Dialysis-dependent Chronic Kidney Disease Research Articles

Variaciones de la conductividad y cambios en el sodio plasmático durante hemodiálisis relacionado con el cambio de monitor

IntroductionThe sodium gradient during hemodialysis sessions is one of the key factors in sodium balance in patients with dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease; however, until the appearance of the new monitors with sodium modules, the differences between prescribed and measured sodium have been understudied. The present study aimed to compare the impact on the measured conductivity and the initial and final plasma sodium after changing the 5008 Cordiax to the new 6008 Cordiax monitor. Material and methods106 patients on hemodialysis were included. Each patient underwent 2 dialysis sessions in which only the monitor was varied. The variables collected were dialysate, sodium and bicarbonate prescribed, real conductivity, initial and final plasma sodium measured, and the calculated sodium gradient (ΔPNa). ResultsThe change of dialysis monitor showed small but statistically significant differences in the initial (138.14 mmol/L with 5008 vs. 138.81 mmol/L with 6008) and final plasma sodium (139.58 mmol/L vs. 140.97 mmol/L), as well as in the actual conductivity obtained (13.97 vs. 14.1 mS/cm). The ΔPNa also increased significantly. ConclusiónThe change from 5008 to 6008 monitor is associated with increased conductivity, leading the patient to end the sessions with higher plasma sodium and ΔPNa. Knowing and confirming this change will allow us to individualize the sodium prescription and avoid possible undesirable effects. It could be the preliminary study to explore the new sodium biosensor incorporated into the new generation of monitors.

Efficacy and safety of vadadustat compared to darbepoetin alfa on anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease: a meta-analysis.

As a novel oral agent in treating anemia of chronic kidney disease (CKD), several clinical trials of vadadustat have been conducted to compare with darbepoetin alfa. This study systematically reviews and investigates the efficacy and safety of vadadustat in the anemia treatment with different duration in both nondialysis-dependent CKD (NDD-CKD) and dialysis-dependent CKD (DD-CKD). Several main databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reporting vadadustat vs darbepoetin alfa for anemia patients with CKD. The outcome indicators were focused on hemoglobin (Hb), the percentage of patients within the target Hb, the need for RBC (Red Blood Cell) transfusions, and serious adverse events (SAEs). Four eligible studies with 8,026 participants were included. The changes of Hb levels from the baseline in the darbepoetin alfa group were significantly higher than that in the vadadustat group with DD-CKD (mean difference (MD) -0.19, [95% confidence interval (CI), -0.21 to -0.17], p < 0.0001). In NDD-CKD patients, the changes of Hb levels in the two groups are not significantly different (MD = -0.06, [95% CI, -0.18 to 0.05], p = 0.006), especially, during the treatment duration of 20-36weeks (MD = 0.02, [95% CI, -0.04 to 0.08], p = 0.51). The percentage of patients within the target Hb was significantly lower in the vadadustat group than that in the darbepoetin alfa group in DD-CKD patients (MD = 0.9, [95% CI, 0.86 to 0.94], p < 0.00001), while in NDD-CKD patients, there was no significant difference (MD = 1.05, [95% CI, 0.99 to 1.12], p < 0.00001). In terms of safety, the two agents had no significant difference in the incidence of RBC transfusions and SAEs (RR = 1.26 [95% CI, 0.99 to 1.61], p = 0.52; RR = 0.97, [95% CI, 0.94 to 1.01], p = 0.19; respectively). Compared to darbepoetin alfa, vadadustat had the same effect in raising the hemoglobin level in NDD-CKD patients in the short term. Vadadustat may become an effective and safe alternative for the treatment of patients with anemia and CKD, especially in NDD-CKD patients. As the application of vadadustat is still under exploration, future research should compensatefor the limitations of our study to estimate the vadadustat's value.

Sodium First Approach, to Reset Our Mind for Improving Management of Sodium, Water, Volume and Pressure in Hemodialysis Patients, and to Reduce Cardiovascular Burden and Improve Outcomes.

New physiologic findings related to sodium homeostasis and pathophysiologic associations require a new vision for sodium, fluid and blood pressure management in dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease patients. The traditional dry weight probing approach that has prevailed for many years must be reviewed in light of these findings and enriched by availability of new tools for monitoring and handling sodium and water imbalances. A comprehensive and integrated approach is needed to improve further cardiac health in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Adequate management of sodium, water, volume and hemodynamic control of HD patients relies on a stepwise approach: the first entails assessment and monitoring of fluid status and relies on clinical judgement supported by specific tools that are online embedded in the HD machine or devices used offline; the second consists of acting on correcting fluid imbalance mainly through dialysis prescription (treatment time, active tools embedded on HD machine) but also on guidance related to diet and thirst management; the third consist of fine tuning treatment prescription to patient responses and tolerance with the support of innovative tools such as artificial intelligence and remote pervasive health trackers. It is time to come back to sodium and water imbalance as the root cause of the problem and not to act primarily on their consequences (fluid overload, hypertension) or organ damage (heart; atherosclerosis, brain). We know the problem and have the tools to assess and manage in a more precise way sodium and fluid in HD patients. We strongly call for a sodium first approach to reduce disease burden and improve cardiac health in dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease patients.

