De novo major cardiovascular events in kidney transplant recipients: a comparative matched cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Although cardiovascular disease is known to be one of the leading causes of death after kidney transplantation (KT), evidence on the risk difference of de novo major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) compared with that in dialysis patients or the general population (GP) remains rare. METHODS: We identified KTRs using the nationwide health insurance database in South Korea and then 1:1 matched them with the dialysis and GP controls without a pre-existing MACE. The primary endpoint was defined as de novo MACEs consisting of myocardial infarction, coronary revascularization and ischemic stroke. The secondary endpoints were all-cause mortality and death-censored graft failure (DCGF) in KTRs. RESULTS: We included 4156 individuals in each of the three groups and followed them up for 4.7 years. De novo MACEs occurred in 3.7, 21.7 and 2.5 individuals per 1000 person-years in the KTRs, dialysis controls and GP controls, respectively. KTRs showed a lower MACE risk {adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 0.16 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.12-0.20], P < .001} than dialysis controls, whereas a similar MACE risk to GP controls [aHR 0.81 (95% CI 0.52-1.27), P = .365]. In addition, KTRs showed a similar MACE risk compared with the GP group, regardless of age, sex and the presence of comorbidities, including hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia. Among KTRs, de novo MACEs were associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality, but not with DCGF. CONCLUSIONS: De novo MACEs in KTRs were much lower than that in dialysis patients and had a similar risk to the GP, but once it occurred it caused elevated mortality risk in KTRs.

Fatal Systemic Capillary Leak Syndrome after SARS-CoV-2Vaccination in Patient with Multiple Myeloma.

A young man with smoldering multiple myeloma died of hypotensive shock 2.5 days after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 vaccination. Clinical findings suggested systemic capillary leak syndrome (SCLS); the patient had experienced a previous suspected flare episode. History of SCLS may indicate higher risk for SCLS after receiving this vaccine.

Impact of Electronic Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) Alerts With Automated Nephrologist Consultation on Detection and Severity of AKI: A Quality Improvement Study.

BACKGROUND: Several electronic alert systems for acute kidney injury (AKI) have been introduced. However, their clinical benefits require further investigation. STUDY DESIGN: Before-and-after quality improvement study. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: A tertiary teaching hospital in Korea, which adopted an AKI alert system on June 1, 2014. Before and after launch of the alert system, 1,884 and 1,309 patients with AKI were included in the usual-care and alert groups, respectively. QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PLAN: Implementation of an AKI alert system through which clinicians could generate automated consultations to the nephrology division for all hospitalized patients. OUTCOMES: Primary outcomes included overlooked AKI events, defined as not measuring the follow-up creatinine value, and the consultation pattern of clinicians. Secondary outcomes were severe AKI events; AKI recovery, defined based on the creatinine-based criterion; and patient mortality. MEASUREMENTS: ORs for events of overlooked AKI, early consultation, and severe AKI were calculated with logistic regression. AKI recovery rate and patient mortality were assessed using Cox regression. RESULTS: After introduction of the alert system, the odds of overlooked AKI events were significantly lower (adjusted OR, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.30-0.52), and the odds of an early consultation with a nephrologist were greater (adjusted OR, 6.13; 95% CI, 4.80-7.82). The odds of a severe AKI event was reduced after implementation of the alerts (adjusted OR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.64-0.89). Furthermore, the likelihood of AKI recovery was improved in the alert group (adjusted HR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.53-1.88). Mortality was not affected by the AKI alert system (adjusted HR, 1.07; 95% CI, 0.68-1.68). LIMITATIONS: Possible unreported differences between the alert and usual-care groups. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of the AKI alert system was associated with beneficial effects in terms of an improved rate of recovery from AKI. Therefore, widespread adoption of such systems could be considered in general hospitals.

Systolic and diastolic dysfunction affects kidney outcomes in hospitalized patients.

