Osteosarcopenia in patients with non-dialysis dependent chronic kidney disease.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with a reduction in bone mineral density (BMD), but less is understood regarding the relation between BMD and muscle mass, especially in non-dialysis dependent-CKD (NDD-CKD). The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence and association of low BMD (osteopenia and osteoporosis) with markers of muscle mass and function in patients with NDD-CKD. METHODOLOGY: This cross-sectional observational study included patients with NDD-CKD. Routine biochemical parameters including those related to mineral and bone metabolism were evaluated. Body composition was assessed by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) for BMD (g/cm2), total and trunk body fat (%), total lean soft tissue (LST; kg), and appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM; kg) as the sum of the LST from the limbs. The latter two variables were used as markers of muscle mass, together with its height indexed values: ASM/height2 as ASM index (ASMI; kg/m2), and LST/height2 as LST index (LSTI, kg/m2). Muscle quality index (MQI) was calculated as handgrip strength (HGS)/mean ASMarms (kg/kg). Osteosarcopenia was defined according to referenced cut-points for patients presenting with low ASMI, HGS and BMD. RESULTS: Patients (n = 257, 57.6% males) had a mean age = 64.8 ± 12.9 years, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) = 30.1 ± 12.9 ml/min and body mass index (BMI) = 26.8 ± 4.8 kg/m2. Patients with low BMD (39.4%) presented with lower BMI, LST, LSTI, ASM and ASMI for both sexes. BMD was positively and significantly correlated with LST, LSTI, ASM, ASMI and HGS. Low ASM was associated with low BMD (odds-ratio-OR; 95% confidence interval-CI: males OR = 4.54, 2.02-10.21; females OR = 4.45, 1.66-11.93). Linear multiple regression analysis (adjusted for sex and eGFR) showed significant associations between T-score with HGS (R2 = 0.288, R2 adjusted = 0.272, standardized coefficient ß = 0.536, p < 0.0001) and also with MQI (R2 = 0.095, R2 adjusted = 0.075, standardized coefficient ß = 0.309, p = 0.024). Osteosarcopenia was present in about 7% of participants and similarly distributed between sexes. CONCLUSION: Low BMD was prevalent, and associated with low markers of muscle mass and quality, in NDD-CKD patients of both sexes. In view of the known significance of these conditions, targeted interventions are needed to optimize body composition and functional status of these patients.

Accuracy of surrogate methods to estimate skeletal muscle mass in non-dialysis dependent patients with chronic kidney disease and in kidney transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and anthropometric predictive equations have been proposed to estimate whole-body (SMM) and appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) as surrogate for dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in distinct population groups. However, their accuracy in estimating body composition in non-dialysis dependent patients with chronic kidney disease (NDD-CKD) and kidney transplant recipients (KTR) is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the accuracy and reproducibility of BIA and anthropometric predictive equations in estimating SMM and ASM compared to DXA, in NDD-CKD patients and KTR. METHODS: A cross-sectional study including adult NDD-CKD patients and KTR, with body mass index (BMI) ≥18.5 kg/m2. ASM and estimated SMM were evaluated by DXA, BIA (Janssen, Kyle and MacDonald equations) and anthropometry (Lee and Baumgartner equations). Low muscle mass (LowMM) was defined according to cutoffs proposed by guidelines for ASM, ASM/height2 and ASM/BMI. The best performing equation as surrogate for DXA, considering both groups of studied patients, was defined based in the highest Lin's concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) value, the lowest Bland-Altman bias (<1.5 kg) combined with the narrowest upper and lower limits of agreement (LoA), and the highest Cohen's kappa values for the low muscle mass diagnosis. RESULTS: Studied groups comprised NDD-CKD patients (n = 321: males = 55.1%; 65.4 ± 13.1 years; eGFR = 28.8 ± 12.7 ml/min) and KTR (n = 200: males = 57.7%; 47.5 ± 11.3 years; eGFR = 54.7 ± 20.7 ml/min). In both groups, the predictive equations presenting the best accuracy compared to DXA were SMM-BIA-Janssen (NDD-CKD patients: CCC = 0.88, 95%CI = 0.83-0.92; bias = 0.0 kg; KTR: CCC = 0.89, 95%CI = 0.86-0.92, bias = -1.2 kg) and ASM-BIA-Kyle (NDD-CKD patients: CCC = 0.87, 95%CI = 0.82-0.90, bias = 0.7 kg; KTR: CCC = 0.89, 95%CI = 0.86-0.92, bias = -0.8 kg). In NDD-CKD patients and KTR, LowMM frequency was similar according to ASM-BIA-Kyle versus ASM-DXA. The reproducibility and inter-agreement to diagnose LowMM using ASM/height2 and ASM/BMI estimated by BIA-Kyle equation versus DXA was moderate (kappa: 0.41-0.60), in both groups. Whereas female patients showed higher inter-agreement (AUC>80%) when ASM/BMI index was used, male patients presented higher AUC (70-74%; slightly <80%) for ASM/height2 index. CONCLUSIONS: The predictive equations with best performance to assess muscle mass in both NDD-CKD patients and KTR was SMM-BIA by Janssen and ASM-BIA by Kyle. The reproducibility to diagnose low muscle mass, comparing BIA with DXA, was high using ASM/BMI in females and ASM/height2 in males in both groups.

