Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Research Articles

Reliability of Glomerular Filtration Rate Estimated by Creatinine-Based Formulas in Moderate to Severe Proteinuria.

Creatinine-based Glomerular Filtration rate (GFR) formulas introduce a substantial bias in GFR estimations in patients with frank nephrotic syndrome. The bias and accuracy of creatinine-based GFR estimates (eGFR) in patients with non-nephrotic proteinuria need better characterization. We utilized data from the Ramipril in non-diabetic renal failure (REIN 1) and REIN 2 trials involving non-diabetic chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients with proteinuria to compare eGFRs derived from the CKD Epidemiology Consortium (CKD-EPI)formulas (with and without race), and the European Kidney Function Consortium (EKFC) equations with iohexol clearance (a gold-standard GFR measure, measured glomerular filtration rate [mGFR]). Bias was defined as the median difference between eGFR and mGFR, while accuracy was assessed using P30 and P15 metrics, which represent the percentage of eGFR values within ±30% and ±15% of mGFR, respectively. The median bias of the three formulas being compared did not differ, being minimal and in a strict range (0.04 to 0.05 ml/ml/min/1.73m2) in the REIN 1 study and (-0.04 to -0.03 ml/min/1.73 m2) in the REIN 2 study. These findings were confirmed in analyses stratified by age and mGFR. The global accuracy of the three formulas regarding P30% showed sufficient accuracy (P30 >75%) in REIN 1 and all strata in REIN 2, but the mGFR stratum <15 ml/min/1.73m2. The CKD-EPI (with and without race), and EKFC equations show no significant bias and sufficient accuracy in patients with proteinuria. These formulas can be safely applied to non-diabetic CKD patients with moderate to severe proteinuria.

Safety and impact of the Mediterranean diet in patients with chronic kidney disease: a pilot randomized crossover trial.

Emerging evidence highlights the potential advantages of the Mediterranean diet (MD) in preserving kidney function and slowing chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression. However, interventional studies on the MD are scarce in East Asian populations. This randomized crossover trial aimed to assess the safety and short-term impact of the Mediterranean Proper Optimal Balance (MEDi-POB) diet in Korean patients with stage 3-4 CKD. Kidney function was assessed using the estimated glomerular filtration rate, which was calculated using the CKD Epidemiology Collaboration equation. Fifty patients with CKD were randomly assigned to two groups, each starting with a different 4-week intervention, followed by a 4-week washout period, followed by a switch to the other 4-week intervention. During the MEDi-POB intervention, patients received home delivery of meals twice daily, 5 days a week, while the control intervention comprised a conventional diet. Forty-six patients successfully completed the entire 12-week trial. Paired t-tests were conducted to assess mean differences between the two groups. A linear mixed model was used to adjust for sequence and period. Dietary fat, fiber, and niacin intake were significantly higher following the MEDi-POB diet than following the control diet (p = 0.001 for fat, p < 0.001 for fiber, and p = 0.007 for niacin). The MEDi-POB diet also yielded slightly increased total CO2 levels (p = 0.043), indicating effective management of metabolic acidosis. Conversely, sodium and copper intake were significantly lower with the MEDi-POB diet (p = 0.032 and p = 0.037, respectively). Caloric intake increased, but body mass index slightly decreased from baseline after consuming the MEDi-POB diet. Dietary potassium intake exhibited a non-significant increase (p = 0.053), and no significant changes in serum (p = 0.883) and urine potassium levels (p = 0.087) occurred. Kidney function remained well-preserved following the MEDi-POB diet. These results indicate that the MEDi-POB diet is safe even in patients with advanced CKD, as it does not adversely affect serum and urine potassium levels and helps maintain kidney function.

Estimated GFR in the Korean and US Asian Populations Using the 2021 Creatinine-Based GFR Estimating Equation Without Race

