Kidney Disease Care Research Articles

Renal satellite units in Pakistan: Challenges, efforts, and recommendations.

This commentary delves into the complexities surrounding chronic kidney disease management in Pakistan, specifically examining the critical role played by renal satellite units in providing accessible dialysis services. Chronic kidney disease in Pakistan accounts for 3.9% of total deaths, warranting a focused exploration of challenges and potential solutions. RSUs, smaller entities affiliated with main renal units, emerge as key players in addressing issues of geographic accessibility and diminishing travel burdens for chronic kidney disease patients. Challenges such as financial constraints, limited resources, and staff shortages, particularly in rural settings, pose significant hurdles to the effective functioning of RSUs. This commentary emphasizes the importance of clear eligibility criteria, robust vascular access support, regular physician engagement, and the strategic integration of telemedicine. It explores diverse funding models, including government allocations, community contributions, and philanthropic partnerships, as potential solutions to alleviate cost-related concerns. The commentary advocates for a holistic, cost-effective approach to chronic kidney disease care, highlighting the transformative potential of renal satellite units in improving health outcomes across varied settings.

Significant kidney disease in pregnancy: Feasibility and outcomes of a national population-based study using the Australasian Maternity Outcomes Surveillance System.

Current understanding of clinical practice and care for maternal kidney disease in pregnancy in Australia is hampered by limitations in available renal-specific datasets. To capture the epidemiology, management, and outcomes of women with significant kidney disease in pregnancy and demonstrate feasibility of a national cohort study approach. An Australian prospective study (2017-2018) using a new kidney disease-specific survey within the Australasian Maternity Outcomes Surveillance System (AMOSS). Women who gave birth with acute kidney injury (AKI), advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD), dialysis dependence or a kidney transplant were included. Demographic data, renal and obstetric management, and perinatal outcomes were collected. Among 58 case notifications from 12 hospitals in five states, we included 23 cases with kidney transplant (n = 12), pre-existing CKD (n = 8), newly diagnosed CKD (n = 2) and dialysis (n = 1). No cases of AKI were reported. Reporting rates were better in states with study investigators and, overall, cases were likely under-reported. Nearly 35% of women had a non-delivery-related antenatal admission. Nephrology involvement was 78.3% during pregnancy and 91% post-partum. Adverse events were increased, including pre-eclampsia (21.7%), and preterm birth (60.9%). Women had high rates of aspirin (82.6%) and antihypertensive (73.9%) use, indwelling catheter for labour/delivery (65.2%), caesarean delivery (60.9%), and blood transfusion (21.7%). This first-ever Australian prospective study of significant kidney diseases in pregnancy provided novel insights into renal-specific clinical patterns and practices. However, under-reporting was likely. Future studies need to overcome the challenges of case identification and data collection burden.

PEMIJATAN TITIK LI-4 DAPAT MENGURANGI NYERI KANULASI ARTERIOVENOUSFISTULA PADA PASIEN CKD YANG MENJALANI HEMODIALISA: STUDI KASUS

Background, one of the vascular accesses used for hemodialysis is arteriovenous fistula. Arteriovenous fistula cannulation causes pain problems in patients. The cannulation procedure is felt as a painful sensation that needs to be treated, because the size of the needle used when cannulating an arteriovenous fistula is quite large compared to cannulating when installing an IV, namely 16 gauge. General purpose, to provide acute pain nursing care for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) patients undergoing hemodialysis in the hemodialysis room at RSU Aghisna Medika Kroya. Case collection method, pain scale measurement using a VAS instrument for 5 CKD patients undergoing hemodialysis without massage intervention and with massage intervention at the LI-4 point for 2 minutes or approximately 30-50 pressures. The results of nursing care, nursing care for acute pain in CKD patients undergoing hemodialysis after nursing for 1x4 hours with the application of massage at point LI-4 showed a decrease in the pain scale in patients without massage and with massage at point LI-4. In conclusion, LI-4 point massage therapy can be an therapeutic option to reduce the pain of arteriovenousfistula cannulation in CKD patients undergoing hemodialysis. Recommendation is hoped that more and larger case subjects will be taken in the next research so that the results will be more effective.

Revolutionising outpatient clinic experience (RevOCE): the future of chronic kidney disease care and associated multimorbidity

Revolutionising outpatient clinic experience (RevOCE): the future of chronic kidney disease care and associated multimorbidity

Epigenetics, Microbiome and Personalized Medicine: Focus on Kidney Disease.

Personalized medicine, which involves modifying treatment strategies/drug dosages based on massive laboratory/imaging data, faces large statistical and study design problems. The authors believe that the use of continuous multidimensional data, such as those regarding gut microbiota, or binary multidimensional systems properly transformed into a continuous variable, such as the epigenetic clock, offer an advantageous scenario for the design of trials of personalized medicine. We will discuss examples focusing on kidney diseases, specifically on IgA nephropathy. While gut dysbiosis can provide a treatment strategy to restore the standard gut microbiota using probiotics, transforming epigenetic omics data into epigenetic clocks offers a promising tool for personalized acute and chronic kidney disease care. Epigenetic clocks involve a complex transformation of DNA methylome data into estimated biological age. These clocks can identify people at high risk of developing kidney problems even before symptoms appear. Some of the effects of both the epigenetic clock and microbiota on kidney diseases seem to be mediated by endothelial dysfunction. These "big data" (epigenetic clocks and microbiota) can help tailor treatment plans by pinpointing patients likely to experience rapid declines or those who might not need overly aggressive therapies.

Clinical Outcomes of a Novel Multidisciplinary Care Program in Advanced Kidney Disease (PEAK)

IntroductionMulti-disciplinary care (MDC) for late-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been associated with improved patient outcomes compared with traditional nephrology care, but the optimal MDC model is unknown. In 2015, we implemented a novel MDC model for patients with late-stage CKD informed by the Chronic Care Model conceptual framework, including an expanded MDC team, care plan meetings, clinical risk prediction, and a patient dashboard. MethodsWe conducted a single-center, retrospective cohort study of adults with late-stage CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] < 30 mL/min per 1.73m2) enrolled from May 2015 to February 2020 in the Program for Education in Advanced Kidney disease (PEAK). Our primary composite outcome was an optimal transition to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) defined as starting in-center hemodialysis (ICHD) as an outpatient with an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) or graft (AVG), or receiving home dialysis, or a pre-emptive kidney transplant. Secondary outcomes included home dialysis initiation, pre-emptive transplantation, vascular access at dialysis initiation, and location of ICHD initiation. We used logistic regression to examine trends in outcomes. Results were stratified by race, ethnicity, and insurance payor and compared with national and regional averages from the United States Renal Data System (USRDS) averaged from 2015 to 2019. ResultsAmong 489 patients in the PEAK program, 37 (8%) died prior to ESKD and 151 (31%) never progressed to ESKD. Of the 301 (62%) patients who progressed to ESKD, 175 (58%) achieved an optimal transition to ESKD, including 54 (18%) peritoneal dialysis, 16 (5%) home hemodialysis, and 36 (12%) preemptive transplant. Of the 195 (65%) patients starting ICHD, 51% started with an AVF or AVG and 52% started as an outpatient. The likelihood of starting home dialysis increased by 1.34 times per year from 2015 to 2020 (95% CI 1.05 – 1.71, p = 0.018) in multivariable adjusted results. Optimal transitions to ESKD and home dialysis rates were higher than national USRDS data (58% vs. 30%; 23% vs. 11%) across patient race, ethnicity, and payor. ConclusionsPatients enrolled in a novel comprehensive MDC model coupled with risk prediction and health information technology were nearly twice as likely to achieve an optimal transition to ESKD and start dialysis at home, compared with national averages.

Prevalence, Mortality, and Access to Care for Chronic Kidney Disease in Medicaid-Enrolled Adults With Sickle Cell Disease in California: Retrospective Cohort Study.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a significant complication in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD), leading to increased mortality. This study aims to investigate the burden of CKD in Medicaid-enrolled adults with SCD in California, examine differences in disease burden between male and female individuals, and assess mortality rates and access to specialized care. This retrospective cohort study used the California Sickle Cell Data Collection program to identify and monitor individuals with SCD. Medicaid claims, vital records, emergency department, and hospitalization data from 2011 to 2020 were analyzed. CKD prevalence was assessed based on ICD (International Classification of Diseases) codes, and mortality rates were calculated. Access to specialized care was examined through outpatient encounter rates with hematologists and nephrologists. Among the 2345 adults with SCD, 24.4% (n=572) met the case definition for CKD. The SCD-CKD group was older at the beginning of this study (average age 44, SD 14 vs 34, SD 12.6 years) than the group without CKD. CKD prevalence increased with age, revealing significant disparities by sex. While the youngest (18-29 years) and oldest (>65 years) groups showed similar CKD prevalences between sexes (female: 12/111, 10.8% and male: 12/101, 11.9%; female: 74/147, 50.3% and male: 34/66, 51.5%, respectively), male individuals in the aged 30-59 years bracket exhibited significantly higher rates than female individuals (30-39 years: 49/294, 16.7%, P=.01; 40-49 years: 52/182, 28.6%, P=.02; and 50-59 years: 76/157,48.4%, P<.001). During this study, of the 2345 adults, 435 (18.5%) deaths occurred, predominantly within the SCD-CKD cohort (226/435, 39.5%). The median age at death was 53 (IQR 61-44) years for the SCD-CKD group compared to 43 (IQR 33-56) years for the SCD group, with male individuals in the SCD-CKD group showing significantly higher mortality rates (111/242, 45.9%; P=.009) than female individuals (115/330, 34.9%). Access to specialist care was notably limited: approximately half (281/572, 49.1%) of the SCD-CKD cohort had no hematologist visits, and 61.9% (354/572) did not see a nephrologist during this study's period. This study provides robust estimates of CKD prevalence and mortality among Medicaid-enrolled adults with SCD in California. The findings highlight the need for improved access to specialized care for this population and increased awareness of the high mortality risk and progression associated with CKD.

Major adverse kidney events in multidisciplinary chronic kidney disease care compared with usual outpatient care: a propensity score matched analysis

Major adverse kidney events in multidisciplinary chronic kidney disease care compared with usual outpatient care: a propensity score matched analysis

Perspectives of Chronic Kidney Disease Patients on Readiness for Advance Care Planning at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Ghana.

This study examined the impact of advance care planning (ACP) on the quality of life for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Ghana. It specifically investigated patients' perspectives on their readiness for ACP. Utilizing a qualitative descriptive design, one-on-one interviews were conducted with CKD patients at the renal clinic, employing a semi-structured interview guide for thematic analysis of audio data. The findings revealed a gap in understanding among CKD patients, with participants acknowledging their vulnerability to renal failure, often linked to a medical history of diabetes and hypertension. Despite recognizing potential outcomes such as dialysis dependency or death, some patients retained hope for a cure, relying on faith. The initial kidney failure diagnosis induced shock and distress, leading many patients to prefer the comfort and familiarity of home-based care, including dialysis. Meanwhile, a minority favored hospital care to protect their children from psychological trauma. Most patients deemed legal preparations unnecessary, citing limited assets or a lack of concern for posthumous estate execution. These insights emphasize the necessity for targeted education and support in ACP to enhance patient outcomes in chronic kidney disease care and end-of-life planning.

Nephrology nurse practitioner model of care for chronic kidney disease: Lessons learned and informing future healthcare delivery

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects more than 10% of the Australian adult population. It is a progressive disease that involves multiple physiological systems and is associated with several comorbid conditions, making it particularly burdensome on patients and the healthcare system. Alternative models of healthcare delivery are required to slow the progression to kidney failure. Aim: To describe the characteristics, patient profiles, and health outcomes of patients with CKD attending a nephrology nurse practitioner-led clinic. Design: Longitudinal health-service exploratory design. Methods: Following ethics approval, data were extracted from a chronic kidney disease registry for all consenting patients who attended a nephrology nurse practitioner-led clinic. Data were analysed descriptively. Results: Over the study period, 253 patients (122 male and 131 female) attended the clinic. The mean age was 70.27 ± 10.48 years, and at baseline most had either chronic kidney disease grade 3A (32.8%) or 3B (41.5%). For the majority of those who remained in the clinic, kidney function remained stable or slightly improved. A large proportion were within recommended target ranges for systolic (85.6%) and diastolic (98%) blood pressure although many had high BMI (mean 31.99 ± 6.47) and HbA1c (57.1%). Conclusion: The nephrology nurse practitioner-led clinic demonstrated effectiveness in addressing CKD targets for patients and provides an opportunity to transform traditional primary and specialist healthcare delivery. What is already known about the topic? Early intervention in chronic kidney disease (CKD) can slow or halt the progression of the disease, reducing long-term burden and healthcare costs. An integrated model of care including primary and specialist providers is considered optimal for the early detection and treatment of CKD. An integrated nephrology nurse practitioner model is an emerging model of care for CKD patients. However, studies investigating the cost-effectiveness, efficacy, and characteristics of this model compared to specialist or primary care in Australia are lacking. What this paper adds: This paper describes the characteristics and outcomes of a nephrology nurse practitioner-led outpatient clinic embedded within a multidisciplinary model of care. The majority of patients who remained in nephrology nurse practitioner care maintained recommended CKD targets. The findings provide evidence that nephrology nurse practitioners are able to manage patients with less advanced CKD grades who have comorbid conditions and other health risk-factors.

