Elderly End-stage Renal Disease Patients Research Articles

The impact of quality of life on the survival of elderly patients with end-stage renal disease: a prospective multicenter cohort study in Korea.

Quality of life (QOL) is associated with mortality in dialysis patients. However, the impact of QOL index or score on elderly patients undergoing maintenance dialysis is unclear. We analyzed the relationship between QOL domains and survival in elderly end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on dialysis. We included 492 incident ESRD patients aged ≥65years from a Korean nationwide prospective cohort study who were assessed for QOL with a follow-up duration of 67.3±34.6months after dialysis initiation. Their QOL was evaluated using the Kidney Disease Quality of Life (KDQOL) instrument, and the effect of each QOL domain on mortality was analyzed. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was performed to identify independent risk factors for death after adjusting for confounding factors. Low physical component summary (PCS) and Short Form-36 score were significantly associated with low survival rate (P<.001 and P=.017, respectively), whereas the mental component summary and ESRD-targeted item scores were not correlated with survival rate. Multivariable Cox regression analysis confirmed that only a high PCS score was associated with better survival (hazard ratio 0.71; 95% confidence interval 0.52-0.97; P=.031). Linear regression analysis revealed that age, sex, modified Charlson comorbidity index, albumin and intact parathyroid hormone were associated with PCS. Among the PCS items, only the physical functioning score was significantly associated with mortality (P=.017). PCS was an independent risk factor for death in elderly ESRD patients. A higher physical functioning score was associated with a better outcome, suggesting the importance of physical condition in elderly dialysis patients.

Renal Transplant in Elderly End-Stage Renal Disease Patients: Impact of Comorbidities and Posttransplant Adverse Events on Outcomes.

Elderly renal transplant continues to be debated because of age-related factors affecting transplant success and long-term prognosis. We investigated the effects ofrecipient age and predictors of renal transplant outcomes in elderly renal transplant recipients. We retrospectively analyzed 506 patients who had a first renal transplant between January 2010 and December 2020; there were 165 recipients aged ≥60 years (elderly) and 341 recipients aged <60 years (young).We collected recipient, donor, and transplant characteristics and assessed 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall patient and death-censored graft survival and risk factors influencing outcomes ofrenal transplant in elderly recipients. Elderly recipients showed significantly lower 1-, 3-, and 5-year patient survival rates (96.3%, 89.8%, 80.9%) than young recipients (98.8%, 98.5%, 97.8%; P < .001). However, death-censored graft survival rates were not significantly different (P = .459) between elderly (96.3%, 94.3%, 93.2%) and young recipients (97.7%, 97.0%, 93.9%). Advanced recipient age was identified as an independent risk factor for patient survival, irrespective of donor age. In elderly recipients, male gender (hazard ratio 2.013; 95% CI, 1.110-3.649), pretransplant cardiovascular disease (hazard ratio 1.774; 95% CI, 1.030-3.553), and posttransplant chestinfection (hazard ratio 2.421; 95% CI, 1.439-4.076) were significant predictors of inferior patient survival. Proteinuria at 1 month (hazard ratio 1.006; 95% CI, 1.000-1.011) and low estimated glomerular filtration rate at 3 months (hazard ratio 0.943; 95% CI, 0.899-0.988) posttransplant were early predictors of worse death-censored graft survival. Elderly renaltransplantrecipients showed promising 5-year patient and death-censored graft survival, exceeding 80%, despite higher mortality risk compared with young recipients. Optimizing outcomes of elderly renal transplant necessitates a multifaceted approach encompassing meticulous pretransplant cardiovascular disease assessment, rigorous posttransplant chest infection prevention and management, and proactive monitoring for early posttransplant kidney dysfunction, to permit timely intervention.

#5622 DIALYSING THE ELDERLY: IMPACT ON THE PATIENTS’ HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE OUTCOME

Abstract Background and Aims The number of elderly who suffers from end stage renal disease (ESRD) is increasing and hence the dialysis therapy rate. Although dialysis increases life span, the overall benefits to elderly patients is arguably unpredictable due to the multiple comorbidities and functional impairment. Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) has been an important key outcome in the decision-making yet to date, there is no available local data of the dialysis implications on the elderly. Therefore, we aim to study on the impact of dialysis initiation on HRQOL among elderly ESRD patients. Method This is a prospective, multi-centered study conducted from 2021 to 2022 among elderly patients (aged ≥65) who were initiated on maintenance dialysis therapy. Health-related quality of life (QOL) were assessed using Kidney Disease Quality of Life-36 (KDQOL-36) questionnaire within the first month of initiation (baseline) with a follow-up review performed after six months. Results The study included 29 patients with the oldest was 95 years old. 27 patients underwent haemodialysis (HD) and another 2 had peritoneal dialysis (PD). 12 (42%) of them required caregivers with 8 of them had limited mobilization. All of the patients had underlying comorbidities with 25 of them had 3 and more comorbidities. Majority of the patients (n=24) were diabetic with 13 of them had an underlying ischemic heart disease. Their mean baseline haemoglobin and albumin were 8.1 g/dL (±0.3) and 34.2 mmol/L (±1.3) respectively. Only 1 of the study patients was initiated HD via a fistula while the rest were using temporary catheter. At 6 months of follow-up, 5 of the patients died due to cardiovascular events, catheter-related sepsis and one of them resorted to palliative care due to exhausted conventional vascular access. 13 patients out of 22 remained on catheter for HD with 9 patients were still using temporary catheter. We observed improvement in all five domains of HRQOL assessed. The mean score of physical component summary was 33.00% (±10.58) at baseline and 41.22% (±9.54) after 6 months (P = .011). The mean scores for mental component at baseline and 6-month review were 45.53% (±14.78) and 52.95% (±10.57) respectively (p= 0.018). As for symptoms and problems domain, they initially scored 58.59% (±18.71) which increased to 76.61% (±16.05) after 6 months (P = .003). The scores for ‘burden of kidney disease’ and ‘effects of kidney disease’ domains were and 43.49% (±35.62) and 58.21% (±26.74) respectively at baseline with improvements to 58.85% (±31.81) (P = .026) and 76.04% (±24.65) (P = .008) after 6 months. Conclusion Our study showed that dialysis therapy results in significant overall improvement in HRQOL among elderly ESRD patients. The decision for dialysis among this group of patients is nonetheless a complex process with consideration made on individual basis followed by continuous evaluation of its effectiveness, incorporating HRQOL assessment tool in particular.

#4367 THE IMPACT OF QUALITY OF LIFE ON THE SURVIVAL IN THE ELDERLY END-STAGE RENAL DISEASE PATIENTS : A PROSPECTIVE MULTICENTER COHORT STUDY IN KOREA

Abstract Background and Aims Quality of life (QOL) are associated with mortality in dialysis patients. However, the impact of QOL index or score on elderly patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is controversial. We analyzed the relationship between QOL items and survival in elderly ESRD patients. Method A total of 492 patients with ESKD aged &amp;gt; 65 who assessed for QOL items were included from a Korean nationwide prospective cohort study. QOL was evaluated using the Kidney Disease Quality of Life (KDQOL) instrument, and the effect of each QOL item on mortality was analyzed. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was performed to identify independent risk factors for death after adjusting for compounding factors. Results The low physical component scale (PCS) and short form-36 score were significantly associated with low survival rate (PCS: p&amp;lt;0.001 and short form-36: p = 0.017, respectively), while the mental component scale (MCS) and ESRD-targeted item score had no correlation with survival rate. Multivariable Cox regression analysis confirmed that only a high PCS score is associated with better survival (hazard ratio 0.71, 95% confidence intervals 0.52-0.97, P = 0.031). Linear regression analysis identified that age, sex, modified Charlson Comorbidity Index, albumin, and intact parathyroid hormone were factors to PCS. Among the four PCS components, only physical function score was significantly associated with mortality (p&amp;lt;0.001). Conclusion Among the KDQOL items, PCS was an independent risk factor for death in elderly ESRD patients. The higher physical function score of PCS components was associated with a better outcome, suggesting the importance of physical conditions in elderly dialysis patients.