Rationale & ObjectiveIn 2021, the new Chronic Kidney Disease-Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) updated the creatinine-based estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) equation and removed the coefficient for race. The development and validation of this equation involved binarizing race into Black and non-Black, involving few Asian participants. This study aimed to examine the difference between the 2021 equation and the previous 2009 equation on CKD prevalence estimates in two Asian populations. Study DesignObservational study utilizing two national surveys. Setting & ParticipantsParticipants from the 2019 Korea National Health and Nutrition Survey and participants self-reported as Asian from the 2011-2020 United States (US) National Health and Nutrition Survey. ExposureeGFR using 2009 and 2021 CKD-EPI creatinine equation. OutcomesPrevalence of CKD (eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 or urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio [UACR] ≥30 mg/g) Analytical ApproachSampling-weighted prevalence estimated by the 2009 and 2021 equations as well as the percentage individuals with CKD G3+ by the 2009 equation being reclassified as not having CKD G3+ by the 2021 equation. ResultsThe prevalence of CKD estimated by the 2021 equation was 9.75% (95% confidence interval [CI] 8.80–10.80%) in Koreans and 11.60% (95% CI 10.23–13.13%) in US Asians. The prevalence of CKD estimated by the 2021 equation was slightly lower compared that by the 2009 equation in both Korean and US Asian populations, by 0.63% (95% CI 0.44–0.90%) and 0.84% (95% CI 0.52–1.34%), respectively. Further, 32.8% and 30.2% of Koreans and US Asians with CKD G3-5, respectively, by the 2009 equation were reclassified as not having CKD G3-5 when the eGFR was calculated by the 2021 equation. LimitationsMeasured GFR was not available. ConclusionsThe 2021 CKD-EPI creatinine equation led to a small decrease in CKD prevalence in both Korean and US Asian populations, and of similar magnitude, resulting in significant reclassification among those originally classified as having CKD G3+.

Remnant cholesterol, preinflammatory state and chronic kidney disease: association and mediation analyses

Blood lipid management is a key approach in the prevention of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Remnant cholesterol (RC) plays an important role in the development of multiple diseases via chronic inflammation. The aim of our study was to determine the relationship between RC and CKD and explore the role of inflammation in this relationship. The 7696 subjects from the Chinese Health and Nutrition Survey were divided into four subgroups according to the quartile of RC. The estimated glomerular filtration rate was calculated using the CKD Epidemiology Collaboration equation. Fasting RC was calculated as total cholesterol minus low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Logistic regression analysis was employed to evaluate the relationships between RC and CKD. Mediation analysis was undertaken to identify potential mediators of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and white blood cells (WBCs). Of all participants, the mean age was 51 years, and the male accounted for 47.8%. The multivariable-adjusted odds ratios (95% CIs) for the highest versus lowest quartile of remnant cholesterol were 1.40 (1.10–1.78, p for trend = 0.006) for CKD. RC and preinflammatory markers have combined effect on CKD. The preinflammatory state, presented by increased hs-CRP or WBCs, partially mediated the association between RC and CKD with proportion of 10.14% (p = 0.002) and 11.65% (p = 0.012), respectively. In conclusion, this study suggested a positive relationship between RC and CKD, which was partially mediated by preinflammatory state. These findings highlight the importance of RC and inflammation in renal dysfunction. IMPACT STATEMENT What is already known on this subject?: Dyslipidemia plays an important role in the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Remnant cholesterol (RC), as a triglyceride-rich particle, can contribute to target organ damage, primarily through inflammatory pathways. However, the relationship between RC and CKD in the community-dwelling population, particularly the role of inflammation, is not yet fully understood. What do the results of this study add?: This study shows that RC was significantly associated with CKD. RC and preinflammatory status exhibit a combined effect on CKD. Preinflammatory state, presented by increased high-sensitivity C-reactive protein or white blood cells, partially mediated the association between RC and CKD. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research?: The study provides us with a better understanding of the role of RC and inflammation in kidney dysfunction and raises the awareness of RC in the management of CKD.

Comparison of Different Equations with GFR Measured by Scintigraphy in Kidney Donors.

Technetium-99m diethylene-triamine-pentaacetate (99mTc-DTPA)-based scintigraphy is a convenient way to assess measured glomerular filtration rate (mGFR) in kidney donors. Equations have been developed to calculate GFR in the general population. This study aims to identify the best among commonly employed equations to better predict GFR when compared with scintigraphy-based mGFR. Also, the trends in mGFR values were studied over 1 year post-donation. Thirty-four kidney donors were recruited for this study from November 2017 to November 2018 and followed-up for a year. Estimated GFR (eGFR) was calculated using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) Equation, Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology (CKD-EPI) Collaboration equation, and Nankivell formula; the values were compared to that obtained using 99mTc-DTPA both pre-and post-donation. Correlation and agreement between the eGFR and mGFR were studied using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0 and Microsoft Excel. mGFR was augmented by 32.3 ± 27.8% in the remnant kidney post-donation. The baseline mGFR, post-donation mGFR, and the quantum of its increase post-donation did not differ between overweight donors and donors with normal body mass index (BMI). mGFR correlated poorly with all the eGFR equations both pre- and post-donation. Bland-Altman analysis showed weak agreement with significant bias and variance between mGFR and all eGFR equations. In Indian kidney donors, mGFR by 99mTc-DTPA scintigraphy shows poor correlation and agreement with the commonly used eGFR equations. An individualized approach is needed to assess the kidney function of live donors to minimize harm to both the recipient and the donor.

