Background and objectives: To evaluate RRT benefits and risks and to inform patients and their families about ESRD treatment options, we have developed a prognostic score to predict 6-month mortality in elderly ESRD patients initiating dialysis. Five independent predictors were identified and a point system was constructed: age 75 years or older (2 points), coronary artery disease (2 points), cerebrovascular disease with hemiplegia (2 points), time of nephrology care before dialysis [< 3.0 months (2 points); ≥ 3 to < 12 months (1 point)], serum albumin levels [3.0 - 3.49 g/dL (1 point); < 3.0 g/dL (2 points)]. Model performance was good in both discrimination and internal validation. Before adopting our risk score into practice, our aim is to externally validate this initial predictive model by assessing its performance on a new data set. Methods: We apply the predictive score developed in a cohort of CKD patients, aged 65 years and over who started dialysis between 2009 and 2016, to an independent cohort of ESRD patients, aged 65 years and over who started dialysis between 2017 and 2019, in our Nephrology department. The performance of the prediction equation created in development cohort, was assessed using discrimination and calibration metrics in the validation cohort. Results: Our validation study cohort included 168 individuals, with a mortality rate of 12.5% (n=21) within 6-months of dialysis initiation. Model performance in the validation cohort had an acceptable discrimination [AUC of 0.79; (95% confidence interval, 0.70 to 0.88)]. The Hosmer and Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test was not statistically significant, indicating good calibration of the model (χ2, 5 degrees of freedom = 2.311; P = 0.805). Conclusions: Our predictive simple score based on readily available clinical and laboratory data demonstrates a good performance when externally validated, namely with respect to discrimination and calibration. Model validation is crucial for adequately informing patients and their families about ESRD treatment options and providing a more patient-centered overall approach to care. Before we start general implementation in clinical practice, our score needs further validation in larger patient cohorts.

RESUMO Introdução: Doença renal crônica (DRC) é fator de risco independente para vários desfechos desfavoráveis, incluindo doença cardiovascular (DCV), particularmente em idosos, o segmento de crescimento mais rápido da população com doença renal terminal (DRT). Portugal tem a maior incidência europeia não-ajustada e a maior prevalência de DRT. Neste artigo caracterizamos uma coorte de idosos com DRC, referenciados para a nefrologia, com particular ênfase para o risco e carga de doença cardiovascular. Métodos: Foram incluídos todos os pacientes com DRC com 65 anos ou mais encaminhados ao nosso departamento em 2012. Os dados basais incluíram: demografia, estágio da DRC, medicação e comorbidades. A taxa de filtração glomerular (TFGe) foi calculada pela fórmula CKD-EPI. Resultados: Metade dos 416 pacientes incluídos foram encaminhados por médicos da atenção primária; sua idade era 77 ± 7 anos; 52% eram homens; a TFGe mediana era de 32 mL /min/1,73 m2. Metade tinha diabetes (DM), 85% dislipidemia, 96% hipertensão; 26% eram fumantes atuais/ antigos; 24% tinham índice de massa corporal > 30 kg/m2. A prevalência de DCV foi de 62%, sendo maior entre pacientes nos estágios 4-5; em diabéticos, aumentou gradualmente com a progressão da DRC (estágio 3a < estágio 3b < estágio 4-5) (39%, 58%, 82%; p < 0,001). Conclusões: A coorte de idosos com DRC apresentava inicialmente maior carga de DCV. A prevalência de DCV foi maior que em outras coortes europeias com DRC. Níveis menores de TFGe foram associados a carga maior de DCV e foram mais pronunciados entre diabéticos, destacando a importância de objetivar estrategicamente a redução do risco cardiovascular nesses pacientes.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an independent risk factor for several unfavorable outcomes including cardiovascular disease (CVD), particularly in the elderly, who represent the most rapidly growing segment of the end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) population. Portugal has the highest European unadjusted incidence and prevalence rates of ESKD. In 2012, we started to follow a cohort of elderly CKD patients, we describe their baseline characteristics, risk profile, and cardiovascular disease burden. Methods: All CKD patients aged 65 years and older referred to our department during 2012 were enrolled. Baseline data included: demographic, CKD stage, medication, comorbid conditions. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated by the CKD-EPI formula. Results: A total of 416 patients, 50% referred by primary care physicians, aged 77 ± 7 years, 52% male, with a median eGFR of 32 mL/min/1.73m2 participated in the study. Fifty percent had diabetes (DM), 85% dyslipidemia, 96% hypertension; 26% were current/former smokers, and 24% had a body mass index > 30 kg/m2. The prevalence of CVD was 62% and higher in stage 4-5 patients; in diabetics, it gradually increased with CKD progression (stage 3a < stage 3b < stage 4-5) (39, 58, 82%; p < 0.001). Conclusions: At baseline, our CKD elderly cohort had a higher burden of CVD. The prevalence of CVD was greater than in other European CKD cohorts. Lower level of eGFR was associated with a greater burden of CVD and was more pronounced in diabetics, highlighting the importance of strategically targeting cardiovascular risk reduction in these patients.

