The changing patterns of access overtime to the renal replacement therapy programme in Thailand.

Based on projected numbers, approximately only 50% of those requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT) receive it. Many patients who require RRT live in low- and middle-income countries. The objective of this study was to examine the changing pattern over time of entry into the RRT programme in Thailand following RRT's inclusion in the Universal Coverage Scheme. This study was an ecological study using the age-period-cohort analysis to look at dialysis registration and kidney transplant trends during RRT programme implementation. Data from 2008 to 2016 of patients diagnosed with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) were obtained from the National Health Security Office. The study found that the numbers of new patients with ESRD, aged 20-69, registered with the dialysis programme increased over time. For patients aged 20-40 years, the dialysis programme took up to 400 new patients for every 1000 new ESRD diagnoses. For kidney transplant, the rates increased slowly. The kidney transplant programme could at best treat only around 50 cases for every 1000 new ESRD diagnoses in patients aged 20-30 years. Findings of this study highlighted the importance of promoting strategies to reduce the increasing number of patients with kidney disease, to consider conservative therapy for older/frail patients, and to improve access to kidney transplantation and live-donation.

Acute renal replacement therapy during hospitalization: Is training adequate?

Acute renal replacement therapy is one of the most common interventions provided by nephrologists, however, data on the quality of training provided to nephrology fellows is limited. Extensive curricula for acute renal replacement therapy and the management of poisonings and intoxications have been published, but personal experience suggests that there are significant opportunities to improve training. Particular areas to be considered include the use of novel technologies for assessment of volume status, greater emphasis on the dosing of medications during acute renal replacement therapy, greater training in assessing and tailoring treatment to the goals of care of the individual patient, incorporation of continuous quality improvement tools into the management of acute renal replacement therapy programs and development of robust simulation training to augment training.

Nephrology in Africa - challenges of practice in resource-limited environment.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD), a major public health problem, is especially challenging for patients and healthcare personnel in Africa, a region with poor economic resources and a massive shortage of health-care workers. The burden of kidney disease is increased in poorly-resourced regions due to increased exposure to infections, poverty, poor access to healthcare, and genetic predisposition to kidney disease, contributing further to the problems when managing CKD and acute kidney injury. The vast majority of patients do not have access to renal replacement therapy. Urgent attention to cost of dialysis is required for wider expansion of services so that renal replacement therapy is affordable for the governments and populations of Africa. Priority needs to be given to prevention and treatment of acute kidney injury. Lack of resources has hampered the widespread utilization of prevention strategies; these are optimally delivered in a primary healthcare setting by doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers with access to protocols for screening, disease management, achievement of treatment goals (with availability of therapy to retard progression), and criteria for referral to specialist and nephrology expertise. A regional or national renal registry is an important initiative to obtain accurate data on the burden of disease and outcomes of therapeutic interventions.

Progressively Earlier Initiation of Renal Replacement Therapy for Acute Kidney Injury Is Unwarranted and Potentially Harmful.

BACKGROUND: The optimal timing of renal replacement therapy (RRT) initiation for acute kidney injury (AKI) is unknown. There is debate as to whether starting RRT earlier for AKI is superior to starting it only after 'conventional', life-threatening indications are present. SUMMARY: In recent years, there has been an ongoing trend in clinical practice to initiate RRT for AKI long before indications appear. Observational studies show many patients now begin RRT for AKI in the absence of 'conventional' indications. While this shift may have been prompted by observational studies suggesting improved outcomes with earlier RRT, there was not sufficient justification for a change in clinical practice: many recent, observational studies suggest that early RRT may not beneficial or may be even harmful. Moreover, none of 3 underpowered RCTs reported to date found 'early' RRT initiation beneficial. Lowering the threshold for RRT initiation inevitably leads to more patients receiving unnecessary treatment and this is a matter of concern, considering the fact that complications are potentially fatal and RRT is very costly. While we await definitive studies, calls to shift clinical practice back toward the initiation of RRT for 'conventional', life-threatening indications only, should be heeded. KEY MESSAGES: 'Earlier' initiation of RRT for AKI is already occurring in clinical practice but is not justified on the basis of the studies to date. Lowering the threshold for initiation leads to more patients receiving unnecessary RRT. RRT has potentially fatal complications and is expensive. While we await definitive trials, RRT should be started only after 'conventional', life-threatening indications occur and not earlier.

The delivery of renal replacement therapy in Scotland--why the geographic variation?

