Management Of Hemodialysis Patients Research Articles

#2155 Evaluating the health-related quality of life of patients undergoing haemodialysis: highlights from a multicentric nationwide study

Abstract Background and Aims Haemodialysis (HD) represents the most common renal replacement therapy for end-stage renal disease worldwide. Despite recent advances in HD the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) should be monitored in conjunction with clinical variables to optimize a comprehensive treatment. Method From June to July 2022, all patients from 47 clinics were included. Among other key relevant clinical variables, HRQoL was assessed by using the Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form (KDQOL-SF™ 1.3).It`s generic part is summarised in the physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS). The specific part evaluates 11 domains: symptom/problem list; effects of kidney disease on daily life; burden of kidney disease; work status; cognitive function; quality of social interactions; sexual function; sleep; social support; dialysis staff encouragement; and patient satisfaction. All scores range from 0 (worst) to 100 (best). To ensure comparability of results, mean ± SD values are outlined, even though non-parametric tests were used to test associations. Results A total of 3,595 patients (67.3% male) completed the KDQOL (out of 4259 HD patients treated during study period). Most of them (67.18%) were over 60yo of age, and 65.67% had a severe comorbidity index score. In addition, 50.54% had a native AV fistula and only 3.92% were incident HD. PCS scores reported were higher in over 75yo (47.68 ± 10.63) rather than normative population (40.16 ± 11.62), indicating an overall good physical function. However, MCS values (33.17 ± 9.36) were indicative of substantial impact. Gender differences were noted across almost all disease-specific and generic domains (all p < 0.05). Severe comorbidity scores were associated with lower scores in certain renal specific domains and MCS. Finally, incident HD patients reported lower satisfaction and poorer perceived overall health (p-values = 0.001). Conclusion Although PCS scores reported were reasonable, a remarkable impact on mental health was found. Moreover, a differential impact of patient's HRQoL was captured based on gender and other variables highlighting the need of individualised evaluation and management of HD patients.

#496 Individualized approach in dialysate sodium prescription—safe and effective

Abstract Background and Aims The management of Na+ levels in hemodialysis (HD) patients plays a crucial role in maintaining their overall health and well-being. Na+, an essential electrolyte, is responsible for maintaining fluid balance, nerve function, and muscle contraction. However, in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients undergoing HD, Na+ imbalances are common and can have detrimental effects on their cardiovascular health. Furthermore, HD patients have been prescribed a standardized dialysis bath Na+ concentration (dNa+) during their HD sessions. The individualized approach aims to optimize Na+ balance, minimize adverse effects, and improve patient outcomes. Additionally, dietary Na+ intake, fluid status, and interdialytic weight gain (IDWG) also influence Na+ levels and should be considered when determining the appropriate Na+ prescription. The study aimed to assess whether an individualized dNa+ prescription can contribute to lower IDWG, expressed as a percent of prescribed dry weight (IDWG%). Method This retrospective, non-interventional study included all >18-year-old patients undergoing hemodialysis for >90 days at a single center. Patients were followed for a period of 18 months (December 2021–June 2023), during which the dNa+ concentration was gradually changed, as part of routine clinical care, until a gradient between plasma and dialysis bath Na+ of −2 mEq/L was achieved. Plasma Na+ levels were measured once monthly before a dialysis session along with other parameters such as IDWG and blood pressure. Results A total of 79 patients were enrolled in the study. The average age of the patients was 63.33 ± 12.1 years, with 43 (54.4%) being male. At baseline, the average duration of HD treatment was 255 ± 2.36 minutes, and the mean blood pump rate was 384.7 ± 42.81 ml/min. The majority of patients (98.8%) received HD treatments thrice weekly. Starting from January 2022, the mean dNa+ concentration decreased non-significantly from 139.39 ± 0.96 mmol/L to 138.99 ± 3.18 mmol/L, p = 0.13. The mean plasma Na+ concentration increased from 133.25 ± 2.9 to 136.59 ± 3.47 mmol/L, p < 0.00001, and while mean systolic blood pressure increased slightly (118.38 ± 12.25 to 122.87 ± 12.43, p = 0.01), it remained well controlled. The mean IDWG% decreased from 3.53 ± 1.34%, to 2.74 ± 1.35%, p = 0.35 and the proportion of patients with IDWG >5% decreased remarkably by more than half (11.4% to 5.1%), but due to the low patient numbers, the finding did not quite reach significance (p = 0.15, Table 1). Conclusion Our study demonstrates that individualized dNa+ management in HD patients is a beneficial approach, contributing to a decrease in the proportion of patients with severe IDWG increase, thereby addressing a crucial cardiovascular risk factor. Systolic blood pressure before dialysis remained well controlled, despite a slight, but significant increase. Our findings underscore the safety and potential benefits of an individualized approach to dialysate Na+ concentration, encouraging further exploration for enhanced HD patient care and increased overall well-being.