COVID-19 among Hospitalized Patients with Kidney Disease: Experience at a U.S. Midwestern Academic Medical Center.

In this single-center observational study, we describe 205 patients with acute kidney injury (n=98), dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease stage 5 (n=54), or kidney transplant (n=53), admitted during the first surge of the local pandemic from March 19 2020, to July 31 2021. Most patients in the cohort were African American (acute kidney injury, 51%; dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease stage 5, 82%; kidney transplant, 62%), and obesity was common (acute kidney injury, 53%; dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease stage 5, 44%; kidney transplant 56%). Mechanical ventilation was required in 50% of the acute kidney injury, 22% of the dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease stage 5, and 13% of the kidney transplant recipients. Nearly half of the acute kidney injury patients (46%) died and 49% required replacement therapy, while in-hospital mortality was 24% in the dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease stage 5 patients and 9% in the kidney transplant recipients. Logistic regression analysis identified older age and patient group as leading correlates of mortality, with lower death risk in the kidney transplant (24%; odds ratio (OR), 0.17; 95% CI 0.06-0.47) and dialysis dependent chronic kidney disease stage 5 (9%; OR, 0.36; 95% CI 0.16-0.78) patients compared to acute kidney injury patients (46%). Obesity was associated with 5-fold increased mortality risk in the coronavirus disease 2019 patients with acute kidney injury (OR, 5.32; 95% CI 1.41-20.03) but not in dependent dialysis chronic kidney disease stage 5 and kidney transplant patients. During the first surge of the pandemic, kidney patients hospitalized COVID-19 experienced high mortality, especially those with acute kidney injury, older age and obesity. Identifying those at highest risk for adverse outcomes may direct preventative strategies including counseling on vaccination.

Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry methods for quantification of roxadustat (FG-4592) in human plasma and urine and the applications in two clinical pharmacokinetic studies

Roxadustat (FG-4592) can inhibit the hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase (HIF-PH) enzymes that are responsible for targeting and regulating HIF for ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. It has been approved in China as an anti-anemia drug for treating the anemia in dialysis-dependent CKD (chronic kidney disease) patients, and is also under regulatory review in Japan. Some studies are also investigating the clinical pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of roxadustat in CKD patients. To support clinical investigations, a rapid high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) method, with a concentration range from 1 to 5000 ng/mL, was designed for the quantification of roxadustat in human plasma and urine. Liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) was applied to sample clean-up followed by a chromatographic separation conducted on a Waters XTerra Phenyl column with isocratic elution. The mixture consisting of acetonitrile/water/formic acid (60:40:0.1[%], v/v/v) was employed as the mobile phase (flow rate: 1.0 mL/min) with 60% post-column split. The quantitation was employed in multiple reactions monitoring (MRM) mode based on positive electrospray ionization (ESI). This proposed method was fully validated and applied to the pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) study of roxadustat among healthy subjects in China.

Stroke incidence and chronic kidney disease: A hospital-based prospective cohort study.

This prospective cohort study aimed to (i) examine stroke incidence and stroke subtypes by chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage, (ii) examine whether CKD patients with or without proteinuria have a high risk of stroke independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors, and (iii) determine precise estimates of stroke risk by CKD stage while accounting for competing mortality risk. Participants were 2023 patients enrolled in the Project in Sado for Total Health between June 2008 and December 2016 (55% men; mean age, 69 years), of whom 52% had CKD (stage 1-2, 10%; G3a, 48%; G3b, 17%; G4-5, 11% and G5D, 14%). During a median follow-up of 5.7 years, 157 participants developed stroke and 448 died without developing stroke. Most stroke cases were ischaemic among non-dialysis-dependent CKD participants, but the relative frequency of ischaemic stroke was near that of intracerebral haemorrhage among dialysis-dependent CKD participants. After adjustment, stage 1-2 (hazard ratio [HR], 2.97; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.60-5.51) and stage G3-5 participants with proteinuria (HR, 2.50; 95% CI, 1.56-4.02), but not stage G3-5 participants without proteinuria (HR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.38-1.08), had a higher stroke risk compared to non-CKD participants. In competing risk analyses, the association was attenuated but remained significant. Although the distribution of stroke subtypes differed, CKD participants with proteinuria and those with CKD stage 5D had a 2- and 4-times higher risk of stroke, respectively, than that of non-CKD participants, after accounting for competing mortality risk and traditional risk factors.