Nomogram for predicting risk of mild renal dysfunction among general residents from rural Northeast China.

Cumulative evidence confirms that mild renal dysfunction (MRD) is correlated with many cardiovascular risk factors and increases cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study was to establish an effective nomogram for predicting the risk of MRD in the rural population of Northeast China. We analyzed the reports of 4944 subjects from the Northeast China Rural Cardiovascular Health Study (NCRCHS). All the participants completed the questionnaires, anthropometric measurements, and blood tests during the baseline study (2012-2013) and the follow-up study during 2015-2017 (an average of 4.6 years). The Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology (CKD-EPI) equation was used to calculate the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and eGFR in the range of 60-90 mL/min/1.73m2 was defined as MRD. The study revealed that a total of 889 subjects (18.0%) had MRD. Multivariate logistic analysis showed that annual income, abdominal obesity, hypertension, hyperglycemia, and frequent tea consumption were the independent risk factors (P < 0.05) for MRD. Thereafter, a nomogram with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.705 was constructed to accurately predict MRD. The calibration plot also showed an excellent consistency between the probability of prediction and observation. We constructed a nomogram based on epidemiological data, which could provide an individual prediction of MRD with good accuracy.

Prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease in a High-Risk Population in Urban Lahore, Pakistan: A Cross-sectional Study.

Background Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a globally increasing health concern, and there is a growing focus on early screening and prevention efforts. However, the availability of data on CKD prevalence in Pakistan, particularly in the urban area of Lahore district, is limited. The objective of the Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP) Lahore was to assess the prevalence of CKD in a high-risk population residing in the urban area of Lahore, Pakistan. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 254 participants, who were over 18 years old and belonged to a high-risk population according to the pre-defined operational definitions. The participants were randomly selected from various towns in Lahore. Screening camps were set up to measure serum creatinine levels and urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (UACR), and then the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated using the CKD Epidemiology Collaboration 2021 (CKD EPI) equation. Results Out of the total 254 participants, a diagnosis of CKD was made in 62 (24.2%) individuals. Significant associations were found between CKD and risk factors including hypertension, diabetes, family history of CKD, ischemic heart disease (IHD) or congestive heart failure (CHF), intake of painkillers, and herbal medicines. However, no association was found between obesity (BMI ≥30) and CKD. Participants diagnosed with CKD had a mean age of 49.9 years and a mean serum creatinine level of 1.2 mg/dL, while non-CKD participants had a mean age of 43.7 years and a mean serum creatinine level of 0.7 mg/dL. Conclusion Our study revealed that CKD was prevalent in about one-fourth of the participants from the high-risk population of Lahore, indicating a high prevalence of the disease within society. Moreover, hypertension, diabetes, family history of CKD, heart disease, painkillers, and the use of herbal medicines were all significantly linked to CKD in the surveyed sample population.

#986 Sarcopenia and chronic kidney disease among adults over 45 years old: findings from CHARLS

Abstract Background and Aims Little is known about the association between sarcopenia and chronic kidney disease (CKD) among Chinese adults older than 45. The present study sought to investigate the relationship between sarcopenia and CKD based on a large, nationally representative survey. Method The China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) provided data for the study in four waves in 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2018. Based on the Asia Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 (AWGS 2019) criteria, sarcopenia and possible sarcopenia were defined. CKD was defined as eGFR less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m2, calculated according to the CKD Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation, or self-reported CKD. Logistic regression models were conducted to analyze the cross-sectional relationship between sarcopenia and CKD. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to examine the effect of sarcopenia on CKD. Stratified analyses were used to assess the association between sarcopenia status and CKD in various subgroups. Results Totally, 12323 participants over 45 years old (48.2% males; mean age 59.3 ± 9.5 years) were enrolled in a cross-sectional study in 2011, and further 10445 individuals were followed up in 2013, 2015 and 2018. The prevalence of CKD was 8.4% (1040/12323) in general populations, 7.2% (556/7703) in individuals without sarcopenia, 10.1% (380/3760) in adults with possible sarcopenia, and 12.1% (104/860) in individuals with sarcopenia, respectively. In cross-sectional study, possible sarcopenia [OR (95% CI): 1.236 (1.069-1.430)] was significantly associated with CKD (P &amp;lt; 0.01). While sarcopenia was not significantly associated with CKD. 783 cases (7.5%) with incident CKD events were identified during the 7 years of follow-up. In subgroup analyses, the incidence of CKD was 1.855 (95% CI 1.176-2.928) in the sarcopenia group compared with non-sarcopenia group among the female participants. The sarcopenia group (HR: 1.639, 95% CI 1.099-2.443) was independently associated with a higher incidence of CKD among non-smokers. Low muscle mass alone was not significantly associated with an increased risk of incident CKD (P &amp;gt; 0.05). Conclusion In our cross-sectional analysis, possible sarcopenia determined by AWGS2019 criteria was associated with a higher prevalence of CKD. In our longitudinal study, sarcopenia assessed using AWGS2019 criteria was associated with a higher risk of CKD in Chinese women over 45 years old or non-smokers.