Enhancing medication management in hemodialysis patients: Exploring the impact of patient-centered pharmacist care and motivational interviewing.

Patients on hemodialysis (HD) often uses several medications, making them highly susceptible to medication-related problems (MRP) thereby leading to medication nonadherence. Therefore, an innovative pharmaceutical care strategy incorporating drug therapy optimization (DTO) and motivational interviewing (MI) can mitigate medication-related problems and optimize patient care. The objective of this study is to assess the efficacy of pharmacist led interventions in utilizing DTO and MI techniques in managing medication related problems among patients undergoing hemodialysis. A12-months, cross sectional prospective study was conducted among 63 End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patients on HD. DTO was conducted by the pharmacist to identify the MRP by reviewing complete medication list gathered from patient interview and medical records. All MRPs was classified using the PCNE classification version 9.00 and medication issues, that require patient involvement were categorized as patient-related, while those that necessitate physician intervention were classified as physician-related. The DTO was performed at the baseline, 6-month and at the final month of the study. Identified medication issues were communicated to the site nephrologist and was tracked during next follow up. Whereas MI was conducted physically at Month-3 and via telephone on month-6 and month-9 to address patient related medication issues. Mean age of the study population was 48.5±14 years. While the mean number of prescribed medications was 8.1±2 with 57% of the patients taking more than 5 types of medication. After 12 months of pharmacist intervention using DTO and MI, a mean reduction in MRP was observed for both patient-related and physician-related MRPs across three time series. However, further analysis using repeated measure ANOVA revealed that the reduction in patient-related MRPs was statistically significant [F(1.491, 92.412) = 60.921, p < 0.05], while no statistically significant difference was detected in physician-related MRPs [F(2, 124) = 2.216, P = 0.113]. Pharmaceutical care service through DTO and MI can effectively reduce and prevent drug-related issues to optimize medication therapy among HD patients.

Non-Pharmacological Interventions for Pain Management in Hemodialysis: A Narrative Review.

This narrative review aims to summarize non-pharmacological interventions for pain management in hemodialysis patients, assessing their potential benefits and limitations in enhancing patient well-being and quality of life. We reviewed the current literature on five primary non-pharmacological interventions: acupuncture, cognitive behavioral therapy, relaxation techniques, virtual reality, and alternative methods such as transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, music therapy, and aromatherapy. We analyzed the evidence regarding their effectiveness, feasibility, and optimal implementation strategies. The existing evidence supports the potential benefits of these interventions in managing pain and improving the well-being of hemodialysis patients. However, further high-quality research is needed to confirm their effectiveness, establish implementation best practices, and assess their long-term impact on patient outcomes. Non-pharmacological interventions hold promise for pain management in hemodialysis patients. Additional research is required to optimize these interventions and validate their effectiveness, contributing to comprehensive pain management strategies for this vulnerable patient population.

Pengaruh Pendampingan Keluarga terhadap Manajemen Cairan pada Pasien Hemodialisa: Literature Review

The role of the family in hemodialysis patients is very helpful in encouraging individual health in carrying out fluid management. A good or very active family role will further enhance the patient's enthusiasm for managing fluid management. Much research has been done on fluid management, but it only involves the patient, not the patient's family. The research method used is literature review by identifying journal articles published online consisting of English and Indonesian in 2018-2022. Articles were retrieved using search engine tools PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar. There are 7 journals based on inclusion criteria. The results showed that there was an effect of family assistance on fluid management in hemodialysis patients.

