Systematic review and meta-analysis for the 2024 update of the Japan College of Rheumatology clinical practice guidelines for the management of rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: To update evidence on the efficacy and safety of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and provide information to the taskforce for the 2024 update of the Japan College of Rheumatology (JCR) clinical practice guidelines (CPG) for the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: We searched various databases for randomised controlled trials on RA published until June 2022, with no language restriction. For each of the 15 clinical questions, 2 independent reviewers screened the articles, evaluated the core outcomes, and performed meta-analyses. RESULTS: Subcutaneous injection of methotrexate (MTX) showed similar efficacy to oral MTX in MTX-naïve RA patients. Ozoralizumab combined with MTX improved drug efficacy compared to the placebo in RA patients with inadequate response (IR) to csDMARD. Rituximab with and without concomitant csDMARDs showed similar efficacy to other bDMARDs in bDMARD-IR RA patients. Combined Janus kinase inhibitors and MTX achieved similar clinical responses and equal safety during a 4-year period compared to tumour necrosis factor inhibitors in MTX-IR RA patients. Biosimilars showed efficacy equivalent to that of the original bDMARDs in csDMARD-IR and bDMARD-IR RA patients. CONCLUSION: This systematic review provides latest evidence for the 2024 update of the JCR CPG for RA management.

A case of spontaneous coronary artery dissection that later turned out to be Takayasu arteritis.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a rare cause of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), which typically occurs in women at low risk of atherosclerosis. We herein report a case of SCAD in a 57-year-old man who later developed Takayasu arteritis. The patient presented to our hospital complaining of chest pain and was diagnosed with unstable angina. Emergent coronary angiography was performed, and optical coherence tomography revealed that ACS was caused by SCAD. The patient was treated medically without further ballooning or stenting. Because there was a bilateral difference in blood pressure, the systemic artery was screened by contrast-enhanced computed tomography, which showed left subclavian artery occlusion, proximal stenosis of the superior mesenteric artery, right common iliac artery dissection, and left external iliac artery dissection. Based on these results and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography findings, we diagnosed Takayasu arteritis. Prednisolone and tocilizumab were selected for medical treatment, and the patient was in a good condition at one year after the diagnosis. Takayasu arteritis can cause dissection of various arteries and should be suspected when atypical SCAD or multiple dissections are present. Early initiation of immunosuppressive therapy can control disease activity. Learning objective: Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is an important cause of acute coronary syndrome. In this case, we experienced a case of SCAD which turned out to be the first symptom of Takayasu arteritis. Immunosuppressive therapy was effective for both coronary lesion and systemic vasculitis. Not only fibromuscular dysplasia, but also various types of vasculitis should therefore be considered in the differential diagnosis when encountering atypical SCAD cases.

Preference for anti-phospholipase A2 receptor antibody assay in patients with suspected membranous nephropathy: a survey study on medical practice after publication of Japanese Guidelines for Nephrotic Syndrome 2020.

BACKGROUND: International practice guidelines advocate for the use of anti-phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) antibody testing to diagnose primary membranous nephropathy (pMN). This study aimed to clarify the current status of anti-PLA2R antibody testing in the diagnosis of pMN in Japan and to scrutinize the factors associated with the implementation of this antibody test. METHODS: Utilizing a web-based questionnaire for nephrologists, responses were collected from 306 facilities and 427 nephrologists between November 2021 and December 2021. Preference for anti-PLA2R antibody testing was also investigated. Factors related to the experience of quantifying anti-PLA2R antibodies were estimated by generalized estimating equations using a robust analysis of variance with clusters of facilities of affiliation. RESULTS: Of the 427 respondents, 140 (32.8%) had previous measurement experience at their current workplace and 165 (38.6%) had previous measurement experience overall. In pMN-suspected cases without contraindications to renal biopsy, 147 (34.4%) of the respondents opted to request anti-PLA2R antibody testing. The respondents' experience with anti-PLA2R antibody quantification at their current place of work was generally higher in university hospitals and increased with the annual number of kidney biopsies and the number of years since graduation. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that a significant proportion of nephrologists in Japan have no experience in performing anti-PLA2R antibody assays, and that the assays may be hampered by the limited capabilities of the current workplace and the financial burden on facilities and patients.

