Predialysis Cardiovascular Disease Medication Adherence and Mortality After Transition to Dialysis

Early referral to nephrological care improves long-term survival and hospitalization after dialysis initiation, independent of optimal dialysis start - a call for harmonization of reimbursement policies

Early treatment of kidney disease can slow disease progression and reduce the increased risk of mortality associated with end-stage kidney disease. However, uncertainty exists whether early referral (ER) to nephrological care per se or an optimal dialysis start impacts patient outcome after dialysis initiation. We determined the effect of ER and suboptimal dialysis start on the 3-year mortality and hospitalizations after dialysis initiation. Between January 2015 and July 2018, 349 patients with ≥1 month of follow-up started dialysis at nine Romanian dialysis clinics. After excluding patients with COVID-19 during follow-up, 254 patients (97 ER and 157 late referral) were included in this retrospective study. The observational period was truncated at 3 years, death, or loss to follow-up. Clinical and laboratory data were retrieved from the quality database of the nephrological care providers. Patients were followed for a median (25-75%) of 36 (16-36) months. At dialysis start, ER patients had higher hemoglobin, phosphate, and albumin levels and started dialysis less often via a central dialysis catheter (p < 0.001 for each). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated an independent lower risk for frequent hospitalizations for ER patients (odds ratio 0.22 (95% confidence interval 0.1-0.485), p < 0.001), and Cox regression analysis revealed an improved survival (hazard ratio 0.540 (95% confidence interval 0.325-0.899), p = 0.02), both independent of optimal dialysis start. In conclusion, early referral to nephrological care was associated with improved survival and lower hospitalization rates during the three years after dialysis initiation, independent of optimal dialysis start. These results strongly support the reimbursement of nephrological care before dialysis initiation.

P2Y12 Inhibitors Refill Gap Predicts Death in Medicare Beneficiaries on Chronic Dialysis

Introduction

Oral P2Y12 inhibitors (P2Y12-I) are commonly used antiplatelet drugs in patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) on chronic dialysis. Although gaps in prescription refills are quite common in patients with ESKD, it remains unclear whether P2Y12-I prescription refill patterns are associated with adverse clinical outcomes.

Methods

We used the United States Renal Data System (USRDS) registry for patients with ESKD to capture new P2Y12-I prescriptions from 2011 to 2015. The primary exposure was prescription refill patterns and the primary outcome was all-cause death.

Results

Among the 31,243 patients with new P2Y12-I prescription, median age was 64 years; 54% were male; and 39% were Caucasian, 37% African American, and 18% Hispanic. We observed 3 P2Y12-I refill patterns as follows: continuous users (45.1%), noncontinuous users (3.6%), and users with ≥30 days refill gap (51.4%). Prescription refill pattern with ≥30 days refill gap (vs. continuous use) was associated with all-cause death (adjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 1.18; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.13-1.23). Age and race were the most important risk factors associated with prescription refill pattern. African Americans (vs. Caucasians) were more likely to demonstrate ≥30 days refill gap, (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 1.43; 95% CI: 1.36-1.51). In addition, younger patients (vs. older) were more likely to demonstrate ≥30 day refill gap (adjusted OR/decade: 0.9; 95% CI: 0.89-0.92).

Conclusion

Nonadherence to P2Y12-I prescriptions is quite common, and disproportionately affects minorities. Younger individuals with ESKD are independently associated with a higher risk of death. The odds of having a refill gap are decreasing for older patients who are more compliant than younger patients. Future studies should investigate whether phenotyping subgroups of patients with ESKD based on prescription refill patterns can help in improving adverse clinical outcomes.

Anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor Therapy and Risk of Kidney Function Decline and Mortality in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Importance

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is associated with adverse clinical outcomes, including chronic kidney disease and mortality, due in part to chronic inflammation. Little is known about the effects of anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy on kidney disease progression and mortality among patients with new-onset IBD.

Objective

To examine the association of incident use of TNF inhibitors with subsequent decline in kidney function and risk of all-cause mortality.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This retrospective cohort study used data from the US Department of Veterans Affairs health care system. Participants were US veterans with new-onset IBD enrolled from October 1, 2004, through September 30, 2019. Data were analyzed from December 2022 to February 2024.

Exposures

Incident use of TNF inhibitors.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The main outcomes were at least 30% decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and all-cause mortality.

Results

Among 10 689 patients (mean [SD] age, 67.4 [12.3] years; 9999 [93.5%] male) with incident IBD, 3353 (31.4%) had diabetes, the mean (SD) baseline eGFR was 77.2 (19.2) mL/min/1.73 m2, and 1515 (14.2%) were newly initiated on anti-TNF therapy. During a median (IQR) follow-up of 4.1 (1.9-7.0) years, 3367 patients experienced at least 30% decline in eGFR, and over a median (IQR) follow-up of 5.0 (2.5-8.0) years, 2502 patients died. After multivariable adjustments, incident use (vs nonuse) of TNF inhibitors was significantly associated with higher risk of decline in eGFR (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.34 [95% CI, 1.18-1.52]) but was not associated with risk of all-cause mortality (adjusted HR, 1.02 [95% CI, 0.86-1.21]). Similar results were observed in sensitivity analyses.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cohort study of US veterans with incident IBD, incident use (vs nonuse) of TNF inhibitors was independently associated with higher risk of progressive eGFR decline but was not associated with risk of all-cause mortality. Further studies are needed to elucidate potentially distinct pathophysiologic contributions of TNF inhibitor use to kidney and nonkidney outcomes in patients with IBD.

Trust, Multidimensional Health Literacy, and Medication Adherence among Patients Undergoing Long-Term Hemodialysis

BACKGROUND

Basic health literacy and trust in physicians can influence medication adherence in patients receiving dialysis. However, how high-order health literacy is associated with medication adherence and how trust in physicians mediates this association remain unclear. We assessed the inter-relationships between health literacy, trust in physicians, and medication adherence. We investigated the mediating role of trust in physicians in the relationship between health literacy and medication adherence.

METHODS

This multicenter cross-sectional study included Japanese adults receiving outpatient hemodialysis at six dialysis centers. Multidimensional health literacy was measured using the 14-item Functional, Communicative, and Critical Health Literacy scale. Trust in physicians was measured using the five-item Wake Forest Physician Trust scale. Medication adherence was measured using the 12-item Adherence Starts with Knowledge scale. A series of general linear models were created to analyze the associations between health literacy and Adherence Starts Knowledge scores with and without trust in physicians. Mediation analysis was performed to determine whether trust in physicians mediated this association.

RESULTS

In total, 455 patients were analyzed. Higher functional and communicative health literacies were associated with less adherence difficulties (per 1-point higher: -1.79 [95% confidence interval (CI): -2.59 to -0.99] and -2.21 [95% CI: -3.45 to -0.96], respectively), whereas higher critical health literacy was associated with greater adherence difficulties (per 1-point higher: 1.69 [95% CI: 0.44 to 2.94]). After controlling for trust in physicians, the magnitude of the association between health literacies and medication adherence decreased. Trust in physicians partially mediated the association between functional or communicative health literacy and medication adherence (especially beliefs) and completely mediated the association between critical health literacy and medication adherence (especially behaviors).

CONCLUSIONS

Functional and communicative health literacies were positively associated with medication adherence, whereas critical health literacy was negatively associated with it. Each association was mediated by trust in physicians.

Lost in Translation: Why Are Rates of Hypertension Control Getting Worse Over Time?

Treatment of hypertension to decrease rates of cardiovascular disease is the most well studied and most broadly applicable treatment in cardiovascular prevention. Blood pressure can be measured anywhere, not just in a physician's office; medications are readily available, inexpensive, and have highly favorable benefit/harm ratios with relatively minimal side effects; and stepped medication regimens can be prescribed in algorithmic fashion by a variety of practitioners. Yet overall hypertension control rates in the United States have never exceeded 60%, and the last 5-10 years have seen decreased, rather than increased, rates of control. Here, I describe the scale of this massive failure to deliver on the promise of preventive hypertension care; outline the populations most affected and the contemporaneous events that have impacted hypertension control; discuss the disparate paths of hypertension science and health care delivery; and highlight novel interventions, approaches, and future opportunities to bend the curve back toward improvements in hypertension control.

Cause-Specific Mortality in Patients With Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease in the ISCHEMIA-CKD Trial

BACKGROUND

In ISCHEMIA-CKD, 777 patients with advanced chronic kidney disease and chronic coronary disease had similar all-cause mortality with either an initial invasive or conservative strategy (27.2% vs 27.8%, respectively).

OBJECTIVES

This prespecified secondary analysis from ISCHEMIA-CKD (International Study of Comparative Health Effectiveness With Medical and Invasive Approaches-Chronic Kidney Disease) was conducted to determine whether an initial invasive strategy compared with a conservative strategy decreased the incidence of cardiovascular (CV) vs non-CV causes of death.

METHODS

Three-year cumulative incidences were calculated for the adjudicated cause of death. Overall and cause-specific death by treatment strategy were analyzed using Cox models adjusted for baseline covariates. The association between cause of death, risk factors, and treatment strategy were identified.

RESULTS

A total of 192 of the 777 participants died during follow-up, including 94 (12.1%) of a CV cause, 59 (7.6%) of a non-CV cause, and 39 (5.0%) of an undetermined cause. The 3-year cumulative rates of CV death were similar between the invasive and conservative strategies (14.6% vs 12.6%, respectively; HR: 1.13, 95% CI: 0.75-1.70). Non-CV death rates were also similar between the invasive and conservative arms (8.4% and 8.2%, respectively; HR: 1.25; 95% CI: 0.75-2.09). Sudden cardiac death (46.8% of CV deaths) and infection (54.2% of non-CV deaths) were the most common cause-specific deaths and did not vary by treatment strategy.