Glomerular filtration rate estimated by the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation in type 1 diabetes based on genomic ancestry.

BACKGROUND: Black individuals have a great risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD) that is associated with high morbimortality, so it is important to classify them into the correct renal function group. Some equations used to estimate glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) divide patients only into two categories: African Americans and non-African Americans. The CKD-EPI equation was tested only in African Americans, and not Black patients from other regions, and takes into consideration self-reported color-race instead of genomic ancestry (GA) to determine the use of the ethnic correction factor. So far, this equation has not been evaluated in admixed populations, such as the Brazilian, using the percentage of GA to decide to apply the correction factor. The purpose of our study was to compare, in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D), the eGFR calculated without the use of the correction factor, with the values obtained using the correction factor in patients presenting 50% or more of African GA. METHODS: This cross-sectional, multicenter study enrolled 1279 patients from all geographic regions of Brazil. The CKD-EPI equation was used and CKD was defined as eGFR < 60 ml/min. GA were inferred using a panel of 46 AIM-INDEL, afterwards patients presenting an African GA ≥ 50% were selected. RESULTS: Initially, all patients with African GA ≥ 50% (n = 85) were considered as non-African Americans when calculating the eGFR and afterwards the ethnic correction factor was applied to recalculate the eGFR. CKD was present in 23 patients and 56.5% of them were redefined as having normal renal function after using the correction factor, mainly women [11 of the 13 patients (84.6%)], with GFR between 52-59.3 ml/min. CONCLUSIONS: More than half of the patients in the study were reclassified to a normal renal function group, showing that GA may be an important tool to decide between the use of the ethnic correction factor in the CKD-EPI equation in a highly admixed population of patients with T1D. A large-scale study involving GA and eGFR in comparison to reference methods should be conducted to better establish whether or not the ethnic correction factor should be used in highly admixed populations.

Synergistic Effect of Inflammatory Cytokines and Body Adiposity on Insulin Resistance and Endothelial Markers in Patients With Stages 3-5 Chronic Kidney Disease.