The Association between High-Dose Allopurinol and Erythropoietin Hyporesponsiveness in Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease: JOINT-KD Study.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to explore the association between urate-lowering agents and reduced response to erythropoietin-stimulating agents in patients suffering from chronic kidney disease G5. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional, multicenter study in Japan between April and June 2013, enrolling patients aged 20 years or older with an estimated glomerular filtration rate of ≤15 mL/min/1.73 m2. Exclusion criteria encompassed patients with a history of hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, or organ transplantation. The patients were categorized into four groups based on the use of urate-lowering drugs: high-dose allopurinol (>50 mg/day), low-dose allopurinol (≤50 mg/day), febuxostat, and no-treatment groups. We used a multivariable logistic regression model, adjusted for covariates, to determine the odds ratio (OR) for erythropoietin hyporesponsiveness, defined by an erythropoietin resistance index (ERI) of ≥10, associated with urate-lowering drugs. RESULTS: A total of 542 patients were included in the analysis, with 105, 36, 165, and 236 patients in the high-dose allopurinol, low-dose allopurinol, febuxostat, and no-treatment groups, respectively. The median and quartiles of ERIs were 6.3 (0, 12.2), 3.8 (0, 11.2), 3.4 (0, 9.8), and 4.8 (0, 11.2) in the high-dose allopurinol, low-dose allopurinol, febuxostat, and no-treatment groups, respectively. The multivariate regression model showed a statistically significant association between the high-dose allopurinol group and erythropoietin hyporesponsiveness, compared to the no-treatment group (OR = 1.98, 95% confidence interval: 1.10-3.57). CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that the use of high-dose allopurinol exceeding the optimal dose may lead to hyporesponsiveness to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents.

Practice patterns of rituximab for primary membranous nephropathy 2021 in Japan: a web-based survey of board-certified nephrologists.

BACKGROUND: Although rituximab (RTX) is recommended by kidney disease improving global outcomes as one of the standard therapies for primary membranous nephropathy (pMN), given the constraint of insurance coverage, it is not clear how the drug is used in Japan. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted via a web-based survey between November and December 2021. The participants were certified nephrologists and recruited through convenience sampling. Experience with RTX for pMN was compared to experience with RTX for minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS). Reasons for withholding RTX for pMN, even when it is indicated, were also investigated. Furthermore, the proportion difference in RTX experience was analyzed. RESULTS: Responses from 380 nephrologists across 278 facilities were analyzed. RTX was used for pMN by 83 (21.8%), which was less than the 181 (47.6%) who had used RTX for MCNS (ratio of proportions: 0.46). RTX use for pMN was more frequent in facilities performing 41-80 and 81 or more kidney biopsies annually (vs. none) and by physicians with experience in anti-PLA2R antibody measurement. RTX administration for pMN was covered by insurance for 56 (67.5%), was facility-paid for 10 (12.0%), and was copaid by patients for 6 (7.2%). The most common reason for withholding RTX for pMN was difficulty in ensuring financing (146, 79.3%). CONCLUSIONS: RTX use for pMN is less common than for MCNS but not infrequent. Treatment with RTX was more frequent in biopsy-intensive facilities, and it was fully paid by the facility or patient in one-fifth of cases.

Association between urinary C-megalin levels and progressive kidney dysfunction: a cohort study based on the diabetes distress and care registry at Tenri (DDCRT 24).

AIMS: The aim of this cohort study was to evaluate the association between urinary levels of C-megalin, a full-length form of megalin, and kidney dysfunction progression and its dependence on the urinary albumin-creatinine ratio (UACR) in individuals with diabetes. METHODS: We enrolled 1,547 individuals with diabetes who visited the ambulatory clinic at Tenri Hospital, a regional tertiary-care hospital in Tenri City, Nara Prefecture, Japan, with an estimated glomerular filtration (eGFR) of ≥ 30 mL/min/1.73 m2. The hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated using Cox proportional hazard models to examine the association between urinary C-megalin levels and eGFR decline by ≥ 40% from baseline. RESULTS: Urinary C-megalin level was not associated with ≥ 40% eGFR decline in an age-, sex-, eGFR-, systolic blood pressure-, hemoglobin-, and UACR-adjusted model in the 1,547 patients enrolled in the study. However, urinary C-megalin levels were associated with a ≥ 40% decline in eGFR when accounting for the relationship between urinary C-megalin levels and UACR in the model. This association was UACR-dependent. CONCLUSIONS: High urinary C-megalin levels were associated with progressive kidney dysfunction in individuals with diabetes, and this association was attenuated by high UACRs.