BACKGROUND: The incidence of patients starting renal replacement therapy (RRT) for established renal failure (ERF) in Scotland has fallen from 2005 to 2011 due to a reduction in older patients starting RRT; there are significant differences between NHS Health board areas. AIM: To understand the apparent inequality in provision of RRT between NHS board areas in Scotland. DESIGN: Retrospective population analysis of Scottish renal registry (SRR) data, population statistics and quality outcomes framework summary statistics. RESULTS: The incidence of patients starting RRT for ERF in Scotland fell from 123 per million population (pmp) in 2005 to 96 pmp in 2011. The incidence of ≥75 year olds fell from 406 to 274 pmp. There are significant differences between NHS board areas when standardized for age and social deprivation. There is no relationship between the population prevalence of CKD as reported by QOF and the incidence of RRT for ERF. Those areas with high incidence rates of ≥75 year olds have higher 90-day [Spearman's rank correlation: coefficient = 0.662; P = 0.03] and 1-year [Spearman's rank correlation: coefficient = 0.776; P = 0.003] mortality rates. CONCLUSION: The significant variation in provision of RRT for ERF between Scottish NHS Board areas is not explained by age or social deprivation. There is evidence of change in practice towards RRT for patients aged ≥75 years but variation between NHS Board areas. This disparity must be further investigated to ensure equity of access to RRT for those who will benefit from it, and to non-dialytic care for those who would not.

Medical practice patterns and socio-economic factors may explain geographical variation of end-stage renal disease incidence.

BACKGROUND: Incidence rates of renal replacement therapy (RRT) for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) vary geographically not only between but within countries. This study uses data from the French REIN registry to quantify the extent to which socio-economic environment, health care supply and medical practice patterns such as early dialysis initiation or greater propensity to accept frail or elderly patients for dialysis, may explain spatial patterns of ESRD incidence in 85 French districts. METHODS: The association between age- and sex-adjusted incidence rates of RRT in 2008-09 and 17 indicators was explored at the district level with geographically appropriate methods, before and after controlling for the effects of diabetes and the other significant indicators. Rate ratios (RR) and credible intervals (CI) were estimated for a 1-SD increase of each covariate. RESULTS: Crude RRT incidence by district ranged from 85.8 to 225.5 per million inhabitants. The age- and sex-adjusted RRT incidence increased with the proportion of people unemployed (RR: 1.05, 95% CI 1.01-1.09), the population density (RR: 1.07, 95% CI 1.02-1.12) and the prevalence of diabetes (RR: 1.08, 95% CI 1.03-1.12). It also increased with the proportions of incident ESRD patients >85 years (RR: 1.02, 95% CI 0.99-1.06), of deaths within the first 3 months of RRT (RR: 1.03, 95% CI 1.0-1.06) and of nephrologists in private practice (RR: 1.05, 95% CI 1.01-1.08) and with the median estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at dialysis initiation (RR: 1.06, 95% CI 1.02-1.09). CONCLUSION: This study confirms that socio-economic factors and diabetes explain substantial between-area variations in RRT incidence and highlights the variability of practice patterns, especially decisions about RRT and their potential impact on incidence.

Seeking an optimal renal replacement therapy for the chronic kidney disease epidemic: the case for on-line hemodiafiltration.

The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) can be expected to increase dramatically in the foreseeable future, with suggestions that it has already reached epidemic proportions. The inadequate supply of donor organs, aggravated by an aging patient population, necessitates provision of sustainable dialysis treatment modalities. These treatment modalities must not only be of established clinical efficacy and effectiveness, but must simultaneously circumvent any potential treatment disparities due to geographical, social or other concurring factors. Home therapies might represent a partial solution to the complex issue of seeking optimal strategies to cope with the CKD epidemic. However, self-care renal replacement therapy (RRT), such as peritoneal dialysis (PD) and home therapies, can only be applied to a limited portion of the CKD population. Consequently, in preparation for coping with this CKD epidemic, specific large-scale plans need to be made that involve optimization of treatments already in use for the majority of the population requiring RRT, e.g. hemodialysis (HD). Extracorporeal chronic HD relies heavily on technology for its clinical success. Like the choice of the treatment modality and the complete medical approach to CKD patient care, the particular selection of the various components of the extracorporeal circuit has a significant impact on the well-being and survival of the patients. We present a medical-technological assessment of how best to treat vast numbers of dialysis patients under the financial restraints that are predicted to become even more severe as CKD entrenches itself as a more 'permanent epidemic'. A treatment modality is proposed that optimally addresses--and resolves--the debilitating effects of uremia, as well as of key clinical conditions closely linked to it. This treatment modality successfully tackles the issues of patient well-being, efficacy, effectiveness, safety and patient-nursing staff convenience--all in relation to the overall costs incurred by payers of renal care. In short, optimal care needs to be provided with shrinking resources and without compromising the medical appropriateness of the therapy. Additionally, we believe ensuring improved quality of life is just as important as prolonging patient survival. Therefore, a balanced compromise between optimal and affordable technology is required in order to reach the targets of achieving good medical care and meeting the expectations of patients, their families, healthcare providers, and society as a whole. Under these premises, and focusing on the aforementioned targets, we believe that on-line hemodiafiltration (HDF) represents the most advanced and clinically appropriate RRT modality available to best cope with the CKD epidemic. Together with the guidance and recommendations of those taking care of CKD patients on dialysis therapy, the contribution of industry is indispensable for the availability of highly reliable and affordable solutions to the impending dilemma. As representatives of the academic-medical community and of industry, we present a joint case for the application of on-line HDF towards meeting the challenge of large-scale provision of dialysis under an increasingly restrictive financial climate.

