Guidelines, policies, and barriers to kidney care: findings from a global survey

Phytoestrogens and Sirtuin Activation for Renal Protection: A Review of Potential Therapeutic Strategies

Significant health and socio-economic challenges are posed by renal diseases, leading to millions of deaths annually. The costs associated with treating and caring for patients with renal diseases are considerable. Current therapies rely on synthetic drugs that often come with side effects. However, phytoestrogens, natural compounds, are emerging as promising renal protective agents. They offer a relatively safe, effective, and cost-efficient alternative to existing therapies. Phytoestrogens, being structurally similar to 17-β-estradiol, bind to estrogen receptors and produce both beneficial and, in some cases, harmful health effects. The activation of sirtuins has shown promise in mitigating fibrosis and inflammation in renal tissues. Specifically, SIRT1, which is a crucial regulator of metabolic activities, plays a role in protecting against nephrotoxicity, reducing albuminuria, safeguarding podocytes, and lowering reactive oxygen species in diabetic glomerular injury. Numerous studies have highlighted the ability of phytoestrogens to activate sirtuins, strengthen antioxidant defense, and promote mitochondrial biogenesis, playing a vital role in renal protection during kidney injury. These findings support further investigation into the potential role of phytoestrogens in renal protection. This manuscript reviews the potential of phytoestrogens such as resveratrol, genistein, coumestrol, daidzein, and formononetin in regulating sirtuin activity, particularly SIRT1, and thereby providing renal protection. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for designing effective treatment strategies using naturally occurring phytochemicals against renal diseases.

Global Policy and Advocacy Initiatives for Improving Kidney Care: Report from the 2023 International Society of Nephrology Global Kidney Health Atlas

Key Points

Inclusion and prioritization of CKD and kidney failure within national health strategies are generally lacking. Countries with CKD-specific strategies tend to include and fund a broader spectrum of kidney disease populations and kidney care. Greater global and national prioritization of kidney health are required to reduce global inequities in access to kidney care.

Background

National strategies to address CKD are crucial to support kidney health. Lack of political support in the form of policy decisions and funding leads to fragmentation of kidney care and catastrophic health expenditure. This study used data from the third iteration of the International Society of Nephrology Global Kidney Health Atlas to obtain a global overview of the existence and reach of national strategies for kidney care.

Methods

We leveraged data from an international survey of stakeholders (clinicians, policymakers, and patient advocates) conducted by the International Society of Nephrology between July and September 2022. Data were extracted on existence and scope of national noncommunicable disease (NCD) and/or CKD-specific strategies and policies, as well as recognition of kidney disease as a national health priority through participant perception and existence of CKD advocacy groups.

Results

Overall, stakeholders from 167 countries responded to the survey, representing 97.4% of the global population. National strategies for NCDs were reported by 56% of countries. In 29% of countries, CKD was addressed within an NCD strategy, whereas 25% of countries reported CKD-specific strategies. Countries with CKD-specific strategies were more likely to address all CKD populations (non–dialysis-dependent CKD, chronic dialysis, and kidney transplantation) compared with those with NCD strategies only (51.2% versus 19%). Of the 54% of countries with any CKD strategy, 89% reported public funding of the full spectrum of CKD care compared with 64% of those with no CKD strategy. Kidney failure, CKD, and AKI were reported to be recognized as national health priorities by 63%, 48%, and 19% of countries, respectively.

Conclusions

The inclusion of CKD and kidney failure within national health strategies is frequently lacking. Countries with CKD-specific policies tend to include a broader spectrum of kidney disease populations and to fund kidney care more than those with CKD policies integrated within NCD strategies. Greater global and national prioritization of kidney health are required to reduce global inequities in access to kidney care.

