Impact of Prior Abdominal Procedures on Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter Outcomes: Findings From the North American Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter Registry.

RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE: A history of prior abdominal procedures may influence the likelihood of referral for peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter insertion. To guide clinical decision making in this population, this study examined the association between prior abdominal procedures and outcomes in patients undergoing PD catheter insertion. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: Adults undergoing their first PD catheter insertion between November 1, 2011, and November 1, 2020, at 11 institutions in Canada and the United States participating in the International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis North American Catheter Registry. EXPOSURE: Prior abdominal procedure(s) defined as any procedure that enters the peritoneal cavity. OUTCOMES: The primary outcome was time to the first of (1) abandonment of the PD catheter or (2) interruption/termination of PD. Secondary outcomes were rates of emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and procedures. ANALYTICAL APPROACH: Cumulative incidence curves were used to describe the risk over time, and an adjusted Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate the association between the exposure and primary outcome. Models for count data were used to estimate the associations between the exposure and secondary outcomes. RESULTS: Of 855 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 31% had a history of a prior abdominal procedure and 20% experienced at least 1 PD catheter-related complication that led to the primary outcome. Prior abdominal procedures were not associated with an increased risk of the primary outcome (adjusted HR, 1.12; 95% CI, 0.68-1.84). Upper-abdominal procedures were associated with a higher adjusted hazard of the primary outcome, but there was no dose-response relationship concerning the number of procedures. There was no association between prior abdominal procedures and other secondary outcomes. LIMITATIONS: Observational study and cohort limited to a sample of patients believed to be potential candidates for PD catheter insertion. CONCLUSION: A history of prior abdominal procedure(s) does not appear to influence catheter outcomes following PD catheter insertion. Such a history should not be a contraindication to PD. PLAIN-LANGUAGE SUMMARY: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a life-saving therapy for individuals with kidney failure that can be done at home. PD requires the placement of a tube, or catheter, into the abdomen to allow the exchange of dialysis fluid during treatment. There is concern that individuals who have undergone prior abdominal procedures and are referred for a catheter might have scarring that could affect catheter function. In some institutions, they might not even be offered PD therapy as an option. In this study, we found that a history of prior abdominal procedures did not increase the risk of PD catheter complications and should not dissuade patients from choosing PD or providers from recommending it.

Risk Factors for Developing Low Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate and Albuminuria in Living Kidney Donors.

Rationale & Objective: Chronic kidney disease is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in the general population, but little is known about the incidence and risk factors associated with developing low estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and moderate-severe albuminuria in living kidney donors following nephrectomy. Study Design: Retrospective, population-based cohort study. Setting & Participants: Kidney donors in Alberta, Canada. Exposure: Donor nephrectomy between May 2001 and December 2017. Outcome: Two eGFR measurements <45 mL/min/1.73 m2 or 2 measurements of moderate or severe albuminuria from 1-year postdonation onwards that were at least 90 days apart. Analytical Approach: Associations between potential risk factors and the primary outcome were assessed using Cox proportional hazard regression analyses. Results: Over a median follow-up period of 8.6 years (IQR, 4.7-12.6 years), 47 of 590 donors (8.0%) developed sustained low eGFR or moderate-severe albuminuria with an incidence rate of 9.2 per 1,000 person-years (95% confidence interval, 6.6-11.8). The median time for development of this outcome beyond the first year after nephrectomy was 2.9 years (IQR, 1.4-8.0 years). Within the first 4 years of follow-up, a 5 mL/min/1.73 m2 lower predonation eGFR increased the hazard of developing postdonation low eGFR or moderate-severe albuminuria by 26% (adjusted HR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.10-1.44). Furthermore, donors were at higher risk of developing low eGFR or albuminuria if they had evidence of predonation hypertension (adjusted HR, 2.52; 95% CI, 1.28-4.96) or postdonation diabetes (adjusted HR, 4.72; 95% CI, 1.54-14.50). Limitations: We lacked data on certain donor characteristics that may affect long-term kidney function, such as race, smoking history, and transplant-related characteristics. Conclusions: A proportion of kidney donors at an incidence rate of 9.2 per 1,000 person-years will develop low eGFR or albuminuria after donation. Donors with lower predonation eGFR, predonation hypertension, and postdonation diabetes are at increased risk of developing this outcome.

The purpose of this study was to understand the risk of developing kidney disease in living kidney donors after donation. We followed 590 donors in Alberta, Canada for almost 9 years. Approximately 8% of donors developed reduced kidney function (low estimated glomerular filtration rate) or increased protein in the urine (albuminuria). Donors with lower kidney function before donation, hypertension before donation, or diabetes after donation had a higher likelihood of experiencing these kidney outcomes. This research provides important insights to patients and health care providers to better support the long-term kidney health of living kidney donors.

Proton Pump Inhibitors Use in Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Population-Based Study.

Background: Kidney transplant recipients are commonly prescribed proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs), but due to concern for polypharmacy, chronic use should be limited. Objective: The objective was to describe PPI use in kidney transplant recipients beyond their first year of transplant to better inform and support deprescribing initiatives. Design: We conducted a retrospective, population-based cohort study using linked health care databases. Setting: This study was conducted in Alberta, Canada. Patients: We included all prevalent adult, kidney-only transplant recipients between April 2008 and December 2017 who received their transplant between May 2002 and December 2017. Measurements: The primary outcome was ongoing or new PPI use and patterns of use, including frequency and duration of therapy, and assessment of indication for PPI use. Methods: We ascertained baseline characteristics, covariate information, and outcome data from the Alberta Kidney Disease Network (AKDN). We compared recipients with evidence of a PPI prescription in the 3 months prior to study entry to those with a histamine-2-receptor antagonist (H2Ra) fill and those with neither. Results: We identified 1823 kidney transplant recipients, of whom 868 (48%) were on a PPI, 215 (12%) were on an H2Ra, and 740 (41%) were on neither at baseline. Over a median follow-up of 5.4 years (interquartile range [IQR] = 2.6-9.3), there were almost 45 000 unique PPI prescriptions dispensed, the majority (80%) of which were filled by initial PPI users. Recipients who were on a PPI at baseline would spend 91% (IQR = 70-98) of their graft survival time on a PPI in follow-up, and nephrologists were the main prescribers. We identified an indication for ongoing PPI use in 54% of recipients with the most common indication being concurrent antiplatelet use (26%). Limitations: Our kidney transplant recipients have access to universal health care coverage which may limit generalizability. We identified common gastrointestinal indications for PPI use but did not include rare conditions due to concerns about the validity of diagnostic codes. In addition, symptoms suggestive of reflux may not be well coded as the focus of follow-up visits is more likely to focus on kidney transplant. Conclusions: Many kidney transplant recipients are prescribed a PPI at, or beyond, the 1-year post-transplant date and are likely to stay on a PPI in follow-up. Almost half of the recipients in our study did not have an identifiable indication for ongoing PPI use. Nephrologists frequently prescribe PPIs to kidney transplant recipients and should be involved in deprescribing initiatives to reduce polypharmacy.

