Late-stage Chronic Kidney Disease Research Articles

Tolvaptan therapy for edema in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Tolvaptan is a vasopressin V2 receptor antagonist that is commonly prescribed to alleviate edema associated with renal diseases. However, the clinical benefits of tolvaptan in chronic kidney disease (CKD) remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of tolvaptan in managing edema caused by CKD. The efficacy and treatment regimen of tolvaptan were assessed in a cohort of 96 patients with renal edema and CKD. During the treatment, the patients' creatinine (CR), uric acid (UA), and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were monitored as important indicators of kidney function. Coagulation-associated molecules including fibrinogen, D-dimer, and fibrin degradation products (FDPs) were measured. Electrolyte disorders and acute kidney injury were closely monitored. Tolvaptan was administered at a daily dose of 7.5 mg, and 30 mg of edoxaban was administered to manage deep vein thrombosis. During the course of tolvaptan therapy, the eGFR of the patients was not declined. Edema was eliminated in 82.18% of patients. Proteinuria was reduced in the patients (p<0.05). There were no significant changes in serum sodium levels throughout treatment, and no significant difference was observed in blood volume between the end of treatment and baseline levels. Importantly, acute kidney injury did not occur, and renal edema and deep vein thrombosis were successfully treated. As long as a rational treatment regimen is followed, tolvaptan is a safe and effective diuretic for treating edema in CKD, even in the late stages of CKD without reducing residual renal function in the patients.

#1848 Body composition and multimorbidity in patients with chronic kidney disease

Abstract Background and Aims Frailty and multimorbidity are increasingly prevalent, particularly in the chronic kidney disease (CKD) population, and they seem to be more pronounced and accelerated in people receiving haemodialysis. We aimed to study the relationship between body composition, frailty and multimorbidity in people with CKD and end stage renal disease (ESRD) on haemodialysis (HD). Method This was a single centre study, involving 42 patients with CKD stage 3 to 5 (pre-dialysis) and 29 patients receiving in-centre haemodialysis. InBody 770 was used to measure body composition using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Multimorbidity of participants were assessed using the simplified Cambridge multimorbidity score. Frailty assessment was performed using the Clinical Frailty Scale. Results Phase angle was lower in later stages of CKD—mean phase angle in CKD stage 3 was 5.28°, stage 4 was 4.44 and stage 5 was 4.13 (p = 0.008). Visceral adiposity correlated with multimorbidity scores but in a multivariate regression analysis (including albumin and visceral fat area) only whole body phase angle independently predicted multimorbidity in CKD stage 4-5 (adjusted R2 for the whole model = 0.47, p = 0.007). In haemodialysis patients, there was no correlation between multimorbidity and phase angle (r = −0.149, p = 0.441). However, there was a significant correlation between frailty score and whole body phase angle in this group (r = −0.559, p = 0.002). In a univariate analysis, age (R2 = 0.2, Beta = 0.045, p = 0.015), albumin (R2 = 0.217, Beta = −0.214, p = 0.009) and skeletal muscle mass (R2 = 0.282, Beta = −0.101, p = 0.003) predicted frailty score in haemodialysis patients. In multivariate regression analysis age, albumin level and skeletal muscle mass continued to independently predict frailty scores in HD patients (adjusted R2 for the whole model = 0.503). Conclusion Phase angle measurement refers to cell membrane integrity and fat-free mass, with higher values suggesting improved cell health. Using body composition measures, in particular phase angle, is a useful measure to predict multimorbidity and frailty in CKD patients. They are quick, accessible and easy to use tools that can be incorporated in clinical practice routinely. The relationship between visceral adiposity and multimorbidity merits further investigation. Preservation of skeletal muscle mass through nutritional and exercise interventions could be a clinical target to reduce frailty in this population.