BACKGROUND: High body adiposity, inflammatory cytokines, insulin resistance (IR), and the endothelial markers-soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and soluble vascular adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1)-are among cardiovascular risk factors observed in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Synergistic interaction of inflammatory cytokines with adiposity on IR, sICAM-1, and sVCAM-1 has not been reported in nondialysis-dependent CKD (NDD-CKD) patients. Thus the study aim was to evaluate the interaction of inflammatory cytokines on the association of body adiposity with the cardiometabolic risk factors-IR, sICAM-1, and sVCAM-1-in NDD-CKD patients. Cytokines association with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and body adiposity was also examined. DESIGN AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in an interdisciplinary outpatient Nephrology Clinic. SUBJECTS AND MEASUREMENTS: NDD-CKD adults with eGFR ≤60 mL/minute/1.73 m2 under regular treatment. Inflammatory cytokines, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, eGFR (by CKD-Epidemiology collaboration equation)-EPI equation, and body composition assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and anthropometry were evaluated. Synergistic effects of inflammatory markers with body adiposity on studied cardiometabolic risk factors were assessed by interaction and mediation analysis. RESULTS: The study cohort comprised 241 NDD-CKD patients (54.8% men; eGFR = 29.4 ± 12.9 mL/minute/1.73 m2). Variables evaluated: Inflammatory cytokines were not associated with eGFR and not different among CKD stages. Percentage of total body adiposity (%TBA) was independently associated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) and HOMA-IR. Waist-to-height ratio was independently associated with TNFα, interleukin-8, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP1), and HOMA-IR. Interaction analysis showed TNFα, interleukin-8, and MCP1 as independent mediators of the effects of high percentage of total body adiposity and waist-to-height ratio on HOMA-IR (P < .0001). Body adiposity did not associate with sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1. TNFα (ß = 0.40) and MCP1 (ß = 0.31) were independently associated with sVCAM-1 (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: In NDD-CKD patients, inflammatory cytokines synergistically mediated the effects of body adiposity, enhancing the cardiometabolic risk. Inflammation was associated with sVCAM-1, but not with eGFR.

Sarcopenia and its components in adult renal transplant recipients: prevalence and association with body adiposity.

Sarcopenia is a progressive and generalised skeletal muscle disorder associated with adverse outcomes. Ageing causes primary sarcopenia, while secondary causes include chronic kidney disease (CKD), long-term use of glucocorticoids and obesity. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of sarcopenia using guidelines recommended by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP, 2010; EWGSOP2, 2018) and the Foundation of the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) and analyse the relationship between sarcopenia and body adiposity in adult renal transplant recipients (RTR). This was a cross-sectional study of adult RTR (BMI ≥ 18·5 kg/m2). Body composition was evaluated by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and anthropometry. Glomerular filtration rate was estimated (eGFR) by CKD-Epidemiology Collaboration equation. The prevalence of sarcopenia in adult RTR (n 185; 57 % men, 50 (se 0·82) years and eGFR 55·80 (se 1·52) ml/min) was 7 % (FNIH), 11 % (EWGSOP2) and 17 % (EWGSOP). Low muscle mass, muscle function and physical performance affected, respectively, up to 28, 46 and 10 % of the participants. According to EWGSOP and EWGSOP2, body adiposity evaluated by anthropometry and DXA (percentage trunk fat) was lower in participants with sarcopenia. Conversely, according to the FNIH criteria, RTR with sarcopenia presented higher waist:height ratio. The present study suggests that adult RTR sarcopenia prevalence varies according to the diagnostic criteria; low muscle mass, low muscle function and low physical performance are common conditions; the association of body adiposity and sarcopenia depends on the criteria used to define this syndrome; and the FNIH criteria detected higher adiposity in individuals with sarcopenia.

Obstructive sleep apnea in non-dialyzed chronic kidney disease patients: Association with body adiposity and sarcopenia.

OBJECTIVES: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), the main cause of mortality in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Although the prevalence of OSA in patients with CKD has not been established, a few studies suggest that it is higher than in the general population, potentially increasing the risk for CVD. Obesity increases the risk, whereas sarcopenia has been suggested as a consequence of OSA in the general population. To our knowledge, these associations have not been adequately evaluated in patients with CKD. The aim of this study was to evaluate OSA frequency and its association with total and upper body adiposity and sarcopenia in non-dialyzed CKD patients. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 73 patients with stages 3b-4 CKD (42 men, 62.9 ± 1.1 y of age). Glomerular filtration rate was estimated by the CKD-Epidemiology Collaboration equation. Patients were assessed for OSA by Watch-PAT200 (apnea-hypopnea index ≥5 events hourly; Itamar Medical), total body adiposity by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and body mass index (BMI), upper body adiposity by anthropometric parameters and by trunk and visceral fat by DXA, and sarcopenia. RESULTS: OSA frequency was 67% (N = 49). Both total and upper body adiposity were associated with the presence and severity of OSA. In non-obese patients (BMI <30 kg/m2), upper body obesity increased significantly the frequency of OSA. OSA association with sarcopenia was blunted when BMI was included in regression model. CONCLUSIONS: Results from the present study suggest that in non-dialyzed CKD patients OSA is very common and associated with total and upper body obesity, but not with sarcopenia.

