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Background: Renal diseases information is population-based and has great geographic variability. Due to the lack of national renal data registry system, there is no information on the prevalence rate, and clinical and laboratory features of various glomerulonephritidies (GNs) in Iran. Methods: In a retrospective cross sectional study, we analyzed 462 adult renal biopsies in Hashemi Nejad hospital, Tehran, Iran. We determined the prevalence rate and the frequency of different clinical and laboratory findings in patients with different GNs. We also compared our results with the reports from other countries. Results: There were 267(57.8%) males and 195(42.2%) females. The mean age (± SD) was 33.6 ± 15.7 (range, 13-75) years old. After exclusion of 55 biopsies with pathologies other than GNs and in the remaining 407 biopsies, membranous glomerulopathy (MGN) was the most common GN (23.6%), followed by IgAN (13.5%), membranoproliferative GN (11.5%), systemic lupus nephritis (10.6%), focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (10.3%), and minimal change disease (9.8%). These 6 GNs comprised the majority (79.4%) of all GNs. Conclusion: MGN is the most common form of GN, followed by IgAN, MPGN, SLE-GN, FSGS and MCD in adult patients in our study. The multi-center studies with a larger sample size are needed for more comprehensive data in Iranian population. Key words: Glomerulonephritidies, Epidemiology, Renal Biopsy, Glomeulopathy

IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a chronic systemic inflammatory  disease, characterized by tissue infiltration of lymphocytes and  IgG4-secreting plasma cells, presenting by fibrosis of different  tissues, which is usually responsive only to oral steroids therapy.  Kidneys are the most commonly involved organs, exhibiting renal  insufficiency, tubulointerstitial nephritis, and glomerulonephritis.  Here, we describe a patient with acute renal insufficiency who  was presented with edema, weakness, anemia and multiple  lymphadenopathies. Kidney and lymph node biopsy showed  crescentic glomerulonephritis in kidneys and lymphoplasmacytic  infiltration in lymph nodes. After a course of treatment with an  intravenous pulse of corticosteroid and cyclophosphamide, the  patient's symptoms subsided, and kidney function improved. DOI: 10.52547/ijkd.7788.

Introduction: Pauci-immune crescentic glomerulonephritis (GN) is the most common cause of rapidly progressive GN in adults. The aim of this study was to determine the outcome of patients with pauci-immune crescentic GN and risk factors of the development of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) in these patients., Methods: This case series study was carried on 120 patients with pauci-immune crescentic GN biopsied in our center betwen 1998 and 2016. Inclusion criteria were age > 16 years, at least one crescentic glomerulus, maximally 1+ deposition of immunoglobulins and complement components at fluorescent microscopy, and at least 6 months follow-up. The main outcomes were ESKD and death., Results: The study population included 120 patients with pauciimmune crescentic GN (mean age was 47 ± 17 years and 49.1% male). There was no significant difference in outcome between patients with diffuse or focal crescentic GN. Seventy-two patients (60%) developed ESKD and 31 patients (25.8%) died. The need for dialysis at admission, lower baseline hemoglobin and GFR and GFR at four months and high percentage of glomerulosclerosis and interstitial fibrosis had a significant relationship with low kidney survival (P < .05). The rate of ESKD was higher in patients who did not receive cyclophosphamide therapy, due to focal crescentic GN or high chronicity, compared to patients who received it (70.7 vs. 28.5%, P < .001)., Conclusion: In our study, a high percentage of patients with pauciimmune crescentic GN developed ESKD. Low first GFR and high chronicity in biopsy were associated with lower kidney survival. Failure to administer cyclophosphamide in seemingly limited or advanced cases, together with late referral may have led to poor prognosis.  DOI: 10.52547/ijkd.7545.

Introduction: Membranous nephropathy (MN) has variable clinical outcomes, ranging from spontaneous remission to slow progression to kidney failure. Since the clinical outcomes of MN have not been studied in a large sample size in Iran, this study was designed to evaluate the outcome of patients diagnosed with MN at Hasheminejad Kidney Center (HKC), Tehran., Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, 1086 patients with a diagnosis of MN who were biopsied between 1998 and 2018 in HKC were evaluated through a review of medical records for baseline clinical and laboratory characteristics at the time of biopsy and through a review of follow-up charts and phone calls for the evaluation of clinical outcomes. Of these patients, 551 could be followed for clinical outcomes. The composite outcome included kidney loss (hemodialysis, transplantation, or death). The effect of demographic, clinical, laboratory, and pathological variables on kidney survival was determined by the Cox-regression model using SPSS-16 software at a significance level of .05., Results: Sex (P < .05), higher weight (P < .05), older age (P < .001), hypertension (P < .001), higher baseline proteinuria and lower glomerular filtration rate (GFR) at the onset of the disease were associated with kidney failure (P < .001). A higher percentage of interstitial fibrosis, tubular atrophy, global sclerosis, and a higher pathological class of membranous nephropathy were significantly associated with disease outcome in the univariate Cox-regression analysis (P < .001). Kidney survival rates at 5, 10, and 15 years were 86%, 74%, and 56%; respectively., Conclusion: Our study suggests that baseline demographic, clinical and laboratory factors affect kidney outcomes. Patients who are considered high-risk based on the criteria listed above may need to be candidates for more aggressive therapy.  DOI: 10.52547/ijkd.7373.

Introductions: Malnutrition-inflammation-atherosclerosis is an independent risk factor and the most significant cause of death in dialysis patients, accounting for about 50% of deaths in the population. Moreover, the high incidence of cardiovascular-induced mortality in patients with end-stage kidney disease cannot be fully attributed to cardiovascular (CVD) risk factors only. Studies suggest that risk factors such as oxidative stress, inflammation, bone disorders, vascular stiffness, and energy protein loss are closely related to CVD and its associated mortality in these patients. Moreover, dietary fat is a crucial factor in CVD. This study focused on determining the relationship between malnutrition-inflammation and fat quality indicators among CKD patients., Methods: This study was conducted on 121 hemodialysis patients aged 20 to 80 years in a teaching hospital affiliated to Hashminejad kidney center in Tehran, Iran during 2020 to 2021. Data on general characteristics and anthropometric indices were collected. The malnutrition-inflammation score was assessed by using MIS and DMS questionnaires and dietary intake was measured by a 24-hour recall questionnaire., Results: Out of 121 hemodialysis patients participating in the study, 57.3% were male and 42.7% were female. Anthropometric demographic characteristics showed no significant difference among diverse groups with heart disease (P > .05). There was no significant relationship between malnutrition-inflammation and heart disease indices in hemodialysis patients (P > .05). Furthermore, there was no correlation between the dietary fat quality index and heart disease (P > .05)., Conclusion: In this study, there was no significant relationship between the malnutrition-inflammation index and the dietary fat quality index with cardiac disease in hemodialysis patients. Further studies are needed to have a tangible conclusion.  DOI: 10.52547/ijkd.7280.

