The Role of Insomnia and Exercise in COVID-19 Worries for Psychological Distress in Hong Kong Chinese: A Moderated Mediation Model.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the role of insomnia as a mediator between worrying and mental health and whether the association between worrying and insomnia is moderated by the levels of exercise frequency. METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted during the fourth wave of the COVID-19 outbreak in Hong Kong (n = 988). Participants' insomnia, psychological distress, and exercise frequency were evaluated. A mediation analysis was performed to examine the direct effect of COVID-19 worries and their indirect effect through insomnia on psychological distress. RESULTS: A significant indirect effect of COVID-19 worries through insomnia was found on psychological distress (beta = 0.18, SE = 0.02, 95% CI = 0.14-0.22, p < .001). The significant index of moderated mediation supported the moderating effect of exercise frequency on the indirect effect of COVID-19 worries on psychological distress (IMM = 0.06, SE = 0.02, 95% CI = 0.02-0.10, p = .006). The conditional indirect effects of insomnia on psychological distress were significant in individuals with mean and higher exercise frequency but not in those with lower exercise frequency. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 worries increased psychological distress through the worsening of sleep, and such an array of COVID-19 worries on insomnia was moderated by exercise frequency. Engaging more frequent exercise could reduce insomnia in people with less COVID-19 worries.

MK-8719, a Novel and Selective O-GlcNAcase Inhibitor That Reduces the Formation of Pathological Tau and Ameliorates Neurodegeneration in a Mouse Model of Tauopathy.

Deposition of hyperphosphorylated and aggregated tau protein in the central nervous system is characteristic of Alzheimer disease and other tauopathies. Tau is subject to O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) modification, and O-GlcNAcylation of tau has been shown to influence tau phosphorylation and aggregation. Inhibition of O-GlcNAcase (OGA), the enzyme that removes O-GlcNAc moieties, is a novel strategy to attenuate the formation of pathologic tau. Here we described the in vitro and in vivo pharmacological properties of a novel and selective OGA inhibitor, MK-8719. In vitro, this compound is a potent inhibitor of the human OGA enzyme with comparable activity against the corresponding enzymes from mouse, rat, and dog. In vivo, oral administration of MK-8719 elevates brain and peripheral blood mononuclear cell O-GlcNAc levels in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, positron emission tomography imaging studies demonstrate robust target engagement of MK-8719 in the brains of rats and rTg4510 mice. In the rTg4510 mouse model of human tauopathy, MK-8719 significantly increases brain O-GlcNAc levels and reduces pathologic tau. The reduction in tau pathology in rTg4510 mice is accompanied by attenuation of brain atrophy, including reduction of forebrain volume loss as revealed by volumetric magnetic resonance imaging analysis. These findings suggest that OGA inhibition may reduce tau pathology in tauopathies. However, since hundreds of O-GlcNAcylated proteins may be influenced by OGA inhibition, it will be critical to understand the physiologic and toxicological consequences of chronic O-GlcNAc elevation in vivo. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: MK-8719 is a novel, selective, and potent O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc)-ase (OGA) inhibitor that inhibits OGA enzyme activity across multiple species with comparable in vitro potency. In vivo, MK-8719 elevates brain O-GlcNAc levels, reduces pathological tau, and ameliorates brain atrophy in the rTg4510 mouse model of tauopathy. These findings indicate that OGA inhibition may be a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of Alzheimer disease and other tauopathies.

Identifying High-Risk Individuals for Chronic Kidney Disease: Results of the CHERISH Community Demonstration Project.

BACKGROUND: Most people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are not aware of their condition. OBJECTIVES: To assess screening criteria in identifying a population with or at high risk for CKD and to determine their level of control of CKD risk factors. METHOD: CKD Health Evaluation Risk Information Sharing (CHERISH), a demonstration project of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hosted screenings at 2 community locations in each of 4 states. People with diabetes, hypertension, or aged ≥50 years were eligible to participate. In addition to CKD, screening included testing and measures of hemoglobin A1C, blood pressure, and lipids. -Results: In this targeted population, among 894 people screened, CKD prevalence was 34%. Of participants with diabetes, 61% had A1C < 7%; of those with hypertension, 23% had blood pressure < 130/80 mm Hg; and of those with high cholesterol, 22% had low-density lipoprotein < 100 mg/dL. CONCLUSIONS: Using targeted selection criteria and simple clinical measures, CHERISH successfully identified a population with a high CKD prevalence and with poor control of CKD risk factors. CHERISH may prove helpful to state and local programs in implementing CKD detection programs in their communities.

ESRD due to Multiple Myeloma in the United States, 2001-2010.

Although management of multiple myeloma has changed substantially in the last decade, it is unknown whether the burden of ESRD due to multiple myeloma has changed, or whether survival of patients with multiple myeloma on RRT has improved. Regarding ESRD due to multiple myeloma necessitating RRT in the United States, we evaluated temporal trends between 2001 and 2010 for demography-adjusted incidence ratios, relative to rates in 2001-2002, and mortality hazards from RRT initiation, relative to hazards in 2001-2002. In this retrospective cohort study, we used the US Renal Data System database (n=1,069,343), 2001-2010, to identify patients with ESRD due to multiple myeloma treated with RRT (n=12,703). Demography-adjusted incidence ratios of ESRD from multiple myeloma decreased between 2001-2002 and 2009-2010 in the overall population (demography-adjusted incidence ratio 0.82; 95% confidence interval, 0.79 to 0.86) and in most demographic subgroups examined. Mortality rates were 86.7, 41.4, and 34.4 per 100 person-years in the first 3 years of RRT, respectively, compared with 32.3, 20.6, and 21.3 in matched controls without multiple myeloma. Unadjusted mortality hazards ratios declined monotonically after 2004 to a value of 0.72; 95% confidence interval, 0.67 to 0.77 in 2009-2010, and declines between 2001-2002 and 2008-2009 were observed (P<0.05) in most demographic subgroups examined. Findings were similar when adjustment was made for demographic characteristics, comorbidity markers, and laboratory test values. These data suggest the incidence of RRT from multiple myeloma in the United States has decreased in the last decade, and clinically meaningful increases in survival have occurred for these patients.

End-stage renal disease attributed to acute tubular necrosis in the United States, 2001-2010.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Though end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is increasingly attributed to acute tubular necrosis (ATN), contemporary trends in the rates of incidence and recovery of renal function are poorly defined. Hence, we set out to describe the clinical epidemiology of ESRD due to ATN between 2001 and 2010. METHODS: We examined United States Renal Data System data (n = 1,070,490) for 2001 through 2010 to calculate the incidence rates and rates of renal recovery and death for patients with ESRD due to ATN treated with renal replacement therapy (RRT, n = 27,603). RESULTS: Standardized incidence ratios increased between 2001-2002 and 2009-2010 in the overall population (ratio 2.14), having risen in all demographic subgroups examined. Recovery of renal function was more likely in patients with ATN than in matched controls (cumulative incidence 23% vs. 2% at 12 weeks, 34% vs. 4% at 1 year), as was death (cumulative incidence 38% vs. 27% at 1 year). Hazards ratios for renal recovery increased stepwise with year of RRT inception to 1.34 (95% confidence interval 1.24-1.45) for 2009-2010 (vs. 2001-2002). In contrast, hazards ratios for death declined stepwise to 0.83 (0.79-0.87) in 2009-2010. CONCLUSION: While the incidence of ESRD attributed to ATN has increased, prospects of renal recovery and survival have also increased. Despite substantial mortality risk on RRT, renal recovery is not a rare occurrence.

Early mortality in patients starting dialysis appears to go unregistered.