MO536: Cardiovascular Events in Patients With Anemia Associated With Non–Dialysis-Dependent Chronic Kidney Disease: Regional Analysis of Patients not Previously Treated With Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents in The PRO2TECT Trial

Abstract BACKGROUND AND AIMS Vadadustat is an oral hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor being investigated for treatment of anemia due to chronic kidney disease (CKD). In global phase 3 trials, vadadustat has demonstrated non-inferiority to darbepoetin alfa for time to major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) in patients with dialysis-dependent CKD (INNO2VATE trials), but not with non–dialysis-dependent CKD (NDD-CKD; PRO2TECT trials) [1,2]. In a prespecified subgroup analysis of the PRO2TECT trials, no difference in cardiovascular safety was observed in the USA, but a higher risk of MACE was found for patients treated with vadadustat outside the USA.1 We investigated regional differences in MACE in patients previously untreated with erythropoietin-stimulating agents (ESAs) in the PRO2TECT trial. METHOD Two phase 3, open-label, randomized, active-controlled clinical trials comparing vadadustat with darbepoetin alfa were conducted in North America, Latin America, Europe, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific region. This post hoc analysis evaluated MACE in patients in the PRO2TECT trial not treated with ESAs within 8 weeks of enrollment (correction trial; NCT02648347) and who received ≥1 dose of trial drug, stratified by region (USA versus Europe versus non-USA/non-Europe). MACE was defined as a composite of death from any cause, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or nonfatal stroke. Expanded MACE was defined as MACE plus hospitalization for heart failure or thromboembolic event, excluding vascular access failure. RESULTS A total of 1748 ESA-untreated patients receiving ≥1 dose of study drug were enrolled in the PRO2TECT trial, including 1058 patients in the USA, 139 in Europe and 551 outside the USA and Europe. Patients in the non-USA/non-European countries were younger and had a lower mean eGFR than patients in the USA or Europe. Furthermore, 34.7% of patients randomized to vadadustat had a baseline eGFR &amp;lt;10 mL/min/1.73 m2 versus 24.0% of patients randomized to darbepoetin alfa in the non-USA/non-European countries. The hazard ratio for MACE in the overall population for vadadustat versus darbepoetin alfa was 1.16 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.96–1.41]. When analyzed by region, higher event rate for MACE was observed in the vadadustat arm in the non-USA/non-European countries compared with the USA and Europe (Table 1). The higher event rates for MACE in the non-USA/non-European countries were driven by 21 excess MACEs reported in the vadadustat group. Many deaths in the non-USA/non-European countries were related to kidney failure (n = 25/43 in the vadadustat group; n = 20/30 in the darbepoetin alfa group; Table 2), and were concentrated in Brazil and South Africa, countries that enrolled a higher proportion of patients with end-stage kidney failure who may not have had access to dialysis. The adverse event profiles for vadadustat and darbepoetin alfa were similar across regions. CONCLUSION Regional differences in time to first MACE were observed in patients with NDD-CKD who were not previously treated with ESAs and randomized to receive vadadustat or darbepoetin alfa as part of the PRO2TECT trial. The higher event rate in the vadadustat group in non-USA/non-European countries may have been related to randomization imbalances and/or design and methodological issues. These findings should help inform care providers as they assess the overall safety of vadadustat for the treatment of anemia associated with NDD-CKD.

MO532: Cardiovascular Events in Patients With Non–Dialysis-Dependent Chronic Kidney Disease and Anemia: Regional Analysis of Patients Previously Treated With Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents in the PRO2TECT Trial