Sphingosine 1-phosphate protective effect on human proximal tubule cells submitted to an in vitro ischemia model: the role of JAK2/STAT3

Acute kidney injury is a serious public health problem worldwide, being ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) the main lesion-aggravating factor that contributes to the evolution towards chronic kidney disease. Nonetheless, intervention approaches currently available are just considered palliative options. In order to offer an alternative treatment, it is important to understand key factors involved in the development of the disease including the rescue of the affected cells and/or the release of paracrine factors that are crucial for tissue repair. Bioactive lipids such as sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) have significant effects on the modulation of signaling pathways involved in tissue regeneration, such as cell survival, proliferation, differentiation, and migration. The main objective of this work was to explore the protective effect of S1P using human kidney proximal tubule cells submitted to a mimetic I/R lesion, via ATP depletion. We observed that the S1P pre-treatment increases cell survival by 50% and preserves the cell proliferation capacity of injured cells. We showed the presence of different bioactive lipids notably related to tissue repair but, more importantly, we noted that the pre-treatment with S1P attenuated the ischemia-induced effects in response to the injury, resulting in higher endogenous S1P production. All receptors but S1PR3 are present in these cells and the protective and proliferative effect of S1P/S1P receptors axis occur, at least in part, through the activation of the SAFE pathway. To our knowledge, this is the first time that S1PR4 and S1PR5 are referred in these cells and also the first indication of JAK2/STAT3 pathway involvement in S1P-mediated protection in an I/R renal model.

Needs, barriers and facilitators for a healthier lifestyle in haemodialysis patients: The GoodRENal project

BACKGROUND

Malnutrition, sedentary lifestyle, cognitive dysfunction and poor psychological well-being are often reported in patients on haemodialysis (HD).

AIMS

We aimed to explore needs, barriers and facilitators-as perceived by patients, their carers, and healthcare professionals (HCPs) for increasing the adherence to the diet, to physical activity and cognition and psychological well-being.

METHODS

This is an observational cross-sectional study following the STROBE statement. This study is part of an ERASMUS+ project, GoodRENal-aiming to develop digital tools as an educational approach to patients on HD. For that, the GoodRENal comprises HD centers located in four Belgium, Greece, Spain and Sweden. Exploratory questionnaires were developed regarding the perceived needs, barriers and facilitators regarding the diet, physical activity, cognition and psychological well-being from the perspective of patients, their carers and HCPs.

RESULTS

In total, 38 patients, 34 carers and 38 HCPs were included. Nutrition: For patients and carers, the main needs to adhere to the diet included learning more about nutrients and minerals. For patients, the main barrier was not being able to eat what they like. Physical activity: As needs it was reported information about type of appropriate physical activity, while fatigue was listed as the main barrier. For Cognitive and emotional state, it was perceived as positive for patients and carers perception but not for HCPs. The HCPs identified as needs working as a team, having access to specialised HCP and being able to talk to patients in private.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients and their carers listed as needs guidance regarding nutrition and physical activity but were positive with their cognitive and emotional state. The HCPs corroborated these needs and emphasised the importance of teamwork and expert support.

Equity and Quality of Global Chronic Kidney Disease Care: What Are We Waiting for?

BACKGROUND

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an important but insufficiently recognized public health problem. Unprecedented advances in delaying progression of CKD and reducing kidney failure and death have been made in recent years, with the addition of the sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors and other newer medication to the established standard of care with inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin system. Despite knowledge of these effective therapies, their prescription and use remain suboptimal globally, and more specially in low resource settings. Many challenges contribute to this gap between knowledge and translation into clinical care, which is even wider in lower resource settings across the globe. Implementation of guideline-directed care is hampered by lack of disease awareness, late or missed diagnosis, clinical inertia, poor quality care, cost of therapy, systemic biases, and lack of patient empowerment. All of these are exacerbated by the social determinants of health and global inequities.

SUMMARY

CKD is a highly manageable condition but requires equitable and sustainable access to quality care supported by health policies, health financing, patient and health care worker education, and affordability of medications and diagnostics.

KEY MESSAGES

The gap between the knowledge and tools to treat CKD and the implementation of optimal quality kidney care should no longer be tolerated. Advocacy, research and action are required to improve equitable access to sustainable quality care for CKD everywhere.

Left ventricular strain and myocardial work in short-term peritoneal dialysis patients

BACKGROUND

Initiation of dialysis encompasses new cardiovascular challenges on patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). This study used two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) to investigate the change of left ventricular (LV) myocardial function undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD) within 1-3 months.

METHODS

A total of 56 patients with ESRD and 27 healthy controls were enrolled in this prospective study. Mean duration of PD was 44.41 ± 16.44 days. We evaluated LV myocardial function of patients with ESRD in baseline and within 1-3 months after PD by 2D-STE with global longitudinal strains (GLS) and myocardial work (MW). Based on the level of serum phosphate before PD, patients were divided into two groups: the group with normal serum phosphate or hyperphosphatemia.

