New medical centre opens in the heart of KL - Malaysia Star

New medical centre opens in the heart of KL Malaysia Star, Malaysia - Sep 4, 2008 PCMC boasts five centres of excellence - heart and lung; urology, nephrology and men's health; women and children; plastic surgery, cosmetology, ...

Clopidogrel decreases arteriovenous fistula thrombosis but does not improve fistula maturation

Clopidogrel decreases arteriovenous fistula thrombosis but does not improve fistula maturation

Nature Clinical Practice Nephrology 4, 476 (2008). doi:10.1038/ncpneph0908

Author: Michael S Gersch

Hand Hygiene: How Can We Improve?

Lisa Maragakis, MD, reviews in her videoblog the serious challenges of measuring and improving hand hygiene compliance in the healthcare setting.
Medscape Infectious Diseases

Mycophenolate mofetil is a less toxic treatment for primary glomerulonephritis

Mycophenolate mofetil is a less toxic treatment for primary glomerulonephritis

Nature Clinical Practice Nephrology 4, 467 (2008). doi:10.1038/ncpneph0889

Hepatitis C Is Less Aggressive in Hemodialysis Patients than in Nonuremic Patients

Background and objectives: The severity of liver disease among hepatitis C patients on hemodialysis is controversial. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical, biochemical, and liver histologic characteristics of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in hemodialysis patients and in those with normal renal function.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements: A case-control study was carried out with 36 HCV patients on hemodialysis and 37 HCV patients with normal renal function matched for gender, age at infection, and estimated time of infection.

Results: HCV patients on hemodialysis had lower levels of alanina aminotransferase and lower viral load. Hepatic fibrosis was significantly higher in the patients with normal renal function (73%) than in hemodialysis patients (47.2%, P < 0.025); the same was observed for inflammatory activity (control group 59.5% versus hemodialysis patients 27.7%, P = 0.003). In addition, the risk of tissue inflammation was four times lower in hemodialysis patients (odds ratio = 0.23, P < 0.004), and severe inflammatory activity on biopsy was the only independent risk factor for fibrosis (P < 0.001).

Conclusions: The lower biochemical and inflammatory activities observed in hemodialysis patients suggest that hemodialysis and uremia may have a protective role against progression of the disease caused by HCV.