Introduction: Recurrence of glomerulonephritis (GN) after kidney transplant (Tx) may be associated with allograft loss. This study aimed to evaluate the frequency and prognosis of de novo or recurrent post-Tx GN., Methods: We reviewed 1305 kidney Tx biopsy samples obtained between 2006 and 2020. The biopsy specimens were divided into post-Tx GN (recurrent or de novo) and control groups (i.e., no detectable GN in biopsy). Demographic and baseline characteristics of the patients and kidney survival rates were analyzed., Results: From 1305 kidney transplanted biopsies, 350 repeated biopsies for transplant rejection were excluded. Among 955 analyzed biopsies, (mean age: 40.4 ± 13.48 years, mean transplantation duration: 4.54 ± 3.98 years, 74.6% males), the frequency of GN was 10.78%. The most common recurrent post-Tx GN was IgA nephropathy (22.3%), followed by secondary focal segmental glomerulonephritis (FSGS, 19.4%), primary FSGS (19.4%), and membranous glomerulonephritis (17.5%). In the post-Tx GN group, the mean serum creatinine and proteinuria were 3.28 ± 1.97 mg/dL and 2730 ± 1244 mg/d at the biopsy time and 4.14 ± 1.86 mg/dL and 2020 ± 1048 mg/d, at the end of the study. There was a significant relationship between baseline serum creatinine and graft loss (P < .001). One-, five-, and ten-year graft survival rates were 97%, 81%, and 63% in the postTx GN, and 100%, 92%, and 59% in the control group. The median time to graft loss after biopsy, (graft survival after biopsy), was significantly lower in the post-Tx GN group (P < .000). The other accompanying factors had no significant impact on graft survival., Conclusion: The median time to graft loss after biopsy was significantly lower in post-Tx GN. Baseline serum creatinine had a significant association with graft loss. Optimal management of recurrent or de novo GN should be a main focus of post-transplant care.  DOI: 10.52547/ijkd.7205.

National strategies for addressing chronic kidney disease (CKD) are crucial to improving kidney health. We sought to describe country-level variations in non-communicable disease (NCD) strategies and CKD-specific policies across different regions and income levels worldwide. The International Society of Nephrology Global Kidney Health Atlas (GKHA) was a multinational cross-sectional survey conducted between July and October 2018. Responses from key opinion leaders in each country regarding national NCD strategies, the presence and scope of CKD-specific policies, and government recognition of CKD as a health priority were described overall and according to region and income level. 160 countries participated in the GKHA survey, comprising 97.8% of the world's population. Seventy-four (47%) countries had an established national NCD strategy, and 53 (34%) countries reported the existence of CKD-specific policies, with substantial variation across regions and income levels. Where CKD-specific policies existed, non-dialysis CKD care was variably addressed. 79 (51%) countries identified government recognition of CKD as a health priority. Low- and low-middle income countries were less likely to have strategies and policies for addressing CKD and have governments which recognise it as a health priority. The existence of CKD-specific policies, and a national NCD strategy more broadly, varied substantially across different regions around the world but was overall suboptimal, with major discrepancies between the burden of CKD in many countries and governmental recognition of CKD as a health priority. Greater recognition of CKD within national health policy is critical to improving kidney healthcare globally., Competing Interests: Outside the submitted work, BLN has received fees for advisory boards, scientific presentations, steering committee roles and travel support from AstraZeneca, Bayer, Boehringer and Ingelheim, and Janssen with all honoraria paid to his institution; AL and serves as a scientific advisor to Boehringer Ingelheim, AstraZeneca, and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK); is on the data safety and monitoring board for the NIDDK, Kidney Precision Medicine, University of Washington Kidney Research Institute Scientific Advisory Committee; is funded by the Canadian Institute of Health Research and Kidney Foundation of Canada; PH reports grants from Chiesi Pharmaceuticals; VJ has research grants from Baxter, GSK and reports Consultancy and Advisory Board honoraria from Baxter Healthcare, and AstraZeneca; KK-Z has received honoraria and/or support from Abbott, Abbvie, ACI Clinical (Cara Therapeutics), Akebia, Alexion, Amgen, Ardelyx, ASN (American Society of Nephrology), Astra-Zeneca, Aveo, BBraun, Chugai, Cytokinetics, Daiichi, DaVita, Fresenius, Genentech, GSK, Haymarket Media, Hofstra Medical School, IFKF (International Federation of Kidney Foundations), ISH (International Society of Hemodialysis), International Society of Renal Nutrition & Metabolism (ISRNM), JSDT (Japanese Society of Dialysis Therapy), Hospira, Kabi, Keryx, Kissei, Novartis, Novo-Nordisk, OPKO, NIH (National Institutes of Health), NKF (National Kidney Foundations), Pfizer, Regulus, Relypsa, Resverlogix, Dr Schaer, Sandoz, Sanofi, Shire, VA (Veterans’ Affairs), Takeda, Vifor, UpToDate, ZS-Pharma; PGK reports conference attendance support from Amgen Australia and honorarium from Bayer Australia; SK is Director of the Real World Evidence Consortium that conducts investigator initiated industry funded projects (Allergan, Purdue, GSK, CSL, Lundbeck, NovoNordisk, Jansen, Bayer); CPK has received consulting fees from Abbott, Akebia, Astra-Zeneca, Bayer, Cara Therapeutics, CSL Behring, Rockwell and Vifor; JP reports grants and personal fees from Baxter Healthcare, Fresenius Medical Care, and Davita Healthcare partner; RTK reports personal fees from Baxter; AY-MW reports grants from Sanofi and Otsuka; MHZ has been a consultant or advisory committee member for GSK, AstraZeneca, Roche, and Bayer; KJJ reports personal fees from Fresenius Medical Care; VP has received fees for advisory boards, steering committee roles, or scientific presentations from AbbVie, Astellas, AstraZeneca, Bayer, Baxter, BMS, Boehringer Ingelheim, Dimerix, Durect, Eli Lilly, Gilead, GSK, Janssen, Merck, Mitsubishi Tanabe, Mundipharma, Novartis, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer, Pharmalink, Relypsa, Retrophin, Sanofi, Servier, Tricida, and Vifor. MT reports grants from the Canadian Institutes for Health Research during conduct of the study; DWJ has received consultancy fees, research grants, speaker’s honoraria and travel sponsorships from Baxter Healthcare and Fresenius Medical Care, consultancy fees from Astra Zeneca, Bayer, and AWAK, speaker’s honoraria from ONO and BI & Lilly, and travel sponsorships from Ono and Amgen. He is a current recipient of an Australian National Health and Medical Research Council Leadership Investigator Grant., (Copyright: © 2023 Neuen et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Background: Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), one of the common inherited disorders in humans, is characterized by the development and enlargement of renal cysts, often leading to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). In this study, Iranian ADPKD families were subjected to high-throughput DNA sequencing to find potential causative variants facilitating the way toward risk assessment and targeted therapy., Methods: Our protocol was based on the targeted next generation sequencing (NGS) panel previously developed in our center comprising 12 genes involved in PKD. This panel has been applied to investigate the genetic causes of 32 patients with a clinical suspicion of ADPKD., Results: We identified a total of 31 variants for 32 individuals, two of which were each detected in two individuals. Twenty-seven out of 31 detected variants were interpreted as pathogenic/likely pathogenic and the remaining 4 of uncertain significance with a molecular diagnostic success rate of 87.5%. Among these variants, 25 PKD1/2 pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants were detected in 32 index patients (78.1%), and variants of uncertain significance in four individuals (12.5% in PKD1/2 ). The majority of variants was identified in PKD1 (74.2%). Autosomal recessive PKD was identified in one patient, indicating the similarities between recessive and dominant PKD. In concordance with earlier studies, this biallelic PKD1 variant, p.Arg3277Cys, leads to rapidly progressive and severe disease with very early-onset ADPKD., Conclusion: Our findings suggest that targeted gene panel sequencing is expected to be the method of choice to improve diagnostic and prognostic accuracy in PKD patients with heterogeneity in genetic background., (© 2022 The Author(s). This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.)