A multicenter descriptive analysis of anemia management in hemodialysis patients and its association with quality of life

BackgroundAppropriate management of anemia in patients with hemodialysis (HD) involves the administration of iron supplementation and erythropoietin-stimulating agents (ESAs), in addition to monitoring the response. This study aimed to evaluate the treatment of anemia in patients with HD and describe the factors associated with it and its effect on health-related quality of life (HRQOL).MethodsThe study was cross-sectional in design. The patients were included from three dialysis centers in Palestine from June to September 2018. The data collection instrument consisted of two portions; the initial portion contained demographic and clinical information on the patients, while the second consisted of the European Quality of Life 5-Dimension Scale (EQ-5D-5 L) and the visual analog scale EQ (EQ-VAS).ResultsThe study included 226 patients. Their mean age (± SD) was 57 ± 13.9 years. The mean level of hemoglobin (Hb) (± SD) was 10.63 ± 1.71 g/dl, and 34.1% of the patients had a Hb level of 10-11.5 g/dl. All patients who required iron supplementation received it intravenously with a dose of 100 mg of iron sucrose. Almost 86.7% of the patients received darbepoetin alfa intravenously at 0.45 mcg/kg a week, and 24% had a Hb level > 11.5 g/dl. There were significant associations between the level of Hb and the number of comorbid diseases and the ESA that was received. However, other demographics and clinical factors did not significantly affect Hb levels. Certain variables, such as exercise, were a predictor of a higher quality of life. It should be noted that there is a significant impact of a low Hb value on the EQ-VAS scale.ConclusionsOur study found that more than half of the patients had a Hb level below the recommended goal of Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO). Furthermore, a significant association was found between patients’ Hb level and HRQOL. Therefore, the appropriate treatment of anemia in patients with HD should be followed by adherence to the guideline recommendations, which consequently improves the HRQOL of HD patients, in addition to obtaining optimal therapy.

#5803 ARTERIOVENOUS FISTULA BLOOD FLOW ESTIMATION THROUGH AI MODEL EXPLOITING THE PATIENT'S ROUTINELY COLLECTED DATA

Abstract Background and Aims Clinical monitoring and surveillance are key pillars of Arteriovenous Fistula (AVF) management in hemodialysis patients. They are aimed at limiting the risk of suboptimal dialysis dose and Vascular Access (VA) failure. AVF blood flow (Qa) is commonly used to assess VA function. Several methods have been proposed for the measurement of Qa including doppler ultrasound, and Body Thermal Monitor, among others. All these diagnostic tests are, in general, time-consuming for clinical staff, operator dependent, and costly for healthcare providers. To overcome limitations in the uptake of current Qa measurement techniques, we used data automatically recorded by dialysis machine sensors and medical information captured in electronic charts records to estimate Qa using a machine learning technique. Method For this historical cohort study, we analyzed electronic health records (EHR) of adult patients from four different European countries (Czech Republic, Portugal, Slovakia, and Spain), receiving in-center hemodialysis therapy in Fresenius Medical Care dialysis clinics between January 1st, 2015 and June 30th, 2022 registered in the European Clinical Database (EuCliD®). All patients consented their pseudo-anonymized data be used for secondary data analysis. The input dataset included 49 variables representing the health status of the patients, functional parameters of AVF function and the HD treatment parameters. The input variables were collected in the 90 days before the Qa measure. We constructed metrics representing the 90-day average and trend of each functional and medical parameter. Qa was classified in three levels: &amp;lt; 525 ml/h (very low), 525 ml/h - 925 ml/h (low), &amp;gt; 925 ml/h (normal). We estimated Qa as ordinal classification problem. Therefore, we used 2 binary classifiers based on the XGBoost algorithm. The estimation of the first-class, P(Qa&amp;lt;525), is given by the first classifier and the estimation of the third class, P(Qa≥925), is given by the second classifier. The probability of the middle class is computed as P(Qa≥525)⋅(1-P(Qa≥925)). The Qa estimation accuracy was assessed computing mean absolute error (MAE), precision and recall, F1-score and confusion matrix. Results Our dataset included 46,292 Qa measurements referred to 5,940 different hemodialysis patients. We obtained an overall precision of 0.77, a recall of 0.76, a F1-score of 0.76, a MAE of 0.27. The same metrics for each class are shown in Table 1. The model was able to detect fistula with “very low flow” with a precision of 0.9 and 16% of the missed “very low flow” AVFs are predicted as “low flow” and 4.7% are predicted as normal flow. The Confusion Matrix for each class is shown in Figure 1. Conclusion In this study we showed that clinically relevant Qa classes can be accurately predicted by resorting to routinely collected clinical data extracted from a electronic health record without any additional effort from healthcare professionals, training or instrumentation. Qa assessment is an important parameter in the evaluation of AVF function. Our algorithm accurately discriminated patients with “very low flow” that may be referred to vascular surgeon evaluation. It might help the AVF surveillance process, without adding time-consuming procedures for clinical staff or costs for healthcare provider.