#956 Exome sequencing in adults with secondary thrombotic microangiopathy with kidney involvement

Abstract Background and Aims Currently, genetic testing is recommended in patients with thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) and renal involvement when a complement-dependent TMA is clinically suspected. Due to a possibly poor phenotype-genotype correlation, this strategy may be suboptimal. We aimed to assess the impact of a strategy using Exome Sequencing (ES) regardless of initial suspicion. Method We conducted a prospective observational study. Data was collected in all consecutive adult patients who received a primary diagnostic ES test as part of routine care for unexplained chronic kidney disease between October 10, 2017, and December 31, 2022, at the Nephrology Department of Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris/Sorbonne University, Paris, France (Tenon and Pitié-Salpêtrière hospitals). Patients with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura or typical hemolytic and uremic syndrome were not included. The association between patients’ phenotypes and genotypes was explored using a validated method relying on Term Frequency-Inverse Document Frequency (TF-IDF). Results 1 413 patients underwent ES, of whom 153 (11%) had biological and/or histological indicators of TMA. ES identified a variant consistent with the renal phenotype in 20/153 (13%) cases. In 13/20 cases (65%), a genetic disorder which was not complement TMA was diagnosed: five patients had nephronophthisis (TTC21B, n = 4, NPHP3, n = 1); two had Alport's disease (COL4A4 and COL4A3, n = 1); one had Cobalamin-C deficiency (MMACHC); five had other distinct conditions (variants in SOX18, IFT140, WT1, TREX1 and UMOD). Direct clinical implications of performing ES were observed in 35/153 (23%) cases. An interactive web-app was developed to enable in-depth exploration of phenotype-genotype association, and no association between patients’ phenotypes and genotypes were observed. Conclusion First-tier ES in patients with TMA and renal involvement, irrespective of clinical suspicion, revealed diagnoses that would not have been initially obtained according to the currently recommended strategy. In patients with TMA and renal involvement, we did not find an association between patients’ phenotypes and genotypes.

#1377 Evaluation of state-wide health system implementation of renal supportive care shows substantial net benefits

Abstract Background and Aims In 2016, the New South Wales (NSW) Health system implemented a service to make the principles and practice of palliative medicine comprehensively available to patients receiving chronic kidney disease (CKD) care across NSW. Summative evaluation of the economic value that this multi-disciplinary State-wide RSC service provided following implementation was prospectively planned in the domains of patient experience and economic value. This abstract reports the first cost-benefit analysis of a RSC service. Method De-identified patient-level data was extracted from the NSW Renal Supportive Care Register (a linked dataset comprising admitted patient, non-admitted patient, emergency department episodes and death registrations). Data was compared between 2015/16, prior to implementation of the State-wide RSC service; and 2018/19, following settled operation of the service. A cost-benefit analysis model was constructed to estimate the economic value of the RSC service between 2015/16 and 2018/19; and the projected value to 2029/30 under different scenarios. Multivariate Cox regressions were estimated to measure survival benefits, and a polynomial regression model was employed to estimate the impact of RSC on the share of patients receiving dialysis. Results Considering the actual impact of the NSW RSC service; in 2015/16, 5% (n = 443) of all ESKD patients, (defined as receiving dialysis &amp;gt;3 months, non-dialysis conservative care or in receipt of a functioning transplant) received any RSC service. By 2018/19, 16% (n = 1460) of all ESKD patients had received RSC within NSW. The proportion of patients receiving RSC from a non-dialysis conservative care or dialysis context remained stable between 2015/16 and 2018/19 at 41% and 29% respectively. Patients receiving RSC were estimated to have increased survival by 3-21 weeks, depending on patient characteristics, compared to the scenario of no RSC service. Considering the projected value of ongoing RSC services; scenarios with different assumptions were modelled. Assuming that the proportion of patients receiving different ESKD modalities and the costs of care remained stable, the RSC service would deliver a net financial benefit to the commissioning health system (avoided costs of service minus RSC costs) of ${\$}$109 million Australian Dollars (AUD), with a return on investment of 212%, compared to the scenario of no RSC service. When the economic value for the whole NSW community from increased survival benefit was included, the projected value was ${\$}$275 million AUD, with return on investment of 535%. The projected economic value of RSC was modelled under scenarios of increasing access to the service by ESKD patients (Figure). Increasing RSC access from the achieved 16% to 20% of ESKD patients was projected to deliver maximal economic value, with a 3% fall in ESKD patients receiving dialysis, increasing survival benefit (${\$}$221 million AUD) and economic value ${\$}$94 million AUD. As access to RSC expands further, modelling indicates that additional dialysis substitution becomes less likely but benefits still accrue from survival up to a maximum viable rollout of 50% of the ESKD population receiving RSC, when survival benefits plateau. Conclusion Economic evaluation of this implementation of the Statewide RSC service across NSW Health shows it has been associated with both a net economic benefit and survival benefits four years after implementation. It is projected to provide an economic value of ${\$}$275 million AUD over ten years, which would increase with greater participation of ESKD patients suitable for RSC.

