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Molecules such as sparsentan and budesonide look promising to treat proteinuric IGA nephropathy. SLGT2 inhibitors have a prominent place in nephroprotection and could be used in the treatment of acute kidney injury due to heart failure as well. High volume hemodiafiltration compared to hemodialysis improves survival in dialysis patients. Lessening dialysate temperature does not improve hemodynamic stability during the dialysis session. Sodium bicarbonate does not seem to protect renal function in renal transplant patients. SGLT2 inhibitors may have a beneficial effect in these patients in terms of nephroprotection., Competing Interests: Les auteurs n’ont déclaré aucun conflit d’intérêts en relation avec cet article.

In nephrology, rare disorders are frequently encountered. In children, about 60% of the renal disorders are rare, with congenital abnormalities of the kidney and urinary tract disorders (CAKUT), being highly prevalent. In adults, about 22% of the disorders leading to renal replacement therapies are rare and include glomerulonephritis and genetic disorders. Rarity may preclude the rapid and extensive access to care for patients suffering of renal disorders, especially in Switzerland, which is small and fragmented. Only collaborative network and access to databases, shared resources and to specific competence may help patient management. Lausanne and Geneva University Hospitals have started specialized outpatient clinics for rare renal disorders several years ago and are part of national and international networks., Competing Interests: Les auteurs n’ont déclaré aucun conflit d’intérêts en relation avec cet article.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has a high prevalence in Cameroon and will become an important public health problem. Its management must be comprehensive, starting with CKD prevention to the implementation of renal replacement therapies best suited to the needs of patients and resources available in Cameroon. Practical interventions involving nephrology departments in both Africa and Europe can contribute to an improved management of CKD in Africa. The current collaboration between the Geneva University Hospitals and the Yaoundé teaching hospitals is a convincing example. It includes a clinical trial on the treatment of metabolic acidosis linked to CKD, assistance with the placement of hemodialysis catheters by sonography and the initiation of a kidney transplantation program with living donors., Competing Interests: Les auteurs n’ont déclaré aucun conflit d’intérêts en relation avec cet article.

Severe cases of IGA nephropathy might benefit from corticosteroid therapy. Inflimidase may be a promising treatment of Goodpasture disease. SGLT2 inhibitors and acetazolamide act synergistically with loop diuretics in the treatment of acute cardiac failure. In hemodialysis, use of lung ultrasound to determine the ultrafiltration seems to decrease hospitalizations due to acute heart failure but does not reduce patient-centered outcomes. Icodextrin may mitigate the loss of ultrafiltration in PD patients who are carriers of the Aquaporin I promotor TT genotype. MICA-antibodies have an impact on the risk of graft rejection. Xenotransplantation may become a reality., Competing Interests: Les auteurs n’ont déclaré aucun conflit d’intérêts en relation avec cet article.

Diabetic kidney disease is highly prevalent in patients with type 2 diabetes and is a major cause of end-stage renal disease in Switzerland. Patients with diabetic kidney disease are among the most complex patients in diabetes care. They require a multifactorial and multidisciplinary approach with the goal to slow the decline in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and cardiovascular morbidity. With this consensus we propose an evidence-based guidance to health care providers involved in the care of type 2 diabetic patients with diabetic kidney disease.First, there is a need to increase physician awareness and improve screening for diabetic kidney disease as early intervention may improve clinical outcomes and the financial burden. Evaluation of estimated GFR (eGFR) and spot urine albumin/creatinine ratio is recommended at least annually. Once it is diagnosed, glucose control and optimisation of blood pressure control with renin-angiotensin system blockers have been recommended as mainstay management of diabetic kidney disease for more than 20 years. Recent, high quality randomised controlled trials have shown that sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibition slows eGFR decline and cardiovascular events beyond glucose control. Likewise, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonism with finerenone has cardiorenal protective effects in diabetic kidney disease. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP1) receptor agonists improve weight loss if needed, and decrease albuminuria and cardiovascular morbidity. Lipid control is also important to decrease cardiovascular events. All these therapies are included in the treatment algorithms proposed in this consensus. With advancing kidney failure, other challenges may rise, such as hyperkalaemia, anaemia and metabolic acidosis, as well as chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder. These different topics and treatment strategies are discussed in this consensus. Finally, an update on diabetes management in renal replacement therapy such as haemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis and renal transplantation is provided. With the recent developments of efficient therapies for diabetic kidney disease, it has become evident that a consensus document is necessary. We are optimistic that it will significantly contribute to a high-quality care for patients with diabetic kidney disease in Switzerland in the future.

Major advances in the treatment of nondiabetic chronic nephropathy and ANCA associated-renal vasculitis were published within the past two years. A new formula for assessing GFR was developed that does not take ethnicity into account. For hemodialysis patients, hemodiafiltration does not diminish uremic neuropathy. In hemodialysis patients, DOACs induce less bleeding than K vitamin antagonists. Weaning of steroids should be more rapid in some transplant patients. COVID-19 vaccination is less effective in dialysis and transplant patients and will necessitate a third dose., Competing Interests: Les auteurs n’ont déclaré aucun conflit d’intérêts en relation avec cet article.

Impact of gliflozines in the treatment of non-diabetic nephropathies and cardiac failure has lately been demonstrated. Tolvaptan has now been recognized in Switzerland as a treatment of hyponatremia. In hemodialysis, some progress has been made in the management of dysfunctional arterio-venous fistulas. A glimmer of hope in the treatment of uremic pruritus? Conservative management of a stable coronary heart disease is also advocated in patients with end-stage kidney disease. Therapy with immune cells may either minimize or remove the need for immunosuppression in renal transplant patients. A new predictive score combining several markers can predict long-term graft failure., Competing Interests: Les auteurs n’ont déclaré aucun conflit d’intérêts en relation avec cet article.