#4993 EFFECT OF ETELCALCETIDE TREATMENT ON ERYTHROPOIESIS-STIMULATING AGENTS (ESAS) REQUIREMENT IN HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS: A SINGLE CENTER STUDY

Abstract Background and Aims Anemia is a common consequence of advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD). There are various causes of renal anemia like decreased production of and resistance to Erythropoietin, shortened survival of red blood cells and chronic blood loss. Secondary hyperparathyroidism is a potential cause of renal anemia in CKD patients due to direct effect on Erythropoietin synthesis, red cell survival and bone marrow fibrosis [1]. There are several reports of the beneficial effect of treatment of hyperparathyroidism on hemoglobin (Hb) levels. Etelcalcetide is a novel intravenous calcimimetic used for the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism in hemodialysis patients. However, there are very few reports of Etelcalcetide's effect on anemia management in hemodialysis patients. We aimed to study the effect of Etelcalcitide on ESAs requirement in our hemodialysis cohort. Method This is a retrospective study in Al Wakra Hospital hemodialysis unit conducted on patients with uncontrolled secondary hyperparathyroidism who needed to be started on Etelcalcetide. Mean Hb and mean ESAs dose were calculated for a period of 6 months before and 6 months after starting Etelcalcetide, while iPTH levels were measured at the beginning and 6 months after starting Etelcalcetide. Inclusion criteria: hemodialysis patients who are on Etelcalcetide for at least 6 months. Exclusion criteria: Patients’ age &amp;lt; 18 years, hemodialysis duration &amp;lt; 12 months and patients with acute blood loss. Results Out of 94 hemodialysis patients, 26 (27.6%) were on Etelcalcetide. 2 patients were excluded, one for acute hematuria and the other for erosive gastritis. 24 patients were included (13 females and 11 males). Mean age of the patients was 58.7 years. 15 patients were on Darbepoetin, 8 on Erythropoietin and 1 patient was switched from Darbepoetin to Erythropoietin due to poor response. There was no significant difference in mean Hb levels for all the patients before and after starting Etelcalcetide (10.6 g/dl and 10.8 g/dl, respectively). Out of 24 patients, 19 had reduction while 5 had increase in ESAs dose requirement. In total, the mean reduction of ESAs dose for all the patients was 17.3%. There was a mean of 33.4% reduction in ESAs requirement for the 19 patients while a mean of 44% increase in the requirement for the 5 patients. Mean iPTH for the cohort at the time of starting Etelcalcetide and 6 months after was 1036 pg/ml and 473 pg/ml respectively. The mean reduction of iPTH for those who had decreased ESAs requirement was 58% while it was 38.8% for those who had increased ESA requirement. Conclusion This study showed that control of severe secondary hyperparathyroidism with Etelcalcetide was associated with reduction in ESAs requirement in hemodialysis patients. The more the control of hyperparathyroidism, the more the reduction of ESAs requirement. These findings were observed also in a one case report [2]. We believe that our study has one of the largest number of patients to show such an observation, however larger controlled studies are needed to confirm these preliminary findings in the improvement of anemia after treatment of hyperparathyroidism by Etelcalcetide.

