1/6. Diabetic nephropathy with interstitial nephritis presenting with a false-positive anti-GBM antibody.A 56-year-old male with DM and HTN presented with flank pain and nausea. review of systems was negative, physical examination was notable for mild hypovolemia and laboratory revealed BUN 51 mg/dl, creatinine (Cr) 5.1 mg/dl (baseline 1.5), Westergren ESR 122 mm/h, fractional excretion of sodium 0.2% and UA positive for blood and protein. Despite volume resuscitation the Cr continued to rise. urine sediment analysis revealed granular casts, renal tubular epithelial cells and a negative Hansel's stain. Hemodialysis was initiated with Cr 13.7 mg/ dl for dyspnea and dysgeusia. Subsequent laboratory data revealed 2 separate positive anti-GBM antibody titers and prednisone therapy was initiated. Renal biopsy was performed for further diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic information and demonstrated interstitial nephritis with linear IgG and albumin deposition consistent with diabetic nephropathy. Follow-up antibody titers were negative. prednisone was discontinued and Cr stabilized with conservative therapy. Anti-GBM antibody disease is characterized by circulating IgG antibodies directed against the glomerular basement membrane, specifically the alpha-3 (IV) collagen chain. Anti-GBM nephritis is a rapidly progressive, isolated glomerulonephritis in association with circulating anti-GBM antibodies. A positive immunofluorescence (IF) test is considered diagnostic in the appropriate clinical setting. Therapies include immunosuppressive agents to suppress new antibody production and plasmapheresis to eliminate circulating antibodies. Anti-GBM antibody is not rapidly cleared by steroid therapy and the recovery of renal function is rare if initiation Cr is greater than 7 mg/dl. This case demonstrates that the current ELISA for alpha-3 (IV) collagen is not pathognomonic for anti-GBM nephritis and that renal biopsy with IF for IgG and albumin may be indicated to prevent administration of potentially toxic treatment.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/6. Complementary therapy in chronic wound management: a holistic caring case study and praxis model.Holistic caring consists of providing care to each aspect of a patient's life through the use of therapeutic caring and complementary or alternative healing modalities. Since nursing consists of caring for the whole person and not just the disease process, consideration of a patient's physical, emotional, social, economic, spiritual, and cultural needs is necessary in dealing with any chronic health problem such as chronic wounds. In this model case studies presentation, the purpose of this article is to discuss the importance of the holistic caring approach and the use of complementary and alternative medicine or therapeutic modalities in chronic wound management. The use or role of theory in practice will also be discussed to emphasize the holistic caring praxis model used in the holistic assessment and holistic plan of care for the cases presented. This article also presents a framework that will help wound care and holistic nurses move from simply the positivist-modernist philosophy to begin to embrace the postmodernist philosophy.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/6. Diabetic ESRD patient supported with intradialytic parenteral nutrition.The patient did meet the expected outcomes. She was able to achieve a desired weight and continues to gain weight. Currently, consideration is being given to discontinuing IDPN therapy. The main concern is an exacerbation of her symptoms, which is often a problem with diabetic gastraparesis. BC's outlook on life is more positive. Hopefully, she will continue to be compliant with her diet, experience no increase in symptoms, and maintain this weight. As with all ESRD patients, her fluid status requires monitoring. Fluid gains are removed and she remains free of complications. BC is now able to participate in usual daily activities. She goes out to the hairdresser once a week and attends Sunday morning church service. Her sense of well-being is greatly improved. BC has expressed gratitude on numerous occasions for the treatment that she feels has saved her life. Her deteriorating physical state was severely affecting her emotional well-being. Her quality of life has been favorably altered by the intervention with IDPN therapy.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/6. Eosinophilic peritonitis in a patient with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD).Eosinophilic peritonitis is defined as when there are more than 100 eosinophils present per milliliter of peritoneal effluent, of which eosinophils constitute more than 10% of its total WBC count. Most cases occur within the first 4 weeks of peritoneal catheter insertion and they usually have a benign and self-limited course. We report a patient of eosinophilic peritonitis that was successfully resolved without special treatment. An 84-year-old man with end stage renal disease secondary to diabetic nephropathy was admitted for dyspnea and poor oral intake. Allergic history was negative. and physical examination was unremarkable. Complete blood count showed a hemoglobin level of 11.1 g/dL, WBC count was 24,500/mm3 (neutrophil, 93%; lymphocyte, 5%; monocyte, 2%), platelet count was 216,000/mm3, serum BUN was 143 mg/dL, Cr was 5.7 mg/dL and albumin was 3.5 g/dL. creatinine clearance was 5.4 mL/min. Three weeks after peritoneal catheter insertion, he was started on peritoneal dialysis with a 6-hour exchange of 2L 1.5% peritoneal dialysate. After nine days, he developed turbid peritoneal effluents with fever (38.4 degrees C), abdominal pain and tenderness. Dialysate WBC count was 180/mm3 (neutrophil, 20%; lymphocyte, 4%; eosinophil, 76% [eosinophil count: 136/mm3]). Cultures of peritoneal fluid showed no growth of aerobic or anaerobic bacteria, or of fungus. Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) was commenced, and he was started on intraperitoneal ceftazidime (1.0 g/day) and cefazolin (1.0 g/day). After two weeksr, the dialysate had cleared up and clinical symptoms were improved. Dialysate WBC count decreased to 8/mm3 and eosinophils were not detected in peritoneal fluid. There was no recurrence of eosinophilic peritonitis on follow-up evaluation, but he died of sepsis and pneumonia fifteen weeks after admission.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/6. Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus presenting with infantile hypotonia. A report of 2 cases.Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus usually presents with polyuria, polydipsia, fever, vomiting, dehydration and failure to thrive. However, in infancy polyuria may be absent because of dehydration and reduced glomerular filtration rate. In 2 cases the main presenting feature was hypotonia, with marked head lag. family studies confirmed the X-linked mode of inheritance of the disease; in case 1 the disease appeared to have arisen as a new mutation in the mother, and in case 2 the carrier status was traced back to the great-grandmother. Pitfalls in the diagnosis and detection of the carriers are discussed. Treatment with thiazide diuretics and prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors is effective in reducing urine volumes and polydipsia. The early detection of the disease and adequate management may prevent such complications as megacystis, mega-ureter and hydronephrosis, with resulting renal failure. Mental and physical retardation may also be avoided.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/6. Diabetic nephropathy with concurrent hepatitis c virus infection related membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis.diabetes mellitus is often complicated by nephropathy with progression to renal failure. Various forms of glomerulonephritis have been associated with diabetes, sometimes resulting in more rapid deterioration in renal function and occasionally dictating alternative management of these patients in attempts to reverse or contain nephrosis or renal failure. We report the occurrence of Type I membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) with hepatitis c virus (HCV) infection in two patients, in association with diabetic nephropathy. One patient had cryoglobulinemia and cryoglobulin deposits in the kidney. A brief review of the literature on glomerulonephritides occurring in patients with diabetes mellitus is also presented. Clinicians should be aware of the possible occurrence of Type I MPGN and cryoglobulinemia in patients with diabetes mellitus and HCV infection with the appropriate history and physical findings. The therapeutic approach to managing patients with two distinct concurrent lesions remains unresolved.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |