Relationship between patient-reported outcomes of elective surgery and hospital and consultant volume.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to analyze the relationship for 3 elective operations between outcome [patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) for functional status, health-related quality of life, and postoperative complications] and both hospital and consultant volume. METHODS: Hospitals (NHS and independent) and consultants undertaking at least 10 NHS-funded procedures during 2011/2012 were included (230 hospitals for hip and knee replacement, 257 for hernia repair; 978 consultants for hip replacement, 1172 for knee replacement, and 1288 for hernia repair). Outcomes (disease-specific and generic PROMs, patient-reported complications) were available from the NHS National PROMs Programme for 2009/2010 to 2011/2012. Relationship between case-mix adjusted outcomes and volume investigated using multilevel modeling. RESULTS: There was considerable variation in hospital volumes (about 10-fold) and consultant volumes (about 5-fold). No significant association was observed between hospital volume and outcome for all 3 procedures. For consultant volume, there was no significant association for knee replacement or hernia repair. However, outcomes were statistically significantly better for hip replacement, although the effect was of little clinical significance: an additional 10 cases was associated with a higher Oxford Hip Score (0.06), higher EQ-5D score (0.001), and lower odds ratio of complications (0.992). CONCLUSIONS: There are unlikely to be any benefits to patients from centralization of elective surgery into higher volume hospitals as regards the effectiveness of surgery or the avoidance of minor complications. There is some evidence that very low volume consultants achieve poorer outcomes than higher volume colleagues but the difference is slight and of little or no clinical significance.

Attrition revisited: adherence and retention in a web-based alcohol trial.

BACKGROUND: Attrition is a noted feature of eHealth interventions and trials. In 2005, Eysenbach published a landmark paper calling for a "science of attrition," suggesting that the 2 forms of attrition--nonusage attrition (low adherence to the intervention) and dropout attrition (poor retention to follow-up)--may be related and that this potential relationship deserved further study. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this paper was to use data from an online alcohol trial to explore Eysenbach's hypothesis, and to answer 3 research questions: (1) Are adherence and retention related? If so, how, and under which circumstances? (2) Do adherence and retention have similar predictors? Can these predictors adequately explain any relationship between adherence and retention or are there additional, unmeasured predictors impacting on the relationship? (3) If there are additional unmeasured predictors impacting on the relationship, are there data to support Eysenbach's hypothesis that these are related to overall levels of interest? METHODS: Secondary analysis of data from an online trial of an online intervention to reduce alcohol consumption among heavy drinkers. The 2 outcomes were adherence to the intervention measured by number of log-ins, and retention to the trial measured by provision of follow-up data at 3 months (the primary outcome point). Dependent variables were demographic and alcohol-related data collected at baseline. Predictors of adherence and retention were modeled using logistic regression models. RESULTS: Data were available on 7932 participants. Adherence and retention were related in a complex fashion. Participants in the intervention group were more likely than those in the control group to log in more than once (42% vs 28%, P<.001) and less likely than those in the control group to respond at 3 months (40% vs 49%, P<.001). Within each randomized group, participants who logged in more frequently were more likely to respond than those who logged in less frequently. Response rates in the intervention group for those who logged in once, twice, or ≥3 times were 34%, 46%, and 51%, respectively (P<.001); response rates in the control group for those who logged in once, twice, or ≥3 times were 44%, 60%, and 67%, respectively (P<.001). Relationships between baseline characteristics and adherence and retention were also complex. Where demographic characteristics predicted adherence, they tended also to predict retention. However, characteristics related to alcohol consumption and intention or confidence in reducing alcohol consumption tended to have opposite effects on adherence and retention, with factors that predicted improved adherence tending to predict reduced retention. The complexity of these relationships suggested the existence of an unmeasured confounder. CONCLUSIONS: In this dataset, adherence and retention were related in a complex fashion. We propose a possible explanatory model for these data. TRIAL REGISTRATION: International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN): 31070347; http://www.controlled-trials.com/ISRCTN31070347 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6IEmNnlCn).

