CKD Self-management: Phenotypes and Associations With Clinical Outcomes

Association between physical function and hospitalization among older patients with pre-dialysis chronic kidney disease after educational hospitalization: A single-center prospective cohort study

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to investigate the factors associated with hospitalization in older patients with pre-dialysis CKD, including physical function.

METHODS

This single-center, prospective cohort study included 111 patients aged ≥65 years with stage 3-5 non-hemodialyzed CKD. Physical function was assessed using the short physical performance battery (SPPB), 10-m walk test, and grip strength test. Hospitalizations and reasons for readmission were tracked from discharge to the end of the follow-up period.

RESULTS

Kaplan-Meier analysis showed significant associations between rehospitalization and SPPB, 10-meter walk speed, and grip strength. The cutoff values predicting rehospitalization were 11 points for SPPB, 1.1 m/s for 10-meter walk speed, and 31 kg for grip strength. Multivariate Cox regression revealed that SPPB, hemoglobin, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were independently associated with rehospitalization risk.

CONCLUSIONS

SPPB may predict hospitalization in older pre-dialysis CKD patients, emphasizing the importance of screening and preventing physical function decline.

Effectiveness of a health literacy intervention targeting both chronic kidney disease patients and health care professionals in primary and secondary care: a quasi-experimental study

BACKGROUND

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients with limited health literacy are at risk for faster disease progression. To counteract this problem, we developed 'Grip on your Kidneys' (GoYK), an intervention targeting patients and health care professionals. We assessed the effect on self-management, patient activation, clinical parameters, consultation quality, and the professionals' use of health literacy strategies. We further evaluated the process.

METHODS

A quasi-experimental study included 147 patients with CKD and 48 professionals from Dutch general practices and nephrology clinics. Patients and professionals in the intervention group (IG) received GoYK. Control patients received care-as-usual from the participating professionals. Data were collected with questionnaires and from patient records at baseline (T0), 4 months (T1) and 9 months (T2).

RESULTS

No effects on self-management and patient activation were found. Conversely, at T2, the proportion of patients with hypertension decreased in the intervention group (odds ratio = 0.45, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) [0.20, 0.99]). In the intervention group, more lifestyle topics were discussed, at T1 (difference = 0.80, 95%CI [0.28, 1.31]) and T2 (difference = 0.69, 95%CI [0.14, 1.25]). Furthermore, several outcomes related to consultation quality improved. Professionals in the intervention group improved the use of health literacy strategies more, at T1 (difference = 0.64, 95%CI [0.33, 0.95]) and T2 (difference = 0.56, 95%CI [0.19, 0.93]). In general, patients and professionals considered GoYK to be useful.

CONCLUSIONS

GoYK is promising, and offers a blueprint to optimize care for patients with limited health literacy. Researchers should develop and test interventions like GoYK, focusing on patients at risk for CKD, and with very low health literacy.

Supporting Self-Management of Healthy Behaviors in Chronic Kidney Disease and Hypertension: The Supporting Self-Management of Healthy Behaviors Pilot Randomized Trial

Key Points

Support programs for self-management are underutilized among people with CKD. Implementing a smartphone support tool for self-monitoring physical activity and BP was feasible among people with CKD and hypertension. Despite low digital health literacy, Supporting Self-Management of Healthy Behaviors was observed to be readily usable because of high levels of adherence and usability scores.

Background

Support programs for self-management are underutilized among people with CKD. We examined the feasibility of a smartphone-based intervention to support physical activity and BP monitoring, Supporting Self-Management of Healthy Behaviors (SMART-HABITS), for individuals with CKD and hypertension.

Methods

SMART-HABITS was piloted in a 12-week randomized cross-over trial among people with CKD and hypertension. Participants were asked to monitor BP ≥3-times/wk and step counts ≥5-times/wk. Participants were randomized to BP communication approach–self-report through text message for 6 weeks versus automatic reporting with a smartphone application (app) paired to a Bluetooth enabled BP machine for the alternate 6 weeks. The approach to monitoring and reporting steps was the same during both phases. Primary outcomes were adoption (retention and use of SMART-HABITS dashboard), adherence (% of transmitted BP and step counts), and acceptability as assessed with surveys and interviews. Secondary outcomes were reach, maintenance, CKD knowledge, digital health literacy, self-management, self-efficacy, quality of life, step counts, and BP values. Interviews were conducted at study end.