#1171 Effect of methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta on delaying dialysis in anemic patients with Stage 4-5 chronic kidney disease

Abstract Background and Aims The optimal hemoglobin (Hb) target for treating anemia in pre-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains controversial. This study investigates the efficacy and safety of methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta, in delaying the initiation of kidney replacement therapy (KRT), all-cause mortality, CKD progression, and quality of life in stage 4-5 CKD patients. It compares outcomes between patients targeting an Hb level of 10.5-11.5 g/dL versus 8.5-9.5 g/dL. Method This was a single-center, open-label, parallel-group randomized controlled trial. Patients with estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR) of 8-15 ml/min/1.73 m2, who had not yet started dialysis, were randomized into two groups based on different Hb targets (Group A: 10.5-11.5 g/dL, Group B: 8.5-9.5 g/dL). Methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta (MIRCERA®) was prescribed by a pre-specified protocol to achieve these Hb targets. Iron supplements were administered to maintain transferrin saturation &amp;gt;20% or serum ferritin &amp;gt;200 ng/ml. Primary outcomes included a composite of all-cause death and KRT initiation, with secondary outcomes encompassing eGFR slope, hospitalization incidence, blood transfusion necessity, and quality of life measured by the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Results A total of 62 participants were randomized. The mean age was 64.0 years (SD ±16.0), with 51.6% being female. The mean estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) at enrollment was 12.1 ml/min/1.73 m2 (SD ±3.1). Group A had a significantly higher time-averaged Hemoglobin (Hb) level (10.5 g/dL, SD ±1.2) compared to 8.5 g/dL (SD ±0.9) in the control group (p &amp;lt; 0.001). There was no significant difference in the composite endpoint of all-cause death and Kidney Replacement Therapy (KRT) initiation between the two groups (Hazard Ratio [HR] 0.69; 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 0.32-1.50; p = 0.35, as shown in the Figure). The eGFR slope was similar in both groups (−2.54 vs. −2.53 ml/min/1.73 m2 per year, p = 0.9). Time-averaged ferritin, transferrin saturation, blood pressure, and dietary sodium/protein intake showed no significant differences. Participants in the lower Hb target group required more blood transfusions (11 vs 1 unit, Incidence Rate Ratio [IRR] = 0.075, 95% CI 0.002-0.517, p = 0.001). Rates of hospital admissions, and changes in SF-36 quality of life domains were comparable between the groups, as detailed in the Table. Conclusion The study indicates that using methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta to maintain a higher Hb target in anemic patients with stage 4-5 CKD does not significantly alter the rate of all-cause mortality, the initiation of KRT, and rate of eGFR decline compared to a lower Hb target. However, a higher Hb target may reduce the need for blood transfusions without adversely affecting the progression of CKD, hospitalization rates, or quality of life. These findings suggest that while higher Hb targets may not dramatically alter key clinical outcomes, they could offer benefits in reducing transfusion requirements, thus providing a more nuanced approach to managing anemia in late-stage CKD.

#1993 Analysis of the characteristics of IgA nephropathy patients using real-world data from five European countries