Background: Kidney transplantation (KT) is the optimal treatment for kidney failure and is associated with better quality of life and survival relative to dialysis. However, knowledge of the current capacity of countries to deliver KT is limited. This study reports on findings from the 2018 International Society of Nephrology Global Kidney Health Atlas survey, specifically addressing the availability, accessibility, and quality of KT across countries and regions., Methods: Data were collected from published online sources, and a survey was administered online to key stakeholders. All country-level data were analyzed by International Society of Nephrology region and World Bank income classification., Results: Data were collected via a survey in 182 countries, of which 155 answered questions pertaining to KT. Of these, 74% stated that KT was available, with a median incidence of 14 per million population (range: 0.04-70) and median prevalence of 255 per million population (range: 3-693). Accessibility of KT varied widely; even within high-income countries, it was disproportionately lower for ethnic minorities. Universal health coverage of all KT treatment costs was available in 31%, and 57% had a KT registry., Conclusions: There are substantial variations in KT incidence, prevalence, availability, accessibility, and quality worldwide, with the lowest rates evident in low- and lower-middle income countries. Understanding these disparities will inform efforts to increase awareness and the adoption of practices that will ensure high-quality KT care is provided around the world., Competing Interests: D.W.J. has received consultancy fees, research grants, speaker’s honoraria, and travel sponsorships from Baxter Healthcare and Fresenius Medical Care; consultancy fees from Astra Zeneca and AWAK, speaker’s honoraria and travel sponsorships from ONO; and travel sponsorships from Amgen. He is a current recipient of an Australian National Health and Medical Research Council Leadership Investigator Grant. V.J. has received grants, speaker honoraria, or consultancy fees from GlaxoSmithKline, Biocon, Baxter, Janssen, Medtronic, and NephroPlus. He has a policy of all funds being paid to his employer. A.K.B. has received consultancy fees from Janssen. The International Society of Nephrology provided administrative support for the design and implementation of the study and data collection activities. The authors were responsible for data management, analysis, and interpretation, as well as article preparation, review, and approval and the decision to submit the article for publication. The remaining authors have no conflicts of interest to declare., (Copyright © 2021 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Crescents (C) have been recently added to the Oxford classification of IgA nephropathy (IgAN) consisting of mesangial hypercellularity (M), endocapillary hypercellularity (E), segmental sclerosis (S) and tubular atrophy/ interstitial fibrosis (T) (MEST). The aim of the study was to assess the added impact of crescents, on development of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) in IgAN patients Methods. On-hundred fifteen IgAN patients (76% male, mean age: 37 ± 13 years, mean serum creatinine: 4.0 ± 4.3 mg/dL, mean proteinuria: 3.4 ± 2.5 g/d) were followed for 43 ± 29 months. MEST score was defined according to Oxford classification (M0/M1, E0/ E1, S0/S1). To increase the power, T was defined as T0 ≤ 25% and T1 > 25%. Crescents were defined as C0, "absence" and C1 "at least one" crescent. In sensitivity analysis, the risk of ESKD was estimated at different cut-off levels of at least 10, 20, and 30% crescents., Results: Forty patients (35%) developed ESKD. Among those 14% with at least one crescent, 21 patients (46%) developed ESKD. In 11 patients with C ≥ 30%, 66% and among 57 patients with T1, 60% and in 27 patients with T1 + C1 74% developed ESKD. In adjusted model, only C ≥ 30% (HR = 3.15, 95% CI: 1.15 to 11.00; P = 0.027) and the presence of T1+ C1 (HR = 7.18, 95% CI: 1.90 to 27.10, P = 0.004) were associated with increased risk of ESKD. The median kidney survival was 78.0 months (95% CI: 70.5 to 85.6 months), in patients with T0 + C0 and 32.3 months (95% CI: 19.3 to 45.3 months) in patients with T1 + C1., Conclusion: In this study T ≥ 25%, and the presence of crescents ≥ 30%, were independently associated with increased risk of ESKD. This risk was strongly increased in the combined presence of at least one crescent and T1 ≥ 25%, that predicted a high ESKD rate.  DOI: 10.52547/ijkd.6685.

Background: Health information systems (HIS) are fundamental tools for the surveillance of health services, estimation of disease burden and prioritization of health resources. Several gaps in the availability of HIS for kidney disease were highlighted by the first iteration of the Global Kidney Health Atlas., Methods: As part of its second iteration, the International Society of Nephrology conducted a cross-sectional global survey between July and October 2018 to explore the coverage and scope of HIS for kidney disease, with a focus on kidney replacement therapy (KRT)., Results: Out of a total of 182 invited countries, 154 countries responded to questions on HIS (85% response rate). KRT registries were available in almost all high-income countries, but few low-income countries, while registries for non-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) or acute kidney injury (AKI) were rare. Registries in high-income countries tended to be national, in contrast to registries in low-income countries, which often operated at local or regional levels. Although cause of end-stage kidney disease, modality of KRT and source of kidney transplant donors were frequently reported, few countries collected data on patient-reported outcome measures and only half of low-income countries recorded process-based measures. Almost no countries had programs to detect AKI and practices to identify CKD-targeted individuals with diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease, rather than members of high-risk ethnic groups., Conclusions: These findings confirm significant heterogeneity in the global availability of HIS for kidney disease and highlight important gaps in their coverage and scope, especially in low-income countries and across the domains of AKI, non-dialysis CKD, patient-reported outcomes, process-based measures and quality indicators for KRT service delivery., (© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of ERA-EDTA. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is one of the important causes of end stage kidney disease (ESKD). We evaluated the progression risk factors of primary FSGS to chronic kidney disease (CKD) or ESKD with a predictive model including clinical and histological predictors., Methods: 201 patients with primary FSGS (59% male, mean age: 38 ± 15 years), were studied. Time-dependent Cox model and C statistics were used for the predictive model. Interaction and correlation between independent variables were estimated., Results: During 55 ± 27 months of follow-up, 82 patients (41%) developed CKD (46) or ESKD (36) patients. In adjusted model, 1 unit of higher serum creatinine (SCr) at baseline (HR = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.15 to 1.70) and 1% increase in glomeruli with segmental glomerulosclerosis (SGS) (HR = 1.03, 95% CI: 1.02 to 1.04) or interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy (IF/TA) (HR = 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01 to 1.05) increased the risk of CKD/ESKD. In adjusted model, higher baseline proteinuria and collapsing variant were not associated with risk of CKD/ESKD. By adding SGS and IF/TA scores to baseline SCr in the model, discrimination by C statistics was 0.83 (95% CI: 0.77 to 0.90). Median renal survival was 3.1 years (95% CI: 2.2 to 4.1 years) in patients with highest risk score (baseline eGFR < 25 mL/min/1.73m2 + IF/TA/SGS > 50%), and 8.1 years (95% CI: 7.7 to 8.6 years).in those with lowest score (baseline eGFR > 75 mL/ min/1.73m2 + IF/TA/SGS < 5%)., Conclusion: In primary FSGS, higher baseline SCr, increased SGS and IF/TA, but not baseline proteinuria and collapsing pathology, were the predictors for CKD/ESKD. These findings indicated the importance of timely detection and referral in prognosis of primary FSGS. DOI: 10.52547/ijkd.6442.

