Disparities in the burden, outcomes, and care of chronic kidney disease

Association Between Hypertension and Kidney Function Decline: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study

RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE

The relationship between hypertension, antihypertension medication use, and change in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) over time among individuals with preserved GFR requires investigation.

STUDY DESIGN

Observational study.

SETTING & PARTICIPANTS

14,854 participants from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study.

PREDICTORS

Baseline hypertension status (1987-1989) was categorized according to the 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Clinical Practice Guideline as normal blood pressure, elevated blood pressure, stage 1 hypertension, stage 2 hypertension without medication, or stage 2 hypertension with medication.

OUTCOMES

Slope of estimated GFR (eGFR) at 5 study visits over 30 years.

ANALYTICAL APPROACH

Mixed models with random intercepts and random slopes were fit to evaluate the association between baseline hypertension status and slope of eGFR.

RESULTS

At baseline, 13.2%, 7.3%, and 19.4% of whites and 15.8%, 14.9%, and 39.9% of African Americans had stage 1 hypertension, stage 2 hypertension without medication, and stage 2 hypertension with medication. Compared with those with normal blood pressure, the annual eGFR decline was greater in people with higher blood pressure (whites: elevated blood pressure, -0.11mL/min/1.73m2; stage 1 hypertension, -0.15mL/min/1.73m2; stage 2 hypertension without medication, -0.36mL/min/1.73m2; stage 2 hypertension with medication, -0.17mL/min/1.73m2; African Americans: elevated blood pressure, -0.21mL/min/1.73m2; stage 1 hypertension, -0.16mL/min/1.73m2; stage 2 hypertension without medication, -0.50mL/min/1.73m2; stage 2 hypertension with medication, -0.16mL/min/1.73m2). The 30-year predicted probabilities of developing chronic kidney disease stage G3a+with normal blood pressure, elevated blood pressure, stage 1 hypertension, stage 2 hypertension without medication, or stage 2 hypertension with medication among whites were 54.4%, 61.6%, 64.7%, 78.1%, and 70.9%, respectively, and 55.4%, 62.8%, 60.9%, 76.1%, and 66.6% among African Americans.

LIMITATIONS

Slope estimated using a maximum of 5 eGFR assessments; differential loss to follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to normotension, baseline hypertension status was associated with faster kidney function decline over 30-year follow-up in a general population cohort. This difference was attenuated among people using antihypertensive medications.

Impact of Socioeconomic Status on Incidence of End-Stage Renal Disease and Mortality After Dialysis in Adults With Diabetes

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether low socioeconomic status (SES), with or without universal drug coverage, predicts end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and survival after dialysis in patients with diabetes.

METHODS

We conducted a population-based retrospective cohort study in Ontario, Canada. We used ≥65 years of age as a surrogate for universal drug coverage. Adults with diabetes were followed from March 31, 1997 to March 31, 2011 for occurrence of the composite primary outcome (acute kidney injury, ESRD requiring dialysis or kidney transplantation). Patients on dialysis with diabetes were followed from April 1, 1994 to March 31, 2011 for occurrence of death or transplantation.

RESULTS

SES quintile (Q) was inversely associated with the primary outcome in both age groups; however, the gradient was higher in those <65 years of age (Q1:Q5 hazard ratio [HR], 1.43; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.37-1.49) compared with ≥65 years of age (HR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.15-1.24). Low SES was associated with a lower likelihood of kidney transplantation among those <65 years of age (HR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.65-0.92). In patients on dialysis, low SES was associated with higher mortality (HR, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.02-1.16) in both age groups. This association was eliminated after accounting for the decreased rates of kidney transplantation in lower SES groups.

CONCLUSIONS

SES is inversely associated with ESRD outcomes in individuals with diabetes, and this disparity is reduced in those ≥65 years of age who universally receive prescription drug coverage. Low SES is associated with a higher mortality after dialysis, largely explained by lower kidney transplantation rates in poorer populations.

