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Options for treatment and nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF)

Patients with existing kidney problems are at risk of contracting a rare disease called nephrogenic systemic fibrosis and deterioration (NSF). This disease attacks the skin and causes the development of fibrosis (scar tissue) in the skin and in several vital internal organs like the lungs, diaphragm and heart. The symptoms of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis include the sudden onset of skin lesions on the feet, arms, hands and feet. These lesions can be connected to blisters swelling, and pain. These lesions of the skin becomes hard and areas that prevent people with the disease to bend the joints, possibly by disabling their ability to walk or even perform simple daily tasks. Patients with this stage of the disease may be forced to be in a wheelchair stock a couple of weeks. In addition to these symptoms, internal organs may begin to bad function due to scar tissue that can develop. This stage of the disease is fatal

Scientists have strongly associated with NSF using a substance chemical called gadolinium – a dye injected to make blood vessels more easily seen on magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance angiography (MRI / MRA) tests. Studies have shown that over 95% of U.S. patients were directly exposed to gadolinium NSF. In response, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has already commissioned a "black box" warning on the label of the dye, and research is ongoing to confirm the connection. Preventive measures

Unfortunately, the best treatment for NSF is always prevention. The FDA has issued guidelines three times since June 2006, each suggesting that physicians do not use gadolinium in patients with moderate to end stage renal disease. In particular, Agency strongly suggests that physicians do not use gadolinium MRI or MRA in patients with renal failure chronic or severe (renal failure), with a glomerular filtration rate less than or equal to 30 milliliters per minute, or patients with a level of renal dysfunction caused by liver problems. Doctors are not allowed to use the dye to these patients, but not highly recommended unless you really need to make a diagnosis. Even then, they are asked to ensure they do not use more than the recommended dose. In addition, the FDA advised doctors to gadolinium administration for sending patients who have used the chemical to dialysis as soon as possible after receiving an MRI.

Experimental Treatments

At present, it is not always successful treatment for NSF. In fact, the disease is so new – has been identified for the first time in 1997 – that doctors are trying various treatments to see what it offers patients the best long-term relief. The treatments have helped some patients include:

* Improved renal function treatment is more consistent good results. This can mean medical treatment (including dialysis), a kidney transplant or both. improvement renal function was able to block the spread of NSF for certain cases, but unfortunately has not had the results in other cases.

* Oral steroids are pills that have improved skin problems in some patients. They do not work positively for everyone and side effects include blood sugar, poor calcium, and ulcers which makes them unsuitable for people with various health problems.

* Ointments and skin creams as Vitamin D3 and type of cortisone have helped some patients in the fight against the symptoms of the skin.

* Physical therapy, especially deep massage and swimming were the means some patients may diminish the sense that the NSF plays in the joints.

* Some patients are improved by using the drug thalidomide, pentoxifylline and Cytoxin, but have not been very successful. Similarly, two types of treatment of blood – plasmapheresis and extracorporeal photopheresis – and ultraviolet treatment were useful for one or two patients. But in all these cases, more research is needed.

In addition, a recent study by Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center suggests that NSF could be stopped before it starts if doctors are able to administer drugs that inhibit an enzyme called transglutaminase body-2 (TG2). These researchers found high levels of TG2 patients with NSF, suggesting that the enzyme can activate the disease. If True, doctors may one day be able to NSF prevent prescription of existing drugs that inhibit TG2.

Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis is a deadly and incurable disease, which can disable and eventually kill the patient, often a patient is already weakened by kidney failure. It is also completely preventable – if doctors work closely with patients and their families to avoid using gadolinium in patients with kidney disease. In late December 2006, FDA has identified 215 patients with NSF in the world, all the world whose history alone could review had been exposed gadolinium. If you or a loved one has developed NSF after receiving the dye Gadolinium MRI or MRA, you deserve answers.

About the Author

For your source for everything legal on the web, visit LegalView.com. At http://www.legalview.com , you can gain admission to an entire legal database that includes an attorney referral service available to you at no cost. Visitors who use this service can use the resources to find information on a variety of legal issues and contact expert attorneys such as a traumatic brain injury (TBI) lawyer or a mesothelioma attorney. Visitors can also find NSF lawyers at http://www.nsf-nephrogenic-systemic-fibrosis.legalview.com/ .

Authors@Google: Peter Nowak

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