Clinical experience suggests a heightened risk associated with the transition to maintenance dialysis but few national studies have systematically examined early mortality trajectories. Here we calculated weekly mortality rates in the first year of treatment for 498,566 adults initiating maintenance dialysis in the United States (2005-2009). Mortality rates were initially unexpectedly low, peaked at 37.0 per 100 person-years in week 6, and declined steadily to 14.8 by week 51. In both early (weeks 7-12) and later (weeks 13-51) time frames, multivariate mortality associations included older age, female, Caucasian, non-Hispanic ethnicity, end-stage renal disease (ESRD) from hypertension and acute tubular necrosis, ischemic heart disease, estimated glomerular filtration rate of 15 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) or more, shorter duration of nephrologist care, and hemodialysis, especially with a catheter. For early mortality risk, adjusted hazard ratios of 2 or more were seen with age over 65 (5.80 vs. under 40 years), hemodialysis with a catheter (2.73 vs. fistula), and age 40-64 (2.33). For later mortality risk, adjusted hazard ratios of 2 or more were seen with age over 65 (4.32 vs. under 40 years), hemodialysis with a catheter (2.10 vs. fistula), and age 40-64 (2.00). Thus, low initial mortality rates question the accuracy of data collected and are consistent with deaths occurring in the early weeks after starting dialysis not being registered with the United States Renal Data System.

Educational programs improve the preparation for dialysis and survival of patients with chronic kidney disease.

Preparation for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is widely acknowledged to be suboptimal in the United States. We sought to determine whether participation in a kidney disease screening and education program resulted in improved ESRD preparation and survival in 595 adults who developed ESRD after participating in the National Kidney Foundation Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP), a community-based screening and education program. Non-KEEP patients were selected from a national ESRD registry and matched to KEEP participants based on demographic and clinical characteristics. The main outcomes were pre-ESRD nephrologist care, placement of permanent vascular access, use of peritoneal dialysis, pre-emptive transplant wait listing, transplantation, and mortality after ESRD. Participation in KEEP was associated with significantly higher rates of pre-ESRD nephrologist care (76.0% vs. 69.3%), peritoneal dialysis (10.3% vs. 6.4%), pre-emptive transplant wait listing (24.2% vs. 17.1%), and transplantation (9.7% vs. 6.4%) but not with higher rates of permanent vascular access (23.4% vs. 20.1%). Participation in KEEP was associated with a lower risk for mortality (hazard ratio 0.80), but this was not statistically significant after adjusting for ESRD preparation. Thus, participation in a voluntary community kidney disease screening and education program was associated with higher rates of ESRD preparation and survival.

ESRD from autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease in the United States, 2001-2010.

BACKGROUND: Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is amenable to early detection and specialty care. Thus, while important to patients with the condition, end-stage renal disease (ESRD) from ADPKD also may be an indicator of the overall state of nephrology care. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study of temporal trends in ESRD from ADPKD and pre-renal replacement therapy (RRT) nephrologist care, 2001-2010 (n = 23,772). SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: US patients who initiated maintenance RRT from 2001 through 2010 (n = 1,069,343) from US Renal Data System data. PREDICTOR: ESRD from ADPKD versus from other causes for baseline characteristics and clinical outcomes; interval 2001-2005 versus 2006-2010 for comparisons of cohort of patients with ESRD from ADPKD. OUTCOMES: Death, wait-listing for kidney transplant, kidney transplantation. MEASUREMENTS: US census data were used as population denominators. Poisson distribution was used to compute incidence rates (IRs). Incidence ratios were standardized to rates in 2001-2002 for age, sex, and race/ethnicity. Patients with and without ADPKD were matched to compare clinical outcomes. Poisson regression was used to calculate IRs and adjusted HRs for clinical events after inception of RRT. RESULTS: General population incidence ratios in 2009-2010 were unchanged from 2001-2002 (incidence ratio, 1.02). Of patients with ADPKD, 48.1% received more than 12 months of nephrology care before RRT; preemptive transplantation was the initial RRT in 14.3% and fistula was the initial hemodialysis access in 35.8%. During 4.9 years of follow-up, patients with ADPKD were more likely to be listed for transplantation (IR, 11.7 [95% CI, 11.5-12.0] vs 8.4 [95% CI, 8.2-8.7] per 100 person-years) and to undergo transplantation (IR, 9.8 [95% CI, 9.5-10.0] vs 4.8 [95% CI, 4.7-5.0] per 100 person-years) and less likely to die (IR, 5.6 [95% CI, 5.4-5.7] vs 15.5 [95% CI, 15.3-15.8] per 100 person-years) than matched controls without ADPKD. LIMITATIONS: Retrospective nonexperimental registry-based study of associations; cause-and-effect relationships cannot be determined. CONCLUSIONS: Although outcomes on dialysis therapy are better for patients with ADPKD than for those without ADPKD, access to predialysis nephrology care and nondeclining ESRD rates may be a cause for concern.

