Elderly Chronic Kidney Disease Patients Research Articles

#1000 Living alone and prognosis in elderly patients with chronic kidney disease: a nationwide study from Denmark

Abstract Background and Aims Patient care is increasingly relying upon involvement of patient relatives, including for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, patients living alone may be disadvantaged due to a lack of support. We aimed to assess the difference in prognosis after incident CKD in elderly patients between patients living alone versus living with others in a nationwide cohort study. Method We identified all patients aged 65 years or older with incident CKD from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2020, with follow-up until December 31, 2021. We used data from national registries to identify CKD from out-patient creatinine measurements and linked these data to hospital treatment procedures and information from the Civil Person Registration system by the universal and unique personal identification number assigned to all Danish residents at birth or immigration. We defined incident CKD as having two or more estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) values below 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 registered at least 90 days apart. We categorized eGFR according to “Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes” (KDIGO) CKD stages into 45-59 ml/min/1.73 m2 (mildly/moderately decreased), 30-44 ml/min/1.73 m2 (moderately/severely decreased), 15-29 ml/min/1.73 m2 (severely decreased), <15 ml/min/1.73 m2 (kidney failure). We assessed cohabitation (living alone, or living with others), also in national registry data. We described the population by age group, sex and stage of CKD. Analyzing mortality, we followed patients from date of CKD to death or end of follow-up, whichever came first. We calculated the median time to death, using age as the time scale and reported these by cohabitation status with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). In further analyses, we will estimate the cumulated proportion who experienced a rapid decline in kidney function, as a measure of prognosis, and model the association between cohabitation and prognosis/mortality in regression models. Results We identified 204 662 elderly patients with CKD from 2016 to 2020, with 55% women and 38% 80 years or older. For severity, 84% had mildly/moderately decreased kidney function, 13% had moderately/severely decreased kidney function, 2% had severely decreased kidney function and only less than 1% (457 patients) presented with kidney failure. At index, 55% lived with others and 45% lived alone. Overall, 53 715 died during follow-up, and median age at death was 82 (95% CI: 82;82) for CKD patients living together with someone, but 78 (95% CI: 77;78) for those living alone. Conclusion The results are preliminary, and further analyses, including age adjustment, mortality estimates and information on adult children, will be available for presentation at the ERA conference 2024.

Effects of Dietary Intervention on Nutritional Status in Elderly Individuals with Chronic Kidney Disease.

The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is rising, especially in elderly individuals. The overlap between CKD and aging is associated with body composition modification, metabolic abnormalities, and malnutrition. Renal care guidelines suggest treating CKD patient with a low-protein diet according to the renal disease stage. On the other hand, geriatric care guidelines underline the need for a higher protein intake to prevent malnutrition. The challenge remains of how to reconcile a low dietary protein intake with insuring a favorable nutritional status in geriatric CKD populations. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the effect of a low-protein adequate energy intake (LPAE) diet on nutritional risk and nutritional status among elderly CKD (stage 3-5) patients and then to assess its impact on CKD metabolic abnormalities. To this purpose, 42 subjects [age ≥ 65, CKD stage 3-5 in conservative therapy, and Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) ≥ 98] were recruited and the LPAE diet was prescribed. At baseline and after 6 months of the LPAE diet, the following data were collected: age, sex, biochemical parameters, anthropometric measurements, body composition, and the GNRI. According to their dietary compliance, the subjects were divided into groups: compliant and non-compliant. For the compliant group, the results obtained show no increased malnutrition risk incidence but, rather, an improvement in body composition and metabolic parameters, suggesting that the LPAE diet can provide a safe tool in geriatric CKD patients.

The role of depression between sleep disorders and frailty among elderly patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in China: a cross-sectional study.