Association of diabetic retinopathy with risk of developing cardiovascular diseases in patients undergoing hemodialysis: A population-based cohort study

Background and aimsWhile patients undergoing dialysis have substantially increased cardiovascular event rates compared with the general population, predicting individual risk remains difficult. Whether diabetic retinopathy (DR) is associated with cardiovascular diseases in this population is unclear. Methods and resultsWe conducted a nationwide cohort study of 27,686 incident hemodialysis patients with type 2 diabetes who were enrolled in Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2014, and had follow-up data until December 31, 2015. The primary outcome was a composite of macrovascular events, including acute coronary syndrome (ACS), acute ischemic stroke, and peripheral artery disease (PAD). A total of 10,537 (38.1%) patients had DR at baseline. We matched 9164 patients without DR (mean age, 63.7 years; 44.0% women) to 9164 patients with DR (mean age, 63.5 years; 43.8% women) by propensity score. During a median follow-up of 2.4 years, 5204 patients in the matched cohort experienced a primary outcome. The presence of DR was associated with a higher risk of a primary outcome (subdistribution hazard ratio [sHR] 1.07; 95% CI, 1.01–1.13), which reflected a higher risk of acute ischemic stroke (sHR 1.26; 95% CI, 1.14–1.39) and PAD (sHR 1.14; 95% CI, 1.05–1.25) but not ACS (sHR 0.99; 95% CI, 0.92–1.06). ConclusionsThe presence of DR signifies an increased risk of acute ischemic stroke and PAD in hemodialysis patients with type 2 diabetes, independent of the known risk factors. These results highlight the need for more comprehensive cardiovascular assessment and management in hemodialysis patients with DR.

Blood pressure management in hemodialysis patients.

Blood pressure management in hemodialysis patients.

The effect of zingiber officinale on prooxidant-antioxidant balance and glycemic control in diabetic patients with ESRD undergoing hemodialysis: a double-blind randomized control trial

BackgroundDiabetes management in hemodialysis patients with end-stage renal disease needs precision to avoid complications. The study aimed to investigate the effect of ginger supplementation on prooxidant-antioxidant balance, glycemic management, and renal function in diabetic hemodialysis patients.Trial design and methodsForty-four patients were randomly allocated to either the ginger or the placebo group in this randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study. Patients in the ginger group received 2000 mg/d ginger for eight weeks, whereas those in the placebo group received equivalent placebos. After a 12- to 14-h fast, serum levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG), insulin, urea, creatinine, and prooxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB) were measured at baseline and at the end of the study. The homeostatic model evaluation of insulin resistance was used to determine insulin resistance (HOMA-IR).ResultsSerum levels of FBG (p = 0.001), HOMA-IR (p = 0.001), and urea (p = 0.017) were considerably lower in the ginger group compared to baseline, and the difference was significant when compared to the placebo group (p < 0.05). Moreover, ginger supplementation decreased serum levels of creatinine (p = 0.034) and PAB (p = 0.013) within the group, but the effect was insignificant between groups (p > 0.05). On the other hand, insulin levels did not vary significantly across and among the groups (p > 0.05).ConclusionIn summary, this study indicated that in diabetic hemodialysis patients, ginger could result to lower blood glucose levels, enhanced insulin sensitivity, and lower serum urea levels. Further studies with a more extended intervention period and various doses and forms of ginger are needed.Trial registrationIRCT20191109045382N2. (06/07/2020), Retrospectively registered, https://www.irct.ir/trial/48467

Surgical planning of arteriovenous fistulae in routine clinical practice: A machine learning predictive tool.

Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is the preferred vascular access (VA) for hemodialysis, but it is associated with high non-maturation and failure rates. Predicting patient-specific AVF maturation and postoperative changes in blood flow volumes (BFVs) and vessel diameters is of fundamental importance to support the choice of optimal AVF location and improve VA survival. The goal of this study was to employ machine learning (ML) in order to give physicians a fast and easy-to-use tool that provides accurate patient-specific predictions, useful to make AVF surgical planning decisions. We applied a set of ML approaches on a dataset of 156 patients. Both parametric and non-parametric ML approaches, taking preoperative data as input, were exploited to predict maturation, postoperative BFVs, and diameters. The best approach associated with lowest cross-validation errors between predictions and real measurements was then chosen to provide estimates and quantify prediction errors. The k-NN was the best approach to predict brachial BFV, AVF maturation, and other VA variables, and it was also associated with the least computational effort. With this approach, the confusion matrices proved the high accuracy of the prediction for AVF maturation (96.8%) and the low absolute error distribution for the continuous BFV and diameter variables. Our data-based approach provided accurate patient-specific predictions for different AVF configurations, requiring short computational time as compared to a physical model we previously developed. By supporting VA surgical planning, this fast computing approach could allow AVF surgical planning and help reducing the rate of non-maturation, which might ultimately have a broad impact on the management of hemodialysis patients.

The implication of calf circumference and grip strength in osteoporosis and bone mineral density among hemodialysis patients

BackgroundChronic kidney disease–mineral and bone disorder (CKD–MBD), nutritional status, and uremia management have been emphasized for bone management in hemodialysis patients. Nevertheless, valuable data on the importance of muscle mass in bone management are limited, including whether conventional management alone can prevent osteoporosis. Thus, the importance of muscle mass and strength, independent of the conventional management in osteoporosis prevention among hemodialysis patients, was evaluated.MethodsPatients with a history of hemodialysis 6 months or longer were selected. We assessed the risk for osteoporosis associated with calf circumference or grip strength using multivariable adjustment for indices of CKD–MBD, nutrition, and dialysis adequacy. Moreover, the associations between bone mineral density (BMD), calf circumference, grip strength, and bone metabolic markers were also evaluated.ResultsA total of 136 patients were included. The odds ratios (95% confidence interval) for osteoporosis at the femoral neck were 1.25 (1.04–1.54, P < 0.05) and 1.08 (1.00–1.18, P < 0.05) per 1 cm shorter calf circumference or 1 kg weaker grip strength, respectively. Shorter calf circumference was significantly associated with a lower BMD at the femoral neck and lumbar spine (P < 0.001). Weaker grip strength was also associated with lower BMD at the femoral neck (P < 0.01). Calf circumference or grip strength was negatively correlated with bone metabolic marker values.ConclusionShorter calf circumference or weaker grip strength was associated with osteoporosis risk and lower BMD among hemodialysis patients, independent of the conventional therapies.

Knowledge of vascular access among hemodialysis unit nurses and its influencing factors: a cross-sectional study.

Nurses in hemodialysis (HD) units are the main performers in the maintenance and management of HD patients' vascular access, and the cognition degree of their specialized knowledge of vascular access directly affects the quality of vascular access management. However, most of the investigations on the cognition of vascular access knowledge take HD patients as the research subjects, while there are few studies on nurses in HD units as the research subjects. Herein, we explored the knowledge of vascular access among HD unit nurses and its influencing factors, aiming to inform the training of HD unit nurses on vascular access management. By using a convenience sampling method, we investigated the knowledge of vascular access in terms of basic knowledge, vascular access assessment and arteriovenous fistula (AVF) puncture technique knowledge of dialysis unit nurses who volunteered to engage in hemodialysis clinical nursing for more than 6 months in HD units in Sichuan Province from March 2022 to May 2022. Data were collected on demographic characteristics, hospital nature, the city and region where the hospital is located, the working time of hemodialysis. Analysis of variance was used to analyze the score of vascular access specialist knowledge of HD unit nurses, and multiple linear regression was used to explore the influencing factors of vascular access specialist knowledge of HD unit nurses. A total of 222 nurses in HD units were included. The total score of the knowledge of vascular access was 87.52±13.71 points, of which the basic knowledge scored 3.88±0.60 points, the vascular access assessment scored 3.62±0.65 points, and the AVF puncture techniques scored 3.22±0.71 points. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that longer working years [beta: 0.381, 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.064-7.188, P=0.000], more advanced training [beta: 0.206, 95% CI: 2.817-10.672, P=0.001], and public hospital [beta: 0.138, 95% CI: 0.839-12.342, P=0.025] positively predicted higher knowledge of vascular access scores among HD unit nurses (all P<0.05). The cognitive degree of vascular access specialized knowledge of hemodialysis nurses is affected by different working years, training experience and the nature of the hospital. Nursing managers can develop different training and assessment programs for vascular access specialized knowledge according to different influencing factors.