RESULTS

Compared with healthy controls, patients with ESRD had impaired GLS (p < .001) and increased global work index (GWI) (p = .034), global constructive work (GCW) (p < .001), global wasted work (GWW) (p < .001), and lower global work efficiency (GWE) (p = .002). After PD therapy, GWI (p = .001), GCW (p < .001), and GWW (p = .023) decreased and closed to healthy subjects (p > .05) and no significant improvement was observed in GLS (p = .387). GLS of basal segments worsened in the hyperphosphatemia group (p = .005) and GWW reduced remarkably in the group with normal serum phosphate after PD treatment (p = .008). The change of left ventricular internal diameter in diastole (LVIDd) was the only parameter influenced GWI in post-dialysis patients (β = 0.324, p = .013).

CONCLUSIONS

Short-term PD treatment improved LV MW in ESRD patients. They benefited more when receiving treatment before the increase of serum phosphorus.

Access to chronic kidney disease (CKD) care: Its barriers and facilitators in a community development block in Purba Bardhaman, West Bengal: A qualitative study

Background

Chronic kidney disease (CKD), a leading public health problem, has potential risks and serious implications on the health of individuals and society at large. Few studies explored the factors that influence access to CKD care at the community level in rural areas of West Bengal. A qualitative study was planned among key stakeholders to explore their views and experiences and to identify the barriers and potential facilitators that influence access to CKD care at the primary care level.

Methods

Total 23 stakeholders participated in the study. Seventeen in-depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted on a purposive sample of stakeholders (CKD patients, healthcare providers (HCPs) and health planners) and one focus group discussion (FGD) among six community health workers. The audio-recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim. The Lévesque's framework for access to care as modified by Jodie Bailie et al. was employed to construct interview guides and structure the initial codes. Thematic analysis was undertaken using QSR NVivo version 11 using both inductive and deductive approaches.

Results

The major barriers to CKD care at patient level were poor knowledge and awareness of CKD and at the health system level was shortage of skilled staffs, diagnostics and medicines and fragmented referrals. The potential facilitators identified were educational activities to increase the awareness of CKD among HCPs and patients; provision of CKD-related supplies and a system-level approach to care coordination along with m-health-based care.

Conclusions

Targeted CKD screening programs and CKD specific trainings may improve awareness of CKD. Additionally, stronger primary care infrastructure, availability of essential drugs and diagnostics and creating an efficient referral process for the quality CKD care are the need of the hour.

Global eHealth capacity: secondary analysis of WHO data on eHealth and implications for kidney care delivery in low-resource settings

OBJECTIVE

To describe the use of electronic health (eHealth) in support of health coverage for kidney care across International Society of Nephrology (ISN) regions.

DESIGN

Secondary analysis of WHO survey on eHealth as well as use of data from the World Bank, and Internet World Stats on global eHealth services.

SETTING

A web-based survey on the use of eHealth in support of universal health coverage.

PARTICIPANTS

125 WHO member states provided response.

PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES

Availability of eHealth services (eg, electronic health records, telehealth, etc) and governance frameworks (policies) for kidney care across ISN regions.

RESULTS

The survey conducted by the WHO received responses from 125 (64.4%) member states, representing 4.4 billion people globally. The number of mobile cellular subscriptions was <100% of the population in Africa, South Asia, North America and North East Asia; the percentage of internet users increased from 2015 to 2020 in all regions. Western Europe had the highest percentage of internet users in all the periods: 2015 (82.0%), 2019 (90.7%) and 2020 (93.9%); Africa had the least: 9.8%, 21.8% and 31.4%, respectively. The North East Asia region had the highest availability of national electronic health record system (75%) and electronic learning access in medical schools (100%), with the lowest in Africa (27% and 39%, respectively). Policies concerning governance aspects of eHealth (eg, privacy, liability, data sharing) were more widely available in high-income countries (55%-93%) than in low-income countries (0%-47%), while access to mobile health for treatment adherence was more available in low-income countries (21%) than in high-income countries (7%).

CONCLUSION

The penetration of eHealth services across ISN regions is suboptimal, particularly in low-income countries. Increasing utilisation of internet communication technologies provides an opportunity to improve access to kidney education and care globally, especially in low-income countries.