Introduction: Despite significant improvement in End Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD) patient's management, and better availability of dialysis for caregivers, mortality among these patients is unacceptably high., Methods: We collected the data of 751 incident hemodialysis patients from March 2004 to November 2018. Survival curves was created by using the Kaplan-Meier method. Comorbidities, as well as time-dependent values of laboratory findings, were examined as independent factors by three models of Cox regression analysis., Results: The median follow-up period was 31.7 months (1.08 to 169.28). Patient survival rates were 88%, 77%, 56%, 32%, 26% ,16% and 12%, at 1, 2, 4,6, 8, 10, 12 and 14 years of follow-up, respectively. The most common cause of mortality was cardiovascular disease. We observed lower survival rates in patients ≥ 65 years (HR = 2.684, 95% CI: 1.133 to 3.377; P < .001), diabetes mellitus (HR = 1.729, 95% CI: 1.484 to 2.014; P < .001) and walking disability (HR = 2.505; 95% CI: 2.104 to 2.983; P < .001). Low hemoglobin level (HR = 1.496; 95% CI: 1.257 to 1.779; P < .001), hyperphosphatemia (HR = 1.305, 95% CI: 1.104 to 1.542; P = 0.002) and high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level (HR = 1.933; 95% CI: 1.431 to 2.611; P < .001) were predictors of mortality. A single pool Kt/V > 1.2 (HR = 0.743, 95% CI: 0.635 to 0.870; P < .001) and high serum creatinine level (HR = 0.842, 95% CI: 0.811 to 0.874; P < .001) showed protective effects., Conclusion: Our study showed a high survival rate in a single center cohort of hemodialysis patients in Iran. Traditional risk factors of mortality in general population, as well as indices of dialysis efficacy and general health status were the main predictors of mortality. Nationwide registries are necessary to investigate the dialysis survival rates and their predictors in our country. DOI: 10.52547/ijkd.6435.

Objectives: The Global Kidney Health Atlas (GKHA) is a multinational, cross-sectional survey designed to assess the current capacity for kidney care across all world regions. The 2017 GKHA involved 125 countries and identified significant gaps in oversight, funding and infrastructure to support care for patients with kidney disease, especially in lower-middle-income countries. Here, we report results from the survey for the second iteration of the GKHA conducted in 2018, which included specific questions about health financing and oversight of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) care worldwide., Setting: A cross-sectional global survey., Participants: Key stakeholders from 182 countries were invited to participate. Of those, stakeholders from 160 countries participated and were included., Primary Outcomes: Primary outcomes included cost of kidney replacement therapy (KRT), funding for dialysis and transplantation, funding for conservative kidney management, extent of universal health coverage, out-of-pocket costs for KRT, within-country variability in ESKD care delivery and oversight systems for ESKD care. Outcomes were determined from a combination of desk research and input from key stakeholders in participating countries., Results: 160 countries (covering 98% of the world's population) responded to the survey. Economic factors were identified as the top barrier to optimal ESKD care in 99 countries (64%). Full public funding for KRT was more common than for conservative kidney management (43% vs 28%). Among countries that provided at least some public coverage for KRT, 75% covered all citizens. Within-country variation in ESKD care delivery was reported in 40% of countries. Oversight of ESKD care was present in all high-income countries but was absent in 13% of low-income, 3% of lower-middle-income, and 10% of upper-middle-income countries., Conclusion: Significant gaps and variability exist in the public funding and oversight of ESKD care in many countries, particularly for those in low-income and lower-middle-income countries., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2021. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19), has recently emerged as a great health challenge. The novel corona virus may affect the kidneys mainly as acute kidney injury (AKI). Also, the outcome of COVID-19 may be different in patients with underlying kidney disease. The aim of this study was to compare the outcome of COVID-19 in patients with and without underlying kidney disease., Methods: This was a retrospective study on 659 hospitalized COVID-19 patients in six centers of Iran. Patients were classified into kidney (chronic kidney disease (CKD), end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) or kidney transplantation) and non-kidney groups. The clinical conditions and laboratory data were extracted from the charts. Outcome was defined as death during hospitalization or within 30 days of discharge., Results: Among 659 COVID-19 patients (mean age: 60.7 ± 16.4, 56% male), 208 were in the kidney group (86 ESKD, 35 kidney transplants, and 87 CKD patients). AKI occurred in 41.8%. Incidence of AKI was 34.7% in non-kidney, 74.7% in CKD, and 51.4% in kidney transplant patients (P < .001). Totally 178 patients (27%) died and mortality rate was significantly higher in CKD patients (50.6 vs. 23.4%, P < .001). AKI was associated with increased mortality rate (OR = 2.588, CI: 1.707 to 3.925). Initial glomerular filtration rate (GFR) < 44.2 mL/min and elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and C-reactive protein (CRP) had significant association with mortality., Conclusion: We showed a higher mortality rate in COVID-19 patients with AKI and CKD. Low initial GFR and elevated LDH and CRP were associated with high mortality in COVID-19 patients.

