RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to assess the role of Doppler ultrasonography (DU) by resistive index (RI) and the difference of the RI (DeltaRI) in patients with acute unilateral renal obstruction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied 36 consecutive patients (12 female, 24 male; mean age 45.6 +/- 8.4 years) with suspected renal colic by intravenous pyelography (IVP) and DU with determination of the RI and the Delta RI. A RI of >= 0.70 and a DeltaRI of >= 0.06 were considered suggestive of obstruction. IVP was considered as the "gold standard". RESULTS: In the studied population, RI was 0.664 +/- 0.060 in the affected kidney site of symptoms and 0.614 +/- 0.025 in the contralateral one, with an overall Delta RI of 0.049 +/- 0.062. At IVP, 14 patients resulted within normal range (Group A; 39%), 6 patients showed lithiasis without obstruction (Group B; 17%), 8 patients showed delayed excretion of the contrast medium (Group C; 22%), and 8 patients showed a functional exclusion of the kidney (Group D; 22%). One-way analysis of variance showed the IVP group significantly related to Delta RI with the highest values in Groups C (DeltaRI of 0.093 +/- 0.051; p<0.001) and D (DeltaRI of 0.116 +/-0.030; p<0.001) in comparison with Group A (DeltaRI of 0.001 +/-0.038) and Group B (DeltaRI of 0.015 +/-0.024). No differences were detected between Groups C and D (p=0.223) and between Groups A and B (p-0.472). DeltaRI measurement with DU permitted to predict the renal obstruction with a sensitivity of 93.8%, a specificity of 95.0% and an accuracy of 94.4%. CONCLUSIONS: Intrarenal Doppler ultrasonography represents a sensitive and highly specific test that can significantly contribute to the diagnosis of obstruction in patients with acute renal colic. It should be used as the first line imaging method in suspected acute renal colic, as well as for patients with renal insufficiency, pregnant women or for patients with adverse reactions to contrast media
Asunto(s)
Cólico/diagnóstico por imagen , Enfermedades Renales/diagnóstico por imagen , Obstrucción Ureteral/diagnóstico por imagen , Enfermedad Aguda , Adulto , Velocidad del Flujo Sanguíneo , Cólico/etiología , Cólico/fisiopatología , Femenino , Humanos , Enfermedades Renales/etiología , Enfermedades Renales/fisiopatología , Masculino , Valor Predictivo de las Pruebas , Circulación Renal , Reproducibilidad de los Resultados , Ultrasonografía Doppler/métodos , Cálculos Ureterales/complicaciones , Cálculos Ureterales/diagnóstico por imagen , Cálculos Ureterales/fisiopatología , Obstrucción Ureteral/etiología , Obstrucción Ureteral/fisiopatología , Urografía/métodosRESUMEN
The mortality rate in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is extremely high, mainly because of the high prevalence of cardiovascular disease. In addition to traditional cardiovascular risk factors, other factors peculiar to chronic kidney disease play a role. Anemia and calcium-phosphate disorders are of particular interest, not only because they have been related to an increased risk of death but, more importantly, because they can be reversed by treatment, thereby providing the opportunity to prevent or delay the onset of cardiovascular disease. Despite a clear association between higher hemoglobin levels and better survival, data from interventional trials do not seem to show a significant positive effect of hemoglobin normalization with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents on survival and left ventricular mass in ESRD patients. Nevertheless, partial correction of anemia is still an important goal to be reached, as is also suggested by international guidelines. Disorders of calcium-phosphate metabolism have also been clearly related to increased mortality. Unlike anemia, which can be easily corrected by treatment in most cases, mineral metabolism is much less effectively treated. New agents, such as phosphate binders not containing calcium and aluminum, vitamin D analogs with lower calcemic activity, and calcimimetics, are becoming increasingly available in everyday clinical practice and are likely to allow a higher percentage of patients to achieve the recommended targets for calcium-phosphate and parathyroid hormone. Given that these molecules have only been introduced recently, clear data from interventional studies showing improved survival after adequate correction of mineral metabolism parameters are still lacking.