Contexte: On prescrit couramment des inhibiteurs de la pompe à protons (IPP) aux receveurs d'une greffe rénale; une pratique qui devrait cependant être limitée en raison de préoccupations liées à la polypharmacie. Objectif: Décrire l'utilisation des IPP chez les receveurs d'une greffe rénale au-delà de la première année post-greffe, afin de mieux informer et de soutenir les initiatives de déprescription. Type d'étude: Étude de cohorte populationnelle rétrospective réalisée à partir des bases de données couplées du système de santé. Cadre: Alberta, Canada. Sujets: Nous avons recueilli les données d'avril 2008 à décembre 2017 de tous les adultes qui avaient reçu un rein seulement entre mai 2002 et décembre 2017. Mesures: Le principal critère de jugement était la prise continue ­ ou une nouvelle ordonnance ­ d'IPP et les modalités d'utilisation, notamment la fréquence et la durée du traitement, ainsi que l'indication pour la prescription d'IPP. Méthodologie: Nous avons vérifié les caractéristiques initiales, les informations covariées et les données sur les résultats colligées dans l'Alberta Kidney Disease Network (AKDN). Nous avons comparé des receveurs présentant des preuves d'une prescription d'IPP au cours des trois mois précédant l'entrée dans l'étude à des patients avec une ordonnance d'antagonistes des récepteurs de l'histamine-2 (aRH2), ainsi qu'à des patients n'ayant aucune de ces prescriptions. Résultats: Nous avons identifié 1 823 receveurs d'une greffe rénale; 868 (48 %) recevaient un IPP, 215 (12 %) recevaient un aRH2 et 740 (41 %) ne recevaient aucun traitement à l'inclusion. Au cours d'un suivi médian de 5,4 ans (intervalle interquartile [IIQ]: 2,6-9,3), près de 45 000 ordonnances uniques d'IPP ont été délivrées, dont la majorité (80 %) avait été remplie par des utilisateurs initiaux d'IPP. Les receveurs qui prenaient des IPP à l'inclusion avaient passé 91 % (IIQ: 70-98) de leur temps de survie du greffon à prendre un IPP durant la période de suivi, et ces médicaments avaient été majoritairement prescrits par des néphrologues. Une indication justifiant l'utilisation continue d'un IPP était présente chez 54 % des receveurs; la plus courante étant l'utilisation concomitante d'un agent antiplaquettaire (26 %). Limites: Les receveurs inclus dans notre étude ont accès à une couverture médicale universelle, ce qui peut limiter la généralisabilité des résultats. Nous avons repéré des indications gastro-intestinales courantes pour l'utilisation d'IPP, mais nous n'avons pas inclus les affections rares en raison de préoccupations concernant la validité des codes diagnostiques. Aussi, les symptômes évocateurs d'un reflux pourraient ne pas être bien codés, car les visites de suivi sont plus susceptibles de porter sur la transplantation rénale. Conclusion: De nombreux receveurs d'une greffe rénale se voient encore prescrire un IPP dans l'année suivant la transplantation, ou au-delà, et sont susceptibles de continuer d'en prendre pendant le suivi. Près de la moitié des receveurs de notre étude n'avaient pas d'indication clairement identifiable de prendre un IPP en continu. Les néphrologues prescrivent fréquemment des IPP aux receveurs d'une greffe rénale et devraient être impliqués dans les initiatives de déprescription visant à réduire la polypharmacie.

The Association of Intra-Abdominal Adhesions with Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter-Related Complications.

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the association of intra-abdominal adhesions with the risk of peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter complications. METHODS: Individuals undergoing laparoscopic PD catheter insertion were prospectively enrolled from eight centers in Canada and the United States. Patients were grouped based on the presence of adhesions observed during catheter insertion. The primary outcome was the composite of PD never starting, termination of PD, or the need for an invasive procedure caused by flow restriction or abdominal pain. RESULTS: Seven hundred and fifty-eight individuals were enrolled, of whom 201 (27%) had adhesions during laparoscopic PD catheter insertion. The risk of the primary outcome occurred in 35 (17%) in the adhesion group compared with 58 (10%) in the no adhesion group (adjusted HR, 1.64; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05 to 2.55) within 6 months of insertion. Lower abdominal or pelvic adhesions had an adjusted HR of 1.80 (95% CI, 1.09 to 2.98) compared with the no adhesion group. Invasive procedures were required in 26 (13%) and 47 (8%) of the adhesion and no adhesion groups, respectively (unadjusted HR, 1.60: 95% CI, 1.04 to 2.47) within 6 months of insertion. The adjusted odds ratio for adhesions for women was 1.65 (95% CI, 1.12 to 2.41), for body mass index per 5 kg/m 2 was 1.16 (95% CI, 1.003 to 1.34), and for prior abdominal surgery was 8.34 (95% CI, 5.5 to 12.34). Common abnormalities found during invasive procedures included PD catheter tip migration, occlusion of the lumen with fibrin, omental wrapping, adherence to the bowel, and the development of new adhesions. CONCLUSIONS: People with intra-abdominal adhesions undergoing PD catheter insertion were at higher risk for abdominal pain or flow restriction preventing PD from starting, PD termination, or requiring an invasive procedure. However, most patients, with or without adhesions, did not experience complications, and most complications did not lead to the termination of PD therapy.

Follow-up Care of Critically Ill Patients With Acute Kidney Injury: A Cohort Study.

Rationale & Objective: To evaluate follow-up care of critically ill patients with acute kidney injury (AKI). Study Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting & Participants: Patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with AKI in Alberta, Canada from 2005 to 2018, who survived to discharge without kidney replacement therapy or estimated glomerular filtration rate <15 mL/min/1.73 m2. Exposure: AKI (defined as ≥50% or ≥0.3 mg/dL serum creatinine increase). Outcomes: The primary outcome was the cumulative incidence of an outpatient serum creatinine and urine protein measurement at 3 months postdischarge. Secondary outcomes included an outpatient serum creatinine or urine protein measurement or a nephrologist visit at 3 months postdischarge. Analytical Approach: Patients were followed from hospital discharge until the first of each outcome of interest, death, emigration from the province, kidney replacement therapy (maintenance dialysis or kidney transplantation), or end of study period (March 2019). We used non-parametric methods (Aalen-Johansen) to estimate the cumulative incidence functions of outcomes accounting for competing events (death and kidney replacement therapy). Results: There were 29,732 critically ill adult patients with AKI. The median age was 68 years (IQR, 57-77), 39% were female, and the median baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate was 72 mL/min/1.73 m2 (IQR, 53-90). The cumulative incidence of having an outpatient creatinine and urine protein measurement at 3 months postdischarge was 25% (95% CI, 25-26). At 3 months postdischarge, 64% (95% CI, 64-65) had an outpatient creatinine measurement, 28% (95% CI, 27-28) had a urine protein measurement, and 5% (95% CI, 4-5) had a nephrologist visit. Limitations: We lacked granular data, such as urine output. Conclusions: Many critically ill patients with AKI do not receive the recommended follow-up care. Our findings highlight a gap in the transition of care for survivors of critical illness and AKI.