C3 polymorphisms and allograft outcome in renal transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Complement activation plays a role in the development of chronic allograft nephropathy, a common cause of late allograft loss. The role of two complement component 3 (C3) allotypes, called C3F (fast) and C3S (slow) on the basis of their electrophoretic motility, in the long-term outcome of renal allografts remains controversial. METHODS: We selected a random sample of 1147 donor and recipient pairs from the Collaborative Transplant Study DNA bank, and their DNA specimens were genotyped for the C3F and C3S alleles. The genotyping results were analyzed according to allograft outcome. Transplants were divided into four groups, according to the recipient and donor genotypes: SS recipient and FS or FF donor (the standard for comparison, since this combination has been reported to have the best outcome), SS recipient and donor, FS or FF recipient and SS donor, and FS or FF recipient and donor. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics of the four transplant groups were similar. The hazard ratios for allograft survival in the SS recipient and FS or FF donor group as compared with the other three groups (SS recipient and donor, FS or FF recipient and SS donor, and FS or FF recipient and donor) were not significant: 0.90 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.7 to 1.14; P=0.33), 0.87 (95% CI, 0.65 to 1.16; P=0.33), and 0.89 (95% CI, 0.65 to 1.23; P=0.48), respectively. The four groups had similar patient-survival rates and similar cumulative rates of acute rejection and allograft dysfunction, as assessed by means of serum creatinine levels. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that transplantation of FS or FF kidneys to SS recipients is not advantageous, possibly because chronic allograft nephropathy is a multifaceted disease involving the interplay of many biologic pathways.

Spiritual and religious interventions for well-being of adults in the terminal phase of disease.

BACKGROUND: As terminal disease progresses, health deteriorates and the end of life approaches, people may ask "Why this illness? Why me? Why now?" Such questions may invoke, rekindle or intensify spiritual or religious concerns. Although the processes by which these associations occur are poorly understood, there is some research evidence for associations that are mainly positive between spiritual and religious awareness and wellness, such as emotional health. OBJECTIVES: This review aimed to describe spiritual and religious interventions for adults in the terminal phase of a disease and to evaluate their effectiveness on well-being. SEARCH METHODS: We searched 14 databases to November 2011, including the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and MEDLINE. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomised controlled trials (RCTS) if they involved adults in the terminal phase of a disease and if they evaluated outcomes for an intervention that had a spiritual or religious component. Primary outcomes were well-being, coping with the disease and quality of life. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: In accordance with the inclusion criteria, two review authors independently screened citations. One review author extracted data which was then checked by another review author. We considered meta-analysis for studies with comparable characteristics. MAIN RESULTS: Five RCTs (1130 participants) were included. Two studies evaluated meditation, the others evaluated multi-disciplinary palliative care interventions that involved a chaplain or spiritual counsellor as a member of the intervention team. The studies evaluating meditation found no overall significant difference between those receiving meditation or usual care on quality of life or well-being. However, when meditation was combined with massage in the medium term it buffered against a reduction in quality of life. In the palliative care intervention studies there was no significant difference in quality of life or well-being between the trial arms. Coping with the disease was not evaluated in the studies. The quality of the studies was limited by under-reporting of design features. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: We found inconclusive evidence that interventions with spiritual or religious components for adults in the terminal phase of a disease may or may not enhance well-being. Such interventions are under-evaluated. All five studies identified were undertaken in the same country, and in the multi-disciplinary palliative care interventions it is unclear if all participants received support from a chaplain or a spiritual counsellor. Moreover, it is unclear in all the studies whether the participants in the comparative groups received spiritual or religious support, or both, as part of routine care or from elsewhere. The paucity of quality research indicates a need for more rigorous studies.

Bicarbonate supplementation slows progression of CKD and improves nutritional status.

