Early referral to nephrological care improves long-term survival and hospitalization after dialysis initiation, independent of optimal dialysis start - a call for harmonization of reimbursement policies.

Early treatment of kidney disease can slow disease progression and reduce the increased risk of mortality associated with end-stage kidney disease. However, uncertainty exists whether early referral (ER) to nephrological care per se or an optimal dialysis start impacts patient outcome after dialysis initiation. We determined the effect of ER and suboptimal dialysis start on the 3-year mortality and hospitalizations after dialysis initiation. Between January 2015 and July 2018, 349 patients with ≥1 month of follow-up started dialysis at nine Romanian dialysis clinics. After excluding patients with COVID-19 during follow-up, 254 patients (97 ER and 157 late referral) were included in this retrospective study. The observational period was truncated at 3 years, death, or loss to follow-up. Clinical and laboratory data were retrieved from the quality database of the nephrological care providers. Patients were followed for a median (25-75%) of 36 (16-36) months. At dialysis start, ER patients had higher hemoglobin, phosphate, and albumin levels and started dialysis less often via a central dialysis catheter (p < 0.001 for each). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated an independent lower risk for frequent hospitalizations for ER patients (odds ratio 0.22 (95% confidence interval 0.1-0.485), p < 0.001), and Cox regression analysis revealed an improved survival (hazard ratio 0.540 (95% confidence interval 0.325-0.899), p = 0.02), both independent of optimal dialysis start. In conclusion, early referral to nephrological care was associated with improved survival and lower hospitalization rates during the three years after dialysis initiation, independent of optimal dialysis start. These results strongly support the reimbursement of nephrological care before dialysis initiation.

Application of Artificial Intelligence in Clinical Practice - Perception of a Multinational Group of Nephrologists.

This study investigates the perception of a multinational group of nephrologists on artificial intelligence (AI) application in clinical practice. A validated on-line survey was performed in March 2024, in 4 continents. The results revealed a prevalent familiarity with AI and machine learning (ML) terms, but traditional tools remained favored for clinical decision support. AI's future relevance was acknowledged by more than two thirds of the sample but concerns related to the use of this tool in clinical practice were shared, particularly by nephrologists without any previous contact with AI. This reinforces the need for education in this group of health professionals, to allow full adoption of AI in the management of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the near future.

A Complexidade da intervenção social segundo gênero e escolaridade do doente renal crónico / The complexity of social intervention according to gender and education of chronic kidney disease patients

A elevada prevalência da doença renal crónica e a relevância social do seu tratamento exigem um aprofundamento do conhecimento sobre a população doente, tendo em conta a sua complexidade holística. O estudo pretendeu analisar os níveis de complexidade no processo de intervenção social com pessoas com doença renal crónica numa perspetiva de gênero e de escolaridade. A amostra integrou 584 doentes com idades compreendidas entre os 19 e os 93 anos, maioritariamente do sexo masculino, casados e com o 1.º ciclo ensino básico. Os participantes, com diagnóstico de doença renal crónica, foram avaliados através de um protocolo que inclui um questionário sociodemográfico e a Matriz de Complexidade Associada ao Processo de Intervenção Social com Doentes Renais Crónicos (MCAPIS_DRC). Encontrou-se uma associação estatisticamente significativa entre os três níveis de complexidade avaliados e as variáveis sexo (p = 0,002, phi = 0,146) e escolaridade (p > 0,001, phi = 0,277). Verificou-se, igualmente, uma interação entre a escolaridade e o índice de complexidade consoante o sexo (F(5, 572) = 6,647 p = < 0,001, ƞp2 = 0,113). As mulheres apresentaram maiores pontuações no índice e as pessoas com maiores níveis de escolaridade pontuam menos no índice. A evidência permite ter uma abordagem diferenciadora na avaliação e intervenção social, priorizando grupos e situações problema.

The high prevalence of chronic kidney disease and the social relevance of its treatment require a deeper knowledge concerning this sick population, taking into account its overall complexity. The study aimed to analyze the levels of complexity in the social intervention process with people with chronic kidney disease from a gender and educational perspective. The sample included 584 patients aged between 19 and 93 years, mostly male, married and with the 1st cycle of primary education completed. Participants, diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, were assessed using a protocol that includes a sociodemographic questionnaire and The Matrix of Complexity Associated with the Process of Social Intervention with Chronic Kidney Disease Patients (MCAPIS_DRC). A statistically significant association was found between the three levels of complexity assessed and the variables gender (p=0.002, phi=0.146) and education (p>0.001, phi=0.277). There was also an interaction between education and the complexity index according to sex (F (5, 572) =6.647 p=<0.001, ƞp2=0.113). Women had higher scores on the index and people with higher levels of education scored less on the index. The evidence allows for a different approach in the assessment and social intervention if this condition, prioritizing problematic groups and situations.