Therapy Software for Personalized Anemia Management in Hemodialysis Patients: Description of the Population in a Randomized Controlled Trial

Therapy Software for Personalized Anemia Management in Hemodialysis Patients: Description of the Population in a Randomized Controlled Trial

Clinical characteristics and management of hemodialysis patients with pre-dialysis hypertension: a multicenter observational study

Background Hypertension is a leading preventable risk factor for cardiovascular disease in hemodialysis patients. Pre-dialysis systolic blood pressure (SBP) more than 160 mmHg was thought to be associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality. The present study was performed to explore the clinical characteristics and management of hemodialysis patients with pre-dialysis SBP ≥ 160 mmHg. Methods A total of 1233 patients undergoing hemodialysis from nine hemodialysis centers were enrolled. Pre-dialysis and home BP were measured and clinical data were collected. The characteristics of patients with pre-dialysis SBP ≥ 160 mmHg were explored. Clinical parameters between hypertensive and non-hypertensive patients were compared. The partial correlation analyses performed to identify the associations between BP and clinical parameters. Results There were 24.6% of the hemodialysis patients had pre-dialysis SBP ≥ 160 mmHg and the average SBP was 173.8 ± 10.9 mmHg. Only 21.4% of the patients achieved dry weight after dialysis and up to 30.2% of patients were not given combination therapies of antihypertensive drugs. Compared to patients with pre-hemodialysis SBP < 160 mmHg, patients with pre-dialysis SBP ≥ 160 mmHg had lower target-reaching rate of Kt/v and higher incidences of intradialytic hypotension and muscle spasm. Most patients (96%) with pre-dialysis SBP ≥ 160 mmHg had home SBP≥ 135 mmHg. Patients with home SBP ≥ 160 mmHg had higher left ventricular weight index and lower hemoglobin levels when compared to their counterparts with home SBP <160 mmHg. Conclusions Pre-dialysis SBP ≥ 160 mmHg is common in clinical practice and most of the patients could diagnosed to be hypertensive according to their home SBP. Patients with pre-dialysis SBP ≥ 160 mmHg are more likely to be subjected to dialysis insufficiency and intradialytic complications. Achieving dry weight and sufficient pharmacologic interventions should be strengthened to improve BP control in the hemodialysis population.

MO897: Diabetic Retinopathy and Risk of Macrovascular Complications in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis: A National Population-Based Cohort Study

Abstract BACKGROUND AND AIMS The association of diabetic retinopathy (DR) with macrovascular complications in patients with end-stage kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis is unclear. METHOD We conducted a nationwide cohort study of 44 514 incident hemodialysis patients who were enrolled in Taiwan's national health insurance research database between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2014 and had follow-up data until 31 December 2015. Patients with and without DR were matched by propensity score in a 1:1 ratio. The primary outcomes were acute coronary syndrome (ACS), acute ischemic stroke and hospitalizations for peripheral artery disease (PAD). RESULTS Of the 27 286 patients with type 2 diabetes, 10 537 (38.1%) had DR at baseline. We matched 9164 patients without DR (mean age, 63.7 years; 44.0% women) by propensity score to 9164 patients with DR (mean age, 63.5 years; 43.8% women). Over a median follow-up of 2.8 years, 2781 patients (15.2%) experienced ACS. Stroke occurred in 1613 patients (8.8%), and 1938 patients (10.6%) were hospitalized for PAD. In a multivariable Cox model accounting for the competing risk of death, the presence of DR was associated with an increased risk of stroke {subdistribution hazard ratio (sHR) 1.30 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.17–1.44]; P &amp;lt; 0.0001} and PAD (sHR 1.17, 95% CI 1.08–1.29; P = 0.0006) but not ACS (sHR 0.99, 95% CI 0.91–1.07; P = 0.9168). The observations were consistent across patient subgroups. CONCLUSION Our findings support early identification and close monitoring and management of hemodialysis patients with DR to prevent the development of stroke and PAD.