CONCLUSIONS

In ISCHEMIA-CKD, CV death was more common than non-CV or undetermined death during the 3-year follow-up. The randomized treatment assignment did not affect the cause-specific incidences of death in participants with advanced CKD and moderate or severe myocardial ischemia. (International Study of Comparative Health Effectiveness With Medical and Invasive Approaches-Chronic Kidney Disease [ISCHEMIA-CKD]; NCT01985360).

Association of Pre-ESKD Hyponatremia with Post-ESKD Outcomes among Incident ESKD Patients

BACKGROUND

Hyponatremia is one of the most common electrolyte disturbances in advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients and has been shown to be associated with higher mortality risk. However, the relationship between hyponatremia during late-stage CKD and the risk of poor outcomes after ESKD transition is unknown.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study including 32,257 US veterans transitioning to ESKD from October 1, 2007 to March 30, 2015. We evaluated adjusted associations between the 3-month averaged pre-transition to ESKD serum sodium and all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes included cardiovascular (CV) mortality, infection-related mortalities, and hospitalization rate.

RESULTS

Cohort mean±SD serum sodium was 139 ± 3 mEq/L, mean age was 67 ± 11 years, 98% were male, and 32% were African American. Over a median follow-up of 702 days (296, 1301) there were 17,162 deaths. Compared to the reference of 135-<144 mEq/L, the lowest serum sodium group (<130 mEq/L) had a 54% higher all-cause mortality risk (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.54, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.34, 1.76) in the fully adjusted model. Associations were similar for CV and infection-related mortality, and hospitalization outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Hyponatremia prior to ESKD transition is associated with higher risk of all-cause, CV, and infection-related mortalities and hospitalization rates after ESKD transition. Future studies evaluating management of pre-ESKD hyponatremia may be indicated to improve patient outcomes for those transitioning to ESKD.

Association of Pre-ESRD Serum Bicarbonate with Post-ESRD Mortality in Patients with Incident ESRD

BACKGROUND

Serum bicarbonate or total carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations decline as chronic kidney disease (CKD) progresses and rise after dialysis initiation. While metabolic acidosis accelerates the progression of CKD and is associated with higher mortality among patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD), there are scarce data on the association of CO2 concentrations before ESRD transition with post-ESRD mortality.

METHODS

A historical cohort from the Transition of Care in CKD (TC-CKD) study includes 85,505 veterans who transitioned to ESRD from October 1, 2007, through March 31, 2014. After 1,958 patients without follow-up data, 3 patients with missing date of birth, and 50,889 patients without CO2 6 months prior to ESRD transition were excluded, the study population includes 32,655 patients. Associations between CO2 concentrations averaged over the last 6 months and its rate of decline during the 12 months prior to ESRD transition and post-ESRD all-cause, cardiovascular (CV), and non-CV mortality were examined by using hierarchical adjustment with Cox regression models.

RESULTS

The cohort was on average 68 ± 11 years old and included 29% Black veterans. Baseline concentrations of CO2 were 23 ± 4 mEq/L, and median (interquartile range) change in CO2 were -1.8 [-3.4, -0.2] mEq/L/year. High (≥28 mEq/L) and low (<18 mEq/L) CO2 concentrations showed higher adjusted mortality risk while there was no clear trend in the middle range. Consistent associations were observed irrespective of sodium bicarbonate use. There was also a U-shaped association between the change in CO2 and all-cause, CV, and non-CV mortality with the lowest risk approximately at -2.0 and 0.0 mEq/L/year among sodium bicarbonate nonusers and users, respectively, and the highest mortality was among patients with decline in CO2 >4 mEq/L/year.

CONCLUSION

Both high and low pre-ESRD CO2 levels (≥28 and <18 mEq/L) during 6 months prior to dialysis transition and rate of CO2 decline >4 mEq/L/year during 1 year before dialysis initiation were associated with greater post-ESRD all-cause, CV, and non-CV mortality. Further studies are needed to determine the optimal management of CO2 in patients with advanced CKD stages transitioning to ESRD.

Medication non-adherence in chronic kidney disease: a mixed-methods review and synthesis using the theoretical domains framework and the behavioural change wheel

OBJECTIVE

Medication non-adherence is a well-recognised issue in chronic diseases but data in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) not receiving kidney replacement therapy (KRT) remains limited. This review summarised the prevalence of medication non-adherence and assessed determinants and outcomes associated with it in adults with CKD, not on KRT.

METHOD

We searched PubMed, Embase, PsychInfo, Web of Science, and Cochrane (CENTRAL) for studies published until January 2020. Pooled prevalence of medication non-adherence was reported. Determinants of adherence-identified from quantitative and qualitative studies-were mapped into the theoretical domains framework and interventions proposed using the behavioural change wheel.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven studies (22 quantitative and 5 qualitative) were included. The pooled prevalence of medication non-adherence was 39% (95% CI 30-48%). Nine studies reported association between non-adherence and outcomes, including blood pressure, disease progression, adverse events, and mortality. Modifiable determinants of non-adherence were mapped into 11 of the 14 Theoretical Domains Framework-of which, six appeared most relevant. Non-adherence decisions were usually due to lack of knowledge on CKD, comorbidities, and medications; polypharmacy and occurrence of medication side effects; changes in established routines such as frequent medication changes; higher medication cost, poor accessibility to medications, services and facilities; inadequate patient-healthcare professional communication; and forgetfulness. Using the behavioural change wheel, we identified several areas where interventions can be directed to improve medication adherence.

CONCLUSION

Medication non-adherence is common in adults with CKD, not on KRT and may lead to poor outcomes. Evidence synthesis using mixed study designs was crucial in identifying determinants of non-adherence, drawing on a parsimonious approach from behaviour science.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION

CRD42020149983.

Continuous medication monitoring: A clinical model to predict adherence to medications among chronic kidney disease patients

BACKGROUND

An adherence model is required to optimise medication management among chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, as current assessment methods overestimate the true adherence of CKD patients with complex regimens. An approach to assess adherence to individual medications is required to assist pharmacists in addressing non-adherence.

OBJECTIVE

To develop an adherence prediction model for CKD patients.

METHODS

This multi-centre, cross-sectional study was conducted in 10 tertiary hospitals in Malaysia using simple random sampling of CKD patients with ≥1 medication (sample size = 1012). A questionnaire-based collection of patient characteristics, adherence (defined as ≥80% consumption of each medication for the past one month), and knowledge of each medication (dose, frequency, indication, and administration) was performed. Continuous data were converted to categorical data, based on the median values, and then stratified and analysed. An adherence prediction model was developed through multiple logistic regression in the development group (n = 677) and validated on the remaining one-third of the sample (n = 335). Beta-coefficient values were then used to determine adherence scores (ranging from 0 to 7) based on the predictors identified, with lower scores indicating poorer medication adherence.

RESULTS

Most of the 1012 patients had poor medication adherence (n = 715, 70.6%) and half had good medication knowledge (n = 506, 50%). Multiple logistic regression analysis determined 4 significant predictors of adherence: ≤7 medications (constructed score = 2, p < 0.001), ≤3 co-morbidities (constructed score = 1, p = 0.015), absence of complementary/alternative medicine use (constructed score = 1, p = 0.003), and knowledge score ≥80% (constructed score = 3, p < 0.001). A higher total constructed score from the prediction model indicated a higher likelihood of adherence (odds ratio [OR]: 2.41; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.112-2.744; p < 0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of the developed model (n = 677) had good accuracy (ROC: 0.867, 95% CI: 0.840-0.896; p < 0.001). The validated model (n = 335) also had good accuracy (ROC: 0.812, 95% CI: 0.765-0.859; p < 0.001). There was no significant difference between the development and validation groups (p = 0.11, Z-value:1.62, standard error: 0.034).

CONCLUSION

The score constructed from the medication adherence prediction model for CKD patients had good accuracy and could be useful for identifying patients with a higher risk of non-adherence, to ensure optimised adherence management.

Pharmacoepidemiology for nephrologists (part 1): concept, applications and considerations for study design

Randomized controlled trials on drug safety and effectiveness are the foundation of medical evidence, but they may have limited generalizability and be unpowered to detect rare and long-term kidney outcomes. Observational studies in routine care data can complement and expand trial evidence on the use, safety and effectiveness of medications and aid with clinical decisions in areas where evidence is lacking. Access to routinely collected large healthcare data has resulted in the proliferation of studies addressing the effect of medications in patients with kidney diseases and this review provides an introduction to the science of pharmacoepidemiology to critically appraise them. In this first review we discuss the concept and applications of pharmacoepidemiology, describing methods for drug-utilization research and discussing the strengths and caveats of the most commonly used study designs to evaluate comparative drug safety and effectiveness.

Poverty and Targeted Immunotherapy: Survival in Children's Oncology Group Clinical Trials for High-Risk Neuroblastoma

BACKGROUND

Whether social determinants of health are associated with survival in the context of pediatric oncology-targeted immunotherapy trials is not known. We examined the association between poverty and event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) for children with high-risk neuroblastoma treated in targeted immunotherapy trials.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 371 children with high-risk neuroblastoma treated with GD2-targeted immunotherapy in the Children's Oncology Group trial ANBL0032 or ANBL0931 at a Pediatric Health Information System center from 2005 to 2014. Neighborhood poverty exposure was characterized a priori as living in a zip code with a median household income within the lowest quartile for the cohort. Household poverty exposure was characterized a priori as sole coverage by public insurance. Post hoc analyses examined the joint effect of neighborhood and household poverty using a common reference. All statistical tests were 2-sided.