Abstract BACKGROUND AND AIMS Vadadustat is an oral hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor being investigated for the treatment of anemia due to chronic kidney disease (CKD). In global phase 3 trials, vadadustat has demonstrated non-inferiority to darbepoetin alfa for time to major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) in patients with dialysis-dependent CKD (INNO2VATE trials), but not with non–dialysis-dependent CKD (NDD-CKD; PRO2TECT trials) [1, 2]. In a prespecified subgroup analysis of the PRO2TECT trials, a difference in the relative safety between vadadustat and darbepoetin alfa was observed between the US and non-US regions [1]. We investigated regional differences in MACE in patients with NDD-CKD-administered vadadustat and darbepoetin alfa who were previously treated with erythropoietin-stimulating agents (ESAs) in the PRO2TECT trials. METHOD Two phase 3, open-label, randomized, active-controlled clinical trials comparing vadadustat with darbepoetin alfa were conducted in North America, Latin America, Europe, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific region. This post hoc analysis evaluated MACE in patients in the PRO2TECT trial who were actively maintained on ESAs at study entry with ≥1 dose received within 6 weeks before or during screening (Conversion trial; NCT02680574) and who received ≥1 dose of trial drug, stratified by region (USA versus Europe versus non-US/non-Europe). MACE was defined as a composite of death from any cause, nonfatal myocardial infarction or nonfatal stroke. Expanded MACE was defined as MACE plus hospitalization for heart failure or thromboembolic event, excluding vascular access failure. RESULTS A total of 1723 ESA-treated patients were randomized in the conversion trial of the PRO2TECT program and received ≥1 dose of study drug, including 665 patients in the USA, 444 in Europe, and 614 outside the USA and Europe. Europe had a lower proportion of patients with diabetes and more patients who had received intravenous (IV) iron, while patients in the non-US/non-European region were younger and had a lower prevalence of cardiovascular (CV) disease. A higher proportion of patients in Europe were using darbepoetin alfa at baseline than in other regions (59%–63% versus 14%–28%), though ESA dose was lower (57–61 versus 93–149 IV epoetin equivalent U/kg/week). The hazard ratio for MACE in the overall population for vadadustat versus darbepoetin alfa was 1.16 (95% CI 0.93–1.45). Across regions, event rates were similar in the vadadustat groups, but event rates in the darbepoetin alfa group were lower in Europe compared with the US and non-US/non-Europe (Table 1), which was driven by fewer total deaths (non-CV and CV) reported in Europe in the darbepoetin alfa arm (n = 24/220) compared with the vadadustat arm (n = 38/224) (Table 2). Additional post hoc analyses of MACE accounting for several baseline characteristics, including ESA dose, did not alter the outcomes of the study. CONCLUSION Regional differences in time to first MACE were observed in patients with NDD-CKD who were treated with ESA and randomized to receive vadadustat or darbepoetin alfa as part of the PRO2TECT program. It remains unclear if the lower risk of MACE observed in Europe with the darbepoetin alfa group was related to differences in unobserved baseline characteristics, regional treatment practices, methodological reasons or chance.

MO525: Iron absorption and phosphate-lowering effects of ferric citrate hydrate are not influenced by gastric secretion inhibitors in patients with chronic kidney disease

Abstract BACKGROUND AND AIMS Ferric citrate hydrate (FC, Riona®), an oral iron-based phosphate binder in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, is also approved as an iron preparation for iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) in Japan. In the USA, ferric citrate (Auryxia®) is approved as a phosphate binder for dialysis-dependent CKD and an iron replacement product for the treatment of IDA in patients with CKD not on dialysis. Ingested iron is dissolved at a low pH of the secreted gastric acid in the stomach, which is an important process for its effective absorption [1]. Patients taking gastric acid secretion inhibitors (GASI), such as proton pump inhibitors and histamine-2 receptor antagonists, showed decreased iron absorption and increased risk of iron deficiency, which were dose- and treatment-duration-dependent [2]. The increase in the intragastric pH by concomitantly use of GASI might be affected on FC's iron absorption effect. METHOD We have conducted a retrospective study using data from two previous clinical studies to investigate FC in CKD patients with hyperphosphatemia. A 12-week, phase 3, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in non–dialysis-dependent (ND) CKD patients (FC, n = 60, ; placebo, n = 30) (CTI-111 435) [3], and a 52-week, phase 3, multicenter, open-label, dose-titration study in CKD patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) (FC, n = 180) (CTI-111 437) [4] were divided into with or without GASI, and levels of iron and phosphate related parameters were analyzed. RESULTS In ND patients, approximately 25% in FC (n = 14) and 50% (n = 14) in placebo used GASI. Mean [standard deviation (SD)] changes from baseline to end of treatment (EOT) in serum ferritin (ng/mL) were 109.83 (104.46) in FC with GASI, 142.68 (94.28) in FC without GASI, −22.49 (74.85) in placebo with GASI, and −3.43 (43.58) in placebo without GASI (Fig. 1a). Those in transferrin saturation (TSAT, %) were 16.64 (30.13) in FC with GASI, 17.07 (17.56) in FC without GASI, 2.86 (14.68) in placebo with GASI, and 1.31 (9.75) in placebo without GASI (Figure 1b). The mean (SD) dose of FC with or without GASI were 3240 mg/day (approximately 778 mg ferric iron) with GASI (n = 14) and 3445 mg/day (approximately 827 mg ferric iron) without GASI (n = 46), respectively. In HD patients, approximately 50% (n = 95) used GASI. Mean changes (SD) from baseline to EOT in serum ferritin (ng/mL) were 166.32 (153.70) with GASI and 155.16 (139.47) without GASI, and in TSAT (%) were 16.60 (19.44) with GASI and 16.02 (18.81) without GASI, respectively. The mean (SD) dose of FC with or without GASI were 2619 mg/day (approximately 629 mg of ferric iron) with GASI (n = 95) and 2854 mg/day (approximately 685 mg or ferric iron) without GASI (n = 85), respectively. In both studies, there were no differences in the changes from baseline to EOT in serum phosphate between with or without GASI. CONCLUSION GASI did not interfere with iron absorption and phosphate-lowering effects of FC in CKD patients with hyperphosphatemia.