BACKGROUNDS: Knowledge on cross-talk between the heart and kidney has been established by basic and clinical research. Nevertheless, the effects of systolic and diastolic heart dysfunctions on the development of acute kidney injury (AKI) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) remain unresolved in hospitalized patients. METHODS: A total of 1327 hospitalized patients who had baseline transthoracic echocardiography performed were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were categorized by the quartiles of ejection fraction (EF) and the ratio of the early transmitral blood flow velocity to early diastolic velocity of the mitral annulus (E/e'). The odds ratios (ORs) for AKI and the hazard ratios (HRs) for ESRD were calculated after adjustment of multiple covariates. RESULTS: During hospital admission, AKI occurred in 210 (15.8%) patients. The lowest quartile of EF was associated with a risk of AKI (OR, 1.60 [1.07-2.41]) and the highest quartile of E/e' was associated with a risk of AKI (OR, 1.90 [1.26-2.41]). When two echocardiographic parameters were combined, patients with a low EF (first to second quartiles) and high E/e' (fourth quartile) showed the highest OR for AKI (OR, 2.27 [1.49-3.45]) compared with the counterpart patients. When the risk of ESRD was evaluated, E/e', but not EF, was a significant parameter of high risk (fourth vs. first quartiles: HR, 4.13 [1.17-14.64]). CONCLUSIONS: Baseline systolic and diastolic dysfunction is related to subsequent risks of AKI and ESRD in hospitalized patients. Monitoring of these parameters may be a useful strategy to predict the risk of these adverse events in the kidney.

Higher Serum Levels of Osteoglycin Are Associated with All-Cause Mortality and Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Events in Patients with Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease.

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have markedly increased rates of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) and mortality. Therefore, identifying early biomarkers predicting clinical outcomes in patients with CKD is critical. We aimed to determine whether osteoglycin, a basic component of the vascular extracellular matrix, was associated with MACCEs or all-cause mortality, using data from a prospective randomized controlled study, K-STAR (Kremezin STudy Against Renal disease progression in Korea: NCT 00860431). A total of 383 patients (mean age: 56.4 years, men/women = 252/131) with CKD stage 3 to 4 from the original trial were enrolled in the present study. We measured serum osteoglycin level and examined the impact of osteoglycin on clinical outcomes. The mean value of osteoglycin levels was 13.3 ± 9.4 ng/mL (healthy control: 5.3 ± 2.1 ng/mL). In multivariable analysis, lower levels of proteinuria and hemoglobin and higher levels of C-reactive protein were significantly associated with higher osteoglycin levels. Estimated glomerular filtration rate was not related to osteoglycin level. During a mean follow-up period of 56 months, 25 deaths, 61 MACCEs, and 76 composite outcomes (all-cause mortality or MACCEs) occurred. In the non-diabetic group, each 1-ng/mL increase in serum osteoglycin was associated with all-cause mortality and composite outcome (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.058, P = 0.031; HR = 1.041, P = 0.036). However, osteoglycin levels were not associated with mortality, MACCEs, or composite outcome in the diabetic group. Our results indicate that serum osteoglycin is a potential predictor of adverse outcomes in patients with CKD.

An Acute Medical Unit in a Korean Tertiary Care Hospital Reduces the Length of Stay and Waiting Time in the Emergency Department.

A hospitalist-run acute medical unit (AMU) opened at a tertiary care hospital on August 2015 for the first time in Korea. Patients visiting the emergency department (ED) with acute medical problems are admitted to the AMU. They stay in that unit for less than 72 hours and are discharged or transferred to specialty wards if longer treatment is necessary. We reviewed 19,450 medical admissions through the ED from January 2014 to September 2016. The median length of stay (LOS) significantly decreased from 10.0 days (interquartile range [IQR], 5.5-16.7) to 9.1 days (IQR, 5.1-15.0) (P < 0.001) after the establishment of the AMU. The median waiting time in the ED significantly shortened by 40% (P < 0.001). Future studies on the impact of AMU on in-patient morbidity, mortality, re-admission rate, and patient or staff satisfaction are necessary.