Derivation and External Validation of a Risk Index for Predicting Acute Kidney Injury Requiring Kidney Replacement Therapy After Noncardiac Surgery.

Importance: Severe acute kidney injury (AKI) is a serious postoperative complication. A tool for predicting the risk of AKI requiring kidney replacement therapy (KRT) after major noncardiac surgery might assist with patient counseling and targeted use of measures to reduce this risk. Objective: To derive and validate a predictive model for AKI requiring KRT after major noncardiac surgery. Design, Setting, and Participants: In this prognostic study, 5 risk prediction models were derived and internally validated in a population-based cohort of adults without preexisting kidney failure who underwent noncardiac surgery in Alberta, Canada, between January 1, 2004, and December 31, 2013. The best performing model and corresponding risk index were externally validated in a population-based cohort of adults without preexisting kidney failure who underwent noncardiac surgery in Ontario, Canada, between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2017. Data analysis was conducted from September 1, 2019, to May 31, 2021. Exposures: Demographic characteristics, surgery type, laboratory measures, and comorbidities before surgery. Main Outcomes and Measures: Acute kidney injury requiring KRT within 14 days after surgery. Discrimination was assessed using the C statistic; calibration was assessed using calibration intercept and slope. Logistic recalibration was used to optimize model calibration in the external validation cohort. Results: The derivation cohort included 92 114 patients (52.2% female; mean [SD] age, 62.3 [18.0] years), and the external validation cohort included 709 086 patients (50.8% female; mean [SD] age, 61.0 [16.0] years). A total of 529 patients (0.6%) developed postoperative AKI requiring KRT in the derivation cohort, and 2956 (0.4%) developed postoperative AKI requiring KRT in the external validation cohort. The following factors were consistently associated with the risk of AKI requiring KRT: younger age (40-69 years: odds ratio [OR], 2.07 [95% CI, 1.69-2.53]; <40 years: OR, 3.73 [95% CI, 2.61-5.33]), male sex (OR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.28-1.87), surgery type (colorectal: OR, 4.86 [95% CI, 3.28-7.18]; liver or pancreatic: OR, 6.46 [95% CI, 3.85-10.83]; other abdominal: OR, 2.19 [95% CI, 1.66-2.89]; abdominal aortic aneurysm repair: OR, 19.34 [95% CI, 14.31-26.14]; other vascular: OR, 7.30 [95% CI, 5.48-9.73]; thoracic: OR, 3.41 [95% CI, 2.07-5.59]), lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (OR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.97-0.97 per 1 mL/min/1.73 m2 increase), lower hemoglobin concentration (OR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.98-0.99 per 0.1 g/dL increase), albuminuria (mild: OR, 1.88 [95% CI, 1.52-2.33]; heavy: OR, 3.74 [95% CI, 2.98-4.69]), history of myocardial infarction (OR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.32-2.03), and liver disease (mild: OR, 2.32 [95% CI, 1.66-3.24]; moderate or severe: OR, 4.96 [95% CI, 3.58-6.85]). In external validation, a final model including these variables showed excellent discrimination (C statistic, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.95-0.96), with sensitivity of 21.2%, specificity of 99.9%, positive predictive value of 38.1%, and negative predictive value of 99.7% at a predicted risk threshold of 10% or greater. Conclusions and Relevance: The findings suggest that this risk model can predict AKI requiring KRT after noncardiac surgery using routine preoperative data. The model may be feasible for implementation in clinical perioperative risk stratification for severe AKI.

Nephrology consultation and kidney failure in people with stage 4 chronic kidney disease: a population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Guidelines recommend referral for nephrology consultation for people with severe chronic kidney disease (CKD) to improve care and renal outcomes, yet the advocated benefits of nephrology referral on CKD progression in this patient population are unclear. METHODS: We linked laboratory and administrative data in Alberta, Canada to identify adults with stage 4 CKD between 2002 and 2014 (follow-up end on March 31, 2017). We studied the association between time-varying receipt of outpatient nephrology consultation and kidney failure (the earlier of renal replacement initiation or eGFR < 10 mL/min/1.73 m2 for more than 3 months), accounting for the competing risk of death. RESULTS: Of the 14,382 participants, 41% were ≥ 85 years old, 33% saw a nephrologist as an outpatient, 9% developed kidney failure, and 53% died over a median of 2.6 years. Compared with people who did not see a nephrologist before or at 7 months (median time to consultation), those who did were more likely to develop kidney failure [5-year risk (95% CI) 0.23 (0.21-0.24) vs 0.07 (0.065-0.075)]. With increasing age or higher eGFR, the 5-year risk of kidney failure became progressively smaller, from 0.24 (0.18-0.29) at age < 65 to 0.01 (0.006-0.015) at age ≥ 85 years and from 0.21 (0.18-0.23) at eGFR 15-19 to 0.066 (0.060-0.072) at eGFR 25-29 mL/min/1.73 m2; yet, the hazard ratio of kidney failure (1.6-4.3) increased following nephrology consultation in people who were older or had higher eGFR. CONCLUSIONS: Adults with stage 4 CKD who see a nephrologist are more likely to develop kidney failure than those who don't, especially within lower absolute risk categories. Although selective referral may explain these findings, there is no evidence of an association between nephrology care and reduced risk of kidney failure in people with severe CKD. Studies are needed to assess the benefits of nephrology consultation in people with moderate CKD.

Association of Initiation of Dialysis With Hospital Length of Stay and Intensity of Care in Older Adults With Kidney Failure.