To investigate the correlation among sleep disorders, physical frailty, and depression in elderly patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), and to explore the mediating role of depression. This was a cross-sectional study, simple sampling was used to investigate the elderly CKD patients from one tertiary hospital in Shanghai. Those CKD patients who were diagnosed as CKD1-5 phase and were admitted to the Renal Medicine Ward from January to June 2022 and provided formal consent were considered for inclusion in our study. They were investigated with frailty phenotype (FP), Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), and self-made general information questionnaire. Linear regression was used to assess the associations between the variables, before this, PROCESS v4.1 was used to transform PSQI, CES-D and FP score to improve its normality, and conduct intermediary analysis. A difference of p < 0.05 was statistically significant. A total of 504 elderly patients with CKD completed the questionnaire survey, aged 60-91. The incidence of sleep disorders among elderly patients with CKD was 60%, and the incidence of physical frailty was 18%. The depression was positively correlated with physical frailty (r = 0.418, p < 0.01) and sleep disorders (r = 0.541, p < 0.01). Physical frailty was positively correlated with sleep disorders (r = 0.320, p < 0.01). The depression plays a significant mediating role in the model, and the effect ratio of depression is 52%. Depression is a mediating variable between sleep disorders and frailty. Improving depression in elderly patients with CKD accompanied by sleep disorders can help delay the occurrence of frailty.

Discussions Concerning the Generalist-Specialist Combination Management Model of Chronic Kidney Disease

In recent years, the effective management of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is gaining growing attention. In 2014, our hospital established the CKD generalist-specialist combination management model, which incorporates a set of CKD management processes. The generalist component incorporates the following, general practitioners from 6 community health centers in the surrounding areas (with about 650 000 permanent residents in the region) joining hands, setting up a management team composed of doctors and nurses, and formulating management protocols for patient follow-up, patient record management, screening, risk assessment, examination and treatment, nutrition and exercise, and two-way referrals. The specialist component of the model incorporates the following, providing trainings for general practitioners in the in the community in the form of lectures on special topics and case discussion sessions, and organizing 7 national-level workshops for continuing medical education in the past decade, covering about 1 400 participants. In addition, regular meetings of the support groups of patients with renal diseases were organized to carry out information and education activities for patients. We have set up 4 community-based training centers and 6 specialized disease management centers, including one for diabetic nephropathy. We have retrospectively analyzed the risk factors of elderly CKD patients by establishing the elderly physical examination database (which has a current enrollment of 26 000 people), the elderly community CKD cross-sectional survey database, and the elderly CKD information management system. After 10 years of management practice, the level of institutionalization and standardization of CKD specialty management in our hospital has been improved. Moreover, we have expanded the management team and extended the management base from the hospital to community. We have improved the level of CKD management in community health centers and improved the specialty competence of the general practitioners in the communities. The generalist-specialist combination management model makes it possible for CKD patients to receive early screening and treatment, obtain effective and convenient follow-up and referral services, and improve their quality of life. Patients with complications such as diabetes, hypertension, and sarcopenia could access treatments with better precision. It is necessary to carry out the generalist-specialist integrated management of CKD, which is worthy of further development and improvement.

Independent risk factors for depression in older adult patients receiving peritoneal dialysis for chronic kidney disease

BACKGROUND According to the trend of global population aging, the proportion of elderly patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is expected to increase. However, there are more than 20 million people in China with decompensated kidney function, of which 19.25% are elderly people. Therefore, special attention should be paid to the education years, sleep quality, anxiety status, comorbidities with diabetes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and anemia as independent risk factors for depression in elderly CKD patients. This study explores the clinical mana-gement of elderly CKD patients that should address these risk factors to prevent depression and improve their prognosis. AIM To investigate depression risk factors in older patients receiving peritoneal dialysis, aiding future prevention of depression in these patients. METHODS This retrospective study included a primary study population of 170 patients with CKD who received peritoneal dialysis from January 2020 to December 2022. We assessed the patients’ mental status using the Beck Depression Inventory Score-II (BDI-II), Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Anxiety Inventory Score, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Logistic regression was employed to identify depression independent risk factors among these patients. RESULTS The non-depressed group had a significantly longer education period than the depressed group (P &lt; 0.05). The depressed group exhibited significantly higher mental status scores than the non-depressed group (P &lt; 0.001). Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) or CVD had a higher probability of developing dep-ression. Patients with depression had significantly lower hemoglobin and albumin levels than patients without depression (P &lt; 0.05). Spearman correlation analysis of BDI-II scale scores, measuring depression, indicated positive correlations with BDI-II and SAS scores as risk factors for depression in patients with CKD. In contrast, years of education, hemoglobin levels, and peritoneal Kt/V were negatively correlated, serving as protective factors against depression. An analysis of variance for influences with significant differences in the univariate analysis revealed that years of schooling, BDI-II, SAS, PSQI, DM, CVD, and hemoglobin levels independently influenced depression in older patients with CKD. CONCLUSION Education, BDI-II, SAS, PSQI, DM, and CVD are independent risk factors for depression in older patients with CKD; therefore, post-treatment psychological monitoring of high-risk patients is crucial to prevent depression.