Agreement of reported vascular access on the medical evidence report and on medicare claims at hemodialysis initiation.

BACKGROUND: The choice of vascular access type is an important aspect of care for incident hemodialysis patients. However, data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Medical Evidence Report (form CMS-2728) identifying the first access for incident patients have not previously been validated. Medicare began requiring that vascular access type be reported on claims in July 2010. We aimed to determine the agreement between the reported vascular access at initiation from form CMS-2728 and from Medicare claims. METHODS: This retrospective study used a cohort of 9777 patients who initiated dialysis in the latter half of 2010 and were eligible for Medicare at the start of renal replacement therapy to compare the vascular access type reported on form CMS-2728 with the type reported on Medicare outpatient dialysis claims for the same patients. For each patient, the reported access from each data source was compiled; the percent agreement represented the percent of patients for whom the access was the same. Multivariate logistic analysis was performed to identify characteristics associated with the agreement of reported access. RESULTS: The two data sources agreed for 94% of patients, with a Kappa statistic of 0.83, indicating an excellent level of agreement. Further, we found no evidence to suggest that agreement was associated with the patient characteristics of age, sex, race, or primary cause of renal failure. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that vascular access data as reported on form CMS-2728 are valid and reliable for use in research studies.

Views of Hong Kong Chinese medicine practitioners on the application of the "Chinese Medicine Anti-epidemic Plans" prepared by the Chinese medicine expert group of central authorities: a focus group study.

BACKGROUND: Drawing on the extensive utilization of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to combat COVID-19 in Mainland China, experts designed a series of TCM anti-epidemic strategies. This study aims to understand Hong Kong CM practitioners' application of and opinions on the "Chinese Medicine Anti-epidemic Plans." METHODS: Online focus group interviews were conducted, and purposive sampling was employed to invite 22 CM practitioners to voluntarily participate in three interview sessions. The interviews were audio recorded, then transcribed verbatim. The transcripts were analyzed using template analysis. RESULTS: Three themes were derived: (1) facilitators of the "Chinese Medicine Anti-epidemic Plans," (2) barriers of the "Chinese Medicine Anti-epidemic Plans," and (3) expectations on improving the "Chinese Medicine Anti-epidemic Plans." The participants could obtain relevant information from various sources, which highlights the value of the plans for TCM medicinal cuisine and non-pharmacologic therapies and guiding junior CM practitioners, supplementing Western medicine interventions, and managing Chinese herb reserves in clinics. However, the barriers included the lack of a specialized platform for timely information release, defective plan content, limited reference value to experienced CM practitioners, and lack of applicability to Hong Kong. The expectations of the CM practitioners for improving the plans were identified based on the barriers. CONCLUSIONS: To enhance the implementation of the anti-epidemic plans, CM practitioners in Hong Kong expect to utilize a specific CM platform and refine the plans to ensure that they are realistic, focused, comprehensive, and tailored to the local context.

A longitudinal study on the change in sleep across three waves of the COVID-19 outbreaks in Hong Kong.

