Background and Objectives: Sodium glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors have emerged as integral therapeutic tools in the management of patients with cardiovascular–kidney–metabolic (CKM) syndrome. In addition to their well-documented effects on lowering glucose levels and cardiovascular- and reno-protective actions, SGLT-2 inhibitors, through a reduction in body weight (BW), generate changes in the body composition and volume status that have not been clearly studied. Materials and Methods: This retrospective, observational longitudinal cohort, single-center study analyzed and compared body composition and fluid status measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) from weeks 0 to 12 after the initiation of the cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program for coronary artery disease and heart failure in 59 patients who started treatment with SGLT-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2iG) and 112 patients without SGLT-2 inhibitors (non-SGLT-2iG). Results: Changes between the baseline and week 12 in the SGLT-2iG and non-SGLT-2iG were −0.3 L (p = 0.003) and −0.03 L (p = 0.82) in extracellular water (ECW) (p = 0.05), −0.39 L (p < 0.001) and −0.14 L (p = 0.33) in intracellular water (ICW) (p = 0.12), −0.69 (p < 0.001) and −0.16 (p = 0.52) in total body water (TBW) (p = 0.08), and −0.01 (p = 0.37) and −0.001 (p = 0.25) in the ECW/TBW ratio, respectively. After 3 months of exercise therapy in the CR program, patients in the SGLT-2iG showed a greater decrease than the non-SGLT-2iG in weight (−1.34 kg, p < 0.001 vs. −0.99, p = 0.02), body mass index (BMI) (−0.45 kg/m², p < 0.001 vs. −0.38, p = 0.004), arm circumference (−0.57 cm, p = 0.008 vs. −0.12 cm, p = 0.21), waist circumference (−1.5 cm, p = 0.04 vs. −0.11 cm, p = 0.83), systolic blood pressure (SBP) (−8.9 mmHg, p = 0.049 vs. −4.19, p = 0.08), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (−5.15, p = 0.03 vs. −2.85, p = 0.01). The bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) revealed a significant decrease in body fat mass (BFM) and visceral fat area, without a loss of lean body mass (LBM) or skeletal muscle mass in the SGLT-2iG. Conclusions: SGLT-2 inhibitors exert beneficial effects on body compartments and volume status. Although they induce modest weight loss, this appears to be mainly directed at ECW, BFM, and visceral fat, without a loss of LBM nor skeletal muscle mass, which could contribute to the observed CKM benefits.

Background and Objectives: Malnutrition and sarcopenia are highly prevalent and clinically impactful conditions in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (MHD), yet their early detection remains challenging. This study aimed to assess the diagnostic performance of nutritional ultrasonography (NUS) in the morphofunctional evaluation of malnutrition and sarcopenia, and to compare its utility with established tools such as bioimpedance analysis (BIA), biochemical markers, handgrip strength (HGS), and functional performance tests. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 74 stable MHD patients. Clinical, analytical, anthropometric, BIA, NUS, and functional parameters were collected, along with validated nutritional and frailty scales. NUS was used to assess the quadriceps rectus femoris (QRF) and preperitoneal visceral fat (PPVF), measuring Y-axis, Y-axis/height, cross-sectional muscle area rectus femoris (CS-MARF), muscle area rectus femoris index adjusted to height (MARFI_h), and supramuscular fat (SMF). Sarcopenia was defined according to the 2019 European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) criteria. Results: The prevalence of risk, confirmed, and severe sarcopenia was 24.3%, 40.5%, and 20.3%, respectively. Severe-to-moderate protein-energy wasting (PEW) affected 44.6% of patients. Compared to non-sarcopenic individuals, sarcopenic patients had lower values of HGS, prealbumin, lean body mass, and phase angle. NUS-derived cut-off values for sarcopenia were Y-axis ≤ 8 mm, Y-axis/height ≤ 2.9 mm/m², CS-MARF ≤ 2.4 cm², and MARFIh ≤ 0.9 cm²/m². The most discriminative NUS parameters were Y-axis and SMF (AUC 0.67), followed by Y-axis/height (AUC 0.65) and MARFI_h (AUC 0.63). NUS measurements correlated significantly with ASMI, phase angle, HGS, and SPPB scores. Conclusions: Nutritional ultrasonography is a feasible, reproducible, and clinically valuable tool for assessing muscle mass and quality in MHD patients. Its incorporation into routine practice may enhance early detection of malnutrition and sarcopenia, thereby facilitating timely, individualized nutritional interventions.

Background: Uremic tumoral calcinosis (UTC) is a rare yet severe complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD), predominantly occurring in patients undergoing renal replacement therapy (RRT). It is characterized by extensive soft tissue calcifications, frequently associated with chronic hyperphosphatemia and disruptions to calcium–phosphorus metabolism. Case report: This report describes a 34-year-old woman with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) secondary to lupus nephritis, undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). She presented with a progressively enlarging calcified mass in the proximal phalanx of the third finger on her right hand, accompanied by functional impairment. Laboratory findings revealed persistent hyperphosphatemia (8.8 mg/dL), elevated parathyroid hormone levels (901 pg/mL), and low vitamin D levels (9 ng/mL), indicating significant disturbances to mineral metabolism. Imaging studies, including X-ray and whole-body 18F-Choline positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT), confirmed the presence of localized calcifications in the soft tissue of the proximal phalanx of the third finger on her right hand and parathyroid hyperplasia, respectively. Initial management included the optimization of phosphate binders and calcimimetic therapy, with the subsequent intensification of dialysis therapy. Transitioning to automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) with high-volume exchanges resulted in a notable improvement in biochemical parameters and the eventual remission of the calcified mass. Conclusion: This case underscores the importance of comprehensive management in dialysis patients, including dietary phosphate restriction, the appropriate use of non-calcium-based binders, and tailored dialysis regimens to prevent and treat CKD-related mineral and bone disorders. It also highlights the utility of imaging modalities such as PET/CT in diagnosing UTC and monitoring response to therapy. Further research is needed to elucidate the pathophysiology of UTC and optimize its management in dialysis patients.