Positive coping style reduction in elderly end-stage renal disease patients: mediating role of white matter mean diffusivity.

The aim of this study was to explore elderly patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) white matter changes, the relationship between white matter (WM) abnormalities and emotional regulation strategies, coping styles in elderly ESRD patients. Twenty-eight elderly ESRD patients and twenty-eight sex and age matched healthy controls (HC) were included in this study. Tract-based spatial statistic (TBSS) was used to investigate the microstructural changes of WM. Two questionnaires were used to measure emotional regulation strategies and coping styles. Neuroimaging analysis showed that the damage of WM structure was widespread in elderly ESRD patients. Psychological test results showed that there were differences in emotional regulation strategies and coping styles between elderly ESRD patients and HC. Furthermore, mediating analysis showed that the mean diffusivity (MD) of the significantly different brain regions played a complete mediating role between group and positive coping style. These results suggest that the integrity of WM, emotional regulation strategies and coping styles play an important role in ESRD patients. Our findings provide evidence that positive coping style may be fully mediated by MD. These results may help us develop new ways to treat and prevent physical and psychological problems in elderly ESRD hemodialysis patients.

Association of physical function and performance with peak VO2 in elderly patients with end stage kidney disease.

Physical function is impaired in end stage renal disease (ESRD). Various instruments have been used to assess the functional capabilities and health status of patients with ESRD, but it is not known which has the best association with peak VO2. To assess the association between functional measures in ESRD. Thirty nine elderly ESRD patients were evaluated with commonly used functional, health status, and quality of life measures, including maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), 6-min walk (6MWT), sit-to-stand test (STS), Veterans Specific Activity Questionnaire (VSAQ), upper and lower body strength, pulmonary function tests, and body composition determined by dual X-ray absorptiometry. The association between performance on these functional tools, clinical variables, and exercise test responses was assessed, and a non-exercise test multivariate model was developed to predict peak VO2. Peak VO2 was modestly related to VSAQ score (r = 0.59, p < 0.01), indices of upper and lower body strength (r = 0.45, p < 0.01 for both), and FEV1 (r = 0.51, p < 0.01). Functional and quality of life questionnaires were generally poorly related to one another and to peak VO2. In a multivariate model, 6MWT performance, forced expiratory volume in 1s (FEV1), and VSAQ score were the best predictors of peak VO2, yielding a multiple R = 0.82, accounting for 67% of the variance in peak VO2. Exercise capacity can be reasonably estimated using non-exercise test variables in patients with ESRD, including a symptom questionnaire (VSAQ), 6MWT and FEV1. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01990495. Registered Nov 21, 2013.

Demographics and clinical features of elderly patients undergoing regular dialysis in Brazil

An increasing number of elderly people in renal support is expected in the coming years. The objective of this study was to report the clinical and socio-demographic data of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) adult patients undergoing regular dialysis treatment comparing elderly (≥65 years old) and non-elderly subjects using data from the Brazilian Dialysis Registry database. The regional distribution of the sample was Southeast (48.8%), South (33.7), Northeast (13.1%), Midwest (5.1%), and North (0.1%). A total of 18,030 patients were included in the analysis with elderly patients accounting for 29.5% of the sample. The elderly patients were predominantly male, white, retired, and literate. Elderly ESRD patients had a slightly higher frequency of undernourishment and a lower frequency of obesity than the non-elderly adults. A higher frequency of elderly patients were from the South and Southeast regions. The dialysis treatment of patients from both groups was predominantly funded by the public system, but the percent of non-public funding was higher for the elderly group. The most used initial access in the elderly was the central venous catheter and hemodialysis was the main modality at the beginning of treatment (93.2%), as well as during maintenance therapy (91.8%). Advanced age was associated with greater use of central venous catheter in the first dialysis session. The survival of the elderly on dialysis was lower than that of the non-elderly early in the course of dialysis and this difference increased over time. This is yet the largest national epidemiological study of elderly people on chronic dialysis.

Natural History of Coronavirus Disease 2019: Risk Factors for Hospitalizations and Deaths Among >26 Million US Medicare Beneficiaries.

