B-type natriuretic peptide levels and volume status in twice-weekly hemodialysis patients

Background

Twice-weekly hemodialysis (HD) could be regarded as an important part of incremental hemodialysis, volume status of this treatment model remains to be elucidated.

Methods

Patients undergoing regular twice-weekly or thrice-weekly hemodialysis in our unit on June 2015 were enrolled into the cohort study with an average of 2.02 years follow-up. Volume status of the subjects was evaluated by clinical characteristics, plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels and bioimpedance assessments with body composition monitor (BCM). Cox proportional hazards models and Kaplan–Meier analysis were used to compare patient survival between the two groups.

Results

Compared with patients on thrice-weekly HD, twice-weekly HD patients had significantly higher log-transformed BNP levels (2.54 ± 0.41 vs. 2.33 ± 0.49 pg/ml, p = 0.010). Overhydration (OH) and the ratio of overhydration to extracellular water (OH/ECW) in twice-weekly HD group were significantly higher than that of thrice-weekly HD (OH, 2.54 ± 1.42 vs. 1.88 ± 1.46, p = 0.033; OH/ECW, 0.17 ± 0.07 vs. 0.12 ± 0.08, p = 0.015). However, subgroup analysis of patients within 6 years HD vintage indicated that the two groups had similar hydration status. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that log-transformed BNP levels, serum albumin and diabetes status were predictors of mortality in hemodialysis patients. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis indicated that patients with BNP levels higher than 500 pg/ml had significantly worse survival compared with those with lower BNP levels (p = 0.014).

Conclusions

Twice-weekly hemodialysis patients had worse volume status than that of thrice-weekly HD patients especially for those with long-term dialysis vintage, BNP level was a powerful predictor of mortality in HD patients.

Twice-Weekly Hemodialysis and Clinical Outcomes in the China Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study

INTRODUCTION

In China, a quarter of patients are undergoing 2-times weekly hemodialysis. Using data from the China Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS), we tested the hypothesis that whereas survival and hospitalizations would be similar in the presence of residual kidney function (RKF), patients without RKF would fare worse on 2-times weekly hemodialysis.

METHODS

In our cohort derived from 15 units randomly selected from each of 3 major cities (total N = 45), we generated a propensity score for the probability of dialysis frequency assignment, estimated a survival function by propensity score quintiles, and averaged stratum-specific survival functions to generate mean survival time. We used the proportional rates model to assess hospitalizations. We stratified all analyses by RKF, as reported by patients (urine output <1 vs. ≥1 cup/day).

RESULTS

Among 1265 patients, 123 and 133 were undergoing 2-times weekly hemodialysis with and without evidence of RKF. Over 2.5 years, adjusted mean survival times were similar for 2- versus 3-times weekly dialysis groups: 2.20 versus 2.23 and 2.20 versus 2.15 for patients with and without RKF (P = 0.65). Hazard ratios for hospitalization rates were similar for 2- versus 3-times weekly groups, with (1.15, 95% confidence interval = 0.66-2.00) and without (1.10, 95% confidence interval 0.68-1.79]) RKF. The normalized protein catabolic rate was lower and intradialytic weight gain was not substantially higher in the 2- versus 3-times weekly dialysis group, suggesting greater restriction of dietary sodium and protein.

CONCLUSION

In our study of patients in China's major cities, we could not detect differences in survival and hospitalization for those undergoing 2- versus 3-times weekly dialysis, regardless of RKF. Our findings indicate the need for pragmatic studies regarding less frequent dialysis with associated nutritional management.

Timing of dialysis initiation, duration and frequency of hemodialysis sessions, and membrane flux: a systematic review for a KDOQI clinical practice guideline

BACKGROUND

In 2006, NKF-KDOQI (National Kidney Foundation-Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative) published clinical practice guidelines for hemodialysis adequacy. Recent studies evaluating hemodialysis adequacy as determined by initiation timing, frequency, duration, and membrane type and prompted an update to the guideline.

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic review and evidence synthesis.

SETTING & POPULATION

Patients with advanced chronic kidney disease receiving hemodialysis.

