Uremia is a clinical syndrome associated with fluid, electrolyte, and hormone imbalances and metabolic abnormalities, which develop

in parallel with deterioration of renal function. The term uremia, which literally means urine in the blood, was first used by Piorry to describe the clinical condition associated with renal failure. (See Pathophysiology.)[1] Uremia more commonly develops with chronic renal failure (CRF) or the later stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD), but it also may occur with acute renal failure (ARF) if loss of renal function is rapid. As yet, no single uremic toxin has been identified that accounts for all of the clinical manifestations of uremia. Toxins, such as parathyroid hormone (PTH), beta2 microglobulin, polyamines, advanced glycosylation end products, and other middle molecules, are thought to contribute to the clinical syndrome. (See Pathophysiology, Workup.)
Complications

Severe complications of untreated uremia include seizure, coma, cardiac arrest, and death. Spontaneous bleeding can occur with severe uremia and may include gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, spontaneous subdural hematomas, increased bleeding from any underlying disorder, or bleeding associated with trauma. Cardiac arrest may occur from severe, underlying electrolyte abnormalities such as hyperkalemia, metabolic acidosis, or hypocalcemia. (See Pathophysiology, Prognosis, Presentation, and Workup.) Severe hypoglycemic reactions may occur in patients with diabetes if hyperglycemic medications are not adjusted for decreased creatinine clearance in these individuals. Renal failure associated bone disease (renal osteodystrophy) may lead to an increased risk of osteoporosis or bone fracture with trauma. Medication clearance is decreased in persons with renal failure and may lead to untoward adverse effects, such as a digoxin overdose, an increased sensitivity to narcotics, and a decreased excretion of normal medications.
Patient education

Patients should be sent to the nephrologist early for education regarding renal disease and renal replacement therapy options and for evaluation

and diagnosis of their underlying renal disease process. (See Treatment.) Inform patients with diabetes about potential changes in insulin or oral hypoglycemic medication needs. Educate patients and their families about dialysis to avoid the shock of emergent dialysis and the decreased quality of life that can occur with uremia.

Pathophysiology

Normally, the kidney is the site of hormone production and secretion, acid-base homeostasis, fluid and electrolyte regulation, and wasteproduct elimination. In the presence of renal failure, these functions are not performed adequately and metabolic abnormalities, such as anemia, acidemia, hyperkalemia,hyperparathyroidism, malnutrition, and hypertension, can occur. Uremia usually develops only after the creatinine clearance falls to less than 10mL/min, although some patients may be symptomatic at higher clearance levels, especially if renal failure acutely develops. The syndrome may be heralded by the clinical onset of the following symptoms:

Nausea Vomiting Fatigue Anorexia[2] Weight loss Muscle cramps Pruritus Change in mental status
Anemia

Anemia-induced fatigue is thought to be one of the major contributors to the uremic syndrome. Erythropoietin (EPO), a hormone necessary for red blood cell production in bone marrow, is produced by peritubular cells in the kidney in response to hypoxia. Anemia associated with renal failure can be observed when the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is less than 50mL/min or when the serum creatinine is greater than 2mg/dL.

Patients with diabetes may experience anemia with a GFR of less than 60mL/min. In a study of 832 hospitalized patients with diabetes, Almoznino-Sarafian et al determined that 334 of the patients had anemia, a rate (40%) higher than that reported in ambulatory patient populations. The investigators found that the anemic patients tended to be older (mean age 71.4 years) than were the nonanemic patients with diabetes (mean age 64.4 years) and that a greater percentage were female (52.4% vs 44.4% of the nonanemic patients). In addition, 39% of the anemic patients had renal dysfunction.[3] Anemia associated with chronic kidney disease is characteristically normocytic, normochromic, and hypoproliferative. Anemia in chronic renal failure In the setting of CRF, anemia may be due to other clinical factors or diseases, such as iron deficiency, vitamin deficiencies (eg, folate, vitamin B-12), hyperparathyroidism, hypothyroidism, and decreased red blood cell survival. Iron deficiency, which may occur as a result of occult GI bleeding or frequent blood draws, should be excluded in all patients. Elevated PTH levels are thought to be associated with marrow calcification, which may suppress red blood cell production and lead to a hypoproliferative anemia. Parathyroid-induced marrow calcification tends to regress after parathyroidectomy. Studies have shown that hepcidin, an acute phase protein involved with iron metabolism, plays a key role in erythropoiesis.[4] Hepcidin, upregulated in states of inflammation, prevents iron absorption in the small intestine, as well as iron release from macrophages.[5]
Coagulopathy

Bleeding diatheses are characteristic findings in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The pathogenesis of uremic bleeding tendency is related to multiple dysfunctions of the platelets. The platelet numbers may be reduced slightly, while platelet turnover is increased. The reduced adhesion of platelets to the vascular subendothelial wall is due to reduction of GPIb and altered conformational changes of GPIIb/IIIa receptors. Alterations of platelet adhesion and aggregation are caused by uremic toxins, increased platelet production of NO, PGI(2), calcium and cAMP, as well as renal anemia.