#990 Association between frailty and chronic kidney disease: findings from CHARLS

Abstract Background and Aims Frailty is a complex age-related clinical condition characterized by a decline in physiological capacity of several organ systems, with a resultant increased susceptibility to stressors. Little is known about the association between frailty and chronic kidney disease (CKD) among Chinese adults. The present study sought to investigate the relationship between frailty and CKD based on a large, nationally representative survey. Method The participants were 4231 adults aged ≥50 years from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). Based on the FRAIL scale, frailty and prefrailty were defined. CKD was defined as eGFR less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m2, calculated according to the CKD Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation, or self-reported CKD. Logistic regression models were conducted to analyze the cross-sectional relationship between frailty and CKD. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to examine the effect of frail status and frail components on CKD. Results We found that prevalence of frailty in CKD individuals was 13.9% while in patients without CKD was 8.4%. The prevalence of CKD in robust group was 6.0%, in prefrail group was 10.1% and in frail group was 14.0%. In frail status, after adjusted, the incidence of CKD was 1.713 (95% CI 1.109-2.646) in the frail group compared with robust group (P = 0.015). While there was no statistical difference in the incidence of CKD among the prefrail group and robust group. In frail components, after adjusted, weight loss was associated with higher risk of CKD [HR (95% CI): 1.617 (1.170-2.235)]. Conclusion We found that the prevalence of frailty was relatively high in the population. In frail status, both prefrail and frail were associated with a higher risk of CKD. In frail components, weight loss was associated with an increase incidence of CKD. Frailty is reversible, so early identification of frailty may reduce the incidence of CKD and improve the adverse consequences associated with CKD.

Dietary inflammatory index and lower glomerular filtration rate in Mexican adults

We hypothesized that higher scores on the dietary inflammatory index (DII) would be associated with a lower glomerular filtration rate (GFR). This cross-sectional study included 2098 participants from Mexican Teachers Cohort Study, the Health Workers Cohort Study, and the Comitán Study belonging to the RenMex consortium. Energy-adjusted DII scores were estimated using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). eGFR was estimated by the CKD Epidemiology Collaboration equation. Quantile regression models and ordered regression models were estimated to assess the associations of interest. Median age of study participants was 47 years, median eGFR was 102.9 mL/min/1.73m2, and the median energy-adjusted DII was 0.89 (range, -2.25, +4.86). The median eGFR was lower in participants in the highest percentile of DII compared to those in the lowest percentile (103.8 vs 101.4). We found that continuous and categorical energy-adjusted DII scores were associated with lower eGFR, especially at the lower percentiles. In adjusted ordered logistic regression, we found that the highest DII category was associated with 1.80 times the odds of belonging to the mildly decreased eGFR category or moderately decreased eGFR category compared lowest DII category (OR: 1.80, 95%CI 1.35, 2.40). A high DII score was associated with a lower eGFR among the Mexican population. Additional studies are crucial to validate these findings and explore potential strategies to reduce the consumption of pro-inflammatory foods as a preventive approach for chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Using eGFR and Albumin Creatinine Ratio as an Initial Screening Tool in Trinidadian Primary Care to Identify High-risk Population for CKD: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major public health burden and is often undiagnosed in the primary care setting. Untested and untreated, this often leads to renal failure and dialysis. This was a cross-sectional study of adults aged 20 years and over, diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus and/or hypertension, with no previous history or record of CKD, and attending three chronic disease clinics in the Eastern Regional Health Authority (ERHA). Patients were screened for risk of CKD by using the albumin creatinine ratio. The eGFR was calculated based on serum creatinine by using the CKD Epidemiology Collaboration (EPI) 2009 equation. In total, 430 patients agreed to participate with 61.2% of response rate. Of the 385 with complete data, 357 (92%) were detected as having a high risk for CKD; older patients (>66 years) and those with both diabetes and hypertension had high proportions of risk for CKD. There were significant associations between age, systolic hypertension, and the severity of risk for CKD. CKD is common at the primary care level among adults with NCDs in Trinidad, with many patients having been left out without being tested for CKD. Primary care physicians must take this into consideration in caring for NCD patients.