BackgroundEvaluate risk factors for severe COVID-19 outcomes among Medicare beneficiaries during the pandemic’s early phase.MethodsRetrospective cohort study covering Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) beneficiaries. We separated out elderly residents in nursing homes (NH) and those with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) from the primary study population of individuals ages ≥65. Outcomes included COVID-19 hospital encounters and COVID-19-associated deaths. We estimated adjusted odds ratios (ORs) using logistic regression.ResultsWe analyzed 25,333,329 elderly non-NH non-ESRD beneficiaries, 653,966 elderly NH residents, and 292,302 ESRD patients. COVID-related death rates (per 10,000) were much higher among elderly NH residents (275.7) and ESRD patients (60.8) than the primary study population (5.0). Regression-adjusted clinical predictors of death among the primary population included immunocompromised status (OR: 1.43), frailty index conditions such as cognitive impairment (3.16) as well as other comorbidities including congestive heart failure (1.30). Demographics-related risk factors included male sex (1.77), older age (OR: 3.09 for 80-year-old vs. 65-year-old), Medicaid dual-eligibility status (2.17) and racial/ethnic minority. Compared to Whites, ORs were higher for Blacks (2.47), Hispanics (3.11), and Native Americans (5.82). Results for COVID-19 hospital encounters were consistent.ConclusionsFrailty, comorbidities, and race/ethnicity were strong risk factors of COVID-19 hospitalization and death among the U.S. elderly.

The differential effects of anemia on mortality in young and elderly end-stage renal disease patients.

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to compare the effect of anemia on clinical outcomes according to age in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD).MethodsA total of 3,409 patients from the Clinical Research Center for ESRD were included and divided into three groups by age: age < 40 (n = 488), 40 ≤ age < 60 (n = 1,650), and age ≥ 60 (n = 1,271). We compared overall and cardiovascular mortality, and all-cause and cardiovascular hospitalization according to mean hemoglobin (Hb) concentration.ResultsAmong participants ≥ 60 years of age, the Hb < 10 g/dL group had greater all-cause mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 2.098; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.567-2.808; P < 0.001) than the 10 ≤ Hb < 12 g/dL group, whereas among participants < 40 years of age, the Hb ≥ 12 g/dL group had greater mortality than the 10 ≤ Hb < 12 g/dL group. Moreover, in participants ≥ 60 years of age, the HR for all-cause hospitalization for the Hb < 10 g/dL group was significantly greater than that of the 10 ≤ Hb < 12 g/dL group (HR, 1.472; 95% CI, 1.057-2.051; P = 0.022), whereas it was significantly lower in the Hb ≥ 12 g/dL group (HR, 0.544; 95% CI, 0.362-0.820; P = 0.004) However, among participants < 40 years of age, the incidence of all-cause hospitalization did not differ according to the Hb concentration (HR, 1.273; 95% CI, 0.814-1.991; P = 0.290 for the Hb < 10 g/dL group; reference, 10 ≤ Hb < 12 g/dL; HR, 0.787; 95% CI, 0.439-1.410; P = 0.265 for Hb ≥ 12 g/dL group).ConclusionThe impact of anemia on mortality was more significant in elderly ESRD patients. Strict monitoring and management of anemia should be required for elderly ESRD patients.

A Pilot Comprehensive Psychoeducation Program for Fluid Management in Renal Palliative Care Patients: Impact on Health Care Utilization.

