Kidney Care Research Articles

Climate Change, Kidney Health, and Environmentally Sustainable Kidney Care: A Multinational Survey of Health Care Professionals.

Given the threat of climate change to kidney health and the significant environmental impact of kidney care, calls are increasing for healthcare professionals and organizations to champion climate advocacy and environmentally sustainable kidney care. Yet, little is known about their engagement and existing literature is primarily emerging from high-income countries. We conducted a cross-sectional survey to understand the knowledge, attitude, and practice of healthcare professionals on the interconnectedness of climate change and kidney health; to identify personal and organizational initiatives in sustainable kidney care and strategies to increase their engagement; and to compare responses by their country's income level as classified by the World Bank. Participants (n=972) represented 108 countries with 64% from lower- or middle-income countries. Ninety-eight percent believed that climate change is happening, yet <50% possessed knowledge about the impact of climate change on kidney health or the environmental impact of kidney care. Only 14% were involved in climate change and kidney health initiatives (membership, knowledge/awareness, research, advocacy); 22% in sustainable kidney care initiatives (education/advocacy, preventative nephrology, sustainable dialysis, promoting transplant/home therapies, research); and 26% reported organizational initiatives in sustainable kidney care (sustainable general or dialysis practices, preventative/lean nephrology, focused committees). Participants from lower-income countries generally reported higher knowledge and variable level of concern. Engagement in sustainable kidney care did not vary by income level. Guidance/toolkit (79%), continuing education (75%) and opportunities (74%) were the top choices to increase engagement. National initiatives (47%), preventative measures (35%) and research endeavors (31%) were the top avenues for organizational engagement. These varied by income level suggesting that the vision and priorities vary by baseline resource setting. We have identified knowledge and practice gaps among healthcare professionals on the bidirectional relationship between kidney disease and climate change in a multinational context and several avenues to increase their engagement.

Mind the gap in kidney care: Translating what we know into what we do

Historically, it takes an average of 17 years to move new treatments from clinical evidence to daily practice. Given the highly effective treatments now available to prevent or delay kidney disease onset and progression, this is far too long. The time is now to narrow the gap between what we know and what we do. Clear guidelines exist for the prevention and management of common risk factors for kidney disease, such as hypertension and diabetes, but only a fraction of people with these conditions worldwide are diagnosed, and even fewer are treated to target. Similarly, the vast majority of people living with kidney disease are unaware of their condition, because in the early stages it is often silent. Even among patients who have been diagnosed, many do not receive appropriate treatment for kidney disease. Considering the serious consequences of kidney disease progression, kidney failure, or death, it is imperative that treatments are initiated early and appropriately. Opportunities to diagnose and treat kidney disease early must be maximized beginning at the primary care level. Many systematic barriers exist, ranging from patient to clinician to health systems to societal factors. To preserve and improve kidney health for everyone everywhere, each of these barriers must be acknowledged so that sustainable solutions are developed and implemented without further delay.

Structures, Organization, and Delivery of Kidney Care to Children Living in Low-Resource Settings

IntroductionThere is a disparity in the availability of healthcare for children in resource-constrained countries. The International Pediatric Nephrology Association (IPNA) commissioned an initiative exploring the challenges in the care of children with kidney disease in low/middle-income countries(L/MICs) with a focus on human, diagnostic, and therapeutic resources. MethodsA survey was sent by e-mail to all members of IPNA and its affiliated regional/national societies residing in L/MICs. Data was extracted from individual responses after merging duplicate data. Descriptive analysis was done using Microsoft Excel. ResultsResponses were obtained from 245 centers across 62 countries representing 88% of the L/MIC pediatric population. Regional disparity in the availability of basic diagnostic and therapeutic resources was noted. Even when resources were available, they were not accessible or affordable in 15-20% of centers. Acute and chronic dialysis were available in 85% and 75% of centers respectively. Lack of trained nurses, pediatric-specific supplies, and high costs were barriers to providing dialysis in these regions. Kidney transplantation was available in 32 % of centers, with the cost of transplantation and lack of surgical expertise reported as barriers. About 65 % of centers reported that families with chronic disease opted to discontinue care with financial burden as the most common reason cited. ConclusionThe survey highlights the existing gaps in workforce, diagnostic, and therapeutic resources for pediatric kidney care in resource-constrained regions. We need to strengthen the healthcare workforce, address disparities in healthcare resources and funding, and advocate for equitable access to medications, and kidney replacement therapy.

A Multinational, Multicenter Study Mapping Models of Kidney Supportive Care Practice

IntroductionKidney supportive care (KSC) integrates kidney and palliative care to improve quality of life for people with chronic kidney disease. Despite increasing interest and global advocacy to integrate KSC into kidney care, evidence to guide optimal care delivery is limited. MethodsThis observational cross-sectional study used an online survey to describe current KSC models in Australia, Aotearoa-New Zealand and the United Kingdom (UK). ResultsBetween April and December 2022, 114 units responded (response rate 67%), with 66% having a dedicated KSC service (UK 74%, Australia 58%, New Zealand 67%). Many different healthcare professionals worked in KSC services with diversity in clinical resources and activities between units and across countries. Overall, funding for KSC services was low, with a median full time equivalent per unit (standardised per 100 people receiving haemodialysis) of 0.51 (interquartile range 0.17-1.05) and 4 units provided a service without allocated funding. The scope of KSC service was wide-ranging and prioritised activities included symptom management, psychological support, complex future treatment planning and discussion, and care coordination. There were no significant differences between countries in terms of location of care provision, frequency of review, referral patterns or discharge rates, but there was variation described within countries. ConclusionModels of KSC vary markedly across kidney units and between countries. Despite this variation there was consistency in terms of clinical priorities which were person-centred and focused on physical and psychosocial wellbeing. Further research is required to evaluate the effectiveness of KSC provision, alongside improved funding methods to ensure sustainable and equitable KSC delivery.

Inequities in UK Kidney Transplant Access

The UK Renal Registry (UKRR) has released a comprehensive report evaluating access to kidney transplantation waiting lists, uncovering significant disparities across several demographics. This report, compiled as part of the Registry's ongoing assessment of kidney care in the UK, highlights the critical need for equitable access to life-saving transplantation procedures.

Patient voice and involvement are at the heart of Kidney Care UK

Patient voice and involvement are at the heart of Kidney Care UK

SGLT2 inhibition to target kidney aging.

Anti-aging therapy is the latest frontier in the world of medical science, especially for widespread diseases such as chronic kidney disease (CKD). Both renal aging and CKD are characterized by increased cellular senescence, inflammation and oxidative stress. A variety of cellular signalling mechanisms are involved in these processes, which provide new potential targets for therapeutic strategies aimed at counteracting the onset and progression of CKD. At the same time, sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) continuously demonstrate large beneficial effects at all stages of the cardiorenal metabolic continuum. The broad-spectrum benefits of SGLT2is have led to changes in several treatment guidelines and to growing scientific interest in the underlying working principles. Multiple mechanisms have been studied to explain these great renal benefits, but many things remain to be solved. With this in mind, we provide an overview of the experimental evidence for the effects of SGLT2is on the molecular pathway's ability to modulate senescence, aging and parenchymal damage, especially at the kidney level. We propose to shed some light on the role of SGLT2is in kidney care by focusing on their potential to reduce the progression of kidney disease across the spectrum of aging and dysregulation of senescence.

Defragmentation of care in complex patients with ESKD improves clinical outcomes.

Given the problematic fragmentation of care for patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), a kidney care organization and an integrated health system within a large accountable care organization partnered to best utilize their individual capabilities to collaborate around their shared patients in a coordinated care approach. Ultimately, the goal of the program is to allow care teams to achieve the triple aim of improving the patient experience, improving clinical outcomes, and reducing the total cost of health care. This is a retrospective examination of the first year of the Shared Patient Care Coordination (SPCC)program. The analysis consisted of 2 parts. First, rates of hospitalizations and emergency department visits were compared between the SPCC patients and other patients of the integrated health system who had ESKD but did not participate in SPCC. Second, rates of clinical indicators-central venous catheter (CVC) use, home dialysis, advance care planning, and missed dialysis treatments-were benchmarked vs normative data taken by bootstrap sampling of the kidney care organization's patient population. Overall, dialysis patients participating in the SPCC program had a 15% lower rate of hospital admissions than those not participating ( P = .02). Additionally, the bootstrap analysis showed that by the second year, dialysis patients in the program had favorable rates (above the 95th percentile) of CVC use, dialysis treatment absenteeism, and completion of advance care plans. Enhanced and structured communication between dialysis providers and patient care teams provides a unique opportunity to coordinate patient-centered care and improve patient outcomes.

Environmentally sustainable design guide for haemodialysis facilities: An Australian and New Zealand society of Nephrology initiative.

Haemodialysis facilities have a large environmental impact due to high energy, water and consumable usage by haemodialysis equipment. As climate change and natural resource scarcity escalate, all the while the number of people requiring dialysis increases, there is an urgent need for dialysis facilities that meet care needs while minimising environmental impact. To address this, the Australian and New Zealand Society of Nephrology engaged an environmental sustainability consulting practise to develop a best practise guide for the environmentally sustainable design and operation of haemodialysis facilities. Four opportunity areas were considered, namely energy, water, waste and resource recovery, and additional sustainability. A total of 28 environmental improvement initiatives were identified. The majority (n = 23) were general measures that could be applied across all healthcare settings, while five were specific to haemodialysis facilities. Recommendations were made regarding specific measures that should be undertaken and/or standards that must be met to achieve the intent of each initiative. These were stratified to enable their application to both existing dialysis facilities and new builds. The lifecycle stage of a haemodialysis facility to which each initiative applied was highlighted, as was its potential impact. This guide provides a tailored and comprehensive resource for the kidney care community to enable the integration of best practise sustainability considerations into both existing and new facilities. If broadly implemented, it has the potential to markedly improve the environmental impact of haemodialysis provision.

Mind the Gap in Kidney Care: Translating What We Know into what we do

Mind the Gap in Kidney Care: Translating What We Know into what we do

Growing a provincial patient and family engagement network to optimize kidney care.

Patient and family engagement is crucial for a responsive health system and improves patient outcomes. However, few practical resources for purposeful engagement are available to health leaders. Over the past fiveyears, BC Renal, the provincial kidney care network in British Columbia, developed, operationalized, and implemented a framework to enable meaningful patient and family engagement. An advisory committee, comprising patient partners and representatives from health authorities and the community, directs the outreach, resource development, and evaluation of patient and family engagement at BC Renal. Here, we describe how our network-wide patient engagement strategy was developed and expanded upon, and the progress so far. A 2022 survey reports that 95% were satisfied with the engagement opportunities, and narrative feedback suggests network members continue to adopt practical ways to collaborate more effectively. Health leaders, patient partners, and others continue to align operational and strategic activities to advance culture change in kidney care provincially.

WCN24-1278 Climate change, kidney care, and sustainability: A KAP survey of health professionals

WCN24-1278 Climate change, kidney care, and sustainability: A KAP survey of health professionals

WCN24-2697 Exercise for People Receiving Peritoneal Dialysis: Practices and Perceptions of Kidney Care Professionals in Latin America

WCN24-2697 Exercise for People Receiving Peritoneal Dialysis: Practices and Perceptions of Kidney Care Professionals in Latin America

292 From AI to Kidney Care: A Comparative Analysis of ChatGPT-3.5, GPT-4, and Micromedex in Evaluating Nonprescription Medication Safety for Patients with Kidney Diseases

292 From AI to Kidney Care: A Comparative Analysis of ChatGPT-3.5, GPT-4, and Micromedex in Evaluating Nonprescription Medication Safety for Patients with Kidney Diseases

Cutting back on low-value health care practices supports sustainable kidney care

July 2023 marked the hottest month on record, underscoring the urgent need for action on climate change. The imperative to reduce carbon emissions extends to all sectors including healthcare, with it being responsible for 5.5% of global emissions. In decarbonising healthcare, while much attention has focused on greening healthcare infrastructure and procurement, less attention has focused on reducing emissions through demand-side management. An important key element of this is reducing low-value care, given that approximately 20% of global healthcare expenditure is considered low-value.“Value” in healthcare, however, is subjective and dependent on how health outcomes are regarded. This review therefore examines the three main value perspectives specific to healthcare. Clinical effectiveness defines low-value care as interventions that offer little to no benefit, or have a risk of harm exceeding benefits. Cost-effectiveness compares health outcomes versus costs compared to an alternative treatment. In this case, low-value care is care greater than a societal willingness to pay for an additional unit of health (QALY). Lastly, community perspectives emphasize the value of shared decision-making and patient-centered care.These values sit within broader societal values of ethics and equity. Any reduction in low-value care should therefore also consider patient autonomy, societal value perspectives and opportunity costs, and equity. De-implementing entrenched low-value care practices without unnecessarily compromising ethics and equity will require tailored strategies, education, and transparency.

The role of the clinical research nurse in kidney settings

The ANN UK clinical research nurse survey offers a snapshot into the roles of clinical research nurses working within kidney care, and some of the main challenges they face

An update on the global disparities in kidney disease burden and care across world countries and regions

Since 2015, the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) Global Kidney Health Atlas (ISN-GKHA) has spearheaded multinational efforts to understand the status and capacity of countries to provide optimal kidney care, particularly in low-resource settings. In this iteration of the ISN-GKHA, we sought to extend previous findings by assessing availability, accessibility, quality, and affordability of medicines, kidney replacement therapy (KRT), and conservative kidney management (CKM). A consistent approach was used to obtain country-level data on kidney care capacity during three phases of data collection in 2016, 2018, and 2022. The current report includes a detailed literature review of published reports, databases, and registries to obtain information on the burden of chronic kidney disease and estimate the incidence and prevalence of treated kidney failure. Findings were triangulated with data from a multinational survey of opinion leaders based on the WHO's building blocks for health systems (ie, health financing, service delivery, access to essential medicines and health technology, health information systems, workforce, and governance). Country-level data were stratified by the ISN geographical regions and World Bank income groups and reported as counts and percentages, with global, regional, and income level estimates presented as medians with interquartile ranges. The literature review used information on prevalence of chronic kidney disease from 161 countries. The global median prevalence of chronic kidney disease was 9·5% (IQR 5·9-11·7) with the highest prevalence in Eastern and Central Europe (12·8%, 11·9-14·1). For the survey analysis, responses received covered 167 (87%) of 191 countries, representing 97·4% (7·700 billion of 7·903 billion) of the world population. Chronic haemodialysis was available in 162 (98%) of 165 countries, chronic peritoneal dialysis in 130 (79%), and kidney transplantation in 116 (70%). However, 121 (74%) of 164 countries were able to provide KRT to more than 50% of people with kidney failure. Children did not have access to haemodialysis in 12 (19%) of 62 countries, peritoneal dialysis in three (6%) countries, or kidney transplantation in three (6%) countries. CKM (non-dialysis management of people with kidney failure chosen through shared decision making) was available in 87 (53%) of 165 countries. The annual median costs of KRT were: US$19 380 per person for haemodialysis, $18 959 for peritoneal dialysis, and $26 903 for the first year of kidney transplantation. Overall, 74 (45%) of 166 countries allocated public funding to provide free haemodialysis at the point of delivery; use of this funding scheme increased with country income level. The median global prevalence of nephrologists was 11·8 per million population (IQR 1·8-24·8) with an 80-fold difference between low-income and high-income countries. Differing degrees of health workforce shortages were reported across regions and country income levels. A quarter of countries had a national chronic kidney disease-specific strategy (41 [25%] of 162) and chronic kidney disease was recognised as a health priority in 78 (48%) of 162 countries. This study provides new information about the global burden of kidney disease and its treatment. Countries in low-resource settings have substantially diminished capacity for kidney care delivery. These findings have major policy implications for achieving equitable access to kidney care. International Society of Nephrology.

Mind the Gap in Kidney Care: Translating What We KnowInto What We Do.