Importance: Comparative outcome data examining the association of dialysis initiation with hospital length of stay and intensity of care in older adults with kidney failure are scarce, and prior studies are limited to patients treated by nephrology teams. Objective: To compare in-hospital days and intensity of care among older adults with kidney failure who were treated vs not treated with maintenance dialysis. Design, Setting, and Participants: This population-based, retrospective cohort study included adults in Alberta, Canada, 65 years or older with kidney failure, defined by at least 2 consecutive outpatient estimated glomerular filtration rate values of less than 10 mL/min/1.73 m2 spanning a period of at least 90 days from May 15, 2002, to March 31, 2014. Data were analyzed from August 1, 2017, to August 29, 2019. Exposures: Time-varying exposure to maintenance dialysis for treatment of kidney failure. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was rate of in-hospital days. Secondary outcomes included rates of hospital admissions, intensive care unit admissions, cardiopulmonary resuscitations, inpatient palliative care, and emergency department visits; risk of in-hospital death; and time to admission to long-term care. Results: A total of 968 patients (median age, 78.5 [interquartile range, 72.4-84.7] years; 489 men [50.5%]; median follow-up, 2.0 [interquartile range, 0.8-3.9] years) were included in the analysis. Patients who underwent dialysis spent more adjusted in-hospital days per person-year (36.25 [95% CI, 30.72-41.77] vs 14.65 [95% CI, 12.28-17.02]; incidence rate ratio [IRR], 2.47 [95% CI, 1.99-3.08]). However, the dialysis group did not have a higher rate of hospital admissions (1.18 [95% CI 1.07-1.29] vs 1.32 [95% CI 1.17-1.48] per year; IRR, 0.89 [95% CI, 0.77-1.03]). Patients in the dialysis group had a higher rate of intensive care unit admissions per 1000 hospitalizations (98.37 [95% CI, 81.09-115.65] vs 54.51 [95% CI, 37.76-71.26]; IRR, 1.80 [95% CI, 1.28-2.54]) and lower rates of inpatient palliative care per 1000 in-hospital days (3.92 [95% CI, 3.13-4.72] vs 8.60 [95% CI, 6.3-11.0]; IRR, 0.45 [95% CI, 0.32-0.64]). Conclusions and Relevance: In this cohort study, compared with nondialysis care, patients who received maintenance dialysis spent more time in the hospital and were more likely to be admitted to intensive care units. This finding suggests trade-offs between longer survival and higher intensity of use of health care services as a function of dialysis initiation. Maintenance dialysis may be a proxy for the type of philosophy of care driving increased in-hospital time and intensive care and less use of palliative care.

Pharmacological interventions for heart failure in people with chronic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND: Approximately half of people with heart failure have chronic kidney disease (CKD). Pharmacological interventions for heart failure in people with CKD have the potential to reduce death (any cause) or hospitalisations for decompensated heart failure. However, these interventions are of uncertain benefit and may increase the risk of harm, such as hypotension and electrolyte abnormalities, in those with CKD. OBJECTIVES: This review aims to look at the benefits and harms of pharmacological interventions for HF (i.e., antihypertensive agents, inotropes, and agents that may improve the heart performance indirectly) in people with HF and CKD. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Kidney and Transplant Register of Studies through 12 September 2019 in consultation with an Information Specialist and 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 randomised controlled trials of any pharmacological intervention for acute or chronic heart failure, among people of any age with chronic kidney disease of at least three months duration. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two authors independently screened the records to identify eligible studies and extracted data on the following dichotomous outcomes: death, hospitalisations, worsening heart failure, worsening kidney function, hyperkalaemia, and hypotension. We used random effects meta-analysis to estimate treatment effects, which we expressed as a risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). We assessed the risk of bias using the Cochrane tool. We applied the GRADE methodology to rate the certainty of evidence. MAIN RESULTS: One hundred and twelve studies met our selection criteria: 15 were studies of adults with CKD; 16 studies were conducted in the general population but provided subgroup data for people with CKD; and 81 studies included individuals with CKD, however, data for this subgroup were not provided. The risk of bias in all 112 studies was frequently high or unclear. Of the 31 studies (23,762 participants) with data on CKD patients, follow-up ranged from three months to five years, and study size ranged from 16 to 2916 participants. In total, 26 studies (19,612 participants) reported disaggregated and extractable data on at least one outcome of interest for our review and were included in our meta-analyses. In acute heart failure, the effects of adenosine A1-receptor antagonists, dopamine, nesiritide, or serelaxin on death, hospitalisations, worsening heart failure or kidney function, hyperkalaemia, hypotension or quality of life were uncertain due to sparse data or were not reported. In chronic heart failure, the effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) (4 studies, 5003 participants: RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.70 to 1.02; I2 = 78%; low certainty evidence), aldosterone antagonists (2 studies, 34 participants: RR 0.61 95% CI 0.06 to 6.59; very low certainty evidence), and vasopressin receptor antagonists (RR 1.26, 95% CI 0.55 to 2.89; 2 studies, 1840 participants; low certainty evidence) on death (any cause) were uncertain. Treatment with beta-blockers may reduce the risk of death (any cause) (4 studies, 3136 participants: RR 0.69, 95% CI 0.60 to 0.79; I2 = 0%; moderate certainty evidence). Treatment with ACEi or ARB (2 studies, 1368 participants: RR 0.90, 95% CI 0.43 to 1.90; I2 = 97%; very low certainty evidence) had uncertain effects on hospitalisation for heart failure, as treatment estimates were consistent with either benefit or harm. Treatment with beta-blockers may decrease hospitalisation for heart failure (3 studies, 2287 participants: RR 0.67, 95% CI 0.43 to 1.05; I2 = 87%; low certainty evidence). Aldosterone antagonists may increase the risk of hyperkalaemia compared to placebo or no treatment (3 studies, 826 participants: RR 2.91, 95% CI 2.03 to 4.17; I2 = 0%; low certainty evidence). Renin inhibitors had uncertain risks of hyperkalaemia (2 studies, 142 participants: RR 0.86, 95% CI 0.49 to 1.49; I2 = 0%; very low certainty). We were unable to estimate whether treatment with sinus node inhibitors affects the risk of hyperkalaemia, as there were few studies and meta-analysis was not possible. Hyperkalaemia was not reported for the CKD subgroup in studies investigating other therapies. The effects of ACEi or ARB, or aldosterone antagonists on worsening heart failure or kidney function, hypotension, or quality of life were uncertain due to sparse data or were not reported. Effects of anti-arrhythmic agents, digoxin, phosphodiesterase inhibitors, renin inhibitors, sinus node inhibitors, vasodilators, and vasopressin receptor antagonists were very uncertain due to the paucity of studies. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: The effects of pharmacological interventions for heart failure in people with CKD are uncertain and there is insufficient evidence to inform clinical practice. Study data for treatment outcomes in patients with heart failure and CKD are sparse despite the potential impact of kidney impairment on the benefits and harms of treatment. Future research aimed at analysing existing data in general population HF studies to explore the effect in subgroups of patients with CKD, considering stage of disease, may yield valuable insights for the management of people with HF and CKD.