Abstract Background and Aims Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is the most prevalent primary glomerulonephritis globally; it has a significant health burden and a highly variable disease course. As IgAN is a heterogeneous disease, it is important to appreciate the associated patient characteristics in order to understand disease progression and how best to implement individualised treatment regimens. To determine the patient characteristics associated with IgAN, a physician questionnaire and patient chart audit were conducted. Method From 21 December 2022 to 6 February 2023, physicians from five European countries (France, Germany, Spain, Italy and the UK) completed a questionnaire and patient chart review of their IgAN patients. Physicians were required to have ≥50 patients with stage 1–4 chronic kidney disease (CKD); at least four of these were required to be non-dialysis IgAN patients. Patients whose charts were included were required to be aged 12 years or older, non-dialysis IgAN patients and have an estimated glomerular filtration rate of ≥15 mL/min/1.72 m2. The charts included were required to be from patients who had seen a participating physician within the prior 6 months. Results 261 physicians answered the questionnaire and completed chart audits on 473 of their most recently seen patients. Patient charts audited were largely from male (71%) Caucasian (78%) patients from 31–49 years of age (38%). 22% of patients were referred to their current physician within the past year. Most patients (70%) were referred by a primary care physician and 9% by another nephrologist. Of those referred by a nephrologist, 32% were referred for specialised care. Participating physicians perceived that close to 30% of patients were referred to them late or extremely late, with contributing factors including lack of engagement from patients with annual follow-ups and patients remaining asymptomatic for a long time. At the most recent visit, 24.3% had CKD stage 1 or 2, 26.6% of patients had CKD stage 3a, 30.4% had stage 3b and 18.6% had stage 4 disease. Nephrologists characterised 53% of their CKD stage 4 patients as having severe IgAN. The symptoms reported with greatest frequency at the most recent visit included fatigue (59%), blood in the urine (41%) and increased weight gain (41%). In total, 71% of patients had proteinuria &amp;gt;0.5 g/day (8% had no values available) and 8% of patients had nephrotic syndrome (urine protein &amp;gt;3.5 g/day and low serum albumin). In total, 28% of patients had no co-morbid conditions. More than half (54%) of the patients whose charts were audited had comorbid hypertension. Other comorbidities included hyperlipidaemia (22%), obesity (17%), type 2 diabetes (15%) and peripheral oedema (7%). Counterintuitively, when asked about the overall health of their patients, physicians perceived the majority (98%) of patients to be in good or excellent overall health. Patients were prescribed five medications on average, with most (92%) taking an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker, or both. The number of medications prescribed increased after the age of 50. Two-thirds (66%) of physicians felt that patients completely adhered to their treatment regimen. However, 54% of physicians reported some form of dissatisfaction with the response of their patients to their overall treatment regimen; though, levels of satisfaction varied between individual treatment options. Conclusion Despite high rates of proteinuria and patients often in late-stage CKD at referral, physicians perceived the majority of patients to be in good or excellent overall health, revealing a potential gap in physicians’ perceptions of patients’ health and their risk of progression to kidney failure. As a result, patients were often diagnosed or referred late and their perception of their own health may have led to a lack of engagement with physicians. These data indicate that there is an unmet need for early diagnosis and treatment of IgAN to ensure that patients receive appropriate care.

#1986 Incidence of renal anemia among patients with atrial fibrillation and chronic kidney disease stage IIIb-V

Abstract Background and Aims According to the QICKD study, the prevalence of anemia in stage IIIb-V chronic kidney disease (CKD) is 22%. The incidence of renal anemia ranges from 8.4% in patients with stage I CKD to 83.7% in patients with stage V CKD. In patients on program hemodialysis, anemia develops in 94.5% of cases. The problem is associated with an increased risk of unfavorable outcome of CKD, therefore, the study of aspects of anemia among patients receiving anticoagulant therapy with atrial fibrillation (AF) and CKD remains the most relevant today. The purpose of the study is to study the prevalence of renal anemia among patients with AF and CKD stages IIIb-V. Method 794 patients were admitted to the cardiology department with a diagnosis of AF and late stages of CKD—IIIb (glomerular filtration rate (GFR) 45–30 ml/min/1.73 m2), IV (GFR 29–15 ml/min/1.73 m2), V (GFR &amp;lt;15 ml/min/1.73 m2), for the first identified sustained decrease in glomerular filtration rate (FISD in GFR) of less than 45 ml/min/1.73 m2. The classification of renal anemia was carried out according to the recommendations of the World Health Organization. Results Renal anemia was diagnosed in 505 (63%) patients with AF and GFR less than 45 ml/min/1.73 m2. In total, among patients with CKD stage IIIb, anemia was detected in 207 (59%) patients, with CKD stage IV—in 110 (89%), with CKD stage V—in 43 (97%), with FISD in GFR—in 145 (51%). A mild degree of anemia (hemoglobin (Hb) in men 110-129 g/l, in women 110-119 g/l) was diagnosed in 39% of patients, with CKD stage IIIb in 85 (24%) patients, with CKD stage IV in 28 (22%) patients, with CKD stage V in 9 (20%) patients, with FISD in GFR in 75 (26%) patients. A moderate degree of anemia (Hb 81-109 g/l) was detected in 47.3% of cases, with CKD stage IIIb in 86 (25%) patients, with CKD stage IV in 60 (48%) patients, with CKD stage V in 29 (66%) patients, with FISD in GFR in 64 (23%) patients. Severe anemia (Hb 81-109 g/l) was detected in 47.3% of patients, with CKD stage IIIb in 36 (10%) patients, with CKD stage IV in 22 (19%) patients, with CKD stage V in 5 (11%) patients, with FISD in GFR in 6 (2%) patients. Conclusion Every fourth patient in the cardiology department with AF and GFR &amp;lt;45 ml/min/1.73 m2 was diagnosed with renal anemia, and its prevalence increases with a decrease in GFR. The above results indicate that a more careful selection of anticoagulant therapy is recommended for this patient population due to the high risk of progression of renal anemia in this cohort of patients.

