Residual Urine Output and Mortality in a Prospective Hemodialysis Cohort

High level of soluble tumor necrosis factor receptors is associated with lower residual diuresis volume in patients on hemodialysis: An exploratory study

OBJECTIVE

Patients on hemodialysis commonly present with elevated inflammatory markers. It is noteworthy, however, that higher levels of these markers may deteriorate residual renal function in in these individuals. Further investigation is essential to clarify the potential link between systemic chronic inflammatory parameters and residual diuresis volume in this population, particularly when accounting for confounding variables such as body composition. This study aimed to explore the possible relationship between inflammatory parameters and residual diuresis volume in patients on hemodialysis.

METHODS

Blood samples were collected from patients on hemodialysis for the analysis of soluble receptors: 1) tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (sTNFR1), 2) tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (sTNFR2), and 3) leptin. Confounding variables, such as gender, age, duration of hemodialysis, Kt/V (a measure of dialysis adequacy), and body composition assessed using the dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), were also evaluated. Data analyses were conducted using both single and multiple regression models, adjusted for the confounding parameters.

RESULTS

Of the total sixty participants, 27 (45%) were classified as anuric, and 33 (55%) as non-anuric. High sTNFR1 plasma levels were associated with a lower residual diuresis volume, irrespective of adjustments for confounding parameters (R² = 25.4%; β = 0.504; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

This study supports the hypothesis that higher systemic levels of sTNFR1 may deteriorate residual renal function, as evidenced by the lower residual diuresis volume observed in patients on hemodialysis. These findings suggest that interventions aimed at reducing systemic inflammation may be beneficial in preserving residual renal function and improving clinical outcomes in these patients. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is characterized by any persistent alteration or abnormality in kidney structure or function lasting over ninety days [1]. CKD's subtle onset complicates diagnosis, and once established, it often progresses irreversibly [2]. Recognized globally as a major public health issue [3], CKD affects 10-13% of adults in economically advanced countries [1]. In Brazil, CKD poses significant healthcare challenges, causing over 35,000 deaths annually and incurring substantial treatment costs [4]. Projections indicate around 10 million CKD cases in Brazil, with about 90,000 individuals requiring dialysis [5,6]. This data underscores the urgent need to address CKD as a critical health challenge and develop comprehensive strategies to mitigate its impact on public health and healthcare costs.

Expanded Hemodialysis with Theranova Dialyzer and Residual Kidney Function in Patients Starting Long-Term Hemodialysis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background

Expanded hemodialysis using a medium cutoff dialyzer improves the clearance of middle-molecular toxins compared with conventional hemodialysis. This study evaluated the effect of expanded hemodialysis on preserving residual kidney function in patients starting treatment with long-term hemodialysis.

Methods

Patients who initiated long-term hemodialysis were randomized to receive dialysis with either a Theranova 400 (Baxter) or a high-flux dialyzer with a similar surface area over 12 months. The primary outcome was a change in GFR over 12 months, as determined by the mean of urea and creatinine clearance. The secondary outcome was a change in 24-hour urine volume, middle molecules, and kidney injury markers.

Results

A total of 80 patients on hemodialysis (mean age [SD]: 63 [12] years; male: 52 [65%]) underwent randomization. Over 12 months, the Theranova group demonstrated a significantly smaller decrease in GFR than the high-flux group (least squares mean difference of change [95% confidence interval], −1.4 [−2.4 to −0.5] ml/min per 1.73 m2). Theranova maintained greater 24-hour urine volume until 9 months, not at 12 months, compared with the high-flux dialyzer. The reduction ratio for κ/λ free light chains, TNF-α, and growth differentiation factor-15 was higher in the Theranova group than in the high-flux group. The increase in the kidney injury marker, IGF-binding protein 7, was attenuated in the Theranova group. Hospitalization rate and mortality did not differ between the two groups.