Evaluation of Six eGFR Equations in Predicting Acute Kidney Injury in Patients after Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: A Case Control Study.

There are six widely used equations to calculate the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of patients. We aimed to assess the predictive power of preoperative eGFR calculated by these equations for the occurrence of postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI). Patients who underwent isolated coronary surgery from January 2016 to January 2021 were continuously enrolled. Serum creatinine and cystatin C used to calculate eGFR were both measured within 1 week before surgery. The eGFR was calculated using six equations: Cockcroft Gault (CG) equation, Chinese abbreviated modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD) equation, chronic kidney disease-epidemiology (CKD-EPI) equation, and full age spectrum (FAS) equation. Postoperative AKI was diagnosed by Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes criteria (KDIGO) (① urine volume 0.5 mL/kg/h for 6 h; ② an increase in serum creatinine by 26.5 µmol/L within 48 h; ③ an increase in serum creatinine to 1.5 times baseline levels, which is known or presumed to have occurred within the prior 7 days), and the occurrence of AKI within 7 days after surgery was followed. A total of 1428 patients were included, of which 319 patients (25.5%) developed postoperative AKI. After adjustment, all eGFRs (CG OR = 0.983, MDRD OR = 0.983, OR = 0.97, OR = 0.955, OR = 0.978, OR = 0. 941, all p 0.001) were significantly associated with AKI. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was 0.621 for CG, 0.614 for MDRD, 0.643 for , 0.739 for , 0.643 for , 0.744 for , respectively. There was no difference in predictive power between and (p = 0.33, DeLong's test). Preoperative eGFR calculated by and equations have better performance in predicting AKI after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting than other equations.

Abstract 6381: Long-term kidney function after treatment for unilateral, non-metastatic, non-syndromic Wilms tumor. A report from the St. Jude Lifetime Cohort Study

Abstract Background: We previously reported that the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was decreased among survivors of unilateral, non-metastatic, non-syndromic Wilms tumor (WT) treated with whole abdomen radiation therapy (WART) compared to controls, but not compared to unirradiated WT survivors (Pediatr Blood Cancer 2020;67:e28271). The impact of sex on estimates of kidney function among adult survivors of WT has not been well-documented. Methods: We clinically evaluated male and female WT survivors with creatinine and cystatin C, calculated eGFR using the Chronic Kidney Disease - Epidemiology (CKD-EPI) equations with and without cystatin C and measured 99mTc diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) plasma clearance. WT survivors consisted of 20 treated with unilateral nephrectomy (UN), non-nephrotoxic chemotherapy (NNC) and whole abdomen radiation therapy (WART) (mean - 20.2 Gray (Gy); standard deviation (SD) - 9.12 Gy), and 20 treated with UN, no radiation therapy, and NNC. Correlations between 99mTc DTPA clearance and eGFR were calculated. Results: Among female WT survivors, none of the eGFR calculations was statistically significantly correlated with 99mTc DTPA clearance. Among male WT survivors, 99mTc DTPA clearance correlated well with eGFR calculations that included creatinine. Results are shown in the Table. Conclusions: Among female survivors of unilateral, non-metastatic, non-syndromic WT who have undergone UN, eGFR is poorly correlated with 99mTc DTPA clearance. Evaluation of treatment-related changes in body composition may provide insight into these results. Correlation between eGFR and 99mTc DTPA clearance Females eGFR(CKD-EPI) 99mTc DTPA clearance No radiation therapy (n=13) Whole abdomen radiation therapy(n=12) Pearson correlation coefficient p-value Pearson correlation coefficient p-value Creatinine only 0.109 0.723 -0.295 0.352 Cystatin C only 0.311 0.301 0.094 0.782 Creatinine and cystatin C 0.348 0.244 -0.028 0.935 Males No radiation therapy (n=6) Whole abdomen radiation therapy(n=6) Pearson correlation coefficient p-value Pearson correlation coefficient p-value Creatinine only 0.827 0.043 0.859 0.028 Cystatin C only 0.811 0.050 0.592 0.216 Creatinine and cystatin C 0.878 0.021 0.866 0.026 Citation Format: Daniel M. Green, Mingjuan Wang, Matthew J. Krasin, Andrew M. Davidoff, DeoKumar Srivastava, Dennis W. Jay, Kirsten K. Ness, Barry L. Shulkin, Jennifer Q. Lanctot, Kyla C. Shelton, Rachel C. Brennan, Matthew J. Ehrhardt, Stephanie Dixon, Beth A. Kurt, Leslie L. Robison, Melissa M. Hudson, Sheri L. Spunt. Long-term kidney function after treatment for unilateral, non-metastatic, non-syndromic Wilms tumor. A report from the St. Jude Lifetime Cohort Study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 6381.