RESULTS

In multivariable Cox regressions adjusted for disease and treatment factors, household poverty-exposed children experienced statistically significantly inferior EFS (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.90, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.28 to 2.82, P = .001) and OS (HR = 2.79, 95% CI = 1.63 to 4.79, P < .001) compared with unexposed children. Neighborhood poverty was not independently associated with EFS or OS. In post hoc analyses exploring the joint effect of neighborhood and household poverty, children with dual-poverty exposure (neighborhood poverty and household poverty) experienced statistically significantly inferior EFS (HR = 2.21, 95% CI = 1.48 to 3.30, P < .001) and OS (HR = 3.70, 95% CI = 2.08 to 6.59, P < .001) compared with the unexposed group.

CONCLUSIONS

Poverty is independently associated with increased risk of relapse and death among neuroblastoma patients treated with targeted immunotherapy. Incorporation of social and environmental factors in future trials as health-care delivery intervention targets may increase the benefit of targeted therapies.

Clinical Outcomes of Warfarin Initiation in Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease Patients With Incident Atrial Fibrillation

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy and safety of warfarin initiation following the diagnosis of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with late-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD) who transitioned to dialysis.

BACKGROUND

The clinical benefit of warfarin therapy for thromboprophylaxis after incident AF diagnosis in patients with late-stage CKD who are transitioning to dialysis is unknown.

METHODS

In this retrospective cohort analysis, the study population was a national cohort of 22,771 U.S. veterans with incident end-stage renal disease who developed incident AF before initiating renal replacement therapy. This study examined the association of warfarin therapy following the diagnosis of incident AF with ischemic cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs) (ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack), ischemic CVA-related hospitalization, major bleeding events (gastrointestinal or intracranial bleeding), bleeding event-related hospitalizations, and post-dialysis, all-cause mortality in multivariable adjusted Cox regression analyses that adjusted for demographic characteristics and comorbidities.

RESULTS

The mean ± SD age of the cohort was 73.5 ± 8.8 years, 13% were African American, and the mean CHA₂DS₂-VASc score was 5.7 ± 2.1. Of the overall cohort, 6,682 (29.3%) patients were started on warfarin during the follow-up period. The hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for ischemic CVA, bleeding events, and death for those started on warfarin were 1.23 (1.16 to 1.30), 1.36 (1.29 to 1.44), and 0.94 (0.90 to 0.97), respectively, compared with those who received no anticoagulation. Warfarin exposure was associated with higher risk for ischemic CVA and bleeding event-related hospitalizations.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with late-stage CKD who transitioned to dialysis, warfarin use was associated with higher risk of ischemic and bleeding events but a lower risk of mortality. Future studies such as those comparing warfarin with newer oral anticoagulant agents are needed to granularly define the net clinical benefit of anticoagulation therapy in patients with advanced CKD with incident AF.

Statin Therapy Before Transition to End-Stage Renal Disease With Posttransition Outcomes

Background Although studies have shown that statin therapy in patients with non-dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease was associated with a lower risk of death, this was not observed in dialysis patients newly initiated on statins. It is unclear if statin therapy benefits administered during the predialysis period persist after transitioning to end-stage renal disease. Methods and Results In 47 720 veterans who transitioned to end-stage renal disease during 2007 to 2014, we examined the association of statin therapy use 1 year before transition with posttransition all-cause and cardiovascular mortality and hospitalization incidence rates over the first 12 months of follow-up. Associations were examined using multivariable adjusted Cox proportional hazard models and negative binomial regressions. Sensitivity analyses included propensity score and subgroup analyses. The cohort's mean± SD age was 71±11 years, and the cohort included 4% women, 23% blacks, and 66% diabetics. Over 12 months of follow-up, there were 13 411 deaths, with an incidence rate of 35.3 (95% CI , 34.7-35.8) deaths per 100 person-years. In adjusted models, statin therapy compared with no statin therapy was associated with lower risks of 12-month all-cause (hazard ratio [95% CI], 0.79 [0.76-0.82]) and cardiovascular (hazard ratio [95% CI ], 0.83 [0.78-0.88]) mortality, as well as with a lower rate of hospitalizations (incidence rate ratio [95% CI ], 0.89 [0.87-0.92]) after initiating dialysis. These lower outcome risks persisted across strata of clinical characteristics, and in propensity score analyses. Conclusions Among veterans with non-dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease, treatment with statin therapy within the 1 year before transitioning to end-stage renal disease is associated with favorable early end-stage renal disease outcomes.

Association between Posttransplant Opioid Use and Immunosuppressant Therapy Adherence among Renal Transplant Recipients

INTRODUCTION

Little is known about the effect of posttransplant opioid use on adherence to immunosuppressant therapy (IST) among adult renal transplant recipients (RTRs).

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between opioid use and IST adherence among adult RTRs during the first year posttransplant.

METHODS

Longitudinal data were analyzed from a retrospective cohort study examining US veterans undergoing renal transplant from October 1, 2007, through March 31, 2015. Data were collected from the US Renal Data System, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Data (Medicare Part D), and Veterans Affairs pharmacy records. Dose of opioid prescriptions was collected and divided based on annual morphine milligram equivalent within a year of transplant. Proportion of days covered of greater than or equal to 80% indicated adherence to tacrolimus. Unadjusted and multivariable-adjusted logistic regression analyses were performed.

RESULTS

A study population of 1,229 RTRs included 258 with no opioid use, while 971 opioid users were identified within the first year after transplantation. Compared to RTRs without opioid usage, RTRs with opioid usage had a lower probability of being adherent to tacrolimus in unadjusted logistic regression (odds ratio [OR] (95% confidence interval [CI]): 0.22 [0.07-0.72]) and adjusted logistic regression (OR [95% CI]: 0.11 [0.03-0.44]). These patterns generally remained consistent in unadjusted and adjusted main and sensitivity analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings indicate RTRs who use prescription opioids during the first year posttransplant, regardless of the dosage/amount, are less likely to be adherent to tacrolimus. Future studies are needed to better understand underlying causes of the association between opioid use and tacrolimus nonadherence.

Factors affecting medication adherence among pre-dialysis chronic kidney disease patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis of literature

BACKGROUND

Medication adherence plays an essential role in slowing the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). This review aims to summarise factors affecting medication adherence among these pre-dialysis CKD patients.

METHODS

A systematic review of the literature was performed in Medline®, Embase®, SCOPUS® and CINAHL®. Peer-reviewed, English language articles which evaluated factors associated with medication adherence among pre-dialysis CKD patients were included. Meta-analysis was performed to assess the pooled medication adherence rates across studies. Factors identified were categorised using the World Health Organization's five dimensions of medication adherence (condition, patient, therapy, health-system, and socio-economic domains).

RESULTS

Of the 3727 articles reviewed, 18 articles were included. The pooled adherence rate across studies was 67.4% (95% CI 61.4-73.3%). The most studied medication class was anti-hypertensives (55.6%). A total of 19 factors and 95 sub-factors related to medication adherence were identified. Among condition-related factors, advanced CKD was associated with poorer medication adherence. Patient-related factors that were associated with lower medication adherence included misconceptions about medication and lack of perceived self-efficacy in medication use. Therapy-related factors which were associated with poorer medication adherence included polypharmacy while health system-based factors included loss of confidence in the physician. Socioeconomic factors such as poor social support and lower education levels were associated with poorer medication adherence.

CONCLUSION

Factors associated with poor medication adherence among pre-dialysis CKD patients were highlighted in this review. This will aid clinicians in designing interventions to optimise medication adherence among pre-dialysis CKD patients.

Infection in Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease and Subsequent Adverse Outcomes after Dialysis Initiation: A Nationwide Cohort Study

It remains unclear whether infection events before entering end stage renal disease (ESRD) have a long-term negative impact on patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) who survive to permanent dialysis. We enrolled 62,872 patients with advanced CKD who transitioned to maintenance dialysis between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2013. We used multivariable Cox as well as Fine and Gray models to determine the association of pre-dialysis infection exposure with all-cause mortality after starting dialysis. Compared with no infection during advanced CKD, the presence of infection exposure during that period was independently associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality in the first year of dialysis (hazard ratio [HR] 1.34, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.27–1.42) and also during the entire follow-up period (HR 1.19, 95% CI 1.16–1.22). The increased risks of all-cause mortality increased incrementally with higher annual number of infections during advanced CKD. Similar results were found for all other adverse outcomes, e.g. post-ESRD infection-related hospitalization and major cardiac and cerebrovascular events. In conclusion, infection events during advanced CKD was associated with increased risks of adverse outcomes after dialysis has been started. Timely interventions in such a vulnerable group may help attenuate these risks.

Medication Adherence, Burden and Health-Related Quality of Life in Adults with Predialysis Chronic Kidney Disease: A Prospective Cohort Study

This study examines the associations between medication adherence and burden, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in predialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD). A prospective study targeting adults with advanced CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 30 mL/min/1.73 m²) and not receiving renal replacement therapy was conducted in Tasmania, Australia. The actual medication burden was assessed using the 65-item Medication Regimen Complexity Index, whereas perceived burden was self-reported using a brief validated questionnaire. Medication adherence was assessed using a four-item Morisky-Green-Levine Scale (MGLS) and the Tool for Adherence Behaviour Screening (TABS). The Kidney Disease and Quality of Life Short-Form was used to assess HRQOL. Of 464 eligible adults, 101 participated in the baseline interview and 63 completed a follow-up interview at around 14 months. Participants were predominantly men (67%), with a mean age of 72 (SD 11) years and eGFR of 21 (SD 6) mL/min/1.73 m². Overall, 43% and 60% of participants reported medication nonadherence based on MGLS and TABS, respectively. Higher perceived medication burden and desire for decision-making were associated with nonadherent behaviour. Poorer HRQOL was associated with higher regimen complexity, whereas nonadherence was associated with a decline in physical HRQOL over time. Medication nonadherence, driven by perceived medication burden, was prevalent in this cohort, and was associated with a decline in physical HRQOL over time.