Results of the European EDITH nephrologist survey on factors influencing treatment modality choice for end-stage kidney disease

BACKGROUND

Access to forms of dialysis, kidney transplantation (Tx) and comprehensive conservative management (CCM) for patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) varies across European countries. Attitudes of nephrologists, information provision and decision-making may influence this access and nephrologists may experience several barriers when providing treatments for ESKD.

METHODS

We surveyed European nephrologists and kidney transplant surgeons treating adults with ESKD about factors influencing modality choice. Descriptive statistics were used to compare the opinions of professionals from European countries with low-, middle- and high-gross domestic product purchasing power parity (GDP PPP).

RESULTS

In total, 681 professionals from 33 European countries participated. Respondents from all GDP categories indicated that ∼10% of patients received no information before the start of renal replacement therapy (RRT) (P = 0.106). Early information provision and more involvement of patients in decision-making were more frequently reported in middle- and high-GDP countries (P < 0.05). Professionals' attitudes towards several treatments became more positive with increasing GDP (P < 0.05). Uptake of in-centre haemodialysis was sufficient to 73% of respondents, but many wanted increased uptake of home dialysis, Tx and CCM. Respondents experienced different barriers according to availability of specific treatments in their centre. The occurrence of barriers (financial, staff shortage, lack of space/supplies and patient related) decreased with increasing GDP (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Differences in factors influencing modality choice when providing RRT or CCM to adults with ESKD were found among low-, middle- and high-GDP countries in Europe. Therefore a unique pan-European policy to improve access to treatments may be inefficient. Different policies for clusters of countries could be more useful.

Assessing the impact of screening, early identification and intervention programmes for chronic kidney disease: protocol for a scoping review

INTRODUCTION

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major threat to public health, especially in low-income and lower middle-income countries, where resources for treating patients with advanced CKD are scarce. Although early CKD identification and intervention hold promise for reducing the burden of CKD and risk factors, it remains unclear if an uniform strategy can be applicable across all income groups. The aim of this scoping review is to synthesise available evidence on early CKD identification programmes in all world regions and income groups. The study will also identify efforts that have been made to use interventions and implementation of early identification programmes for CKD across countries and income groups.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This review will be guided by the methodological framework for conducting scoping studies developed by Arksey and O'Malley. Empirical (Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, ISI Web of Science and PsycINFO) and grey literature references will be searched to identify studies on CKD screening, early identification and interventions across all populations. Two reviewers will independently screen references in consecutive stages of title/abstract screening and then full-text screening. We will use a general descriptive overview, tabular summaries and content analysis on extracted data.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The findings from our planned scoping review will enable us to identify items in early identification programmes that can be used in developing screening toolkits for CKD. We will disseminate our findings using traditional approaches that include open-access peer-reviewed publication, scientific presentations and a white paper (call to action) report. Ethical approval will not be required for this scoping review as the data will be extracted from already published studies.

Building optimal and sustainable kidney care in low resource settings: The role of healthcare systems

Healthcare systems in low-income and lower-middle income countries (LLMICs) face significant challenges in the provision of health services, for example, kidney care to the population. Although this is linked to several high-level factors such as poor infrastructure, socio-demographic and political factors, healthcare funding has often been cited as the major reason for the wide gap in availability, accessibility and quality of care between LLMICs and rich countries. With the steady rising incidence and prevalence of kidney diseases globally, as well as cost of care, LLMICs are likely to suffer more consequences of these increases than rich countries and may be unable to meet targets of universal health coverage (UHC) for kidney diseases. As health systems in LLMICs continue to adapt in finding ways to provide access to affordable kidney care, various empirical and evidence-based strategies can be applied to assist them. This review uses a framework for healthcare strengthening developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to assess various challenges that health systems in LLMICs confront in providing optimal kidney care to their population. We also suggest ways to overcome these barriers and strengthen health systems to improve kidney care in LLMICs.

End-stage kidney disease and rationing of kidney replacement therapy in the free state province, South Africa: a retrospective study

Background

End-stage kidney disease (ESKD) and the required kidney replacement therapy (KRT) are significant public health challenges for low-and-middle-income countries. The South African government adopted a KRT rationing policy to balance the growing need for KRT and scarce resources. We aimed to describe the epidemiology and KRT access in patients with ESKD referred to the main public sector hospital in the Free State Province, South Africa.