Conclusions

This trial suggests that expanded hemodialysis using the Theranova dialyzer slowed decline in residual kidney function compared with a high-flux dialyzer in patients starting treatment with long-term hemodialysis.

Incremental hemodialysis transition in veterans and nonveterans with kidney failure

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Initiation of hemodialysis treatment with a thrice-weekly prescription is currently the standard of care irrespective of patients' residual kidney function (RKF), comorbidities, and preferences.

RECENT FINDINGS

Each year ∼12 000 Veterans with advanced kidney disease progress to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) requiring dialysis and comprise greater than 10% of the US incident ESKD population. Dialysis is costly and is associated with impaired health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and high mortality risk, especially in the first year of treatment. Evidence suggests an incremental dialysis transition using twice-weekly hemodialysis provides various benefits, including more dialysis-free time, longer RKF preservation, less vascular access damage, and lower patient burden. Pragmatic studies are needed to inform the efficacy and safety of incremental hemodialysis as a personalized dialysis regimen, and could inform its consideration as a conservation strategy during times of supply shortages. Broadly implementing twice-weekly hemodialysis could also potentially allow more Veterans to receive care within VA-based dialysis units. The VA IncHVets Trial is a pragmatic, multicenter, randomized controlled trial comparing the efficacy and safety of twice-weekly incremental vs. thrice-weekly hemodialysis among Veterans transitioning to ESKD.

SUMMARY

Further research is needed to determine whether incremental hemodialysis is well tolerated, effective, and facilitates a more favorable transition to dialysis.

Peritoneal dialysis for acute kidney injury: back on the front-line

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) for acute kidney injury (AKI) has been available for nearly 80 years and has been through periods of use and disuse largely determined by availability of other modalities of kidney replacement therapy and the relative enthusiasm of clinicians. In the past 10 years there has been a resurgence in the use of acute PD globally, facilitated by promotion of PD for AKI in lower resource countries by nephrology organizations effected through the Saving Young Lives program and collaborations with the World Health Organisation, the development of guidelines standardizing prescribing practices and finally the COVID-19 pandemic. This review highlights the history of PD for AKI and looks at misconceptions about efficacy as well as the available evidence demonstrating that acute PD is a safe and lifesaving therapy with comparable outcomes to other modalities of treatment.

Dialysis symptom index burden and symptom clusters in a prospective cohort of dialysis patients

Background

Dialysis patients experience a high symptom burden, which may adversely impact their quality of life. Whereas other specialties emphasize routine symptom assessment, symptom burden is not well-characterized in dialysis patients. We sought to examine the prevalence and severity of unpleasant symptoms in a prospective hemodialysis cohort.

Methods

Among 122 hemodialysis patients from the prospective Malnutrition, Diet, and Racial Disparities in Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) study, CKD-associated symptoms were ascertained by the Dialysis Symptom Index, a validated survey assessing symptom burden/severity (with higher scores indicating greater symptom severity), over 6/2020–10/2020. We examined the presence of (1) individual symptoms and symptom severity scores, and (2) symptom clusters (defined as ≥ 2 related concurrent symptoms), as well as correlations with clinical characteristics.

Results

Symptom severity scores were higher among non-Hispanic White and Hispanic patients, whereas scores were lower in Black and Asian/Pacific Islander patients. In the overall cohort, the most common individual symptoms included feeling tired/lack of energy (71.3%), dry skin (61.5%), trouble falling asleep (44.3%), muscle cramps (42.6%), and itching (42.6%), with similar patterns observed across racial/ethnic groups. The most prevalent symptom clusters included feeling tired/lack of energy + trouble falling asleep (37.7%); trouble falling asleep + trouble staying asleep (34.4%); and feeling tired/lack of energy + trouble staying asleep (32.0%). Lower hemoglobin, iron stores, and dialysis adequacy correlated with higher individual and overall symptom severity scores.

