First Year Of Renal Replacement Therapy Research Articles

The Challenges of Using UK Renal Registry Data to Audit the Care of Patients with Diabetes on Renal Replacement Therapy

Introduction: Diabetes is a major cause of CKD and of mortality in patients on renal replacement therapy (RRT). Auditing the care of patients with diabetes on RRT against published guidelines relies on robust data collection. Objective: This article assesses the completeness of data items collected by the UK Renal Registry (UKRR) that are required to audit the care of patients with diabetes on RRT. Methods: The UKRR receives data on all patients receiving RRT in the UK. Patients with diabetes, diabetes type, and method of renal diagnosis were identified from primary renal disease (PRD) codes and comorbidity data for patients commencing RRT at one of the 57 renal centres in England and Wales between 2010 and 2016. The completeness of demographic and clinical data (blood pressure, cholesterol, glycated haemoglobin [HbA1c], and smoking status) was assessed for the first year of RRT. Results: Ninety-three per cent of all patients on RRT irrespective of diagnosis had a PRD code, but only 28/57 renal centres had comorbidity data completeness ≥70%; 34.9% of patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN) had type 1 diabetes, but this varied between centres (9.2–100%). Overall, 4.2% of DN diagnoses were by biopsy. Data completeness in the first year of RRT for cardiovascular risk factors ranged between 50.0 and 80.0%, with HbA1c data completeness being 63.0%. Of 57 centres, 20 had HbA1c data for ≥70% of patients in the first year of RRT. Conclusions: There is persistent variation between renal centres in the completeness of data collected on patients with diabetes on RRT, impacting on the ability to undertake robust audit. Data linkages and expanded data permissions could see registry data play a key role in ongoing audit and research into patients with diabetes and CKD, provided adequate data can be collected.

SUN-221 RATES OF HOSPITALISATION IN THE FIRST YEAR AFTER COMMENCEMENT OF RENAL REPLACEMENT THERAPY- SINGLE CENTRE EXPERIENCE

Renal replacement therapy (RRT) patients are known to have large number of comorbidities and hence, have high hospitalisation rates. The primary aim of the present study was to compare rates of hospitalisation in year one of incident dialysis patients treated with peritoneal dialysis (PD) or with haemodialysis (HD). We performed retrospective review of all the patients who commenced RRT during April 2013 to March 2016. We collected demographic data, date of commencement of RRT, starting modality, first contact date with renal services, type of access, Charlson’s comorbidity score (CCS) and the details regarding hospital admission within the first year of starting RRT including data about switching modality from electronic patient records. Data was analysed using SPSS V24. 200 patients commenced RRT over 3 year from April 2013-March 2016. Median age of starting RRT was 61.7 years (IQR: 21), 66% (n=132) were males and majority were whites (83.5%). Median CCS was 5 (IQR: 3) and 41.5% were diabetics. 107 patients commenced RRT on HD and rest of 93 on PD. During the one-year follow up period after starting RRT, there were 434 admissions in 130 (65%) patients. 70 (65.4%) of 107 HD and 60 (64.5%) of 93 PD patients were admitted atleast once during the first year of RRT. Median number of admissions were 2.5 (IQR: 3) and cumulative in-patient days in 1 year were 12 (IQR: 27). On comparison of patients groups by starting modality, HD patients were older (65 years; IQR 23 years) as compared to PD patients (58.7 years; IQR 16 years) (P=0.003). There were 236 admissions in HD group and 198 in PD group, however there were more admissions related to medical issues (32% in HD vs 19 % in PD) in HD group vs more admissions related to dialysis issues (9% in HD vs 13% in PD) in PD group. CCS was higher in HD at 6 (IQR 3) as compared to PD patients which was 5 (IQR 3) (P= 0.017). Median number of admission HD vs PD were 2 (IQR: 2) vs 3 (IQR: 3) (P = 0.801) and cumulative days of admission in HD vs PD were 13 (IQR: 27) vs 10.5 (IQR: 23) (P=0.504). Burden of hospitalisation is high in renal replacement therapy population. Even though there was significant difference in the age and comorbidity index of the patients in both admitted HD and PD groups, there was no difference in the number of admission and the hospital days between groups. Further work is required to explore factors contributing the above.

Impact of first year renal replacement therapy on the hospital admissions of a regional public health system

Introduction and objectivesChronic kidney disease has a high prevalence and economic impact, and an increased risk of hospitalization. Although there are public regional and country registries, we have not found references to estimate the impact of renal replacement therapy (RRT) on hospital admissions. MethodsWe obtained authorization from the ethics committee and health authorities to integrate the REMER [Madrid Kidney Disease Registry] (2013-2014) and Minimum Basic Data Set (2013-2015) databases and to analyze the admissions during the first year of RRT. Results767 patients started RRT in all the hospitals of our region across all RRT modalities. More than a third of the patients start dialysis during a hospital admission. This unplanned start, more common in HD than PD, shows relevant differences in patient profile or admission characteristics.Without considering this initial episode, almost 60% of patients were admitted during their first year. The hospitalization rate was 1.2 admissions/patient, higher in HD than in TX or PD; the mean length of stay was 8.6 days.The estimated cost of admissions during the first year is €12,006/patient. Our analysis ensures the exhaustive inclusion of all episodes and accurate estimation based on the discharge form. ConclusionThe impact of RRT on hospitals has been underestimated and is very relevant when calculating the total cost of RRT. Results from other countries cannot be extrapolated due to differences in the health system and patient profile. The integration of clinical databases could open up an opportunity that needs only institutional support for its development.

Impacto del primer año de tratamiento sustitutivo renal en la hospitalización de una comunidad autónoma

Introduction and objectivesChronic kidney disease has a high prevalence and economic impact, and an increased risk of hospitalization. Although there are public regional and country registries, we have not found references to estimate the impact of renal replacement therapy (RRT) on hospital admissions. MethodsWe obtained authorization from the ethics committee and health authorities to integrate the REMER [Madrid Kidney Disease Registry] (2013-2014) and Minimum Basic Data Set (2013-2015) databases and to analyze the admissions during the first year of RRT. Results767 patients started RRT in all the hospitals of our region across all RRT modalities. More than a third of the patients start dialysis during a hospital admission. This unplanned start, more common in HD than PD, shows relevant differences in patient profile or admission characteristics.Without considering this initial episode, almost 60% of patients were admitted during their first year. The hospitalization rate was 1.2admissions/patient, higher in HD than in TX or PD; the mean length of stay was 8.6days.The estimated cost of admissions during the first year is €12,006/patient. Our analysis ensures the exhaustive inclusion of all episodes and accurate estimation based on the discharge form. ConclusionThe impact of RRT on hospitals has been underestimated and is very relevant when calculating the total cost of RRT. Results from other countries cannot be extrapolated due to differences in the health system and patient profile. The integration of clinical databases could open up an opportunity that needs only institutional support for its development.

Ten-years trends in renal replacement therapy for end-stage renal disease in mainland France: Lessons from the French Renal Epidemiology and Information Network (REIN) registry

BackgroundThe incidence rate of renal replacement therapy (RRT) for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is decreasing in several countries, but not in France. We studied the RRT trends in mainland France from 2005 to 2014 to understand the reasons for this discrepancy and determine the effects of ESRD management changes. MethodsData were extracted from the French Renal Epidemiology and Information Network registry. Time trends of RRT incidence and prevalence rates, patients’ clinical and treatment characteristics were analysed using the Joinpoint regression program and annual percentage changes. Survival within the first year of RRT was analysed using Kaplan-Meier estimates for 4 periods of time. ResultsThe overall age- and gender-adjusted RRT incidence rate increased from 144 to 159 individuals per million inhabitants (pmi) (+0.8% per year; 95% CI: 0.5–1.2) and the prevalence from 903 to 1141 pmi (+2.4% per year; 95% CI: 2.2–2.7). This increase concerned exclusively ESRD associated with type 2 diabetes (+4.0%; 3.4–4.6) and mostly elderly men. Despite patient aging and increasing comorbidity burden and a persistent 30% rate of emergency dialysis start, the one-year survival rate slightly improved from 82.1% (81.4–82.8) to 83.8% (83.3–84.4). Pre-emptive wait listing for renal transplantation and the percentage of wait-listed patients within one year after dialysis start strongly increased (from 5.6% to 15.5% and from 29% to 39%, respectively). ConclusionKidney transplantation and survival significantly improved despite the heavier patient burden. However, the rise in type 2 diabetes-related ESRD and the stable high rate of emergency dialysis start remain major issues.