Results

Of the 47 randomized participants, 44 (94%) completed the text phase and 43 (92%) completed the app phase. The median age was 63 years, 49% were female, and 45% were Black. Retention was 91%. BP adherence was 87% in the text phase and 74% in the app phase, and step count adherence was 97%. Acceptability scores were high, and interviews largely conveyed acceptance. CKD knowledge increased but remaining survey scores did not change. Mean step counts increased from the prestudy period similarly in both phases. BP did not change over time.

Conclusions

Implementing a smartphone support tool for self-management was feasible among people with CKD and hypertension. The approach can supplement clinic-based care and potentially lead to less cardiovascular disease and CKD progression.

Clinical Trial registry name and registration number:

NCT04858295 .

Five-Year Cumulative Cardiovascular Health and Clinical Events in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease: The CRIC Study

BACKGROUND

Higher cardiovascular health (CVH) score is associated with lower risks of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality in the general population. However, it is unclear whether cumulative CVH is associated with CVD, end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), and death in patients with chronic kidney disease.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Among individuals from the prospective CRIC (Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort) Study, we used the percentage of the maximum possible CVH score attained from baseline to the year 5 visit to calculate cumulative CVH score. Multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression was used to investigate the associations of cumulative CVH with risks of adjudicated CVD (myocardial infarction, stroke, and heart failure), ESKD, and all-cause mortality. A total of 3939 participants (mean age, 57.7 years; 54.9% men) were included. The mean (SD) cumulative CVH score attained during 5 years was 55.5% (12.3%). Over a subsequent median 10.2-year follow-up, 597 participants developed CVD, 656 had ESKD, and 1324 died. A higher cumulative CVH score was significantly associated with lower risks of CVD, ESKD, and mortality, independent of the CVH score at year 5. Multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios and 95% CIs per 10% higher cumulative CVH score during 5 years were 0.81 (0.69-0.95) for CVD, 0.82 (0.70-0.97) for ESKD, and 0.80 (0.72-0.89) for mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients with chronic kidney disease stages 2 to 4, a better CVH status maintained throughout 5 years is associated with lower risks of CVD, ESKD, and all-cause mortality. The findings support the need for interventions to maintain ideal CVH status for prevention of adverse outcomes in the population with chronic kidney disease.

Depressive Symptoms, Antidepressants, and Clinical Outcomes in Chronic Kidney Disease: Findings from the CRIC Study

Rationale & Objective

The extent to which depression affects the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and leads to adverse clinical outcomes remains inadequately understood. We examined the association of depressive symptoms (DS) and antidepressant medication use on clinical outcomes in 4,839 adults with nondialysis CKD.

Study Design

Observational cohort study.

Setting and Participants

Adults with mild to moderate CKD who participated in the multicenter Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort Study (CRIC).

Exposure

The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was used to quantify DS. Antidepressant use was identified from medication bottles and prescription lists. Individual effects of DS and antidepressants were examined along with categorization as follows: (1) BDI <11 and no antidepressant use, (2) BDI <11 with antidepressant use, (3) BDI ≥11 and no antidepressant use, and (4) BDI ≥11 with antidepressant use.

Outcomes

CKD progression, incident cardiovascular disease composite, all-cause hospitalizations, and mortality.

Analytic Approach

Cox regression models were fitted for outcomes of CKD progression, incident cardiovascular disease, and all-cause mortality, whereas hospitalizations used Poisson regression.