Kidney failure is the permanent impairment of kidney function associated with increased morbidity, hospitalization, and requirement for kidney replacement therapy. A total of 11 countries in the Middle East region (84.6%) responded to the survey. The prevalence of chronic kidney disease in the region ranged from 5.2% to 10.6%, whereas prevalence of treated kidney failure ranged from 152 to 826 per million population. Overall, the incidence of kidney transplantation was highest in Iran (30.9 per million population) and lowest in Oman and the United Arab Emirates (2.2 and 3.0 per million population, respectively). Long-term hemodialysis services were available in all countries, long-term peritoneal dialysis services were available in 9 (69.2%) countries, and transplantation services were available in most countries of the region. Public funding covered the costs of nondialysis chronic kidney disease care in two-thirds of countries, and kidney replacement therapy in nearly all countries. More than half of the countries had dialysis registries; however, national noncommunicable disease strategies were lacking in most countries. The Middle East is a region with high burden of kidney disease and needs cost-effective measures through effective health care funding to be available to improve kidney care in the region. Furthermore, well-designed and sustainable health information systems are needed in the region to address current gaps in kidney care in the region., (© 2021 International Society of Nephrology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Rationale & Objective: Approximately 11% of people with kidney failure worldwide are treated with peritoneal dialysis (PD). This study examined PD use and practice patterns across the globe., Study Design: A cross-sectional survey., Setting & Participants: Stakeholders including clinicians, policy makers, and patient representatives in 182 countries convened by the International Society of Nephrology between July and September 2018., Outcomes: PD use, availability, accessibility, affordability, delivery, and reporting of quality outcome measures., Analytical Approach: Descriptive statistics., Results: Responses were received from 88% (n=160) of countries and there were 313 participants (257 nephrologists [82%], 22 non-nephrologist physicians [7%], 6 other health professionals [2%], 17 administrators/policy makers/civil servants [5%], and 11 others [4%]). 85% (n=156) of countries responded to questions about PD. Median PD use was 38.1 per million population. PD was not available in 30 of the 156 (19%) countries responding to PD-related questions, particularly in countries in Africa (20/41) and low-income countries (15/22). In 69% of countries, PD was the initial dialysis modality for≤10% of patients with newly diagnosed kidney failure. Patients receiving PD were expected to pay 1% to 25% of treatment costs, and higher (>75%) copayments (out-of-pocket expenses incurred by patients) were more common in South Asia and low-income countries. Average exchange volumes were adequate (defined as 3-4 exchanges per day or the equivalent for automated PD) in 72% of countries. PD quality outcome monitoring and reporting were variable. Most countries did not measure patient-reported PD outcomes., Limitations: Low responses from policy makers; limited ability to provide more in-depth explanations underpinning outcomes from each country due to lack of granular data; lack of objective data., Conclusions: Large inter- and intraregional disparities exist in PD availability, accessibility, affordability, delivery, and reporting of quality outcome measures around the world, with the greatest gaps observed in Africa and South Asia., (Crown Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Rationale & Objective: Hemodialysis (HD) is the most common form of kidney replacement therapy. This study aimed to examine the use, availability, accessibility, affordability, and quality of HD care worldwide., Study Design: A cross-sectional survey., Setting & Participants: Stakeholders (clinicians, policy makers, and consumer representatives) in 182 countries were convened by the International Society of Nephrology from July to September 2018., Outcomes: Use, availability, accessibility, affordability, and quality of HD care., Analytical Approach: Descriptive statistics., Results: Overall, representatives from 160 (88%) countries participated. Median country-specific use of maintenance HD was 298.4 (IQR, 80.5-599.4) per million population (pmp). Global median HD use among incident patients with kidney failure was 98.0 (IQR, 81.5-140.8) pmp and median number of HD centers was 4.5 (IQR, 1.2-9.9) pmp. Adequate HD services (3-4 hours 3 times weekly) were generally available in 27% of low-income countries. Home HD was generally available in 36% of high-income countries. 32% of countries performed monitoring of patient-reported outcomes; 61%, monitoring of small-solute clearance; 60%, monitoring of bone mineral markers; 51%, monitoring of technique survival; and 60%, monitoring of patient survival. At initiation of maintenance dialysis, only 5% of countries used an arteriovenous access in almost all patients. Vascular access education was suboptimal, funding for vascular access procedures was not uniform, and copayments were greater in countries with lower levels of income. Patients in 23% of the low-income countries had to pay >75% of HD costs compared with patients in only 4% of high-income countries., Limitations: A cross-sectional survey with possibility of response bias, social desirability bias, and limited data collection preventing in-depth analysis., Conclusions: In summary, findings reveal substantial variations in global HD use, availability, accessibility, quality, and affordability worldwide, with the lowest use evident in low- and lower-middle-income countries., (Crown Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Dysregulated vitamin D metabolism is one of the most important issues in chronic kidney disease- mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD). Patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) receive large amounts of calcitriol, i.e., 1,25 -dihydroxy vitamin D [1-25(OH)2D], for suppression of parathyroid hormone (PTH). The aim of this study was to evaluate the 1-25(OH)2D status in maintenance hemodialysis patients and its correlation with 25(OH) D level and calcitriol consumption and to determine whether the usual practice of administrating large amounts of calcitriol for suppression of PTH may lead to toxic serum levels., Methods: One hundred and fifty-six maintenance hemodialysis patients were enrolled. Demographic data, comorbid conditions and history of medication use (cumulative and current doses) were retrieved from Hemodialysis Data Processor Software previously designed for our center. Predialysis serum samples were measured for serum levels of 25(OH)D and 1-25(OH)2D accompanying by markers of mineral bone metabolism and inflammation., Results: Of 156 patients, 66% were male and the mean age was 56.5 ± 16.3 years. There was no significant correlation between serum level of 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)2D (r = 0.12, P > .05). Only current ingestion of vitamin D was correlated with both 25(OH) D (r = 0.324, P < .001) and 1,25(OH)2D serum levels (r = 0.334, P < .001). There was no significant relationship between current or cumulative calcitriol consumption and 1,25(OH)2D serum level. 1,25(OH)2D/25(OH)D ratio which, represents the degree of vitamin D hydroxylation efficiency was 0.9 pg/ng (expected value in no CKD > 2.2 pg/ng)., Conclusion: Calcitriol consumption was not correlated with increased serum 1,25(OH)2D level and the practice of hyperparathyroidism treatment with calcitriol may be safely continued, though we are not yet aware of the 1,25(OH)2D status at the cellular levels.

Background and Objectives: People with kidney failure typically receive KRT in the form of dialysis or transplantation. However, studies have suggested that not all patients with kidney failure are best suited for KRT. Additionally, KRT is costly and not always accessible in resource-restricted settings. Conservative kidney management is an alternate kidney failure therapy that focuses on symptom management, psychologic health, spiritual care, and family and social support. Despite the importance of conservative kidney management in kidney failure care, several barriers exist that affect its uptake and quality., Design, Setting, Participants, & Measurements: The Global Kidney Health Atlas is an ongoing initiative of the International Society of Nephrology that aims to monitor and evaluate the status of global kidney care worldwide. This study reports on findings from the 2018 Global Kidney Health Atlas survey, specifically addressing the availability, accessibility, and quality of conservative kidney management., Results: Respondents from 160 countries completed the survey, and 154 answered questions pertaining to conservative kidney management. Of these, 124 (81%) stated that conservative kidney management was available. Accessibility was low worldwide, particularly in low-income countries. Less than half of countries utilized multidisciplinary teams (46%); utilized shared decision making (32%); or provided psychologic, cultural, or spiritual support (36%). One-quarter provided relevant health care providers with training on conservative kidney management delivery., Conclusions: Overall, conservative kidney management is available in most countries; however, it is not optimally accessible or of the highest quality., (Copyright © 2021 by the American Society of Nephrology.)

Introduction: Atherosclerosis is associated with increased intima- media thickness (IMT) and vascular calcification (VC) in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. Fetuin-A is a serum protein, which inhibits vascular calcification. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between fetuin-A and VC, in a group of MHD patients., Methods: One hundred and forty-three MHD patients were included and followed for 3 years. Blood samples were studied for calcification and inflammation markers and fetuin-A was checked 3 times at the start, middle and the end of the study. We used common carotid doppler sonography for assessment of indices of VC, which were performed at baseline and at the end of the study. Vascular calcification was defined as a common carotid intima media thickness ≥ 0.8 mm on either side or the existence of any plaque or stenosis ≥ 50% on either side., Results: From 143 patients (mean age 57.5 ± 15.9, 60.1% male), 104 patients (75.4%) had VC at baseline. The mean age and the prevalence of DM were significantly higher in patients with VC (P < .001 for both). There was no significant difference in the levels of Pi, PTH, and fetuin-A between the two groups. In a multiple logistic regression model at baseline only age (OR = 1.09, P < .001), and diabetes mellitus (OR = 4.59, P < .05) were associated with VC and dialysis vintage had a marginal association (OR = 1.20, P = .09). At the end of the study only age (OR = 1.12, P < .001), and CRP (OR = 1.14, P < .05) were associated with VC. The mean survival of patients with VC was significantly lower than the patients without VC (31.87 ± 0.95 vs. 33.73 ± 1.29, P < .05), however the mortality was not affected by fetuin-A level., Conclusion: Survival rate of patients without VC was higher than the patients with VC. We didn't find any correlation between the level of fetuin-A and VC. It seems that the traditional risk factors of VC, including age and diabetes mellitus are the main predictors of VC in MHD patients.