Correction of uremic bleeding is accomplished through treatment of renal anemia with recombinant human erythropoietin or darbepoetin alpha, adequate dialysis, desmopressin, cryoprecipitate, tranexamic acid, or conjugated estrogens. Patients with ESRD are at significantly increased risk for bleeding if placed on oral anticoagulants or antiplatelet agents. Thus, these classes of medicines need to be prescribed with extreme caution.
Acidosis

Acidosis is another major metabolic abnormality associated with uremia. Metabolic acid-base regulation is controlled primarily by tubular cells located in the kidney, while respiratory compensation is accomplished in the lungs. Failure to secrete hydrogen ions and impaired excretion of ammonium may initially contribute to metabolic acidosis. As kidney disease continues to progress, accumulation of phosphate and other organic acids, such as sulfuric acid, hippuric acid, and lactic acid, creates an increased anion-gap metabolic acidosis. In uremia, metabolic acidemia may contribute to other clinical abnormalities, such as hyperventilation, anorexia, stupor, decreased cardiac response (congestive heart failure), and muscle weakness. In patients with CKD who are not yet on dialysis, treatment of the acidosis with oral bicarbonate supplementation has been demonstrated to help slow the progression of the renal disease.
Hyperkalemia

Hyperkalemia (potassium >6.5 mEq/L) may be an acute or chronic manifestation of renal failure, but regardless of the etiology, a potassium level of greater than 6.5 mEq/L is a clinical emergency. As renal function declines, the nephron is unable to excrete a normal potassium load, which can lead to hyperkalemia if dietary intake remains constant. In addition, other metabolic abnormalities, such as acidemia or type IV renal tubular acidosis, may contribute to decreased potassium excretion and lead to hyperkalemia. (Most cases of hyperkalemia are multifactorial in etiology.) Hyperkalemia can occur in several instances, including the following:

Excessive potassium intake in patients with a creatinine clearance of less than 20 mL/min

Hyporeninemic hypoaldosteronism or type IV renal tubular acidosis in patients with diabetes, urinary obstruction, or interstitial nephritis Significant acidemia Drug therapy - Hyperkalemia is common when drugs, such as potassium-sparing diuretics (eg, spironolactone, amiloride, triamterene), angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin-receptor blockers, beta blockers, or nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used in the setting of renal insufficiency or renal failure
Hyperparathyroidism

In the setting of renal failure, there are a number of abnormalities of the calcium-vitamin D metabolic pathway, such as hypocalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, and increased PTH levels, that ultimately lead to renal bone disease (osteodystrophy). After exposure to the sun, vitamin D-3 is produced in the skin and transported to the liver for hydroxylation (25[OH] vitamin D-3). Hydroxylated vitamin D-3 is then transported to the kidney, where a second hydroxylation occurs, and 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D-3 is formed. As the clinically active form of vitamin D, 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D-3 is responsible for GI absorption of calcium and phosphorus and suppression of PTH. During renal failure, 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D-3 levels are reduced secondary to decreased production in renal tissue, as well as hyperphosphatemia, which leads to decreased calcium absorption from the GI tract and results in low serum calcium levels. Hypocalcemia stimulates the parathyroid gland to excrete PTH, a process termed secondary hyperparathyroidism. Hyperphosphatemia occurs as excretion of phosphate decreases with progressive renal failure. Hyperphosphatemia stimulates parathyroid gland hypertrophy and stimulates increased production and secretion of PTH. Elevated PTH levels have been associated with uremic neuropathy and other metabolic disturbances, which include altered pancreatic response, erythropoiesis, and cardiac and liver function abnormalities. The direct deposit of calcium and phosphate in the skin, blood vessels, and other tissue, termed metastatic calcification, can occur when the calcium-phosphate product is greater than 70.[10] Treatment

The vitamin D deficiency can be treated orally or intravenously with 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D-3 (calcitriol). There are several new vitamin D analogues that have become available for use and are more specific for vitamin D receptors in the parathyroid gland. Use of one of these analogues, paricalcitol, has been found to be associated with improved survival compared with use of calcitriol.[6] In addition, these new vitamin D analogs cause less elevation in serum calcium and phosphorus levels.[7] Cinacalcet, a new medication that stimulates the calcium sensing receptor in the parathyroid gland and causes negative feedback on PTH production and release, can also be used to treat secondary hyperparathyroidism. Several studies have shown the following benefits of cinacalcet usage: (1) greater associated likelihood of achieving an intact PTH level of less than 300 pg/mL and (2) greater likelihood of maintaining calcium and phosphorus levels within the target range.[8] Cinacalcet usage has also been shown to lower the risk of fracture and of cardiovascular hospitalization.[9] It is as yet unknown if cinacalcet improves patient mortality rates.
Endocrine abnormalities

Other endocrine abnormalities that may occur in the setting of uremia include changes in carbohydrate metabolism, decreased thyroid hormone excretion, and abnormal sexual hormone regulation. Reduced insulin clearance and increased insulin secretion can lead to increased episodes of hypoglycemia and normalization of hyperglycemia in diabetic patients. Glycemic control may appear to be improved; however, this may be an ominous sign of renal function decline. Consider appropriate decreases in doses of antihyperglycemic medications (ie, insulin and oral antihyperglycemic medications) as renal function declines to avoid hypoglycemic reactions. levels of thyroid hormones, such as thyroxine, may become depressed, while reverse triiodothyronine levels may increase because of impaired conversion of triiodothyronine to thyroxine. Reproductive hormone dysfunction is common and can cause impotence in men and infertility in women. Renal failure is associated with decreased spermatogenesis, reduced testosterone levels, increased estrogen levels, and elevated luteinizing hormone levels in men, all of which contribute to impotence and decreased libido.