Abstract 15816: Contemporary Nationwide Trends in Major Adverse Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Events Among Elderly Chronic Kidney Disease Patients With versus Without Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Associated Sex and Racial Disparities, 2016-2019

Background: End-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients with more intensive renal replacement therapy have been shown to alleviate the severity of sleep apnea, specifically obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Our study aims to analyze the trends in combined cardiovascular events among geriatric CKD patients, comparing those with and without OSA. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive analysis using nationwide data from 2016 to 2019 to identify geriatric CKD patients based on ICD-10 codes. A comparative assessment was performed between elderly CKD patients with and without OSA, examining their baseline characteristics and potential disparities related to sex and race. Results: From 2016 to 2019, 14,157,877 geriatric CKD patients were analyzed. OSA is more prevalent in men (60.5% v/s 50.5%) and in the white race(79.3% v/s 72.5%) compared to the non-OSA group. In the OSA group, men had an increased prevalence of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) (12.0% v/s 9.7%) and acute myocardial infarction (AMI)(7.0%-5.2%) with p&lt;0.001. OSA patients had a decrease in all-cause mortality (3.2% v/s 4.7%), AMI (6.3% v/s 7.2%), and cardiac arrest (1.0% v/s 1.3%), with p&lt;0.001. Patient’s on BiPAP/CPAP therapy have further decreased ODD’s of MACCE and is statistically significant, p&lt;0.001. Conclusion: OSA patients with or without BiPAP/CPAP are associated with decreased MACCE in elderly CKD patients. The potential impact of Interventions like BiPAP/CPAP therapy on kidney function and cardiovascular outcomes requires further investigation to better understand and manage chronic kidney disease and OSA cardiovascular paradox.

Epigenetic roles in clonal hematopoiesis and aging kidney-related chronic kidney disease.

Accumulation of somatic hematopoietic stem cell mutations with aging has been revealed by the recent genome-wide analysis. Clonal expansion, known as clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP), is a premalignant condition of hematological cancers. It is defined as the absence of definitive morphological evidence of a hematological neoplasm and occurrence of ≥2% of mutant allele fraction in the peripheral blood. In CHIP, the most frequently mutated genes are epigenetic regulators such as DNMT3A, TET2, and ASXL1. CHIP induces inflammation. CHIP is shown to be associated with not only hematological malignancy but also non-malignant disorders such as atherosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases and chronic liver disease. In addition, recent several large clinical trials have shown that CHIP is also the risk factor for developing chronic kidney disease (CKD). In this review article, we proposed novel findings about CHIP and CHIP related kidney disease based on the recent basic and clinical research. The possible mechanism of the kidney injury in CHIP is supposed to be due to the clonal expansion in both myeloid and lymphoid cell lines. In myeloid cell lines, the mutated macrophages increase the inflammatory cytokine level and induce chronic inflammation. It leads to epigenetic downregulation of kidney and macrophage klotho level. In lymphoid cell lines, CHIP might be related to monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance (MGRS). It describes any B cell or plasma cell clonal disorder that does not fulfill the criteria for cancer yet produces a nephrotoxic monoclonal immunoglobulin that leads to kidney injury or disease. MGRS causes M-protein related nephropathy frequently observed among aged CKD patients. It is important to consider the CHIP-related complications such as hematological malignancy, cardiovascular diseases and metabolic disorders in managing the elderly CKD patients. There are no established therapies for CHIP and CHIP-related CKD yet. However, recent studies have supported the development of effective CHIP therapies, such as blocking the expansion of aberrant HSCs and inhibiting chronic inflammation. In addition, drugs targeting the epigenetic regulation of Klotho in the kidney and macrophages might be therapeutic targets of CHIP in the kidney.