Methods

A retrospective study of adult patients with ESKD admitted to Universitas Academic Hospital for KRT, was conducted between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2018. A review of the KRT committee decisions to offer or deny KRT based on the KRT rationing policy of the Free State was undertaken. Demographic information, KRT committee outcomes, laboratory test results, and clinical details were collected from assessment tools, KRT committee meeting diaries, and electronic hospital records.

Results

Of 363 patients with ESKD referred for KRT access, 96 with incomplete records were excluded and 267 were included in the analysis. Median patient age was 40 (interquartile range, 33‒49) years, and male patients accounted for 56.2 % (150/267, p = 0.004) of the cohort. The average annual ESKD incidence was 49.9 (95 % confidence interval [CI], 35.8‒64.0) per-million-population. The most prevalent comorbidities were hypertension (42.3 %; 113/267), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (28.5 %; 76/267), and diabetes mellitus (19.1 %; 51/267). The KRT access rate was 30.7 % (82/267), with annual KRT incidence rates of 8.05 (95 % CI, 4.98‒11.1), 11.5 (95 % CI, 7.83‒15.1), and 14.1 (95 % CI, 10.3‒18.0) per-million-population in 2016, 2017, and 2018, respectively. Advanced organ dysfunction was the commonest reason recorded for KRT access denial (58.9 %; 109/185). Age (odds ratio [OR], 1.04; 95 % CI, 1.00‒1.07; p = 0.024) and diabetes (OR, 5.04; CI, 1.69‒15.03; p = 0.004) were independent predictors for exclusion from KRT, while hypertension (OR, 1.80; 1.06‒3.04; p = 0.029) independently predicted advanced organ dysfunction resulting in KRT exclusion.

Conclusions

Non-communicable and communicable diseases, including hypertension, diabetes, and HIV, contributed to ESKD, highlighting the need for improved early prevention strategies to address a growing incidence rate. Two-thirds of ESKD patients were unable to access KRT, with age, diabetes mellitus, and advanced organ dysfunction being significant factors adversely affecting KRT access.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12882-021-02387-x.

Non-medical barriers reported by nephrologists when providing renal replacement therapy or comprehensive conservative management to end-stage kidney disease patients: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Large international differences exist in access to renal replacement therapy (RRT) modalities and comprehensive conservative management (CCM) for patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), suggesting that some patients are not receiving the most appropriate treatment. Previous studies mainly focused on barriers reported by patients or medical barriers (e.g. comorbidities) reported by nephrologists. An overview of the non-medical barriers reported by nephrologists when providing the most appropriate form of RRT (other than conventional in-centre haemodialysis) or CCM is lacking.

METHODS

We searched in EMBASE and PubMed for original articles with a cross-sectional design (surveys, interviews or focus groups) published between January 2010 and September 2018. We included studies in which nephrologists reported barriers when providing RRT or CCM to adult patients with ESKD. We used the barriers and facilitators survey by Peters et al. [Ruimte Voor Verandering? Knelpunten en Mogelijkheden Voor Verbeteringen in de Patiëntenzorg. Nijmegen: Afdeling Kwaliteit van zorg (WOK), 2003] as preliminary framework to create our own model and performed meta-ethnographic analysis of non-medical barriers in text, tables and figures.

RESULTS

Of the 5973 articles screened, 16 articles were included using surveys (n = 10), interviews (n = 5) and focus groups (n = 1). We categorized the barriers into three levels: patient level (e.g. attitude, role perception, motivation, knowledge and socio-cultural background), level of the healthcare professional (e.g. fears and concerns, working style, communication skills) and level of the healthcare system (e.g. financial barriers, supportive staff and practice organization).

CONCLUSIONS

Our systematic review has identified a number of modifiable, non-medical barriers that could be targeted by, for example, education and optimizing financing structure to improve access to RRT modalities and CCM.