Mortality in the Veneto population on renal replacement therapy

This section reports survival rates for patients on renal replacement therapy (RRT). The data obtained from the Veneto Dialysis and Transplantation Registry (VDTR) cover the whole population in the region. Patients on RRT alive on 31 December of each year were assumed to be at risk of dying in the following year. Furthermore, time-to-event analysis was used to describe the complete history of patients from when they started RRT until they died, including transitions between the 3 main treatment modalities - hemodialysis (HD), peritoneal dialysis (PD) and renal transplantation. The cohort of patients starting RRT from 1998 to 2010 was followed up until 31 December 2010. Survival rates from the first treatment to death were calculated according to the life table method. Relative survival and excess mortality rates were estimated according to the Ederer II method. A multistate model was used to describe changes in a patient's condition (changes of treatment, or death) over time. Among prevalent patients on RRT, the annual risk of death was 10.65% in 2008, 9.35% in 2009 and 8.86% in 2010. The overall mortality rate was 12.5 per 100 patient-years (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 12.1-13.0). The 5-year relative survival was 59% (95% CI, 57%-60%), and at 10 years relative survival was 41% (95% CI, 39%-43%); the estimated excess mortality rate was very high at the start of RRT (18 per 100 patient-years) but gradually decreased after the second year. On multivariate analysis, excess mortality was associated with age and primary renal diseases. Less than 10% of patients starting on PD shifted to HD in the first year of RRT, and a considerable proportion received a transplant, amounting to 6% in the first year, and thereafter increasing steadily: at the end of the fifth year, 34% of patients starting RRT on PD had received a transplant. HD patients behaved differently: any shift to PD was negligible, and the patients receiving a transplant amounted to only 2% in the first year and about 16% by the end of the fifth year. Cumulative mortality among HD patients was particularly high (already 18% at 1 year, and 70% at 10 years) by comparison with those on PD (8% at 1 year, 54% at 10 years). Although mortality on RRT is not particularly high in Veneto by comparison with countries other than Italy, this result is mainly due to an increasing number of patients receiving transplants, which makes them a favorably selected population. The mortality rate was high among those on HD, particularly in the first year. Our population on RRT is rather heterogeneous, and a description of the outcomes based only on the whole population may be misleading.

Outcomes in patients on home haemodialysis in England and Wales, 1997-2005: a comparative cohort analysis

The UK national policy promotes expansion of home haemodialysis, but there are no recent data on characteristics and outcomes of a national home haemodialysis population. We compared incident home haemodialysis patients in England and Wales (n = 225, 1997-2005) with age- and sex-matched incident peritoneal dialysis, hospital haemodialysis and satellite haemodialysis patients with follow-up until 31 December 2006. Cox regression analyses included time-dependent changes of wait-listing for transplantation (a proxy for health status), start of home haemodialysis and transplantation. There was a median delay of 12 months between starting renal replacement therapy (RRT) and home haemodialysis. During that first year of RRT, > 50% of home haemodialysis patients were wait-listed for kidney transplantation; hospital haemodialysis patients had a lower rate of wait-listing over time [hazard ratio (HR) 0.56, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.44-0.70; P < 0.001]. In crude analyses, there was a marked survival advantage of home haemodialysis patients compared with other modalities (log-rank P-value < 0.001). In adjusted analyses, being on home haemodialysis yielded a long-term survival benefit compared with peritoneal dialysis (HR 0.61, 95% CI 0.40-0.93), and a borderline advantage compared with hospital haemodialysis (HR 0.68, 95% CI 0.44-1.03). There was no evidence of an advantage compared with satellite haemodialysis (HR 0.94, 95% CI 0.65-1.37). Home haemodialysis patients have better survival compared with other dialysis modalities. Some of this crude survival advantage is due to selection of a healthier patient cohort as evidenced by higher transplant wait-listing rates. The advantage over peritoneal dialysis persisted after adjustment for wait-listing and transplantation over time.

Impact of First Dialysis Modality on Outcome of Patients Contraindicated for Kidney Transplant

We compared, in patients contraindicated for kidney transplant, outcomes between those patients who were only on hemodialysis (HD) and those who were given peritoneal dialysis (PD) as first renal replacement therapy (RRT). Prospective, population-based cohort study of incident cases of end-stage renal disease between June 1997 and June 1999. A network of dialysis care: NEPHROLOR, that is, all the renal units in Lorraine, one of the 22 French administrative regions (population over 2.3 million people). 387 patients were contraindicated for kidney transplant during the first 2 years of RRT: 284 were on HD, 103 on PD. Mean age was 67.6 +/- 11.3 years for HD patients and 70.8 +/- 11.4 years for PD patients (p = 0.015). Mortality until June 2003, hospitalization over the 2 first years of RRT, and Kidney Disease and Quality of Life Short Form (KDQOL-SF) 6 and 12 months after initiation of RRT. HD patients were more likely to die from cardiac or cerebrovascular causes, PD from cachexia or withdrawal from dialysis. Whatever mode of RRT, the unadjusted 2-year and 5-year survival rates were similar (p = 0.98). The rate of total duration of hospital stay per month of RRT was similarin HD and PD groups: 2.7 +/- 4.5 and 2.9 +/- 4.2 days respectively (p = 0.7). PD was associated with better quality of life than HD. The dimensions Role limitation due to emotional function, Burden of kidney disease, and Role limitation due to physical function ranked first, second, and third for PD. In Lorraine, end-stage renal disease patients who were given PD as first-line RRT had no excess of death risk or hospitalizations, and better quality of life the first year of RRT.