Introduction: Seven months after the emergence of SARS-COV-2 virus, there is paucity of data regarding the epidemiology of the virus in hemodialysis patients. We aim to present the results of the screening program implied after outbreak of COVID-19 in a referral hemodialysis ward., Methods: We started clinical screening and obligatory mask wearing for dialysis patients and personnel on 20-Feb-2020. However 11 symptomatic COVID-19 patients emerged till day +36. On days +39 and +40 a screening program was implied including measurement of SARS-COV-2 PCR and immunoglobulin G and M (IgG/IgM) and chest computerized tomography (CCT) scan. The results of CCT scan, classified according to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Reporting and Data System (CO-RADS) classification; as with very low (grade 1-normal), low, indeterminate, high, and very high likelihood of COVID-19 (grades 2, 3, 4, and 5; respectively), were used for compartmentalization of patients., Results: Among 178 patients (68.2% male, mean age = 58.7 ± 16.6 years), 11 got COVID-19 before screening, two of whom died. CCT scans were normal in 71.3% and grade 2, 3, 4, and 5 in 7.9%, 4.5%, 5.6%, and 10.7%; respectively. PCR and IgG and/or IgM were positive in 27 and 32 patients. Eighty-three patients had evidence of COVID-19 infection, who were significantly older (62.2 ± 16.6 vs. 56.1 ± 16.02, P < .05). There was no difference in the rate of infection considering gender, diabetes mellitus, hypertension and different blood groups., Conclusion: Asymptomatic SARS- COV 2 infection may affect a large number of dialysis patients. We highly recommend a screening strategy whenever the number of patients is increasing.

Background: As hypophosphatemia is a common multifactorial problem of kidney transplantation (Tx), this research aimed at studying the frequency of posttransparent hypophosphatemia in the early postkidney Tx period and investigating the risk components associated with the situation., Materials and Methods: In this study, 50 renal transplant recipients on the day before (-1) and on days 10 (+10) and 30 (+30) days after kidney Tx were examined for the levels of serum phosphate (Pi). Levels of serum creatinine (Cr), Pi, 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH] D), intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) and fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23), the 24 h urinary excretion of Pi and Cr, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and the ratio of transport maximum of Pi (TMP) to eGFR (TMP/GFR) were evaluated on the same days., Results: Hypophosphatemia (serum Pi <2.5 mg/dl) was seen in 0%, 40%, and 42% of the patients on days -1, +10, and +30, respectively. The levels of 25(OH)D and iPTH were not significantly different in patients with and without hypophosphatemia on days +10 and +30. Compared to those with normophosphatemia, pre-Tx FGF-23 level was significantly higher in patients with hypophosphatemia on days +10 and +30, respectively. The regression coefficient of TMP/GFR and Cr was positive on days -1, +10, and +30. The coefficient of pre-Tx FGF-23 on post-Tx serum Pi was negative on days +10 ( P < 0.03) and +30 ( P < 0.003), and the coefficient of post-Tx FGF-23 was negative just on day +10 with serum Pi ( P < 0.008)., Conclusion: The main causes of post-Tx hypophosphatemia in the multivariate linear analysis were pre-Tx FGF-23 and post-Tx FGF-23 levels on days +10, post-Tx Cr, and TMP/GFR., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2020 Journal of Research in Medical Sciences.)

Secular increases in the burden of kidney failure is a major challenge for health systems worldwide, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) due to growing demand for expensive kidney replacement therapies. In LMICs with limited resources, the priority of providing kidney replacement therapies must be weighed against the prevention and treatment of chronic kidney disease, other kidney disorders such as acute kidney injury, and other noncommunicable diseases, as well as other urgent public health needs. Kidney failure is potentially preventable-not just through primary prevention of risk factors for kidney disease such as hypertension and diabetes, but also by timely management of established chronic kidney disease. Among people with established or incipient kidney failure, there are 3 key treatment strategies-conservative care, kidney transplantation, and dialysis-each of which has its own benefits. Joining up preventive care for people with or at risk for milder forms of chronic kidney disease with all 3 therapies for kidney failure (and developing synergistic links between the different treatment options) is termed "integrated kidney care" and has potential benefits for patients, families, and providers. In addition, because integrated kidney care implicitly considers resource use, it should facilitate a more sustainable approach to managing kidney failure than providing one or more of its components separately. There is currently no agreed framework that LMIC governments can use to establish and/or scale up programs to prevent and treat kidney failure or join up these programs to provide integrated kidney care. This review presents a suggested framework for establishing integrated kidney care programs, focusing on the anticipated needs of policy makers in LMICs., (© 2020 International Society of Nephrology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Kidney transplant provides superior outcomes to dialysis as a treatment for end-stage kidney disease. Therefore, it is essential that kidney transplantation be part of an integrated treatment and management plan for chronic kidney disease (CKD). Developing an effective national program of transplantation is challenging because of the requirement for kidney donors and the need for a multidisciplinary team to provide expert care for both donors and recipients. This article outlines the steps necessary to establish a national kidney transplant program, starting with the requirement for effective legislation that provides the legal framework for transplantation whilst protecting organ donors, their families, recipients, and staff and is an essential requirement to combat organ trafficking. The next steps involve capacity building with the development of a multiskilled workforce, the credentialing of transplant centers, and the reporting of outcomes through national or regional registries. Although it is accepted that most transplant programs will begin with living related kidney donation, it is essential to aspire to and develop a deceased donor program. This requires engagement with multiple stakeholders, especially the patients, the general community, intensivists, and health departments. Development of transplant centers should be undertaken in concert with the development of a dialysis program. Both are essential components of integrated care for CKD and both should be viewed as part of the World Health Organization's initiative for universal health coverage. Provisions to cover the costs of treatment for patients need to be developed taking into account the state of development of the overall health framework in each country., (© 2020 International Society of Nephrology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Anemia is one of the most prevalent complications in patients with chronic kidney disease, which is believed to be caused by the insufficient synthesis of erythropoietin by the kidney. This phase III study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of CinnaPoietin® (epoetin beta, CinnaGen) with Eprex® (epoetin alfa, Janssen Cilag) in the treatment of anemia in ESRD hemodialysis patients., Methods: In this randomized, active-controlled, double-blind, parallel, and non-inferiority trial, patients were randomized to receive either CinnaPoietin® or Eprex® for a 26-week period. The primary endpoints of this study were to assess the mean hemoglobin (Hb) change during the last 4 weeks of treatment from baseline along with the evaluation of the mean weekly epoetin dosage per kilogram of body weight that was necessary to maintain the Hb level within 10-12 g/dL during the last 4 weeks of treatment. As the secondary objective, safety was assessed along with other efficacy endpoints., Results: A total of 156 patients were included in this clinical trial. There was no statistically significant difference between treatment groups regarding the mean Hb change (p = 0.21). In addition, the mean weekly epoetin dosage per kg of body weight for maintaining the Hb level within 10-12 g/dL showed no statistically significant difference between treatment arms (p = 0.63). Moreover, both products had comparable safety profiles. However, the incidence of Hb levels above 13 g/dL was significantly lower in the CinnaPoietin® group., Conclusion: CinnaPoietin® was proved to be non-inferior to Eprex® in the treatment of anemia in ESRD hemodialysis patients. The trial was registered in Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03408639)., (© 2018 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Introduction and Aim: Occult hepatitis C infection (OHCI) is the presence of HCV-RNA in the liver or peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) accompanying with negative serologic results. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of OHCI among Iranian chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients., Material and Methods: In this cross sectional study 200 chronic HD patients with negative HCV antibody enrolled the study. Blood sample of patients were obtained, followed by Polymerase Chain reaction (PCR) testing for detection of HCV RNA. Patients with positive serum HCV RNA were considered as manifest hepatitis C infection (MHCI). However, patients with negative serum HCV RNA underwent further tests on PBMCs for detection of OHCI., Results: Serum HCV RNA was positive in 2 (1%) patients whom considered as MHCI, and 6 (3.03%) patients had positive PBMC HCV RNA., Conclusion: In conclusion, chronic HD patients have been considered as a high risk group for hepatitis C infection. The results of this study suggest that these patients are also at risk for OHCI. Furthermore, evaluating PBMCs to detect HCV RNA would be a sensitive diagnostic method to find OHCI patients.