Burden, access, and disparities in kidney disease

Kidney disease is a global public health problem, affecting over 750 million persons worldwide. The burden of kidney disease varies substantially across the world, as does its detection and treatment. In many settings, rates of kidney disease and the provision of its care are defined by socio-economic, cultural, and political factors leading to significant disparities. World Kidney Day 2019 offers an opportunity to raise awareness of kidney disease and highlight disparities in its burden and current state of global capacity for prevention and management. Here, we highlight that many countries still lack access to basic diagnostics, a trained nephrology workforce, universal access to primary health care, and renal replacement therapies. We point to the need for strengthening basic infrastructure for kidney care services for early detection and management of acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease across all countries and advocate for more pragmatic approaches to providing renal replacement therapies. Achieving universal health coverage worldwide by 2030 is one of the World Health Organization's Sustainable Development Goals. While universal health coverage may not include all elements of kidney care in all countries, understanding what is feasible and important for a country or region with a focus on reducing the burden and consequences of kidney disease would be an important step toward achieving kidney health equity.

Burden, access, and disparities in kidney disease

This article was published in Kidney International volume 95, pages 242–248, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.kint.2018.11.007, Copyright World Kidney Day 2019 Steering Committee (2019) and is reprinted concurrently in several journals. The articles cover identical concepts and wording, but vary in minor stylistic and spelling changes, detail, and length of manuscript in keeping with each journal's style. Any of these versions may be used in citing this article. Note that all authors contributed equally to the conception, preparation, and editing of the manuscript.

Kidney disease is a global public health problem, affecting over 750 million persons worldwide. The burden of kidney disease varies substantially across the world, as does its detection and treatment. In many settings, rates of kidney disease and the provision of its care are defined by socio-economic, cultural, and political factors leading to significant disparities. World Kidney Day 2019 offers an opportunity to raise awareness of kidney disease and highlight disparities in its burden and current state of global capacity for prevention and management. Here, we highlight that many countries still lack access to basic diagnostics, a trained nephrology workforce, universal access to primary health care, and renal replacement therapies. We point to the need for strengthening basic infrastructure for kidney care services for early detection and management of acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease across all countries and advocate for more pragmatic approaches to providing renal replacement therapies. Achieving universal health coverage worldwide by 2030 is one of the World Health Organization's Sustainable Development Goals. While universal health coverage may not include all elements of kidney care in all countries, understanding what is feasible and important for a country or region with a focus on reducing the burden and consequences of kidney disease would be an important step towards achieving kidney health equity.

Associations between access to healthcare, environmental quality, and end-stage renal disease survival time: Proportional-hazards models of over 1,000,000 people over 14 years

Prevalence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in the US increased by 74% from 2000 to 2013. To investigate the role of the broader environment on ESRD survival time, we evaluated average distance to the nearest hospital by county (as a surrogate for access to healthcare) and the Environmental Quality Index (EQI), an aggregate measure of ambient environmental quality composed of five domains (air, water, land, built, and sociodemographic), at the county level across the US. Associations between average hospital distance, EQI, and survival time for 1,092,281 people diagnosed with ESRD between 2000 and 2013 (age 18+, without changes in county residence) from the US Renal Data System were evaluated using proportional-hazards models adjusting for gender, race, age at first ESRD service date, BMI, alcohol and tobacco use, and rurality. The models compared the average distance to the nearest hospital (<10, 10-20, >20 miles) and overall EQI percentiles [0-5), [5-20), [20-40), [40-60), [60-80), [80-95), and [95-100], where lower percentiles are interpreted as better EQI. In the full, non-stratified model with both distance and EQI, there was increased survival for patients over 20 miles from a hospital compared to those under 10 miles from a hospital (hazard ratio = 1.14, 95% confidence interval = 1.12-1.15) and no consistent direction of association across EQI strata. In the full model stratified by average hospital distance, under 10 miles from a hospital had increased survival in the worst EQI strata (median survival 3.0 vs. 3.5 years for best vs. worst EQI, respectively), however for people over 20 miles from a hospital, median survival was higher in the best (4.2 years) vs worst (3.4 years) EQI. This association held across different rural/urban categories and age groups. These results demonstrate the importance of considering multiple factors when studying ESRD survival and future efforts should consider additional components of the broader environment.