Long-term Prognosis of Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Negative Renal Vasculitis: Cohort Study in Korea.

Few studies have reported on the long-term prognosis of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-negative renal vasculitis. Between April 2003 and December 2013, 48 patients were diagnosed with renal vasculitis. Their ANCA status was tested using indirect immunofluorescence and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. During a median (interquartile range) follow-up duration of 933.5 (257.5-2,079.0) days, 41.7% of patients progressed to end stage renal disease (ESRD) and 43.8% died from any cause. Of 48 patients, 6 and 42 were ANCA-negative and positive, respectively. The rate of ESRD within 3 months was higher in ANCA-negative patients than in ANCA-positive patients (P = 0.038). In Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, ANCA-negative patients showed shorter renal survival than did ANCA-positive patients (log-rank P = 0.033). In univariate Cox-proportional hazard regression analysis, ANCA-negative patients showed increased risk of ESRD, with a hazard ratio 3.190 (95% confidence interval, 1.028-9.895, P = 0.045). However, the effect of ANCA status on renal survival was not statistically significant in multivariate analysis. Finally, ANCA status did not significantly affect patient survival. In conclusion, long-term patient and renal survival of ANCA-negative renal vasculitis patients did not differ from those of ANCA-positive renal vasculitis patients. Therefore, different treatment strategy depending on ANCA status might be unnecessary.

Effects of acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease on long-term mortality after coronary artery bypass grafting.

BACKGROUND: Both acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are important issues in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), particularly with regard to mortality. However, their synergistic or discrete effects on long-term mortality remain unresolved. METHODS: A total of 1,899 patients undergoing CABG were retrospectively analyzed. The adjusted hazard ratios for all-cause mortality were calculated after stratifying the timeframes. To evaluate the synergistic effects between AKI and CKD, the relative excess risk due to interaction was applied. RESULTS: The presence of AKI, CKD, or both increased the hazard ratios for mortality, compared with the absence of both: AKI alone, 1.84 (1.464-2.319); CKD alone, 2.46 (1.735-3.478); and AKI and CKD together, 3.21 (2.301-4.488). However, the relationships with mortality were different between AKI and CKD, according to the timeframes: AKI primarily affected early mortality, particularly within 3 years, whereas CKD had a relatively constant effect on both the early and late periods. When the parameters from the relative excess risk due to interaction were obtained, there was a synergistic additive effect on early mortality between AKI and CKD. CONCLUSIONS: The relationships with mortality after CABG were different between AKI and CKD. However, their effects were not exclusive but synergistic.

Anemia Is a Risk Factor for Acute Kidney Injury and Long-Term Mortality in Critically Ill Patients.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a major health concern, because AKI is related with an increase in morbidity and mortality. Anemia is related to AKI in several clinical settings. However, the relationship between anemia and AKI and the effect of anemia on long-term mortality are unresolved in critically ill patients. A total of 2,145 patients admitted to the intensive care unit were retrospectively analyzed. We calculated a threshold value of hemoglobin associated with an increased risk of AKI and used this value to define anemia. The odds ratios (ORs) and hazard ratios for AKI and all-cause mortality were calculated after adjusting for multiple covariates. The OR of AKI increased depending on the decrease in hemoglobin level and the ideal threshold point of hemoglobin linked to increasing AKI risk was 10.5 g/dL. We categorized patients into anemia (< 10.5 g/dL) and non-anemia (≥ 10.5 g/dL) groups. The risk of AKI was higher in the anemia group than the non-anemia group and this trend remained significant irrespective of the AKI development time (early vs. late) or duration (< 3 days vs. ≥ 3 days). Both anemia and AKI increased the 10-year mortality risk and this risk prediction was significantly separated by the presence of anemia and AKI. Furthermore, the risk prediction remained consistent irrespective of the AKI severity (i.e., recovery, stage, or duration of AKI). Based on these, we urge clinicians to monitor anemia and AKI in critically ill patients.