SELECTION CRITERIA FOR STUDIES

We screened publications from 2000 to March 2014, systematic reviews, and references and consulted the NKF-KDOQI Hemodialysis Adequacy Work Group members. We included randomized or controlled clinical trials in patients undergoing long-term hemodialysis if they reported outcomes of interest.

INTERVENTIONS

Early versus late dialysis therapy initiation; more frequent (>3 times a week) or longer duration (>4.5 hours) compared to conventional hemodialysis; low- versus high-flux dialyzer membranes.

OUTCOMES

All-cause and cardiovascular mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke, hospitalizations, quality of life, depression or cognitive function scores, blood pressure, number of antihypertensive medications, left ventricular mass, interdialytic weight gain, and harms or complications related to vascular access or the process of dialysis.

RESULTS

We included 32 articles reporting on 19 trials. Moderate-quality evidence indicated that earlier dialysis therapy initiation (at estimated creatinine clearance [eClcr] of 10-14mL/min) did not reduce mortality compared to later initiation (eClcr of 5-7mL/min). More than thrice-weekly hemodialysis and extended-length hemodialysis during a short follow-up did not improve clinical outcomes compared to conventional hemodialysis and resulted in a greater number of vascular access procedures (very low-quality evidence). Hemodialysis using high-flux membranes did not reduce all-cause mortality, but reduced cardiovascular mortality compared to hemodialysis using low-flux membranes (moderate-quality evidence).

LIMITATIONS

Few studies were adequately powered to evaluate mortality. Heterogeneity of study designs and interventions precluded pooling data for most outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Limited data indicate that earlier dialysis therapy initiation and more frequent and longer hemodialysis did not improve clinical outcomes compared to conventional hemodialysis.

[Evaluation and analysis of insomnia in chronic hemodialysis]

L'insomnie est aussi fréquente chez les hémodialysés chroniques qu'elle est négligée par le personnel soignant, davantage attelé à gérer les complications qui accompagnent l'insuffisance rénale chronique terminale et la dialyse chronique. Notre travail a eu pour but de déterminer la prévalence de l'insomnie et les facteurs qui lui sont associés, afin de pouvoir, dans un temps futur, lui dédier une stratégie de prise en charge adaptée. Il s'agit d'une étude transversale incluant 93 hémodialysés chroniques, dont nous avons étudié les données sociodémographiques, biologique, dialytiques; nous avons également collecté les caractéristiques de l'insomnie, et enfin mis en exergue les facteurs associés à sa survenue. L'insomnie a été définie par un score total supérieur ou égal à 15 au questionnaire de l'I.S.I (Insomnia Severity Index). Ainsi, la prévalence de l'insomnie est de 67,7% (n=63); l’âge moyen est de 55,6±12,7 (22-82) ans, le sexe ratio de 24 Hommes/39 Femmes, la durée moyenne en hémodialyse de 94,6 ± 58,2 (6-252) mois. 45 des patients insomniaques sont dialysés deux fois par semaine. Cette insomnie concernait le début de la nuit dans 52,3% des cas, le milieu de la nuit dans 55,5% des cas, et le petit matin dans 19,04% des cas. Les troubles associés à cette insomnie ont été: la somnolence diurne dans 79,3% des cas (n=50), le syndrome de la jambe sans repos dans 17,4% des cas (n=11), et les cauchemars dans 30,1% des cas (n=19). Une prise régulière d'hypnogènes a été notée chez 20 patients (31,7%). En analyse univariée, les facteurs associés à la survenue de l'insomnie sont l’âge avancé des patients, le sexe féminin, l'ancienneté en hémodialyse, la fréquence de deux séances de dialyse par semaine, le taux d'urée en prédialyse, le score de Charlson, la présence d'une douleur chronique (depuis plus de trois mois), la dépression et enfin l'hypertension artérielle. En analyse multivariée, on retient l’âge avancé des patients, le sexe féminin, l'ancienneté en dialyse et la fréquence de deux séances de dialyse par semaine. En conclusion, les troubles du sommeil et en particulier l'insomnie chez les hémodialysés chroniques sont fréquents et multifactoriels. Une attention particulière doit leur être accordée, incluant une collaboration régulière et étroite entre néphrologues et psychologues, psychiatres et spécialistes du sommeil.