multiple myeloma, whereas monoclonal immunoglobulin deposition disease (MIDD) and renal light chain (AL) amyloidosis can be found in multiple myeloma and MGRS. Decisive is the extended hematological diagnostics in order to exclude the presence of a hematological neoplasm. The treatment of renal involvement in monoclonal gammopathies involves the reduction of the plasma cell clone with cytoreductive treatment. The reduction of the monoclonal protein in serum is prognostically relevant for the renal response to treatment. In the case of histological evidence of a light chain cast nephropathy, high cut-off dialysis is recommended to reduce the free light chains in serum., Conclusion: The spectrum of renal manifestations in plasma cell dyscrasia has been expanded, particularly since the introduction of the term MGRS. Diagnostic and therapeutic management remain an interdisciplinary challenge.

The atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), one of the three major forms of thrombotic microangiopathy, is characterized by genetic alterations in the area of the complement cascade, which can be detected in 40%-60% of all patients with aHUS. Mutations in over 10 different genes have now been identified. The most frequent and clinically relevant of these are mutations that result in a decreased or absent function of factor H, the formation of hybrid genes, or the formation of autoantibodies against factor H. Although genetics are not required for the diagnosis of aHUS, it is of great importance for the decision on how long to treat with the C5 inhibitor eculizumab. Also, knowledge of genetic alterations is absolutely essential if a living related donor is considered, in order to protect the living donor and recipient from developing aHUS.

The IgA nephropathy is the most frequent form of glomerulonephritis worldwide. In approximately 30% of patients a reduction in the glomerular filtration rate of approximately 50% is observed within 10 years. Patients with IgA nephropathy form IgG autoantibodies against galactose-deficient IgA1 antibodies. This results in deposition of these antibodies in the mesangium and activation of complement with mesangial hypercellularity, endocapillary hypercellularity, segmental glomerulosclerosis and atrophying interstitial fibrosis. The basic treatment for patients with IgA nephropathy consists of removing risk factors, in particular hypertension, with blockade of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Immunosuppressives were also investigated in various studies but a clear advantage was not observed.

A patient undergoing cyclosporine therapy presented with muscle weakness. This was preceded by diarrhea and treated with ciprofloxacin. Rhabdomyolysis was diagnosed clinically and biochemically. This was presumably drug-induced triggered by a combined therapy with cyclosporine, amlodipine, simvastatin and ciprofloxacin. The case presented demonstrates that during therapy with several substances which inhibit the degradation of simvastatin, the additional administration of ciprofloxacin should be considered with extreme caution.

Kidney transplantation is currently the best therapeutic option for patients with end stage renal disease. Alternative treatment with hemo- or peritoneal dialysis is associated with higher comorbidities, higher morbidity/mortality, and reduced quality of life. Thus, a major aim in posttransplant care is to develop strategies to increase transplant survival and reduce known risk factors and comorbidities. In this overview, we propose a concept to include rehabilitation clinics in all aspects of the transplant process. This concept includes pretransplant care on the waiting list to prepare the patient for the transplant, the direct postoperative treatment phase, and repeated and risk adapted stays in rehabilitation clinics during long-term follow-up to address specific and individual problems.

Organ transplantation over the last 40 years has developed into a standardized successful procedure for the replacement of heart, kidney liver, lung, and pancreas. During this time, treatment strategies have greatly improved and novel procedures such as living related organ donation have been introduced. Despite these improvements, the number of organ transplants has stalled in recent years. In the face of increasing numbers of patients on the waiting list for organ transplantation, this situation is unacceptable and ways to improve the situation of organ transplantation have to be found.The reasons for the stagnant situation in organ transplantation are manifold and include lack of awareness in the general population, insufficient organ procurement in hospitals as well as problems in organ allocation. The criteria for organ allocation have been unfairly reported to EUROTRANSPLANT by some of the presently 44 centers in order of more rapidly receive an organ for their patients on the waiting list. The evolving discussions around this so-called transplantation scandal has further eroded support for organ transplantation in Germany. A critical assessment and a well-defined plan are necessary to improve the situation, increase the number of transplanted organs, and reduce the unacceptably long waiting time for patients in Germany.

Secondary hypertension affects only 5-10 % of hypertensive patients. Screening is expensive and time-consuming and should be performed only in patients for whom there is a high clinical suspicion of secondary hypertension. Clinical signs of secondary forms of hypertension are new-onset hypertension in patients without other risk factors (i.e., family history, obesity, etc.), sudden increase of blood pressure (BP) in a previously stable patient, increased BP in prepubertal children, resistant hypertension, and severe hypertension or hypertensive emergencies. In adults, renal parenchymal and vascular diseases as well as obstructive sleep apnea are the most common causes of secondary hypertension. Medication-induced hypertension and non-adherence to medication have to be ruled out. Of the endocrine causes associated with hypertension, primary aldosteronism is the most common. Other endocrine causes of hypertension such as thyroid disease (hypo- or hyperthyroidism), hypercortisolism (Cushing's syndrome), hyperparathyroidism, and pheochromocytoma are rare. Monogenetic forms of hypertension are mostly of tubular origin and associated with alterations in mineralocorticoid handling or signaling. Rare causes of hypertension also include inflammatory vascular disease. Acute forms of vasculitis may present as "malignant" hypertension with associated thrombotic microangiopathy and organ damage/failure. It is important to diagnose these rare forms of hypertension in order to prevent acute organ damage in these patients or unnecessary invasive treatment strategies.