Background: Optimal clinical care of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) requires collaboration between primary care physicians (PCPs) and nephrologists. We undertook a randomised trial to determine the impact of superimposed nephrologist care compared to guidelines-directed management by PCPs in CKD patients after hospital discharge., Methods: Stage 3b-4 CKD patients were enrolled during a hospitalization and randomised in two arms: Co-management by PCPs and nephrologists (interventional arm) versus management by PCPs with written instructions and consultations by nephrologists on demand (standard care). Our primary outcome was death or rehospitalisation within the 2 years post-randomisation. Secondary outcomes were: urgent renal replacement therapy (RRT), decline of renal function and decrease of quality of life at 2 years., Results: From November 2009 to the end of June 2013, we randomised 242 patients. Mean follow-up was 51 + 20 months. Survival without rehospitalisation, GFR decline and elective dialysis initiation did not differ between the two arms. Quality of life was also similar in both groups. Compared to randomised patients, those who either declined to participate in the study or were previously known by nephrologists had a worse survival., Conclusion: These results do not demonstrate a benefit of a regular renal care compared to guided PCPs care in terms of survival or dialysis initiation in CKD patients. Increased awareness of renal disease management among PCPs may be as effective as a co-management by PCPs and nephrologists in order to improve the prognosis of moderate-to-severe CKD., Trial Registration: This study was registered on June 29, 2009 in clinicaltrials.gov (NCT00929760) and adheres to CONSORT 2010 guidelines.

Impact of gliflozines and rituximab in the treatments of diabetic and membranous nephropathies respectively has been confirmed. Roxadustat may be the new promising treatment of renal anemia. Long-acting erythropoietins may be associated with a higher death rate than short-acting ones in hemodialysis patients. Kidneys of HCV-seropositive donors can be proposed to any wait-listed patient for renal transplantation. Immunosupression minimizing the use of calcineurin inhibitors may be achieved with an everolimus-based protocol., Competing Interests: Les auteurs n’ont déclaré aucun conflit d’intérêts en relation avec cet article.

Major advances in the treatment of ANCA associated-renal vasculitides, IGA nephropathy and renal autosomal dominant polycystic disease were published within the past year. There is neither clear benefit of early initiation of renal replacement therapy in the intensive care unit nor with the use of chloride-poor solutions to prevent kidney failure. Maintenance parenteral iron supplementation in hemodialysis patients is neither associated with infectious nor cardiovascular risks. Cognitive decline may be more associated with hemodialysis than peritoneal dialysis. In transplantation, the persistence of complement-binding donor-specific antibodies after treatment is predictor of graft loss. Tocilizumab is a promising treatment for chronic antibody-mediated rejection., Competing Interests: Les auteurs n’ont déclaré aucun conflit d’intérêts en relation avec cet article.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) usually goes unrecognized for patients until late symptomatic stages. In preterminal CKD, extrarenal substitution methods are usually presented to patients. This is felt like a breakdown, implying major modifications of everyday life. Acquisition of health literacy is necessary for patients with CKD to become autonomous and increase their empowerment toward the disease. Therapeutic education in nephrology plays a major role in improving the care of CKD patients., Competing Interests: Les auteurs n’ont déclaré aucun conflit d’intérêts en relation avec cet article.

New antidiabetic drugs which slow effectively the course of diabetic nephropathy are now available. There is no benefit of prophylactic hydratation to prevent contrast nephropathy in patients with moderate chronic kidney disease. In elderly hemodialysis patients, hemodiafiltration seems better tolerated than conventional hemodialysis, although there is a similar dialysis-induced myocardial stress with both methods. Role of de novo donor-specific antibodies is better characterized, which may subsequently lead to new treatments of graft rejection.

The first treatment which slows the course of polycystic kidney disease is now available in Switzerland. There is no benefit of immunosuppression when treating IgA nephropathy. Rituximab has been proved effective in the treatment of membranous nephropathy. When to start renal replacement therapy in acute kidney injury ? The debate still continues. In selected patients with end-stage renal failure, starting with twice a week hemodialysis is a desirable option. Peritoneal dialysis can be considered in frail patients. Better being transplanted with a HLA-incompatible living donor than to be on the waiting list. Immunosuppression without a calcineurin inhibitor is a potential immunologic hazard even for stable transplants. Long-term results of belatacept-based immunosuppression instead of cyclosporin showed better graft and patient survival but more acute rejection., Competing Interests: Les auteurs n’ont déclaré aucun conflit d’intérêts en relation avec cet article.

Isotonic saline and buffered crystalloid solutions may carry an equivalent risk of acute kidney injury in critically ill patients. In hemodialyzed patients, highly dialyzable beta-blockers are less cardioprotective than non-dialyzable beta-blockers, cooling the dialyzate may protect their cerebral white matter and too much parenteral iron may be deleterious. A promising treatment for amyloid deposits is underway. A well tolerated treatment for hyperkalemia has emerged. Low serum magnesium and diminished phosphaturia may be associated with an increased risk of chronic kidney disease. Moderate hyponatremia should be considered as a serious public health problem.

Vasopressin antagonists show for the first time a beneficial effect on ADPKD cyst growth and renal function in a large cohort of patients. In ANCA vasculitis, the 18 months follow-up of Rituximab treatment for induction confirms the safety and efficacy of this therapeutic option. Two studies brought some answers to what is the more appropriate intravenous fluid strategy to decrease the incidence of acute kidney injury in critically ill patients. Regarding mortality in dialysed patients, inconclusive results about the use of calcimimetics to decrease cardiovascular mortality have been reported but there is good evidence that hemodiafiltration with high ultrafiltration volume can decrease significantly the mortality in these