In the year 2020, Hong Kong experienced four COVID-19 epidemic waves. The present study aimed to examine the transition of sleep disturbances and explore its associated factors across the later three epidemic waves. Among the 1138 respondents who participated in an online survey at the second wave (T1, April 2020), 338 and 378 participants also completed a follow-up at the third (T2, August 2020) and fourth waves (T3, December 2020), respectively. Participants completed the Insomnia Severity Index and an investigator-designed questionnaire regarding potential factors associated with sleep change such as perceived risk of being infected, economic stress, and confidence in the government and health care professional. Sample of this study were mainly female (67.7%), married (50.3%), young adults (54.2%) with tertiary education (81.6%). Maintaining normal sleep was the most prevalent trajectory of sleep of all three waves (50.5%), followed by persistent insomnia (17.2%) and remitted insomnia (9.0%). Besides female, older-age and lower education level, the results showed that increment in worry about family being infected (adjusted risk ratio, RR = 1.28), perceived interference of daily lives (adjusted RR = 1.19), and economic distress (adjusted RR = 1.24) were significantly associated with the development of clinical insomnia during the three epidemic waves. These factors were also associated with worsening of other sleep parameters. Insomnia being persistent across the three waves of COVID-19 outbreaks was common. Increasing economic distress, daily interference, and worry about family members being infected were associated with an increasing risk of clinical insomnia across the three COVID-19 outbreaks. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s41105-023-00486-w.

Self-Administered Acupressure for Probable Knee Osteoarthritis in Middle-Aged and Older Adults: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: The effects of self-administered acupressure (SAA) on knee osteoarthritis (OA) pain remain unclear. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of SAA taught via a short training course on reducing knee OA pain in middle-aged and older adults. Design, Setting, and Participants: This randomized clinical trial was conducted among community-dwelling individuals in Hong Kong who were aged 50 years or older with probable knee OA from September 2019 to May 2022. Interventions: The intervention included 2 training sessions for SAA with a brief knee health education (KHE) session, in which participants practiced acupressure twice daily for 12 weeks. The control group (KHE only) received only education about maintaining knee health on the same schedule and duration. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was the numerical rating scale (NRS) pain score at 12 weeks. Other outcomes included Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index, Short Form 6 Dimensions (SF-6D), Timed Up and Go, and Fast Gait Speed tests. Results: A total of 314 participants (mean [SD] age, 62.7 [4.5] years; 246 [78.3%] female; mean [SD] knee pain duration, 7.3 [7.6] years) were randomized into intervention and KHE-only groups (each 157). At week 12, compared with the KHE-only group, the intervention group had a significantly greater reduction in NRS pain score (mean difference [MD], -0.54 points; 95% CI, -0.97 to -0.10 points; P = .02) and higher enhancement in SF-6D utility score (MD, 0.03 points; 95% CI, 0.003 to 0.01 points; P = .03) but did not have significant differences in other outcome measures. The cost-effectiveness acceptability curve demonstrated a greater than 90% probability that the intervention is cost-effective at a willingness to pay threshold of 1 GDP per capita. Conclusions and Relevance: In this randomized clinical trial, SAA with a brief KHE program was efficacious and cost-effective in relieving knee pain and improving mobility in middle-aged and older adults with probable knee OA. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04191837.

Extending the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): The GRADE-TCM.

AIM: To extend and form the "Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation in Traditional Chinese Medicine" (GRADE-TCM). METHODS: Methodologies were systematically reviewed and analyzed concerning evidence-based TCM guidelines worldwide. A survey questionnaire was developed based on the literature review and open-end expert interviews. Then, we performed expert consensus, discussion meeting, opinion collection, external examination, and the GRADE-TCM was formed eventually. RESULTS: 265 Chinese and English TCM guidelines were included and analyzed. Five experts completed the open-end interviews. Ten methodological entries were summarized, screened and selected. One round of consensus was conducted, including a total of 22 experts and 220 valid questionnaire entries, concerning 1) selection of the GRADE, 2) GRADE-TCM upgrading criteria, 3) GRADE-TCM evaluation standard, 4) principles of consensus and recommendation, and 5) presentation of the GRADE-TCM and recommendation. Finally, consensus was reached on the above 10 entries, and the results were of high importance (with voting percentages ranging from 50 % to 81.82 % for "very important" rating) and strong reliability (with the Cr ranging from 0.93 to 0.99). Expert discussion meeting (with 40 experts), opinion collection (in two online platforms) and external examination (with 14 third-party experts) were conducted, and the GRADE-TCM was established eventually. CONCLUSION: GRADE-TCM provides a new extended evidence-based evaluation standard for TCM guidelines. In GRADE-TCM, international evidence-based norms, characteristics of TCM intervention, and inheritance of TCM culture were combined organically and followed. This is helpful for localization of the GRADE in TCM and internationalization of TCM guidelines.