Vitamin D status in renal transplant recipients living in a low-latitude city: association with body fat, cardiovascular risk factors, estimated glomerular filtration rate and proteinuria.

Recent evidence suggests that vitamin D deficiency is associated with CVD, impaired kidney function and proteinuria. To date, no study has evaluated these associations in renal transplant recipients (RTR) adjusting for body adiposity assessed by a 'gold standard' method. This study aimed to evaluate the vitamin D status and its association with body adiposity, CVD risk factors, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and proteinuria in RTR, living in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (a low-latitude city (22°54'10"S)), taking into account body adiposity evaluated by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). This cross-sectional study included 195 RTR (114 men) aged 47·6 (sd 11·2) years. Nutritional evaluation included anthropometry and DXA. Risk factors for CVD were hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidaemia and the metabolic syndrome. eGFR was evaluated using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equation. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration was used to define vitamin D status as follows: 10 % (n 19) had vitamin D deficiency (30 ng/ml). Percentage of body fat (DXA) was significantly associated with vitamin D deficiency independently of age, sex and eGFR. Lower 25(OH)D was associated with higher odds of the metabolic syndrome and dyslipidaemia after adjustment for age, sex and eGFR, but not after additional adjustment for body fat. Hypertension and diabetes were not related to 25(OH)D. Lower serum 25(OH)D was associated with increasing proteinuria and decreasing eGFR even after adjustments for age, sex and percentage of body fat. This study suggests that in RTR of a low-latitude city hypovitaminosis D is common, and is associated with excessive body fat, decreased eGFR and increased proteinuria.

Body adiposity predictors of vitamin D status in nondialyzed patients with chronic kidney disease: A cross-sectional analysis in a tropical climate city.

OBJECTIVES: The association of vitamin D status with high body adiposity is poorly investigated in the chronic kidney disease (CKD) population. The aim of the present study was to describe vitamin D status and to identify body adiposity predictors of vitamin D deficiency, in a nondialyzed CKD population inhabiting a tropical city. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included patients with CKD, defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 mL/min, regularly treated by an interdisciplinary team in an outpatient university clinic, set in a Brazilian city (latitude: 22°54'S; 43°12'W). Adiposity parameters analyzed were body mass index (BMI), total body adiposity (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry [DXA] and body adiposity index [BAI]), and central body adiposity (DXA-trunk fat and waist-to-height ratio [WHtR]). Laboratory parameters included serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, phosphate, parathyroid hormone, and insulin (insulin resistance [IR evaluation: homeostasis model assessment; HOMA]). RESULTS: We studied 244 patients (54.9% men; n = 134) with median eGFR = 29.1 mL/min and BMI 26.1 kg/m2, comprising 58.2% (n = 142) with overweight/obesity. The vitamin D status was sufficient (≥30 ng/dL) in 43%, insufficient (20-30 ng/dL) in 37%, and deficient (<20 ng/dL) in 20%. Total body adiposity was the independent predictor of vitamin D deficiency (DXA: odds ratio [OR], 2.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-5; P = 0.03; BAI: OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1-3.8; P = 0.02), whereas BMI, DXA-trunk fat, and WHtR showed no correlation. Higher serum phosphorus and hyperparathyroidism were related (P < 0.05) to vitamin D deficiency. IR was not independently associated with 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration. CONCLUSIONS: Just under half of the CKD population presented sufficient concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Total body adiposity, independent of age and eGFR, regardless if evaluated by DXA or BAI, was the predictor of vitamin D deficiency, which in turn was associated with higher serum phosphorus and hyperparathyroidism, but not with IR.