Navigating challenges: insights into chronic kidney disease care in South Auckland.

The burden of chronic kidney disease is increasing throughout New Zealand, resulting in growing strain on patients, families and the healthcare system. The population of South Auckland is the most diverse in New Zealand and it is particularly vulnerable to the effects of chronic kidney disease due its demography and its many communities that endure significant hardships. This article explores the prevailing challenges identified by renal physicians and nurse specialists over 35 years of caring for patients with chronic kidney disease in South Auckland.

Privatization and Oligopolies of the Renal Replacement Therapy Sector on Contemporary Capitalism: A Systematic Review and the Brazilian Scenario.

Worldwide the assistance on renal replacement therapy (RRT) is carried out mainly by private for-profit services and in a market with increase in mergers and acquisitions. The aim of this study was to conduct an integrative systematic review on privatization and oligopolies in the RRT sector in the context of contemporary capitalism. The inclusion criteria were scientific articles without language restrictions and that addressed the themes of oligopoly or privatization of RRT market. Studies published before 1990 were excluded. The exploratory search for publications was carried out on February 13, 2024 on the Virtual Health Library Regional Portal (VHL). Using the step-by-step of PRISMA flowchart, 34 articles were retrieved, of which 31 addressed the RRT sector in the United States and 26 compared for-profit dialysis units or those belonging to large organizations with non-profit or public ones. The main effects of privatization and oligopolies, evaluated by the studies, were: mortality, hospitalization, use of peritoneal dialysis and registration for kidney transplantation. When considering these outcomes, 19 (73%) articles showed worse results in private units or those belonging to large organizations, six (23%) studies were in favor of privatization or oligopolies and one study was neutral (4%). In summary, most of the articles included in this systematic review showed deleterious effects of oligopolization and privatization of the RRT sector on the patients served. Possible explanations for this result could be the presence of conflicts of interest in the RRT sector and the lack of incentive to implement the chronic kidney disease care line. The predominance of articles from a single nation may suggest that few countries have transparent mechanisms to monitor the quality of care and outcomes of patients on chronic dialysis.

A Community-Based Nephrology and Palliative Care Partnership to Improve Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease Care

A Community-Based Nephrology and Palliative Care Partnership to Improve Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease Care

Effects of 1-week inpatient multidisciplinary care for chronic kidney disease prior to outpatient collaborative care

BackgroundMultidisciplinary care for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) has been reported to be effective in preventing deterioration of renal function and avoiding hemodialysis induction using a central venous catheter.MethodsWe included 171 patients who received dialysis at our department between October 2014 and June 2017. Patients were divided into two groups: an inpatient group who received inpatient multidisciplinary care for CKD (educational hospitalization) prior to outpatient collaborative care from their family physician and nephrologist, and a non-inpatient group who did not receive such care. We compared factors related to dialysis induction.ResultsThere was no significant difference in eGFR between the groups at the start of observation. The mean time from the start of observation to dialysis induction (inpatient group vs. non-inpatient group; 40.8 ± 2.8 vs. 23.9 ± 3.0 months, respectively; P < 0.001) and the rate of hemodialysis induction using a central venous catheter (22.5 vs. 47.1%, respectively; P = 0.002) were significantly different between the groups. Survival analysis showed that the time to dialysis induction was significantly longer in the inpatient group (P = 0.0001). Multivariate analysis revealed that educational hospitalization (odds ratio = 0.30 [95% CI 0.13, 0.67]) was significantly associated with hemodialysis induction using a central venous catheter.ConclusionEducational hospitalization prior to outpatient collaborative care is beneficial for preventing hemodialysis induction using a central venous catheter and postponing dialysis induction.