No independent association of serum phosphorus with risk for death or progression to end-stage renal disease in a large screen for chronic kidney disease.

Whether higher serum phosphorus levels are associated with a higher risk for death and/or progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is not well established, and whether the association is confounded by access and barriers to care is unknown. To answer these questions, data of 10,672 individuals identified to have CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 ml/min per 1.73 m(2)) from those participating in a community-based screening program were analyzed. Over a median follow-up of 2.3 years, there was no association between quartiles of serum phosphorus and all-cause mortality (adjusted hazards ratio for serum phosphorus over 3.3 to 3.7, over 3.7 to 4.1, and over 4.1 mg/dl, respectively: 1.22 (0.95-1.56), 1.00 (0.76-1.32), and 1.00 (0.75-1.33); reference, serum phosphorus of 3.3 mg/dl and below). Individuals in the highest quartile for serum phosphorus had a significantly higher risk for progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) (unadjusted hazards ratio, 6.72 (4.16-10.85)); however, the risk became nonsignificant on adjustment for potential confounders. There was no appreciable change in hazards ratio with inclusion of variables related to access and barriers to care. Additional analyses in subgroups based on 12 different variables yielded similar negative associations. Thus, in the largest cohort of individuals with early-stage CKD to date, we could not validate an independent association of serum phosphorus with risk for death or progression to ESRD.

The synergistic relationship between estimated GFR and microalbuminuria in predicting long-term progression to ESRD or death in patients with diabetes: results from the Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP).

INTRODUCTION: Chronic kidney disease may complicate diabetes, often manifesting with reduced glomerular filtration rate (GFR), albuminuria, or both. Although greater albuminuria and lower estimated GFR both predict adverse prognosis, whether a synergistic prognostic interaction occurs in patients with diabetes has not been defined in a large national cohort study. METHODS: We used 2000-2011 data from the National Kidney Foundation's Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP) for 42,761 participants with diabetes. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and multivariable Cox regression were used to ascertain the association of estimated GFR, albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR), and their interaction on all-cause mortality and progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) at a median 4 years of follow-up. RESULTS: Of 42,761 participants with diabetes, 8,618 (20.2%) had estimated GFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m(2), 7,715 (18.0%) had ACR >30 mg/g, and 2,641 (6.2%) had both. The unadjusted incidence (per 1,000 person-years) of all-cause mortality increased from 3.1 (95% CI, 2.4-3.8) in participants with estimated GFR ≥ 105 mL/min/1.73 m(2) and no albuminuria to 73.7 (95% CI, 54.9-92.5) in participants with estimated GFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m(2) and macroalbuminuria (P < 0.001). Progression to ESRD likewise increased from 0.2 (95% CI, 0-0.4) to 220.4 (95% CI, 177.2-263.6) per 1,000 person-years (P < 0.001). After adjustment for confounders, both estimated GFR and albuminuria were associated independently with mortality and progression to ESRD, with a strong synergistic interaction (P for interaction < 0.001); estimated GFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m(2) and macroalbuminuria together were associated with a 5-fold higher risk of mortality and a more than 1,000-fold higher risk of progression to ESRD (compared with patients with estimated GFR >60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) and ACR <30 mg/g; P < 0.001 for both outcomes). CONCLUSIONS: In this large cohort of diabetic KEEP participants with more than 170,000 person-years of follow-up, both estimated GFR and albuminuria were associated independently with mortality and progression to ESRD, with a strong synergistic interaction.