Prevalence and associated risk factors for chronic kidney disease in the elderly physically disabled population in Shanghai, China: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe global prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the general population is relatively clear. Our previous study showed that elderly individuals who are physically disabled are more likely to experience kidney function impairment, and the main purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with CKD in elderly patients with physical disabilities.MethodsA total of 2679 elderly individuals with physical disabilities from the 2018 Shanghai Disability Health Survey were screened to calculate the prevalence of CKD. Multiple logistic regression was performed to identify the factors associated with CKD. Detailed subgroup analyses of disability level were also conducted.ResultsWe confirmed CKD in 287 of 2679 (10.7%) participants. Female sex, age, history of hypertension, red blood cell count, albumin, urea, and uric acid (UA) were independently correlated with CKD. Age and UA abnormalities were common risk factors for different levels of disabilities.ConclusionThe prevalence of CKD is higher in the mild level of older physically handicapped individuals. Age and the level of UA should also be considered in this population. The preventive strategies for patients with two levels of elderly disability should have different focuses.

Comprehensive geriatric assessment and drug burden in elderly chronic kidney disease patients

Abstract Objectives Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a condition characterized by atherosclerosis, cognitive impairment, physical limitations, biochemical abnormalities, and vascular aging. The proportion of those with a diagnosis of CKD in the older is increasing. With comprehensive geriatric assessment, it could be possible to detect the disorders that are related to biological aging. The aim is to evaluate geriatric syndromes like frailty, cognitive dysfunction, malnutrition, and polypharmacy in an aged population with pre-dialytic CKD (stages 3a–5), and to investigate possible relations with biochemical features and anticholinergic drug burden (ADB). Methods One hundred and fifty-six CKD patients aged 60 and older and 164 healthy controls were included in the study. Geriatric parameters that were used for the evaluation of the groups were, Clinical Frailty Index; Charlson Comorbidity Index; Montreal Cognitive Assessment and Mini Nutritional Assessment Short-Form. Besides, biochemical parameters and ADB defined with 3 scales Anticholinergic Burden Classification (ABC), Chew’s scale, and Drug Burden Index were recorded. Results Despite being younger, CKD patients had higher comorbidity and frailty scores than the controls. Patients and controls had similar nutritional status, and cognitive function test results. Frailty was an important predictor for geriatric parameters and eGFR. ABC score was higher in the CKD group in ADB scale. Conclusions Frailty and polypharmacy are more prevalent than expected in older with CKD. In addition, anticholinergic burden and polypharmacy may form causal links with one and other and lead to increased mortality rates especially with frailty. Therefore, geriatric assessment and appropriate ADB evaluation may be recommended in CKD patients.

Serum uric acid is associated with chronic kidney disease in elderly Chinese patients with diabetes

Background The relationship between hyperuricemia and chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been investigated extensively. However, studies on elderly individuals are still limited. Moreover, there is no consensus on whether hyperuricemia or elevated serum uric acid (SUA) within the normal range is correlated with the new onset of CKD and whether there are differences between males and females. Methods We included 39039 elderly diabetic patients without CKD at baseline from a community-based cohort in Wuhan, China. The outcome event was the new onset of CKD (defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2). Multivariate Cox models were used to assess the adjusted hazard ratio (HR). Results During the 2-year follow-up period, 3162 (8.10%) patients with diabetes developed new-onset CKD. The optimal cutoff value of SUA for incident CKD was 347.4 μmol/L. The adjusted HRs of hyperuricemia for new-onset CKD were 1.925 (1.724–2.150) and 1.676 (1.520–1.848) for males and females, respectively. The risk of developing CKD increased across the Q4 group up to 2.242 times for their counterparts in the lowest SUA quartile, independent of age, sex, diabetes duration, obesity, hypertension, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, smoking, drinking, dyslipidemia, triglyceride, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and fasting plasma glucose. Conclusions Hyperuricemia is an independent predictor of incident CKD. Elevated SUA was linearly correlated with CKD in elderly patients with diabetes, showing a relatively higher intensity among males compared with that among females. The optimal cutoff value of SUA for the risk of new-onset CKD in elderly patients with diabetes was 347.4 μmol/L.