Predictive value of echocardiographic parameters for clinical events in patients starting hemodialysis.

Echocardiographic parameters can predict cardiovascular events in several clinical settings. However, which echocardiographic parameter is most predictive of each cardiovascular or non-cardiovascular event in patients starting hemodialysis remains unresolved. Echocardiography was used in 189 patients at the time of starting hemodialysis. We established primary outcomes as follows: cardiovascular events (ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral artery disease, and acute heart failure), fatal non-cardiovascular events, all-cause mortality, and all combined events. The most predictable echocardiographic parameter was determined in the Cox hazard ratio model with a backward selection after the adjustment of multiple covariates. Among several echocardiographic parameters, the E/e' ratio and the left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) were the strongest predictors of cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular events, respectively. After the adjustment of clinical and biochemical covariates, the predictability of E/e' remained consistent, but LVEDV did not. When clinical events were further analyzed, the significant echocardiographic parameters were as follows: s' for ischemic heart disease and peripheral artery disease, LVEDV and E/e' for acute heart failure, and E/e' for all-cause mortality and all combined events. However, no echocardiographic parameter independently predicted cerebrovascular disease or non-cardiovascular events. In conclusion, E/e', s', and LVEDV have independent predictive values for several cardiovascular and mortality events.

A low-salt diet increases the estimated net endogenous acid production in nondiabetic chronic kidney disease patients treated with angiotensin receptor blockade.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: An acid-base imbalance precedes renal disease progression in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Little is known about the effects of a low-salt diet (LSD) on net endogenous acid production (NEAP) levels in CKD patients using angiotensin receptor blockade. METHODS: We enrolled a total of 202 nondiabetic CKD patients who underwent an 8-week treatment with olmesartan from the original trial [Effects of Low Sodium Intake on the Antiproteinuric Efficacy of Olmesartan in Hypertensive Patients with Albuminuria (ESPECIAL) trial: NCT01552954]. The patients were divided into good- and poor-LSD-compliance groups. RESULTS: During the interventional 8 weeks, the NEAP in the good-compliance group increased compared to the control group (12.9 ± 32.0 vs. -2.0 ± 35.0 mmol/day, p = 0.002). NEAP was positively associated with the good-LSD-compliance group in the fully adjusted analyses (r = 0.135, p = 0.016). The additional reduction of 2.39 g/day of protein intake with a reduction of 1 g/day of salt intake did not increase the NEAP under angiotensin II receptor blockade (ARB) treatment with an LSD (r = 0.546, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: We found that an LSD may increase the NEAP in nondiabetic CKD patients using ARB, which suggests that additional acid producing-protein restriction should be required to prevent the NEAP from rising.

Proteinuria and hematuria are associated with acute kidney injury and mortality in critically ill patients: a retrospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Proteinuria and hematuria are both important health issues; however, the nature of the association between these findings and acute kidney injury (AKI) or mortality remains unresolved in critically ill patients. METHODS: Proteinuria and hematuria were measured by a dipstick test and scored using a scale ranging from a negative result to 3+ in 1883 patients admitted to the intensive care unit. AKI was defined according to the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) guidelines. The odds ratios (ORs) for AKI and 3-year mortality were calculated after adjustment for multiple covariates according to the degree of proteinuria or hematuria. For evaluating the synergistic effect on mortality among proteinuria, hematuria, and AKI, the relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI) was used. RESULTS: Proteinuria and hematuria increased the ORs for AKI: the ORs of proteinuria were 1.66 (+/-), 1.86 (1+), 2.18 (2+), and 4.74 (3+) compared with non-proteinuria; the ORs of hematuria were 1.31 (+/-), 1.58 (1+), 2.63 (2+), and 2.52 (3+) compared with non-hematuria. The correlations between the mortality risk and proteinuria or hematuria were all significant and graded (Ptrend<0.001). There was a relative excess risk of mortality when both AKI and proteinuria or hematuria were considered together: the synergy indexes were 1.30 and 1.23 for proteinuria and hematuria, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Proteinuria and hematuria are associated with the risks of AKI and mortality in critically ill patients. Additionally, these findings had a synergistic effect with AKI on mortality.