MO519: Ferric Citrate Hydrate Improves Levels of Transferrin Saturation in Hemodialysis Patients With Lower Levels of Transferrin Saturation

Abstract BACKGROUND AND AIMS Iron deficiency identified by transferrin saturation (TSAT) is reported as a risk factor for all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events in non-dialysis dependent (NDD) chronic kidney disease (CKD) [1, 2] and for all-cause mortality in hemodialysis patients [3]. Ferric citrate hydrate (FC, Riona®), an oral iron-based phosphate binder in CKD patients, is also approved as an iron preparation for iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) in Japan in 2021. In the USA, ferric citrate (Auryxia®) is approved as a phosphate binder for dialysis-dependent CKD and an iron replacement product for the treatment of IDA in patients with NDD-CKD. FC or ferric citrate increased TSAT in patients with NDD-CKD and IDA [4]. However, a few data show that whether FC or ferric citrate has the similar effect in hemodialysis patients whose TSAT is &amp;lt;20%. Considering the additional indication of IDA in Japan, we investigated the FC's effect on TSAT by using the data obtained from the ASTRIO study [5], which was conducted in Japanese hemodialysis (HD) patients. METHOD We conducted a retrospective study using the data of ASTRIO study [5], which is a randomized, prospective, open-label, multicenter 24-week study to investigate the FC's effect on anemia management compared with non-iron-based phosphate binders (PBs) in Japanese HD patients with hyperphosphatemia. Ninety-three patients taking non-iron-based PBs were randomized 1:1 to continue PBs (control) or switch to FC. During 24-week study, serum phosphate and hemoglobin were controlled, 3.5–6.0 mg/dL and 10–12 g/dL, respectively. From 93 patients (FC, n = 48; control, n = 45), we extracted 41 patients (FC, n = 21; control, n = 20) whose TSAT at baseline was &amp;lt;20% and compared the levels of TSAT and other iron related parameters between FC group and control group. RESULTS In the ASTRIO study, the mean (SD) levels of TSAT (%) was 14.3 (4.0) at baseline and rapidly increased to 25.0 (11.1) at 4 weeks in the FC group. After that, the levels of TSAT were almost unchanged in the FC group, whereas, in the control group, the mean (SD) levels of TSAT were almost unchanged during the 24-week study. The mean (SD) levels of serum ferritin gradually increased until week 12 and subsequently showed to be stabilized in the FC group, whereas, in the control group, these were almost unchanged during the 24-week study (Table 1). CONCLUSION In Japanese HD patients whose TSAT was &amp;lt;20%, FC rapidly increased TSAT compared with control. We will also investigate the FC's effect on TSAT in HD patients from the post-marketing surveillance study, the prospective, multicenter and observational, up to maximum 2 years treatment.