Quantifying the risk of insertion-related peritoneal dialysis catheter complications following laparoscopic placement: Results from the North American PD Catheter Registry.

BACKGROUND: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a more cost-effective therapy to treat kidney failure than in-center hemodialysis, but successful therapy requires a functioning PD catheter that causes minimal complications. In 2015, the North American Chapter of the International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis established the North American PD Catheter Registry to improve practices and patient outcomes following PD catheter insertion. AIMS: The objective of this study is to propose a methodology for defining insertion-related complications that lead to significant adverse events and report the risk of these complications among patients undergoing laparoscopic PD catheter insertion. METHODS: Patients undergoing laparoscopic PD catheter insertion were enrolled at 14 participating centers in Canada and the United States and followed using a Web-based registry. Insertion-related complications were defined as flow restriction, exit-site leak, or abdominal pain at any point during follow-up. We also included infections or bleeding within 30 days of insertion, and any immediate postoperative complications. Adverse events were categorized as PD never starting or termination of PD therapy, delay in the start of PD therapy or interruption of PD therapy, an emergency department visit or hospitalization, or need for invasive procedures. Cause-specific cumulative incidence functions were used to estimate risk. RESULTS: Five hundred patients underwent laparoscopic PD catheter insertion between 10 November 2015 and 24 July 2018. The cumulative risk of insertion-related complications 6 months from the date of insertion that led to an adverse event was 24%. The risk of flow restriction, exit-site leak, and pain at 6 months was 10.2%, 5.7%, and 5.3%, respectively. PD was never started or terminated in 6.4% of patients due to an insertion-related complication. Leaks and flow restrictions were most likely to delay or interrupt PD therapy. Flow restrictions were the primary cause of invasive procedures. Fifty percent of the complications occurred before the start of PD therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Insertion-related complications leading to significant adverse events following laparoscopic placement of PD catheters are common. Many complications occur before the start of PD. Insertion-related complications are an important area of focus for future research and quality improvement efforts.

Thiazide Diuretic Dose and Risk of Kidney Stones in Older Adults: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Thiazide diuretics are commonly prescribed to prevent kidney stones. However, it is unclear whether higher doses confer greater benefit. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether lower doses of thiazide diuretics confer a similar protective effect against kidney stone events as higher doses. DESIGN: Population-based cohort study. SETTING: Linked health administrative databases in Ontario, Canada. PATIENTS: Older adults newly prescribed a thiazide diuretic between 2003 and 2014 were separated into 2 groups based on daily dose: low dose (⩽12.5 mg hydrochlorothiazide/chlorthalidone, or ⩽1.25 mg indapamide) or high dose. MEASUREMENTS: The primary outcome was time to a kidney stone event, using diagnosis and procedure codes. A secondary outcome was kidney stone surgery. METHODS: An association between thiazide diuretic dose and a kidney stone event was estimated using Cox proportional hazards regression. RESULTS: A total of 536 of 105 239 patients (0.51%) experienced a kidney stone event. We did not detect a difference in kidney stone risk in the high-dose relative to the low-dose group (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.10; 95% confidence interval, 0.93-1.31). Results were similar when analysis was restricted to the more specific outcome of kidney stone surgery. Neither a history of prior kidney stones nor the type of thiazide diuretic modified the effect of diuretic dose on outcome. LIMITATIONS: Patients were >65 years old and we were unable to adjust for some potential confounders such as dietary factors. CONCLUSIONS: Lower dose thiazide diuretics appear to confer a similar protective effect as higher dose thiazides against the development of kidney stones.

CONTEXTE: Les diurétiques thiazidiques sont couramment prescrits pour prévenir la formation de calculs rénaux. On ignore toutefois si l'administration de doses plus élevées confère de plus grands avantages. OBJECTIF DE L'ÉTUDE: Déterminer si de faibles doses de diurétiques thiazidiques confèrent un effet protecteur contre la formation de calculs rénaux similaire à celui des doses plus élevées. TYPE D'ÉTUDE: Une étude de cohorte représentative de la population. CADRE: Les bases de données administratives interreliées du système de santé de la province de l'Ontario au Canada. PATIENTS: L'étude porte sur des patients âgés auxquels un diurétique thiazidique avait été nouvellement prescrit entre 2003 et 2014. Les sujets ont été séparés en deux groupes, selon la dose quotidienne prescrite : un premier groupe traité à faible dose d'hydrochlorothiazide ou de chlorthalidone (12,5 mg ou moins) ou d'indapamide (1,25 mg ou moins) et un deuxième groupe traité à des doses plus élevées. MESURES: Le principal critère d'intérêt était le laps de temps écoulé avant la survenue de calculs rénaux, établi d'après les codes de procédures et de diagnostic. Le critère secondaire consistait en une intervention chirurgicale visant l'extraction de calculs rénaux. MÉTHODOLOGIE: L'association entre la dose de diurétique thiazidique et la survenue de calculs rénaux a été estimée par la méthode de régression à risques proportionnels de Cox. RÉSULTATS: Des 105 239 patients retenus pour l'étude, 536 (0,51 %) ont vécu un épisode de calculs rénaux. Aucun écart significatif dans le risque de développer des calculs rénaux n'a pu être décelé entre les deux groupes et donc, selon la dose prescrite (rapport de risque ajusté : 1,10; I.C. à 95 % : 0,93 ­ 1,31). Des résultats similaires ont été obtenus lorsque l'analyse se limitait spécifiquement aux interventions visant l'extraction de calculs rénaux. De plus, il a été observé que ni les antécédents de calculs rénaux ni le type de diurétique thiazidique prescrit n'avaient modulé l'effet de la dose sur le résultat. LIMITES DE L'ÉTUDE: Les patients retenus pour l'étude étaient âgés de 65 ans et plus, et nous n'avons pas été en mesure de tenir compte de potentielles variables confusionnelles telles que les habitudes alimentaires. CONCLUSION: L'administration d'une faible dose de diurétique thiazidique semble conférer un effet protecteur contre la formation de calculs rénaux similaire à celui offert par une dose plus élevée.