Conclusion

We observed a high prevalence of unpleasant symptoms and symptom clusters in a diverse hemodialysis cohort. Further studies are needed to identify targeted therapies that ameliorate symptom burden in CKD.

Graphical abstract

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40620-022-01313-0.

African Americans' Hemodialysis Treatment Adherence Data Assessment and Presentation: A Precision-Based Paradigm Shift to Support Quality Improvement Activities

RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE

Thrice-weekly hemodialysis can result in adequate urea clearance; however, the morbidity and mortality rates of patients treated with maintenance dialysis remain unacceptably high, partly because of nonadherence. African Americans have a higher prevalence of kidney failure treated with dialysis, greater dialysis nonadherence, and higher odds of hospitalization. We hypothesized that more precise ways of assessing dialysis treatment adherence will reflect the severity of nonadherence, distinguish patterns of nonadherence, and inform the design of personalized behavioral interventions.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING & PARTICIPANTS

African American patients receiving hemodialysis for >90 days.

EXPOSURE

Hemodialysis.

OUTCOME

Dialysis adherence.

ANALYTICAL APPROACH

Dialysis attendance data were displayed using a dot plot, categorized based on missed and shortened treatments, and examined for patterns. Descriptive characteristics were reported. In an exploratory analysis, associations between dialysis treatment adherence and participant characteristics were evaluated using ordinary least squares regression. An analysis was performed using missed minutes of dialysis and current metrics for measuring dialysis treatment adherence (ie, missed and shortened treatments).

RESULTS

Among 113 African American patients treated with dialysis, 47% were men; the median age was 57 years (interquartile range, 46-70 years), and the median dialysis vintage was 54 months (interquartile range, 22-90 months). With rows ordered based on the total missed minutes of dialysis, the dot plot displayed a decreasing gradient in the severity of nonadherence, with novel dialysis treatment adherence categories termed as follows: consistent underdialysis, inconsistent dialysis, and consistent dialysis. Distinct patterns of nonadherence and heterogeneity emerged within these categories. Older age was consistently associated with better adherence, as determined by the analyses performed using the total missed minutes of dialysis as well as missed and shortened treatments.

LIMITATIONS

The study findings, although replicable and paradigm-shifting, might be limited by the short timeline, focus on adherence data specific to African American patients treated with dialysis, and restriction to dialysis units affiliated with 1 academic center.

CONCLUSIONS

This study presents more precise and novel ways of measuring and displaying dialysis treatment adherence. The findings introduce a more personalized approach for evaluating actual dialysis uptake. Identification of unique patterns of adherence behavior is important to inform the design of effective behavioral interventions and improve outcomes for vulnerable African American patients treated with dialysis.

Residual Renal Function - How Fast Does the Residual Urine Output Function Decline in the First Year of Haemodialysis? - A Scoping Review

Background

Haemodialysis is the most common treatment method in Australia for individuals requiring renal replacement therapy. Although it is known that the residual renal function in these patients has many advantages for their overall health outcomes and that the residual urine volume production is also declining over time, it is unknown how fast this functional decline occurs when patients are embarking on their first year on haemodialysis.

Aim

This scoping review sought to determine if the functional decline in renal residual function in the first year of haemodialysis has been previously investigated, documented or quantified.

Method

The scoping review was performed using variety of nursing and medical databases comprising MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science and CINAHL Plus with Full Text.

Results

The decline of renal residual function in patients on Peritoneal dialysis over the first year of treatment has previously been described, but not in detail for patients receiving haemodialysis. There is a paucity of knowledge how fast residual urine production can decline in patients receiving haemodialysis during their first year of treatment. A PRISMA checklist has been used to validate the results of this scoping review.

Conclusions

The extended preservation of renal residual function in patients on haemodialysis is crucial for their survival and may have a positive impact on their quality of life. An observational study is needed to examine how fast the functional decrease of the residual urine production function within patients receiving haemodialysis generally occurs. This information could prove to be useful in the context of treatment goals and could inform clinical practice.