Estimated glomerular filtration rate as a tool for early identification of patients with insufficient exposure to beta-lactam antibiotics in intensive care units

Background Only about 50% of intensive care unit (ICU) patients reach a free trough concentration above MIC (100% fT > MIC) of beta-lactam antibiotics. Although dose adjustments based on therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) could be beneficial, TDM is not widely available. We investigated serum creatinine-based estimated GFR (eGFR) as a rapid screening tool to identify ICU patients at risk of insufficient exposure. Method Ninety-three adult patients admitted to four ICUs in southeast Sweden treated with piperacillin/tazobactam, meropenem, or cefotaxime were included. Beta-lactam trough concentrations were measured. The concentration target was set to 100% fT > MICECOFF (2, 4, and 16 mg/L based on calculated free levels for meropenem, cefotaxime, and piperacillin, respectively). eGFR was primarily determined via Chronic Kidney Disease–Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) and compared to three other eGFR equations. Data was analysed using logistic regression and receiver operative characteristic (ROC) curves. Results With intermittent standard dosing, insufficient exposure was common in patients with a relative eGFR ≥48mL/min/1.73m2 [85%, (45/53)], particularly when treated with cefotaxime [96%, (24/25)]. This eGFR cut-off had a sensitivity of 92% and specificity of 82% (AUC 0.871, p < 0.001) in identifying insufficient exposure. In contrast, patients with eGFR <48mL/min/1.73m2 had high target attainment [90%, (36/40)] with a wide variability in drug exposure. There was no difference between the four eGFR equations (AUC 0.866–0.872, cut-offs 44–51 ml/min/1.73m2). Conclusion Serum creatinine-based eGFR is a simple and widely available surrogate marker with potential for early identification of ICU patients at risk of insufficient exposure to piperacillin, meropenem, and cefotaxime.

Assessment of renal and cardiovascular risks in patients with type 2 diabetes when using non-steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists

Background. Given the proven excessive activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and the clinical manifestations of hypertension, mostly of renal origin, there is a need to optimize antihypertensive therapy aimed at an active nephroprotection. The purpose of the study is to carry out a comprehensive assessment of kidney and heart risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease (CKD) and to justify the administration of non-steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists to these patients. Materials and methods. In a prospective cohort study, 88 patients with type 2 diabetes were examined: group 1 — estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) &lt; 60 ml/min/m2, group 2 — eGFR ≥ 60 ml/min/m2. eGFR was evaluated according to the CKD-EPI (Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Colla­boration) formula based on serum creatinine. GFR category was defined according to the KDIGO (Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes) criteria. The albumin-creatinine ratio was calcula­ted. The level of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was assessed by the method of high-performance liquid chromatography. Aldosterone was evaluated by immunoenzymatic method. Results. In patients with eGFR &lt; 60 ml/min/m2, the albumin-creatinine ratio in daily urine is statistically significantly higher compared to group 2. Patients with eGFR &lt; 60 ml/min/m2 had an average uric acid level of 410.3 ± 98.8 μmol/l, which is statistically significantly higher than in those with eGFR ≥ 60 ml/min/m2 — 321.10 ± 74.54 μmol/l. A statistically significant correlation between the level of uric acid and markers of renal dysfunction was found only in patients with eGFR &lt; 60 ml/min/m2. Aldosterone levels were higher in the first group. No statistical difference was found between the average value of HbA1c in the studied groups. Conclusions. Numerous factors of unfavorable prognosis regarding kidney and heart risks have been identified: hypertension, increased albumin-creatinine ratio and cholesterol, unsatisfactory compensation of diabetes, obesity. There is an increase in the frequency of resistant hypertension, hyperuricemia, and hyperaldosteronism in patients with decreased eGFR. In patients with diabetic kidney damage on the background of type 2 diabetes, the administration of finerenone, a non-steroidal mine­ralocorticoid receptor antagonist, at a dose of 10–20 mg/day is pathogenetically justified.