Bicarbonate supplementation preserves renal function in experimental chronic kidney disease (CKD), but whether the same benefit occurs in humans is unknown. Here, we randomly assigned 134 adult patients with CKD (creatinine clearance [CrCl] 15 to 30 ml/min per 1.73 m(2)) and serum bicarbonate 16 to 20 mmol/L to either supplementation with oral sodium bicarbonate or standard care for 2 yr. The primary end points were rate of CrCl decline, the proportion of patients with rapid decline of CrCl (>3 ml/min per 1.73 m(2)/yr), and ESRD (CrCl <10 ml/min). Secondary end points were dietary protein intake, normalized protein nitrogen appearance, serum albumin, and mid-arm muscle circumference. Compared with the control group, decline in CrCl was slower with bicarbonate supplementation (5.93 versus 1.88 ml/min 1.73 m(2); P < 0.0001). Patients supplemented with bicarbonate were significantly less likely to experience rapid progression (9 versus 45%; relative risk 0.15; 95% confidence interval 0.06 to 0.40; P < 0.0001). Similarly, fewer patients supplemented with bicarbonate developed ESRD (6.5 versus 33%; relative risk 0.13; 95% confidence interval 0.04 to 0.40; P < 0.001). Nutritional parameters improved significantly with bicarbonate supplementation, which was well tolerated. This study demonstrates that bicarbonate supplementation slows the rate of progression of renal failure to ESRD and improves nutritional status among patients with CKD.

Pretransplant donor-specific antibodies in cytotoxic negative crossmatch kidney transplants: are they relevant?

BACKGROUND: The corresponding antigens of alloantibodies identified in patients awaiting kidney transplantation are often listed as unacceptable for transplantation. The use of solid phase testing, being more sensitive and accurate than conventional complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) assays, has resulted in increased identification of alloantibodies. We aimed to study the clinical importance of alloantibodies defined solely by solid phase techniques. METHODS: All patients transplanted between 1999 and 2001 at our center with available day-of-transplant sera (D0) were included (121 patients). All had negative CDC crossmatches. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients (31%) had detectable alloantibodies using high-definition assays with 16 having donor-specific antibodies (DSA) and 22 non-DSA. There were no cases of hyperacute rejection in any of the groups. Biopsy-proven acute rejection rates in the DSA and non-DSA were similar to the unsensitized group. Delayed graft function and 1-year graft survival rates were also similar for the three groups as were median 1-year serum creatinine levels. Multivariate analysis, however, showed that DSA were associated with an increased relative risk of longer-term graft failure (relative risk, 6.5; P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These data show that in the context of a CDC-negative crossmatch, the presence of D0 DSA has little impact on any early graft parameters. DSA, however, are associated with poorer longer-term graft outcomes in kidney transplantation.

Coding of Barrett's oesophagus with high-grade dysplasia in national administrative databases: a population-based cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: The International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision (ICD-10) system used in the English hospital administrative database (Hospital Episode Statistics (HES)) does not contain a specific code for oesophageal high-grade dysplasia (HGD). The aim of this paper was to examine how patients with HGD were coded in HES and whether it was done consistently. SETTING: National population-based cohort study of patients with newly diagnosed with HGD in England. The study used data collected prospectively as part of the National Oesophago-Gastric Cancer Audit (NOGCA). These records were linked to HES to investigate the pattern of ICD-10 codes recorded for these patients at the time of diagnosis. PARTICIPANTS: All patients with a new diagnosis of HGD between 1 April 2013 and 31 March 2014 in England, who had data submitted to the NOGCA. OUTCOMES MEASURED: The main outcome assessed was the pattern of primary and secondary ICD-10 diagnostic codes recorded in the HES records at endoscopy at the time of diagnosis of HGD. RESULTS: Among 452 patients with a new diagnosis of HGD between 1 April 2013 and 31 March 2014, Barrett's oesophagus was the only condition coded in 200 (44.2%) HES records. Records for 59 patients (13.1%) contained no oesophageal conditions. The remaining 193 patients had various diagnostic codes recorded, 93 included a diagnosis of Barrett's oesophagus and 57 included a diagnosis of oesophageal/gastric cardia cancer. CONCLUSIONS: HES is not suitable to support national studies looking at the management of HGD. This is one reason for the UK to adopt an extended ICD system (akin to ICD-10-CM).