Analysis of the rate of force development reveals high neuromuscular fatigability in elderly patients with chronic kidney disease.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) induces muscle wasting and a reduction in the maximum voluntary force (MVF). Little is known about the neuromuscular fatigability in CKD patients, defined as the reduction of muscle force capacities during exercise. Neuromuscular fatigability is a crucial physical parameter of the daily living. The quantification of explosive force has been shown to be a sensitive means to assess neuromuscular fatigability. Thus, our study used explosive force estimates to assess neuromuscular fatigability in elderly CKD patients. Inclusion criteria for CKD patients were age≥60years old and glomerular filtration rate (GFR)<45mL/min/1.73m2 not on dialysis, and those for controls were GFR>60mL/min/1.73m2 , age and diabetes matched. The fatigability protocol focused on a handgrip task coupled with surface electromyography (sEMG). Scalars were extracted from the rate of force development (RFD): absolute and normalized time periods (50, 75, 100, 150 and 200ms, RFD50 , RFD75 , RFD100 , RFD150 and RFD200 , respectively), peak RFD (RFDpeak in absolute; NRFDpeak normalized), time-to-peak RFD (t-RFDpeak ) and the relative force at RFDpeak (MVF-RFDpeak ). A statistical parametric mapping approach was performed on the force, impulse and RFD-time curves. The integrated sEMG with time at 0-30, 0-50, 0-100 and 0-200ms time intervals relative to onset of sEMG activity was extracted and groups were compared separately for each sex. The cohort of 159 individuals had a median age of 69 (9IQR ) years and body mass index was 27.6 (6.2IQR ) kg/m2 . Propensity-score-matched groups balanced CKD patients and controls by gender with 66 males and 34 females. In scalar analysis, CKD patients manifested a higher decrement than controls in the early phase of contraction, regarding the NRFDpeak (P=0.009; η2 p =0.034) and RFD75 and RFD100 (for both P<0.001; η2 p =0.068 and 0.064). The one-dimensional analysis confirmed that CKD males manifest higher and delayed neuromuscular fatigability, especially before 100ms from onset of contraction. sEMG was lower in CKD patients than controls in the 0-100ms (at rest: P=0.049, Cohen's d=0.458) and 0-200ms (at rest: P=0.016, Cohen's d=0.496; during exercise: P=0.006, Cohen's d=0.421) time windows. Controls showed greater decrease of sEMG than CKD patients in the 0-30ms (P=0.020, Cohen's d=0.533) and 0-50ms (P=0.010, Cohen's d=0.640) time windows. As opposite to females, males showed almost the same differences between groups. Our study is the first to show that CKD patients have higher fatigability than controls, which may be associated with an impaired motor-unit recruitment, highlighting a neural drive disturbance with CKD. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings.

L-shaped association of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in older people with chronic kidney disease: results from the NHANES database prospective cohort study

BackgroundThis study was conducted to assess the association of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations with all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality in older people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the United States.MethodsWe identified 3230 CKD participants aged ≥ 60 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2001–2018). CKD was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2. Mortality outcomes were determined by linkage to National Death Index (NDI) records through December 31, 2019. Restricted cubic spline based on Cox regression models were utilized to elucidate the nonlinear relationship between serum 25(OH)D concentrations and mortality in patients with CKD.ResultsDuring median 74 months of follow-up, 1615 all-cause death and 580 CVD death were recorded. We found an L-shaped association between serum 25(OH)D concentrations and all-cause and CVD mortality, reaching a plateau at 90 nmol/L. Accordingly, per one-unit increment in natural log-transformed 25(OH)D was associated with a 32% and 33% reduced risk of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 0.68; 95%CI, 0.56 to 0.83) and CV mortality (HR 0.69; 95%CI, 0.49 to 0.97) in participants with serum 25(OH)D < 90 nmol/L, but no considerable difference was observed in participants with serum 25(OH)D ≥ 90 nmol/L. Compared with those in the deficiency group (< 50 nmol/L), insufficient (50 to < 75 nmol/L) and sufficient group (≥ 75 nmol/L) were significantly associated with lower all-cause mortality (HR,0.83; 95%CI, 0.71 to 0.97 and HR, 0.75; 95%CI, 0.64 to 0.89) and CV mortality (HR,0.87; 95%CI, 0.68 to 1.10 and HR, 0.77; 95%CI, 0.59 to < 1.0), respectively.ConclusionAn L-shaped relationship between serum 25(OH)D levels with all-cause and CVD mortality was observed in elderly CKD patients in the United States. A 25(OH)D concentration of 90 nmol/L may be the target to reduce the risk of premature death.