Comparative Determination of Glomerular Filtration Rate Estimation Formulae in Type 2 Diabetic Patients: An Observational Study.

Assessing glomerular filtration rate (GFR) involves collecting timed urine samples for 24 hours, requiring significant time and resources in the clinical setting. Using predictive GFR formulae to assess renal function may be a better alternative. Our goal was to determine which predictive GFR formula had the highest level of concordance with the GFR that has been measured in a resource-poor setting. This is an observational study. We selected fifty (50) individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in Kumasi, Ghana. The sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were obtained using a structured questionnaire. Urine was obtained from each subject over 24 hours. The levels of glucose (FBG) and creatinine in patients' blood, as well as the levels of creatinine in their urine, were measured after the patients had fasted overnight. Participants had a mean age of 57.4 ± 10.7 (years), BMI of 27.8 ± 4.1 (kg/m2), FBG of 9.0 ± 3.1 (mmol/L), and creatinine concentrations of 95.6 ± 29.1 (μmol/L). A Krouwer plot was used to compare the measured GFR with three formulae: Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology (CKD-EPI), Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD), and Cockroft-Gault (CG) for GFR prediction. Among the 3 estimates, CG showed nonsignificance (p > 0.05) with the measured GFR. The primary finding was that the GFR calculated using the CG formula was not different from the GFR measured, suggesting that CG is the most appropriate alternative GFR estimate among a cross-section of T2DM patients in Ghana.

Predictors of metabolic syndrome and its components in patients with type 2 diabetes: A cross-sectional study in the Ho municipality, Ghana

BackgroundMetabolic syndrome refers to a group of risk factors that individually or synergistically increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. The predictors of metabolic syndrome are thought to vary between populations and ethnicities. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the factors predicting metabolic syndrome and its components among patients with type 2 diabetes in the Ho municipality. MethodsA hospital-based cross-sectional study was designed to include 197 patients with type 2 diabetes at the Ho Municipal Hospital. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain data on demography and lifestyle variables. Anthropometric, haemodynamic, and biochemical parameters were measured. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the harmonised criteria. Renal function was evaluated based on the Chronic Kidney Disease-Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI)] and the evidence of proteinuria. Chi-square test and logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the predictors of metabolic syndrome and its components. ResultsOverall, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 59.90 %. Females had higher odds of metabolic syndrome [OR: 2.64, 95 % CI: 1.48–4.71; p = 0.001], abdominal obesity [OR: 11.49, 95 % CI: 5.18–25.49, p < 0.001], and low HDL-C levels [OR: 17.67, 95 % CI: 4.73–65.99, p < 0.001]. Having a family history of diabetes increased the risk of metabolic syndrome [OR: 1.94, 95 % CI: 1.09–3.54, p = 0.023] and abdominal obesity [OR: 2.60, 95 % CI: 1.25–5.42, p = 0.011]. Having diabetes for 5 years or more was associated with uncontrolled FBG [OR: 4.75, 95 % CI: 1.25–17.98, p = 0.022] and low HDL-C levels [OR: 4.52, 95 % CI: 1.64–12.45, p = 0.004]. Attainment of secondary education increased the risk of abdominal obesity [OR: 5.73, 95 % CI: 1.46 – 22.49, p = 0.012], while the attainment of tertiary education increased the risk of low HDL-C [OR: 4.20, 95 % CI: 1.09 – 16.24, p = 0.038]. Physical inactivity was associated with metabolic syndrome [OR: 2.19, 95 % CI: 1.12 – 4.28, p = 0.022]. Being older than 50 years had a two-fold increased risk of elevated BP [OR: 2.53, 95 % CI: 1.36–4.69, p = 0.003]. However, females were about 56 % unlikely to be associated with elevated BP [OR: 0.44, 95 % CI: 0.23–0.84, p = 0.013]. ConclusionThe female gender, family history of diabetes, and longer duration of diabetes as well as attainment of secondary and tertiary level education and physical inactivity were significant predictors of metabolic syndrome and its components in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Questionable Validity of Creatinine-Based eGFR in Elderly Patients but Cystatin C Is Helpful in First-Line Diagnostics.