The effect of proinflammatory cytokine gene and angiotensin-converting enzyme polymorphisms on erythropoietin requirements in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

BACKGROUND: The correction of anemia by recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) improves quality of life and prolongs life in end-stage renal failure. rHuEPO requirements for an individual are determined by a range of factors, including iron deficiency and inflammation. Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the promoter sequence of several proinflammatory cytokines have been shown, in different fields of medicine, to influence the cytokine response to different stimuli, with effects on clinical outcome. METHODS: The angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) insertion/deletion polymorphism and polymorphisms in the promoter regions of the genes for tumor necrosis factor alpha (-308 A/G), interleukin-6 (-174 G/C), and interferon gamma were examined for their association with rHuEPO requirements in 112 patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes and genotyping performed with ARMS-PCR methodology, with sequence-specific primers. We examined rHuEPO requirements and C-reactive protein at baseline and during a 6-month study period. RESULTS: We found no significant effect of proinflammatory cytokine polymorphisms on rHuEPO responsiveness. However, throughout the study, we observed that there was a significantly higher rHuEPO requirement in the II and ID ACE genotypes compared with the DD group, which remained an independent association following multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: ACE insertion/deletion polymorphism may determine rHuEPO responsiveness in CAPD patients and should be considered in relative rHuEPO resistance.

High glucose-induced oxidative stress causes apoptosis in proximal tubular epithelial cells and is mediated by multiple caspases.

Diabetic nephropathy is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease in the Western world. Poor glycemic control contributes to the development of diabetic nephropathy, but the mechanisms underlying high glucose-induced tissue injury are not fully understood. In the present study, the effect of high glucose on a proximal tubular epithelial cell (PTEC) line was investigated. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected using the fluorescent probes dichlorofluorescein diacetate, dihydrorhodamine 123, and 2,3-diaminonapthalene. Peroxynitrite (ONOO-) generation and nitrite concentrations were increased after 24 h of high glucose treatment (P<0.05). LLC-PK1 cells exposed to high D-glucose (25 mM) for up to 48 h had increased DNA fragmentation (P<0.01), caspase-3 activity (P<0.001), and annexin-V staining (P<0.05) as well as decreased expression of XIAP when compared with controls (5 mM D-glucose). The ONOO- scavenger ebselen reduced DNA fragmentation and caspase-3 activity as well as the high glucose-induced nitrite production and DCF fluorescence. High glucose-induced DNA fragmentation was completely prevented by an inhibitor of caspase-3 (P<0.01) and a pan-caspase inhibitor (P<0.001). Caspase inhibition did not affect ROS generation. This study, in a PTEC line, demonstrates that high glucose causes the generation of ONOO-, leading to caspase-mediated apoptosis. Ebselen and a caspase-3 inhibitor provided significant protection against high glucose-mediated apoptosis, implicating ONOO- as a proapoptotic ROS in early diabetic nephropathy.

Do patient-reported outcomes offer a more sensitive method for comparing the outcomes of consultants than mortality? A multilevel analysis of routine data.

BACKGROUND: Patient-reported outcome measures (PROM) might be better for comparing consultant surgeons' outcomes than mortality. OBJECTIVES: To describe variation in outcomes between consultants, compare the number of outlying consultants according to different measures, explore the effect that the hospital in which a consultant works has on their outcomes and determine the scope for improving outcomes by reducing variation between consultants. METHOD: Consultants performing hip replacement (n=948), knee replacement (1130) and hernia repair (974) in National Health Service hospitals in England in 2009-2012; disease-specific and generic PROMs and complications; fixed-effects and multilevel models to assess consultant outcomes, were all compared. Influence of patient factors and hospital factors was assessed. RESULTS: Fixed-effects models showed that most consultants are 'as or better than expected'. However, unlike with mortality, some consultants are more than three SDs 'worse than expected' according to disease-specific PROMs (2.4% for hip and 1.2% for knee replacement), generic PROMs (1.2% and 1.0%) and incidence of complications (1.8% and 0.8%). The proportion of consultants worse than expected is less with random-effects models. Controlling for hospital factors reduced the proportion further. After controlling for known patient characteristics, consultants and hospitals contribute little towards variation in patient outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: PROMs offer a more appropriate and sensitive method for comparing consultants' outcomes. The influence of hospitals must be considered to ensure comparisons are meaningful. Improvements will be achieved by shifting the distribution of consultants rather than by reducing variation between them.