Asunto(s)
Anemia/complicaciones , Calcinosis/complicaciones , Enfermedad de la Arteria Coronaria/etiología , Hiperparatiroidismo Secundario/complicaciones , Fallo Renal Crónico/complicaciones , Anemia/etiología , Calcinosis/epidemiología , Calcinosis/etiología , Calcinosis/metabolismo , Calcinosis/terapia , Enfermedades Cardiovasculares/etiología , Terapia por Quelación/métodos , Enfermedad de la Arteria Coronaria/epidemiología , Enfermedad de la Arteria Coronaria/metabolismo , Enfermedad de la Arteria Coronaria/terapia , Progresión de la Enfermedad , Medicina Basada en la Evidencia , Humanos , Hiperparatiroidismo/complicaciones , Hiperparatiroidismo Secundario/epidemiología , Hiperparatiroidismo Secundario/etiología , Hiperparatiroidismo Secundario/metabolismo , Hiperparatiroidismo Secundario/terapia , Hipofosfatemia/complicaciones , Italia/epidemiología , Fallo Renal Crónico/epidemiología , Fallo Renal Crónico/metabolismo , Fallo Renal Crónico/terapia , Guías de Práctica Clínica como Asunto , Prevalencia , Ensayos Clínicos Controlados Aleatorios como Asunto , Diálisis Renal/métodos , Factores de Riesgo , Tasa de Supervivencia , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
Increasingly, the majority of patients being diagnosed as affected by chronic kidney disease (CKD) are elderly. Nonetheless, only a rather small proportion of elderly CKD patients actually progress to end-stage renal disease, whereas many more die before this stage is reached, largely because of cardiovascular disease. This underscores the urgent need for cardiovascular prevention, even more importantly than for renoprotection, among elderly patients with CKD.
Asunto(s)
Envejecimiento/fisiología , Enfermedades Cardiovasculares/etiología , Fallo Renal Crónico/complicaciones , Fallo Renal Crónico/diagnóstico , Insuficiencia Renal/diagnóstico , Insuficiencia Renal/etiología , Factores de Edad , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Envejecimiento/patología , Enfermedades Cardiovasculares/prevención & control , Progresión de la Enfermedad , Femenino , Tasa de Filtración Glomerular/fisiología , Humanos , Fallo Renal Crónico/fisiopatología , Masculino , Insuficiencia Renal/fisiopatologíaRESUMEN
The peritoneal equilibration test (PET) with 3.86% glucose concentration (3.86%-PET) has been suggested to be more useful than the standard 2.27%-PET in peritoneal dialysis (PD), but no longitudinal data for 3.86%-PET are currently available. A total of 242 3.86%-PETs were performed in 95 incident PD patients, who underwent the first test during the first year of treatment and then once a year. The classical parameters of peritoneal transport, such as peritoneal ultrafiltration (UF), D/D(0), and D/P(Creat), were analyzed. In addition, the absolute dip of dialysate sodium concentration (DeltaD(Na)), as an expression of sodium sieving, was studied. D/D(0) was stable, and a progressive decrease in UF was observed after the second PET, whereas D/P(Creat) firstly increased and then stabilized. DeltaD(Na) was the only parameter showing a progressive decrease over time. On univariate analysis, D/D(0) and DeltaD(Na) were found to be significantly associated with the risk of developing UF failure (risk ratio (RR) 0.987 (0.973-0.999), P=0.04, and RR 0.768 (0.624-0.933), P=0.007, respectively), but on multivariate analysis only DeltaD(Na) showed an independent association with the risk of developing UF failure (RR 0.797 (0.649-0.965), P=0.020). UF, D/D(0), and D/P(Creat) changed only in those patients developing UF failure, reflecting increased membrane permeability, whereas DeltaD(Na) significantly decreased in all patients. The 3.86%-PET allows a more complete study of peritoneal membrane transport than the standard 2.27%-PET. DeltaD(Na) shows a constant and significant reduction over time and is the only factor independently predicting the risk of developing UF failure in PD patients.