#1982 Transcriptomic approach to predict drug targets in late-stage hypertensive nephropathy

Abstract Background and Aims Hypertensive nephropathy (HN) is a significant contributor to chronic kidney disease, yet the factors influencing the disease progression remains elusive. Notably, late-stage chronic kidney disease significantly impacts patient outcome. This project aims to unveil novel therapeutic targets for late-stage of HN using transcriptomic approach. Method A cohort of adult patients (n = 21; n = 9 females, mean age 57 years) with biopsy-confirmed HN were selected from the Norwegian Kidney Biopsy Registry (NKBR). Patients were classified as late-stage if eGFR≤45 ml/min/1.73 m2 at the time of biopsy. Patients were thereafter divided into “stable” (eGFR decline &amp;lt;3 ml/min/year) or “progressive” (eGFR decline ≥3 ml/min/year or start of renal replacement therapy) after a median follow-up of 9 years (5-15). TruSeq Exome sequencing was performed post-RNA extraction (miRNeasy FFPE kit, Qiagen) at Novogene, Cambridge, UK. R Studio (v4.2.0) and drug CTD repository in ShinyGO 0.80 facilitated data and drug interaction analysis. Results We focused on two distinct subgroups of HN patients: late stable (LS, n = 9) and late progressive (LP, n = 12). A total of n = 674 of differentially expressed genes (DEG, p-value &amp;lt; 0.05 and fold change (FC) ≥1.5) was identified in LS vs. LP. The subsequent drug interactive analysis of these DEGs unveiled 336 pathways with false discovery rate (FDR) &amp;lt; 0.05. Notably, the probenecid-related pathway demonstrated significant fold enrichment (FE=9, FDR = 1.5E-04), as depicted in Fig. 1. Particularly, key members of the SLC22 family, including SLC22A6 (FC=2.49, p-value = 0.002), SLC22A8 (FC=2.65, p-value = 0.004), SLC22A11 (FC=1.65, p-value = 0.036) and SLC22A12 (FC=1.97, p-value = 0.009) were prominently featured in this pathway. Besides their role as sole transporters, it is postulated that these proteins have central role in modulating local and systemic physiology, such as blood pressure, suggesting a potential significance of probenecid in the context of hypertensive nephropathy. Conclusion Transcriptomic profiling of kidney biopsies has strong potential to discover novel therapeutic targets, such as the probenecid-related pathway, in hypertensive nephropathy patients.

Development of a Conceptual Model of Physical Functioning Limitations Experienced by Patients with Late-Stage Chronic Kidney Disease: A Qualitative Interview Study

Development of a Conceptual Model of Physical Functioning Limitations Experienced by Patients with Late-Stage Chronic Kidney Disease: A Qualitative Interview Study

Urinary angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and its activity in cats with chronic kidney disease.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) played an important role in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) and it was proved to be renoprotective in renal disease. Urinary angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (uACE2) has been shown to reflect renal injury in human and experimental studies, but its role in feline kidney disease remains unknown. Our objectives involve comparing uACE2 concentrations and activities in cats across CKD stages with healthy controls, investigating the relationship between uACE2 concentrations, activities, and clinicopathological data in feline CKD patients, and assessing the predictive abilities of both for CKD progression. A retrospective, case-control study. The concentration and activity of uACE2 were measured by commercial ELISA and fluorometric assay kits, respectively. The concentration was adjusted to give uACE2 concentration-to-creatinine ratios (UACCRs). In total, 67 cats consisting of 24 control and 43 chronic kidney disease (CKD), including 24 early-stage CKD and 19 late-stage CKD, were enrolled in this study. UACCR values were significantly higher in both early-stage (2.100 [1.142-4.242] x 10-6) and late-stage feline CKD (4.343 [2.992-5.0.71] x 10-6) compared to healthy controls (0.894 [0.610-1.076] x 10-6; p < 0.001), and there was also significant difference between-early stage group and late-stage group (p = 0.026). Urinary ACE2 activity (UAA) was significantly lower in CKD cats (1.338 [0.644-2.755] x pmol/min/ml) compared to the healthy cats (7.989 [3.711-15.903] x pmol/min/ml; p < 0.001). UACCR demonstrated an independent, positive correlation with BUN (p < 0.001), and UAA exhibited an independent, negative correlation with plasma creatinine (p < 0.001). Both UACCR and UAA did not yield significant results in predicting CKD progression based on the ROC curve analysis. uACE2 concentration and activity exhibit varying changes as renal function declines, particularly in advanced CKD cats.