Results

At baseline, 27.3% of participants had elevated DS, and 19.7% used antidepressants. Elevated DS at baseline were associated with significantly greater risk for an incident cardiovascular disease event, hospitalization, and all-cause mortality, but not CKD progression, adjusted for antidepressants. Antidepressant use was associated with higher risk for all-cause mortality and hospitalizations, after adjusting for DS. Compared to participants without elevated DS and not using antidepressants, the remaining groups (BDI <11 with antidepressants; BDI ≥11 and no antidepressants; BDI ≥11 with antidepressants) showed higher risks of hospitalization and all-cause mortality.

Limitations

Inability to infer causality among depressive symptoms, antidepressants, and outcomes. Additionally, the absence of nonpharmacological data, and required exploration of generalizability and alternative analytical approaches.

Conclusions

Elevated DS increased adverse outcome risk in nondialysis CKD, unattenuated by antidepressants. Additionally, investigation into the utilization and counterproductivity of antidepressants in this population is warranted.

Automated Digital Counseling Program (ODYSSEE-Kidney Health): A Pilot Study on Health-Related Quality of Life

Key Points

Feasibility of implementing an automated, scalable, digital self-care program for patients with CKD was established. The primary outcome of improvement in health-related quality of life improved with the ODYSSEE-Kidney Health program. A dose relationship was shown between program engagement tertile and improvement in 4-month outcomes.

Background

In-person counseling programs promote self-care behavior and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). ODYSSEE-Kidney Health (prO moting health with D igitallY based counS eling for S elf-care bE havior and quality of lifE ; ODYSSEE-KH) is an automated, scalable, digital counseling program for patients with CKD. This open-label, single-arm pilot study tested the efficacy potential of the ODYSSEE-KH program to improve HRQoL in patients with CKD.

Methods

Adults with categories G3b to 5d CKD were recruited from nephrology clinics in Toronto, Canada. Patients (N =29) received access to the ODYSSEE-KH program in conjunction with usual care. Generalized linear models and pairwise comparisons of mean change scores were conducted to assess the primary outcome: Mental Component Score (MCS) of the Kidney Disease Quality of Life–Short Form instrument. Secondary outcomes included the MCS Mental Health Scale, 36-Item Kidney Disease Quality of Life–Short Form, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire for depression, Enhancing Recovery in Coronary Heart Disease Social Support Instrument, and 3-Item Revised University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Loneliness Scale.

Results

The mean age of the patients was 53.5 years (SD=18.3); 35% were women; 56% were White; 93% had completed ≥postsecondary education; patients came from the Multi-Care Kidney Clinic (n =9), Home Peritoneal Dialysis Unit (n =12), and Home Hemodialysis Unit (n =8); and 24 participants completed the 4-month end-of-study questionnaires. Outcomes were assessed according to tertiles of program log-on minutes: median (range)=67 (62–108), 212 (119–355), and 500 (359–1573) minutes, respectively. Patients in the highest tertile of engagement showed significant improvements on the MCS versus the moderate tertile group (P = 0.01). Significant dose-response associations were observed for the MCS Mental Health Scale (P < 0.05), KDQoL Burden on Kidney Disease (P < 0.01), KDQoL Effect of Kidney Disease on Everyday Life (P < 0.01), aggregated KDQoL Summary Scale (P < 0.05), Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (P < 0.01), Patient Health Questionnaire for Depression (P < 0.05), Enhancing Recovery in Coronary Heart Disease Social Support Instrument (P < 0.01), and 3-Item Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale (P < 0.01).

Conclusion

The ODYSSEE-KH program demonstrated feasibility as an automated, scalable, digital self-care program for patients with CKD. There is evidence of its efficacy potential to improve HRQoL. Further evaluation with a larger sample is warranted.