Asunto(s)
Glucosa/farmacocinética , Diálisis Peritoneal , Peritoneo/fisiopatología , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Transporte Biológico Activo , Femenino , Humanos , Fallo Renal Crónico/fisiopatología , Fallo Renal Crónico/terapia , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Estudios Prospectivos , Factores de TiempoRESUMEN
Water treatment systems must be submitted to maintenance, disinfections and monitoring periodically. The aim of this review is to analyze how these processes must complement each other in order to preserve the efficiency of the system and optimize the dialysis fluid quality. The correct working of the preparatory process (pre-treatment) and the final phase of depuration (reverse osmosis) of the system need a periodic preventive maintenance and the regular substitution of worn or exhausted components (i.e. the salt of softeners' brine tank, cartridge filters, activated carbon of carbon tanks) by a competent and trained staff. The membranes of reverse osmosis and the water distribution system, including dialysis machine connections, should be submitted to dis-infections at least monthly. For this purpose it is possible to use chemical and physical agents according to manufacturer' recommendations. Each dialysis unit should predispose a monitoring program designed to check the effectiveness of technical working, maintenance and disinfections and the achievement of chemical and microbiological standards taken as a reference. Generally, the correct composition of purified water is monitored by continuous measuring of conductivity, controlling bacteriological cultures and endotoxin levels (monthly) and checking water contaminants (every 6-12 months). During pre-treatment, water hardness (after softeners) and total chlorine (after chlorine tank) should be checked periodically. Recently the Italian Society of Nephrology has developed clinical guidelines for water and dialysis solutions aimed at suggesting rational procedures for production and monitoring of dialysis fluids. It is hopeful that the application of these guidelines will lead to a positive cultural change and to an improvement in dialysis fluid quality.
Asunto(s)
Desinfección/normas , Diálisis Renal/normas , Agua/normas , Soluciones para HemodiálisisRESUMEN
In order to assure a zero sodium balance in hemodialysis patients, attaining 'constant' values of total body water and plasma water sodium concentration at the end of each dialysis session is a basic pre-requisite. This is achieved by matching the ultrafiltration to the inter-dialytic weight gain and by individualizing dialysate sodium concentration at each dialysis session by making use of a kinetic model. Clinical results suggest that the single pool variable volume sodium kinetic model allows the targeted end-dialysis plasma water sodium concentration to be obtained. Nevertheless, this model is not suitable for routine clinical application, because of difficulties in the real-time determination of initial plasma water sodium concentration and 'effective' sodium dialysance. Measuring dialysate conductivity at the inlet and outlet ports of the dialyzer allows the estimation of sodium transfer during dialysis, if the function of concentration versus conductivity is known. If sodium transfer is measured at two different inlet dialysate conductivities, it is possible to determine ionic dialysance and systemic plasma water conductivity, which can be used routinely to apply the single pool sodium kinetic model. Given that ionic dialysance and plasma water conductivity can be measured easily repeatedly and inexpensively at each dialysis session without the need for blood sampling or laboratory determinations, it can be expected that conductivity kinetic models will soon become a part of everyday clinical practice.
Asunto(s)
Conductividad Eléctrica , Diálisis Renal/métodos , Sodio/metabolismo , Equilibrio Hidroelectrolítico , Humanos , Fallo Renal Crónico/metabolismo , Fallo Renal Crónico/terapiaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Every week, approximately 400 liters of water used for dialysate production come into direct contact, through the semi-permeable membrane of the dialyzer, with the dialysis patient's blood stream. Therefore, submitting municipal water to an adequate depuration process before its use for dialysis becomes necessary. METHODS: Problems related to the implementation, updating and management of a dialysis water treatment system are analyzed. The results of the most recent multicenter studies on dialysis fluids quality are also reviewed. RESULTS: The best approach to plan, implement and manage a dialysis water treatment system, first, consists of defining the standards of chemical and microbiological water quality. The most diffused and commonly accepted standards are those recommended by the Association for Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) and the European Pharmacopea (EP), which allow a maximum bacterial growth of, respectively, 200 CFU/ml and 100 CFU/mL and a maximum endotoxin concentration of 2 IU/mL and 0.25 IU/mL. A modern dialysis water treatment system provides a final purification process, mainly by reverse osmosis (RO), together with different pre-treatment levels and a hydraulic distribution circuit. Therefore, as RO produces water of optimal chemical and microbial quality, all efforts in the dialysis unit must be aimed at keeping this quality as constant as possible over time, by carrying out effective maintenance strategies and system disinfection. Nevertheless, several multicenter studies reported that 7-35% of water samples exceed a bacterial growth of 200 CFU/mL and that 44% of them display endotoxin concentrations >5 IU/mL. CONCLUSIONS: The results of multicenter studies indicate that the microbial quality of dialysis fluids is, unfortunately, still an often neglected problem. Evidence of a possible relationship between dialysis fluid contamination and patient morbidity, as well as the availability of systems and machines allowing purity levels that were unimaginable only a few years ago, must be a stimulus for modifying clinical practices and starting the improvement processes aimed at maximally reducing the risk of microbial contamination in the dialysis water, as already done with chemical contamination.