Untargeted metabolomic profiling of serum from client-owned cats with early and late-stage chronic kidney disease

Evaluation of the metabolome could discover novel biomarkers of disease. To date, characterization of the serum metabolome of client-owned cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD), which shares numerous pathophysiological similarities to human CKD, has not been reported. CKD is a leading cause of feline morbidity and mortality, which can be lessened with early detection and appropriate treatment. Consequently, there is an urgent need for early-CKD biomarkers. The goal of this cross-sectional, prospective study was to characterize the global, non-targeted serum metabolome of cats with early versus late-stage CKD compared to healthy cats. Analysis revealed distinct separation of the serum metabolome between healthy cats, early-stage and late-stage CKD. Differentially abundant lipid and amino acid metabolites were the primary contributors to these differences and included metabolites central to the metabolism of fatty acids, essential amino acids and uremic toxins. Correlation of multiple lipid and amino acid metabolites with clinical metadata important to CKD monitoring and patient treatment (e.g. creatinine, muscle condition score) further illustrates the relevance of exploring these metabolite classes further for their capacity to serve as biomarkers of early CKD detection in both feline and human populations.

Retinoic acid receptor α activity in proximal tubules prevents kidney injury and fibrosis

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by a gradual loss of kidney function and affects ~13.4% of the global population. Progressive tubulointerstitial fibrosis, driven in part by proximal tubule (PT) damage, is a hallmark of late stages of CKD and contributes to the development of kidney failure, for which there are limited treatment options. Normal kidney development requires signaling by vitamin A (retinol), which is metabolized to retinoic acid (RA), an endogenous agonist for the RA receptors (RARα, β, γ). RARα levels are decreased in a mouse model of diabetic nephropathy and restored with RA administration; additionally, RA treatment reduced fibrosis. We developed a mouse model in which a spatiotemporal (tamoxifen-inducible) deletion of RARα in kidney PT cells of adult mice causes mitochondrial dysfunction, massive PT injury, and apoptosis without the use of additional nephrotoxic substances. Long-term effects (3 to 4.5 mo) of RARα deletion include increased PT secretion of transforming growth factor β1, inflammation, interstitial fibrosis, and decreased kidney function, all of which are major features of human CKD. Therefore, RARα's actions in PTs are crucial for PT homeostasis, and loss of RARα causes injury and a key CKD phenotype.

Treatment for patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease in the chronic kidney disease without kidney replacement therapy in real-world clinical practice: a descriptive retrospective cohort study.

In real-world clinical practice, treatments selected for patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) in the chronic kidney disease (CKD) without kidney replacement therapy (KRT) have not been reported. This study investigated the oral treatments used in these patients and the changes in their use in recent years. Additionally, we studied the factors affecting tolvaptan dose reduction or discontinuation. This retrospective cohort study was conducted using the medical records of 160 hospitals in Japan. Patients with ADPKD or polycystic kidney disease registered on the database between January 2014 and December 2020 were selected. Changes in prescription proportions over time were assessed using the Cochran-Armitage test. We focused on patients prescribed with >15 mg of tolvaptan daily to identify the factors related to its dose reduction or discontinuation and used Multivariate Cox regression analysis to evaluate them. Tolvaptan use in patients with ADPKD in the CKD without KRT stage has increased. As of 2020, 25% of patients were treated with tolvaptan. Overall, 3639 patients with ADPKD were enrolled in the database, of whom 156 were treated with tolvaptan. Of these, 64 patients (41%) reduced or discontinued tolvaptan during the observation period. The presence of an estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 at the beginning of the treatment was associated with a higher risk of tolvaptan dose reduction or discontinuation. The proportion of patients with ADPKD treated with high-dose tolvaptan is increasing. However, patients with late-stage CKD tended to reduce or discontinue tolvaptan.