Prevalence trend of renal replacement therapy in Thailand: impact of health economics policy.

OBJECTIVE: The national health insurance fund in Thailand initiated by the national health security act in November, 2002. In October 2007, the national health insurance fund launched the first renal replacement therapy (RRT) reimbursement plan by the "Peritoneal Dialysis-First" (PD First) policy. The rationale of the PD First Policy resulted from the perspective that PD for end stage renal disease (ESRD) treatment offers the most economic and efficient outcome. The present study was conducted to determine whether the increase of RRT penetration by national health policy could impact the national RRT prevalence. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The Thailand Renal Replacement Therapy (TRT) database in 2007, 2008, and 2009 were retrieved and analyzed. RESULTS: By TRT registry data, the total yearly prevalence of RRT increased by an average of 14.8% after the implementation of national health insurance and the "PD First" policy from 2007 to 2009. The total yearly prevalence of hemodialaysis (HD) modestly increased (14.7%) while the total yearly prevalence of PD remarkably expanded by 107.3%. The yearly incidence of all RRT modalities increased by an average of 34.8% in 2007 to 2009. The yearly incidence of HD modestly increased (8.1%) while the total yearly incidence of PD remarkably elevated by 157.8%. Civil Servants Medical Benefit Compensation (CSMBS) was the major funding source of RRT cases (34.5%) while national health insurance funding was the second major funding source (26.0%). From 2007-2009, the CSMBS funding was the majority of HD while national health insurance funding was the majority of PD. The sharing of PD by national health insurance increased from 33.9% in 2007, 58.6% in 2208, and 77.2% in 2009. CONCLUSION: The coverage ofESRD patients by national health insurance fund by the "PD First" policy impacted the RRT prevalence and incidence both the total prevalence and total incidence due to the universal penetration to RRT treatment of Thai population. Also, the policy altered the RRT modality predisposition. PD modality willfinally be the majority ofThaiRRT modalities if the policy can be managed successfully.

The future of the artificial kidney: moving towards wearable and miniaturized devices.

New directions in dialysis research include cheaper treatments, home based therapies and simpler methods of blood purification. These objectives may be probably obtained with innovations in the field of artificial kidney through the utilization of new disciplines such as miniaturization, microfluidics, nanotechnology. This research may lead to a new era of dialysis in which the new challenges are transportability, wearability and why not the possibility to develop implantable devices. Although we are not there yet, a new series of papers have recently been published disclosing interesting and promising results on the application of wearable ultrafiltration systems (WUF) and wearable artificial kidneys (WAK). Some of them use extracorporeal blood cleansing as a method of blood purification while others use peritoneal dialysis as a treatment modality (ViWAK and AWAK.) A special mention deserves the wearable/portable ultrafiltration system for the therapy of overhydration and congestive heart failure (WAKMAN). This system will allow dehospitalization and treatment of patients with less comorbidity and improved tolerance. On the way to the wearable artificial kidney, new discoveries have been made such as a complete system for hemofiltration in newborns (CARPEDIEM). The neonate in fact is the typical patient who may benefit from miniaturization of the dialysis circuit. This review analyzes the rationale for such endeavour and the challenges to overcome in order to make possible a true ambulatory dialysis treatment. Some initial results with these new devices are presented. We would like to stimulate a collaborative effort to make a quantum leap in technology making the wearable artificial kidney a reality rather than a dream. 

Availability of renal replacement therapy in Central and Eastern Europe.

During the past 15 years, deep political and economic changes have occurred in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). New, independent countries have appeared on the map because of the partition of the former Soviet Union and the former Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia. One significant area of change in the CEE region has been intensive reform of the healthcare systems in each country. In particular, renal replacement therapy (RRT) in most of these countries was underdeveloped during the so-called "real" socialism era. But enormous effort on the part of the nephrology communities, supported by the economic help of local, regional, and central authorities, has resulted in gradual progress in this matter. Both main RRT modalities (dialysis and renal transplantation) have evolved simultaneously in most of these countries but not always equally. In most CEE countries, RRT is available for all patients with end-stage renal disease. Still, an unsatisfactory level of RRT availability, despite the efforts of the nephrology community, continues to be a concern in Belorussia and Russia, where additional support from the healthcare system is required. The lowest rates of RRT are found in Albania, Moldova, and Ukraine, but reliable data from these countries are lacking.

