Thursday, May 25, 2023

Docs Ask AI: Severe Flank Pain, Acute Kidney Injury, and Low Serum Uric Acid. What's the Diagnosis?

The "Docs Ask AI" series features clinical Q&A sessions with four distinct AIs, showcasing their unique personalities, accuracy, and writing styles. (Introduction by Doximity's DocsGPT.)

Prompt:

"A 30 year old man comes to the emergency department with severe bilateral flank pain after exercise. He is found to have acute kidney injury and a very low serum uric acid level. What are some potential causes?"

Best Answer:

"Renal hypouricemia."

The correct answer was provided by GPT-4 and Doximity's DocsGPT.

Here's what Claude+GPT-4Doximity's DocsGPT, and Google's Bard said:

Some potential causes for a 30 year old man with severe bilateral flank pain, acute kidney injury and low serum uric acid after exercise include:

1. Rhabdomyolysis - Breakdown of muscle tissue can release myoglobin into the blood which can damage the kidneys. Exercise is a common trigger. Myoglobinuria may be present on urinalysis. CK levels will be very elevated.

2. Exertional heat illness (e.g. heat stroke) - Intense exercise in the heat can lead to dehydration and organ damage including the kidneys. Core body temperature will be very high.

3. Autoimmune disease flare - Conditions like lupus or vasculitis can flare up after exercise. May see other signs of autoimmunity. Kidney biopsy may be diagnostic.

4. Urinary tract obstruction - Strenuous exercise may dislodge a kidney stone or cause swelling that obstructs urine flow. Imaging will show obstruction. 

5. Acute tubular necrosis - Ischemia or nephrotoxins can damage kidney tubules. Exercise may reduce blood flow to the kidneys. Often reversible if underlying cause addressed quickly. 

6. Acute interstitial nephritis - Exercise is a trigger for some allergic reactions or infections that cause inflammation of kidney tissues and interstitium. Biopsy will show infiltration of immune cells.

7. Renal infarction - Intense exercise can rarely cause decreased blood flow to the kidneys resulting in tissue death. Caused by renal artery stenosis or thrombosis. Imaging will show kidney damage.

8. Glomerulonephritis - Some forms of inflammation/autoimmune damage to glomeruli and kidneys can flare after exercise. Biopsy will show glomerulonephritis.

As you can see, there are several possibilities, but rhabdomyolysis, exertional heat illness and urinary tract obstruction are more likely given the context of recent exercise as a trigger. Diagnosis may involve a combination of lab work, urinalysis, imaging and in some cases biopsy. Treatment is aimed at reversing kidney damage and preventing further injury.

GPT-4:

I am not a doctor, but I can provide you with some information that may be helpful. In a 30-year-old man presenting with severe bilateral flank pain after exercise, acute kidney injury, and very low serum uric acid levels, some potential causes to consider include:

1. Renal hypouricemia: A rare hereditary condition characterized by impaired renal uric acid transport, leading to low serum uric acid levels and an increased risk of acute kidney injury, especially following exercise.

2. Rhabdomyolysis: A condition that occurs when muscle tissue breaks down and releases a protein called myoglobin into the bloodstream. This can lead to kidney damage, as the kidneys have difficulty filtering myoglobin. Rhabdomyolysis can be triggered by intense exercise, muscle injury, or other factors.

3. Dehydration: Intense exercise can lead to dehydration, which may cause acute kidney injury if fluid and electrolyte balance are not properly maintained.

4. Obstructive uropathy: A blockage in the urinary tract can cause acute kidney injury and flank pain. Blockages can result from kidney stones, blood clots, or other causes.

It is essential for a healthcare professional to evaluate the patient and consider their medical history, perform a physical examination, and possibly order further tests such as blood tests, urine tests, and imaging studies to determine the cause of the symptoms. Please consult a medical professional for personalized advice and diagnosis.

Doximity's DocsGPT:

In a 30-year-old man with severe bilateral flank pain, acute kidney injury, and a very low serum uric acid level, one potential cause could be renal hypouricemia. Renal hypouricemia is a rare genetic disorder characterized by impaired renal tubular reabsorption of uric acid, leading to low serum uric acid levels and an increased risk of acute kidney injury.
 
Other potential causes of acute kidney injury and low serum uric acid levels include: 
 
1. Medications: Certain medications such as allopurinol or probenecid can lower serum uric acid levels and cause acute kidney injury. 
2. Liver disease: Liver disease can lead to low serum uric acid levels due to impaired uric acid synthesis.
3. Fanconi syndrome: Fanconi syndrome is a rare disorder characterized by impaired tubular reabsorption of multiple substances, including uric acid, leading to low serum uric acid levels and acute kidney injury.
4. Wilson's disease: Wilson's disease is a genetic disorder characterized by impaired copper metabolism, which can lead to liver disease and low serum uric acid levels.
5. Hypothyroidism: Hypothyroidism can lead to low serum uric acid levels due to impaired renal tubular reabsorption of uric acid.
It is important to conduct a thorough medical evaluation to determine the underlying cause of acute kidney injury and low serum uric acid levels in this patient.

Google's Bard:

There are a number of potential causes of acute kidney injury (AKI) in a 30-year-old man with severe bilateral flank pain after exercise and a very low serum uric acid level. Some of the most common causes include:

  • Dehydration: This is a common cause of AKI, especially in people who have been exercising strenuously. Dehydration can lead to a decrease in blood flow to the kidneys, which can damage the kidneys and lead to AKI.
  • Infection: Infections, such as pneumonia or urinary tract infection, can also cause AKI. This is because infections can lead to inflammation, which can damage the kidneys.
  • Medications: Some medications, such as antibiotics and chemotherapy drugs, can cause AKI. This is because these medications can damage the kidneys.
  • Toxins: Exposure to toxins, such as lead or mercury, can also cause AKI. This is because toxins can damage the kidneys.
  • Autoimmune diseases: Autoimmune diseases, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, can also cause AKI. This is because these diseases can damage the kidneys.

In addition to these common causes, there are a number of other potential causes of AKI in a 30-year-old man with severe bilateral flank pain after exercise and a very low serum uric acid level. These include:

  • Polycystic kidney disease: This is a genetic disorder that can cause the kidneys to enlarge and become scarred. This can lead to AKI.
  • Kidney stones: Kidney stones can block the flow of urine, which can damage the kidneys and lead to AKI.
  • Tumors: Tumors in the kidneys or other parts of the body can also cause AKI. This is because tumors can block the flow of urine or damage the kidneys.
  • Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy to the abdomen or pelvis can damage the kidneys and lead to AKI.

If you are a 30-year-old man with severe bilateral flank pain after exercise and a very low serum uric acid level, it is important to see a doctor right away. AKI can be a serious condition, and it is important to get treatment as soon as possible.

 

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