The association between medication non-adherence and adverse health outcomes in ageing populations: A systematic review and meta-analysis

AIMS

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to synthesise the evidence relating to medication non-adherence and its association with health outcomes in people aged ≥50 years.

METHODS

Seven databases were searched up to February 2019 for observational studies that measured medication (non-)adherence as a predictor of the following health outcomes in adults aged ≥50 years: healthcare utilisation (hospitalisation, emergency department visits, outpatient visits and general practitioner visits), mortality, adverse clinical events and quality of life. Screening and quality assessment using validated criteria were completed by 2 reviewers independently. Random effects models were used to generate pooled estimates of association using adjusted study results. The full methodological approach was published on PROSPERO (ID: CRD42017077264).

RESULTS

Sixty-six studies were identified for qualitative synthesis, with 11 of these studies eligible for meta-analyses. A meta-analysis including 3 studies measuring medication non-adherence in adults aged ≥55 years showed a significant association with all-cause hospitalisation (adjusted odds ratio 1.17, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.12, 1.21). A meta-analysis including 2 studies showed that medication non-adherence was not significantly associated with an emergency department visit (adjusted odds ratio 1.05, 95% CI 0.90, 1.22). Good adherence was associated with a 21% reduction in long-term mortality risk in comparison to medication non-adherence (adjusted hazard ratio 0.79, 95% CI 0.63, 0.98).

CONCLUSION

Medication non-adherence may be significantly associated with all-cause hospitalisation and mortality in older people. Medication adherence should be monitored and addressed in this cohort to minimise hospitalisation, improve clinical outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.

A concept-wide association study to identify potential risk factors for nonadherence among prevalent users of antihypertensives

PURPOSE

We sought to determine whether an association study using information contained in clinical notes could identify known and potentially novel risk factors for nonadherence to antihypertensive medications.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective concept-wide association study (CWAS) using clinical notes to identify potential risk factors for medication nonadherence, adjusting for age, sex, race, baseline blood pressure, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and a combined comorbidity score. Participants included Medicare beneficiaries 65 years and older receiving care at the Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates network from 2010-2012 and enrolled in a Medicare Advantage program. Concepts were extracted from clinical notes in the year prior to the index prescription date for each patient. We tested associations with the outcome for 5013 concepts extracted from clinical notes in a derivation cohort (4382 patients) and accounted for multiple hypothesis testing by using a false discovery rate threshold of less than 5% (q < .05). We then confirmed the associations in a validation cohort (3836 patients). Medication nonadherence was defined using a proportion of days covered (PDC) threshold less than 0.8 using pharmacy claims data.

RESULTS

We found 415 concepts associated with nonadherence, which we organized into 11 clusters using a hierarchical clustering approach. Volume depletion and overload, assessment of needs at the point of discharge, mood disorders, neurological disorders, complex coordination of care, and documentation of noncompliance were some of the factors associated with nonadherence.

CONCLUSIONS

This approach was successful in identifying previously described and potentially new risk factors for antihypertensive nonadherence using the clinical narrative.

Association of the frequency of pre-end-stage renal disease medical care with post-end-stage renal disease mortality and hospitalization

Background

Previous studies have demonstrated that early pre-end-stage renal disease (ESRD) nephrology care could improve postdialysis prognosis. However, less is known about the specific types of interventions responsible for the improved outcomes. We hypothesized that more frequent predialysis laboratory testing is associated with better postdialysis outcomes in incident ESRD patients.

Methods

In all, 23 089 patients with available outpatient laboratory tests performed during the 2-year predialysis (i.e. prelude) period were identified from a total of 52 172 American veterans with chronic kidney disease (CKD) transitioning to dialysis between October 2007 and September 2011. The associations between the frequency of combined laboratory tests, including serum creatinine, serum potassium and hemoglobin (test trio), with postdialysis mortality and hospitalization were examined in multivariable adjusted Cox and logistic regression models.

Results

When entering the 2-year prelude period, the mean age (Standard Deviation) of the patients was 66.2 (SD 11.3) years and the mean estimated glomerular filtration rate was 46.8 (SD 23.9) mL/min/1.73 m2. In all, 14% of patients had the test trio performed less than twice in 24 months and 8.9% had the trio measured more often than every other month. Over a 2.5-year median postdialysis follow-up period, 15 303 (66.3%) patients died (mortality rate 260/1000 patient-years). The adjusted hazard ratio of all-cause mortality and adjusted odds ratio of the composite of hospitalization or death associated with lab testing done >12/24 months compared with 2-≤4/24 months were 0.68 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.65-0.73] and 0.70 (95% CI 0.62-0.79), respectively.

Conclusions

More frequent laboratory testing in patients with advanced CKD is associated with better clinical outcomes after dialysis. Further examination in clinical trials is needed before the implementation of more frequent laboratory testing in clinical practice.

Prognostic significance of pre-end-stage renal disease serum alkaline phosphatase for post-end-stage renal disease mortality in late-stage chronic kidney disease patients transitioning to dialysis

Background

Higher serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels have been associated with excess mortality in patients with non-dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease (NDD-CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). However, little is known about the impact of late-stage NDD-CKD ALP levels on outcomes after dialysis initiation.

Methods

Among 17 732 US veterans who transitioned to dialysis between October 2007 and September 2011, we examined the association of serum ALP levels averaged over the last 6 months of the pre-ESRD transition period ('prelude period') with all-cause, cardiovascular and infection-related mortality following dialysis initiation, using Cox (for all-cause mortality) and competing risk (for cause-specific mortality) regressions adjusted for demographics, comorbidities, medications, estimated glomerular filtration rate and serum albumin levels over the 6-month prelude period, and vascular access type at dialysis initiation.

Results

During a median follow-up of 2.0 (interquartile range, 1.1-3.2) years following dialysis initiation, a total of 9196 all-cause deaths occurred. Higher ALP levels were incrementally associated with higher all-cause, cardiovascular and infection-related mortality. Compared with patients in the lowest ALP quartile (<66.0 U/L), those in the highest quartile (≥111.1 U/L) had multivariable-adjusted hazard/subhazard ratios (95% confidence interval) of 1.42 (1.34-1.51), 1.43 (1.09-1.88) and 1.39 (1.09-1.78) for all-cause, cardiovascular and infection-related mortality, respectively. The associations remained consistent in various subgroups and after further adjustment for liver enzymes, serum phosphorus and intact parathyroid hormone levels.

Conclusions

Higher pre-ESRD serum ALP levels are independently associated with higher post-ESRD mortality risk. Further studies are warranted to determine if interventions that lower pre-ESRD ALP levels reduce mortality in incident dialysis patients.

Low statin use in nondialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease in the absence of clinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease or diabetes

BACKGROUND

Both reduced glomerular filtration rate and increased urine albumin excretion, markers of chronic kidney disease (CKD), are associated with increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). However, CKD is not recognized as an ASCVD risk equivalent by most lipid guidelines. Statin medications, especially when combined with ezetimibe, significantly reduce ASCVD risk in patients with nondialysis-dependent CKD. Unless physicians recognize the heightened ASCVD risk in this population, statins may not be prescribed in the absence of clinical cardiovascular disease or diabetes, a recognized ASCVD risk equivalent. We examined statin use in adults with nondialysis-dependent CKD and examined whether the use differed in the presence of clinical ASCVD and diabetes.

METHODS

This study ascertained statin use from pharmacy dispensing records during fiscal years 2012 and 2013 from the US Department of Veterans Affairs Healthcare System. The study included 581 344 veterans aged ≥50 years with nondialysis-dependent CKD Stages 3-5 with no history of kidney transplantation or dialysis. The 10-year predicted ASCVD risk was calculated with the pooled risk equation.

RESULTS

Of veterans with CKD, 62.1% used statins in 2012 and 55.4% used statins continuously over 2 years (2012-13). Statin use in 2012 was 76.2 and 75.5% among veterans with CKD and ASCVD or diabetes, respectively, but in the absence of ASCVD, diabetes or a diagnosis of hyperlipidemia, statin use was 21.8% (P < 0.001). The 10-year predicted ASCVD risk was ≥7.5% in 95.1% of veterans with CKD, regardless of diabetes status.

CONCLUSIONS

Statin use is low in veterans with nondialysis-dependent CKD in the absence of ASCVD or diabetes despite high-predicted ASCVD risk. Future studies should examine other populations.

History of posttraumatic stress disorder and outcomes after kidney transplantation

A history of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), if uncontrolled, represents a contraindication for kidney transplantation. However, no previous large study has assessed the association between pretransplant history of PTSD and posttransplantation outcomes. We examined 4479 US veterans who had undergone transplantation. The diagnosis of history of PTSD was based on a validated algorithm. Measured covariates were used to create a matched cohort (n = 560). Associations between pretransplant PTSD and death with functioning graft, all-cause death, and graft loss were examined in survival models. Posttransplant medication nonadherence was assessed using proportion of days covered (PDC). From among 4479 veterans, 282 (6.3%) had a history of PTSD. The mean age ± standard deviation (SD) of the cohort at baseline was 61 ± 11 years, 91% were male, and 66% and 28% of patients were white and African American, respectively. Compared to patients without a history of PTSD, patients with a history of PTSD had a similar risk of death with a functioning graft (subhazard ratio [SHR] 0.97, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.61-1.54), all-cause death (1.05, 0.69-1.58), and graft loss (1.09, 0.53-2.26). Moreover, there was no difference in immunosuppressive drug PDC in patients with and without a history of PTSD (PDC: 98 ± 4% vs 99 ± 3%, P = .733 for tacrolimus; PDC: 99 ± 4% vs 98 ± 7%, P = .369 for mycophenolic acid). A history of PTSD in US veterans with end-stage renal disease should not on its own preclude a veteran from being considered for transplantation.