Renal replacement therapy in support of combat operations.

BACKGROUND: Renal replacement therapy has been used by the U.S. Army at the combat support hospital echelon of care since the Korean conflict. Although there has been a general decline in the incidence of wartime acute kidney injury, the mortality associated with acute kidney injury and the use of renal replacement therapy remain unchanged, in the range of 60% to 80%. The U.S. Army official doctrine is that field dialysis is provided through a specialized Hospital Augmentation Team; however, this team has not been deployed to either Iraq or Afghanistan as a result of the ability to rapidly evacuate most cases requiring renal replacement therapy. The history of wartime renal replacement therapy is reviewed along with the general epidemiology of battlefield acute kidney injury and renal replacement therapy. DISCUSSION: Recent literature documents cases of renal replacement therapy performed in and out of theater in support of the current operations. In-theater renal replacement therapy has been provided through a variety of modalities, including conventional hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and both continuous venovenous and continuous arteriovenous hemodialysis. Out of theater, casualties have received both intermittent and continuous hemodialysis at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center and Walter Reed Army Medical Center, whereas patients sustaining burns have undergone aggressive continuous venovenous hemofiltration or hemodiafiltration at Brooke Army Medical Center. SUMMARY: Acute kidney injury requiring renal replacement therapy in wartime casualties is an uncommon occurrence but one with extremely high mortality. Future doctrine should be prepared for contingencies in which the incidence may be increased as a result of mass crush injury casualties or prolonged evacuation times.

Predicting renal replacement therapy and mortality in CKD.

BACKGROUND: Prognostic risk scores can help clinicians intervene on higher risk patients and counsel them. Our objective is to identify characteristics that predict the rate of progression to renal replacement therapy (RRT) and evaluate how those characteristics predict mortality and a composite end point (RRT and mortality). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: We conducted the study at Kaiser Permanente Northwest, a health maintenance organization. We followed up members with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) that indicated chronic kidney disease (2 eGFRs < 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) [<1.0 mL/s/1.73 m(2)] at least 90 days apart). PREDICTORS: We measured baseline clinical characteristics between January 1997 and June 2000 by using electronic medical records and patients' histories of hospitalization. OUTCOMES & MEASUREMENTS: We calculated adjusted hazard ratios and concordance statistics for progression to RRT, mortality, and the composite by using Cox regression. RESULTS: Patients (n = 6,541) were followed up for up to 5 years. We observed 1.6 progressions to RRT/100 person-years and 11.4 deaths/100 person-years. The 6 characteristics of age, sex, eGFR, diabetes, hypertension, and anemia predicted RRT effectively (c statistic, 0.91). However, hypertension and age predicted in the opposite direction for mortality and its composite end point. The c statistic decreased: mortality (0.70), mortality and RRT (0.71). LIMITATIONS: Characteristics were measured without a protocol; extensive missing data prevented the evaluation of known risk factors (eg, proteinuria). CONCLUSIONS: Predicting RRT effectively requires a separate risk score. Predicting the composite end point would favor characteristics that predict mortality because it is 7 times as common as RRT.

End-stage renal disease and its treatment in Latin America in the twenty-first century.

The Latin American Society of Nephrology and Arterial Hypertension's Dialysis and Transplant Registry was chartered in 1991. It collects information on ESRD and its treatment in 20 countries of the region. The prevalence of patients on renal replacement therapy (RRT) increased from 129 pmp in 1992 to 447 pmp in 2004; in 2004, 56% of the patients were on hemodialysis, 23% on peritoneal dialysis, and 21% had a functioning kidney graft. The highest rates of prevalence were reported in Puerto Rico (1027 pmp), Chile (686 pmp), and Uruguay (683 pmp). Hemodialysis was widely used, except in El Salvador, Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic, where peritoneal dialysis predominated. Incidence rate increased from 27.8 pmp to 147 pmp in the same period of observation; the lowest rate was reported in Guatemala (11.4 pmp) and the highest in Puerto Rico (337.4 pmp). Diabetes mellitus was the leading cause of renal failure in incident patients; the highest rates were reported in Puerto Rico (62.2%) and Mexico (60%). Forty-four percent of the incident population were older than 65 years. Access to renal replacement therapy was universal in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Uruguay, and Venezuela, while was restricted in other countries. Main causes of death in dialysis were cardiovascular (44%) and infectious disease (26%). The rate of renal transplantation increased from 3.7 pmp in 1987 to 14.5 in 2004; fifty-three percent of the organs came from cadavers. Overall, donation rate was 5.9 pmp. In conclusion, the prevalence and incidence rates have increased over the years, and diabetes mellitus has emerged as the leading cause of kidney disease in the region. Although the rate of kidney transplantation has increased, the number remains insufficient to match the growing demand. The implementation of renal health programs in the region is urgently needed.