Emergency Department Use among Patients with CKD: A Population-Based Analysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although prior studies have observed high resource use among patients with CKD, there is limited exploration of emergency department use in this population and the proportion of encounters related to CKD care specifically. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS: We identified all adults (≥18 years old) with eGFR<60 ml/min per 1.73 m2 (including dialysis-dependent patients) in Alberta, Canada between April 1, 2010 and March 31, 2011. Patients with CKD were linked to administrative data to capture clinical characteristics and frequency of emergency department encounters and followed until death or end of study (March 31, 2013). Within each CKD category, we calculated adjusted rates of overall emergency department use as well as rates of potentially preventable emergency department encounters (defined by four CKD-specific ambulatory care-sensitive conditions: heart failure, hyperkalemia, volume overload, and malignant hypertension). RESULTS: During mean follow-up of 2.4 years, 111,087 patients had 294,113 emergency department encounters; 64.2% of patients had category G3A CKD, and 1.6% were dialysis dependent. Adjusted rates of overall emergency department use were highest among patients with more advanced CKD; 5.8% of all emergency department encounters were for CKD-specific ambulatory care-sensitive conditions, with approximately one third resulting in hospital admission. Heart failure accounted for over 80% of all potentially preventable emergency department events among patients with categories G3A, G3B, and G4 CKD, whereas hyperkalemia accounted for almost one half (48%) of all ambulatory care-sensitive conditions among patients on dialysis. Adjusted rates of emergency department events for heart failure showed a U-shaped relationship, with the highest rates among patients with category G4 CKD. In contrast, there was a graded association between rates of emergency department use for hyperkalemia and CKD category. CONCLUSIONS: Emergency department use is high among patients with CKD, although only a small proportion of these encounters is for potentially preventable CKD-related care. Strategies to reduce emergency department use among patients with CKD will, therefore, need to target conditions other than CKD-specific ambulatory care-sensitive conditions.

Potentially Preventable Hospitalization among Patients with CKD and High Inpatient Use.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although patients with CKD are commonly hospitalized, little is known about those with frequent hospitalization and/or longer lengths of stay (high inpatient use). The objective of this study was to explore clinical characteristics, patterns of hospital use, and potentially preventable acute care encounters among patients with CKD with at least one hospitalization. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS: We identified all adults with nondialysis CKD (eGFR<60 ml/min per 1.73 m2) in Alberta, Canada between January 1 and December 31, 2009, excluding those with prior kidney failure. Patients with CKD were linked to administrative data to capture clinical characteristics and frequency of hospital encounters, and they were followed until death or end of study (December 31, 2012). Patients with one or more hospital encounters were categorized into three groups: persistent high inpatient use (upper 5% of inpatient use in 2 or more years), episodic high use (upper 5% in 1 year only), or nonhigh use (lower 95% in all years). Within each group, we calculated the proportion of potentially preventable hospitalizations as defined by four CKD-specific ambulatory care sensitive conditions: heart failure, hyperkalemia, volume overload, and malignant hypertension. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 3 years, 57,007 patients with CKD not on dialysis had 118,671 hospitalizations, of which 1.7% of patients were persistent high users, 12.3% were episodic high users, and 86.0% were nonhigh users of hospital services. Overall, 24,804 (20.9%) CKD-related ambulatory care sensitive condition encounters were observed in the cohort. The persistent and episodic high users combined (14% of the cohort) accounted for almost one half (45.5%) of the total ambulatory care sensitive condition hospitalizations, most of which were attributed to heart failure and hyperkalemia. Risk of hospitalization for any CKD-specific ambulatory care sensitive condition was higher among older patients, higher CKD stage, lower income, registered First Nations status, and those with poor attachment to primary care. CONCLUSIONS: Many hospitalizations among patients with CKD and high inpatient use are ambulatory care sensitive condition related, suggesting opportunities to improve outcomes and reduce cost by focusing on better community-based care for this population.

Peritoneal dialysis catheter implantation by nephrologists is associated with higher rates of peritoneal dialysis utilization: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: The likelihood of peritoneal dialysis (PD) utilization following a PD catheter insertion attempt is poorly described. We explored the risk factors for PD nonuse, focusing on the method of PD catheter implantation. METHODS: This population-based retrospective cohort study employed Ontario administrative health data to identify 3886 predialysis adults who had an incident PD catheter implantation between 2002 and 2010. The impact of the method of catheter implantation including open-surgical (open, n = 1884), surgical-laparoscopic (laparoscopic, n = 1154), nephrology-percutaneous (nephrology, n = 498) and radiology-percutaneous (radiology, n = 350) on rates of PD utilization (defined as four consecutive weeks of PD) was examined. RESULTS: Eighty-three percent of study patients received PD. After adjustment, relative to patients with openly inserted catheters, PD utilization was greater for those with nephrology-inserted catheters [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 1.59, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.29-1.95] and similar for radiology-inserted catheters [aHR 1.16, 95% CI 0.94-1.43] or laparoscopic-inserted catheters [aHR 0.97 (95% CI 0.86-1.09)]. Among PD nonusers, death occurred in 10% of the open group, 6% of the laparoscopic group, 27% of the radiology group and in fewer than 3% of the nephrology group. Sixty-nine percent received hemodialysis in the open group, 63% in the laparoscopic group, 61% in the radiology group and 88% in the nephrology group. Those remaining predialysis comprised 12% of the open group, 22% of the laparoscopic group, 11% of the radiology group and <3% of the nephrology group. CONCLUSIONS: Nephrology insertion resulted in lower overall rates of PD nonuse, particularly due to death or remaining predialysis. Greater use may be related to insertion timing, technique or greater commitment on the part of nephrologists to the success of PD.

Impact of modality choice on rates of hospitalization in patients eligible for both peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND: Hospitalization rates are a relevant consideration when choosing or recommending a dialysis modality. Previous comparisons of peritoneal dialysis (PD) and hemodialysis (HD) have not been restricted to individuals who were eligible for both therapies. ♢ METHODS: We conducted a multicenter prospective cohort study of people 18 years of age and older who were eligible for both PD and HD, and who started outpatient dialysis between 2007 and 2010 in four Canadian dialysis programs. Zero-inflated negative binomial models, adjusted for baseline patient characteristics, were used to examine the association between modality choice and rates of hospitalization. ♢ RESULTS: The study enrolled 314 patients. A trend in the HD group toward higher rates of hospitalization, observed in the primary analysis, became significant when modality was treated as a time-varying exposure or when the population was restricted to elective outpatient starts in patients with at least 4 months of pre-dialysis care. Cardiovascular disease, infectious complications, and elective surgery were the most common reasons for hospital admission; only 23% of hospital stays were directly related to complications of dialysis or kidney disease. ♢ CONCLUSIONS: Efforts to promote PD utilization are unlikely to result in increased rates of hospitalization, and efforts to reduce hospital admissions should focus on potentially avoidable causes of cardiovascular disease and infectious complications.

Predictors of treatment with mastectomy, use of sentinel lymph node biopsy and upstaging to invasive cancer in patients diagnosed with breast ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) on core biopsy.