Statin use among Veterans with dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease

INTRODUCTION

The benefits of statin medications in patients receiving maintenance dialysis remains controversial and clinical trials overall have shown no benefit. Potential side effects of statin medications include myalgias, myopathy, and memory loss and risk of side effects associated with statin medications increase with higher statin doses. We examined statin use and statin dose among Veterans with dialysis dependent CKD. Such information may help clinicians modulate medication use and reduce pill burden in appropriate patients.

METHODS

This cross-sectional analysis ascertained medication utilization by linking records from the U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs (VA) Managerial Cost Accounting Pharmacy National Data Extracts and Medicare Part D during calendar year 2013 for Veterans with dialysis-dependent CKD enrolled in and/or using VA healthcare. The venue of dialysis and patient characteristics were ascertained by linking VA Medical SAS datasets, VA Fee Basis datasets (for non-VA care paid for by VA), Medicare claims and the United States Renal Data Systems patient core files.

FINDINGS

We identified 18,494 Veterans with dialysis-dependent CKD who were enrolled in and/or used VA healthcare, had no history of kidney transplantation, and were alive on January 1, 2014. More than half (58.1%) of Veterans with dialysis-dependent CKD used statins and 35.7% of statin utilization was high dose. Statins were the third most commonly prescribed medication after beta blockers (64.8%) and phosphate binders (64.5%).

DISCUSSION

Statins are a commonly prescribed medication among Veterans receiving maintenance dialysis and approximately one-third of statin utilization is high dose in this population. Future studies should examine patient preferences, comorbidities, and dialysis characteristics that impact the risks and benefits of statin use in order to identify those patients who will or will not benefit from continued statin use.

Association of Continuation of Statin Therapy Initiated Before Transition to Chronic Dialysis Therapy With Mortality After Dialysis Initiation

IMPORTANCE

De novo statin therapy in patients receiving chronic dialysis has failed to demonstrate cardiovascular (CV) protection in randomized clinical trials and thus is not recommended by current guidelines. However, current guidelines recommend the continuation of statin therapy if initiated before transition to dialysis.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether the continuation of statins from advanced chronic kidney disease into the dialysis therapy period is associated with improved survival.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Retrospective cohort study of US veterans transitioning to dialysis between October 1, 2007, and March 30, 2014. Participants were 14 298 US veterans who were receiving statins during the 12-month period before transition to dialysis and survived the first year of dialysis. Data analysis was conducted between August 2, 2017, and June 28, 2018.

EXPOSURES

Patients were characterized as statin continuers (n = 11 936) if statin therapy was continued for at least 6 months during the first year after dialysis initiation and as statin discontinuers (n = 2362) if therapy with statins was stopped or no statin therapy was received in the year posttransition.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Associations of statin continuation with 12-month all-cause mortality and CV mortality after 1 year of dialysis initiation were examined using Cox proportional hazards regression models adjusted for demographics and comorbidities.

RESULTS

The mean (SD) age of the cohort was 71 (10) years; the cohort was 96.7% (n = 13 828) male and 21.3% (n = 3043) African American, and 74.6% (n = 10 627) had diabetes. The 12-month all-cause mortality and CV mortality rates after 1 year of transition to dialysis were lower in statin continuers: deaths per 100 person-years were 21.9 (95% CI, 20.9-22.8) and 8.1 (95% CI, 7.5-8.6) in statin continuers vs 30.3 (95% CI, 27.8-32.8) and 9.8 (95% CI, 8.3-11.2) in statin discontinuers. Moreover, lower all-cause mortality and CV mortality risks with statin continuation persisted in adjusted analyses, with hazard ratios of 0.72 (95% CI, 0.66-0.79) and 0.82 (95% CI, 0.69-0.96), respectively. Associations were similar across subgroups, including age, race, and diabetes status.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this study, the continuation of statin therapy after transition to dialysis was associated with reduced all-cause mortality and CV mortality. The study findings suggest that future studies are needed to examine potential CV benefits of continuing statin therapy after dialysis initiation.

Disparities in Initial Oral Antidiabetic Medication Adherence Among Veterans with Incident Diabetes

BACKGROUND

Medication nonadherence is a prevalent public health issue, particularly among patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), and negatively affects health outcomes. Because of the prevalence of DM among U.S. veterans, it is crucial to understand how well these patients adhere to oral antidiabetic (OAD) medication and whether certain subgroups are more likely to be nonadherent.

OBJECTIVE

To assess initial OAD medication use among veterans with uncomplicated DM and determine factors associated with adherence in the first 2 years of treatment.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study using data from the Veterans Affairs (VA) Corporate Data Warehouse from 2002 through 2014. The first diagnosis for uncomplicated DM was determined, and then medication use was assessed following OAD initiation. OAD use was assessed by proportion of days covered (PDC) for the first 2 years of therapy using outpatient VA pharmacy records. Adherence was determined both continuously and categorically, with a PDC of ≥ 80% used to indicate adherence. Logistic regression was used to determine if certain patient characteristics were associated with being adherent to OADs.

RESULTS

A total of 148,544 veterans with uncomplicated DM were assessed, most of whom were white, aged ≥ 55 years, and initiated OAD therapy on metformin. A large portion resided in the southern part of the United States. In the first year, PDC averaged 79.2% (SD = 25.9), and 63.2% were adherent to OAD therapy; however, these numbers declined in the second year, when the average PDC was 71.3% (SD = 35.8), and only 59.1% were adherent. Over the course of both years, PDC averaged 75.3% (SD = 28.4), and 50.9% were adherent. The odds of being adherent were higher among older adults and significantly lower among veterans self-identifying as either African American (OR = 0.61; 95% CI = 0.59-0.63), Native American (OR = 0.67; 95% CI = 0.61-0.75), or Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (OR = 0.84; 95% CI = 0.76-0.92) when compared with whites. Veterans who were either divorced/separated (OR = 0.86; 95% CI = 0.83-0.88) or never married (OR = 0.89; 95% CI = 0.86-0.93) also had lower odds of being initially adherent to OAD therapy compared with those who reported being married. Being nonadherent in year 1 was highly predictive of remaining nonadherent in year 2 (OR = 12.8; 95% CI = 12.23-12.94), with only 22.2% nonadherent in the first year (8.2% overall) becoming adherent in the second year of therapy. Across both years, all minorities were less likely to be adherent (compared with whites), and average adherence differed among all geographic regions of the country.

CONCLUSIONS

Within the first year of OAD therapy, medication adherence was suboptimal among veterans with DM, and second-year results indicate that adherence is likely to decline over time. Future studies should consider deeper regional and subgroup analysis to determine what contributes to variation in medication use in communities across the country.

DISCLOSURES

This study was supported by a KL2 Career Development Grant from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center's Institute for Research, Innovation, Synergy and Health Equity and by resources from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Hung and Kovesdy are employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Opinions expressed are those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Veterans Affairs. None of the authors declared significant relevant financial conflicts of interest. Results of this study were presented as a poster at the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy Nexus Conference on October 3-6, 2016, in National Harbor, Maryland.

Evolution of Echocardiographic Measures of Cardiac Disease From CKD to ESRD and Risk of All-Cause Mortality: Findings From the CRIC Study

RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE

Abnormal cardiac structure and function are common in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and linked with mortality and heart failure. We examined changes in echocardiographic measures during the transition from CKD to ESRD and their associations with post-ESRD mortality.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective study.

SETTING & PARTICIPANTS

We studied 417 participants with CKD in the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) who had research echocardiograms during CKD and ESRD.

PREDICTOR

We measured change in left ventricular mass index, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), diastolic relaxation (normal, mildly abnormal, and moderately/severely abnormal), left ventricular end-systolic (LVESV), end-diastolic (LVEDV) volume, and left atrial volume from CKD to ESRD.

OUTCOMES

All-cause mortality after dialysis therapy initiation.

ANALYTICAL APPROACH

Cox proportional hazard models were used to test the association of change in each echocardiographic measure with postdialysis mortality.

RESULTS

Over a mean of 2.9 years between pre- and postdialysis echocardiograms, there was worsening of mean LVEF (52.5% to 48.6%; P<0.001) and LVESV (18.6 to 20.2mL/m2.7; P<0.001). During this time, there was improvement in left ventricular mass index (60.4 to 58.4g/m2.7; P=0.005) and diastolic relaxation (11.11% to 4.94% with moderately/severely abnormal; P=0.02). Changes in left atrial volume (4.09 to 4.15mL/m2; P=0.08) or LVEDV (38.6 to 38.4mL/m2.7; P=0.8) were not significant. Worsening from CKD to ESRD of LVEF (adjusted HR for every 1% decline in LVEF, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.00-1.06) and LVESV (adjusted HR for every 1mL/m2.7 increase, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.02-1.07) were independently associated with greater risk for postdialysis mortality.

LIMITATIONS

Some missing or technically inadequate echocardiograms.

CONCLUSIONS

In a longitudinal study of patients with CKD who subsequently initiated dialysis therapy, LVEF and LVESV worsened and were significantly associated with greater risk for postdialysis mortality. There may be opportunities for intervention during this transition period to improve outcomes.