Background: Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is the optimal vascular access in hemodialysis (HD) patients because of its lower complication rates and better longevity compared to arteriovenous graft (AVG) and central venous catheter (CVC)., Methods: A cohort of 532 HD patients from nine HD facilities were recruited in September 2012 and prospectively followed for a median of 28 months. Unadjusted and fully adjusted hazard ratios (HR) of mortality for vascular access were calculated using Cox proportional hazards model., Results: Seventy-two percent of patients had AVF, 7% AVG, 21% CVC. Overall, AVF failure was 43 per 1000 patient-years and AVF creation 19 per 1000 patient-years. In logistic regression analysis, odds ratio of having non-AVF access for age was 1.02 (95% CI: 1.01-1.03), female gender 1.97 (95% CI: 1.30-3.01), and Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) 1.17 (95% CI: 1.02-1.36). Total number of deaths was 17 per 100 patient-years. Two percent of death was because of pure catheter infection and 10.5% more mortality happened due to catheter infection complicated by underlying cardiovascular diseases. In unadjusted and full adjustment Cox models, HR of death for patients with CVC (reference: AVF patients) was, respectively, 2.17 (95% CI: 1.51-3.11) and 1.58 (95% CI: 1.01-2.51). Access problems of insertion-repair accounted for 24% of hospitalization, and catheter infection explained 10% of total admissions., Conclusions: Catheter use in HD patients was associated with higher mortality and morbidity despite extensive adjustment for covariates. Risk factors for higher usage of non-AVF access are older age, female gender, and underlying comorbidities.

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the outcome and predictors of survival in hemodialysis patients of Hasheminejad Kidney Center where a comprehensive dialysis care program has been placed since 2004., Materials and Methods: Data of 560 hemodialysis patients were used to evaluate 9-year survival rates and predictors of mortality. Cox regression models included comorbidities as well as averaged and 6-month-averaged time-dependent values of laboratory findings as independent factors., Results: Survival rates were 91.9%, 66.0%, 46.3%, and 28.5%,  at 1, 3, 5, and 9 years, respectively, in all patients and 90.8%, 61.6%, 42.1%, and 28.0% in 395 incident patients starting hemodialysis after 2004. Adjusted survival models demonstrated age, male sex, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, and high-risk vascular access as baseline predictors of mortality, as well as averaged low hemoglobin level (hazard ratio [HR], 1.98; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.36 to 2.90) and a single-pool KT/V < 1.2 (HR, 2.28; 95% CI, 1.60 to 3.26). The averaged high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.55 to 0.81) and serum creatinine (HR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.64 to 0.79) levels demonstrated protective effects. The adjusted time-dependent model further revealed the significant association of hypocalcemia (HR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.13 to 2.34), hypercalcemia (HR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.02 to 2.21), and hyperphosphatemia (HR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.20 to 2.37) with death., Conclusions: Our patients have relatively comparable survival rates with high-profile dialysis centers. Aiming to better achieve the recommended targets, especially hemoglobin and nutritional and bone metabolism factors, should be considered for optimal dialysis outcomes.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are both common public health problems worldwide. Hemodialysis (HD) is one of the main ultimate modalities of renal replacement therapy in these patients. The aim of this study was to compare the different parametric (Weibull, Gamma, Gompertz, Log-logistic and Lognormal) survival models, in maintenance HD (MHD) patients., Method: This study was conducted from March 2004 to October 2013 and encompassed 544 ESRD patients under MHD in Hasheminejad Kidney Center, Tehran, Iran. Laboratory, clinical and demographic data were extracted from the Hemodialysis Data Processor Software, which had been designed for data collection in Hasheminejad Kidney Center. Exponential, Weibull, Gompertz, lognormal and log-logistic were used for analyzing survival of hemodialysis patient using STATA software. To compare these models Akaike Information criterion (AIC) and Cox-Snell residual were utilized., Results: According to the both criteria (AIC and Cox-Snell residual), Weibull survival model manifested better results as compared with other models. According to this model, age at the time of admission (HR=1.015, p-value=0.018), walking ability (HR=0.656, p-value=0.010), diabetes mellitus as the underlying disease (HR=1.392, p-value=0.038), hemoglobin level (HR=0.790, p-value<0.001), serum creatinine (HR=0.803, p-value<0.001), serum protein (HR=0.747, p-value=0.010) and Single pool Kt/V(HR=0.092, p-value<0.001), had significant effect on survival of the hemodialysis patient., Conclusion: In our analysis Weibull distribution, which had the lowest AIC value, was selected as the most suitable model.

Background: Primary infection with BK virus (BKV) is occurred during childhood and usually asymptomatic, but after initial infection, BKV may persist lifelong in the kidney and genitourinary tract. Reactivation may occur in individuals with compromised immunity such as renal transplant recipients. Due to the role of BKV in BK virus-associated nephropathy (BKVAN) and potentially renal allograft rejection, the detection of BKV in renal transplant candidates is very important. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of BK viremia in end stage renal disease cases who were candidates for renal transplantation., Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 50 cases with end stage renal disease who were candidates for renal transplantation were recruited from the main dialysis unit in Tehran, Iran. Presence of BK viremia was determined in plasma samples of cases using real time PCR., Results: A total of 50 renal transplant candidates with mean age 37.8±13 yr were enrolled in the study. Fifty two percent of subjects were male. Forty six (92%) of them were under HD and 4 (8%) were on PD. BK virus was not detected in any plasma samples of renal transplant candidates., Conclusion: This study showed absence of BK viremia in our renal transplant candidates. However, due to the important role of BKV in BKVAN and renal graft failure and rejection, further studies involving larger number of cases are required to elucidate the rate of the BKV in renal transplant candidates.