Acute tubulointerstitial nephritis was formerly only observed during the early phase of infections. With the emergence of antibiotics this disease became a rarity. In contrast the importance of drug-associated acute tubulointerstitial nephritis grew in importance and is now the most common form and expression of a hyperergic reaction of the kidneys. Acute tubulointerstitial nephritis occurs as a third form in cases of systemic autoimmune diseases, e.g., in idiopathic tubulointerstitial nephritis or within the scope of Sjögrens syndrome with distal tubular acidosis. The common symptoms of the drug-induced form are fever, side pain, microhematuria or macrohematuria and a mostly sharp increase in creatinine levels but to a greatly differing extent. Histologically, there is interstitial edema and interstitial lymphocyte-rich infiltration with tubulitis. The symptoms can be subclinical or even non-existent. In most case remission occurs, sometimes only partial remission or transformation to chronic interstitial nephritis. Risk factors are for example delayed diagnosis, recurrent episodes and the accompanying use of analgesics. The more acute and intense the clinical symptoms are, the earlier the diagnosis and therefore the better the prognosis. A temporary steroid treatment can promote regression.

Arterial hypertension contributes considerably to the increased cardiorenal risk of patients with diabetes mellitus type 2. Therefore guideline-writing authorities recommend starting antihypertensive treatment generously, with the aim of reducing blood pressure to levels to < 130/80 mmHg. Nevertheless, results of several recent studies have challenged the currently prevailing paradigm "the lower the better" in hypertension management. A similar paradigm also seems to hold true for the management of blood glucose in these patients. Detailed analyses have shown an increased risk of coronary events by targeting both lower blood pressure and blood glucose levels, especially in those with established cardiovascular disease and especially coronary artery disease--thus, the concept of "the lower the better" should be reconsidered in this group of patients.

Microalbuminuria has most often been linked with renal disease in diabetic patients. However, accumulating data demonstrate that the development of albuminuria is closely associated with cardiovascular and renal disease in both diabetic and non-diabetic patients. The role of albuminuria in the pathogenesis of these clinical conditions remains controversial. While reductions in albuminuria have been associated with improved outcomes, the evidence for lower levels of albuminuria (microalbuminuria and normoalbuminuria) is inconclusive. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers have demonstrated some success in treating or delaying the onset of microalbuminuria. However, it remains to be established whether these effects result in meaningful reductions in clinical renal or cardiovascular events.

Diabetic nephropathy is the most common cause of end-stage renal disease. Since the disease progresses very slowly and usually takes more than 20 years before terminal renal failure occurs, early intervention is of great importance in order to prevent this disabling complication. A good control of diabetes with HbA(1c) levels around 7% is desirable. At least as important is the treatment of elevated blood pressure values. The target value for patients with diabetes has been adjusted in the last year and is now 130-139/80-85 mmHg. Should (micro-)albuminuria or renal insufficiency be present the blood pressure target is <130/80 mmHg. For the control of hypertension the use of ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers is recommended. In addition, the control of other risk factors and appropriate therapeutic intervention is required. A multifactorial intervention leads to the best results and can avoid the occurrence or progression of diabetic kidney disease and other micro- and/or macrovascular complications.

Thirty-three inpatients (22 females, 11 males, aged 79.4 ± 9.5 years) were investigated in this prospective cohort study to study the prevalence of polyneuropathy (PNP) and dementia in geriatric inpatients. Clinical and electrodiagnostic investigations, routine laboratory, including thyroid parameters, folic acid, vitamin B(12), homocysteine, neopterin, fibrinogen and glycosylated hemoglobin were measured in serum, the mini-mental state examination and computed tomographic scanning were performed in each patient. PNP was found clinically and electrodiagnostically in 96% of patients. Age was the most precipitating factor for PNP, and was significantly correlated to electrodiagnostic changes in the nerves investigated in both, upper and lower extremities, while clinical symptoms were confined only to the feet. Correlation was seen between homocysteine and the amplitude of the sural nerve (surAmpl) (rs = -0.406, p = 0.029) as well as the sural nerve conduction velocity (surNCV) (rs = -0.389, p = 0.037), and between neopterin and the grade of denervation (rs = 0.445, p = 0.014) in our patients. Neopterin and fibrinogen did not correlate significantly, but there was a trend to higher fibrinogen concentrations in patients with higher neopterin levels (rs = 0.344, p = 0.062). A trend of a correlation was seen between higher homocysteine concentrations and the number of changes in electrodiagnostic measurements (rs = 0.354, p = 0.055). Twenty-one of the 33 patients (64%) were demented, 9 (27%) presented clinically as mild cognitive impairment, 3 (9%) were not demented. Vascular risk factors were found in 83%: hypertension in 58%, hypercholesterinemia in 39%, cardiac disease in 36%, diabetes mellitus (DM) in 21%, peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in 9%. A significant correlation was found between homocysteine and folic acid concentrations (rs = -0.401, p = 0.028). Falls were reported in 48% of cases, indicating PNP as a risk factor in this group of patients. In conclusion, PNP was found very common with a high coincidence with dementia and a female preponderance, suggesting an influence on daily life (falls) in our subjects studied. PNP correlated significantly with markers for vascular disease as well as immune activation (homocysteine and neopterin) similar to earlier findings in patients with neurodegenerative disorders, suggesting common therapeutic options in patients with PNP and dementia.