Resumo O presente artigo utiliza o quadro proposto pela Escola de Copenhagen para compreender a securitização do ciberespaço, explorando como algo nessa esfera se torna ameaça. Buscando-se contribuir no debate, analisa-se os discursos de securitização de Brasil e de Estados Unidos a partir da teorização de Hansen e Nissenbaum (2009) sobre a existência de um setor específico à segurança cibernética. Compreender a securitização do ciberespaço nesses termos, além de permitir identificar graus distintos de securitização, também permite capturar as dinâmicas das ameaças cibernéticas, distinguindo-as daquelas existentes em outros setores, bem como traçar distinções entre tendências de securitização e militarização.

Abstract This paper uses the framework of the Copenhagen School to understand the process of securitization of cyberspace, exploring how something in such sphere becomes a threat. Seeking to contribute to the debate, this study analyses the securitization discourses of Brazil and of the United States from Hansen and Nissenbaum's (2009) theorization about the existence of a specific sector for cybersecurity. To comprehend the securitization of cyberspace in these terms allows not only to identify distinct levels of securitization, but also to capture the dynamics of cyber threats, distinguishing them from those existent in other sectors, as well as to trace distinctions between tendencies of securitization and militarization.

A doença inflamatória intestinal e as terapêuticas que lhe estão associadas podem afetar o rim de várias formas. A nefrite tubulointersticial é uma complicação rara, mas potencialmente grave inerente à terapêutica com mesalazina. Há alguns casos descritos na literatura. Os autores descrevem os dois primeiros casos de nefrite tubulointersticial associados ao uso de mesalazina, recentemente diagnosticados no nosso Serviço; um deles num doente com colite ulcerosa, outro num doente com doença de Crohn. Apresentam uma revisão da literatura sobre o atingimento renal na doença inflamatória intestinal. Os casos de nefrotoxicidade associada à mesalazina devem continuar a ser descritos para permitir estabelecer uma incidência mais precisa desde efeito adverso. A monitorização da função renal durante o tratamento é simples, barata e pode ajudar a diagnosticar precocemente esta complicação

Inflammatory bowel disease and its various treatments may affect the kidney in several ways. Tubulointersticial nephritis is a rare but serious complication of longer-term mesalazine use. There are few cases reported in the literature. We report the first two cases of mesalazine-induced tubulointersticial nephritis, recently diagnosed in our department. The first one refers to a patient with ulcerous colitis and the second one to a patient with Crohn’s disease. Then the authors present a review of literature about the renal involvement in the inflammatory bowel disease. New cases of mesalazine nephrotoxicity should be reported to allow more accurate incidence estimation of this serious adverse effect. Routine monitoring of renal function is simple, inexpensive and allows an early diagnosis of this complication