The influence of chronic renal insufficiency on multi-therapeutic modalities for breast cancer: a single-center experience.

Due to the presence of other comorbidities and multi-therapeutic modalities in breast cancer, renally cleared chemotherapeutic regimens may cause nephrotoxicity. The aim of this retrospective study is to compare the chemotherapy types and outcomes in breast cancer patients with or without chronic renal disease. We retrospectively enrolled 62 female patients with breast cancer and underlying late stages (stage 3b, 4, and 5) of chronic kidney disease (CKD) treated from 2000 to 2017. They were propensity score-matched 1:1 with patients in our database with breast cancer and normal renal function (totaln = 124). The main subtype of breast cancer was luminal A and relatively few patients with renal impairment received chemotherapy and anti-Her-2 treatment. The breast cancer patients with late-stage CKD had a slightly higher recurrent rate, especially at the locally advanced stage. The 5-year overall survival was 90.1 and 71.2% for patients without and with late-stage CKD, but the breast cancer-related mortality rate was 88.9 and 24.1%, respectively. In multivariate analyses, dose-reduced chemotherapy was an independent negative predictor of 5-year recurrence-free survival and late-stage CKD was associated with lower 5-year overall survivalrate. Breast cancer patients with late-stage CKD may receive insufficient therapeutic modalities. Although the recurrence-free survival rate did not differ significantly by the status of CKD, patients with breast cancer and late-stage CKD had shorter overall survival time but a lower breast cancer-related mortality rate, indicated that the mortality was related to underlying disease.

Review of the applicability of the DASH diet for patients with chronic kidney disease and chronic liver disease

Hypertension is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, and the DASH diet effectively lowers blood pressure. However, individuals with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and Chronic Liver Disease (CLD) need adaptations in potassium and sodium/water intake to adhere to the DASH diet. This literature review examines the applicability of the DASH diet for patients with CKD and CLD by analyzing findings from a comprehensive search of relevant academic databases. The review explores various sources, including clinical studies, research articles, and expert recommendations, to assess the effectiveness and suitability of the DASH diet in managing the dietary needs of individuals with CKD and CLD. The review reveals that the DASH diet, with its emphasis on reduced sodium intake and increased consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, shows promising results in managing blood pressure and improving overall cardiovascular health in individuals with early stage CKD and CLD. Furthermore, the review concludes that individuals with advanced CKD and CLD should exercise caution when considering the DASH diet, as modifications are necessary to accommodate their specific conditions. For patients with advanced CKD, careful management of potassium intake is essential to prevent hyperkalemia; while individuals with late-stage CLD should monitor both sodium and water intake to avoid dilutional hyponatremia. Additionally, the review also emphasized the importance of individualized dietary modifications and consultations with healthcare professionals for optimizing the benefits of the DASH diet, especially for those patients with later stages of CKD and CLD.

Prediction of chronic kidney disease progression using recurrent neural network and electronic health records

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive loss in kidney function. Early detection of patients who will progress to late-stage CKD is of paramount importance for patient care. To address this, we develop a pipeline to process longitudinal electronic heath records (EHRs) and construct recurrent neural network (RNN) models to predict CKD progression from stages II/III to stages IV/V. The RNN model generates predictions based on time-series records of patients, including repeated lab tests and other clinical variables. Our investigation reveals that using a single variable, the recorded estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) over time, the RNN model achieves an average area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of 0.957 for predicting future CKD progression. When additional clinical variables, such as demographics, vital information, lab test results, and health behaviors, are incorporated, the average AUROC increases to 0.967. In both scenarios, the standard deviation of the AUROC across cross-validation trials is less than 0.01, indicating a stable and high prediction accuracy. Our analysis results demonstrate the proposed RNN model outperforms existing standard approaches, including static and dynamic Cox proportional hazards models, random forest, and LightGBM. The utilization of the RNN model and the time-series data of previous eGFR measurements underscores its potential as a straightforward and effective tool for assessing the clinical risk of CKD patients concerning their disease progression.