Burden, Access, and Disparities in Kidney Disease

Kidney disease is a global public health problem, affecting more than 750 million persons worldwide. The burden of kidney disease varies substantially across the world, as does its detection and treatment. In many settings, rates of kidney disease and the provision of its care are defined by socioeconomic, cultural, and political factors leading to significant disparities. World Kidney Day 2019 offers an opportunity to raise awareness of kidney disease and highlight disparities in its burden and current state of global capacity for prevention and management. Here, we highlight that many countries still lack access to basic diagnostics, a trained nephrology workforce, universal access to primary health care, and renal replacement therapies. We point to the need for strengthening basic infrastructure for kidney care services for early detection and management of acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease across all countries and advocate for more pragmatic approaches to providing renal replacement therapies. Achieving universal health coverage worldwide by 2030 is one of the World Health Organization’s Sustainable Development Goals. Although universal health coverage may not include all elements of kidney care in all countries, understanding what is feasible and important for a country or region with a focus on reducing the burden and consequences of kidney disease would be an important step toward achieving kidney health equity.

Burden, Access, and Disparities in Kidney Disease

Kidney disease is a global public health problem, affecting over 750 million persons worldwide. The burden of kidney disease varies substantially across the world. In many settings, rates of kidney disease and the provision of its care are defined by socioeconomic, cultural, and political factors leading to significant disparities. World Kidney Day 2019 offers an opportunity to raise awareness of kidney disease and highlight disparities in its burden and current state of global capacity for prevention and management. Here, we highlight the need for strengthening basic infrastructure for kidney care services for early detection and management of acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease across all countries and advocate for more pragmatic approaches to providing renal replacement therapies. Achieving universal health coverage worldwide by 2030 is a World Health Organization Sustainable Development Goal. While universal health coverage may not include all elements of kidney care in all countries, understanding what is locally feasible and important with a focus on reducing the burden and consequences of kidney disease would be an important step towards achieving kidney health equity.

Burden, Access, and Disparities in Kidney Disease

Kidney disease is a global public health problem, affecting over 750 million persons worldwide. The burden of kidney disease varies substantially across the world. In many settings, rates of kidney disease and the provision of its care are defined by socioeconomic, cultural, and political factors leading to significant disparities. World Kidney Day 2019 offers an opportunity to raise awareness of kidney disease and highlight disparities in its burden and current state of global capacity for prevention and management. Here, we highlight the need for strengthening basic infrastructure for kidney care services for early detection and management of acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease across all countries and advocate for more pragmatic approaches to providing renal replacement therapies. Achieving universal health coverage worldwide by 2030 is a World Health Organization Sustainable Development Goal. While universal health coverage may not include all elements of kidney care in all countries, understanding what is locally feasible and important with a focus on reducing the burden and consequences of kidney disease would be an important step towards achieving kidney health equity.

Burden, access and disparities in kidney disease

Kidney disease is a global public health problem, affecting over 750 million persons worldwide. The burden of kidney disease varies substantially across the world. In many settings, rates of kidney disease and the provision of its care are defined by socio-economic, cultural and political factors leading to significant disparities. World Kidney Day 2019 offers an opportunity to raise awareness of kidney disease and highlight disparities in its burden and current state of global capacity for prevention and management. Here we highlight the need for strengthening basic infrastructure for kidney care services for early detection and management of acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease across all countries and advocate for more pragmatic approaches to providing renal replacement therapies. Achieving universal health coverage worldwide by 2030 is a World Health Organization Sustainable Development Goal. While universal health coverage may not include all elements of kidney care in all countries, understanding what is locally feasible and important with a focus on reducing the burden and consequences of kidney disease would be an important step towards achieving kidney health equity.

Burden, access and disparities in kidney disease

Kidney disease is a global public health problem, affecting over 750 million persons worldwide. The burden of kidney disease varies substantially across the world, as does its detection and treatment. In many settings, rates of kidney disease and the provision of its care are defined by socio-economic, cultural, and political factors leading to significant disparities. World Kidney Day 2019 offers an opportunity to raise awareness of kidney disease and highlight disparities in its burden and current state of global capacity for prevention and management. Here, we highlight that many countries still lack access to basic diagnostics, a trained nephrology workforce, universal access to primary health care, and renal replacement therapies. We point to the need for strengthening basic infrastructure for kidney care services for early detection and management of acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease across all countries and advocate for more pragmatic approaches to providing renal replacement therapies. Achieving universal health coverage worldwide by 2030 is one of the World Health Organization's Sustainable Development Goals. While universal health coverage may not include all elements of kidney care in all countries, understanding what is feasible and important for a country or region with a focus on reducing the burden and consequences of kidney disease would be an important step towards achieving kidney health equity.