The recommended chronic kidney disease (CKD) first-line diagnostic test is based on the creatinine-derived (estimated) glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Cystatin C use may provide a better assessment. We compared creatinine- and cystatin C-derived eGFR determination as the first-line diagnostic test for 112 hospital patients aged > 60 years (median = 76 years). The patients were judged to not have CKD (no-CKD group) according to the first-line diagnostic recommendations (n = 61, eGFR (CKD Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI)) ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m2, total urine protein < 150 mg/g creatinine, urinary red/white blood cells not increased) or classified to be at risk for kidney insufficiency due to aortic valve dysfunction (at-risk group; n = 51). The accuracy of the eGFR values was evaluated retrospectively with the final case diagnoses. The eGFR (Caucasian, Asian, pediatric, and adult formula (CAPA)) was found to be linearly correlated to the eGFR (CKD-EPI) (R2 = 0.5, slope = 0.69, p < 0.0001). In 93/112 (>80%) cases, the eGFR (CAPA) yielded lower values (on average ≈-20%). In 55/112 (49%) cases, the cystatin C-derived CKD stage was lower. CKD reclassification from no-CKD to a kidney-insufficient state (i.e., CKD1/2 to CKD3a/b or 4) or reclassification to a more severe kidney insufficiency (i.e., CKD3a → 3b/4 or 3b → 4) was found in 41/112 (37%) cases. A worse CKD classification (no-CKD → kidney-insufficient) based on the eGFR (CAPA) was plausible in 30% of cases in light of the final case diagnoses. In elderly patients (>60 years), renal function appears to be systematically overestimated by the creatinine-based eGFR (CKD-EPI), indicating that, for this group, the cystatin C-based eGFR (CAPA) should be used as the first-line diagnostic test.

Changes in renal blood flow after surgically induced weight loss: can bariatric surgery halt the progression of chronic kidney disease?

BackgroundWe previously demonstrated how kidney injury in patients with morbid obesity can be reversed by bariatric surgery (BaS). Objective(s)Based on previous experience, we hypothesize patients’ potentially reversible kidney injury might be secondary to reduction in renal blood flow (RBF), which improves following BaS. SettingAcademic Hospital. MethodsWe conducted a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent BaS at our institution from 2002 to 2019. We identified patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) using the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) from the CKD Epidemiology Collaboration Study (CKD-EPI) classification system. We used the BUN/Creatinine (Cr) ratio pre- and postoperatively to determine a prerenal (decreased RBF) versus intrinsic component as the responsible cause of CKD in this patient population. Decreased RBF was defined as BUN/Cr > 20 preoperatively. ResultsOur analysis included n = 2924 patients, of which 11% (n = 325) presented decreased RBF. From our original sample, only n = 228 patients had the complete data necessary to assess both eGFR and RBF (BUN/Cr). Patients with baseline CKD stage 2 demonstrated preoperative BUN/Cr 20.85 ± 10.23 decreasing to 14.99 ± 9.10 at 12-month follow-up (P < .01). Patients with baseline CKD stage 3 presented with preoperative BUN/Cr 23.88 ± 8.75; after 12-month follow-up, BUN/Cr ratio decreased to 16.38 ± 9.27 (P < .01). Patients with CKD stage 4 and ESRD (eGFR < 30) did not demonstrate a difference for pre- and postoperative BUN/Cr 21.71 ± 9.28 and 19.21 ± 14.58, respectively. Conclusion(s)According to our findings, patients with CKD stages 1–3 present improvement of their kidney function after BaS. This amelioration could be secondary to improvement of the RBF, an unstudied reversible mechanism of kidney injury in the bariatric population.

Diagnostic standard: assessing glomerular filtration rate

ABSTRACT Creatinine-based estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is imprecise at individual level, due to non-GFR-related serum creatinine determinants, including atypical muscle mass. Cystatin C has the advantage of being independent of muscle mass, a feature that led to the development of race- and sex-free equations. Yet, cystatin C–based equations do not perform better than creatinine-based equations for estimating GFR unless both variables are included together. The new race-free Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation had slight opposite biases between Black and non-Black subjects in the USA, but has poorer performance than that the previous version in European populations. The European Kidney Function Consortium (EKFC) equation developed in 2021 can be used in both children and adults, is more accurate in young and old adults, and is applicable to non-white European populations, by rescaling the Q factor, i.e. population median creatinine, in a potentially universal way. A sex- and race-free cystatin C–based EKFC, with the same mathematical design, has also be defined. New developments in the field of GFR estimation would be standardization of cystatin C assays, development of creatinine-based eGFR equations that incorporate muscle mass data, implementation of new endogenous biomarkers and the use of artificial intelligence. Standardization of different GFR measurement methods would also be a future challenge, as well as new technologies for measuring GFR. Future research is also needed into discrepancies between cystatin C and creatinine, which is associated with high risk of adverse events: we need to standardize the definition of discrepancy and understand its determinants.