Development and Validation of Prediction Scores for Early Mortality at Transition to Dialysis

OBJECTIVE

To develop and validate a risk prediction model that would help individualize treatment and improve the shared decision-making process between clinicians and patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We developed a risk prediction tool for mortality during the first year of dialysis based on pre-end-stage renal disease characteristics in a cohort of 35,878 US veterans with incident end-stage renal disease who transitioned to dialysis treatment between October 1, 2007, and March 31, 2014 and then externally validated this tool among 4284 patients in the Kaiser Permanente Southern California (KPSC) health care system who transitioned to dialysis treatment between January 1, 2007, and September 30, 2015.

RESULTS

To ensure model goodness of fit, 2 separate models were selected for patients whose last estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) before dialysis initiation was less than 15 mL/min per 1.73 m² or 15 mL/min per 1.73 m² or higher. Model discrimination in the internal validation cohort of veterans resulted in C statistics of 0.71 (95% CI, 0.70-0.72) and 0.66 (95% CI, 0.65-0.67) among patients with eGFR lower than 15 mL/min per 1.73 m² and 15 mL/min per 1.73 m² or higher, respectively. In the KPSC external validation cohort, the developed risk score exhibited C statistics of 0.77 (95% CI, 0.74-0.79) in men and 0.74 (95% CI, 0.71-0.76) in women with eGFR lower than 15 mL/min per 1.73 m² and 0.71 (95% CI, 0.67-0.74) in men and 0.67 (95% CI, 0.62-0.72) in women with eGFR of 15 mL/min per 1.73 m² or higher.

CONCLUSION

A new risk prediction tool for mortality during the first year after transition to dialysis (available at www.DialysisScore.com) was developed in the large national Veterans Affairs cohort and validated with good performance in the racially, ethnically, and gender diverse KPSC cohort. This risk prediction tool will help identify high-risk populations and guide management strategies at the transition to dialysis.

Hypoglycemia-Related Hospitalizations and Mortality Among Patients With Diabetes Transitioning to Dialysis

RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE

Diabetic patients with declining kidney function are at heightened risk for hypoglycemia. We sought to determine whether hypoglycemia-related hospitalizations in the interval before dialysis therapy initiation are associated with post-end-stage renal disease (ESRD) mortality among incident patients with ESRD with diabetes.

STUDY DESIGN

Observational cohort study.

SETTING & PARTICIPANTS

US veterans from the national Veterans Affairs database with diabetes and chronic kidney disease transitioning to dialysis therapy from October 2007 to September 2011.

EXPOSURE

Hypoglycemia-related hospitalizations during the pre-ESRD period and antidiabetic medication regimens.

OUTCOME

The outcome of post-ESRD all-cause mortality was evaluated relative to pre-ESRD hypoglycemia. The outcome of pre-ESRD hypoglycemia-related hospitalization was evaluated relative to antidiabetic medication regimens.

ANALYTIC APPROACH

We examined whether the occurrence and frequency of pre-ESRD hypoglycemia-related hospitalizations are associated with post-ESRD mortality using Cox regression models adjusted for case-mix covariates. In a subcohort of patients prescribed 0 to 2 oral antidiabetic drugs and/or insulin, we examined the 12 most commonly prescribed antidiabetic medication regimens and risk for pre-ESRD hypoglycemia-related hospitalization using logistic regression models adjusted for case-mix covariates.

RESULTS

Among 30,156 patients who met eligibility criteria, the occurrence of pre-ESRD hypoglycemia-related hospitalization(s) was associated with higher post-ESRD mortality risk: adjusted HR (aHR), 1.25; 95% CI, 1.17-1.34 (reference group: no hypoglycemia hospitalization). Increasing frequency of hypoglycemia-related hospitalizations was independently associated with incrementally higher mortality risk: aHRs of 1.21 (95% CI, 1.12-1.30), 1.47 (95% CI, 1.19-1.82), and 2.07 (95% CI, 1.46-2.95) for 1, 2, and 3 or more hypoglycemia-related hospitalizations, respectively (reference group: no hypoglycemia hospitalization). Compared with patients who were prescribed neither oral antidiabetic drugs nor insulin, medication regimens that included sulfonylureas and/or insulin were associated with higher risk for hypoglycemia.

LIMITATIONS

Residual confounding cannot be excluded.

CONCLUSIONS

Among incident patients with ESRD with diabetes, a dose-dependent relationship between frequency of pre-ESRD hypoglycemia-related hospitalizations and post-ESRD mortality was observed. Further study of diabetic management strategies that prevent hypoglycemia as patients with chronic kidney disease transition to ESRD are warranted.

Dialysis Provider and Outcomes among United States Veterans Who Transition to Dialysis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Veterans with ESKD initiate dialysis under the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), an integrated health system, or are outsourced to non-VHA providers. It is unknown whether outcomes differ according to their dialysis provider at initiation. We sought to evaluate the association between dialysis provider and mortality and hospitalization among United States veterans initiating dialysis.

DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS

Among 68,727 United States veterans who initiated dialysis in 2007-2014, we examined the association of dialysis provider (VHA versus non-VHA) at initiation with mortality and hospitalization rates in the first 12 months post-initiation. Associations were examined across adjusted models, accounting for demographics and comorbidities.

RESULTS

Patients were 72±11 years, 5% were women, 24% were black, and 10% (n=7584) initiated at VHA dialysis centers. VHA dialysis center patients were younger, more likely to be black, had fewer cardiovascular comorbidities, and lower eGFR at dialysis initiation. VHA provider patients were more likely to be hospitalized in the first 12 months (adjusted incidence rate ratio, 1.10; 95% confidence interval, 1.07 to 1.14), but had lower all-cause mortality risk (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.87; 95% confidence interval, 0.83 to 0.93) in fully adjusted models.

CONCLUSIONS

Veteran patients initiating dialysis with a VHA dialysis provider appear to have a lower mortality risk but higher hospitalization rates than veterans initiating dialysis at non-VHA dialysis units.

Association of Pre-ESRD Serum Calcium With Post-ESRD Mortality Among Incident ESRD Patients: A Cohort Study

Albumin-corrected serum calcium (cSCa) decline at late stages of chronic kidney disease and rise after dialysis initiation. Although hypercalcemia is associated with higher mortality in end-stage renal disease (ESRD), there are scarce data on the impact of pre-ESRD cSCa on post-ESRD mortality. Therefore, we used a large national cohort of 21,826 US veterans who transitioned to dialysis in all US Department of Veterans Affairs health care facilities over 2009 to 2014 to examine the associations with all-cause and cause-specific post-ESRD mortality of (1) cSCa concentrations averaged over the last 6 months and (2) its rate of decline during the last 12 months before dialysis initiation. Mean concentrations and median rate of decline of cSCa were 9.3 ± 0.7 mg/dL and -0.15 (interquartile range -0.39 to 0.07) mg/dL/year, respectively. A total of 9596 patients died during the follow-up period (mean 1.9 years; total 41,541 patient-years) with an incidence rate of 23.1 per 100 patient-years. There was an independent linear association between higher cSCa with higher mortality (p_trend < 0.001). The mortality risk associated with cSCa ≥9.0 mg/dL was attenuated among active vitamin D users (p_interaction < 0.001). Patients with faster decline in cSCa showed lower mortality irrespective of baseline cSCa concentrations. These cSCa-mortality associations were stronger for noncardiovascular versus cardiovascular death. In conclusion, lower pre-ESRD cSCa and faster decline in cSCa were consistently and linearly associated with better post-ESRD survival among US veterans, especially for noncardiovascular death. Further studies are needed to determine if correcting hypocalcemia is beneficial or harmful and which intervention is preferred when indicated among patients transitioning to ESRD. © 2018 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

Association of Pre-End-Stage Renal Disease Hemoglobin with Early Dialysis Outcomes

BACKGROUND

Incident hemodialysis patients have a high mortality risk within the first months after dialysis initiation. Pre-end-stage renal disease (ESRD) factors like anemia management may impact early post-ESRD outcomes. Therefore, we evaluated the impact of pre-ESRD hemoglobin (Hgb) and pre-ESRD Hgb slope on post-ESRD mortality and hospitalization outcomes.

METHODS

The study included 31,472 veterans transitioning to ESRD. Using Cox and negative binomial regression models, we evaluated the association of pre-ESRD Hgb and Hgb slope with 12-month post-ESRD all-cause and cardiovascular mortality and hospitalization rates using 4 levels of hierarchical multivariable adjustment, including erythropoietin use and kidney decline in slope models.

RESULTS

The cohort was 2% female, 30% African-American, and on average 68 ± 11 years old. Compared to Hgb 10-< 11 g/dL, both low (< 10 g/dL) and high (≥12 g/dL) levels were associated with higher all-cause mortality after full adjustment (HR 1.25 [95% CI 1.15-1.35] and 1.09 [95% CI 1.02-1.18], respectively). Similarly, Hgb exhibited a U-shaped association with CV mortality, while only lower Hgb was associated with a higher hospitalization rate. Neither an annual pre-ESRD decline in Hgb nor increase was associated with higher post-ESRD mortality risk after adjustment for kidney decline. However, we observed a modest J-shaped association between pre-ESRD Hgb slope and post-ESRD hospitalization rate.

CONCLUSIONS

Lower and higher pre-ESRD Hgb levels are associated with a higher risk of early post-ESRD mortality, while there was no association between the pre-ESRD slope and mortality. An increase in pre-ESRD Hgb slope was associated with higher risk of post-ESRD hospitalization. Additional studies aimed at anemia management prior to ESRD transition are warranted.