Electronic Health Record Population Health Management for Chronic Kidney Disease Care

Large gaps in clinical care in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) lead to poor outcomes. To compare the effectiveness of an electronic health record-based population health management intervention vs usual care for reducing CKD progression and improving evidence-based care in high-risk CKD. The Kidney Coordinated Health Management Partnership (Kidney CHAMP) was a pragmatic cluster randomized clinical trial conducted between May 2019 and July 2022 in 101 primary care practices in Western Pennsylvania. It included patients aged 18 to 85 years with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of less than 60 mL/min/1.73m2 with high risk of CKD progression and no outpatient nephrology encounter within the previous 12 months. Multifaceted intervention for CKD comanagement with primary care clinicians included a nephrology electronic consultation, pharmacist-led medication management, and CKD education for patients. The usual care group received CKD care from primary care clinicians as usual. The primary outcome was time to 40% or greater reduction in eGFR or end-stage kidney disease. Among 1596 patients (754 intervention [47.2%]; 842 control [52.8%]) with a mean (SD) age of 74 (9) years, 928 (58%) were female, 127 (8%) were Black, 9 (0.6%) were Hispanic, and the mean (SD) estimated glomerular filtration rate was 36.8 (7.9) mL/min/1.73m2. Over a median follow-up of 17.0 months, there was no significant difference in rate of primary outcome between the 2 arms (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.67-1.38; P = .82). Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker exposure was more frequent in intervention arm compared with the control group (rate ratio, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.02-1.43). There was no difference in the secondary outcomes of hypertension control and exposure to unsafe medications or adverse events between the arms. Several COVID-19-related issues contributed to null findings in the study. In this study, among patients with moderate-risk to high-risk CKD, a multifaceted electronic health record-based population health management intervention resulted in more exposure days to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers but did not reduce risk of CKD progression or hypertension control vs usual care. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03832595.

Improving Kidney Disease Care: One Giant Leap for Nephrology.

Nephrology is an ever-evolving field of medicine. The importance of such a discipline is related to the high clinical impact of kidney disease. In fact, abnormalities of kidney function and/or structure are common in the general population, reaching an overall prevalence of about 10%. More importantly, the onset of kidney damage is related to a strikingly high risk of cardiovascular events, mortality, and progression to kidney failure which, in turn, compromises quality and duration of life. Attempts to comprehend the pathogenesis and molecular mechanisms involved in kidney disease occurrence have prompted the development and implementation of novel drugs in clinical practice with the aim of treating the 'specific cause' of kidney disease (including chronic kidney disease, glomerular disease, and genetic kidney disorders) and the main immunological complications following kidney transplantation. Herein, we provide an overview of the principal emerging drug classes with proved efficacy in the context of the aforementioned clinical conditions. This can represent a simplified guide for clinical nephrologists to remind them of the vast and heterogeneous armamentarium of drugs that should be used in the present and the future to improve the management of patients suffering from kidney disease.

259 Medicaid Policy Changes to Improve Chronic Kidney Disease Care in Michigan

259 Medicaid Policy Changes to Improve Chronic Kidney Disease Care in Michigan

Kidney supportive care for advanced chronic and end-stage kidney disease: a retrospective cohort study.

Kidney supportive care is an interdisciplinary model of person-centred medicine, suitable for patients with advanced Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and with End-Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD). There is little information on routine care, and palliative careremains poorly integrated into standard nephrology care. The aim of this study was to describe our experience in integrating a palliative care approach into the nephrology care of advanced chronic and end-stage kidney disease. A retrospective cohort study was conducted from 1 June, 2017 until 31 December, 2020 on 67 advanced CKD and ESKD patients admitted to a palliative care service. The patients' median age was 83.6years, 62.7% were male, 16.4% had CKD stage 4 and 83.6% stage 5. Almost half (47.8%) of the patients were on kidney replacement therapy, and 52.2% were on conservative therapy. The majority (77.6%) received home-based palliative care, 17.9% hospice care and 4.5% day-hospice care. The median number of nephrologists' visits per patient was 3.5. Access to palliative care specialists was set at 100% and the median number of palliative clinicians' visits was 8. Eighty-five percent of patients did not require hospitalisation and 94% did not access to theemergency room; 86.2% of the patients died in hospice or at home. This study reports onthe first stepstaken to change practice in nephrology, by applying the Italian guideline for an integrated pathway of palliative carein nephrology. Nephrologists' and the palliative careteam created a multi- and inter-disciplinary team, sharing their professional skills to support patients in hospice or at home.