Japanese clinical practice patterns of primary nephrotic syndrome 2021: a web-based questionnaire survey of certified nephrologists.

BACKGROUND: With the publication of the "Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline for Nephrotic Syndrome 2020," we examined nephrologists' adherence to the recommendations of four of its clinical questions (CQs). METHODS: This was a cross-sectional web-based survey conducted between November and December 2021. The target population comprised nephrologists certified by the Japanese Society of Nephrology who were recruited using convenience sampling. The participants answered six items regarding the four CQs about adult patients with nephrotic syndrome and their characteristics. RESULTS: In total, 434 respondents worked in at least 306 facilities, of whom 386 (88.9%) provided outpatient care for primary nephrotic syndrome. Of these patients, 179 (41.2%) answered that they would not measure anti- phospholipase A2 receptor antibody levels in cases of suspected primary membranous nephropathy (MN) in which kidney biopsy was not possible (CQ1). Regarding immunosuppressants as maintenance therapy after relapse of minimal change nephrotic syndrome (CQ2), cyclosporine was the most common choice (290 [72.5%] and 300 [75.0%] of 400 respondents after the first and second relapses, respectively). The most common treatment for steroid-resistant cases of primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (CQ3) was cyclosporine (323 of 387, 83.5%). For the initial treatment of primary MN with nephrotic-range proteinuria (CQ4), corticosteroid monotherapy was the most common choice (240 of 403, 59.6%), followed by corticosteroid and cyclosporine (114, 28.3%). CONCLUSION: Gaps in recommendations and practices regarding serodiagnosis and treatment of MN (i.e., CQ1 and 4) are observed, suggesting the need to address the barriers to their insurance reimbursement and the lack of evidence behind them.

Initiation of renin-angiotensin system inhibitors and first complete remission in patients with primary nephrotic syndrome: a nationwide cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Evidence on renin-angiotensin system inhibitors (RASis) effect in reducing urinary protein levels in patients with nephrotic syndrome is insufficient. We determined whether RASis can induce complete remission (CR) in patients on immunosuppressive therapy. METHODS: This cohort study included 84 adults (median age, 65 years; males, 57%) with primary nephrotic syndrome (excluding minimal change disease) not receiving RASis during enrollment in the Japanese Nephrotic Syndrome Cohort Study from January 2009 to December 2010, and were followed up for 5 years. Exposure and outcome were RASi initiation and first CR, respectively. Marginal structural models and Poisson regression were used to account for time-varying covariates and estimate causal effects of RASis on CR. RESULTS: Overall, 51 (61%), 73 (87%), and 55 (66%) patients had membranous nephropathy, were prescribed immunosuppressive agents at baseline (1-month post-renal biopsy and/or at start of immunosuppressive therapy), and were prescribed RASis during the study period, respectively. Sixty-five patients experienced first CR (incidence rate, 5.05/100 person-months). RASi use was associated with a higher (adjusted incidence rate ratio [aIRR] 2.27, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06-4.84), and lower (aIRR: 0.17, 95% CI 0.04-0.68) first CR in patients with membranous nephropathy and other pathologies, respectively. CONCLUSION: RASis are beneficial as adjuvant therapy for inducing remission in patients with membranous nephropathy.

Biopsy-proven Streptococcus suis-associated Infectious Glomerulonephritis.

A 64-year-old Japanese man who worked at a butcher shop was hospitalized for a fever, headache, and deafness. We diagnosed him with sepsis and meningitis caused by Streptococcus suis infection. The patient's renal function declined rapidly, and hemodialysis was performed temporarily. A renal biopsy was performed, and the renal function tended to improve with antimicrobial therapy. This case seemed rather similar to one of staphylococcal-associated nephritis in that it showed mesangial proliferative nephritis with immunoglobulin A deposition, even though the nephritis was caused by streptococci. Similarly, intramembranous electron-dense deposits were characteristic findings. We present new findings of an in vivo renal biopsy in a case of S. suis-associated glomerulonephritis.

