Assessment of physical activity, capacity and nutritional status in elderly peritoneal dialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of sedentarism, and to assess physical capacity and nutritional status in a cohort of older patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD), with respect to age-matched non-dialysis CKD population, using highly accessible, simple methods, namely the Rapid Assessment of Physical activity (RAPA) test and the 30″ Sit-to-stand (STS) test. METHODS: This cross-sectional multicenter study included 151 renal patients older than 60 years; 71 pts. (44 m, age 72 ± 7 yrs) were on PD and 80 pts. (63 m, age 74 ± 7 yrs) were affected by 3-4 stage CKD. RESULTS: The prevalence of sedentary/underactive patients was double of that of the active patients as assessed by RAPA test, both in the PD (65.3%) and in the CKD (67.5%) cohort. The 30"STS test showed a reduced physical performance in both groups: 84.5% of PD patients and 87.5% of CKD patients did not reach the expected number of stands by age and gender. A malnutrition-inflammation score (MIS) ≥ 6 occurred in 37 % of PD patients and in 2.5 % of CKD patients. In PD patients, an independent significant association was observed between 30"STS test and MIS (beta -0.510, p = 0.013), as well as between RAPA and MIS (beta -0.544, p = 003) and phase angle (beta -0.506, p = 0.028). CONCLUSIONS: A high prevalence of low- performance capacity and sedentarism has been detected among elderly patients on PD or with CKD stage 3-4. Apart from age, a condition of malnutrition-inflammation was the major determinant of poor physical activity and capacity in PD patients. Better body composition seems to be positively associated with physical activity in PD and with physical capacity in CKD patients. Routine clinical management should include a close evaluation of nutritional status and evaluation of physical activity and capacity which can be easily assessed by RAPA and 30″STS tests.

A vitamin E-coated polysulfone membrane reduces serum levels of inflammatory markers and resistance to erythropoietin-stimulating agents in hemodialysis patients: results of a randomized cross-over multicenter trial.

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress is prevalent in dialysis patients and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease and anemia. Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant that plays a central role in reducing lipid peroxidation and inhibiting the generation of reactive oxygen species. The aim of this cross-over randomized study was to compare the effects of a vitamin E-coated polysulfone (Vit E PS) membrane and a non-vitamin E-coated polysulfone (PS) membrane on inflammatory markers and resistance to erythropoietin-stimulating agents (ESAs). METHODS: After a 1-month run-in period of standard bicarbonate dialysis with a synthetic membrane, 62 patients of both genders, and older than 18 years, dialysis vintage 48 ± 27 months, BMI 22 ± 3 (from 13 different dialysis units) were randomized (A-B or B-A) in a cross-over design to Vit E PS (treatment A) and to PS (treatment B) both for 6 months. C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentrations were determined by a sandwich enzyme immunoassay at baseline and every 2 months; red blood cell count, ESA dose and ESA resistance index (ERI) were assessed monthly. RESULTS: Hemoglobin (Hb) levels significantly increased in the Vit E PS group from 11.1 ± 0.6 g/dl at baseline to 11.5 ± 0.7 at 6 months (p < 0.001) and remained unchanged in the PS group. Although ESA dosage remained stable during the observation periods in both groups, ERI was significantly reduced in the Vit E PS group from 10.3 ± 2.2 IU-dl/kg/g Hb week at baseline to 9.2 ± 1.7 at 6 months (p < 0.001). No significant variation of ERI was observed in the PS group. A significant reduction in plasma CRP and IL-6 levels was observed in the Vit E PS group: CRP from 6.7 ± 4.8 to 4.8 ± 2.2 mg/l (p < 0.001) and IL-6 from 12.1 ± 1.4 to 7.5 ± 0.4 pg/ml (p < 0.05). In the PS group, CRP varied from 6.2 ± 4.0 to 6.4 ± 3.7, and IL-6 from 10.6 ± 2.1 to 9.6 ± 3.5 (p = n.s.). CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with Vit E PS membranes seems to lead to a reduction in ESA dosage in HD patients; in addition, a low chronic inflammatory response may contribute to a sparing effect on exogenous ESA requirements.

[Peritoneal Dialysis in Italy: the fourth GSDP-SIN census 2012].

OBJECTIVE: To know PD modalities and results in Italy. METHODS: The Census was carried out by means of an on-line questionnaire in all the 224 non-pediatric public centers which performed PD in 2012. The results were compared with those of previous Censuses. RESULTS: Incidence. In 2012 PD was begun (first treatment for ESRD) by 1,433 pts (CAPD: 54.3%) and HD by 4,700 pts (%PD-incidence= Cs-12: 23.4%; Cs-10: 23.3%; Cs-08: 22.8%; Cs-05: 24.2%; p=NS), with a further increase in incremental PD (Cs-12: 28.8%; Cs-10: 22.8%; Cs-08: 18.3%; Cs-05: 11.9%; p-0.001). Prevalence. At 31/12/12 there were 4,299 patients on PD (CAPD: 46.1%) (%PD-prevalence= Cs-12: 17.1%; Cs-10: 16.6%; Cs-08: 16.7%; Cs-05:16.8%; p=NS), 24.5% of whom were on assisted PD (family members: 82.3%; paid caregivers: 12.4%; nurses: 0.7%; NH: 3.0%). Out. In 2012 there was no change in the PD drop-out rate (30.9 ep/100yrs-pt) (death: 481; transplant: 290; switch to HD: 511 pts). The main reason for transferring to HD remained peritonitis (28.2%). Peritonitis. The peritonitis rate (1,179 episodes) was 0.284 ep/yrs-pt. EPS. The incidence of new cases of EPS in 2011-12 (43 cases=0.505 ep/100yrs-pt) remained unchanged (2009-10= 0.529; 2004-08= 0.701 ep/100-yrs-pt). Other results. Compared to 2010, in 2012 the number of Centers using 3.86% for PET increased (30.8% vs 15.6%-p-0.001), while the number carrying out home visits remained unchanged (56.3 vs 59.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Cs-12 confirms the extensive use, stability and good results of PD in Italy. Incremental PD is on the increase. EPS remains a rare event.

Peritoneal Equilibration Test Reference Values Using a 3.86% Glucose Solution During the First Year of Peritoneal Dialysis: Results of a Multicenter Study of a Large Patient Population.

BACKGROUND: The original peritoneal equilibration test (PET) was used to classify peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients using a 2.27% glucose solution. It has since been suggested that a 3.86% glucose solution be used because this provides better information about ultrafiltration (UF) capacity and the sodium (Na) sieving of the peritoneal membrane. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine reference values for a PET using a 3.86% glucose solution (PET-3.86%). METHODS: We evaluated the PET-3.86% in a large population of incident PD patients attending 27 Italian dialysis centers. RESULTS: We evaluated the results of 758 PET-3.86% in 758 incident PD patients (1 test per patient). The mean duration of PD was 5 ± 3 months. The ratio of the concentrations of creatinine in dialysate/plasma (D/PCreat) was 0.73 ± 0.1 (median 0.74). The ratio between the concentrations of glucose at the end/beginning of the test (D/D0) was 0.25 ± 0.08 (median 0.24). Ultrafiltration uncorrected and corrected for bag overfill was respectively 776 ± 295 mL (median 781 mL) and 675 ± 308 mL (median 689 mL). Sodium sieving was 8.4 ± 3.8 mmol/L (median 8.0 mmol/L). CONCLUSION: The results of the study provide PET-3.86% reference values for the beginning of PD that can be used to classify PD patients into transport classes and monitor them over time.