Asunto(s)
Soluciones para Hemodiálisis/normas , Inflamación/prevención & control , Agua/normas , Enfermedad Crónica , Humanos , Factores de TiempoRESUMEN
Survival of uremic patients on dialytic treatment is significantly worse compared with that of the general population, mainly because of cardiovascular disease (CVD) excess. Anemia, a frequent and relatively early complication of impaired renal function, can considerably worsen the outcome for these patients. Due to the induced alterations on cardiovascular structures, first, left ventricular hypertrophy, anemia is not only a condition significantly impairing quality of life, but also a serious threat for the long-term survival of patients undergoing dialysis. Several studies actually showed the existence of a clear inverse association between hemoglobin (Hb) levels and mortality or hospitalization rates in patients with renal failure. Although the benefits of a partial correction of Hb levels, even in terms of left ventricular hypertrophy regression, have been well documented, it remains unclear whether starting the treatment in a very early phase of the disease or achieving a complete normalization of Hb levels above the target values recommended by current guidelines can provide further advantages, at least in selected patient groups. However, ongoing clinical trials, particularly the CREATE and the ACORD, will be able to clarify better which anemia correction practices can ensure the best results both for quality of life and for cardiovascular status; and therefore, for the long-term survival of patients with renal disease.
Asunto(s)
Anemia/etiología , Anemia/terapia , Fallo Renal Crónico/complicaciones , Calidad de Vida , Uremia/complicaciones , Anemia/epidemiología , Anemia/fisiopatología , Ensayos Clínicos como Asunto , Humanos , Prevalencia , Factores de RiesgoRESUMEN
The main problem nephrologists have to face today is the very high patient morbidity and mortality. A number of traditional and non-traditional risk factors have a role; among these anaemia, hypertension, dislipidemia, abnormalities in calcium-phosphate metabolism, hyperhomocysteinemia and endothelial dysfunction. An important innovation in the field of hemodialysis has been the availability of high-permeable and high-flux membranes, characterized by a high biocompatibility and ultrafiltration coefficient. The development of automatic systems to control ultrafiltration has enabled the utilisation of these membranes in the clinical setting (high-flux hemodialysis, hemofiltration, hemodiafiltration). It is common opinion that high-flux membranes can positively influence cardiovascular instability, but this has not been confirmed by clinical trials. Although preliminary data indicated a favorable effect on the correction of anemia in patients treated with high-permeable membranes, randomized trials have not shown a significant effect. Better control of anemia could be possible by means of on-line treatments, given their higher removal of medium- and large molecules and reduced microbiological and pyrogenic contamination of the dialysate. A number of analyses showed a lower incidence of bone cysts and/or carpal tunnel syndrome in patients treated with high-flux membranes compared to low-flux ones. High-flux treatments could reduce morbidity and mortality in hemodialysis patients. However, despite its large sample size, the HEMO Study has not been capable of showing a statistically significant effect of higher dialysis dose and high-flux membranes on survival and morbidity. The MPO study has been expressively designed to do a prospective evaluation of the long-term effect of membrane permeability on clinical outcomes. These results are greatly awaited.