Factors associated with self-care behavior in patients with pre-dialysis or dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease

Self-care behavior plays a pivotal role in the management of chronic kidney disease. Improved self-care behavior in patients with chronic kidney disease is a key factor in health management and treatment adherence. This study aimed to evaluate the participants’ general and medical condition-related characteristics, physiological indices and the level of health literacy affecting self-care behavior in patients with chronic kidney disease in South Korea. The data of 278 participants were analyzed using t-test, analysis of variance, correlation coefficient, and linear multiple regression analysis. There were significant differences in self-care behavior scores depending on participants’ age and cohabitation status, employment, and smoking status as well as having dialysis due to end-stage kidney disease; number of comorbidities; levels of serum hemoglobin, calcium, and creatinine; and estimated glomerular filtration rate. The results of regression analysis revealed that not currently working, non-smoker, end-stage kidney disease, and positive response to the “actively managing my health” scale of the Health Literacy Questionnaire significantly affected self-care behavior in patients with chronic kidney disease, and the explanatory power of the model was 32.7%. Therefore, it is necessary to identify each patient’s barriers or needs according to individual characteristics, such as age, cohabitation and employment status, and daily life circumstances, including smoking habits, comorbidities, social support, and level of health literacy to develop efficient support strategies for promoting adequate self-care behavior with CKD.

Developing and validating a prognostic prediction model for patients with chronic kidney disease stages 3-5 based on disease conditions and intervention methods: a retrospective cohort study in China

OBJECTIVES

To develop and validate a nomogram model to predict chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages 3-5 prognosis.

DESIGN

A retrospective cohort study. We used univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis to select the relevant predictors. To select the best model, we evaluated the prediction models' accuracy by concordance index (C-index), calibration curve, net reclassification index (NRI) and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI). We evaluated the clinical utility by decision curve analysis.

SETTING

Chronic Disease Management (CDM) Clinic in the Nephrology Department at the Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients with CKD stages 3-5 in the derivation and validation cohorts were 459 and 326, respectively.

PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURE

Renal replacement therapy (haemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, renal transplantation) or death.

RESULTS

We built four models. Age, estimated glomerular filtration rate and urine protein constituted the most basic model A. Haemoglobin, serum uric acid, cardiovascular disease, primary disease, CDM adherence and predictors in model A constituted model B. Oral medications and predictors in model A constituted model C. All the predictors constituted model D. Model B performed well in both discrimination and calibration (C-index: derivation cohort: 0.881, validation cohort: 0.886). Compared with model A, model B showed significant improvement in the net reclassification and integrated discrimination (model A vs model B: NRI: 1 year: 0.339 (-0.011 to 0.672) and 2 years: 0.314 (0.079 to 0.574); IDI: 1 year: 0.066 (0.010 to 0.127), p<0.001 and 2 years: 0.063 (0.008 to 0.106), p<0.001). There was no significant improvement between NRI and IDI among models B, C and D. Therefore, we selected model B as the optimal model.

CONCLUSIONS

We constructed a prediction model to predict the prognosis of patients with CKD stages 3-5 in the first and second year. Applying this model to clinical practice may guide clinical decision-making. Also, this model needs to be externally validated in the future.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ChiCTR1900024633 (http://www.chictr.org.cn).

Self-management program for patients with chronic kidney disease (SMP-CKD) in Southern China: protocol for an ambispective cohort study

Background

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major global health problem. Short-term self-management has been considered to effect some renal and psychological endpoints. However, there are currently very few studies about self-management for CKD that a) have been scientifically designed by a theory-based framework and b) that evaluate the long-term effects and working mechanism. This study presents the rationale and design of a theory-based cohort study to explore how this self-management intervention works and its effectiveness on the Chinese CKD population.

Methods

In this ambispective intervention cohort study,1,200 patients with CKD stages 1–5 will be recruited from July 2015 to July 2024 in 3 branches of Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine (GPHCM) in Guangdong province, China. The patients in the self-management cohort will choose to receive an intervention that consists of education, nutrition/diet modification, lifestyle change recommendation, medication review, and psychology support based on Social Cognition Theory (SCT). The patients in the control cohort will do regular follow-ups based on the clinic rules. All the patients will be followed up for 5 years, or until the occurrence of a primary outcome. Detailed clinical, laboratory markers, nutritional status, psychological exposures and outcome questionaries will be collected semiannually in CKD stage 1–2 and trimonthly in stage 3–5 patients. The primary outcome is the occurrence of composite clinical endpoints (doubling of serum creatinine level, ESKD, loss of renal function (≥ 40% decline in GFR from baseline), death, major cardiovascular or cerebrovascular events). The main secondary outcomes include the absolute change and slope of eGFR, absolute changes of urinary protein creatinine ratio, 24-h urine proteinuria, intact parathyroid hormone level, and self-management adherence rate and quality of life from baseline to end of the study. The effectiveness of self-management will be analyzed and the association between longitudinal trajectories of self-management and renal outcomes will be evaluated.