Background: Fluid management is a clinical challenge in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), especially among those who opted for conservative treatment. We initiated a comprehensive program of psychosocial interventions. Objectives: To study the impact of this psychoeducational (Appropriate amount of intake, Self-efficacy, and Adherence [ASA]) program on symptom burden and acute admission rates related to fluid overload (FO) in this group of elderly ESRD patients attending renal palliative care outpatient clinic under our division. Methods: All elderly (age >60 years) patients who were followed in our renal palliative clinic had one or more acute admissions related to FO during the first three months were identified and invited to participate in this program. The palliative care nurse assessed each pair of patient/caregiver before doctor consultation, documented the symptom burden by the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale, provided symptom advice with use of pamphlets, monitored fluid and drug compliance, and provided psychosocial-spiritual support. The patient symptom score, body weight (BW), and three month acute admission episodes were compared before and after psychoeducation interventions by paired t test. Results: Data from 138 patients were analyzed. Of them, edema, shortness of breath, and insomnia occurred in 131 (95%), 67 (49 %), and 44 (32%) patients, respectively. A total of 125 patients (90.6%) had poor fluid/diet compliance, whereas 59 patients (42.7%) had poor drug compliance. The BW decreased significantly from 57.1 (12.8) kg at baseline to 52.5 (13.6) kg after three months of the ASA program. The acute admission rate related to FO dropped significantly from 7.6 episodes/patient/year to 6.4 episodes/patient/year. Conclusion: Our data demonstrated that the ASA program could improve patient symptoms and reduce acute hospital admissions, and thus improve the overall patient wellbeing and reduce health care utilization. Further studies are required to delineate the efficacy of different components in this ASA program and how to enhance its delivery.

Biopsychosocial experiences and coping strategies of elderly ESRD patients: a qualitative study to inform the development of more holistic and person-centred health services in Singapore

BackgroundAs the incidence and prevalence rates of end stage renal disease (ESRD) rise globally, a disproportionate increase has been observed in the elderly population. Singapore has the fifth highest incidence of treated ESRD worldwide, with the upward trend of ESRD being most apparent among those aged 70 years and older. Although it is well-documented that ESRD patients suffer an impaired quality of life compared to the general population, there is limited research focusing on the unique experiences and needs of elderly ESRD patients in Asian populations. To address the knowledge gap, this study seeks to explore the impact of ESRD and dialysis on the quality of life of elderly (≥70 years old) ESRD patients in Singapore and examine the coping strategies utilised by these patients.MethodsThis qualitative study involved semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 7 peritoneal dialysis patients, 5 haemodialysis patients, 4 patients on non-dialysis supportive care and 7 caregivers in Singapore. Interviews were conducted in English, Chinese, and Malay and fully transcribed. QSR NVivo 11 software was used for analysis.ResultsParticipants reported that ESRD and dialysis had an impact on three highly interconnected areas of their quality of life: (a) biological/physical (general symptoms, neuromuscular problems, skin problems and poor sleep quality); (b) psychological (depressive symptoms, anxiety and fears, stress and negative self-perceptions); and (c) social (increased dependence on family and loss of social life). There were four key strategies that participants used to cope with these biopsychosocial challenges: (a) family support (financial, practical and emotional support); (b) religious/spiritual support (experiencing gratitude/contentment, the power of prayer and belonging to a faith community); (c) avoidance (cognitive avoidance and distraction techniques); and (d) acceptance (positive thinking and problem solving).ConclusionsThis study has provided insights into the biopsychosocial impact of ESRD and dialysis, as well as cultural and religious factors that shape the experiences and coping mechanisms of elderly ESRD patients and caregivers in Singapore, which can be used to further the development and implementation of more holistic and person-centred services to help each patient achieve a better quality of life.

No Survival Benefit in Octogenarians and Nonagenarians with Extended Hemodialysis Treatment Time

Background: The population of elderly end-stage renal disease patients initiating dialysis is rapidly growing. Although longer treatment is supposed to benefit for hemodialysis (HD) patients through more solute clearance and slower fluid removal, it is not yet clear how treatment session length affects mortality risk in octogenarians and nonagenarians. Methods: In a cohort of 112,026 incident HD patients between 2007 and 2011, we examined the association of treatment session length with all-cause mortality, adjusting for demographics and comorbid conditions. We also used restricted spline functions for age to evaluate continuous changes in the association of short (< 210 min) and extended (≥240 min) HD treatment (vs. 210 to < 240 min) with all-cause mortality over continuous age. Results: During the first 91 days of dialysis, patients aged ≥80 years tended to have the lowest treatment session length (median [interquartile range] 211 [193–230] min, r > 0.5). Longer treatment was associated with better survival in patients < 65 and 65 to < 80 years but not in octogenarians/nonagenarians. The association of extended treatment (≥240 min) with better survival was attenuated across age and not significant among patients aged ≥80 years with a hazard ratio of 1.10 (95% CI 0.99–1.20). Shorter treatment sessions (< 210 min) was associated with higher mortality across all age groups. Conclusion: Extended HD was not associated with lower mortality among octogenarians and nonagenarians, while it was associated with better survival among younger patients. Further studies are needed to determine the optimal treatment session length in elderly incident HD patients.