Historically, it takes an average of 17 years to move new treatments from clinical evidence to daily practice. Given the highly effective treatments now available to prevent or delay kidney disease onset and progression, this is far too long. The time is now to narrow the gap between what we know and what we do. Clear guidelines exist for the prevention and management of common risk factors for kidney disease, such as hypertension and diabetes, but only a fraction of people with these conditions worldwide are diagnosed, and even fewer are treated to target. Similarly, the vast majority of people living with kidney disease are unaware of their condition, because in the early stages it is often silent. Even among patients who have been diagnosed, many do not receive appropriate treatment for kidney disease. Considering the serious consequences of kidney disease progression, kidney failure, or death, it is imperative that treatments are initiated early and appropriately. Opportunities to diagnose and treat kidney disease early must be maximized beginning at the primary care level. Many systematic barriers exist, ranging from patient to clinician to health systems to societal factors. To preserve and improve kidney health for everyone everywhere, each of these barriers must be acknowledged so that sustainable solutions are developed and implemented without further delay. DOI: 10.52547/ijkd.8216.

Public and patient perspectives on the use of clinical and administrative health data to identify and contact people at risk of future illness-The case of chronic kidney disease.

For decades, researchers have used linkable administrative health data for evaluating the health care system, subject to local privacy legislation. In Ontario, Canada, the relevant privacy legislation permits some organizations (prescribed entities) to conduct this kind of research but is silent on their ability to identify and contact individuals in those datasets. Following consultation with the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario, we developed a pilot study to identify and contact by mail a sample of people at high risk for kidney failure within the next 2 years, based on laboratory and administrative data from provincial datasets held by ICES, to ensure they receive needed kidney care. Before proceeding, we conducted six focus groups to understand the acceptability to the public and people living with chronic kidney disease of direct mail outreach to people at high risk of developing kidney failure. While virtually all participants indicated they would likely participate in the study, most felt strongly that the message should come directly from their primary care provider or whoever ordered the laboratory tests, rather than from an unknown organization. If this is not possible, they felt the health care provider should be made aware of the concern related to their kidney health. Most agreed that, if health authorities could identify people at high risk of a treatable life-threatening illness if caught early enough, there is a social responsibility to notify people. While privacy laws allow for free flow of health information among health care providers who provide direct clinical care, the proposed case-finding and outreach falls outside that model. Enabling this kind of information flow will require greater clarity in existing laws or revisions to these laws. This also requires adequate notification and culture change for health care providers and the public around information uses and flows.

Effects of rare kidney diseases on kidney failure: a longitudinal analysis of the UK National Registry of Rare Kidney Diseases (RaDaR) cohort

Individuals with rare kidney diseases account for 5-10% of people with chronic kidney disease, but constitute more than 25% of patients receiving kidney replacement therapy. The National Registry of Rare Kidney Diseases (RaDaR) gathers longitudinal data from patients with these conditions, which we used to study disease progression and outcomes of death and kidney failure. People aged 0-96 years living with 28 types of rare kidney diseases were recruited from 108 UK renal care facilities. The primary outcomes were cumulative incidence of mortality and kidney failure in individuals with rare kidney diseases, which were calculated and compared with that of unselected patients with chronic kidney disease. Cumulative incidence and Kaplan-Meier survival estimates were calculated for the following outcomes: median age at kidney failure; median age at death; time from start of dialysis to death; and time from diagnosis to estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) thresholds, allowing calculation of time from last eGFR of 75 mL/min per 1·73 m2 or more to first eGFR of less than 30 mL/min per 1·73 m2 (the therapeutic trial window). Between Jan 18, 2010, and July 25, 2022, 27 285 participants were recruited to RaDaR. Median follow-up time from diagnosis was 9·6 years (IQR 5·9-16·7). RaDaR participants had significantly higher 5-year cumulative incidence of kidney failure than 2·81 million UK patients with all-cause chronic kidney disease (28% vs 1%; p<0·0001), but better survival rates (standardised mortality ratio 0·42 [95% CI 0·32-0·52]; p<0·0001). Median age at kidney failure, median age at death, time from start of dialysis to death, time from diagnosis to eGFR thresholds, and therapeutic trial window all varied substantially between rare diseases. Patients with rare kidney diseases differ from the general population of individuals with chronic kidney disease: they have higher 5-year rates of kidney failure but higher survival than other patients with chronic kidney disease stages 3-5, and so are over-represented in the cohort of patients requiring kidney replacement therapy. Addressing unmet therapeutic need for patients with rare kidney diseases could have a large beneficial effect on long-term kidney replacement therapy demand. RaDaR is funded by the Medical Research Council, Kidney Research UK, Kidney Care UK, and the Polycystic Kidney Disease Charity.