Burden, Access, and Disparities in Kidney Disease

Kidney disease is a global public health problem, affecting over 750 million persons worldwide. The burden of kidney disease varies substantially across the world. In many settings, rates of kidney disease and the provision of its care are defined by socioeconomic, cultural, and political factors leading to significant disparities. World Kidney Day 2019 offers an opportunity to raise awareness of kidney disease and highlight disparities in its burden and current state of global capacity for prevention and management. Here, we highlight the need for strengthening basic infrastructure for kidney care services for early detection and management of acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease across all countries and advocate for more pragmatic approaches to providing renal replacement therapies. Achieving universal health coverage worldwide by 2030 is a World Health Organization Sustainable Development Goal. While universal health coverage may not include all elements of kidney care in all countries, understanding what is locally feasible and important with a focus on reducing the burden and consequences of kidney disease would be an important step towards achieving kidney health equity.

Burden, access, and disparities in kidney disease

Kidney disease is a global public health problem, affecting over 750 million persons worldwide. The burden of kidney disease varies substantially across the world, as does its detection and treatment. In many settings, rates of kidney disease and the provision of its care are defined by socio-economic, cultural, and political factors leading to significant disparities. World Kidney Day 2019 offers an opportunity to raise awareness of kidney disease and highlight disparities in its burden and current state of global capacity for prevention and management. Here, we highlight that many countries still lack access to basic diagnostics, a trained nephrology workforce, universal access to primary health care, and renal replacement therapies. We point to the need for strengthening basic infrastructure for kidney care services for early detection and management of acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease across all countries and advocate for more pragmatic approaches to providing renal replacement therapies. Achieving universal health coverage worldwide by 2030 is one of the World Health Organization's Sustainable Development Goals. While universal health coverage may not include all elements of kidney care in all countries, understanding what is feasible and important for a country or region with a focus on reducing the burden and consequences of kidney disease would be an important step towards achieving kidney health equity.

2019 World Kidney Day Editorial - burden, access, and disparities in kidney disease

Kidney disease is a global public health problem, affecting over 750 million persons worldwide. The burden of kidney disease varies substantially across the world, as does its detection and treatment. In many settings, rates of kidney disease and the provision of its care are defined by socio-economic, cultural, and political factors leading to significant disparities. World Kidney Day 2019 offers an opportunity to raise awareness of kidney disease and highlight disparities in its burden and current state of global capacity for prevention and management. Here, we highlight that many countries still lack access to basic diagnostics, a trained nephrology workforce, universal access to primary health care, and renal replacement therapies. We point to the need for strengthening basic infrastructure for kidney care services for early detection and management of acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease across all countries and advocate for more pragmatic approaches to providing renal replacement therapies. Achieving universal health coverage worldwide by 2030 is one of the World Health Organization's Sustainable Development Goals. While universal health coverage may not include all elements of kidney care in all countries, understanding what is feasible and important for a country or region with a focus on reducing the burden and consequences of kidney disease would be an important step towards achieving kidney health equity.

Racial Disparities in Nephrology Consultation and Disease Progression among Veterans with CKD: An Observational Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Incident rates of ESRD are much higher among black and Hispanic patients than white patients. Access to nephrology care before progression to ESRD is associated with better clinical outcomes among patients with CKD. However, it is unknown whether black or Hispanic patients with CKD experience lower pre-ESRD nephrology consultation rates compared with their white counterparts, or whether such a disparity contributes to worse outcomes among minorities.

METHODS

We assembled a retrospective cohort of patients with CKD who received care through the Veterans Health Administration from 2003 to 2015, focusing on individuals with incident CKD stage 4 who had an initial eGFR≥60 ml/min per 1.73 m² followed by two consecutive eGFRs<30 ml/min per 1.73 m². We repeated analyses among individuals with incident CKD stage 3. Outcomes included nephrology provider referral, nephrology provider visit, progression to CKD stage 5, and mortality.