Changes to indications for tunneled cuffed catheter use in hemodialysis patients: A single-center experience.

As the number of elderly end-stage renal disease patients lacking suitable vessels for arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is increasing, indications for tunnel cuffed catheters (TCCs) may be expanding. This study aimed to clarify changes over time in the number of patients with TCC and indications for TCCs. This single-center retrospective study analyzed 143 catheters for 95 patients who inserted TCCs between July 2005 and July 2017. Patients were divided into two groups (early- and late-phase groups) based on the median observational period. Demographic data and clinical information were then compared. Fifty TCCs were inserted in the early phase group, and 93 TCCs were inserted in the late-phase group. The late-phase group was older (77 vs. 70 years; P = 0.003) and showed a higher frequency of hypertensive nephropathy (29% vs. 14%; P < 0.05) and a lower frequency of a history of cardiovascular disease (52.7% vs. 70.0%; P = 0.045). In the late-phase group, indications for bridge vascular access (0% vs. 11.8%; P < 0.05) or severe cardiac dysfunction (8.0% vs. 20.5%; P < 0.05) were increased. In addition, the late-phase group showed increases in percentage of patients with the catheter inserted in the femoral vein (10.0% vs. 23.7%; P = 0.047), nephrologists performing catheter insertion (56.0% vs. 87.1%; P < 0.001), and the patients who underwent superficialization of the brachial artery (28.0% vs. 46.2%; P = 0.034). Significant differences in catheter survival, incidence of complications, reasons for catheter removal, or incidence of catheter-related infection were not observed between groups. Patients with indications for TCC may be increasing due to an increase in elderly end-stage renal disease patients whose activities of daily living have decreased. In addition, indications for bridge vascular access were widely accepted in the late-phase group.

Optimization of Treatment Modality in Elderly End-stage Renal Disease Population: Peritoneal Dialysis versus Transplant.

Despite kidney transplantation (KT) being considered as the best treatment modality for end-stage renal disease (ESRD), patient and graft survival in the elderly population is poorer than younger individuals. Many authors argue that prolonged life expectancy outweighs the risk of remaining on dialysis, but few studies had compared the treatment modalities, especially with peritoneal dialysis (PD). A retrospective study was conducted at a tertiary care institute to compare outcome of elderly ESRD patients, who received KT with those continued on PD; and to evaluate the predictors of patient survival. Patient survival at 1 year was (76.2% vs. 91.1%); 5 years (53.7% vs. 21.8%); and 10 years (35.6% vs. 0.00%) among KT and PD population, respectively. Infection was the most common cause of death among KT group (35 [41.2%] vs. 34 [28.2%]) while cardiovascular mortality in PD group (55 [46.2%] vs. 7 [8.2%]). Technique survival at 1, 5, and 10 years in PD group was 92.8%, 58.5%, and 0%, respectively. Similarly, graft survival at 1, 5, and 10 years in KT group was 98.7%, 90.2%, and 90.2%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed body mass index (BMI) (hazard ratio [HR] 0.88, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.82–0.93, p < 0.001), and albumin (HR 0.55, 95% CI 0.37–0.80, p = 0.002) were significant predictors of survival. In the 1st year, patient survival was better in PD than KT, but after adjustment for BMI and albumin, both short-term and long-term survival in elderly KT group was better than that of PD. Hence, elderly ESRD patients should not be barred from KT just because of age.