U-shape relationship of white blood cells with acute kidney injury and mortality in critically ill patients.

Low or high counts of white blood cells (WBCs) and WBC subtypes can be a predictor of morbidity and mortality in several clinical settings. However, the correlations of WBC and its subtypes with acute kidney injury (AKI) and mortality remain unresolved in critically ill patients. The counts of WBC and subtypes, such as neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte, and eosinophil, were measured in 2,079 patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) from June 2004 through June 2010. The non-linear relationship between WBC counts and AKI risk was initially explored by a restricted cubic spline analysis. The odds ratios (ORs) for AKI and 1-year mortality were calculated after adjustment for multiple covariates. The relationship between WBC counts and AKI risk was U-shaped. Accordingly, we divided patients into quintiles according to the counts of WBC or subtypes. The 1(st) and 5(th) quintiles of WBC counts had greater ORs for AKI (1.42 and 2.05, respectively) and mortality (1.40 and 1.36, respectively) compared with the 3(rd) quintile. After stratification by WBC subtype, the 5(th) quintile of neutrophil counts and the 1(st) quintiles of lymphocyte and monocyte counts tended to have higher ORs for AKI (1.69, 1.40, and 1.77, respectively). For mortality, the 1(st) quintiles of neutrophil, lymphocyte, and eosinophil counts were associated with higher mortality compared with the 3(rd) quintile (the ORs were 1.48, 1.57, and 1.42, respectively). Both leukopenia and leukocytosis are associated with AKI and mortality risk in critically ill patients. This result may be attributable to the change in the subtype counts.

Effect of bilirubin on triglyceride synthesis in streptozotocin-induced diabetic nephropathy.

We aimed to elucidate the effect of bilirubin on dyslipidemia and nephropathy in a diabetes mellitus (DM) type I animal model. Sprague-Dawley rats were separated into control, DM, and bilirubin-treated DM (Bil) groups. The Bil group was injected intraperitoneally with 60 mg/kg bilirubin 3 times per week and hepatoma cells were cultured with bilirubin at a concentration of 0.3 mg/dL. The Bil group showed lower serum creatinine levels 5 weeks after diabetes onset. Bilirubin treatment also decreased the amount of mesangial matrix, lowered the expression of renal collagen IV and transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1, and reduced the level of apoptosis in the kidney, compared to the DM group. These changes were accompanied by decreased tissue levels of hydrogen superoxide and NADPH oxidase subunit proteins. Bilirubin decreased serum total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), free fatty acids, and triglycerides (TGs), as well as the TG content in the liver tissues. Bilirubin suppressed protein expression of LXRα, SREBP-1, SCD-1, and FAS, factors involved in TG synthesis that were elevated in the livers of DM rats and hepatoma cells under high-glucose conditions. In conclusion, bilirubin attenuates renal dysfunction and dyslipidemia in diabetes by suppressing LXRα and SREBP-1 expression and oxidative stress.

Small increases in plasma sodium are associated with higher risk of mortality in a healthy population.