RESULTS

We identified 56,767 veterans with CKD stage 4 and 640,704 with CKD stage 3. In both cohorts, rates of nephrology referral and visits were significantly higher among black and Hispanic veterans than among non-Hispanic white veterans. Despite this, both black and Hispanic patients experienced faster progression to CKD stage 5 compared with white patients. Black patients with CKD stage 4 experienced slightly lower mortality than white patients, whereas black patients with CKD stage 3 had a small increased risk of death.

CONCLUSIONS

Black or Hispanic veterans with CKD are more likely than white patients to see a nephrologist, yet are also more likely to suffer disease progression. Biologic and environmental factors may play a bigger role than nephrology consultation in driving racial disparities in CKD progression.

Evidence of chronic kidney disease in veterans with incident diabetes mellitus

While chronic kidney disease (CKD) is regularly evaluated among patients with diabetes, kidney function may be significantly impaired before diabetes is diagnosed. Moreover, disparities in the severity of CKD in such a population are likely. This study evaluated the extent of CKD in a national cohort of 36,764 US veterans first diagnosed with diabetes between 2003 and 2013 and prior to initiating oral antidiabetic therapy. Evidence of CKD (any stage) at the time of diabetes diagnosis was determined using eGFR and urine-albumin-creatinine ratios, the odds of which were assessed using logistic regression controlling for patient characteristics. CKD was evident in 31.6% of veterans prior to being diagnosed with diabetes (age and gender standardized rates: 241.8 per 1,000 adults [overall] and 247.7 per 1,000 adult males), over half of whom had at least moderate kidney disease (stage 3 or higher). The odds of CKD tended to increase with age (OR: 1.88; 95% CI: 1.82-1.93), hemoglobin A1C (OR: 1.05; 95% CI: 1.04-1.06), systolic blood pressure (OR: 1.04; 95% CI: 1.027-1.043), and BMI (OR: 1.016; 95% CI: 1.011-1.020). Both Asian Americans (OR: 1.53; 95% CI: 1.15-2.04) and African Americans (OR: 1.11; 95% CI: 1.03-1.20) had higher adjusted odds of CKD compared to whites, and prevalence was highest in the Upper Midwest and parts of the Mid-South. Results suggest that evidence of CKD is common among veterans before a diabetes diagnosis, and certain populations throughout the country, such as minorities, may be afflicted at higher rates.

Genomic medicine for kidney disease

Technologies such as next-generation sequencing and chromosomal microarray have advanced the understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of a variety of renal disorders. Genetic findings are increasingly used to inform the clinical management of many nephropathies, enabling targeted disease surveillance, choice of therapy, and family counselling. Genetic analysis has excellent diagnostic utility in paediatric nephrology, as illustrated by sequencing studies of patients with congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract and steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome. Although additional investigation is needed, pilot studies suggest that genetic testing can also provide similar diagnostic insight among adult patients. Reaching a genetic diagnosis first involves choosing the appropriate testing modality, as guided by the clinical presentation of the patient and the number of potential genes associated with the suspected nephropathy. Genome-wide sequencing increases diagnostic sensitivity relative to targeted panels, but holds the challenges of identifying causal variants in the vast amount of data generated and interpreting secondary findings. In order to realize the promise of genomic medicine for kidney disease, many technical, logistical, and ethical questions that accompany the implementation of genetic testing in nephrology must be addressed. The creation of evidence-based guidelines for the utilization and implementation of genetic testing in nephrology will help to translate genetic knowledge into improved clinical outcomes for patients with kidney disease.

Cardiovascular Health in African Americans: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Population-wide reductions in cardiovascular disease incidence and mortality have not been shared equally by African Americans. The burden of cardiovascular disease in the African American community remains high and is a primary cause of disparities in life expectancy between African Americans and whites. The objectives of the present scientific statement are to describe cardiovascular health in African Americans and to highlight unique considerations for disease prevention and management.

METHOD

The primary sources of information were identified with PubMed/Medline and online sources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

RESULTS

The higher prevalence of traditional cardiovascular risk factors (eg, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk) underlies the relatively earlier age of onset of cardiovascular diseases among African Americans. Hypertension in particular is highly prevalent among African Americans and contributes directly to the notable disparities in stroke, heart failure, and peripheral artery disease among African Americans. Despite the availability of effective pharmacotherapies and indications for some tailored pharmacotherapies for African Americans (eg, heart failure medications), disease management is less effective among African Americans, yielding higher mortality. Explanations for these persistent disparities in cardiovascular disease are multifactorial and span from the individual level to the social environment.