The first report of The Latin American Society of Nephrology and Hypertension (SLANH) Anemia Committee in chronic hemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Anemia almost invariably occurs in patients with chronic kidney disease. Limited data are available regarding anemia management in Latin American (LA) hemodialysis (HD) patients. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results of the first anemia survey of the Anemia Committee of the SLANH. METHODS: This is a multinational, voluntary survey that collected anemia management data from adult HD patients from independent, non-chain owned HD units, between 09/2009 and 03/2010. T-test, ANOVA, chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The survey received responses from 134 HD units of 16 countries providing data from 9,025 patients. Mean values of Hb, ferritin, and transferrin saturation (TSAT) were 10.5 ± 1.8 g/dL, 570 ± 539 µg/l, and 29.8 ± 15%, respectively. Only 32.7% of patients were within the Hb target of 10.5-12.0 g/dL (46.3% were below and 21.1% above). Erythropoietin-stimulating agents (ESAs) were administered to 84.3% patients and 68.3% received intravenous iron (IV). Iron deficiency (TSAT≤20%) was present in 27.5% patients and among those receiving erythropoietin, 47% did not achieve Hb target. The independent variables associated with the lowest Hb level (<10.5 g/dL) were: female gender, TSAT<25% and age<50 years. CONCLUSIONS: According to these results, nearly half of LA chronic HD patients did not achieve the recommended Hb target despite wide use of ESAs and IV iron.

Waist-to-height ratio: an accurate anthropometric index of abdominal adiposity and a predictor of high HOMA-IR values in nondialyzed chronic kidney disease patients.

OBJECTIVE: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with metabolic disorders, including insulin resistance (IR), mainly when associated with obesity and characterized by high abdominal adiposity (AbAd). Anthropometric measures are recommended for assessing AbAd in clinical settings, but their accuracies need to be evaluated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the precision of different anthropometric measures of AbAd in patients with CKD. We also sought to determine the AbAd association with high homeostasis model assessment index of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) values and the cutoff point for AbAd index to predict high HOMA-IR values. METHODS: A subset of clinically stable nondialyzed patients with CKD followed at a multidisciplinary outpatient clinic was enrolled in this cross-sectional study. The accuracy of the following anthropometric indices: waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, conicity index and waist-to-height ratio (WheiR) to assess AbAd, was evaluated using trunk fat, by dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), as a reference method. HOMA-IR was estimated to stratify patients in high and low HOMA-IR groups. The total area under the receiver-operating characteristic curves (AUC-ROC; sensitivity/specificity) was calculated: AbAd with high HOMA-IR values (95% confidence interval [CI]). RESULTS: We studied 134 patients (55% males; 54% overweight/obese, body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m(2), age 64.9 ± 12.5 y, estimated glomerular filtration rate 29.0 ± 12.7 mL/min). Among studied AbAd indices, WheiR was the only one to show correlation with DXA trunk fat after adjusting for confounders (P < 0.0001). Thus, WheiR was used to evaluate the association between AbAd with HOMA-IR values (r = 0.47; P < 0.0001). The cutoff point for WheiR as a predictor for high HOMA-IR values was 0.55 (AUC-ROC = 0.69 ± 0.05; 95% CI, 0.60-0.77; sensitivity/specificity, 68.9/61.9). CONCLUSIONS: WheiR is recommended as an effective and precise anthropometric index to assess AbAd and to predict high HOMA-IR values in nondialyzed patients with CKD.

Gender-related differences in kidney of rats with chronic renal failure.

Chronic renal failure is characterized by adaptive mechanisms secondary to the loss of functioning nephrons. Clinical and experimental studies suggest participation of gender-related hormones on renal function and progression of chronic renal failure. We evaluated the effect of castration on renal alterations in male and female Wistar control rats and after 30 days of chronic renal failure (CRF) induced by 5/6 nephrectomy. The CRF male group showed higher proteinuria. Glomerular hypertrophy was similar among groups. Podocyte morphology showed disorders of foot processes and thickening of the basement membrane in the CRF male group. The CRF female group showed fewer alterations compared to males. Castration changed the profile in CRF male animals and the filtration barrier was preserved. CRF males showed the presence of alfa-smooth muscle actin suggesting an early prefibrotic event in this group. After castration this phenomenon was not observed. Noteworthy, in females, castration exacerbated the presence of alfa-smooth muscle actin. In summary, proteinuria was higher in males and appeared early in the course of CRF, probably contributing to fibrotic events. Data were influenced by gender suggesting that male sex hormones aggravate renal alterations.