Elevated blood pressure (BP) is the most common cause of cardiovascular disease. Salt intake has a strong influence on BP, and plasma sodium (pNa) is increased with progressive increases in salt intake. However, the associations with pNa and BP had been reported inconsistently. We evaluated the association between pNa and BP, and estimated the risks of all-cause-mortality according to pNa levels. On the basis of data collected from health checkups during 1995-2009, 97,009 adult subjects were included. Positive correlations between pNa and systolic BP, diastolic BP, and pulse pressure (PP) were noted in participants with pNa ≥138 mM/L (P<0.001). In participants aged ≥50 yr, SBP, DBP, and PP were positively associated with pNa. In participants with metabolic syndrome components, the differences in SBP and DBP according to pNa were greater (P<0.001). A cumulative incidence of mortality was increased with increasing pNa in women aged ≥50 yr during the median 4.2-yr-follow-up (P<0.001). In women, unadjusted risks for mortality were increased according to sodium levels. After adjustment, pNa ≥145 mM/L was related to mortality. The positive correlation between pNa and BP is stronger in older subjects, women, and subjects with metabolic syndrome components. The incidence and adjusted risks of mortality increase with increasing pNa in women aged ≥50 yr.

Evaluation and management of hypernatremia in adults: clinical perspectives.

Hypernatremia is an occasionally encountered electrolyte disorder, which may lead to fatal consequences under improper management. Hypernatremia is a disorder of the homeostatic status regarding body water and sodium contents. This imbalance is the basis for the diagnostic approach to hypernatremia. We summarize the eight diagnostic steps of the traditional approach and introduce new biomarkers: exclude pseudohypernatremia, confirm glucose-corrected sodium concentrations, determine the extracellular volume status, measure urine sodium levels, measure urine volume and osmolality, check ongoing urinary electrolyte free water clearance, determine arginine vasopressin/copeptin levels, and assess other electrolyte disorders. Moreover, we suggest six steps to manage hypernatremia by replacing water deficits, ongoing water losses, and insensible water losses: identify underlying causes, distinguish between acute and chronic hypernatremia, determine the amount and rate of water administration, select the type of replacement solution, adjust the treatment schedule, and consider additional therapy for diabetes insipidus. Physicians may apply some of these steps to all patients with hypernatremia, and can also adapt the regimens for specific causes or situations.

Evidence-based hyponatremia management in liver disease.

Hyponatremia is primarily a water balance disorder associated with high morbidity and mortality. The pathophysiological mechanisms behind hyponatremia are multifactorial, and diagnosing and treating this disorder remains challenging. In this review, the classification, pathogenesis, and step-by-step management approaches for hyponatremia in patients with liver disease are described based on recent evidence. We summarize the five sequential steps of the traditional diagnostic approach: 1) confirm true hypotonic hyponatremia, 2) assess the severity of hyponatremia symptoms, 3) measure urine osmolality, 4) classify hyponatremia based on the urine sodium concentration and extracellular fluid status, and 5) rule out any coexisting endocrine disorder and renal failure. Distinct treatment strategies for hyponatremia in liver disease should be applied according to the symptoms, duration, and etiology of disease. Symptomatic hyponatremia requires immediate correction with 3% saline. Asymptomatic chronic hyponatremia in liver disease is prevalent and treatment plans should be individualized based on diagnosis. Treatment options for correcting hyponatremia in advanced liver disease may include water restriction; hypokalemia correction; and administration of vasopressin antagonists, albumin, and 3% saline. Safety concerns for patients with liver disease include a higher risk of osmotic demyelination syndrome.