In women, uremia reduces the cyclic luteinizing hormone surge, which results in anovulation and amenorrhea. Infertility is common and pregnancy is rare in women with advanced uremia and renal failure, but this may be reversed with renal transplantation.
Cardiovascular abnormalities

Cardiovascular abnormalities, including uremic pericarditis, pericardial effusions, calcium and phosphate depositionassociated worsening of underlying valvular disorders, and uremic suppression of myocardial contractility, are common in patients with CRF.[11] Left ventricular hypertrophy is a common disorder found in approximately 75% of patients who have not yet undergone dialysis. Left ventricular hypertrophy is associated with increased ventricular thickness, arterial stiffening, coronary atherosclerosis, and/or coronary artery calcification. Patients are at increased risk for cardiac arrhythmias due to underlying electrolyte and acid-base abnormalities. Renal dysfunction may contribute to associated fluid retention, which may lead to uncontrolled hypertension and congestive heart failure.
Malnutrition

Malnutrition usually occurs as renal failure progresses; it is manifested by the following symptoms: Anorexia Weight loss Loss of muscle mass Low cholesterol levels Low blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels in the setting of an elevated creatinine level Low serum transferrin levels Hypoalbuminemia However, the question of whether uremia stimulates protein catabolism directly remains controversial.[12]

Comorbid diseases, such as diabetes and congestive heart failure, that require reduced food intake or restrictions of certain foods may contribute to anorexia. Numerous epidemiologic studies have shown that a decreased serum albumin concentration is a very strong and independent predictor of

mortality among dialysis patients. Thus, it is important that dialysis be initiated prior to the occurrence of significant malnutrition.

Etiology The etiologies of CKD range from primary glomerular and tubular disorders (eg, membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, IgA nephropathy, polycystic kidney disease) to systemic disorders causing renal injury (eg, diabetes, lupus, amyloidosis, Goodpasture disease, multiple myeloma, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, hemolytic uremic syndrome[13] ). ARF may be caused by multiple etiologies, but it is associated with uremia when a rapid rise in urea or creatinine occurs. Diabetes is the primary cause of ESRD in the United States and accounts for 40% of new dialysis patients, followed by hypertension (25.2%), glomerulonephritis(11.3%), interstitial disease (3.8%), cystitis (2.8%), and neoplasms (1.7%). Although diabetes is the primary cause of renal disease in most other countries, other glomerulonephropathies, particularly IgA nephropathy, may be the primary cause of ESRD, depending on the country.

Prognosis The prognosis for patients with uremia of CRF is poor unless the uremia is treated with renal replacement therapy, such as dialysis or transplantation. The prognosis for ARF and renal failure secondary to a reversible or treatable cause, such as rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (eg, lupus nephritis, Wegener disease, Goodpasture disease, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, hemolytic uremia syndrome, multiple myeloma), depends on the timing of diagnosis and the rapidity of appropriate treatment (eg, steroids, chemotherapeutic agents, plasmapheresis).
Morbidity and mortality

CRF is associated with a very high morbidity and hospitalization rate, likely due to existing comorbid conditions, such as hypertension,

coronary artery disease, and peripheral vascular disease. The rate of hospitalization and hospital days is 3 times greater than for the general public and not much different from dialysis patients. Although still unacceptably high, there has been improvement in the mortality rate for ESRD patients, especially since 1999. Indeed, the 5year survival for patients who initiated dialysis sometime between 1998 and 2002 (34%) was found to be 10% higher than for those who initiated dialysis sometime between 1993 and 1997 (31%). In patients with ESRD, cardiovascular disease is the primary cause of death, followed by sepsis and cerebrovascular disease. The dialysis population in the United States has a 10- to 20-fold higher risk of death due to cardiovascular complications than does the general population after adjusting for age, race, and sex. The relative risk with respect to the general population is much higher in younger patients. Patients who have delayed initiation of dialysis have a 1.5-fold higher risk of a low serum albumin level and a 1.8-fold higher risk of starting dialysis with a hematocrit value lower than 28% than do patients who do not have a low creatinine clearance. However, patients with delayed onset of dialysis are not more likely to have prevalent cardiac disease, peripheral vascular disease, hypertension, or poor functional status than are those without a delayed onset of dialysis. Thus, the timing of the initiation of dialysis remains controversial.