Adiposity and cardiovascular disease risk factors in renal transplant recipients: Are there differences between sexes?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate high body adiposity and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors prevalence, in renal transplant recipients (RTR), comparing men with women. METHODS: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, 102 patients (55 men) who were 49 ± 1.2 y and 114.3 ± 9 mo post-transplant (post-tx) were evaluated. Pretransplant (pre-tx) period data and weight gain during the first year post-tx were obtained from patient charts and post-tx data were collected during a routine visit at nephrology clinic. Body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m(2) defined overweight and BMI ≥ 30 kg/m(2) defined obesity. RESULTS: Pre-tx overweight prevalence was low and similar between men and women (26%), whereas only women showed obesity (11%). Post-tx body weight increased significantly in the entire group, leading to an increase in overweight (to 38% in men and 51% in women) and obesity (to 11% in men and 23% in women) prevalence. Post-tx comparisons between men and women showed that women had higher (women versus men; P < 0.05) BMI values (26.7 ± 0.8 versus 24.7 ± 0.5 kg/m(2)), weight gain during first year post-tx (9.2 ± 1.1 versus 5.5 ± 1 kg), abdominal obesity (57% versus 23%) and diabetes (34% versus 16%) prevalence. The associations between adiposity and CVD risk factors showed that pre-tx overweight increased the risk for diabetes in post-tx; pos-tx high BMI and abdominal obesity increased the risk for metabolic syndrome; abdominal obesity increased the risk for dyslipidemia in women. CONCLUSIONS: High body adiposity prevalence was high after transplantation and increased the risk for metabolic syndrome, an important CVD risk factor. Women showed higher total body adiposity values, abdominal obesity, and diabetes prevalence than men. Abdominal obesity increased the risk for dyslipidemia in women.

Body adiposity index assess body fat with high accuracy in nondialyzed chronic kidney disease patients.

OBJECTIVE: High body fat (BF) is an alarming condition that also affects nondialyzed chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Distinct methods are used to evaluate BF; however, in CKD population it remains unclear which one is more reliable showing high accuracy. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), used as reference method to estimate adiposity, is expensive and time consuming to be applied in clinical settings. Recently, a new body adiposity index (BAI), that estimates BF from easily accessible measures, was validated in the general population. The aim of this study was to evaluate which simple and practical method, routinely used to estimate BF, shows the highest accuracy compared with DXA, in nondialyzed CKD patients. DESIGN AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study BF was estimated by DXA, bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), anthropometry (ANTHRO), and BAI. Serum leptin levels were determined. RESULTS: Studied patients (n = 134) were 55% males, 54% overweight/obese, and 64.9 ± 12.5 years old, with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) = 29.0 ± 12.7 ml/min. The correlation coefficient was higher between DXA vs. ANTHRO (r = 0.76) and BAI (r = 0.61) than with BIA (r = 0.57), after adjusting for gender, age, and eGFR (P < 0.0001). Therefore, the Lin's concordance correlation coefficient and Bland-Altman plots were performed to measure the accuracy (C_b) between DXA with both ANTHRO and BAI. A higher accuracy (C_b = 0.82) and lower mean difference (-3.4%) was observed for BAI than for ANTHRO (C_b = 0.61; -8.4%). Leptin levels correlated (P < 0.0001) with DXA (r = 0.56) and BAI (r = 0.59). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that BAI estimates BF with high accuracy in nondialyzed CKD patients and may be helpful in the treatment of this population with increased BF.

Can renal nutrition education improve adherence to a low-protein diet in patients with stages 3 to 5 chronic kidney disease?