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis in a patient with a thoracic vertebral lesion: a case report.

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis is a systemic, small vessel vasculitis associated with the anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody. We herein report a case of granulomatosis with polyangiitis with paravertebral lesions. A 69-year-old man presented to our hospital with fever, back pain, and myalgia. A computed tomography scan showed multiple lung nodules, while magnetic resonance imaging revealed soft tissue shadows around a thoracic vertebral lesion. A laboratory examination revealed positive myeloperoxidase anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody. He was diagnosed with granulomatosis with polyangiitis. He was treated with oral glucocorticoid and intravenous cyclophosphamide, and the shadows resolved. Physicians should consider granulomatosis with polyangiitis in cases with paravertebral lesions.

Incidence and factors associated with prescribing renin-angiotensin-system inhibitors in adult idiopathic nephrotic syndrome: A nationwide cohort study.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are prescribed as conservative or adjunctive therapies for adult idiopathic nephrotic syndrome. However, studies on real-world practice patterns are scarce. This study aimed to examine the prevalence and incidence of ACEI/ARB prescription and their associated factors. This nationwide cohort study included adult Japanese patients with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome including minimal change disease (MCD), membranous nephropathy (MN), focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), and others. The outcomes were the prevalence of ACEI/ARB prescription at baseline (date of renal biopsy or date of immunosuppressant initiation) and at 2 months after baseline. Of the 326 eligible patients, 122 (37.4%) had already been prescribed ACEIs/ARBs. Of the remaining 204 patients, 67 (32.7%) were newly prescribed within the 2-month period. MN/FSGS (vs. MCD, adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 4.96 [95% confidence interval {CI} 2.53-9.72] and 3.95 [95% CI 1.61-9.66], respectively), higher age (per 1-yr increase, AOR: 1.02 [95% CI 1.00-1.04]), other hypertensive agents (AOR: 2.18 [95% CI 1.21-3.92]), antidiabetic drug (AOR: 6.57 [95% CI 1.77-24.4]) were associated with a higher prevalence of ACEI/ARB prescription. MN (vs. MCD, AOR: 6.00 [95% CI 2.57-14.0]) and higher baseline systolic blood pressure (SBP) (per 10-mmHg increase, AOR: 1.36 [95% CI 1.09-1.70]) were associated with a higher incidence of ACEI/ARB prescription. On average, incidence of ACEI/ARB prescription increased from 19.2% to 40.8% as baseline SBP increased from 100 to 140 mmHg. Thus, Japanese nephrologists are likely to prescribe ACEIs/ARBs for nephrotic patients with MN or high baseline SBP, even below the hypertensive range.

Aldosterone antagonists for people with chronic kidney disease requiring dialysis.