Chronic kidney disease in the elderly and frail patient: perspectives with opinions and comments.

Chronic kidney disease is common in elderly and frail people. The importance of age in staging chronic kidney disease is discussed as well as the possible constraints of staging what is actually a 'continuum' of disease progression. Frailty is a biological state characterized by the decline of several physiological systems and strongly correlated with adverse health outcomes, including mortality. Frailty is measured by the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment, which focuses on quantitative rating scales that determine not only the clinical profile and pathological risk of frail individuals, but also their residual capacities, functional status, and quality of life. There is circumstantial evidence that Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment can improve both survival and quality of life in elderly chronic kidney disease patients. Despite the long list of emerging risk factors and markers of chronic kidney disease progression, it is the authors' opinion that a single biochemical parameter can hardly cover the complexity of chronic kidney disease in elderly and frail patients. Among the numerous clinical scores proposed, the European Renal Best Practice guidelines recommend the Renal Epidemiology and Information Network score and the Kidney Failure Risk Equations. The former provides a reasonable estimate of short-term mortality risk, the latter provides the risk of chronic kidney disease progression. In conclusion, the elderly individual with advanced chronic kidney disease is often comorbid and frail with peculiarities in terms of disease grading, clinical assessment and monitoring. The time has come to reshape the care of this growing number of patients by focusing on multidisciplinary teams both in the hospital and in the community.

Association between sarcopenia and frailty in elderly patients with chronic kidney disease.

Frailty and sarcopenia are prevalent in chronic kidney disease (CKD) populations and could increase the risk for adverse health outcomes. Few studies assess the correlation between frailty, sarcopenia and CKD in non-dialysis patients. Therefore, this study aimed to determine frailty-associated factors in elderly CKD stage I-IV patients, expected to early identify and intervene in the frailty of elderly CKD patients. A total of 774 elderly CKD I-IV patients (>60years of age) recruited from 29 clinical centers in China between March 2017 and September 2019 were included in this study. We established a Frailty Index (FI) model to evaluate frailty risk and verified the distributional property of FI in the study population. Sarcopenia was defined according to the criteria of the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to assess the associated factors for frailty. Seven hundred seventy-four patients (median age 67years, 66.0% males) were included in this analysis, with a median estimated glomerular filtration rate of 52.8mL/min/1.73m2 . The prevalence of sarcopenia was 30.6%. The FI exhibited a right-skewed distribution. The age-related slope of FI was 1.4% per year on a logarithmic scale (r2 =0.706, 95% CI 0.9, 1.8, P<0.001). The upper limit of FI was around 0.43. The FI was related to mortality (HR=1.06, 95% CI 1.00, 1.12, P=0.041). Multivariate multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that sarcopenia, advanced age, CKD stage II-IV, low level of serum albumin and increased waist-hip ratio were significantly associated with high FI status, while advanced age and CKD stage III-IV were significantly associated with for median FI status. Moreover, the results from the subgroup were consistent with the leading results. Sarcopenia was independently associated with an increased risk for frailty in elderly CKD I-IV patients. Patients with sarcopenia, advanced age, high CKD stage, high waist-hip ratio and low serum albumin level should be assessed for frailty.

Polypharmacy, chronic kidney disease, and mortality among older adults: A prospective study of National Health and nutrition examination survey, 1999-2018.