MO797: Roxadustat Decreases Serum Lipids Levels in Hemodialysis Patients

Abstract BACKGROUND AND AIMS The activity of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF), an oxygen-sensitive transcription factor involved in erythropoiesis, is regulated by HIF-prolyl hydroxylases. With decreased oxygen tension, the activity of these enzymes is suppressed, resulting in increased erythropoiesis [1]. Roxadustat is an oral HIF-prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor (HIF-PHI) developed for dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease (CKD) anemia. While the impact of HIF-PHI on mean hemoglobin (Hb) change in patients on hemodialysis (HD) has already been investigated [2], its effects on serum lipid levels have yet to be explored. Clarifying such effects is particularly important because chronic HD patients usually have lower plasma high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol (C) levels than healthy subjects. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of roxadustat on serum lipid levels in HD patients. METHOD Study 1: This multicenter observational cohort study investigated the demographic and clinical information of 258 patients on HD (73 women and 185 men) who were being treated for anemia by HIF-PHI between 1 February 2020 and 31 May 2021, at Zenjinkai Group dialysis centers in Japan. Study 2: This study evaluated the efficacy of roxadustat in 24 patients (3 women and 21 men) for HD-dependent CKD anemia and dyslipidemia &amp;gt;24 weeks. RESULTS Study 1: The mean age and HD periods were 71.2 ± 12.2 and 5.5 ± 6.6 years, respectively. The patient's CKDs were diabetic nephropathy (n = 72; 27.9%), chronic glomerular nephritis (CGN) (n = 36; 14%), nephrosclerosis (n = 32; 12.4%) and other pathologies (n = 118; 45.7%). HIF-PH inhibitors used for patients on HD were roxadustat (n = 105), daprodustat (n = 117), vadadustat (n = 14) and enadustat (n = 22). Study 2: The mean age and HD periods were 76.5 ± 7.7 and 5.3 ± 3.9 years, respectively. The patient's CKDs were CGN (n = 6; 25%), nephrosclerosis (n = 6; 25%), diabetic nephropathy (n = 4; 16.7%), unknown pathologies (n = 4; 16.7%) and others (n = 4; 16.7%). Roxadustat treatment did not lead to a significant change in mean Hb values (from 10.4 ± 0.8 to 10.5 ± 0.9 g/dL). There were no significant changes in mean triglycerides (TG), transferrin saturation (TSAT) or ferritin. However, there was a statistically significant decrease (P &amp;lt; .001) in mean total cholesterol (TC) (from 144.0 ± 35.6 to 121.3 ± 38.5 mg/dL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-C (from 79.8 ± 26.6 to 62.8 ± 26.2 mg/dL) and HDL-C (from 45.0 ± 12.6 to 38.4 ± 11.9 mg/dL). Furthermore, there were also significant increases in mean serum iron (from 68.1 ± 17.4 to 81.8 ± 31.1 μg/dL; P = .01) and the mean total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) (from 220.0 ± 46.7 to 265.1 ± 54.7 μg/dL; P &amp;lt; .001). Case report: A 56-year-old woman who had undergone HD for 13 years due to CKD due to diabetic nephropathy was hospitalized with cerebral infraction, peripheral arterial disease, heart failure and ischemic heart disease. The patient was treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and started on 100 mg of roxadustat 3 times a week. After roxadustat treatment, the following parameters increased: Hb (from 10.7 to 10.8 g/dL), ferritin (from 74 to 103 ng/mL) and TIBC (from 204 to 223 μg/dL). On the other hand, the following parameters decreased: TC (from 325 to 125 mg/dL), TG (from 318 to 165 mg/dL), HDL-C (from 41 to 33 mg/dL) and LDL-C (from 227 to 55 mg/dL). The patient was discharged from the hospital after 3 months. CONCLUSION Roxadustat treatment improves iron metabolism, keeps Hb levels stable and significantly decreases mean LDL-C and HDL-C. Therefore, this drug may have useful effects on dyslipidemia in patients on HD.

Modifiable Lifestyle Behaviors and CKD Progression: A Narrative Review.

Living a healthy lifestyle is one of the safest and most cost-effective ways to improve one's quality of life and prevent and/or manage chronic disease. As such, current CKD management guidelines recommend that patients adhere to a healthy diet, perform ≥150 minutes per week of physical activity, manage their body weight, abstain from tobacco use, and limit alcohol. However, there are limited studies that investigate the relationship between these lifestyle factors and the progression of CKD among people with established CKD. In this narrative review, we examine the reported frequencies of health lifestyle behavior engagement among individuals with non-dialysis-dependent CKD and the existing literature that examines the influences of diet, physical activity, weight management, alcohol consumption, and tobacco use on the progression of CKD, as measured by decline in GFR, incident ESKD, or elevated proteinuria or albuminuria in individuals with CKD. Many of the available studies are limited by length of follow-up and small sample sizes, and meta-analyses were limited because the studies were sparse and had heterogeneous classifications of behaviors and/or referent groups and of CKD progression. Further research should be done to determine optimal methods to assess behaviors to better understand the levels at which healthy lifestyle behaviors are needed to slow CKD progression, to investigate the effect of combining multiple lifestyle behaviors on important clinical outcomes in CKD, and to develop effective techniques for behavior change. Despite the lack of evidence of efficacy from large trials on the ability of lifestyle behaviors to slow CKD progression, maintaining a healthy lifestyle remains a cornerstone of CKD management given the undisputed benefits of healthy lifestyle behaviors on cardiovascular health, BP control, and survival.

Desidustat in Anemia due to Dialysis-Dependent Chronic Kidney Disease: A Phase 3 Study (DREAM-D)

Background: A phase 3 study to assess the efficacy and safety of the desidustat, an oral hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor, against the epoetin alfa for the treatment of anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) with dialysis dependency. Methods: DREAM-D was a phase 3, multicenter, open-label, randomized, active-controlled clinical study conducted across 38 centers in India. A total of 392 patients with clinical diagnosis of anemia due to CKD with dialysis need (Erythrocyte Stimulating Agent [ESA] naïve or prior ESA users) and with baseline hemoglobin levels of 8.0–11.0 g/dL (inclusive) were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either desidustat oral tablets (thrice a week) or epoetin alfa subcutaneous injection for 24 weeks to maintain a hemoglobin level of 10–12 g/dL. The primary endpoint was to assess the change in the hemoglobin level between the desidustat and the epoetin alfa groups from the baseline to evaluation period week 16–24. The key secondary efficacy endpoint was the number of patients with hemoglobin response. Results: The least square mean (standard error) change in hemoglobin from the baseline to week 16–24 was 0.95 (0.09) g/dL in the desidustat group and 0.80 (0.09) g/dL in the epoetin alfa group (difference: 0.14 [0.14] g/dL; 95% confidence interval: −0.1304, 0.4202), which met the prespecified noninferiority margin. The number of hemoglobin responders was significantly higher in the desidustat group (106 [59.22%]) when compared to the epoetin alfa group (89 [48.37%]) (p = 0.0382). The safety profile of the desidustat oral tablet was comparable with the epoetin alfa injection. There were no new risks or no increased risks seen with the use of desidustat compared to epoetin alfa. Conclusion: In this study, desidustat was found to be noninferior to epoetin in the treatment of anemia in CKD patients on dialysis and it was well-tolerated. Clinical Trial Registry Identifier: CTRI/2019/12/022312 (India).

Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic modeling of roxadustat's effect on LDL cholesterol in patients in Japan with dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease and anemia

AimsThe objective of this analysis was to develop and evaluate a pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) model of the effect of roxadustat on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in Japanese patients with anemia of dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease while considering the impact of covariates on model parameters. MethodsA total of 2330 LDL-C measurements from 275 patients in 3 clinical studies were analyzed using a nonlinear-mixed effects modeling approach in NONMEM software. ResultsThe PK/PD relationship between roxadustat exposure and LDL-C was well described by a kinetic-pharmacodynamic model with a physiological indirect response model as the PD component. Co-administered statin usage, sevelamer usage, type of dialysis (hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis), and sex were selected as covariates for LDLbaseline. Weight was selected as a covariate for ID50. Imax and ID50 were estimated as 0.661 and 1.51 mg/h, respectively. ConclusionRoxadustat can decrease LDL-C independent of statins and sevelamer. Further study of the ability of roxadustat to lower LDL-C and any potential effects on outcomes is needed.

Iron Deficiency is Associated With Platelet Count Elevation in Patients With Dialysis-dependent Chronic Kidney Disease

Iron deficiency is common in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Platelet count changes may reflect iron status, but the relationship between platelet count and iron indices is unclear in patients with ESRD. We conducted a retrospective study in 1,167 patients with ESRD from 2012 to 2017 in West China Hospital. Baseline data were used to analyze the relationship between the platelet count and iron indices. Patients were followed up for 3years. Patients with iron deficiency (both absolute and functional) had a higher platelet count than those without iron deficiency (174±61×109/L vs. 153±58×109/L, P<.001). Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed a weak predictive power of platelet count on absolute iron deficiency (area under curve 0.620; cutoff value>137×109/L, sensitivity 76%, specificity 43%) and functional iron deficiency (area under curve 0.540; cutoff value>124×109/L, sensitivity 77%, specificity 32%). Platelet count was negatively correlated with ferritin (Spearman's rho [ρ] -0.1547, P<.001), transferrin saturation (ρ=-0.1895, P<.001), and serum iron (ρ=-0.1466, P<.001). The abovementioned correlations remained significant in multivariate regression (β -0.7285, 95% confidence interval [CI] -1.0757 to -0.3814; β -.00347, 95% CI -0.0520 to -0.0174; β -0.0097, 95% CI -0.0159 to -0.0035, respectively). In unadjusted and adjusted Cox regression models, neither baseline platelet count nor relative thrombocytosis was associated with 3-year mortality. There was a weak but significant platelet count elevation in patients with ESRD and with iron deficiency.

Characteristics and outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients with dialysis-dependent kidney disease in Australian intensive care units.

In Australia, 531 people per million population have dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease (CKD5D). The incidence is four times higher for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (indigenous) people compared with non-Indigenous Australians. CKD5D increases the risk of hospitalisation, admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) and mortality compared with patients without CKD5D. There is limited literature describing short-term outcomes of patients with CKD5D who are admitted to the ICU, comparing indigenous and non-indigenous patients. This registry-based retrospective cohort analysis compared demographic and clinical data between indigenous and non-indigenous patients with CKD5D and tested whether indigenous status predicted short-term outcomes independently of other contributing factors. Adjusted hospital mortality was the primary outcome measure. Data were from the Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society's Centre for Outcome and Resource Evaluation Adult Patient Database. Australian ICU admissions between 2010 and 2017 were included. Data from 173 ICU (2136 beds) include 1 051 697 ICU admissions, of which 23 793 had a pre-existing diagnosis of CKD5D. Indigenous patients comprised 11.9% of CKD5D patients in ICU. CKD5D was prevalent among 4.9% of indigenous and 2.9% of non-indigenous ICU admissions. Indigenous patients were 13.5 years younger, had fewer comorbidities and lower crude mortality despite equivalent calculated mortality risk. After adjusting for age, remoteness and severity of illness, indigenous status did not predict mortality. Socioeconomic disadvantage contributes to earlier development of CKD5D and the overrepresentation in ICU of indigenous people. Mortality is equivalent once correcting for confounders, but addressing inequality requires strengthening preventative care.