Abrupt Decline in Kidney Function Precipitating Initiation of Chronic Renal Replacement Therapy

INTRODUCTION

Abrupt declines in kidney function often occur in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease and may exacerbate the need to initiate dialysis treatment. It is unclear how frequently such events occur in patients transitioning to chronic dialysis therapy, and what outcomes they are associated with.

METHODS

We examined a national cohort of 23,349 US veterans with incident end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and with available pre-ESRD estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) to identify abrupt declines in kidney function, defined as an unexpected >50% decrease in eGFR at the time of chronic dialysis transition. Associations with all-cause mortality and with renal recovery were examined in Cox proportional hazard and competing risk regression models.

RESULTS

A total of 4804 (21%) patients experienced an abrupt decline in kidney function at dialysis transition. Renal recovery occurred in 586 (12.2%) and 297 (1.6%) patients with and without an abrupt decline, respectively (adjusted subhazard ratio: 4.42; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.72-5.27; P < 0.001). In the first 6 months after dialysis transition 1178 patients (24.5%) with abrupt decline died (annualized mortality rate 574/1000 patient-years), compared with 2354 deaths (12.7%) in patients without abrupt decline (274 deaths/1000 patient-years). An abrupt decline was associated with 45% higher mortality after multivariable adjustments (hazard ratio: 1.45; 95% CI: 1.33-1.57).

CONCLUSION

Abrupt declines in kidney function are common in patients transitioning to chronic dialysis, and are associated with higher mortality. Patients with abrupt declines also experience a higher rate of renal recovery; hence, careful attention to residual kidney function is warranted in these patients.

Pre-end-stage renal disease visit-to-visit systolic blood pressure variability and post-end-stage renal disease mortality in incident dialysis patients

OBJECTIVES

Higher SBP visit-to-visit variability (SBPV) has been associated with increased risk of adverse events in patients with chronic kidney disease, but the association of SBPV in advanced nondialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease with mortality after the transition to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) remains unknown.

METHODS

Among 17 729 US veterans transitioning to dialysis between October 2007 and September 2011, we assessed SBPV calculated from the SD of at least three intraindividual outpatient SBP values during the last year prior to dialysis transition (prelude period). Outcomes included factors associated with higher prelude SBPV and post-transition all-cause, cardiovascular, and infection-related mortality, assessed using multivariable linear regression and Cox and competing risk regressions, respectively, adjusted for demographics, comorbidities, medications, cardiovascular medication adherence, SBP, BMI, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and type of vascular access.

RESULTS

Modifiable clinical factors associated with higher prelude SBPV included higher SBP, use of antihypertensive medications and erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, inadequate cardiovascular medication adherence, and catheter use. After multivariable adjustment, higher prelude SBPV was significantly associated with higher post-ESRD all-cause and infection-related mortality, but not cardiovascular mortality [hazard/subhazard ratios (95% confidence interval) for the highest (vs. lowest) quartile of SBPV, 1.08 (1.01-1.16), 1.02 (0.89-1.15), and 1.41 (1.10-1.80) for all-cause, cardiovascular, and infection-related mortality, respectively].

CONCLUSION

High pre-ESRD SBPV is potentially modifiable and associated with higher all-cause and infection-related mortality following dialysis initiation. Further studies are needed to test whether modification of pre-ESRD SBPV can improve clinical outcomes in incident ESRD patients. VIDEO ABSTRACT:.

History of psychosis and mania, and outcomes after kidney transplantation - a retrospective study

History of psychosis or mania, if uncontrolled, both represent relative contraindications for kidney transplantation. We examined 3680 US veterans who underwent kidney transplantation. The diagnosis of history of psychosis/mania was based on a validated algorithm. Measured confounders were used to create a propensity score-matched cohort (n = 442). Associations between pretransplantation psychosis/mania and death with functioning graft, all-cause death, graft loss, and rejection were examined in survival models and logistic regression models. Post-transplant medication nonadherence was assessed using proportion of days covered (PDC) for tacrolimus and mycophenolic acid in both groups. The mean ± SD age of the cohort at baseline was 61 ± 11 years, 92% were male, and 66% and 27% of patients were white and African-American, respectively. Compared to patients without history of psychosis/mania, patients with a history of psychosis/mania had similar risk of death with functioning graft [subhazard ratio (SHR) (95% confidence interval (CI)): 0.94(0.42-2.09)], all-cause death [hazard ratio (95% CI): 1.04 (0.51-2.14)], graft loss [SHR (95% CI): 1.07 (0.45-2.57)], and rejection [odds ratio(95% CI): 1.23(0.60-2.53)]. Moreover, there was no difference in immunosuppressive drug PDC in patients with and without history of psychosis/mania (PDC: 76 ± 21% vs. 78 ± 19%, P = 0.529 for tacrolimus; PDC: 78 ± 17% vs. 79 ± 18%, P = 0.666 for mycophenolic acid). After careful selection, pretransplantation psychosis/mania is not associated with adverse outcomes in kidney transplant recipients.

Pre-End-Stage Renal Disease Hemoglobin Variability Predicts Post-End-Stage Renal Disease Mortality in Patients Transitioning to Dialysis

BACKGROUND

Hemoglobin variability (Hb-var) has been associated with increased mortality both in non-dialysis dependent chronic kidney disease (NDD-CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. However, the impact of Hb-var in advanced NDD-CKD on outcomes after dialysis initiation remains unknown.

METHODS

Among 11,872 US veterans with advanced NDD-CKD transitioning to dialysis between October 2007 through September 2011, we assessed Hb-var calculated from the residual SD of at least 3 Hb values during the last 6 months before dialysis initiation (prelude period) using within-subject linear regression models, and stratified into quartiles. Outcomes included post-transition all-cause, cardiovascular, and infection-related mortality, assessed in Cox proportional hazards models and adjusted for demographics, comorbidities, length of hospitalization, medications, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), type of vascular access, Hb parameters (baseline Hb [i.e., intercept] and change in Hb [i.e., slope]), and number of Hb measurements.

RESULTS

Higher prelude Hb-var was associated with use of iron and antiplatelet agents, tunneled dialysis catheter use, higher levels of baseline Hb, change in Hb, eGFR, and serum ferritin. After multivariable adjustment, higher prelude Hb-var was associated with higher post-ESRD all-cause and infection-related mortality, but not cardiovascular mortality (adjusted hazard ratios [95% CI] for the highest [vs. lowest] quartile of Hb-var, 1.10 [1.02-1.19], 1.28 [0.93-1.75], and 0.93 [0.79-1.10], respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

High pre-ESRD Hb-var is associated with higher mortality, particularly from infectious causes rather than cardiovascular causes. Further research is required to clarify the underlying mechanisms and true causal nature of the observed association.

Evolution of Cardiovascular Disease During the Transition to End-Stage Renal Disease

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The rate of death in incident dialysis patients remains high. This has led to interest in the study of the evolution of CVD during the critical transition period from CKD to ESRD. Understanding the natural history and risk factors of clinical and subclinical CVD during this transition may help guide the timing of appropriate CVD therapies to improve outcomes in patients with kidney disease. This review provides an overview of the epidemiology of subclinical and clinical CVD during the transition from CKD to ESRD and discusses clinical trials of CVD therapies to mitigate risk of CVD in CKD and ESRD patients.

Pre-ESRD Depression and Post-ESRD Mortality in Patients with Advanced CKD Transitioning to Dialysis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Depression in patients with nondialysis-dependent CKD is often undiagnosed, empirically overlooked, and associated with higher risk of death, progression to ESRD, and hospitalization. However, there is a paucity of evidence on the association between the presence of depression in patients with advanced nondialysis-dependent CKD and post-ESRD mortality, particularly among those in the transition period from late-stage nondialysis-dependent CKD to maintenance dialysis.

DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS

From a nation-wide cohort of 45,076 United States veterans who transitioned to ESRD over 4 contemporary years (November of 2007 to September of 2011), we identified 10,454 (23%) patients with a depression diagnosis during the predialysis period. We examined the association of pre-ESRD depression with all-cause mortality after transition to dialysis using Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for sociodemographics, comorbidities, and medications.

RESULTS

Patients were 72±11 years old (mean±SD) and included 95% men, 66% patients with diabetes, and 23% blacks. The crude mortality rate was similar in patients with depression (289/1000 patient-years; 95% confidence interval, 282 to 297) versus patients without depression (286/1000 patient-years; 95% confidence interval, 282 to 290). Compared with patients without depression, patients with depression had a 6% higher all-cause mortality risk in the adjusted model (hazard ratio, 1.06; 95% confidence interval, 1.03 to 1.09). Similar results were found across all selected subgroups as well as in sensitivity analyses using alternate definitions of depression.

CONCLUSION

Pre-ESRD depression has a weak association with post-ESRD mortality in veterans transitioning to dialysis.

Blood Pressure Before Initiation of Maintenance Dialysis and Subsequent Mortality

BACKGROUND

Mortality is extremely high immediately after the transition to dialysis therapy, but the association of blood pressure (BP) before dialysis therapy initiation with mortality after dialysis therapy initiation remains unknown.

STUDY DESIGN

Observational study.

SETTING & PARTICIPANTS

17,729 US veterans transitioning to dialysis therapy in October 2007 to September 2011, with a median follow-up of 2.0 years.

PREDICTOR

Systolic (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) averaged over the last 1-year predialysis transition period as 6 (<120 to ≥160mmHg in 10-mmHg increments) and 5 (<60 to ≥90mmHg in 10-mmHg increments) categories, respectively, and as continuous measures.