OBJECTIVE: Low adherence is frequently observed in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) who are following a low-protein diet. We have evaluated whether a specific nutrition education program motivates patients with CKD who do not yet receive dialysis to reduce their protein intake and whether such a program improves adherence to a low-protein diet over and above standard dietary counseling. DESIGN AND METHODS: This was a randomized controlled clinical trial conducted at the CKD outpatient clinic at Pedro Ernesto University Hospital, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. SUBJECTS: This study included adult patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) who were receiving conservative treatment. Participants had received their first referrals to a renal dietitian. INTERVENTION: Patients were randomized to a normal counseling group (individualized dietary program: 0.6 to 0.75 g protein/kg/day or 0.6 to 0.8 g/kg/day for patients with diabetes and 25 to 35 kcal/kg/day with sodium restriction) or an intense counseling group (same dietary program plus nutrition education materials). The nutrition education material included 4 different actions to improve patient knowledge and understanding of the low-protein and low-sodium diet. Both groups were followed by means of individual monthly visits to the outpatient clinic for 4 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: We looked for a change in protein intake from baseline values as well as the adherence rate, assessed as a 20% decrease of the initial protein intake (by 24-hour food recall). RESULTS: Eighty-nine patients completed the study (normal counseling n = 46; intense counseling n = 43). The number of patients who adhered to a low-protein diet was high but did not differ between groups (in the last visit 69% vs. 48%; P = .48; intense vs. normal counseling, respectively). The reduction in protein intake from baseline values was greater for the intense counseling group compared with the normal counseling group (at the last visit, -20.7 g/day [-30.9%] vs. -10.5 g/day [-15.1%], intense vs. normal counseling, respectively; P = .04). CONCLUSION: An intense nutrition education program contributed to reducing protein intake in patients with stage 3 to 5 CKD over and above our standard dietary counseling. Nutritional education programs are effective in increasing patient adherence to protein intake recommendations.

[Study on blindness: mortality of patients with chronic kidney disease during non-elective hemodialysis]. / Ensaio sobre a cegueira: mortalidade de pacientes com doença renal crônica em hemodiálise de emergência.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) leads to renal failure and the need for renal replacement therapy (RRT). Secondary prevention may postpone CKD for many years. This retrospective study sought to analyze prognostic factors and estimate the mortality of patients with CKD secondary to diabetes mellitus and to hypertension that initiate RRT through non-elective hemodialysis at an emergency hospital unit in Rio de Janeiro, from hospital admission until transfer to referral units. The mortality rate was 35.1%. The study detected a significant difference between the survival curves according to disease etiology (log-rank and Peto, p=0.02) and the presence of functional arteriovenous fistulae (log-rank, p=0.0099; Peto, p=0.0090). Multivariate analysis (Cox model) revealed a 7% increase in the risk of death (p=0.002) by one-year increment in age; the presence of a functional fistule was associated to an 81% reduction in the risk of death (p=0.03). About one third of patients with CKD followed by hypertension or diabetes that initiate renal replacement therapy through non-elective hemodialysis die before being transferred to a referral unit, indicating low access to secondary prevention in CKD, including surgery for arteriovenous fistula creation.

Ensaio sobre a cegueira: mortalidade de pacientes com doença renal crônica em hemodiálise de emergência / Study on blindness: mortality of patients with chronic kidney disease during non-elective hemodialysis