Incident dementia in kidney transplantation recipients: a matched comparative nationwide cohort study in South Korea.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have shown that patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are at elevated risk of dementia. However, whether kidney transplantation (KT) lowers the risk for incident dementia remains unclear. METHODS: From the Korean National Health Insurance Service database, we identified incident KT recipients aged ≥40 years without any history of dementia between 2007 and 2015. We also established a pair of age-, sex-, and inclusion year-matched control cohorts of patients with incident dialysis-dependent ESRD and members of the general population (GP) without a history of dementia, respectively. Cases of incident all-cause dementia, including Alzheimer disease (AD), vascular dementia (VD), and other kinds of dementia, were obtained from baseline until December 31, 2017. RESULTS: We followed 8,841 KT recipients, dialysis-dependent ESRD patients, and GP individuals for 48,371, 28,649, and 49,149 patient- years, respectively. Their mean age was 52.5 years, and 60.6% were male. Over the observation period, 55/43/19 KT recipients, 230/188/75 dialysis-dependent ESRD patients, and 38/32/14 GP individuals developed all-cause dementia/AD/VD. The risks of incident all-cause dementia, AD, and VD in KT recipients were similar to those in GP (hazard ratio: 0.74 [p = 0.20], 0.74 [p = 0.24], and 0.59 [p = 0.18], respectively) and significantly lower than those in dialysis-dependent ESRD patients (hazard ratio: 0.17 [p < 0.001], 0.16 [p < 0.001], and 0.16 [p < 0.001], respectively). Older age and diabetes mellitus at the time of KT were risk factors for incident all-cause dementia and AD in KT recipients. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to show a beneficial impact of KT on incident dementia compared to dialysis dependency.

Predicting outcomes of continuous renal replacement therapy using body composition monitoring: a deep-learning approach.

Fluid balance is a critical prognostic factor for patients with severe acute kidney injury (AKI) requiring continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). This study evaluated whether repeated fluid balance monitoring could improve prognosis in this clinical population. This was a multicenter retrospective study that included 784 patients (mean age, 67.8 years; males, 66.4%) with severe AKI requiring CRRT during 2017-2019 who were treated in eight tertiary hospitals in Korea. Sequential changes in total body water were compared between patients who died (event group) and those who survived (control group) using mixed-effects linear regression analyses. The performance of various machine learning methods, including recurrent neural networks, was compared to that of existing prognostic clinical scores. After adjusting for confounding factors, a marginal benefit of fluid balance was identified for the control group compared to that for the event group (p = 0.074). The deep-learning model using a recurrent neural network with an autoencoder and including fluid balance monitoring provided the best differentiation between the groups (area under the curve, 0.793) compared to 0.604 and 0.606 for SOFA and APACHE II scores, respectively. Our prognostic, deep-learning model underlines the importance of fluid balance monitoring for prognosis assessment among patients receiving CRRT.

Higher hemoglobin level is associated with subtle declines in renal function and presence of cardiorenal risk factors in early CKD stages.

BACKGROUND: Patients with advanced renal dysfunction have comorbidities, including anemia, as a consequence of reduced production of erythropoietin. However, little is known about the renal response to early decreases in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) before the onset of anemia. We therefore investigated the hemoglobin concentration across subtle declines in renal function stratified by cardiorenal risk factors, in subjects with eGFR ≥50 mL/min/1.73 m(2). METHODS: Based on the data from routine health checkups in tertiary university hospitals during the last 15 years, 145 865 adult subjects were identified. RESULTS: Hemoglobin levels among eGFR Groups 2-6 (50 ≤ eGFR < 100 mL/min/1.73m(2)) were significantly higher compared to eGFR group ≥100 mL/min/1.73m(2) (P < 0.001), and the highest level of mean hemoglobin was seen at eGFR 50-59 mL/min/1.73m(2). The mean hemoglobin level of subjects with eGFR 50-59 mL/min/1.73m(2) and eGFR ≥ 100 mL/min/1.73m(2) were 13.36 [95% confidence interval (CI): 13.33-13.40] g/dL versus 12.92 (95% CI: 12.88-12.95) g/dL in women (P < 0.001); in men, 15.60 (95% CI: 15.57-15.63) g/dL versus 15.15 (95% CI: 15.11-15.18) g/dL (P < 0.001). Among each eGFR group, hemoglobin levels were higher in subjects with hypertension (P < 0.001 in both genders), diabetes mellitus (P < 0.001 in both genders) and components of MS (P < 0.003 in both genders) compared to subjects without these conditions. CONCLUSION: Hemoglobin concentration may be slightly higher across subtle declines in renal function and the presence of cardiorenal risk factors in early CKD stages.