CONCLUSIONS

The strategies needed to promote equity in the cardiovascular health of African Americans require input from a broad set of stakeholders, including clinicians and researchers from across multiple disciplines.

Rate of renal function decline, race and referral to nephrology in a large cohort of primary care patients

INTRODUCTION

Late nephrology referral is associated with adverse outcomes especially among minorities. Research on the association of the rate of chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression with nephrology referral in white versus black patients is lacking.

OBJECTIVES

Compute the odds of nephrology referral in primary care and their associations with race and the rate of CKD progression.

METHODS

Electronic health record data were obtained from 2170 patients in primary care clinics in the Saint Louis metropolitan area with at least two estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) values over a 7-year observation period. Fast CKD progression was defined as a decline in eGFR of ≥5 ml/min/1.73 m2/year. Logistic regression models were computed to measure the associations between eGFR progression, race and nephrology referral before and after adjusting for potential confounding factors.

RESULTS

Nephrology referrals were significantly more prevalent among those with fast compared to slow progression (5.6 versus 2.0%, P < 0.0001), however, a majority of fast progressors were not referred. Fast CKD progression and black race were associated with increased odds of nephrology referral (OR = 2.74; 95% CI: 1.60-4.72 and OR = 2.42; 95% CI: 1.28-4.56, respectively). The interaction of race and eGFR progression in nephrology referral was found to be non-significant.

CONCLUSION

Nephrology referrals are more common in fast CKD progression, but referrals are underutilized. Nephrology referral is more common among blacks but its' association with rate of decline does not differ by race. Further studies are required to investigate the benefit of early referral of patients at risk of fast CKD progression.

FGF23 and Nutritional Metabolism

The discovery of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) has provided a more complete understanding of the regulation of phosphate and mineral homeostasis in health and in chronic kidney disease. It has also offered new insights into stratification of risk of cardiovascular events and death among patients with chronic kidney disease and the general population. In this review, we provide an overview of FGF23 biology and physiology, summarize clinical outcomes that have been associated with FGF23, discuss potential mechanisms for these observations and their public health implications, and explore clinical and population health interventions that aim to reduce FGF23 levels and improve public health.

Hemodialysis Disparities in African Americans: The Deeply Integrated Concept of Race in the Social Fabric of Our Society

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is one of the starkest examples of racial/ethnic disparities in health. Racial/ethnic minorities are 1.5 to nearly 4 times more likely than their non-Hispanic White counterparts to require renal replacement therapy (RRT), with African Americans suffering from the highest rates of ESRD. Despite improvements over the last 25 years, substantial racial differences are persistent in dialysis quality measures such as RRT modality options, dialysis adequacy, anemia, mineral and bone disease, vascular access, and pre-ESRD care. This report will outline the current status of racial disparities in key ESRD quality measures and explore the impact of race. While the term race represents a social construct, its association with health is more complex. Multiple individual and community level social determinants of health are defined by the social positioning of race in the U.S., while biologic differences may reflect distinct epigenetic changes and linkages to ancestral geographic origins. Together, these factors conspire to influence dialysis outcomes among African Americans with ESRD.

Conformity Scores Differentiate Older Hemodialyzed Patients and Patients with Continuous Peritoneal Dialysis

Background

Conformity is a psychological variable related to the propensity of an individual to match his or her behavior and opinion to the perceived social and cultural norm, even if these do not represent the true beliefs of the person. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the psychological variable of conformity is different in two distinct modes of renal replacement therapy (RRT) in end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

Material/Methods

A total of 56 hemodialyzed patients (HD group), 45 continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients (CAPD group) and 62 healthy volunteers (CONTR group) were enrolled in the study. The Social Appraisal Questionnaire (SAQ) was employed, and chart review was performed to collect clinical data.

Results

When age was not a factor, the conformity measure was significantly higher in the HD group compared with the CAPD and CONTR groups. The lowest conformity was found in healthy participants who were asked to imagine an acute medical problem. The highest conformity was found in older HD and CAPD patients.

