Impairment In Hemodialysis Patients Research Articles

Using a measurement type-independent metric to compare patterns of determinants between patient-reported versus performance-based physical function in hemodialysis patients.

We applied a previously established common T-score metric for patient-reported and performance-based physical function (PF), offering the unique opportunity to directly compare measurement type-specific patterns of associations with potential laboratory-based, psychosocial, sociodemographic, and health-related determinants in hemodialysis patients. We analyzed baseline data from the CONVINCE trial (N = 1,360), a multinational randomized controlled trial comparing high-flux hemodialysis with high-dose hemodiafiltration. To explore the associations of potential determinants with performance-based versus patient-reported PF, we conducted multiple linear regression (backward elimination with cross-validation and Lasso regression). We used standardized T-scores as estimated from the PROMIS PF short-form 4a (patient-reported PF) and the Physical Performance Test (performance-based PF) as dependent variables. Performance-based and patient-reported PF were both significantly associated with a laboratory marker-based indicator of muscle mass (simplified creatinine index), although the effects were relatively small (partial f2 = 0.04). Age was negatively associated with PF; the effect size was larger for performance-based (partial f2 = 0.12) than for patient-reported PF (partial f2 = 0.08). Compared to performance-based PF, patient-reported PF showed a stronger association with self-reported health domains, particularly pain interference and fatigue. When using the individual difference between patient-reported and performance-based T-scores as outcome, we found that younger age and more fatigue were associated with lower patient-reported PF compared to performance-based PF (small effect size). Patient-reported and performance-based assessments were similarly associated with an objective marker of physical impairment in hemodialysis patients. Age and fatigue may result in discrepancies when comparing performance-based and patient-reported scores on the common PF scale. Trial Registration CONVINCE is registered in the Dutch Trial Register (Register ID: NL64750.041.18). The registration can be accessed at: https://onderzoekmetmensen.nl/en/trial/52958 .

Impact of Age Initiation and Duration of Hemodialysis on Impaired Cognitive Function Experienced by Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Patients

The prevalence of people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Indonesia increases with age. Various complications to death can occur in CKD patients, one of which is impaired cognitive function. In addition, end-stage CKD treatment options, such as hemodialysis, further increase the risk of complications of cognitive impairment in CKD patients. About 10%-40% of CKD patients experience a decline in cognitive function. This study aims to determine the factors that influence the occurrence of cognitive impairment in hemodialysis patients. This study was conducted at Mohammad Hoesin Hospital Palembang in October-November 2022. Cognitive decline was detected by examination of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Indonesian version (MoCA-Ina) while other variables were obtained through interviews. The data were analyzed with Chi-square or Fisher exact tests. Age, education level, and age at hemodialysis initiation affect global cognitive function in CKD patients. In cognitive domain analysis, a significant relationship was found between age and duration of hemodialysis and attentional function, as well as the impact of age, sex, and age at hemodialysis initiation on executive/visuospatial function. Several demographic and hemodialysis characteristics are associated with cognitive decline in hemodialysis patients. Education and periodic cognitive screening are necessary to prevent and detect cognitive decline in these at-risk populations.

Increased extracellular water/body mass is associated with functional impairment in hemodialysis patients

Background Functional impairment, malnutrition and fluid overload are prevalent in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). The extracellular water/body cell mass ratio (ECW/BCM) is a new indicator reflecting fluid overload and malnutrition. A previous study has suggested that it performs better than other indices in assessing fluid status. This study investigates the relationship between pre-dialysis whole-body ECW/BCM and physical function in MHD patients. Methods We conducted a multicenter, cross-sectional study in Guizhou Province in Southwest China. The Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) was used to evaluate patients’ functional status. Patients with KPS scores of ≤ 80 were considered to have a functional impairment. The body composition was measured using the body composition monitor (BCM), and the value of the ECW/BCM ratio was calculated. The subjects were classified into three groups according to ECW/BCM tertiles. Multiple logistic regression models and interactive analyses were conducted. Results The final analysis included 2818 subjects. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that compared with the lowest tertile (tertile 1), the adjusted odds ratio of functional impairment were 1.95 (95% CI: 1.21–3.13, p < 0.001) and 2.10 (95% CI: 1.31–3.37, p < 0.001) in the second and the third tertiles of ECW/BCM, respectively after adjusting for age, sex, current smoking status, history of stroke, heart failure, diabetes, and myocardial infarction. Subgroup analysis showed that the association existed stably across all subgroups stratified by age, gender, cognitive impairment (CI), history of stroke, heart failure, and diabetes (all p values for interaction >0.05). Conclusions Elevated ECW/BCM is independently linked to an increased risk of functional impairment in patients with MHD.

#5742 MID-ARM CIRCUMFERENCE AS A CORRELATE TO DIFFERENT: ASPECT NEUROCOGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT IN HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS

Abstract Background and Aims Malnutrition is associated with poor cognitive function (CI) in Hemodialysis (HD) patients. Both have multiple ways of assessment scaled from simple bedside screening tests to more sophisticated time- and cost-consuming measures. This work aims to define the best nutritive assessment measure that correlates to the degree of CI. Method A cross-sectional study was carried out on 116 patients in 4 different HD units from Delta Nile, Egypt. The nutritional status was examined after the dialysis session in euvolemic patients using (1) anthropometric measurements, including body mass index (BMI), mid-arm circumference (MAC), skin fold thickness (SFT), and mid-arm muscle circumference (MAMC); (2) bioelectrical impedance analysis for assessment of skeletal muscle mass (SMM), skeletal muscle index (SMI), free fat mass (FFM), body fat mass (BFM), and total body water (TBW); (3) Hand grip strength was used to assess muscle power. The assessment of cognition was made using (1) a mini-mental state examination (MMSE) for orientation, registration, attention, recall, language, and copying; (2) Saint Louis University Mental Status Exam (SLUMS) for early CI and executive functioning; (3) Arabic version of Penn Web-Based Computerized Neurocognitive Battery (WebCNP) for those who scored no CI in the previous two tests. Results The results of MMSE and SLUMS tests showed that 34.5% of our cohort (n = 40) had no CI, 34.5% (n = 40) had mild to moderate degrees of CI, and 31% (n = 36) had a severe form of CI. Comparing the nutritional assessment parameters between the categories of cognitive scores revealed that there were no significant differences except in significantly lower median values of MAC (P 0.01), SMI in bioelectrical impedance analysis (P0.01), and hand grip strength (P 0.002) in severe CI group than the normal to patients without CI. In correlation statistics, MAC and hand grip strength were negatively correlated to the degree of CI (r = -0.3, P 0.006 and r = -0.26, P 0.009, respectively). MAC was the only parameter correlated with attention, emotional recognition, and differentiation functioning in the forty patients with no CI who underwent computerized neurocognitive assessment. The highest reported positive correlations reported were between the MAC and response time of both emotion recognition (r = 0.57, P &amp;lt;0.001) and differentiation (r = 0.55, P &amp;lt;0.001). Conclusion Of the different parameters of nutritional state assessment, MAC, the simple bedside measurement, was the best correlate with the degree of cognitive impairment in HD patients, even in its mild primitive forms.

#6696 COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT IN PATIENTS ON HEMODIALYSIS EXPERIENCE FROM A CENTER IN SANTA ROSA GUATEMALA

Abstract Background and Aims Cognitive impairment in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) involves multiple factors such as inflammation, uremic toxins and endothelial dysfunction, having rates of up to 10.7 cases per 1000/patient year and that can increase in renal replacement therapy (RRT). The cognitive impairment can progress to dementia and this has adverse long-term outcomes such as mortality. The prevalence of cognitive impairment is 19% to 77% in patients with hemodialysis therapy. The aims of this study was determine the prevalence of cognitive impairment in hemodialysis patients and possible associated factors. Method A cohort study was conducted in a hemodialysis unit of Santa Rosa, Guatemala. Patients over 18 years of age were included with more than two months of having started hemodialysis and with 3 sessions per week. Patients with a previous diagnosis of dementia, with visual-hearing deficits, illiterate, a history of cerebrovascular events or psychiatric disorders and who did not agree to participate in the study were excluded. For cognitive assessment, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment tool (MoCA test) was used, taking a score of less or equal than 26 points as cognitive impairment. A value of p&amp;lt;0.05 was taked significant. Results 78 patients were screened, however 30 patients were discarded due to exclusion criteria. A total of 48 patients were analyzed. A mean age was of 51 years, the majority of whom were male, 40% had only a basic level of education and 38% did not know the cause of CKD. Arterial hypertension was the most frequent comorbidity and the most used antihypertensive were beta-blockers. As for medications for complications of CKD, vitamin D and erythropoietin are the most used. The patients had an average time on hemodialysis of 41.3 months, the last calculated Kt/V was of 1.73 (mean), the mean hemoglobin level was 9.9 g /dl and the mean MoCA test score performed for the study was 23.3 points. Regarding the primary objective, it was determined that the prevalence of cognitive impairment was 67% and when analyzing the variables it was found that age and level of education are associated with greater cognitive impairment, older patients (p: 0.002) and with lower level of education (p: 0.02). In analysis the cognitive domains, it is founded that those patients who present alterations in the attention and delayed recall domain are those that are statistically more associated with cognitive impairment and their counterpart those who have conserved the naming and language domain are those that are associated with having a normal global cognitive practice (Table 1). A correlation analysis was performed where it was found that there is a negative correlation which is moderate and statistically significant between age and the MoCA test score (Table 2). Conclusion The prevalence of cognitive impairment was 67%, age and educational level seem to be influencing factors, with older patients and those with lower educational level being the most affected. Within the cognitive domains, attention and delayed recall are the most affected and most associated with cognitive impairment. It is important to conduct further studies evaluating other variables that have been shown to influence cognitive status such as vitamin B12, vitamin D and homocysteine. It is important to perform cognitive evaluation of patients on hemodialysis and other RRT to have an early diagnosis and intervene early considering that cognitive impairment can progress to dementia and this is a cause of abandonment in treatment and mortality.

Patterns of Cognitive Impairment in Hemodialysis Patients and Related Factors including Depression and Anxiety.

Hemodialysis patients are at higher risk of developing cognitive impairment, but the pattern of affected cognitive domains is still undetermined. Little is also known about the symptoms of depression and anxiety in hemodialysis patients. In this cross-sectional study, we included 74 consecutive adult patients undergoing hemodialysis. Cognitive functions were assessed using the Addenbrooke Cognitive Test III. In addition, all patients were screened for symptoms of depression and anxiety using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. The mean age of hemodialysis patients was 65.69 ± 14 years. Among the patients, there were 27% and 31% of patients with mild cognitive impairment and suspected dementia, respectively. In the group of patients with suspected dementia, all cognitive functions had significantly lower values compared to these functions in incognitively unimpaired and mild cognitive impairment patients. The most impaired domain was verbal fluency, which reflects impairments in executive function. Depression and anxiety symptoms were observed in 28% and 22% of patients, respectively. Patients with anxiety symptoms had higher levels of endogenous creatinine, parathyroid hormone, and hemoglobin, as well as decreased creatinine clearance, being younger and less educated. No factors contributing to the occurrence of depressive symptoms were found. Cognitive dysfunction is a significant problem in hemodialysis patients. Our study showed that the prevalence of cognitive impairment and depression and anxiety symptoms in hemodialysis patients was high. The domain of executive functions was most affected. Furthermore, creatinine, parathyroid hormone, hemoglobin levels, creatinine clearance, and education affected the anxiety scale score.

Relationship between Lower Extremity Peripheral Arterial Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment in Hemodialysis Patients.

The link between arterial stiffness and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in patients on hemodialysis (HD) has been receiving increased attention. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between cognitive function and ankle brachial index (ABI) and toe brachial index (TBI) values in patients on hemodialysis. Of the 100 participants (mean age: 67.9 years; average history of hemodialysis: 7.3 years). Of these, 46.0% had MCI. The MoCA-J scores were significantly higher in the ABI ≥ 1.06 group. However, the MoCA-J scores divided into the two groups according to the TBI cutoff value were not significantly different. In a multiple regression model with the MoCA-J scores as the objective variable, the ABI was a significantly associated factor. This study indicates that a low ABI might be associated with MCI.

Hippocampal subfield morphology in regular hemodialysis patients.

Hippocampal alterations have been implicated in the pathophysiology of cognitive impairment in hemodialysis patients. The hippocampus consists of several distinct subfields, and the molecular mechanisms underlying cognition might be associated with specific hippocampal subfield volume changes. However, this has not yet been investigated in hemodialysis patients. This study aimed to explore volumetric abnormalities in hippocampal subfields in regular hemodialysis patients. High-resolution T1-weighted structural images were collected in 61 subjects including 36 hemodialysis patients and 25 healthy controls. A state-of-the-art hippocampal segmentation approach was adopted to segment the hippocampal subfields. Group differences in hippocampal subfield volumes were assessed in Python with a statsmodels module using an ordinary least squares regression with age and sex as nuisance effects. Hemodialysis patients had significantly smaller volumes in the bilateral hippocampus (P<.05/2, Bonferroni corrected), cornu ammonis 1 (CA1), CA4, granule cell and molecular layer of the dentate gyrus, hippocampus-amygdala transition area and molecular layer of the hippocampus than healthy controls (P<.05/24, Bonferroni corrected). Hemodialysis patients also had lower volumes in the left hippocampal tail and right fimbria than healthy controls (P<.05/24, Bonferroni corrected). Hippocampal subfield volumes were associated with neuropsychological test scores, the duration of disease and hemoglobin levels. We found smaller hippocampal subfield volumes in hemodialysis patients, which were associated with impaired cognition, supporting their role in memory disturbance in the hemodialysis population. However, multiple clinical factors may have confounded the results, and therefore, the interpretation of these results needs to be cautious.

Cognitive Domain Impairment and All-Cause Mortality in Older Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis

The highly prevalent cognitive impairment in hemodialysis patients is associated with all-cause mortality; however, the role of different cognitive domain impairments in this association is still not clarified. Our objective was to determine the association between cognitive domain impairment and all-cause mortality in elderly adult patients undergoing hemodialysis. We conducted a prospective cohort study including patients from 11 hemodialysis centers in Beijing. Baseline data were collected, and a series of neuropsychological batteries covering 5 domains of cognitive function were included for the assessment of cognitive function. According to the fifth version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders criteria (DSM-V), the patients were classified as normal, mild, and major cognitive impairment for global and domain cognitive function, then followed up for 1 year. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was used to compare the difference in the cumulative survival rate in different cognitive domains. A multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to determine the association between global or domain cognitive impairment and all-cause mortality. A total of 613 patients were enrolled, the mean age was 63.82 ± 7.14 years old, and 42.1% were women. After 49.53 ± 8.42 weeks of follow-up, 69 deaths occurred. Kaplan–Meier plots demonstrated a significant association of cognitive impairment in memory, executive function, attention, and language domains with all-cause death. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that mild and major impairment of global cognition (HR = 2.89 (95% CI, 1.01–8.34), p = 0.049 and HR = 4.35 (95% CI, 1.55–12.16), p = 0.005, respectively), executive cognitive domain (HR = 2.51 (95% CI, 1.20–5.24), p = 0.014; HR = 3.91 (95% CI, 1.70–9.03), p = 0.001, respectively), and memory cognitive domain (HR = 2.13 (95% CI, 1.07–4.24), p = 0.031; HR = 3.67 (95% CI, 1.71–7.92), p = 0.001, respectively) were associated with all-cause mortality. Combined impairment of 3, 4, and 5 cognitive domains was associated with all-cause mortality [HR = 5.75 (95% CI, 1.88–17.57), p = 0.002; HR = 12.42 (95% CI, 3.69–41.80), p < 0.001; HR = 13.48 (95% CI, 3.38–53.73), p < 0.001, respectively]. We demonstrate an association between the executive and memory cognitive domain impairment and all-cause mortality in hemodialysis patients. Our data suggest that the impairments in these cognitive domains might help in the early identification of hemodialysis patients at risk of death.

Cognitive Impairment and Related Causes in Hemodialysis Patients

Background: End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is the stage of renal failure that requires renal replacement therapy such as hemodialysis. Despite the beneficial effects of hemodialysis on patient survival and progress in the treatment of various disorders in these patients, patients still suffer from numerous complications, such as neurological and cognitive disorders, which do not improve with dialysis. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate cognitive impairment in hemodialysis patients in Zahedan, Iran, and design a model to predict the risk. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 114 hemodialysis patients in Zahedan. Due to the socioeconomic status of the people of this region and the lack of a similar study in this part of Iran, the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) was performed. An information checklist, including age, gender, lifetime frequency of hemodialysis, and duration of hemodialysis, was completed by the investigator. Results: The MMSE score showed that cognitive impairment was common in ESRD patients, and its prevalence was significantly higher in elderly patients. Patients' cognitive function was significantly related to the lifetime frequency and duration of dialysis. Based on these results, we designed a model to predict the likelihood of cognitive impairment. Conclusions: The results show that cognitive impairment is a common problem among ESRD patients. Dementia is associated with multiple risks such as death, withdrawal from dialysis, hospitalization, and exacerbation of disability in ESRD patients. Therefore, effective recognition and management of these disorders can improve clinical care.

POS-664 The association of malnutrition, inflammation and cognitive impairment in hemodialysis patients: a multicenter study

Cognitive impairment is prevalent in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD), which is related to the nutritional and inflammatory status of this population. Malnutrition-inflammation score (MIS) has been identified as a useful tool to evaluate nutrition and inflammation status. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between MIS and cognitive impairment in HD patients.

Regional cerebral gray matter atrophy is associated with cognitive impairment in hemodialysis patients: a cross-sectional and longitudinal voxel-based morphological MRI study.

This study aimed to explore gray matter volume (GMV) changes in patients undergoing hemodialysis and assess the clinical risk factors associated with GMV changes and the relationship between GMV changes and neuropsychologic test results. Eighty-eight hemodialysis patients and 76 healthy controls (HCs) were recruited in this study. Fifty patients underwent follow-up examinations (follow-up duration: 1.75 ± 0.55 years), including magnetic resonance imaging, blood biochemical, and neuropsychologic testing. Changes in GMV between the patients and HCs were assessed. Longitudinal GMV changes were also explored in the patients. The clinical risk factors associated with longitudinal GMV changes and the correlations between longitudinal GMV changes and neuropsychologic test results were analyzed in the patients. Patients undergoing hemodialysis had diffusely decreased GMV compared with HCs (with age, sex, and total intracranial volume [TIV] as covariates, P<0.001, voxel-wise threshold false discovery rate [FDR] corrected). Compared with patients at baseline, regional decreased GMV were found in patients at follow-up (with age and TIV as covariates, P<0.05, voxel-wise threshold FDR corrected). Increased serum urea concentrations, parathyroid hormone levels, and hemodialysis duration were independent risk factors for decreased GMV in patients undergoing hemodialysis (all P<0.05, FDR corrected). Patients undergoing hemodialysis had lower mini-mental state examination (MMSE) (27[26, 29]) and Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) (22[19.5, 24.0]) scores than those of the HCs (30[29, 30] and 28[26.9, 29]) (all P<0.05). The MMSE scores of the patients at follow-up (26[25, 28.5]) were lower than those of patients at baseline (28[25, 29.5]) (P=0.02). The decreased left caudate volumes were positively correlated with reduced MMSE scores in hemodialysis patients (rs=0.437, P=0.033). Patients undergoing hemodialysis had noticeable GM atrophy over time, related to cognitive impairments.

The Impact of Malnutrition, Inflammation on Cognitive Impairment in Hemodialysis Patients: A Multicenter Study

Introduction: Cognitive impairment is prevalent in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD), which is related to the nutritional and inflammatory status of this population. Malnutrition-inflammation score (MIS) has been identified as a useful tool to evaluate nutrition and inflammation status. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between MIS and cognitive impairment in HD patients. Methods: This was a multicenter observational cohort study with 1,591 patients undergoing HD. Nutritional and inflammatory status was evaluated with MIS, anthropometric measurements, and body composition assessments. Cognitive function was evaluated with the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). The associations between MIS and cognitive impairment were analyzed by multivariable logistic regression models. Results: Among 1,591 HD patients, the mean MIS was 6.0 ± 2.6. Patients with higher MIS had significantly lower MMSE scores. 311 patients had cognitive impairment. After adjusting clinical confounders, higher MIS was independently associated with increased rate of cognitive impairment both as a categorized variable (OR, 1.358; 95% CI, 1.010–1.825; p = 0.045) and as a continuous variable (OR, 1.113; 95% CI, 1.053–1.178; p < 0.001). Subgroup analysis showed a stronger association between MIS and cognitive impairment in males, the population with age 41–60 years, and 61–80 years, no smoker, living by oneself, HD combined with or without hemoperfusion as dialysis modality. ROC curve analysis of MIS showed 60.1% sensitivity and 52.0% specificity in predicting cognitive impairment (AUC 0.604; 95% CI 0.567–0.640, p < 0.001). Conclusions: MIS was independently associated with cognitive impairment in HD patients.

Current status of salt‒related cognitive impairment in hemodialysis patients and the improvements brought about by swallowing exercises and salivary gland massages

Current status of salt‒related cognitive impairment in hemodialysis patients and the improvements brought about by swallowing exercises and salivary gland massages

Assessment of cognitive impairment and related risk factors in hemodialysis patients

BackgroundCognitive impairment in hemodialysis patients has been acknowledged over the last years and has been reported in up to 80% of patients. Older age, high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors, such as stroke and transient ischemic attack, uremia, and multiple metabolic disturbances represent the most common factors for cognitive impairment in hemodialysis patients.MethodsWe conducted a prospective cohort study on 408 patients from 10 hemodialysis centers in the regional government district of Middle Hesse (Germany). Patients underwent a neuropsychological test battery consisting of five tests, in addition to a phonemic fluency test, to assess cognitive profile. The patients were classified as no cognitive impairment or mildly-, moderately- or severely-impaired cognitive function, depending on the degree of impairment and number of domains where the deficit was determined. We analyzed the cognitive profile and the change in performance over time in hemodialysis patients based on their cognitive status at baseline vs. 1-year follow-up.ResultsOf 479 eligible patients, 408 completed all tests at baseline. Only 25% (n = 102) of the patients had no cognitive impairment. Fourteen per cent (n = 57), 36.5% (n = 149), and 24.5% (n = 100) of patients showed mild, moderate, and severe impairment, respectively. In patients with cognitive impairment, all cognitive domains were affected, and impairment was significantly associated with depression and education. The most impaired cognitive performance was immediate memory recall, and the best performance was found in naming ability. No significant change was observed after 1-year follow up in any domain. ConclusionOur study shows that the prevalence of cognitive impairment in hemodialysis patients is high and that it is affected by the presence of depression. Furthermore, education has an effect on cognitive test results. As depression has a significant influence on cognitive impairment, its early identification is essential in order to initiate treatment at an early stage, hoping to positively influence cognitive performance.

Factors Contributing to Depression and Cognitive Impairment Among Patients on Hemodialysis

Depression and cognitive impairment are the most common complications of patients on hemodialysis. The objective of this study is to identify contributing factors to depression and cognitive impairment in hemodialysis patients. This is a cross-sectional study involving 110 hemodialysis patients in Hospital Kuala Lumpur. The samples were recruited through universal sampling. Patients were assessed with Beck Depression Inventory and Montreal Cognitive Assessment. This study found that 18.2% patients had depression and 48.2% had cognitive impairment. Factors associated with depression were unmarried status, low education level and cognitive impairment. Factors associated with cognitive impairment were low education level, depression and unemployment.

Dynamic functional connectivity changes in the triple networks and its association with cognitive impairment in hemodialysis patients.

IntroductionCognitive impairment is common in hemodialysis (HD) patients; however, the underlying mechanisms have not been fully understood. The "triple‐network model" that consists of the salience network (SN), central executive network (CEN), and default mode network (DMN) has been suggested to play an important role in various cognitive functions. However, dynamic functional connectivity (FC) alterations within the triple networks have not been investigated in HD patients.MethodsSixty‐six HD patients and 66 healthy controls (HCs) were included in this study. The triple networks were identified using a group spatial independent component analysis, and dynamic FC was analyzed using a sliding window approach and k‐means clustering algorithm. Furthermore, we analyzed the relationships between altered dynamic FC parameters and clinical variables in HD patients.ResultsThe intrinsic brain FC within the triple networks was clustered into four configuration states. Compared with HCs, HD patients spent more time in State 1, which was characterized by weak connections between the DMN and CEN and SN. HD patients showed lower number of transitions across different states than HCs. Moreover, the number of transitions and mean dwell time in State 1 were associated with cognitive performance in HD patients.ConclusionOur findings suggest abnormal dynamic FC properties within the triple networks in HD patients, which may provide new insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms of their cognitive deficits from the perspective of dynamic FC.

Cognitive performance in dialysis patients - "when is the right time to test?"

BackgroundCognitive impairment in chronic kidney disease, especially in end stage renal disease, is a public health problem. Nevertheless, the cause of chronic kidney disease still remains unclear. A prevalence of cognitive impairment in patients with end stage renal disease of up to 87% has been found.MethodsThe study at hand deals with the research on the – potential – effect of timing on cognitive performance when testing cognitive impairment in hemodialysis patients during the dialysis cycle. We tested cognitive performance with a neuropsychological test battery (RBANS, Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status) on two occasions while patients were on dialysis as well as on a dialysis-free day. In addition, all participants were rated using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and several demographic and clinical variables were recorded in order to investigate their possible influence on cognitive performance.The patients were recruited in three dialysis centers in the central region of Hesse, Germany. Twenty-six participants completed the 3 testings during a period of 6 weeks. The testing was carried out in the dialysis centers.ResultsLooking at the total scale score, patients achieved the best cognitive performance in the RBANS during the first 2 h on dialysis with 81.1 points. When comparing the scores of the three measurement occasions (first 2 h, Timepoint 1 vs. last 2 h, Timepoint 2 vs. dialysis free day, Timepoint 3, however, no significant difference in the total scale score was detected. But patients showed significantly better cognitive performance in language in the first 2 h (p < 0.001) as well as in the last 2 h (p < 0.001) compared with the dialysis-free day.ConclusionDue to the high prevalence of cognitive impairment, there is an increasing need to assess cognitive function in dialysis patients. Our data show that the time point of testing (first 2 h on hemodialysis vs. last 2 h on hemodialysis vs. Hemodialysis free day) had no influence of cognitive function in hemodialysis patients in routine indications.

Hemodialysis Patients Have Impaired Cerebrovascular Reactivity to CO2 Compared to Chronic Kidney Disease Patients and Healthy Controls: A Pilot Study

IntroductionRecurrent hemodialysis (HD)–induced ischemia has emerged as a mechanism responsible for cognitive impairment in HD patients. Impairment of cerebrovascular function in HD patients may render the brain vulnerable to HD-induced ischemic injury. Cerebrovascular reactivity to CO2 (CVR) is a noninvasive marker of cerebrovascular function. Whether CVR is impaired in HD patients is unknown. In this study, we compared CVR between healthy participants, HD patients, and chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients not yet requiring dialysis.MethodsThis was a single-center prospective observational study carried out at Kidney Clinical Research Unit in London, Canada. We used carefully controlled hypercapnia to interrogate brain vasomotor control. Transcranial Doppler was combined with 10–mm Hg step changes in CO2 from baseline to hypercapnia (intervention) and back to baseline (recovery) to assess CVR in 8 HD, 10 CKD, and 17 heathy participants.ResultsHD patients had lower CVR than CKD or healthy participants during both intervention and recovery (P < 0.0001). There were no differences in CVR between healthy and CKD participants during either intervention (P = 0.88) or recovery (P = 0.99). The impaired CVR in HD patients was independent of CO2-induced changes in blood pressure, heart rate, cardiac output, or dialysis vintage. In the CKD group, CVR was not associated with the estimated glomerular filtration rate.ConclusionsOur study shows that HD patients have impaired CVR relative to CKD and healthy participants. This renders HD patients vulnerable to ischemic injury during circulatory stress of dialysis and may contribute to the pathogenesis of cognitive impairment.

Possible Neuroprotective Effects of l-Carnitine on White-Matter Microstructural Damage and Cognitive Decline in Hemodialysis Patients.

Although l-carnitine alleviated white-matter lesions in an experimental study, the treatment effects of l-carnitine on white-matter microstructural damage and cognitive decline in hemodialysis patients are unknown. Using novel diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) techniques, white-matter microstructural changes together with cognitive decline in hemodialysis patients and the effects of l-carnitine on such disorders were investigated. Fourteen hemodialysis patients underwent dMRI and laboratory and neuropsychological tests, which were compared across seven patients each in two groups according to duration of l-carnitine treatment: (1) no or short-term l-carnitine treatment (NSTLC), and (2) long-term l-carnitine treatment (LTLC). Ten age- and sex-matched controls were enrolled. Compared to controls, microstructural disorders of white matter were widely detected on dMRI of patients. An autopsy study of one patient in the NSTLC group showed rarefaction of myelinated fibers in white matter. With LTLC, microstructural damage on dMRI was alleviated along with lower levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and substantial increases in carnitine levels. The LTLC group showed better achievement on trail making test A, which was correlated with amelioration of disorders in some white-matter tracts. Novel dMRI tractography detected abnormalities of white-matter tracts after hemodialysis. Long-term treatment with l-carnitine might alleviate white-matter microstructural damage and cognitive impairment in hemodialysis patients.