OUTCOMES & MEASUREMENTS

Postdialysis all-cause mortality, assessed over different follow-up periods (ie, <3, 3-<6, 6-<12, and ≥12 months after dialysis therapy initiation) using Cox regressions adjusted for demographics, comorbid conditions, medications, cardiovascular medication adherence, body mass index, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and type of vascular access.

RESULTS

Mean predialysis SBP and DBP were 141.2±16.1 (SD) and 73.7±10.6mmHg, respectively. There was a reverse J-shaped association of SBP with all-cause mortality, with significantly higher mortality seen with SBP<140mmHg. Mortality risks associated with lower SBP were greatest in the first 3 months after dialysis therapy initiation, with multivariable-adjusted HRs of 2.40 (95% CI, 1.96-2.93), 1.99 (95% CI, 1.66-2.40), 1.35 (95% CI, 1.13-1.62), 0.98 (95% CI, 0.78-1.22), and 0.76 (95% CI, 0.57-1.00) for SBP <120, 120 to <130, 130 to <140, 150 to <160, and ≥160 (vs 140-<150) mmHg, respectively. No consistent association was observed between predialysis DBP and postdialysis mortality.

LIMITATIONS

Results cannot be inferred to show causality and may not be generalizable to women or the general US population.

CONCLUSIONS

Lower predialysis SBP is associated with higher all-cause mortality in the immediate postdialysis period. Predialysis DBP showed no consistent association with postdialysis mortality. Further studies are needed to clarify ideal predialysis SBP levels among incident dialysis patients as a potential means to improve the excessively high early dialysis mortality.

Association of Glycemic Status During Progression of Chronic Kidney Disease With Early Dialysis Mortality in Patients With Diabetes

OBJECTIVE

Although early trials suggested that intensive glycemic targets reduce the number of complications with diabetes, contemporary trials indicate no cardiovascular benefit and potentially higher mortality risk. As patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) transitioning to treatment with dialysis were excluded from these studies, the optimal glycemic level in this population remains uncertain. We hypothesized that glycemic status, defined by hemoglobin A_1c (HbA--_1c) and random glucose levels, in the pre-end-stage renal disease (ESRD) period is associated with higher 1-year post-ESRD mortality among patients with incident diabetes who have ESRD.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Among 17,819 U.S. veterans with diabetic CKD transitioning to dialysis from October 2007 to September 2011, we examined the association of mean HbA--_1c and random glucose levels averaged over the 1-year pre-ESRD transition period with mortality in the first year after dialysis initiation. All-cause mortality hazard ratios (HRs) were estimated using multivariable survival models. Secondary analyses examined cardiovascular mortality using competing risks methods.

RESULTS

HbA--_1c levels ≥8% (≥64 mmol/mol) were associated with higher mortality in the first year after dialysis initiation (reference value 6% to <7% [42-53 mmol/mol]): adjusted HRs [aHRs] 1.19 [95% CI 1.07-1.32] and 1.48 (1.31-1.67) for HbA--_1c 8% to <9% [64-75 mmol/mol] and ≥9% [≥75 mmol/mol], respectively). Random glucose levels ≥200 mg/dL were associated with higher mortality (reference value 100 to <125 mg/dL): aHR 1.34 [95% CI 1.20-1.49]). Cumulative incidence curves showed that incrementally higher mean HbA--_1c and random glucose levels were associated with increasingly higher cardiovascular mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with diabetes and CKD transitioning to dialysis, higher mean HbA--_1c and random glucose levels during the pre-ESRD prelude period were associated with higher 1-year post-ESRD mortality. Clinical trials are warranted to examine whether modulating glycemic status improves survival in this population.

Early Mortality Associated with Inpatient versus Outpatient Hemodialysis Initiation in a Large Cohort of US Veterans with Incident End-Stage Renal Disease

BACKGROUND

Mortality in the immediate post-hemodialysis transition period is extremely high. Many end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients in the US start dialysis in an inpatient setting, but the characteristics of patients starting dialysis as inpatients, and the association of inpatient hemodialysis transition with mortality remain unclear.

METHODS

We examined 48,261 US veterans who transitioned to hemodialysis between October 2007 and September 2011. Associations of inpatient hemodialysis starting with all-cause mortality were examined in Cox proportional hazard models, with adjustments for demographics, comorbidities, vascular access type, pre-dialysis nephrology care and medication use, and last pre-ESRD estimated glomerular filtration rate and hemoglobin.

RESULTS

A total of 22,338 (46.3%) patients received the first hemodialysis treatment in an inpatient setting. Inpatient hemodialysis transition was associated with older age, presence of a tunneled catheter, higher comorbidity burden, and lack of pre-dialysis nephrology care. A total of 8,674 patients died (mortality rate 405/1,000 patient-years, 95% CI 397-413) during the first 6 months after transition to hemodialysis. The starting of inpatient vs. outpatient hemodialysis was associated with significantly higher crude all-cause mortality, but this association was attenuated after multivariable adjustments.

CONCLUSIONS

Transition to hemodialysis in an inpatient setting is more common in older and sicker individuals, and in patients without pre-dialysis nephrology care and those who used a catheter for vascular access. Future studies are needed to determine if a higher proportion of patients could start hemodialysis treatment in outpatient clinics, through interventions targeting modifiable risk factors such as timely vascular access placement or earlier nephrology referrals.

Transition of care from pre-dialysis prelude to renal replacement therapy: the blueprints of emerging research in advanced chronic kidney disease

In patients with advanced (estimated glomerular filtration rate <25 mL/min/1.73 m2) non-dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease (CKD) the optimal transition of care to renal replacement therapy (RRT), i.e. dialysis or transplantation, is not known. Mortality and hospitalization risk are extremely high upon transition and in the first months following the transition to dialysis. Major knowledge gaps persist pertaining to differential or individualized transitions across different demographics and clinical measures during the 'prelude' period prior to the transition, particularly in several key areas: (i) the best timing for RRT transition; (ii) the optimal RRT type (dialysis versus transplant), and in the case of dialysis, the best modality (hemodialysis versus peritoneal dialysis), format (in-center versus home), frequency (infrequent versus thrice-weekly versus more frequent) and vascular access preparation; (iii) the post-RRT impact of pre-RRT prelude conditions and events such as blood pressure and glycemic control, acute kidney injury episodes, and management of CKD-specific conditions such as anemia and mineral disorders; and (iv) the impact of the above prelude conditions on end-of-life care and RRT decision-making versus conservative management of CKD. Given the enormous changes occurring in the global CKD healthcare landscape, as well as the high costs of transitioning to dialysis therapy with persistently poor outcomes, there is an urgent need to answer these important questions. This review describes the key concepts and questions related to the emerging field of 'Transition of Care in CKD', systematically defines six main categories of CKD transition, and reviews approaches to data linkage and novel prelude analyses along with clinical applications of these studies.

Pre-ESRD Dementia and Post-ESRD Mortality in a Large Cohort of Incident Dialysis Patients

BACKGROUND

Conservative management may be a desirable option for elderly, fragile, or demented patients who reach end-stage renal disease (ESRD), yet some patients with dementia are placed on renal replacement therapy nonetheless.

METHODS

From a nationwide cohort of 45,076 US veterans who transitioned to ESRD over 4 contemporary years (October 1, 2007 to September 30, 2011), we identified 1,336 (3.0%) patients with International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification code-based dementia diagnosis during the prelude (predialysis) period. We examined the association of prelude dementia with all-cause mortality within the first 6 months following transition to dialysis, using a propensity-matched cohort and Cox proportional hazards models.

RESULTS

In the entire cohort, the overall mean ± standard deviation age at baseline was 72 ± 11 years, 95% were male, 23% were African-American, and 66% were diabetic. There were 8,080 (18.5%) deaths (mortality rate, 412; 95% confidence interval [CI], 403-421/1,000 patient-years) in the dementia-negative group, and 396 (29.6%) deaths (mortality rate, 708; 95% CI, 642-782/1,000 patient-years) in the dementia-positive group in the entire cohort in the first 6 months after dialysis initiation. Presence of dementia was associated with higher risk of all-cause mortality (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.12-1.38) compared to dementia-free patients in the first 6 months after dialysis initiation.

CONCLUSION

Pre-ESRD dementia is associated with increased risk of early post-ESRD mortality in veterans transitioning to dialysis.

Dietary protein intake and chronic kidney disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

High-protein intake may lead to increased intraglomerular pressure and glomerular hyperfiltration. This can cause damage to glomerular structure leading to or aggravating chronic kidney disease (CKD). Hence, a low-protein diet (LPD) of 0.6-0.8 g/kg/day is often recommended for the management of CKD. We reviewed the effect of protein intake on incidence and progression of CKD and the role of LPD in the CKD management.

RECENT FINDINGS

Actual dietary protein consumption in CKD patients remains substantially higher than the recommendations for LPD. Notwithstanding the inconclusive results of the 'Modification of Diet in Renal Disease' (MDRD) study, the largest randomized controlled trial to examine protein restriction in CKD, several prior and subsequent studies and meta-analyses appear to support the role of LPD on retarding progression of CKD and delaying initiation of maintenance dialysis therapy. LPD can also be used to control metabolic derangements in CKD. Supplemented LPD with essential amino acids or their ketoanalogs may be used for incremental transition to dialysis especially on nondialysis days. The LPD management in lieu of dialysis therapy can reduce costs, enhance psychological adaptation, and preserve residual renal function upon transition to dialysis. Adherence and adequate protein and energy intake should be ensured to avoid protein-energy wasting.

SUMMARY

A balanced and individualized dietary approach based on LPD should be elaborated with periodic dietitian counseling and surveillance to optimize management of CKD, to assure adequate protein and energy intake, and to avoid or correct protein-energy wasting.