Polypharmacy might contribute to a range of adverse outcomes, which could get worse in the elderly with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Evidence on polypharmacy, CKD, and mortality is scarce. We aimed to investigate the prospective association between polypharmacy, CKD and all-cause and cause-specific mortality in adults aged ≥65 years. A total of 13,513 adults from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys were included, following up from 1999 to 2018 until December 31, 2019. The simultaneous use of ≥5 medications by one individual was defined as polypharmacy. Survey-weighted Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the hazard ratio (HRs) for mortality from all-cause, cardiovascular diseases (CVD), and cancer after adjusting for potential confounding factors. Among the elderly with CKD, we identified 3,825 total deaths (1,325 CVD and 714 cancer) during a median follow-up of 7.7 years. Participants with polypharmacy had a 27% (HR = 1.27 [1.15, 1.39]) and 39% (HR = 1.39 [1.19, 1.62]) higher risk of all-cause and CVD mortality, respectively, but not for cancer mortality. Compared with the elderly with no polypharmacy and no CKD, the corresponding HRs (95%CIs) for all-cause mortality were 1.04 (0.96, 1.14) for those with no polypharmacy but CKD, 1.24 (1.11, 1.39) for with polypharmacy but no CKD, and 1.34 (1.21, 1.49) for those with both polypharmacy and CKD. A similar pattern was detected for CVD mortality. Polypharmacy was associated with elevated risks of all-cause and CVD mortality among the elderly CKD patients. More evidence-based approaches should be promoted for the appropriate deprescribing in the older adults with CKD.

Acute Kidney Injury and Rehabilitation Outcomes among Elderly Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease

Introduction: The incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is growing rapidly, along with the increasing geriatric population. CKD patients have higher incidence of fractures, stroke, and hospitalizations requiring rehabilitation. This is accompanied with the need for suitable rehabilitation programs to decrease disability and improve functionality to help elderly CKD patients maintain independence in activities of daily living. Considering that survivors of acute kidney injury (AKI) tend to experience decreased quality of life with increased frailty, rehabilitation in the elderly with kidney injury becomes even more complex. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of AKI on the outcomes of rehabilitation among elderly patients with CKD. Methods: For this retrospective, observational study, the electronic medical records of all patients who were hospitalized in the rehabilitation department were reviewed. We assessed functional status at the beginning and end of rehabilitation, renal outcome, and all-cause mortality among elderly patients with CKD who experienced an AKI and compared them to those who did not have an AKI. Results: The study cohort included 183 elderly patients with non-dialysis-dependent CKD. Patients with AKI (23% of study cohort) had a higher prevalence of heart failure and lower baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate, as compared with patients who did not have AKI. They were admitted to rehabilitation at a poorer functional capacity and were also discharged with lower functional independence measure scores. Overall odds ratio for all-cause death among patients with AKI versus without AKI was 3.2 (95% CI: 1.6–6.5; p = 0.001). Conclusion: AKI and CKD are interrelated syndromes. AKI was prevalent among elderly CKD patients and was associated with worse rehabilitation outcomes and higher mortality compared to similar patients without AKI.

Association of the malnutrition-inflammation score with physical function and functional disability in elderly patients with chronic kidney disease.

To describe nutritional status and inflammation of elderly patients with chronic kidney disease and to confirm the association between a Malnutrition-Inflammation Score and physical func-tion and functional disability. A total of 221 chronic kidney disease patients (aged ≥60 years) were included. A Malnutrition-Inflammation Score was used to assess malnutrition and inflammation. Physical function was assessed using the SF-12. Functional status was evaluated using basic activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living. Thirty percent of participants had a Malnutrition-Inflammation Score ≥6, which denoted poor nutritional status. Participants with a Malnutrition-Inflammation Score ≥6 had decreased concentration of hemoglobin, albumin, prealbumin, handgrip strength and walking speed and increased concentration of inflammatory markers, including CRP, IL-6 and fibrinogen. Physical function and physical component summary were lower and basic activities of daily living dependence and instrumental activities of daily living dependence were higher among patients with higher Malnutrition-Inflammation Score than those with a lower Malnutrition-Inflammation Score. The Malnutrition-Inflammation Score was an independent risk factor for physical function and instrumental activities of daily living dependence. The elderly chronic kidney disease patients with a high Malnutrition-Inflammation Score had a decreased physical function and an increased risk of functional instrumental activities of daily living dependence.