Discussion

This study aims to provide further evidence for the effectiveness of theory-based self-management in CKD patients and to improve the lives of patients with CKD by slowing progression, improving psychological well-being and overall quality of life.

Trial registration

Chinese Clinical Trial Register (ChiCTR1900024633). 19 July, 2019. http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=38378

Patient activation and its association with symptom burden and quality of life across the spectrum of chronic kidney disease stages in England

Background

The knowledge, skills, and confidence to manage one’s own health is termed patient activation and can be assessed using the Patient Activation Measure (PAM). This measure is increasingly recommended for use in chronic kidney disease (CKD), but there is a need to better understand patient activation within this population. This work aimed to explore the association of PAM with patient-reported outcomes, namely symptom burden and health-related quality of life (HRQoL), to understand the relationship between patient activation and outcomes which are of importance to people with CKD.

Methods

Non-dialysis, dialysis, and kidney transplant patients from 14 renal units across England completed a survey comprising questionnaires assessing patient activation, symptom burden, and HRQoL.

Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to determine HRQoL and symptom burden subgroups in the data. Multinomial logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate the associations between patient activation and symptom burden and HRQoL classes separately, adjusting for age, gender, ethnicity, deprivation and treatment modality.

Results

Three thousand thirteen participants (mean age 61.5 years, 61.8% males, and 47% haemodialysis) were included in the analysis. Patient activation was strongly associated with both the HRQoL and symptom burden classes identified, with highly activated patients more likely to report higher HRQoL (P = < 0.0001; OR 29.2, 95% CI 19.5–43.9) and fewer symptoms (P = < 0.0001; OR 25.9, 95% CI 16.8–40.2).

Conclusion

Lower activation levels are associated with a higher symptom burden and reduced HRQoL across the trajectory of CKD stages and treatment modalities. Therefore, targeted and holistic self-management support focussing on improving activation may have the potential to improve aspects of health experience which are valued by individuals living with kidney disease.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12882-022-02679-w.

A longitudinal qualitative study to explore and optimize self-management in mild to end stage chronic kidney disease patients with limited health literacy: Perspectives of patients and health care professionals

OBJECTIVES

Limited health literacy (LHL) is associated with faster kidney deterioration. Health care professionals (HCPs) promote self-management to maintain kidney function, which is difficult for patients with LHL. Evidence lacks on perceived barriers and best strategies to optimize their self-management. Our study aims to explore experiences with and barriers for self-management from the perspectives of LHL patients and HCPs to identify strategies to optimize self-management.

METHODS

We performed a longitudinal qualitative study with semi-structured in-depth interviews and focus group discussions among CKD patients and LHL (n = 24) and HCPs (n = 37) from general practices and hospitals.

RESULTS

Four themes arose among patients: (1) CKD elusiveness, (2) suboptimal intake of knowledge (3) not taking a front-seat role, and (4) maintaining change. Among HCPs, three themes emerged: (1) not recognizing HL problems, (2) lacking effective strategies, and (3) health care barriers.

CONCLUSION

We suggest three routes to optimize self-management: providing earlier information, applying person-centered strategies to maintain changes, and improving competencies of HCPs.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

HCPs need to explain CKD self-management better to prevent kidney deterioration. New interventions, based on behavioral approaches, are needed to optimize self-management. HCPs need training to improve recognition and support of LHL patients.

Mobile Health (mHealth) Technology: Assessment of Availability, Acceptability, and Use in CKD

RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE

Digital and mobile health (mHealth) technologies improve patient-provider communication and increase information accessibility. We assessed the use of technology, attitudes toward using mHealth technologies, and proficiency in using mHealth technologies among individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional survey with open text responses.