Accelerated lean body mass loss in incident chronic dialysis patients with diabetes mellitus

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients display a higher incidence of poor nutritional status and are at high risk of hospitalization and death. Patients on renal replacement therapy (RRT) with a primary diagnosis of diabetes mellitus have the lowest survival rates along with highest hospitalization incidence. In this study, we examined the importance of diabetes mellitus along with certain demographic and clinical variables in predicting the change in lean body mass (LBM) by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), as a surrogate marker of somatic protein stores, in 142 incident ESRD patients (91 males, 52.8 +/- 1.0 years, 74.2 +/- 1.2 kg body weight) among which 34 had diabetes mellitus (19 insulin-dependent and 15 noninsulin dependent). Our results show that patients with diabetes mellitus had significantly accelerated loss of LBM compared to nondiabetic patients during the first year of RRT (3.4 +/- 0.6 kg vs. 1.1 +/- 0.2 kg) (P < 0.05). Multivariate linear regression analyses revealed that the presence of diabetes mellitus was the strongest predictor of LBM loss independently of several clinically-relevant variables such as age, gender, serum albumin, presence of malnutrition, presence of inflammation, and RRT modality. We conclude that the presence of diabetes mellitus is the most significant independent predictor of LBM loss in renal replacement therapy patients, providing a potential explanation as to why ESRD patients with diabetes mellitus are more prone to muscle wasting.

Early identification of risk factors for refractory secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with long-term renal replacement therapy.

Secondary hyperparathyroidism can complicate renal replacement therapy (RRT) in patients with end-stage renal disease. Current medical therapies often result in hypercalcaemia and fail to correct hyperparathyroidism, but might be more effective at an early stage of disease. The aim of this study was to identify prognostic factors at the start and during the first year of RRT for refractory secondary hyperparathyroidism needing parathyroidectomy (PTx) during long-term follow-up. A total of 202 consecutive patients starting RRT between August 1988 and August 1996 at our centre with at least 1 year of follow-up were included. Biochemical and treatment data at the start and during the first year of RRT were collected. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify risk factors for PTx during follow-up. Thirty-three patients (16%) needed PTx after 52+/-23 months of RRT. Need for PTx was not different between patients undergoing haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis, but was associated with parameters reflecting calcium and phosphate control at start and after 1 year of RRT. In a Cox multivariate model, serum parathyroid hormone [relative risk (RR): 1.02 per pmol/l; P<0.001], phosphate (RR: 1.107 per 0.1 mmol/l; P = 0.002) and alkaline phosphatase (RR: 1.004 per U/l; P = 0.049) after 1 year of RRT were independently associated with increased risk for PTx. Failure of control of calcium-phosphate metabolism at the start of and early during RRT is strongly associated with PTx during long-term follow-up. Given the high prevalence of insufficient phosphate control, patients may benefit from aggressive correction of serum phosphate in the pre-dialysis and early dialysis period.

The nephrologist's role in the management of calcium-phosphorus metabolism in patients with chronic kidney disease

In patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), timely referral to a nephrologist has been shown to improve outcomes, but the specific care measures mediating these superior outcomes have not been sufficiently described. In a cohort of 3014 patients with CKD, we evaluated whether they had any indicators of calcium-phosphorus metabolism management prior to renal replacement therapy (RRT). These included measurement of parathyroid hormone (PTH) or vitamin D metabolites, or receipt of calcitriol or calcium-containing phosphate binders (CCPB) prior to RRT. Control patients without such care were selected by risk-set matching. We used multivariate conditional logistic regression analysis to test whether use of these interventions was associated with prior nephrologist consultation. We then used Cox proportional hazards models to assess whether implementation of such care was associated with differences in 1-year mortality once RRT was instituted. Only 3.4% of CKD patients had their PTH assessed prior to RRT, and 0.3% had vitamin D status measured. Use of calcitriol (12.2%) and CCPBs (16%) was slightly more prevalent. Seeing a nephrologist was highly associated with use of the tests and drugs studied (odds ratio, 1.28 to 6.46; all P values <0.001), but care by generalists or other specialists was not. Management of calcium-phosphorus metabolism was independently associated with a 35% decreased likelihood of death (hazards ratio=0.65; 95%CI, 0.51 to 0.84) in the first year of RRT. Improvements in management of calcium-phosphorus metabolism in patients with CKD are attributable to nephrologist care and appear to mediate the survival benefit seen in patients who see a nephrologist relatively early in the course of their CKD.