Pretransplantation levels of C-reactive protein predict all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, but not graft outcome, in kidney transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: Chronic inflammation, the common pathway that leads to cardiovascular disease and chronic allograft nephropathy after transplantation, is prevalent in patients with end-stage renal failure. We set out to investigate the hypothesis that enhanced pretransplantation C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and Chlamydia seropositivity, both markers of an altered immune response, would predict graft failure and mortality in patients receiving renal replacement therapy. METHODS: A retrospective study of 115 patients, based on CRP levels in pretransplantation serum (group 1, 0 to 5 mg/L; group 2, 5 to 10 mg/L; group 3, >10 mg/L), were investigated for the following end points: transplant rejection, graft failure, and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. RESULTS: There were no correlations between CRP levels or Chlamydia seropositivity with respect to rejection rates or graft failure. Furthermore, there was no relationship between Chlamydia seropositivity and survival. All-cause and cardiovascular mortality were significantly greater in patients with CRP levels greater than 10 mg/L and 5 to 10 mg/L compared with those with CRP levels less than 5 mg/L. All-cause mortality rates were 5% in the 0-to-5-mg/L group, 20% in the 5-to-10-mg/L group, and 44% in the greater-than-10-mg/L group. With regard to cardiovascular mortality, death rates were 0% in the 0-to-5-mg/L group, 10% in the 5-to-10-mg/L group, and 22% in the greater-than-10-mg/L group. Univariate analysis of cardiovascular mortality and covariates showed a significant relationship with age (relative risk [RR], 1.07; P < 0.05), diabetes (RR, 5.6; P < 0.05), aspirin intake (RR, 0.2; P < 0.05), antihypertensive therapy (RR, 0.02; P < 0.05), and CRP level (RR, 11; P < 0.05), but CRP level remained the only significant predictor (RR, 1.19; P < 0.05) on multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Pretransplantation CRP level is independently associated with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in our cohort of transplant recipients and may be a useful predictive marker in the follow-up of posttransplantation patients.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme gene polymorphism and erythropoietin requirement.

OBJECTIVES: To study the effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) polymorphisms II, ID, and DD on erythropoietin (EPO) requirement in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) therapy. DESIGN: Retrospective observational study. SETTING: CAPD Unit, Royal London/St. Bartholomews Hospital, London, UK. PATIENTS: 46 patients on the transplant waiting list (age 20-70 years), on CAPD therapy for an average of 28 months, seen consecutively over a period of 3 months in the outpatients department. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary end point: EPO dose requirement in different ACE genotypes. Secondary end points: C-reactive protein, ferritin, parathyroid hormone, Kt/V, duration of dialysis, folate, cause of renal failure, and whether or not patients were on ACE inhibitor therapy. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) in EPO requirement in the II/ID group compared to the DD group. The mean +/- standard error of EPO for the II/ID group was 144 +/- 15 U/kg/week, and for the DD group, 87 +/- 9 U/kg/week. The difference in EPO requirement could not be explained by age, C-reactive protein, ferritin, parathyroid hormone, Kt/V, duration of dialysis, folate, cause of renal failure, or whether or not patients were on ACE inhibitor therapy. CONCLUSION: In CAPD patients, ACE genotype has predictive value when determining the EPO dosage, as the III/ID genotype may be associated with a suboptimal response.

Impact on hospital performance of introducing routine patient reported outcome measures in surgery.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the impact of introducing patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) on the selection of patients for surgery and on outcome for four elective operations (hip replacement, knee replacement, varicose vein surgery and groin hernia repair). METHODS: Patient-level data from the National PROMs programme for England from April 2009 to March 2012 were analysed to determine the extent of change in mean preoperative scores and mean adjusted postoperative scores using disease-specific and generic PROMs assessed using standardized effect sizes (SESs). Variation between providers was determined by intra-class correlation coefficients for each time period. Consistency in outlier ratings was tested using weighted Kappa statistics. RESULTS: There was little apparent impact. Preoperative severity increased slightly for two procedures only: varicose vein surgery (SES disease-specific PROM 0.10; generic PROM -0.07) and to a lesser extent for hip replacement (SES disease-specific PROM -0.03). There was little inter-provider variation and it did not change significantly over time. There were also slight improvements in outcomes for hip and knee replacement (SES for disease-specific and generic PROMs 0.03) though not for hernia repair and a slight worsening for varicose vein surgery. The extent of variation in performance between providers was unchanged. The proportion of providers deemed to be outliers did not change over time. There was only moderate consistency in those providers deemed to be outliers for hip and knee replacement (Kappa 0.31-0.47) and it was even weaker for the other two procedures. Although 35% of providers of hip replacement were outliers in at least one year, only 6% were consistently outliers. Such inconsistency may be partly due to regression to the mean. CONCLUSIONS: The minimal impact that the routine use and feedback of PROMs had on provider behaviour during the initial years suggests that more attention needs to be paid to how results are communicated and to the provision of advice as to what action may be taken.