Validation of Diagnostic Utility of Salivary Urea in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease in Chennai: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Serum urea levels are essential for the diagnosis of chronic kidney disease (CKD), as they are a measure of renal function. Salivary urea has been used as an alternative to serum urea in patients with CKD. To estimate serum urea levels and their correlation with salivary urea levels in order to validate the use of saliva as an alternative diagnostic tool for renal dysfunction. Thirty healthy individuals and 150 patients with CKD (30 from each CKD stage) were recruited for the study. Serum and salivary samples were collected to estimate the urea levels, and statistical analyses were performed. Statistically significant (P < 0.05) differences in the mean serum and salivary urea levels were observed between the healthy and each stage of the CKD group; significance at P < 0.05 was observed within the stages of CKD as well. Correlation analysis also showed significant differences between the serum and salivary urea levels at each stage of the disease. Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed a higher area under the curve of 0.917 at a 95% confidence interval with a salivary urea cut-off of 28.25 mg/dl (sensitivity and specificity: 88% and 84%, respectively). The variability in salivary urea levels in the early and late stages suggests the use of salivary urea in the late stages of CKD. It is suggested that salivary urea levels may be used as an alternative to serum to assess and monitor the progression of renal impairment along with other standard renal function markers.

Concurrent Hospice and Dialysis Care: Considerations for Implementation.

Hospice positively impacts care at the end of life for patients and their families. However, compared to the general Medicare population, patients on dialysis are half as likely to receive hospice. Concurrent hospice and dialysis care offers an opportunity to improve care for people living with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). We sought to (1) develop a conceptual model of the Program and (2) identify key components, resources, and considerations for further implementation. We conducted a template analysis of qualitative interviews and convened a community advisory panel (CAP) to get feedback on current concurrent care design and considerations for dissemination and implementation. Thirty-nine patients with late-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD), family caregivers, bereaved family caregivers, hospice clinicians, nephrology clinicians, administrators, and policy experts participated in interviews. A purposive subset of 19 interviewees composed the CAP. Qualitative feedback on concurrent care design refinements, implementation, and resources. Participants identified four themes that define an effective model of concurrent hospice and dialysis: it requires (1) timely goals-of-care conversations and (2) an interdisciplinary approach; (3) clear guidelines ensure smooth transitions for patients and families; and (4) hospice payment policy must support concurrent care. CAP participants provided feedback on the phases of an effective model of concurrent hospice and dialysis, and resources, including written and interactive educational materials, communication tools, workflow processes, and order sets. We developed a conceptual model for concurrent hospice and dialysis care and a corresponding resource list. In addition to policy changes, clinical implementation and educational resources can facilitate scalable and equitable dissemination of concurrent care. Concurrent hospice and dialysis care must be systematically evaluated via a hybrid implementation-effectiveness trial that includes the resources outlined herein, based on our conceptual model of concurrent care delivery.

23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine and the risk of renal progression in older patients with chronic kidney disease

BackgroundThe 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) ensures favorable outcomes and reduces the risk of cardiac events in patients on dialysis. However, the effect of PPSV23 vaccination on renal function remains unknown, particularly in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Therefore, we investigated the association between PPSV23 efficacy and renal progression in older patients (age ≥ 75 years) with CKD. MethodsThis multicenter, longitudinal cohort study was conducted using data (2008–2016) from the Epidemiology and Risk Factors Surveillance of CKD database. This database was associated with Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database (for period: 2008–2019). A total of 1195 older patients with CKD were recruited from 14 hospitals and communities across Taiwan. Renal progression was defined as a > 25% reduction in estimated glomerular filtration rate from the baseline value. ResultsA significant reduction in the risk of renal progression was observed in patients who had received PPSV23 (adjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 0.57; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.35–0.91). However, when stratified by CKD stage, this significant reduction was observed in patients with early-stage CKD but not in those with late-stage CKD. Furthermore, a significant reduction in the risk of renal progression was noted in male patients and those with hypertension. ConclusionOur findings support the protective effect of PPSV23 against renal deterioration in older patients with CKD.