Prevalence and progression of peripheral arterial calcifications in patients with ESRD

Background: Peripheral arterial calcifications are seen frequently in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). However, prevalence and progression, as well as contributing factors, never were investigated in an unselected incident cohort of dialysis patients. Methods: We investigated 155 patients with ESRD at the beginning of dialysis therapy and followed them up prospectively during the first year of either hemodialysis (n = 106) or peritoneal dialysis treatment (n = 49). The prevalence and progression of arterial calcifications during the first year were graded by a single radiologist on standardized plain radiographs of the pelvis and calves. Findings were analyzed in relation to sex, age, diabetes mellitus, dialysis modality, total and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]) level, apolipoprotein(a) kringle-IV repeat polymorphism, calcium level, phosphorus level, intact parathyroid hormone level, and homocysteine level. Results: Patients with peripheral arterial calcifications at the start of renal replacement therapy (RRT) (n = 104) were significantly older (P < 0.001), had diabetes more often (P < 0.001), and had greater Lp(a) concentrations (P = 0.03) and a trend to greater total cholesterol concentrations. Patients with progression of calcifications during the first year of RRT had significantly greater homocysteine levels (P = 0.036). Logistic regression analysis showed that patients without calcifications either at the beginning or after 1 year of RRT were younger (P = 0.01) and had significantly lower homocysteine (P = 0.004) and Lp(a) levels (P = 0.03) and less frequently had diabetes mellitus (P = 0.04). Conclusion: Our observations suggest that the prevalence of peripheral arterial calcifications in patients with ESRD is related to age, diabetes mellitus, and Lp(a) and homocysteine levels. Progression of arterial calcifications might be related to high plasma homocysteine concentrations. Am J Kidney Dis 41:140-148. © 2003 by the National Kidney Foundation, Inc.

Preventive health care measures before and after start of renal replacement therapy.

To describe utilization of preventive health care measures in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), both in the year prior to onset of renal replacement therapy (RRT), and in the first year of RRT. We identified a large cohort of patients with CKD in the New Jersey Medicaid and Medicare programs with fixed enrollment into the cohort at 1 year prior to RRT. We applied commonly used quality assurance instruments (Health Plan Employer Data and Information Set measures) and defined levels and correlates of use of preventive care measures before and after RRT. These included mammography, Pap smear testing, prostate cancer screening, diabetic eye exams, and glycosylated hemoglobin testing (HbA1c). We employed logistic regression models with adjustment for age, race, gender, comorbidity, timing of first nephrologist contact, socioeconomic status, and calendar year of first RRT. Overall, screening rates were low with the exception of diabetic eye exams. Prostate cancer screening, diabetic eye exams, and HbA1c testing were performed less often after onset of RRT compared to the year before (P < .05). Although screening rates before RRT improved considerably over the period of observation for these measures (P < .05), this was not the case once patients were on RRT. Preventive health care interventions remain underutilized among RRT patients. Greater attention to such preventive measures could lead to significant improvements in the health status of such vulnerable patients. Thus, quality improvement of the general health care for patients on RRT should become a priority in renal health policy.

The Use of Continuous Peritoneal Dialysis in Europe for the Treatment of Children with End-Stage Renal Failure: Data from the EDTA Registry

The demographic data on the use of continuous peritoneal dialysis in Europe for children starting renal replacement therapy under the age of 15 years was obtained from data collected by the Registry of the European Dialysis and Transplant Association--European Renal Association (EDTA Registry) on individual patient questionnaires 1980-1986. Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and its variants appeared to be increasingly utilised as treatment for children with end-stage renal failure (ESRF) and accounted for approximately 25% of all renal replacement therapy (RRT). Important differences in its use in various European countries are demonstrated. The proportional contribution of CAPD to treatment was higher during the first year of RRT and gradually decreased thereafter. No significant sex differences existed in the use of this treatment. Approximately 70% of all patients on CAPD were older than 6 years of age, but it is in those under 6 years that the highest proportion are put on CAPD as first method of treatment for end-stage renal failure. The most common cause of abandonment of this treatment was peritonitis, which contributed 50% of the drop-out rate.