Asunto(s)
Fallo Renal Crónico/terapia , Diálisis Renal/efectos adversos , Amiloidosis/etiología , Anemia/etiología , Humanos , Diálisis Renal/mortalidadRESUMEN
PURPOSE: Direct dialysis quantification (DDQ) represents the gold standard for determining urea distribution volume (V) in hemodialysis (HD) patients, but is impractical for routine use because it requires equilibrated post-dialysis plasma water urea concentration. The "formal" single-pool, variable volume, urea kinetic model (SPVV-UKM) is easier to use, needing a blood sample drawn immediately after the dialytic session, but to obtain a V value consistent with the DDQ method, it requires a correct estimate of dialyzer urea clearance (Kd), actually often overestimated. Ionic dialysance (ID) accurately estimates the "effective" urea clearance (Keff), namely Kd corrected for total recirculation. Using ID as an input parameter to SPVV-UKM, correct V values are expected when end-dialysis plasma water urea concentrations are determined in a blood sample drawn after the blood pump speed has been reduced to 50 ml/min for 2 min (Upwt2'). OBJECTIVE: We aimed to compare the V values determined by SPVV-UKM, ID and Upwt2' (VID), those determined by "formal" SPVV-UKM (VKd) and those determined by the anthropometric method proposed by Watson (VA), with the V values determined by the gold standard DDQ method (VDDQ). METHODS: Thirty-one anuric patients on chronic thrice-weekly HD were studied in 31 dialysis sessions (one per patient). RESULTS: VDDQ = 26.5 +/- 5.3 L; VID = 26.2 +/- 5.1 L; VKd = 32.1 +/- 5.7 L;. VA = 33.2 +/- 5.8 L. The mean (VID - VDDQ) difference was -0.2 +/- 1.3 L, not statistically significant (95% confidence interval (95% CI) -0.7 to 0.2 L; p=0.302); the mean (VKd - VDDQ) difference was 5.6 +/- 2.3 L, statistically significant (95% CI 4.7 to 6.4 L; p<0.001); the mean (VA - VDDQ) difference was 6.7 +/- 2.7 L, statistically significant (95% CI 5.7 to 7.7 L; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: ID use as an input parameter to SPVV-UKM allows adequate V determinations and, at the same time, circumvents the problem of delayed post-dialysis blood samples. On the other hand, the use of "formal" SPVV-UKM or of anthropometric equations leads to a significant overestimation in urea distribution volume.
Asunto(s)
Anuria/metabolismo , Diálisis Renal , Urea/metabolismo , Humanos , Iones/metabolismo , Modelos Biológicos , Urea/sangreRESUMEN
PURPOSE: It has been suggested that ionic dialysance (ID) can adequately estimate the "effective" urea clearance (eK), i.e. urea clearance corrected for total (access and cardiopulmonary) recirculation. Unfortunately, the results obtained by different authors in determining the relationship existing in vivo between ID and eK do not always agree. Furthermore, it has been recently evidenced that ID values could be different, according to the different methods used to modify the inlet dialysate conductivity during ID measurement. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to verify the relationship between the mean values of repeated instantaneous ID determinations and the urea clearance values corrected for access recirculation, urea clearance corrected for total recirculation (eK) and urea clearance corrected for both total recirculation and post-dialysis urea rebound (body urea clearance), determined according to the direct quantification method (dKDDQ, eKDDQ and bK, respectively). METHODS: Thirty-one anuric patients on chronic thrice-weekly hemodialysis (HD) were studied in 31 dialysis sessions (one per patient), performed using Integra machines equipped with the Diascan module for the automatic ID determination and the Quantiscan module for the fractional collection of outlet dialysate. The mean values of repeated ID determinations at 30 min intervals throughout each dialytic session by the Diascan module were compared with dKDDQ, eKDDQ and bK values. RESULTS: ID = 179 +/- 24 mL/min; dKDDQ = 200 +/- 27 mL/min; eKDDQ = 188 +/- 26 mL/min; bK = 165 +/- 25 mL/min. The mean (ID - dKDDQ) difference was -21 +/- 10 mL/min (95% confidence interval (95% CI) -25 to -17 mL/min; p<0.001). The mean ID/dKDDQ ratio was 0.90 +/- 0.05, indicating a mean difference between dKDDQ and ID of 10%. The mean (ID - eKDDQ) difference was -9 +/- 9 mL/min (95% CI -12 to -6 mL/min; p<0.001). The mean ID/eKDDQ ratio was 0.96 +/- 0.05; therefore, indicating a mean difference between eKDDQ and ID of only 4%. The mean (ID - bK) difference was 15 +/- 7 mL/min (95% CI 13 to 17 mL/min; p<0.001). The mean ID/bK ratio was 1.09 +/- 0.05, indicating a mean difference between bK and ID of 9%. CONCLUSIONS: The mean value of repeated ID determinations could be considered clinically as an adequate estimate of urea clearance corrected for total recirculation (eKDDQ). Given that ID determination does not require either blood sampling or laboratory tests, therefore, it becomes possible to estimate easily and rapidly, once the urea distribution volume (V) has been correctly determined, the Kt/Vsp at each dialytic session.