BACKGROUND: There are few established indications for sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in breast ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). This study examines factors contributing to the high rate of SLNB in DCIS in Alberta, Canada. METHODS: Patients who underwent definitive surgery from January 2009 to July 2011 for DCIS diagnosed on preoperative core-needle biopsy were identified using a provincial synoptic operative report database (WebSMR). The relationship between baseline patient and tumor characteristics and treatment with total mastectomy (TM), use of SLNB, and upstaging were examined. RESULTS: There were 394 patients identified in the study cohort. Mean age was 57 years, and average preoperative tumor size was 3 cm. Overall, 148 patients (37.6 %) underwent TM; predictors were preoperative tumor size [odds ratio (OR), 1.92 per 1-cm increase in size; 95 % CI 1.65-2.24] and surgeon. Upstaging to invasive cancer at surgery occurred in 23 %, predicted only by preoperative tumor size (OR 1.14 per 1 cm; 95 % CI 1.03-1.27). SLNB was performed in 306 patients overall (77 %) and 140 of those treated with BCS (61 %). Predictors of SLNB were larger preoperative tumor size (OR 1.55 per 1 cm; 95 % CI 1.18-2.04) and the surgeon. In patients treated with BCS, 3 patients who were upstaged had positive SLNs (>0.2 mm), and no patients with DCIS had a positive SLN. CONCLUSIONS: SLNB use is high in patients undergoing BCS for DCIS. Tumor size and the operating surgeon predicted SLNB use. Despite a 23 % upstaging rate, the rate of clinically significant positive SLNs in patients treated with BCS is low, supporting omission of upfront SLNB.

Kidney function, albuminuria and life expectancy.

BACKGROUND: Lower estimated glomerular filtration rate is associated with reduced life expectancy. Whether this association is modified by the presence or absence of albuminuria, another cardinal finding of chronic kidney disease, is unknown. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to estimate the life expectancy of middle-aged men and women with varying levels of eGFR and concomitant albuminuria. DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study. SETTING: A large population-based cohort identified from the provincial laboratory registry in Alberta, Canada. PARTICIPANTS: Adults aged ≥30 years who had outpatient measures of serum creatinine and albuminuria between May 1, 2002 and March 31, 2008. PREDICTOR: Baseline levels of kidney function identified from serum creatinine and albuminuria measurements. OUTCOMES: all cause mortality during the follow-up. METHODS: Patients were categorized based on their estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (≥60, 45-59, 30-44, and 15-29 mL/min/1 · 73 m(2)) as well as albuminuria (normal, mild, and heavy) measured by albumin-to-creatinine ratio or urine dipstick. The abridged life table method was applied to calculate the life expectancies of men and women from age 40 to 80 years across combined eGFR and albuminuria categories. We also categorized participants by severity of kidney disease (low risk, moderately increased risk, high risk, and very high risk) using the combination of eGFR and albuminuria levels. RESULTS: Among men aged 50 years and with eGFR ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m(2), estimated life expectancy was 24.8 (95% CI: 24.6-25.0), 17.5 (95% CI: 17.1-17.9), and 13.5 (95% CI: 12.6-14.3) years for participants with normal, mild and heavy albuminuria respectively. Life expectancy for men with mild and heavy albuminuria was 7.3 (95% CI: 6.9-7.8) and 11.3 (95% CI: 10.5-12.2) years shorter than men with normal proteinuria, respectively. A reduction in life expectancy was associated with an increasing severity of kidney disease; 24.8 years for low risk (95% CI: 24.6-25.0), 19.1 years for moderately increased risk (95% CI: 18.7-19.5), 14.2 years for high risk (95% CI: 13.5-15.0), and 9.6 years for very high risk (95% CI: 8.4-10.8). Among women of similar age and kidney function, estimated life expectancy was 28.9 (95% CI: 28.7-29.1), 19.8 (95% CI: 19.2-20.3), and 14.8 (95% CI: 13.5-16.0) years for participants with normal, mild and heavy albuminuria respectively. Life expectancy for women with mild and heavy albuminuria was 9.1 (95% CI: 8.5-9.7) and 14.2 (95% CI: 12.9-15.4) years shorter than the women with normal proteinuria, respectively. For women also a graded reduction in life expectancy was observed across the increasing severity of kidney disease; 28.9 years for low risk (95% CI: 28.7-29.1), 22.5 years for moderately increased risk (95% CI: 22.0-22.9), 16.5 years for high risk (95% CI: 15.4-17.5), and 9.2 years for very high risk (95% CI: 7.8-10.7). LIMITATIONS: Possible misclassification of long-term kidney function categories cannot be eliminated. Possibility of confounding due to concomitant comorbidities cannot be ruled out. CONCLUSION: The presence and degree of albuminuria was associated with lower estimated life expectancy for both gender and was especially notable in those with eGFR ≥30 mL/min/1.73 m(2). Life expectancy associated with a given level of eGFR differs substantially based on the presence and severity of albuminuria.