PERK-dependent defective TCR-mediated activation of CD4+ T cells in end-stage renal disease patients

BackgroundPatients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) have an impaired immune response with a prematurely aged T-cell system. Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) including extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38, regulate diverse cellular programs by transferring extracellular signals into an intracellular response. T cell receptor (TCR)-induced phosphorylation of ERK (pERK) may show an age-associated decline, which can be reversed by inhibiting dual specific phosphatase (DUSP) 6, a cytoplasmic phosphatase with substrate specificity to dephosphorylate pERK. The aim of this study was to assess whether ESRD affects TCR-mediated signaling and explore possibilities for intervening in ESRD-associated defective T-cell mediated immunity.ResultsAn age-associated decline in TCR-induced pERK-levels was observed in the different CD4+ (P < 0.05), but not CD8+, T-cell subsets from healthy individuals (HI). Interestingly, pERK-levels of CD4+ T-cell subsets from young ESRD patients were in between young and elderly HI. A differentiation-associated decline in TCR-induced ERK and p38 phosphorylation was observed in T cells, although TCR-induced p38 phosphorylation was not significantly affected by age and/or ESRD. Frequencies of TCR-induced CD69-expressing CD4+ T cells declined with age and were positively associated with pERK. In addition, an age-associated tendency of increased expression of DUSP6 was observed in CD4+ T cells of HI and DUSP6 expression in young ESRD patients was similar to old HI. Inhibition of DUSP6 significantly increased TCR-induced pERK-levels of CD4+ T cells in young and elderly ESRD patients, and elderly HI.ConclusionsTCR-mediated phosphorylation of ERK is affected in young ESRD patients consistent with the concept of premature immunological T cell ageing. Inhibition of DUSP6 specific for pERK might be a potential intervention enhancing T-cell mediated immunity in ESRD patients.

Early dialysis initiation does not improve clinical outcomes in elderly end-stage renal disease patients: A multicenter prospective cohort study.

BackgroundThe optimal timing for initiating dialysis in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is controversial, especially in the elderly.Methods665 patients ≥65 years old who began dialysis from August 2008 to February 2015 were prospectively enrolled in the Clinical Research Center for End-Stage Renal Disease cohort study. Participants were divided into 2 groups based on the median estimated glomerular filtration rate at the initiation of dialysis. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to compare the overall survival rate, cardiovascular events, Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form 36 (KDQOL-36) results, Karnofsky performance scale values, Beck’s depression inventory values, and subjective global assessments.ResultsThe mean patient age was 72.0 years, and 61.7% of the patients were male. Overall, the cumulative survival rates were lower in the early initiation group, although the difference was not significant after PSM. Additionally, the survival rates of the 2 groups did not differ after adjusting for age, sex, Charlson comorbidity index and hemoglobin, serum albumin, serum calcium and phosphorus levels. Although the early initiation group showed a lower physical component summary score on the KDQOL-36 3 months after dialysis, the difference in scores was not significant 12 months after dialysis. Furthermore, the difference was not significant after PSM. The Karnofsky performance scale, Beck’s depression inventory, and subjective global assessments were not significantly different 3 and 12 months after dialysis initiation.ConclusionsThe timing of dialysis initiation is not associated with clinical outcomes in elderly patients with ESRD.

Dementia is a risk factor for major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events in elderly Korean patients initiating hemodialysis: a Korean national population-based study

BackgroundDementia is common in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on hemodialysis (HD) and is associated with worse outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the risk of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular event (MACCE) in elderly patients with dementia initiating HD.MethodsUsing the database from the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service, we analyzed 10,171 patients aged 65 years or older who had initiated dialysis from 2005 to 2008. MACCE was defined as a composite outcome of all-cause mortality, nonfatal acute myocardial infarction, target vessel revascularization, and nonfatal ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. The Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards model were used, and further comparisons using propensity-score matching at 1:2 ratio were also performed.ResultsA total of 303 elderly patients (3.0%) had dementia at initiating HD. During follow-up, dementia was a significant predictor of MACCE after adjustment for confounding variables. In addition, further analyzed in the propensity-score matched groups, dementia was an independent predictor of both nonfatal ischemic stroke and all-cause mortality.ConclusionsDementia is an independent risk factor for mortality and ischemic stroke in elderly ESRD patients initiating HD. Patients with dementia who start dialysis should be closely monitored to reduce the risk of mortality and ischemic stroke.