Asunto(s)
Anuria/metabolismo , Diálisis Renal , Urea/metabolismo , Humanos , Iones/metabolismo , Modelos Biológicos , Urea/sangreRESUMEN
CRF increases its incidence and prevalence, with increased social and cost burden, while life expectance decreases, mainly due to cardiovascular comorbidity. Recent clinical studies demonstrated the slowing of the renal damage by low - protein diet and the reduction of proteinuria by lowering blood pressure. A good control of anemia and calcium - phosphate balance reduces the cardiovascular risks. Stopping smoking improves survival but lipid-lowering and anti-inflammatory drugs need more studies. It has been demonstrated that an early intervention of nephrology care reduces morbidity and mortality (illness and death incidence) and reduces costs.
Asunto(s)
Enfermedades Renales/tratamiento farmacológico , Fallo Renal Crónico/prevención & control , Anemia/tratamiento farmacológico , Anemia/etiología , Antihipertensivos/uso terapéutico , Calcio/metabolismo , Enfermedades Cardiovasculares/epidemiología , Enfermedades Cardiovasculares/etiología , Dieta con Restricción de Proteínas , Humanos , Incidencia , Italia/epidemiología , Fallo Renal Crónico/epidemiología , Fallo Renal Crónico/etiología , Fósforo/metabolismo , Prevalencia , Terapia de Reemplazo Renal/estadística & datos numéricos , Riesgo , Cese del Hábito de FumarRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Rhabdomyolysis is known as one of the possible causes of acute renal failure and can be triggered by different situations. In recent years, Parkinson's disease emerged as a condition that can be complicated by the development of rhabdomyolysis and consequently, in some cases, of acute renal failure. We report two cases of rhabdomyolysis, one of which complicated by an oligo-anuric renal failure, which occurred in patients affected by Parkinson's disease and admitted to our Division. METHODS AND RESULTS: The first case occurred in a 90-year-old Parkinsonian woman, under treatment with Levodopa-Benserazide and Bornaprine. She developed rhabdomyolysis (CPK 1746 U/L with MB isoenzyme 3.5 ng/ml, LDH 610 U/L, GOT 78 U/L) after she had been found lying on the floor, in a state of mental confusion, after 24 hours in which her relatives had not heard from her. During the first two days of hospitalization, the patient also had a fever (axillary temperature between 37 degrees C and 38 degrees C), accompanied by mild leukocytosis (WBC 13000/mm3) on entrance. The second case occurred in a 78-year-old Parkinsonian woman, under treatment with Levodopa-Carbidopa, Levodopa-Benserazide and Pramipexol. She developed a severe rhabdomyolysis (CPK 34800 U/L with MB isoenzyme 771 ng/ml, LDH 2133 U/L, GOT 785 U/L) complicated by acute renal failure with anuria, after two days characterized by several episodes of vomit and diarrhea. In the following days we learned that in the last 20 days before admission to hospital the patient had increased the dose of her anti-Parkinson therapy and was almost always disturbed by severe choreiform and dystonic movements. CONCLUSIONS: Regarding the first case, the clinical conditions in which the patient was found, the simultaneous presence of fever and leukocytosis and the absence of any reasonable explanation for a hypothetical fall to the floor induced us to think that this was a case of rhabdomyolysis in the context of an akinetic hyperthermic crisis. This is a syndrome that can develop in Parkinsonian patients after discontinuance or simply reduction of therapy with dopaminergic agents and is characterized also by rhabdomyolysis. The fact that the patient was living alone would confirm this hypothesis. On the other hand, the second case of rhabdomyolysis must probably be related to the severe choreiform and dystonic movements that the patient developed in the days just prior to admission. These movements were surely caused by the increase of the substitutive therapy with Levodopa by the patient herself. In conclusion, these two clinical cases, together with others previously reported by other Authors, show how the circumstances leading to the development of acute episodes of rhabdomyolysis in Parkinson's disease can be different and, at the same time, how these circumstances are always somehow related to the treatment of the basic disease with dopaminergic drugs.