The role of salt intake and salt sensitivity in the management of hypertension in South Asian people with chronic kidney disease: a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of salt restriction to lower blood pressure (BP) in Bangladeshi patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is uncertain. OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that a tailored intervention intended to reduce salt intake in addition to standard care will achieve a greater reduction in BP in UK Bangladeshi patients with CKD than standard care alone. DESIGN: A randomised parallel-group controlled trial conducted over a 6 month period. SETTING: A tertiary renal unit based in acute care hospital in East London. PARTICIPANTS: 56 adult participants of Bangladeshi origin with CKD and BP >130/80 mm Hg or on antihypertensive medication. INTERVENTION: Participants were randomly allocated to receive a tailored low-salt diet or the standard low-salt advice. BP medication, physical activity and weight were monitored. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was change in ambulatory BP. Adherence to dietary advice was assessed by measurement of 24 h urinary salt excretion. RESULTS: Of 56 participants randomised, six withdrew at the start of the study. During the study, one intervention group participant died, one control group participant moved to Bangladesh. Data were available for the primary endpoint on 48 participants. Compared with control group the intervention urinary sodium excretion fell from 260 mmol/d to 103 mmol/d (-131 to -76, p<0.001) at 6 months and resulted in mean (95% CI) falls in 24 h systolic/diastolic BP of -8 mm Hg (-11 to -5)/2 (-4 to -2) both p<0.001. CONCLUSIONS: A tailored intervention can achieve moderate salt restriction in patients with CKD, resulting in clinically meaningful falls in BP independent of hypertensive medication. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00702312.

Mild chronic kidney disease is an independent predictor of long-term mortality after emergency angiography and primary percutaneous intervention in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVE: Moderate renal impairment (RI) with a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) <60 ml/min/1.73 m2 is known to predict survival. The authors investigated whether mild RI with an estimated GFR of 60-89 ml/min/1.73 m2 independently predicts survival in a contemporary population with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). DESIGN: This is a single-centre, observational, retrospective cohort study. Patients 601 patients with STEMI who underwent emergency catheter laboratory admission met the inclusion criteria for this study. METHODS: Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was obtained by the Modified Diet in Renal Disease equation, and preprocedure renal function was subdivided into chronic kidney disease stages. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to assess which of 17 patient or procedural variables were independent risk factors for death. RESULTS: Longitudinal data were collated for 576 patients (96.3%). Median follow-up time was 2.6 years. 30-day and long-term death rates were 5.7% and 12.5%, respectively. Following multivariable analysis, mild RI with an eGFR of 60-89 ml/min/1.73 m2 was a strong independent predictor of death, compared with an eGFR ≥90 ml/min/1.73 m2 (HR 2.79, 95% CI 1.98 to 3.92, p<0.001), and increasing chronic kidney disease stage was a strong predictor of death after both 30 days and long-term follow-up. An eGFR of 60-89 ml/min/1.73 m2 had a greater independent effect on short- and long-term mortality than the presence of diabetes mellitus (HR 2.0, 95% CI 1.2 to 3.33). CONCLUSION: Mild RI (eGFR=60-89 ml/min/1.73 m2) on admission is strongly predictive of short- and long-term mortality in patients with STEMI admitted to the catheter laboratory. A redefined threshold of clinically significant impairment is now required (GFR<90 ml/min/1.73 m2).