The Global Kidney Health Atlas: Burden and Opportunities to Improve Kidney Health Worldwide

CKD is a growing public health problem. The Global Kidney Health Atlas (GKHA) is an important initiative of the International Society of Nephrology. The GKHA aims to improve the understanding of inter- and intranational variability across the globe, focusing on capacity for kidney care delivery. The GKHA survey was launched in 2017 and then again in 2019, using the same core data, supplemented by information about dialysis access and conservative care. Based on a WHO framework of the 6 building blocks essential for health care, the GKHA assesses capacity in 6 domains: information systems, services delivery, workforce, financing, access to essential medicines, and leadership/governance. In addition, the GKHA assesses the capacity for research in all regions of the world, across all domains (basic, translational, clinical, and health system research). The results of the GKHA have informed policy and been used to enhance advocacy strategies in different regions. In addition, through documentation of the disparities within and between countries and regions, initiatives have been launched to foster change. Since the first survey, there has been an increase in the number of countries which have registries to document the burden of CKD or dialysis. For many, information about the burden of disease is the first step toward addressing care delivery issues, including prevention, delay of progression, and access to services. Worldwide collaboration in the documentation of kidney health and disease is an important step toward the goal of ensuring equitable access to kidney health worldwide.

The case for early identification and intervention of chronic kidney disease: conclusions from a Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) Controversies Conference

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) causes substantial global morbidity and increases cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. Unlike other chronic diseases with established strategies for screening, there has been no consensus on whether health systems and governments should prioritize early identification and intervention for CKD. Guidelines on evaluating and managing early CKD are available but have not been universally adopted in the absence of incentives or quality measures for prioritizing CKD care. The burden of CKD falls disproportionately upon persons with lower socioeconomic status, who have a higher prevalence of CKD, limited access to treatment, and poorer outcomes. Therefore, identifying and treating CKD at the earliest stages is an equity imperative. In 2019, Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) held a controversies conference entitled "Early Identification and Intervention in CKD." Participants identified strategies for screening, risk stratification, and treatment for early CKD and the key health system and economic factors for implementing these processes. A consensus emerged that CKD screening coupled with risk stratification and treatment should be implemented immediately for high-risk persons and that this should ideally occur in primary or community care settings with tailoring to the local context.

Peritoneal Dialysis Use and Practice Patterns: An International Survey Study

RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE

Approximately 11% of people with kidney failure worldwide are treated with peritoneal dialysis (PD). This study examined PD use and practice patterns across the globe.

STUDY DESIGN

A cross-sectional survey.

SETTING & PARTICIPANTS

Stakeholders including clinicians, policy makers, and patient representatives in 182 countries convened by the International Society of Nephrology between July and September 2018.

OUTCOMES

PD use, availability, accessibility, affordability, delivery, and reporting of quality outcome measures.

ANALYTICAL APPROACH

Descriptive statistics.

RESULTS

Responses were received from 88% (n=160) of countries and there were 313 participants (257 nephrologists [82%], 22 non-nephrologist physicians [7%], 6 other health professionals [2%], 17 administrators/policy makers/civil servants [5%], and 11 others [4%]). 85% (n=156) of countries responded to questions about PD. Median PD use was 38.1 per million population. PD was not available in 30 of the 156 (19%) countries responding to PD-related questions, particularly in countries in Africa (20/41) and low-income countries (15/22). In 69% of countries, PD was the initial dialysis modality for≤10% of patients with newly diagnosed kidney failure. Patients receiving PD were expected to pay 1% to 25% of treatment costs, and higher (>75%) copayments (out-of-pocket expenses incurred by patients) were more common in South Asia and low-income countries. Average exchange volumes were adequate (defined as 3-4 exchanges per day or the equivalent for automated PD) in 72% of countries. PD quality outcome monitoring and reporting were variable. Most countries did not measure patient-reported PD outcomes.

LIMITATIONS

Low responses from policy makers; limited ability to provide more in-depth explanations underpinning outcomes from each country due to lack of granular data; lack of objective data.

CONCLUSIONS

Large inter- and intraregional disparities exist in PD availability, accessibility, affordability, delivery, and reporting of quality outcome measures around the world, with the greatest gaps observed in Africa and South Asia.

Access to CKD Care in Rural Communities of India: a qualitative study exploring the barriers and potential facilitators

Background

Despite the high and rising burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in South Asia, factors that influence access to CKD care at the community level have not been studied previously, especially in the rural areas. We conducted a mixed methods study and interviewed key stakeholders to explore the views and experiences of key stakeholders, and identify barriers and potential facilitators that influence access to CKD care at the primary care level in rural India.

Methods

A total of 21 stakeholders participated in the study. We conducted 15 in-depth interviews on a purposive sample of stakeholders (CKD patients, healthcare providers and health planners) and one focus group discussion with 6 community health workers. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. We employed the Lévesque’s framework for access to care to base interview guides and structure the initial codes. By inductive and deductive approaches, thematic analysis was undertaken using QSR NVivo version 11.

