Page 8 - NKF-KL-issue-14-Autumn-2016-for-web

Kidney

Life at

ERA-EDTA

2016

“ Each year, members of the European Renal Association-European Dialysis &

Transplant Association (ERA-EDTA) meet to discuss the latest kidney research.

This year, Kidney Life joined the over 8000 doctors and scientists

who met in Vienna in May.”

An international study found wide variations worsening vision in one or both eyes by the end of
between countries in the timing of immuno- a dialysis session. There was no link to changes
suppression withdrawal after transplant loss. in blood pressure or blood sugars during dialysis.
Following the first year after return to dialysis, Further research is needed to understand the
over half of Swedish patients and around one causes and impact of these visual changes.
third of UK patients continue to take immuno- Mahmoud H, et al. Abstract SP560
suppression, compared with only about 10% of
Birmingham researchers report that most
patients in Italy and France. The researchers call
pregnancies in female kidney transplant recipients
for studies to determine whether longer periods
have a successful outcome. However, women
of immunosuppression after transplant loss result
are at increased risk of gestational diabetes and
in less sensitisation of patients and less need to
hospital admission for urinary tract infection, and
remove the donor kidney, or alternatively lead to
are more likely to undergo caesarean section.
higher rates of infection or other complications,
There is also some indication of a higher risk of
and whether outcomes depend on the choice of
early pregnancy loss.
continuing immunosuppressant.
Sarween N, et al. Abstract SO012
Leichtman RB, et al. Abstract SP564
In an international study, one in five haemodialysis
Creatinine rose significantly within 30 days
(HD) patients reported receiving no treatment
of coronary angiography in 8.5% of 71 cases
for their uraemic pruritus (‘dialysis itch’) even if
analysed by Scottish researchers. Reassuringly,
they were very much or extremely bothered by
no patient needed hospitalisation or dialysis for
their itchy skin. UK patients were most likely to
contrast-induced kidney injury, and creatinine
have moderate to severe uraemic pruritus (52%
returned to pre-angiography levels in nearly all
compared to 25% in Germany, where most units
patients.
reporting using gabapentin as chronic therapy).
Lees JS, et al. Abstract SP644
The same study also found that uraemic pruritus
A study from Derby highlights the frequency of is almost as common in chronic kidney disease
visual problems during haemodialysis. Nearly half stages 4-5 as in HD patients.
(46%) of 148 Rayner H, et al. Abstract S75; Sukhul et al.
patients Abstract SP295
had
Want to know more?
These studies are published in the ERA-EDTA’s official journal
Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation.
You can browse the special issue at
http://ndt.oxfordjournals.org/content/31/suppl_1.toc
or search using the Abstract identifier.

8 Autumn 2016 www.kidney.org.uk HELPLINE 0845 601 02 09