Creatinine reduction ratio: a useful marker to identify medium and high-risk renal transplants.

INTRODUCTION: Delayed graft function (DGF) has a major impact on long-term renal transplant survival. However, it is a diagnosis made retrospectively with little opportunity to modify treatment protocols. A classification based on creatinine reduction ratio between days 1 and 2 (CRR2) suggests that patients with CRR2 less than or equal to 30% (nondialysis requiring DGF [ND-DGF]) have similar outcomes to those with dialysis-requiring delayed graft function (D-DGF). We retrospectively applied this definition in our cohort of patients to examine outcomes. METHODS: We studied the association between CRR2 and graft outcomes in all 367 patients transplanted between 1996 and 2004 at our center. Patients were divided into the following three groups: IGF (immediate graft function; CRR2 >30%), D-DGF, and ND-DGF. Mean follow-up was 4.2 years. RESULTS: IGF accounted for 36% of patients, D-DGF for 22%, and ND-DGF for 42%. CRR2 was inversely correlated with serum creatinine on days 7, 30, 90, and 365 (r ranging from -0.65 to -0.22, P<0.001). Graft survival at 5 years was 98% (IGF), 74% (D-DGF), and 89% (ND-DGF). There was a significant difference in graft survival between IGF and D-DGF (P<0.001) and IGF and ND-DGF (P=0.005). In a multivariate analysis adjusting for recipient age and sex, donor age and sex, and human leukocyte antigen mismatch, graft failure was 2.4 times more likely to occur in patients with D-DGF than those with ND-DGF(P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows CRR2 influences long-term graft outcomes. Unlike the original description, patients with ND-DGF carry an intermediate risk and perhaps should be considered on day 2 for alternative treatment protocols.

Prevalence of cognitive impairment in patients attending pre-dialysis clinic.

Approximately 20-30% of patients on renal replacement therapy (RRT) have cognitive impairment. Less is known about the prevalence of cognitive impairment in patients with advanced kidney disease awaiting the initiation of dialysis. Routine cognitive assessment was implemented in the pre-dialysis clinic, which enabled the Nephrologist and Pre-dialysis Nurse to identify those patients with impaired cognitive function and utilise this information to assess the suitability for self-care treatments, such as peritoneal dialysis, as well as to adapt information to meet their needs. Subsequently, a cross-sectional single-centre audit was undertaken to identify the prevalence of cognitive impairment in 132 consecutive new referrals to the pre-dialysis clinic using the Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE). Twenty percent (95% CI = 0.13, 0.27) were classified as cognitively impaired. Those with cognitive impairment were significantly older, and had lower eGFR and higher serum creatinine. It can be concluded that approximately 1 in 5 patients attending the pre-dialysis clinic has cognitive impairment, which may not be apparent on a routine clinical history. Cognitive function assessment is recommended for all, but particularly to the older patient, before advising on choice of dialysis modality or opting for conservative treatment.

High pre-transplant soluble CD30 levels are predictive of the grade of rejection.

In renal transplantation, serum soluble CD30 (sCD30) levels in graft recipients are associated with increased rejection and graft loss. We investigated whether pre-transplant sCD30 concentrations are predictive of the grade of rejection. Pre-transplant sera of 51 patients with tubulointerstitial rejection (TIR), 16 patients with vascular rejection (VR) and an age-matched control group of 41 patients with no rejection (NR) were analyzed for sCD30. The transplant biopsies were immunostained for C4d. The median sCD30 level was significantly elevated in the group with VR (248 Units (U)/mL, range: 92-802) when compared with TIR (103 U/mL, range: 36-309, p<0.001) and NR (179 U/mL, range: 70-343, p<0.03). Moreover, patients with TIR had significantly lower sCD30 levels compared to NR. Based on C4d staining, a TH2 driven process, the median sCD30 levels were significantly raised in C4d+ patients compared with C4d- group (177 U/mL vs. 120 U/mL, p<0.05). sCD30 levels measured at time of transplantation correlate with the grade of rejection. High pre-transplant levels are associated with antibody-mediated rejection which carries a poorer prognosis. sCD30 could be another tool to assess immunological risk prior to transplantation and enable a patient centered approach to immunosuppression.