Transplant tourism is one of the main unacceptable aspects of medical tourism, implicating travel to another country to receive an allograft. Organ shortages in wealthier countries have persuaded patients to preclude organ waiting lists and travel to other countries for getting organs especially kidneys. On the other hand, in many countries, there is no transplant program, and hemodialysis is expensive. Hence, patients with end-stage kidney disease may have to travel to get a kidney allograft for the sake of their lives. In Iran, a legal compensated and regulated living unrelated donor kidney transplant program has been adopted since 1988, in which recipients are matched with liveunrelated donors through the Iran Kidney Foundation and the recipients are compensated dually by the government and the recipient. In this model regulations were adopted to prevent transplant tourism: foreigners were not allowed to receive a kidney from Iranian donors or donate a kidney to Iranian patients; however, they could be transplanted from donors of their own nationality, after full medical workup, with the authorization of the Ministry of Health. This was first considered as a humanitarian assistance to patients of the countries with no transplant program and limited and low quality dialysis. However, the policy of "foreign nationality transplant" gradually established a spot where residents of many countries, where living-unrelated donor transplant was illegal, could bring their donors and be transplanted mainly in private hospitals, with high incentives for the transplant teams. By June 2014, six hundred eight foreign nationality kidney transplants were authorized by Ministry of Health for citizens for 17 countries. In this review, we examine the negative aspects of transplant for foreign citizens in Iran and the reasons that changed "travel for transplant" to "transplant tourism " in our country and finally led us to stop the program after more than 10 years.

Introduction: This study was designed to evaluate the adherence of maintenance hemodialysis patients to medications and its correlation with quality of life and depressive symptoms., Materials and Methods: A total of 150 maintenance hemodialysis patients with a mean age of 56.4 ± 16.4 years (52.7% women) were included. Medication adherence was evaluated via the Simplified Medication Adherence Questionnaire, based on which nonadherent patients were identified. Specifically, the Drug-Intake Percentage Questionnaire was used for evaluation of adherence to phosphate binders, quality of life was assessed with short Form-36 and depression by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)., Results: A BDI score of 15 and greater was documented in 40.7%, and nonadherence in 24.7% of the patients. Adherent patients were significantly older than nonadherent ones, had a lower mean parathyroid hormone level, and had lower BDI scores. The quality of life scores were not significantly different between adherent and nonadherent patients. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that BDI score was a significant predictor of nonadherence (odds ratio for each unit increase, 1.11; 95% confidence interval, 1.04 to 1.18; P = .001). Overall, 55.5% of patients were taking more than 66% of their prescribed dose of calcium carbonate, while 10.3% and 53.8% of patients were taking more than 66% of their prescribed dose of aluminum hydroxide and sevelamer, respectively., Conclusions: Adherence to medication was mainly associated with hemodialysis patients' depressive symptom scores. Control of depression may significantly improve adherence to medications and patient management.

Phosphate control is still a great challenge in chronic kidney disease (CKD), and in spite of the great improvements in dialysis techniques, achievement of the goals for mineral metabolism control is still far from ideal. Aluminum hydroxide has been largely abandoned due to the high risk of aluminum toxicity, while the use of calcium-based phosphate binders may cause hypercalcemia, overzealous parathyroid suppression, and extraskeletal calcification. Sevelamer hydrochloride has been introduced as an efficient medication for phosphate control, with a lower risk of hypercalcemia and parathyroid suppression. Various clinical trials have compared the risk of vascular calcification between sevelamer and calcium salts with inconsistent results. In spite of these inconsistencies, the Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (KDOQI) suggests non-calcium phosphate binders as the preferred phosphate binder in dialysis patients with severe vascular and/or other soft-tissue calcifications and in those with hypercalcemia or parathyroid hormone (PTH) <150 mg/dL. The Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcome (KDIGO) limits the use of non-calcium phosphate binders to patients with hypercalcemia. Regarding the effect on mortality, the results of clinical trials are again inconsistent. The other important aspect of using sevelamer is the issue of price, which is substantially higher than calcium-based phosphate binders. Reviewing the studies on economic aspects shows that sevelamer increases quality-adjusted life-years (QALY) and possibly life years, with a higher cost compared to calcium-based phosphate binders. In conclusion, sevelamer is a very useful drug for phosphate control, reduction of hypercalcemia, and lessening the risk of adynamic bone disease, with probable reduction in vascular calcification and possible reduction in mortality rate. It has a higher economic burden on health care systems compared to calcium-based phosphate binders. This may affect its extensive use according to guideline recommendations, and will be influenced by local health care budgets and the decision of health care strategists.

Introduction: Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) can cause life-threatening disease in immunosuppressed patients, including kidney allograft recipients. This study was designed to evaluate the immune status of the cohort of hemodialysis patients, who could potentially be candidates for kidney transplantation, against VZV, and to determine the correlation between the self-reported history of chickenpox infection and the VZV antibody status in this population., Materials and Methods: Serologic testing for VZV was performed for 187 patients at different age groups receiving hemodialysis treatment at Hasheminejad Hospital, Tehran. The enzyme immunoassay method was used for determining immunoglobulin G antibodies against VZV., Results: A total of 187 patients, aged 18 to 88 years (mean, 57.5 +/- 16.2 years), were examined. Ninety-five patients (50.8%) were men. Overall, 183 patients (97.9%) were found to be seropositive for VZV. No significant correlation was observed between patients' history of chickenpox disease and seropositivity of VZV. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of patients' self-reported history was 39.3%, 50%, 97.2%, and 1.7%, respectively., Conclusions: Serologic screening for VZV in patients who are candidates for transplantation is essential to determine their immune status prior to transplant surgery. We suggest that this population be considered as the target group for future immunization programs in Iran.

Objectives: The immunologic status of kidney allograft recipients affects transplant outcome. High levels of pretransplant serum soluble CD30 correlate with an increased risk of acute rejection. Studies show conflicting results. We evaluated the relation between pretransplant serum sCD30 levels with the risk of posttransplant acute kidney rejection in renal transplant recipients., Materials and Methods: This prospective cohort study was performed between March 2010 and March 2011 on 77 kidney transplant recipients (53 men [68.8%], 24 women [31.2%]; mean age, 41 ± 14 y). Serum samples were collected 24 hours before transplant and analyzed for soluble CD30 levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Patients were followed for 6 months after transplant. Acute biopsy-proven rejection episodes were recorded, serum creatinine levels were measured, and glomerular filtration rates were calculated at the first and sixth months after transplant. Preoperative serum soluble CD30 levels were compared in patients with and without rejection., Results: The mean pretransplant serum soluble CD30 level was 92.1 ± 47.3 ng/mL. At 6 months' follow-up, 10 patients experienced acute rejection. Mean pretransplant soluble CD30 levels were 128.5 ± 84 ng/mL versus 86.7 ± 37 ng/mL in patients with and without acute rejection episodes (P = .008). At 100 ng/mL, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of pretransplant serum soluble CD30 level to predict acute rejection were 70%, 73.6%, 29.1%, and 94.3%., Conclusions: We showed a significant relation between pretransplant serum soluble CD30 levels and acute allograft rejection. High pretransplant levels of serum soluble CD30 can be a risk factor for kidney transplant rejection, and its high negative predictive value at various cutoffs make it useful to find candidates with a low risk of acute rejection after transplant.

Secondary hypertension is responsible for less than 10% of cases of hypertension. If associated with hypokalemia, it may be due to primary or secondary hyperaldostronism, the latter being rarely caused by renin-secreting tumors. We present a 22-year-old woman with a history of hypertension and repeated hypokalemia, who was finally diagnosed with a small renin-secreting tumor after extensive paraclinical workup and imaging studies.