BACKGROUND: People with chronic kidney disease (CKD) requiring dialysis are at a particularly high risk of cardiovascular death and morbidity. Several clinical studies suggested that aldosterone antagonists would be a promising treatment option for people undergoing dialysis. However, the clinical efficacy and potential harm of aldosterone antagonists for people with CKD on dialysis has yet to be determined. OBJECTIVES: This review aimed to evaluate the benefits and harms of aldosterone antagonists, both non-selective (spironolactone) and selective (eplerenone), in comparison to control (placebo or standard care) in people with CKD requiring haemodialysis (HD) or peritoneal dialysis (PD). SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Kidney and Transplant Register of Studies up to 5 August 2020 using search terms relevant to this review. Studies in the Register are identified through searches of CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and EMBASE, conference proceedings, the International Clinical Trials Register (ICTRP) Search Portal and ClinicalTrials.gov. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included parallel randomised controlled trials (RCTs), cross-over RCTs, and quasi-RCTs (where group allocation is by a method that is not truly random, such as alternation, assignment based on alternate medical records, date of birth, case record number, or other predictable methods) that compared aldosterone antagonists with placebo or standard care in people with CKD requiring dialysis. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently extracted data and assessed risk of bias for included studies. We used a random-effects model meta-analysis to perform a quantitative synthesis of the data. We used the I² statistic to measure heterogeneity among the studies in each analysis. We indicated summary estimates as a risk ratio (RR) for dichotomous outcomes, mean difference (MD) for continuous outcomes, or standardised mean differences (SMD) if different scales were used, with their 95% confidence interval (CI). We assessed the certainty of the evidence for each of the main outcomes using the GRADE (Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) approach. MAIN RESULTS: We included 16 studies (14 parallel RCTs and two cross-over RCTs) involving a total of 1446 participants. Thirteen studies compared spironolactone to placebo or standard care and one study compared eplerenone to a placebo. Most included studies had an unclear or high risk of bias. Compared to control, aldosterone antagonists probably reduced the risk of death (any cause) for people with CKD requiring dialysis (9 studies, 1119 participants: RR 0.45, 95% CI 0.30 to 0.67; I² = 0%; moderate certainty of evidence). Aldosterone antagonist probably decreased the risk of death due to cardiovascular disease (6 studies, 908 participants: RR 0.37, 95% CI 0.22 to 0.64; I² = 0%; moderate certainty of evidence) and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular morbidity (3 studies, 328 participants: RR 0.38, 95% CI 0.18 to 0.76; I² = 0%; moderate certainty of evidence). While aldosterone antagonists probably increased risk of gynaecomastia compared with control (4 studies, 768 participants: RR 5.95, 95% CI 1.93 to 18.3; I² = 0%; moderate certainty of evidence), aldosterone antagonists may make little or no difference to the risk of hyperkalaemia (9 studies, 981 participants: RR 1.41, 95% CI 0.72 to 2.78; I² = 47%; low certainty of evidence). Aldosterone antagonists had a marginal effect on left ventricular mass among participants undergoing dialysis (8 studies, 633 participants: SMD -0.42, 95% CI -0.78 to 0.05; I² = 77%). In people with CKD requiring dialysis received aldosterone antagonists compared to control, there were 72 fewer deaths from all causes per 1000 participants (95% CI 47 to 98) with a number needed to treat for an additional beneficial outcome (NNTB) of 14 (95% CI 10 to 21) and for gynaecomastia were 26 events per 1000 participants (95% CI 15 to 39) with a number need to treat for an additional harmful outcome (NNTH) of 38 (95% CI 26 to 68). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Based on moderate certainty of the evidence, aldosterone antagonists probably reduces the risk of all-cause and cardiovascular death and probably reduces morbidity due to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease in people with CKD requiring dialysis. For the adverse effect of gynaecomastia, the risk was increased compared to control. For this outcome, the absolute risk was lower than the absolute risk of death. It is hoped the three large ongoing studies will provide better certainty of evidence.

Screening tool for identifying adults with excessive salt intake among community-dwelling adults: a population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Excessive salt intake is widely known to be a cause of hypertension, cardiovascular events, and so on. However, simple tools for screening excessive salt intake are lacking. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to develop a simple screening tool to identify community-dwelling adults with excessive salt intake. METHODS: The present study involved participants who received health check-ups in Fukushima, Japan, in 2016 and 2017. We defined data from the 2016 check-up as the derivation set, and data from those who received check-ups in 2017 but not 2016 as the validation set. The outcome measure was excessive salt intake, defined as the estimated daily salt intake of 1 SD or more. Candidate predictors associated with the outcome were extracted using the Delphi method by an expert panel and narrowed down with clinical expertise and stepwise backward selection. The screening tool was developed using a coefficient-based multivariable scoring method and externally validated. RESULTS: A total of 1101 participants were included in the derivation set and 249 in the validation set. At the conclusion of the deviation process, 8 predictors were selected and scored. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve for derivation and external validation were 0.70 (95% CI: 0.67, 0.74) and 0.71 (95% CI: 0.62, 0.80), respectively. The calibration slope and intercept for external validation were 1.16 and -0.03, respectively. CONCLUSION: We developed a screening tool to identify adults with excessive salt intake. By extracting groups with excessive salt intake, target populations needing intervention for salt reduction can be highlighted efficiently.

Variations in actual practice patterns and their deviations from the clinical practice guidelines for nephrotic syndrome in Japan: certified nephrologists' questionnaire survey.