SETTING & PARTICIPANTS

Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) Study participants who completed current use and interest in using mHealth technologies questionnaires and the eHealth literacy Survey (eHEALS).

EXPOSURE

Participant characteristics.

OUTCOMES

Use of technology (ie, internet, email, smartphone, and mHealth applications [apps]), interest in future mHealth use, and proficiency in using digital and mHealth technologies, or eHealth literacy, determined by eHEALS score.

ANALYTICAL APPROACH

Poisson regression and a qualitative content analysis of open-ended responses.

RESULTS

Study participants (n = 932) had a mean age of 68 years old and an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 54 mL/min/1.73 m2, and 59% were male. Approximately 70% reported current use of internet, email, and smartphones, and 35% used mHealth apps; only 27% had adequate eHealth literacy (eHEALS score ≥ 32). Participants <65 years of age (vs. ≥65), with more education, higher income, better cognition, and adequate health literacy reported more use of technology, and greater interest in using technologies. Participants of White (vs. non-White) race reported more use of internet and email but less interest in future use of mHealth. Younger age, higher annual income, and greater disease self-efficacy were associated with adequate eHealth literacy. Three themes regarding interest in using digital and mHealth technologies emerged: willingness, concerns, and barriers.

LIMITATIONS

Residual confounding, ascertainment bias.

CONCLUSIONS

Many individuals with CKD currently use the internet and smartphones and are interested in using mHealth in the future, but few use mHealth apps or have adequate eHealth literacy. mHealth technologies present an opportunity to engage individuals with CKD, especially members of racial or ethnic minority groups because those groups reported greater interest in using mHealth technology than the nonminority population. Further research is needed to identify strategies to overcome inadequate eHealth literacy.

Risk Factors for CKD Progression: Overview of Findings from the CRIC Study

The Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) Study is an ongoing, multicenter, longitudinal study of nearly 5500 adults with CKD in the United States. Over the past 10 years, the CRIC Study has made significant contributions to the understanding of factors associated with CKD progression. This review summarizes findings from longitudinal studies evaluating risk factors associated with CKD progression in the CRIC Study, grouped into the following six thematic categories: (1) sociodemographic and economic (sex, race/ethnicity, and nephrology care); (2) behavioral (healthy lifestyle, diet, and sleep); (3) genetic (apoL1, genome-wide association study, and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system pathway genes); (4) cardiovascular (atrial fibrillation, hypertension, and vascular stiffness); (5) metabolic (fibroblast growth factor 23 and urinary oxalate); and (6) novel factors (AKI and biomarkers of kidney injury). Additionally, we highlight areas where future research is needed, and opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration.

Diabetes status modifies the efficacy of home-based kidney care for Zuni Indians in a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Home-Based Kidney Care (HBKC) is a pragmatic treatment approach that addresses patient preferences and cultural barriers to healthcare. We previously reported the results of a clinical trial of HBKC vs. usual care in a cohort of Zuni Indians in New Mexico. This study investigated the potential for differential efficacy of HBKC vs. usual care according to type 2 diabetes (T2DM) status.

METHODS

We analyzed the data from all individuals who participated in a randomized clinical trial that compared HBKC to usual care among patients with CKD, and assessed whether the effect of the HBKC intervention affected the subset of patients with T2DM differently than those individuals without T2DM. We used linear regression models to estimate the effect of HBKC on improvement in Patient Activation Measure (PAM) total scores within the groups of participants defined by T2DM status, and to compare the effects between these two groups. We used generalized estimating equations (GEE) to account for household clustering.