Management of Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients under the Coronavirus Disease Pandemic

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has spread worldwide and has resulted in high mortality, increased pressure on medical systems, and severe global economic losses. Hemodialysis patients may be highly susceptible to infections due to old age, immunocompromised status, preexisting comorbidities, and frequent hospital visits. Moreover, the closed and crowded environment of dialysis rooms increases the risk of cross-infections. The Wuhan Hemodialysis Quality Control Center has accumulated valuable experience in the prevention and control of the COVID-19 epidemic and has normalized management of the epidemic since early 2020. In this review, we garnered experiences and knowledge from China and worldwide to summarize an approach to COVID-19 prevention, control, and management in hemodialysis patients under normalized epidemic conditions.

An omics approach to study trace metals in sera of hemodialysis patients treated with erythropoiesis stimulating agents.

Hemodialysis (HD) represents a life-sustaining treatment for patients with end-stage renal disease. However, it is associated with several complications, including anemia. Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) are often administered to HD patients with renal anemia, but a relevant proportion of them fail to respond to the therapy. Since trace metals are involved in several biological processes and their blood levels can be altered by HD, we study the possible association between serum trace metal concentrations and ratios with the administration and response to ESA. For this study, data and sample information of 110 HD patients were downloaded from the UC San Diego Metabolomics Workbench public repository (PR000565). The blood serum levels (and ratios) of antimony, cadmium, copper, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, selenium, tin, and zinc were studied applying an omics statistical approach. The Random Forest model was able to discriminate between HD-dependent patients treated and not treated with ESAs, with an accuracy of 71.7% (95% CI 71.5-71.9%). Logistic regression analysis identifies alterations of Mn, Mo, Cd, Sn, and several of their ratios as characteristic of patients treated with ESAs. Moreover, patients with scarce response to ESAs were shown to be characterized by reduced Mn to Ni and Mn to Sb ratios. In conclusion, our results show that trace metals, in particular manganese, play a role in the mechanisms underlying the human response to ESAs, and if further confirmed, the re-equilibration of their physiological levels could contribute to a better management of HD patients, hopefully reducing their morbidity and mortality.

Agency in physiological dynamics

AbstractWith a view to finding new applications of biomedical system dynamics, this article expands upon on our talk at the 2021 International System Dynamics Conference on the occasion of receiving the J. W. Forrester Award for the article, “Personalized ESA doses for anemia management in hemodialysis patients with end‐stage renal disease” (System Dynamics Review 2018, 34(1–2): 121–153). We summarize the evolution of a project which took place in a clinical setting between 2008 and 2015 that led to the award‐winning article. We present concepts from receptor theory that informed the first system dynamics application of biophysical system dynamics to the successful diagnosis, prescription, administration, and improvement of individualized patient care. We expand upon these ideas to present a generalized structure, DART (Dynamic Approach to Receptor Theory). It can be used to simulate the physiological effects of any agent, be it an exogenous pharmacological agent, an endogenous enzyme or hormone, or a toxin of some sort. We suggest including within the pharmacological technical literature easily acquired but frequently omitted critical parameter values and rate constants. These would enable researchers to perform transient analyses of biophysical phenomena in addition to static equilibrium analyses typically performed. With the availability of this data, we suggest that the fundamental tools of system dynamics might be used to reconceptualize the 100‐year‐old field of “occupation theory” (today, receptor theory) to deliver high‐resolution insights into physiological dynamics and the preventive, prescriptive, and palliative interventions they might require. It is our hope that these ideas could pave the way forward to novel, groundbreaking applications in biomedical system dynamics. © 2022 System Dynamics Society.