CONTEXTE: La diminution du débit de la filtration glomérulaire est associée à la réduction de l'espérance de vie. Par contre, le rôle que joue un autre facteur important de la néphropathie chronique dans ce lien, soit la présence ou l'absence d'albuminurie, reste inconnu. OBJECTIFS: Notre objectif était d'estimer l'espérance de vie d'hommes et de femmes d'âge moyen avec des mesures du débit de filtration glomérulaire estimé (eDFG) et de dosages d'albuminuries concomitantes. TYPE D'ÉTUDE: Étude rétrospective de cohortes. CONTEXTE: Une vaste cohorte de population provenant du registre du laboratoire provincial de l'Alberta, au Canada. PARTICIPANTS: Adultes âgés ≥ 30 ans ayant fait mesurer leurs concentrations de créatinine sérique et d'albumine urinaire en clinique externe entre le 1er mai 2002 et le 31 mars 2008. MESURES: Variable prédictive: État de la fonction rénale à l'entrée de l'étude, telle qu'évaluée en fonction des dosages de créatinémie et d'albuminurie. Résultat: toute mortalité, quelle qu'en soit la cause, pendant le suivi. MÉTHODES: Les patients ont été classés en fonction de leur évaluation du débit de filtration glomérulaire estimé (eDFG) (60, 45­59, 30­44, et 15­29 mL/min/1,73 m2) et de leur concentration d'albumine urinaire (normale, basse, élevée): mesures prises soit par rapport albumine/créatinine, ou par analyse au moyen d'une bandelette réactive. La méthodologie des tables abrégées de mortalité a été utilisée pour calculer l'espérance de vie des hommes et des femmes âgés de 40 à 80 ans à l'intérieur des deux catégories combinées. Nous avons également catégorisé les participants par degré de sévérité de néphropathie (faible risque, risques modéré et élevé, et très haut risque) en combinant les résultats des évaluations du eDFG et des dosages d'albuminurie. RÉSULTATS: Parmi les hommes âgés de 50 ans qui avaient un eDFG ≥60 mL/min/1,73 m2, l'espérance de vie était estimée à 24,8 (95% CI: 24,6-25,0), 17,5 (95% CI: 17,1-17,9), et 13,5 (95% CI: 12,6-14,3) années pour les participants ayant des concentrations d'albuminurie normales, basses et élevées, respectivement. L'espérance de vie pour les hommes avec des concentrations d'albuminurie basses et élevées était écourtée de 7,3 (95% CI: 6,9-7,8) et de 11,3 (95% CI: 10,5-12,2) années, comparativement aux hommes ayant obtenu des concentrations de protéinurie normales. Une diminution de l'espérance de vie a été associée avec le degré de sévérité de la néphropathie: 24,8 ans pour un risque faible (95% CI: 24,6-25,0), 19,1 ans pour un risque modéré (95% CI: 18,7-19,5), 14,2 ans pour un risque élevé (95% CI: 13,5-15,0), et 9,6 ans pour un très haut risque (95% CI: 8,4-10,8). Parmi les femmes d'âge et d'état de la fonction rénale similaires, l'espérance de vie était estimée à 28,9 (95% CI: 28,7-29,1), 19,8 (95% CI: 19,2-20,3), et 14,8 (95% CI: 13,5-16,0) années pour les participantes ayant des concentrations d'albumine urinaire normales, basses et élevées, respectivement. L'espérance de vie pour les femmes avec des concentrations d'albuminurie basses et élevées était écourtée de 9,1 (95% CI: 8,5-9,7) et de 14,2 (95% CI: 12,9-15,4) années comparativement aux femmes obtenant des concentrations normales de protéinurie, respectivement. Pour les femmes, également, l'espérance de vie diminuait au fur et à mesure que le degré de sévérité de la néphropathie augmentait: de 28,9 ans pour celles à faible risque (95% CI: 28,7-29,1), de 22,5 ans pour celles à risque modéré (95% CI: 22,0-22,9), de 16,5 ans pour celles à risque élevé (95% CI: 15,4-17,5), et de 9,2 ans pour celles à très haut risque (95% CI: 7,8-10,7). LIMITES DE L'ÉTUDE: Nous ne pouvons éliminer la possibilité d'une erreur lors du classement à partir de l'état de la fonction rénale. Les facteurs de confusion causés par une comorbidité concomitante ne peuvent, également, être complètement éliminés. CONCLUSION: La présence et la sévérité de l'albuminurie ont été associées avec une espérance de vie diminuée chez les participants des deux sexes et était particulièrement appréciable chez les sujets avec un DFG de ≥30 mL/min/1.73 m2. L'espérance de vie associée à un DFG donné variait considérablement selon la présence d'albuminurie et sa sévérité.

Association of a change in erythropoiesis-stimulating agent dose during hospitalization and subsequent hemoglobin levels and transfusions in hemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) doses are often increased in hospitalized dialysis patients in response to acute anemia with unknown consequences. We sought to determine whether increases in ESA dose during hospital admission were associated with changes in transfusion requirement and risk of exceeding recommended hemoglobin targets. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: Linked administrative, laboratory, and blood transfusion data were used to identify a total of 700 hospitalizations involving 484 long-term hemodialysis patients between 2004 and 2008 in the Calgary Health Region, Canada. PREDICTOR: Change in ESA dose was determined by comparing the average weekly dose over the 6 weeks preceding admission to that administered during the 14 days following admission. OUTCOMES & MEASUREMENTS: Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for baseline patient characteristics were used to model the association between changes in ESA dose and outcomes, including exceeding recommended hemoglobin targets, receipt of blood transfusion, cardiovascular outcomes, and death. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in the risk of exceeding recommended hemoglobin targets as the ESA dose was increased by ≥40 µg/wk (equivalent darbepoetin alfa dose) above baseline (HR, 2.21; 95% CI, 1.19-4.10). However, an increase in ESA dose was not associated with reduced need for blood transfusion, risk of cardiovascular outcomes, or death. LIMITATIONS: Residual confounding by clinical events that may lead to changes in the management of patients and may have influenced the observed relationship between predictor and outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing the ESA dose at hospitalization in hemodialysis patients is associated with higher risk of exceeding recommended hemoglobin targets, but does not appear to be associated with the need for transfusion, risk of cardiovascular outcomes, or death.

Likelihood of starting dialysis after incident fistula creation.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Guidelines promote early fistula creation to avoid central venous catheter use. This practice may lead to fistula creations in patients who never receive dialysis. The objective of this study was to estimate the risk of fistula nonuse with long-term follow-up. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS: Administrative health data identified 1929 predialysis adults who had their first fistula creation between April of 2002 and March of 2006. Patients were followed for a minimum of 2 years or until they began dialysis, received a kidney transplant, or died. RESULTS: The median follow-up times in patients who started dialysis, died without receiving dialysis, and remained in predialysis were 6.1, 11.5, and 38.7 months, respectively. Eighty-one percent of patients initiated dialysis; 9% of patients died without receiving dialysis, and 10% of patients remained predialysis. Forty percent of patients had their first fistula creation 3-12 months before initiating dialysis (the recommended window). Thirty percent were created within 90 days of starting dialysis; 30% were created more than 1 year before starting dialysis, and 10% were created more than 2 years before starting dialysis. Older patients, females, and patients with less comorbidity were not as likely to initiate dialysis after incident fistula creation. CONCLUSIONS: Most patients who underwent fistula creation before starting dialysis eventually received dialysis with extended follow-up, but the risk was significantly modified by age, sex, and comorbidity. Many patients had fistula creations earlier or later than recommended.

The 2011 Canadian Hypertension Education Program recommendations for the management of hypertension: blood pressure measurement, diagnosis, assessment of risk, and therapy.

We updated the evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis, assessment, prevention, and treatment of hypertension in adults for 2011. The major guideline changes this year are: (1) a recommendation was made for using comparative risk analogies when communicating a patient's cardiovascular risk; (2) diagnostic testing issues for renal artery stenosis were discussed; (3) recommendations were added for the management of hypertension during the acute phase of stroke; (4) people with hypertension and diabetes are now considered high risk for cardiovascular events if they have elevated urinary albumin excretion, overt kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, or the presence of other cardiovascular risk factors; (5) the combination of an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor and a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker (CCB) is preferred over the combination of an ACE inhibitor and a thiazide diuretic in persons with diabetes and hypertension; and (6) a recommendation was made to coordinate with pharmacists to improve antihypertensive medication adherence. We also discussed the recent analyses that examined the association between angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) and cancer.