A doença renal crônica (DRC) leva à falência renal e à necessidade de terapia renal substitutiva (TRS). A prevenção secundária pode retardar em muitos anos a evolução da doença. O presente estudo, retrospectivo, objetivou analisar os fatores prognósticos e estimar a mortalidade de portadores de doença renal crônica (DRC) secundária à hipertensão ou diabetes que iniciam a TRS por hemodiálise de emergência, desde a admissão hospitalar até a transferência para clínica-satélite ou óbito, no Rio de Janeiro. A taxa de mortalidade foi de 35,1%. Houve diferença significativa entre as curvas de sobrevida até o óbito, por doença de base (log-rank e Peto, p = 0,02) e por presença de fístula funcional (log-rank, p = 0,0099; Peto, p = 0,0090). A análise multivariada (modelo de Cox) mostrou aumento no risco de óbito de 7% (p = 0,002) por ano de idade; a presença de fístula funcional foi associada a uma redução de 81% no risco (p = 0,03). Conclui-se que um terço dos pacientes portadores de DRC por hipertensão e diabetes, que iniciam a TRS de forma não planejada, morrem no período entre a admissão hospitalar e a transferência para clínicas-satélites, o que indica baixo acesso à prevenção secundária na DRC, inclusive à cirurgia para a confecção da fístula arteriovenosa.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) leads to renal failure and the need for renal replacement therapy (RRT). Secondary prevention may postpone CKD for many years. This retrospective study sought to analyze prognostic factors and estimate the mortality of patients with CKD secondary to diabetes mellitus and to hypertension that initiate RRT through non-elective hemodialysis at an emergency hospital unit in Rio de Janeiro, from hospital admission until transfer to referral units. The mortality rate was 35.1%. The study detected a significant difference between the survival curves according to disease etiology (log-rank and Peto, p=0.02) and the presence of functional arteriovenous fistulae (log-rank, p=0.0099; Peto, p=0.0090). Multivariate analysis (Cox model) revealed a 7% increase in the risk of death (p=0.002) by one-year increment in age; the presence of a functional fistule was associated to an 81% reduction in the risk of death (p=0.03). About one third of patients with CKD followed by hypertension or diabetes that initiate renal replacement therapy through non-elective hemodialysis die before being transferred to a referral unit, indicating low access to secondary prevention in CKD, including surgery for arteriovenous fistula creation.

Ambulatory arterial stiffness index is higher in hypertensive patients with chronic kidney disease.

Ambulatory arterial stiffness index (AASI) is a parameter obtained from ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) that correlates with clinical endpoints. The aim of this study was to compare AASI in nondiabetic hypertensive patients with and without chronic kidney disease (CKD). Subjects with systemic arterial hypertension (SAH, n = 30) with normal renal function, aged 40 to 75 years, were compared to hypertensive patients with CKD (n = 30) presenting estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 mL/min by MDRD formula. ABPM was carried out in all patients. In CKD group, eGFR was 35.3 ± 2.8 ml/min. The mean 24-hour systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) was similar in both groups. AASI was significantly higher in CKD group (0.45 ± 0.03 versus 0.37 ± 0.02, P < 0.05), positively correlated to age (r = 0.38, P < 0.01) and pulse pressure (r = 0.43, P < 0.01) and negatively correlated to nocturnal BP fall (r = -0.28, P = 0.03). These findings indicate the presence of stiffer vessels in CKD hypertensive patients.

Annual variation in body fat is associated with systemic inflammation in chronic kidney disease patients Stages 3 and 4: a longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: In dialysis patients, cross-sectional studies show that total and abdominal body fat associate with inflammatory markers. Whether this is true in earlier disease stages is unknown. We evaluated the cross-sectional and longitudinal (12-month interval) association between body fat markers and C-reactive protein (CRP) in pre-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. METHODS: We studied, over a period of 1 year, clinically stable CKD patients at Stages 3-4 who were under treatment in a single outpatient clinic. Fifty-seven patients were included and 44 concluded the observational period [males: 66%; age: 62.9±13.9 years; body mass index (BMI): 25.5±5.1 kg/m2; estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR): 34±12.3 mL/min/1.73 m2]. Total body fat (skinfold thicknesses), waist circumference (WC), laboratory measurements (serum creatinine, total cholesterol, albumin, high-sensitivity CRP and leptin) and food intake (24-h food recall) were assessed at baseline and after 12±2 months. RESULTS: Most patients had anthropometric parameters in the range of overweight/obesity and none had signs of protein-energy wasting. In univariate analysis, changes (delta: end-baseline) in CRP were associated (P<0.05) with changes in BMI (r=0.39) and WC (r=0.33). In multiple regression analysis, these associations remained significant (P<0.05) even after adjusted by potential confounders (sex, diabetes, baseline age and eGFR). CONCLUSIONS: During a follow-up of 12 months, changes in BMI and WC were directly associated with changes in CRP. Our results support the concept that interventions aimed at reducing weight and/or abdominal adiposity in pre-dialysis CKD patients may also translate into reduced systemic inflammation.