Frequency of uremic and tuberculous pleuritis having exudative lymphocytic pleural effusion in patients with advanced renal disease

Pleural effusion is a common occurrence in patients with late-stage chronic kidney disease. In developing countries like Pakistan, many effusions remain undiagnosed after pleural fluid analysis and patients are empirically treated with anti-tubercular therapy. Objective: To determine the frequency of uremic and tuberculosis pleuritis in patients with advanced renal disease. Study Design: Cross-sectional study Study Duration: The study was conducted within 6 months after approval of synopsis i.e. from 2nd December, 2020 till 1st June, 2021. Methodology:150 patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were enrolled Informed consent was taken from each patient. Demographic information (name, age, sex, BMI and duration of renal disease) was noted. Then diagnostic pleural tap was done and exudates sample was taken. All exudative samples were further assessed by pleural 2 biopsy and sample was sent to the laboratory of the hospital for histological assessment of uremic or tuberculous pleuritis Results: The mean age (in years), BMI (kg/m2) and duration of disease (in months) of the patients was 39.5±14.2, 27.6±4.19 and 35.8±14.6. There were 55.3% males and 44.7% females. Uremic pleuritis was present in 69.4% and tuberculous pleuritis was seen in 30.6% patients. Age, gender and duration of disease was significantly associated with uremic and tuberculous pleuritis as indicated by a p value of 0.026, 0.048 and 0.007 respectively. Conclusion:Uremic pleuritis was more frequently seen as compared to tuberculous pleuritis in patients with advanced renal disease.

Chronic Kidney Disease Risk in Living Kidney Transplant Donors: A Long-Term Follow-Up Study

Background: Living kidney donors (LKD) may experience some untoward consequences following donation such as development of chronic kidney disease (CKD). In this study, we aimed to investigate the rate of development of CKD and factors affecting the development of CKD in LKDs during long-term follow-up from a center in Turkey. Methods: This study was a retrospective analysis of LKDs followed between January 2000 and December 2017. Pre-transplant and post-transplant clinical data of the 338 LKDs were recorded and compared. Factors affecting the development of stage 3 and later stages of CKD were analyzed. Results: Majority of the donors were females (64.2%), and the median age of all donors was 47 (39–54) years. Stage 3 CKD developed in 50 donors during the median follow-up of 71 months. Older age at the time of transplantation and a low pre-transplant estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were determined as the factors affecting the development of stage 3 CKD (p < 0.001, p < 0.001). The receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that the cut-off age for the development of stage 3 CKD was 50.5 years. Newly diagnosed hypertension was detected in 57 patients (16.8%) after the transplantation. While hypertension was seen at a rate of 42% in those with an eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m², it was detected at 19.4% in the group with an eGFR >60 mL/min/1.73 m² (p < 0.001). Conclusion: These results reveal that being a LKD is associated with the development of CKD and hypertension. Age and eGFR values at the time of transplantation were the determinants for the development of CKD.

Impact of Ramadan fasting on eGFR in patients with late stage chronic kidney disease

Aims: Ramadan fasting is a significant religious practice observed annually by approximately 1.9 billion adult Muslims worldwide. However, its potential impact on kidney health in individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains a subject of concern. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Ramadan fasting on renal function in patients with stage 3-5 CKD and to identify any associated risk factors.&#x0D; Methods: A single-center, self-controlled longitudinal observational study was conducted on 192 stable patients with stage 3-5 CKD who observed Ramadan fasting. The fasting period was about 14-15 hours per day for one month Various clinical parameters, including eGFR, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), calcium (Ca++), phosphorus, parathyroid hormone (PTH), albumin, uric acid, fasting glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and hemoglobin (Hgb), were measured before and after Ramadan fasting. P0.05). Furthermore, the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers (ACEi/ARB) did not impact eGFR (0.084). Notably, Ramadan fasting led to improvements in metabolic parameters, such as fasting glucose and lipid profile, except for triglyceride levels (p