The long-term problems after kidney transplantation have changed considerably in recent years. While formerly immunosuppression and prevention of acute rejection were of prime concern, now attention focuses on chronic alterations of the transplanted organ and long-term survival of the patients. The transplantation procedure itself has evolved into a standardized technique with a high level of surgical quality. Problems involving organ preservation and ischemia/reperfusion damage also play a role, especially in view of chronic aspects. Monitoring of long-term complications should follow a program for the transplanted organ as well as a program for the patient. Monitoring kidney function should address the organ more precisely than has previously been the case. Serum creatinine level and proteinuria alone provide insufficient information and only change long after cellular deterioration has begun. Hence it is imperative that new testing methods be developed. One possibility is offered by protocol biopsies that allow histological and molecular analysis of the kidney at regular intervals. The patient programs concentrate on diagnostics and treatment of the cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, the patients must be screened for occurrence of neoplasia. There are no prospective studies covering all cardiovascular risk factors after kidney transplantation. This pertains particularly to the subject of hypertension.

Animal experiments and analyses of human renal tissues show that regeneration of degraded renal tubules is caused by adjacent surviving tubules. Differentiation, migration, proliferation and redifferentiation are regulated by local growth factors. Renal stem cells can also participate in this process. Mesenchymal stem cells play a pivotal role in renal regeneration and if these are still present in the adult kidney, they could be the source material for repair and regeneration following injury. The exact location and role of resident mesenchymal stem cells which have been demonstrated in the kidneys is still unclear. New surface markers and a better characterisation of the many cell populations possibly participating in the regeneration process are necessary in order to clarify their complex interaction. It is also unclear whether mesenchymal stem cells from bone marrow or other organs are also involved. In addition to structural regeneration, the stem cells also play a role in the functional recovery following acute renal failure. Artificial regeneration of human kidneys is difficult due to their functional and spatial complexity. By the additional use of cells in dialysis machines it may be possible to improve the quality of filtration and also replace other renal functions. Initial results using this new technique in clinical phase I/II studies on patients with acute renal failure are promising.

Treatment of high blood pressure is a central element in prevention of cardiovascular diseases. The new classification of hypertension takes into consideration the close association between blood pressure level and cardiovascular risk and designates blood pressure between 140/90 and 130/80 mmHg as high-normal so that blood pressure <140/90 mmHg should always be the goal. The targeted blood pressure levels are also defined by the extent of end-organ damage already present. The therapeutic objective in patients with diabetes mellitus is a blood pressure level of 130/80 mmHg and in patients with kidney disease and proteinuria 125/75 mmHg. The five substance groups of diuretics, beta-blockers, calcium antagonists, ACE inhibitors, and angiotensin receptor blockers are recommended for primary treatment. In addition to the antihypertensive properties, substance-specific effects of ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers have been described. Primarily, instead of monotherapy low-dose combination therapy can also be judicious.

Diuretics block different electrolyte transporters in renal tubular cells. Their predominant action is inhibition of renal sodium chloride reabsorption, however, and achievement of a negative body sodium balance is the principal goal of diuretic therapy in patients with hypertension and edema. Several classes of diuretics can be distinguished with respect to the sites of sodium reabsorption along the nephron, but loop diuretics and distal-tubular diuretics (incl. thiazides) are the most widely used. The latter have a less potent natriuretic effect than loop diuretics, but their long duration of action predispose them for treatment of patients with uncomplicated hypertension. In conditions of gross edema, e.g. heart and/or renal failure, distal-tubular diuretics lose their efficacy and must be replaced by or combined with loop diuretics ("sequential nephron blockade"). Aldosterone antagonists are unique among diuretics because they improve survival in patients with heart failure independently of their effect on sodium metabolism.

Central cord syndrome may be associated with severe pain, resistant to conventional pain therapy regimens. Chronic pain may be a persistent problem in rehabilitation of spinal cord injuries. These pain syndromes are long lasting and challenging to treat. Gabapentin has been shown to be useful in treatment of different conditions which may be caused by increased neuronal excitability. This report describes a case where central cord syndrome and its chronic neuropathic pain associated with allodynia was successfully treated with gabapentin.