Results

The major patient-level barriers to CKD care as reported by the most patients and healthcare providers was poor knowledge and awareness of CKD. Health system-level barriers included shortages of skilled healthcare professionals and medicines, fragmented referrals pathways to the specialists at the hospitals with inadequate follow up care. Many patients and healthcare providers, when asked about areas for improving access to CKD care, reported educational initiatives to increase awareness of CKD among healthcare providers and patients, provision of CKD related supplies, and a systems-level approach to care coordination including task shifting by engaging community health workers in CKD care, as potential facilitators.

Conclusions

We identified several barriers to access CKD care at the primary care level in rural India that need urgent attention. Targeted CKD screening programs and CKD specific educational initiatives may improve awareness of CKD. Additionally, primary care infrastructure needs to be strengthened for CKD care, ensuring trained staff, availability of essential diagnostics and medications, and creating efficient referral pathways for quality CKD care.

The impact of mild renal dysfunction on isolated cardiopulmonary coronary artery bypass grafting: a retrospective propensity score matching analysis

BACKGROUND

Mild preoperative renal dysfunction (RD) is not rare in patients receiving isolated cardiopulmonary coronary artery bypass grafting (CCABG). However, there are not too many studies about the impact of mild preoperative RD on in-hospital and follow-up outcomes after isolated CCABG. This single-centre, retrospective propensity score matching study designed to study the impact of mild preoperative RD on in-hospital and long-term outcomes after first isolated CCABG.

METHODS

After propensity score matching, 1144 patients with preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of more than 60 ml/min/1.73 m² receiving first isolated CCABG surgery from January 2012 to December 2015 entered the study, who were divided into 2 groups: A group (eGFR ≥90 ml/min/1.73 m2, n = 572) and B group (eGFR of 60-89 ml/min/1.73 m2, n = 572). The in-hospital and long-term outcomes were recorded and analyzed. The mean follow-up time was 54.4 ± 10.7 months. Acute kidney injury (AKI) was defined and classified according to the Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN) criteria.

RESULTS

The 2 propensity score-matched groups had similar baseline and procedure except the baseline eGFR. There were 8 patients died in A group (mortality is 1.4%) and 14 died in B group (mortality is 2.5%) during the in hospital and 30-day postoperatively(χ² = 1.159, p = 0.282). There were totally 38 patients lost to follow-up, 18 in group A and 20 in group B. 21 patients died in group A and 37 died in group B during the follow-up, and long-term survival in group A was higher than in group B (96.2% vs 93.1%, χ² = 4.336, p = 0.037). Comparing with group A, group B was associated with an increased rates and severity of AKI postoperatively (total AKI: 62 vs 144. AKIN stageI: 54 vs 113; AKIN stageII: 6 vs 22; AKIN stageIII: 2 vs 9, p<0.0001). During follow-up, group B also had a higher rate of new onset of dialysis (0 vs 6, χ² = 4.432, p = 0.039). Multivariable logistic regression showed that comparing with A group, the HR for long-term mortality and new onset of dialysis in B group was 1.67 and 1.52 respectively (95%CI 1.09-2.90, p = 0.035; 95%CI 1.14-2.49, p = 0.027).

CONCLUSIONS

Comparing with normal preoperative renal function, patients with mild preoperative RD had a similar in-hosptial mortality, but with an increased in-hosptial rates and severity of AKI, and with a decreased long-term survival and increased long-term new onset of dialysis.

Impending challenges of the burden of end-stage kidney disease in Australia

Sex and age-specific incidence rates of patients with treated end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) in Australia are comparable to those in European countries, but substantially lower compared with those in the United States, Canada and many Asian countries. The incidence rates of treated ESKD in Australia increase with advancing age; however, the incidence of ESKD is likely to be underestimated because a proportion of patients with ESKD (about 50%) remain untreated. Late referral to nephrologists has reduced over the past decade, temporally associated with improved ESKD recognition. However, late referral still occurs in one in five Australians with ESKD. One in two Australians with ESKD has diabetes, with up to 35% of cases directly attributed to diabetes. Mortality rates for patients with ESKD remain substantially higher compared with the age-matched general population, although there has been a significant improvement in survival over time. Cardiovascular disease and cancer are the two most common causes of death in patients with ESKD.