Background: Psychological distress is common in hemodialysis patients and is linked to worse clinical outcomes and lower quality of life. Nutritional and inflammatory disturbances may impact emotional well-being. Gender likely acts as a biological and psychosocial modifier. This study examined the link between depression, anxiety, and stress in hemodialysis patients and a broad range of biochemical markers, focusing on gender as a main factor. Methods: A cross-sectional study included 54 adults on maintenance hemodialysis at a hospital in Madrid, Spain. Emotional distress was measured using the DASS-21. Predialysis biochemical markers assessed were β₂-microglobulin, albumin, hemoglobin, hematocrit, phosphorus, potassium, iron, calcium, and vitamin D. Statistical analyses included Spearman correlations, HC3-robust regressions with Gender × Biomarker interactions, false discovery rate correction (q = 0.10), penalized regressions (ridge/LASSO), partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM), and mixed-cluster analysis. Results: Women reported higher depression, anxiety, and stress, and had lower albumin, calcium, and vitamin D (p < 0.05). Depression was independently linked to female gender, lower calcium, and the Gender × β₂-microglobulin interaction (adjusted R² = 0.30). In PLS-SEM analysis, a latent global psychological distress measure was directly related to β₂-microglobulin and inversely related to albumin and calcium (R² = 0.47). Nutritional markers partly mediated the gender–distress link. Cluster analysis found three biopsychosocial profiles: metabolically balanced, catabolic–emotional, and resilient–compensated. Conclusions: Gender shapes the relationships among inflammation, nutrition, and psychological distress in hemodialysis. Including gender-sensitive emotional and nutritional assessments in nephrology nursing could foster more personalized and practical care. Findings highlight the value of gender-aware psycho-nutritional screening in dialysis.

Background: The bite of the Loxosceles spider is a public health problem around the world, mainly in Latin America. The viscerocutaneous presentation is related to the inoculation of toxins (phospholipase-D) that generates a systemic inflammatory reaction with a subsequent increase in cytokines and chemokines. Hemoadsorption is proposed as a therapy that allows for the removal of the toxin and modulation of the inflammatory response in this disease. Case Report: We present the case of a 31-year-old woman who was admitted to the hospital due to decreased urinary flow and jaundice 48 h after a spider bite. Despite treatment with intravenous (IV) monovalent antiloxoscelism serum, antibiotic therapy, and corticosteroids, the patient’s evolution was poor, and she was admitted to the critical care unit for severe multi-organ involvement, including hepatic and kidney damage and coagulation disorders, eventually requiring hemodialysis support and hemoadsorption therapy. After the therapy was administered, rapid improvement was evident with the suspension of vasopressor support and a decrease in inflammatory markers. Conclusions: This case presents hemoadsorption as a therapeutic option, based on its capacity to reduce the intensity of hyperinflammation and to regulate the immunological response.

Background and Objectives: Nutritional status is essential for outcomes in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Incremental HD (iHD) may help preserve residual renal function, but its effect on nutrition and body composition is unclear. Nutritional ultrasound (NUS) offers a non-invasive way to assess muscle and fat, complementing methods like BIA. This study compared nutritional status using morphofunctional assessment in patients on iHD versus conventional HD (cHD). Material and Methods: This single-center observational cross-sectional study included 74 stable adult HD patients (>3 months). Patients were stratified into iHD (n = 13; 1–2 sessions/week) and cHD (n = 61; 3 sessions/week). Evaluations included clinical and biochemical parameters, BIA, handgrip strength, nutritional scores and NUS assessed mass muscle of anterior quadriceps rectus femoris (QRF), supramuscular fat (SMF), subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), and preperitoneal visceral fat (PPVF). Results: Patients on iHD exhibited a more favorable nutritional and inflammatory profile, with a lower risk of malnutrition and a reduced prevalence of protein-energy wasting (PEW) syndrome. Although BIA failed to clearly differentiate between groups, NUS identified better preservation of SMF in iHD patients (8.3 ± 2.5 vs. 6.6 ± 2 mm; p = 0.009), as well as higher preperitoneal visceral fat thickness (1.9 ± 4.9 vs. 0.6 ± 0.3 cm; p = 0.04). There was also a trend toward greater muscle thickness in the iHD group, such as the Y-axis (9.5 ± 2 vs. 8.5 ± 2.3 mm; p = 0.17) and cross-sectional area muscle of rectus femoris (CS-MARF in cm²) (2.9 ± 0.6 vs. 2.6 ± 0.8 mm; p = 0.1) of anterior QRF, although without reaching statistical significance. Conclusions: These results highlight the value of NUS as a sensitive method for assessing nutritional status in HD patients, particularly within individualized strategies such as iHD, where it may provide key complementary information not captured by conventional methods.