Conclusions

Being chronically ill and having adaptable views may be more favorable traits for coping with ESRD in dialyzed patients, especially in elderly HD patients. On the other hand, conformity can be deleterious if CAPD patients decide to overlook certain facts or not confront the medical aspects of their condition.

Racial differences in acute kidney injury of hospitalized adults with diabetes

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether there is a racial difference in the risk of acute kidney injury between hospitalized black and white adults with diabetes mellitus in the United States

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We analyzed cross-sectional data from the 2000-2010 National Hospital Discharge Survey (NHDS) to compare the odds of AKI among hospitalized black and white adults with diabetes. After excluding records in which race status was missing, race was other than white or black, discharge status was not provided, or end-stage renal disease was a diagnosis, we identified 276,138 eligible records for analysis. Multivariable logistic regression was used to analyze the association between race, AKI, and in-hospital mortality. Multivariable linear regression was used to analyze the association between length of stay and race among discharge records with a diagnosis of AKI.

RESULTS

In this nationally representative sample of hospitalized U.S. adults with diabetes, blacks had a 50% higher age- and sex-adjusted odds of AKI compared to whites (odds ratio: 1.51; 95% CI 1.37-1.66). The association between black race and increased risk of AKI persisted after additional adjustment for multiple AKI-related risk factors, including chronic kidney disease, sepsis, hypertension, hypotension, length of stay, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, angiography, computed tomography scan, cirrhosis, admission source, payor source, hospital region, and hospital bed size (OR 1.71; 95% CI, 1.31-2.25). Among cases of AKI, there was no racial difference in length of stay or in-hospital mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Among hospitalized adults in the U.S. with diabetes, black race is associated with a higher risk of AKI compared to white race.

The Survival of Roma Minority Patients on Chronic Hemodialysis Therapy - A Romanian Multicenter Survey

OBJECTIVE

The Roma minority represents the largest ethnic group in Central and South-East European countries. Data regarding the mortality in Roma hemodialysis subjects are limited. We evaluated the 3 year mortality of ESRD Roma patients treated with hemodialysis (HD).

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING

Our prospective cohort study included 600 ESRD patients on HD therapy recruited from 7 HD centers, from the main geographical regions of Romania. The median age of the patients was 56 (19) years, 332 (55.3%) being males, 51 (8.5%) having Roma ethnicity.

RESULTS

Roma ESRD patients initiate dialysis at a younger age, 47.8 years vs. 52.3 years (P = 0.017), present higher serum albumin (P = 0.013) and higher serum phosphate levels (P = 0.021). In the Roma group, the overall 3 year mortality was higher when compared to Caucasians (33.3% vs. 24.8%). The multivariate survival analysis revealed that being of Roma ethnicity is an independent risk factor for mortality (HR = 1.74; 95% CI = 1.04-2.91; P = 0.035).

CONCLUSIONS

Roma patients with ESRD initiate HD therapy at a younger age as compared to Caucasians. They have a higher 3 year mortality rate and are dying at a younger age. Roma ethnicity represents an independent risk factor for mortality in our cohort.

Effective CKD care in European countries: challenges and opportunities for health policy

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an important global public health problem that is associated with adverse health outcomes and high health care costs. Effective and cost-effective treatments are available for slowing the progression of CKD and preventing its complications, including cardiovascular disease. Although wealthy nations have highly structured schemes in place to support the care of people with kidney failure, less consideration has been given to health systems and policy for the much larger population of people with non-dialysis-dependent CKD. Further, how to integrate such strategies with national and international initiatives for control of other chronic noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) merits attention. We synthesized the various approaches to CKD control across 17 European countries and present our findings according to the key domains suggested by the World Health Organization framework for NCD control. This report identifies opportunities to strengthen CKD-relevant health systems and explores potential mechanisms to capitalize on these opportunities. Across the 17 countries studied, we found a number of common barriers to the care of people with non-dialysis-dependent CKD: limited work force capacity, the nearly complete absence of mechanisms for disease surveillance, lack of a coordinated CKD care strategy, poor integration of CKD care with other NCD control initiatives, and low awareness of the significance of CKD. These common challenges faced by diverse health systems reflect the need for international cooperation to strengthen health systems and policies for CKD care.