The Effect of Statins on Mortality of Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease Based on Data of the Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership Common Data Model (OMOP-CDM) and Korea National Health Insurance Claims Database.

The role of statins in chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been extensively evaluated, but it remains controversial in specific population such as dialysis-dependent CKD. This study examined the effect of statins on mortality in CKD patients using two large databases. In data from the Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership Common Data Model (OMOP-CDM) from two hospitals, CKD was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate < 60 mL/min/m2; we compared survival between patients with or without statin treatment. As a sensitivity analysis, the results were validated with the Korea National Health Insurance (KNHI) claims database. In the analysis of CDM datasets, statin users showed significantly lower risks of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in both hospitals, compared to non-users. Similar results were observed in CKD patients from the KNHI claims database. Lower mortality in the statin group was consistently evident in all subgroup analyses, including patients on dialysis and low-risk young patients. In conclusion, we found that statins were associated with lower mortality in CKD patients, regardless of dialysis status or other risk factors.

The anti-aging factor Klotho protects against acquired long QT syndrome induced by uremia and promoted by fibroblast growth factor 23

BackgroundChronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with increased propensity for arrhythmias. In this context, ventricular repolarization alterations have been shown to predispose to fatal arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Between mineral bone disturbances in CKD patients, increased fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 23 and decreased Klotho are emerging as important effectors of cardiovascular disease. However, the relationship between imbalanced FGF23-Klotho axis and the development of cardiac arrhythmias in CKD remains unknown.MethodsWe carried out a translational approach to study the relationship between the FGF23–Klotho signaling axis and acquired long QT syndrome in CKD-associated uremia. FGF23 levels and cardiac repolarization dynamics were analyzed in patients with dialysis-dependent CKD and in uremic mouse models of 5/6 nephrectomy (Nfx) and Klotho deficiency (hypomorphism), which show very high systemic FGF23 levels.ResultsPatients in the top quartile of FGF23 levels had a higher occurrence of very long QT intervals (> 490 ms) than peers in the lowest quartile. Experimentally, FGF23 induced QT prolongation in healthy mice. Similarly, alterations in cardiac repolarization and QT prolongation were observed in Nfx mice and in Klotho hypomorphic mice. QT prolongation in Nfx mice was explained by a significant decrease in the fast transient outward potassium (K+) current (Itof), caused by the downregulation of K+ channel 4.2 subunit (Kv4.2) expression. Kv4.2 expression was also significantly reduced in ventricular cardiomyocytes exposed to FGF23. Enhancing Klotho availability prevented both long QT prolongation and reduced Itof current. Likewise, administration of recombinant Klotho blocked the downregulation of Kv4.2 expression in Nfx mice and in FGF23-exposed cardiomyocytes.ConclusionThe FGF23–Klotho axis emerges as a new therapeutic target to prevent acquired long QT syndrome in uremia by minimizing the predisposition to potentially fatal ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death in patients with CKD.Graphical abstract

POSB241 A Retrospective Study of the Management of Anaemia in Patients with Dialysis-Dependent Chronic Kidney Disease in France: The Amack Study

Anaemia, a common complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD), is associated with poor outcomes. This study aimed to describe current routine anaemia management in dialysis-dependent (DD) CKD patients in France.

Vitamin B12 and chronic kidney disease.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is an emerging public health issue with a fast-growing global prevalence. Impairment in vitamin B12 metabolism is considered a nontraditional risk factor of poor outcomes associated with CKD, and there is greater interest from the scientific community than ever before to explore the role and influence of vitamin B12 in CKD. Homocysteine metabolism forms an important component of the vitamin B12 metabolic pathway. Hyperhomocysteinemia is frequently observed in CKD and End-Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD), but its representation as a prognostic marker for CKD outcomes is still not fully clear. This chapter reviews the vitamin B12 and homocysteine metabolic pathways and their dysfunction in CKD states. Biochemical factors and the MTHFR genetic polymorphisms which disrupt vitamin B12 and homocysteine metabolism are explored. The mechanisms of homocysteine-mediated and vitamin B12-mediated tissue damage in CKD are discussed. This chapter reviews current perspective on definition and measurement of plasma vitamin B12 levels in the CKD population. Updated evidence investigating the prognostic role of vitamin B12 for CKD outcomes is presented. Findings from major clinical trials conducted relating to outcomes from multivitamin (including folic acid and vitamin B12) supplementation in nondialysis and dialysis-dependent CKD are highlighted. The prognostic value of vitamin B12 and effects of vitamin B12 supplementation in the context of kidney transplantation and acute kidney injury is also reviewed. Future research considerations are summarized based on evidence gaps in our knowledge base of this topic. Greater abundance of high-level evidence to guide an approach toward vitamin B12 measurement, monitoring and supplementation in CKD may contribute to improved clinical outcomes.