Neural Drive Impairment in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients Is Associated with Neuromuscular Fatigability and Fatigue.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients have a high degree of fatigue relating to neuromuscular symptoms. There is a lack of evidence regarding the etiology of neuromuscular fatigability in elderly CKD patients. Inclusion criteria are as follows: age ≥60 yr, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) <45 mL·min -1 per 1.73 m 2 in CKD patients, and GFR >60 mL·min -1 ·1.73 m -2 in controls. The fatigability protocol consisted in a submaximal handgrip task at 40% peak force. Fatigue was assessed using the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory-20 items (MFI-20) and the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue questionnaires. Peak rate of force development (RFD peak , normalized: NRFD peak ) and rate of EMG rise (RER) were measured during explosive contractions; peak force and mean surface EMG were measured during maximum voluntary contractions. Multilevel models tested neuromuscular parameters adjusted for clinical and Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory-20 items subscales. Neuromuscular fatigability contribution to fatigue description was tested using model comparison. The study included 102 participants; 45 CKD patients and 57 controls. CKD mainly affected the mental and the reduced motivation subscales of fatigue. CKD was associated with greater neuromuscular fatigability assessed using NRFD peak (group-time interaction, -16.7 % MVF·s -1 , P = 0.024), which increased with fatigue severity ( P = 0.018) and with a higher rate of decrement in RER compared with controls (RER at 50 ms: β = -121.2 μV·s -1 , P = 0.016, and β = -48.5 μV·s -1 , P = 0.196, respectively). Furthermore, these patients show an association between the reduced motivation subscale and the RER (e.g., 30 ms: β = -59.8% EMG peak ·s -1 , P < 0.001). Only peak force fatigability contributed to fatigue variance, whereas RFD peak did not. In CKD patients, the neuromuscular fatigability assessed using RFD peak is related to an impairment in motor-unit recruitment or discharge rates, whereas only peak force fatigability was related to fatigue. This suggests that targeting exercise interventions might lessen fatigue and improve quality of life in CKD patients.

Nutritional Management in Elderly CKD Patients in Japan.

The munber of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients is increasing globally because kidney function is affected by aging and lifestyle habits. Malnutrition, muscle weakness, and a decline in activities of daily living (ADL) are often observed in elderly CKD patients and dialysis patients, and are related to their CKD prognosis and life prognoses. Chronic inflammation and atherosclerotic disease are associated with malnutrition. Because malnutrition and its related factors affect patients' prognoses, it is necessary to identify and treat patients with malnutrition at an early stage. The state in which the stored protein and energy sources are reduced in CKD is called protein energy wasting (PEW). PEW is diagnosed on the basis of biochemical test findings such as hypoalbuminemia, unhealthy physique, and decreased muscle mass and dietary intake. For evaluating PEW, a complex nutritional index taking into account the pathophysiology specific to CKD patients is useful. Not only nutritional therapy but also exercise therapy is necessary to stop the vicious cycle associated with PEW and the decline in ADL.

Timed-averaged blood pressure showed a J-curve association with stroke in elderly chronic kidney disease patients

Background The risk factors for stroke in elderly patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are not well understood. This study aimed to explore the influence of systolic blood pressure (SBP) on the risk of stroke in a large cohort of elderly patients with stage 3–5 CKD. Methods We retrospectively identified 665 patients hospitalized in Beijing Friendship Hospital from January 2000 to December 2021. Patients were followed up until the occurrence of stroke or death. Multivariate logistic regression analysis and Cox proportional hazard models were used to analyze the risk factors for stroke according to the presence or absence of CKD. The association between CKD and stroke was further evaluated regarding the role of SBP in the hypertensive population. Results In individuals with CKD, a J-shaped relationship was observed between SBP levels and the risk of stroke. Participants with CKD and an SBP less than 125 mmHg had a significantly higher cumulative stroke survival rate than those whose SBP was between 125 and 139 mmHg. The cumulative stroke survival rate increased progressively for those with SBP higher than 140 mmHg. This J-shaped relationship was not found in patients without CKD. Conclusion In elderly patients with CKD, those with the lowest BP are at increased risk for incident stroke. This phenomenon could be different from that in the general population.