BACKGROUND: Few good-quality clinical trials on adults with nephrotic syndrome exist. Thus, there are discrepancies between real-world practice and clinical practice guidelines. We conducted a questionnaire-based survey to investigate potential discrepancies and the factors associated with variations in clinical practice. METHODS: A questionnaire was administered electronically to all board-certified nephrologists in Japan. To examine clinical practice variations in relation to physician characteristics, we estimated the ratio of the mean duration of steroid therapy using a generalized linear model, and the odds ratio of higher level ordinal variables using an ordered logistic regression model. RESULTS: Responses of the 116 participants showed some variation for the majority of questions. Most participants (94.8%) indicated that screening for malignant tumors was "Conducted for almost all patients". The duration of steroid therapy was found to be longer among physicians seeing ≥ 30 patients with nephrotic syndrome per month, both for minimal-change disease (ratio of mean 1.69; 95% CI 1.07-2.66) and membranous nephropathy (ratio of mean 1.71; 95% CI 1.09-2.69). CONCLUSIONS: We identified practice patterns for nephrotic syndrome and discrepancies between clinical practice guidelines and actual practice. Defining the standard therapy for nephrotic syndrome may be necessary to generate high-quality evidence and develop clinical guidelines.

Association between serum Na-Cl level and renal function decline in chronic kidney disease: results from the chronic kidney disease Japan cohort (CKD-JAC) study.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic acidosis, which reduces serum bicarbonate levels, contributes to the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). The difference between sodium and chloride (Na-Cl) may theoretically predict serum bicarbonate levels. This study aimed to evaluate serum Na-Cl level as a risk factor for renal function decline among patients who participated in the chronic kidney disease Japan cohort (CKD-JAC) study. METHODS: The association between low Na-Cl concentration (< 34 mmol/L) and composite renal function decline events (any initiation of renal replacement therapy or 50% decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate) was evaluated among 2143 patients with CKD stage G3a-4. Using Cox regression analysis, hazard ratios (HRs) were estimated after adjusting for the following covariates: age, sex, diabetes mellitus, diabetic nephropathy, cardiovascular disease, anemia, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor antagonists, loop diuretics, cigarette smoking, body mass index, serum albumin, systolic blood pressure, urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio, and CKD stage. RESULTS: Composite renal function decline events were observed in 405 patients (18.9%) over the 4-year follow-up period. Low serum Na-Cl level (< 34 mmol/L) was independently associated with a greater risk for composite renal function decline events (HR 1.384; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.116-1.717). Subgroup analyses identified that the association between low Na-Cl level and composite renal function decline events was stronger among patients with CKD stage G4 and those with anemia. CONCLUSIONS: Our investigation suggests that Na-Cl is an independent predictor of CKD progression, especially among patients with CKD stage G4 and those with anemia.

Dialysis-related practice patterns among hemodialysis patients with cancer.

RATIONALE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: With the achievement of longevity in hemodialysis patients, the risk of comorbid cancer has begun to draw attention. In the present study, we examined dialysis-related practice patterns and compared those patterns by cancer status. METHODS: Using data from the Japan Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study phase 4, we evaluated 2153 hemodialysis patients. Baseline cancer status for patients was separated into 3 categories: no cancer, cancer with recent treatment, and cancer without recent treatment. We then assessed variations among hemodialysis patients in dialysis-related practice patterns, including anemia management, management of mineral and bone metabolism disorder, nutritional management, and dialysis treatment, by cancer status. RESULTS: We observed both similarities and differences in dialysis-related practice patterns among hemodialysis patients, by cancer status. Hemoglobin levels were largely similar for all cancer statuses, although erythropoiesis stimulating agents dose tended to be higher in hemodialysis patients with recent cancer treatment (multivariable adjusted mean difference of erythropoiesis stimulating agents dose: 5.4 × 103 IU/L/month) than in those without cancer. Phosphorus and calcium levels were also similar. Nutrition statuses were similar among cancer statuses, as were dialysis therapies. These results suggested that physicians do not modulate their dialysis-related practices based on whether or not a hemodialysis patient has cancer. CONCLUSION: Among long-term facility-based hemodialysis patients with cancer, we detected no statistically significant differences to suggest that cancer status affects hemodialysis practice regarding mineral and bone disorder management, nutritional management, and dialysis treatment. Facility-based hemodialysis patients with recent cancer treatment, however, receive a higher dose of erythropoietin-stimulating agent than those without cancer.