RESULTS

The original study enrolled 63 participants into the HBKC group, and 62 into the usual care. Ninety-eight of these individuals completed the 12-month intervention, 50 in the HBKC group and 48 in the usual care group. The present study compared the intervention effect in the 56 participants with T2DM (24 participants in the HBKC group and 32 in usual care) to the intervention effect in the 42 participants without T2DM (26 participants in the HBKC group and 16 in usual care). Those with T2DM who received the HBKC intervention experienced an average increase in PAM total scores of 16.0 points (95% Confidence Interval: 8.8-23.1) more than those with T2DM who were in the usual care group. For those without T2DM, the intervention had essentially no effect, with those who received the HBKC intervention having an average PAM total scores that was 1.4 points (95% C.I.: -12.4 to 9.6) lower than those who received usual care. There was a significantly different HBKC treatment effect by T2DM status (p = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

This secondary analysis suggests that the effectiveness of this HBKC intervention on increasing patient activation is most notable among those CKD patients who also have T2DM.

The interaction between self-care behavior and disease knowledge on the decline in renal function in chronic kidney disease

Multidisciplinary care can improve the outcomes of chronic kidney disease (CKD), however the contribution of self-care behavior and knowledge about CKD is unclear. This study enrolled 454 participants with CKD stages 1-5 not on dialysis. Structured questionnaires were used to evaluate self-care behavior and kidney disease knowledge. Rapid decline in renal function was defined as the decline in estimated filtration rate > 3 ml/min per 1.73 m²/year within 1-year prior to enrollment. The mean age of all study participants was 65.8 ± 12.1 years and 55.9% were male. The elderly had better self-care behavior while younger participants had better disease knowledge. Both high self-care and high disease knowledge scores were significantly associated with and had a synergistic effect on decreasing the risk of rapid decline in renal function. CKD patients with better self-care behavior and better kidney disease knowledge had lower risk of rapid decline in renal function.

Clinical Phenogroups in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction: Detailed Phenotypes, Prognosis, and Response to Spironolactone

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to assess if clinical phenogroups differ in comprehensive biomarker profiles, cardiac and arterial structure/function, and responses to spironolactone therapy.

BACKGROUND

Previous studies identified distinct subgroups (phenogroups) of patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).

METHODS

Among TOPCAT (Treatment of Preserved Cardiac Function Heart Failure with an Aldosterone Antagonist Trial) participants, we performed latent-class analysis to identify HFpEF phenogroups based on standard clinical features and assessed differences in multiple biomarkers measured from frozen plasma; cardiac and arterial structure/function measured with echocardiography and arterial tonometry; prognosis; and response to spironolactone.

RESULTS

Three HFpEF phenogroups were identified. Phenogroup 1 (n = 1,214) exhibited younger age, higher prevalence of smoking, preserved functional class, and the least evidence of left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and arterial stiffness. Phenogroup 2 (n = 1,329) was older, with normotrophic concentric LV remodeling, atrial fibrillation, left atrial enlargement, large-artery stiffening, and biomarkers of innate immunity and vascular calcification. Phenogroup 3 (n = 899) demonstrated more functional impairment, obesity, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, concentric LV hypertrophy, high renin, and biomarkers of tumor necrosis factor-alpha-mediated inflammation, liver fibrosis, and tissue remodeling. Compared with phenogroup 1, phenogroup 3 exhibited the highest risk of the primary endpoint of cardiovascular death, heart failure hospitalization, or aborted cardiac arrest (hazard ratio [HR]: 3.44; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.79 to 4.24); phenogroups 2 and 3 demonstrated similar all-cause mortality (phenotype 2 HR: 2.36; 95% CI: 1.89 to 2.95; phenotype 3 HR: 2.26, 95% CI: 1.77 to 2.87). Spironolactone randomized therapy was associated with a more pronounced reduction in the risk of the primary endpoint in phenogroup 3 (HR: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.59 to 0.95; p for interaction = 0.016). Results were similar after excluding participants from Eastern Europe.

CONCLUSIONS

We identified important differences in circulating biomarkers, cardiac/arterial characteristics, prognosis, and response to spironolactone across clinical HFpEF phenogroups. These findings suggest distinct underlying mechanisms across clinically identifiable phenogroups of HFpEF that may benefit from different targeted interventions.

