Resumo Introdução: A incidência da doença renal crônica (DRC) está aumentando com o aumento da idade da população e o número crescente de idosos sobreviventes da lesão renal aguda (LRA). Os fatores de risco para a progressão da DRC após a lesão renal aguda (LRA) não são claros. Objetivos: Investigar a associação entre a LRA e sua progressão para a DRC e os fatores de risco envolvidos. Métodos: Foi realizado estudo observacional, retrospectivo de pacientes com LRA acompanhados de 2009 a 2012. Foram avaliados a etiologia da LRA, o uso de drogas vasoativas, ventilação mecânica, necessidade de diálise, presença de morbidades associadas, ritmo de filtração glomerular estimado (eGFR), duração da internação e a progressão da DRC. As análises estatísticas incluíram o teste Qui-quadrado e a correlação de Pearson utilizando o programa do SPSS. Resultados: Os 207 pacientes analisados apresentaram idade de 70,1 ± 13,1 anos, 84,6% eram do sexo masculino e que apresentaram redução da função renal e DRC (vs. 60,4% dos pacientes do sexo feminino). A progressão da LRA para DRC foi mais frequente em pacientes internados em enfermarias (63,8%), pacientes com câncer (74,19%), com sepse (67,18%) e com obstrução do trato urinário (91,66%). As dialises foram realizadas em 16,4% dos pacientes, mas isso não foi correlacionado com a progressão da DRC. Conclusões: Pacientes idosos com LRA devido à sepse e obstrução do trato urinário foram correlacionados com a progressão para DRC após a alta.

Abstract Introduction: The incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is increasing with the increasing age of the population and the increasing number of elderly survivors of acute kidney injury (AKI). The risk factors for the progression of CKD after AKI are unclear. Objective: To investigate the association between AKI and its progression to CKD and the risk factors involved. Methods: An observational, retrospective study of AKI patients followed from 2009 to 2012 was carried out. We evaluated the etiology of AKI, the use of vasoactive drugs and mechanical ventilation, the need for dialysis, the presence of comorbidities, the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), the length of stay and the progression of CKD. Statistical analyses, including the Chi-square test and Pearson's correlation, were performed using SPSS. Results: The 207 patients analyzed had a mean age of 70.1 ± 13.1, and 84.6% of the male patients exhibited decreased renal function and CKD (vs. 60.4% of the female patients). The progression of AKI to CKD was more frequent in patients admitted to wards (63.8%), cancer patients (74.19%), patients with sepsis (67.18%) and patients with obstruction (91.66%). Dialyses were performed in 16.4% of the patients, but this was not correlated with the progression of CKD. Conclusions: Being an elderly male patient with AKI due to sepsis and obstruction was correlated with progression to CKD following discharge.

In order to evaluate the potential diuretic effect of two natural products, Elephantopus scaber and Alpinia speciosa, a trial administration was carried out in ten healthy volunteers and the effects compared to the those of a placebo. The substances were given on different days, with a seven day interval between doses. The amount of substance administered to the subjects was five times the usual dose i.e. 7.5 g/100 ml and 0.8 g/100 ml respectively. The following parameters parameteres were measured: urinary and plasma sodium, potassium, uric acid, calcium, phosphate, urea, creatinine. The subjects were also examined clinically and total urinary volume was assessed. The only significant finding (p < 0.05) was a slight diuresis with Alpinia speciosa, which also lowered the diastolic (p < 0.05) and systolic (p < 0.01) blood pressures. No effect on electrolytes or renal function parameters was observed, and this probably excludes any renal tubular or glomerular effect from these substances.