Association of race and body mass index with ESRD and mortality in CKD stages 3-4: results from the Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP).

BACKGROUND: A recent cross-sectional analysis of Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP) participants suggested that obesity is a heterogeneous disease state in African Americans and whites with chronic kidney disease (CKD). STUDY DESIGN: In longitudinal analyses spanning 8 years of follow-up, we examined whether race and body mass index (BMI) influence end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and mortality rates in participants with CKD stages 3-4. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: KEEP participants were included in this analysis if they met the following criteria: (1) estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 15-59 mL/min/1.73 m(2), (2) white or African American race, and (3) no previous dialysis or transplantation. OUTCOMES & MEASUREMENTS: Survival analyses were performed for the outcomes of ESRD, death, and combined outcome of ESRD or death. RESULTS: Of 14,631 participants with CKD stages 3-4, 28% were African American and 72% were white. African American participants had higher rates of obesity and hypertension, with a higher baseline mean eGFR, higher prevalence of albuminuria, and greater degree of anemia compared with whites. In multivariable models, African American race increased the risk of ESRD (HR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.26-2.07), but not death (HR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.76-1.03). In these models, male sex, hypertension, diabetes, lower baseline eGFR, and albuminuria were predictive of higher rates of ESRD; age, male sex, diabetes, lower baseline eGFR, and albuminuria were predictive of overall mortality. There was no significant interaction between race and BMI in the adjusted model for outcomes of ESRD (P = 0.7) or death (P = 0.3). LIMITATIONS: Baseline values used in the analysis are from a cross-sectional data set. Dyslipidemia and secondary hyperparathyroidism were not accounted for in the analysis. CONCLUSIONS: African American race was associated with a higher incidence of ESRD, but not mortality. Although obesity may be a heterogeneous disease state in African Americans and whites with CKD, there does not appear to be a significant interaction between race and BMI in progression to ESRD or death.

Risk factors for ESRD in individuals with preserved estimated GFR with and without albuminuria: results from the Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP).

BACKGROUND: Given the increasing costs and poor outcomes of end-stage renal disease (ESRD), we sought to identify risk factors for ESRD in people with preserved estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), with or without albuminuria, who were at high risk of ESRD. METHODS: This cohort study included participants in the National Kidney Foundation's Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP) with eGFR ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) at baseline stratified by the presence or absence of albuminuria. The Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equation was used to calculate eGFR. Urine was tested for albuminuria by semiquantitative dipstick. The outcome was the development of treated chronic kidney failure, defined as initiation of maintenance dialysis therapy or kidney transplantation, determined by linkage to the US Renal Data System. We used a Cox model with the Fine-Gray method to assess risk factors for treated chronic kidney failure while accounting for the competing risk of death. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 4.8 years, 126 of 13,923 participants with albuminuria (16/10,000 patient-years) and 56 of 109,135 participants without albuminuria (1.1/10,000 patient-years) developed treated chronic kidney failure. Diabetes was a strong risk factor for developing treated chronic kidney failure in participants with and without albuminuria (adjusted HRs of 9.3 [95% CI, 5.7-15.3] and 7.8 [95% CI, 4.1-14.8], respectively). Black race, lower eGFR, and higher systolic blood pressure also were associated with higher adjusted risks of developing treated chronic kidney failure. CONCLUSIONS: In a diverse high-risk cohort of KEEP participants with preserved eGFR, we showed that diabetes, higher systolic blood pressure, lower eGFR, and black race were risk factors for developing treated chronic kidney failure irrespective of albuminuria status, although the absolute risk of kidney failure in participants without albuminuria was very low. Our findings support testing for kidney disease in high-risk populations, which often have otherwise unrecognized kidney disease.