Identifying Factors That Influence Physicians’ Recommendations for Dialysis and Conservative Management in Indonesia

IntroductionFor elderly end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients with multiple comorbidities, dialysis may offer little survival benefit compared to conservative management (CM). Yet, many elderly ESRD patients undergo dialysis, partly due to physicians’ recommendations regarding treatment choice. This study aims to elucidate the factors that influence these recommendations.MethodsWe surveyed a convenience sample of physicians who attended the 9th Asian Forum of Chronic Kidney Disease Initiative conference. We used vignettes that vary by age and comorbidity status, and asked physicians to recommend dialysis or CM for a hypothetical patient with that profile and to predict survival with both treatment options. We also compared the physician’s recommendations to patients for what they would recommend for themselves if they were diagnosed with ESRD.ResultsOn average, physicians believed that dialysis extends life relative to CM. Yet, a large subset believed that CM confers greater survival. Estimates range from 17.3% (for a 65-year-old with diabetes and CHF) to 50% for patients with advanced cancer. Results further reveal high discordance regarding treatment recommendations. For a 65-year-old patient with diabetes, 62% recommended dialysis and 38% did not. For advanced cancer, the split was 25% and 75%. Physicians were far more likely to recommend dialysis for themselves than for their patients.DiscussionThis study suggests that physicians would benefit from a greater understanding of survival benefits of dialysis and CM for elderly patients with different comorbidity profiles. This would allow patients to make more informed decisions.

Latency for cytomegalovirus impacts T cell ageing significantly in elderly end-stage renal disease patients.

The number of elderly patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) has increased significantly during the last decade. Elderly ESRD patients are vulnerable to infectious complications because of an aged immune system. Additional immunological ageing effects may be derived from the uraemic environment and cytomegalovirus (CMV) latency. Elderly patients may be affected by these factors in particular, but data in this age group are limited. To assess the degree of immunological ageing and proliferative capacity of T lymphocytes, 49 elderly ESRD patients (defined as aged ≥65 years) on the renal transplantation waiting list were recruited and compared to 44 elderly healthy individuals (HI), matched for age and CMV serostatus. CMV latency was associated with more highly differentiated CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in both elderly HI and patients. Elderly CMV seropositive ESRD patients showed a substantial reduction in the number of naive CD4+ and CD8+ T cells compared with age- and CMV serostatus-matched HI. Elderly ESRD patients also showed significantly decreased numbers of central memory CD4+ and CD8+ T cells compared with HI, independently of CMV serostatus. In addition, thymic output and relative telomere length of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were decreased in CMV seropositive ESRD patients compared with HI. The proliferative capacity of T cells was similar for patients and HI. Elderly ESRD patients have an advanced aged T cell compartment when compared to age-matched healthy controls, which is driven mainly by CMV latency.

Hemodialysis Access in the Elderly: Outcomes among Patients Older than Seventy

Arteriovenous fistulae (AVF) are the preferred access for hemodialysis, however, there continues to be limited data guiding the surgical management of primary dialysis access creation in elderly end-stage renal disease patients. This is an 8-year retrospective institutional study evaluating the operative and clinical characteristics of patients 70years or above who underwent primary, first-ever, AVF or arteriovenous graft (AVG) creation. There was no overall significant difference in AVF and AVG primary (P=0.127) and secondary (P=0.870) patency. AVG had higher graft loss secondary to infection (P=0.0002) and thrombosis (P=0.0213). Survival was less than 50% at 2years for AVF and AVG patients. An equal number of AVF and AVG patients who died had functional access at the time of death (P=1.0000) with more AVG patients using their graft (initiating dialysis) before death (P=0.0118). Elderly patient patency rates for AVF and AVG are satisfactory and support surgical access creation; however, overall 2-year survival is low. An equal number of AVF and AVG patients died with functioning surgical access, however, more AVG patients initiated dialysis and successfully used their access. Accordingly, special consideration needs to be given with regard to estimated timing until dialysis and predicted patient longevity. Delaying access creation until dialysis is needed and proceeding with AVG creation appears to be justified.