Clair Russell J, Pendergast J, Bhavsar N, Scialla J, Tyson CC, Wang W, Min YI, Young B, Boulware LE, Diamantidis CJ. Association of functional and structural social support with chronic kidney disease among African Americans: the Jackson Heart Study

BACKGROUND

There is limited evidence on the relationship between social support and renal outcomes in African Americans. We sought to determine the association of social support with prevalent chronic kidney disease (CKD) and kidney function decline in an African American cohort. We also examined whether age modifies the association between social support and kidney function decline.

METHODS

We identified Jackson Heart Study (JHS) participants with baseline (Exam in 2000-2004) functional and structural social support data via the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List (ISEL) and social network size questions, respectively. With ISEL as our primary exposure variable, we performed multivariable regression models to evaluate the association between social support and prevalent CKD [estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 or urine albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR) ≥30 mg/g], eGFR decline, and rapid renal function decline (RRFD) (> 30% decrease in eGFR over approximately 10 years). All models were adjusted for baseline sociodemographics, diabetes, hypertension, smoking status, and body mass index; models for eGFR decline and RRFD were additionally adjusted for eGFR and ACR. In models for eGFR decline, we assessed for interaction between age and social support. For secondary analyses, we replaced ISEL with its individual domains (appraisal, belonging, self-esteem, and tangible) and social network size in separate models as exposure variables.

RESULTS

Of 5301 JHS participants, 4015 (76%) completed the ISEL at baseline. 843 (21%) had low functional social support (ISEL score < 32). Participants with low (vs. higher) functional social support were more likely to have lower income (47% vs. 28%), be current or former tobacco users (39% vs. 30%), have diabetes (25% vs. 21%) or CKD (14% vs. 12%). After multivariable adjustment, neither ISEL or social network size were independently associated with prevalent CKD, eGFR decline, or RRFD. Of the ISEL domains, only higher self-esteem was associated with lower odds of prevalent CKD [OR 0.94 (95% CI 0.89-0.99)]. The associations between social support measures and eGFR decline were not modified by age.

CONCLUSIONS

In this African-American cohort, social support was not associated with prevalent CKD or kidney function decline. Further inquiry of self-esteem's role in CKD self-management and renal outcomes is warranted.

Health Behaviors in Younger and Older Adults With CKD: Results From the CRIC Study

INTRODUCTION

A cornerstone of kidney disease management is participation in guideline-recommended health behaviors. However, the relationship of these health behaviors with outcomes, and the identification of barriers to health behavior engagement, have not been described among younger and older adults with chronic kidney disease.

METHODS

Data from a cohort study of 5499 individuals with chronic kidney disease was used to identify health behavior patterns with latent class analysis stratified by age <65 and ≥65 years. Cox models, stratified by diabetes, assessed the association of health behavior patterns with chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression, atherosclerotic events, and death. Logistic regression was used to assess for barriers to health behavior engagement.

RESULTS

Three health behavior patterns were identified: 1 "healthy" pattern, and 2 "less healthy" patterns comprising 1 pattern with more obesity and sedentary activity and 1 with more smoking and less obesity. Less healthy patterns were associated with an increased hazard of poor outcomes. Among participants <65 years of age, the less healthy patterns (vs. healthy pattern) was associated with an increased hazard of death in diabetic individuals (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.17, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.09-4.29; and HR = 2.50, 95% CI = 1.39-4.50) and cardiovascular events among nondiabetic individuals (HR = 1.49, 95% CI = 1.04-2.43; and HR = 2.97, 95% CI = 1.49-5.90). Individuals with the more obese/sedentary pattern had an increased risk of CKD progression in those who were diabetic (HR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.13-1.59). Among older adults, the less healthy patterns were associated with increased risk of death (HR = 2.97, 95% CI = 1.43-6.19; and HR = 3.47, 95% CI = 1.48-8.11) in those who were nondiabetic. Potential barriers to recommended health behaviors include lower health literacy and self-efficacy.

CONCLUSION

Identifying health behavior patterns and barriers may help target high-risk groups for strategies to increase participation in health behaviors.