Improving Sleep with Far-Infrared-Emitting Pajamas: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

Far infrared (FIR)-based clothing may alleviate sleep disturbance. This study aimed to explore the effects of FIR-emitting pajamas on sleep quality. This was a pilot randomized, sham-controlled trial. Forty subjects with poor sleep quality were randomized to FIR-emitting-pajamas and sham-pajamas groups in a 1:1 ratio. The primary outcome measure was the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Other measures included the Insomnia Severity Index, and 7 day sleep diary, the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and the Satisfaction with Life Scale. Outcomes were measured at baseline and weeks 2, 4, and 6. Both groups showed within-group improvements in the PSQI score, but there was no significant difference between the two groups. However, FIR-emitting pajamas appeared to perform better than sham pajamas in reducing the MFI-physical score, with large effect sizes at three time points (dppc2 = 0.958, 0.841, 0.896); however, the differences were statistically insignificant. The intervention compliance was satisfactory. The effects of FIR-emitting pajamas on sleep quality were not superior to those in the control group. However, these pajamas may improve physical fatigue in adults with poor sleep quality, which warrants further exploration.

Evaluating the effectiveness of video-game based swallowing function training in patients with dysphagia: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Dysphagia can lead to serious complications such as aspiration and aspiration pneumonia, timely and effective rehabilitation training can improve the swallowing function of patients. However, the conventional rehabilitation training methods used in clinical settings have shortcomings such as poor adherence of patients. We present the study design of a randomized controlled trial that evaluated whether video-game based swallowing rehabilitation training can effectively improve swallowing in patients with dysphagia and whether it has additional benefits compared with conventional training methods to improve swallowing function and training compliance among patients with dysphagia. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial with 4 weeks of intervention and 4 weeks of follow-up will be conducted in a rehabilitation center in Beijing, China. We will enroll 78 patients aged 18-80 years with dysphagia. Participants will be randomly assigned to the experimental group (video-game based swallowing function training) and the control group (conventional swallowing function training). All participants will receive 30 min of training per day, 5 times per week, for a total of 4 weeks. The primary outcome is swallowing function. Secondary outcomes include patients' quality of life, training compliance, and training satisfaction. Outcomes are assessed at baseline (pre-treatment), 4 weeks of treatment (post-treatment), and 8 weeks (follow-up), and the assessor is not aware of the participants' grouping. DISCUSSION: The protocol describes a new rehabilitation training method for dysphagia, which involves participant eligibility recruitment, recruitment strategies, and data analysis plan. The results of the study will inform the rehabilitation training and clinical care management of swallowing function in patients with dysphagia. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05978700. Registered on 28 July 2023.

Experience of parents in delivering pediatric tuina to children with symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder during the COVID-19 pandemic: qualitative findings from focus group interviews.

BACKGROUND: Evidence suggests that pediatric tuina, a modality of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), might have beneficial effects on the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), such as overall improvements in concentration, flexibility, mood, sleep quality, and social functioning. This study was conducted to understand the facilitators and barriers in the delivery of pediatric tuina by parents to children with ADHD symptoms. METHODS: This is a focus group interview embedded in a pilot randomized controlled trial on parent-administered pediatric tuina for ADHD in preschool children. Purposive sampling was employed to invite 15 parents who attended our pediatric tuina training program to participate voluntarily in three focus group interviews. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data were analyzed through template analysis. RESULTS: Two themes were identified: (1) facilitators of intervention implementation and (2) barriers to intervention implementation. The theme of the facilitators of intervention implementation included the subthemes of (a) perceived benefits to children and parents, (b) acceptability to children and parents, (c) professional support, and (d) parental expectations of the long-term effects of the intervention. The theme of barriers to intervention implementation included the subthemes of (a) limited benefits for children's inattention symptoms, (b) manipulation management difficulties, and (c) limitations of TCM pattern identification. CONCLUSION: Perceived beneficial effects on the children's sleep quality and appetite and parent-child relationships, as well as timely and professional support, mainly facilitated the implementation of parent-administered pediatric tuina. Slow improvements in the children's inattention symptoms and the possible inaccuracies of online diagnosis were the dominant barriers of the intervention. Parents have high expectations for the provision of long-term professional support during their practice of pediatric tuina. The intervention presented here can be feasibly used by parents.