Vitamin Supplement Use in Patients With CKD: Worth the Pill Burden?

All vitamins play essential roles in various aspects of body function and systems. Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), including those receiving dialysis, may be at increased risk of developing vitamin deficiencies due to anorexia, poor dietary intake, protein energy wasting, restricted diet, dialysis loss, or inadequate sun exposure for vitamin D. However, clinical manifestations of most vitamin deficiencies are usually subtle or undetected in this population. Testing for circulating levels is not undertaken for most vitamins except folate, B12, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D because assays may not be available or may be costly to perform and do not always correlate with body stores. The last systematic review through 2016 was performed for the Kidney Disease Outcome Quality Initiative (KDOQI) 2020 Nutrition Guideline update, so this article summarizes the more recent evidence. We review the use of vitamins supplementation in the CKD population. To date there have been no randomized trials to support the benefits of any vitamin supplementation for kidney, cardiovascular, or patient-centered outcomes. The decision to supplement water-soluble vitamins should be individualized, taking account the patient's dietary intake, nutritional status, risk of vitamins deficiency/insufficiency, CKD stage, comorbid status, and dialysis loss. Nutritional vitamin D deficiency should be corrected, but the supplementation dose and formulation need to be personalized, taking into consideration the degree of 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency, parathyroid hormone levels, CKD stage, and local formulation. Routine supplementation of vitamins A and E is not supported due to potential toxicity. Although more trial data are required to elucidate the roles of vitamin supplementation, all patients with CKD should undergo periodic assessment of dietary intake and aim to receive various vitamins through natural food sources and a healthy eating pattern that includes vitamin-dense foods.

Associations between healthy food groups and platelet-activating factor, lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 and C-reactive protein: a cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: To investigate the association between pro-inflammatory markers platelet-activating factor (PAF), lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), hsCRP, and intake of core food groups including fruit, cruciferous and other vegetables, grains, meat and poultry, fish and seafood, nuts and legumes, and dairy. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted. 100 adults (49 ± 13 years, 31% male) with variable cardiovascular disease risk were recruited. Data were collected in 2021 and 2022. Fasting PAF, Lp-PLA2 activity, hsCRP and usual dietary intake (via a validated food frequency questionnaire) were measured. Intake of foods were converted into serves and classified into food groups. Correlations and multiple regressions were performed with adjustment for confounders. RESULTS: A one-serve increase in cruciferous vegetables per day was associated with 20-24% lower PAF levels. An increase of one serve per day of nuts and legumes was associated with 40% lower hsCRP levels. There were small correlations with PAF and Lp-PLA2 and cheese, however, these were not significant at the Bonferroni-adjusted P < 0.005 level. CONCLUSION: The lack of associations between PAF and Lp-PLA2 and other healthy foods may be due to confounding by COVID-19 infection and vaccination programs which prevents any firm conclusion on the relationship between PAF, Lp-PLA2 and food groups. Future research should aim to examine the relationship with these novel markers and healthy food groups in a non-pandemic setting.

Queensland Inpatient Diabetes Survey (QuIDS): patient experience survey evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Measurement of inpatient experience can allow for treatment tailored to patient preferences and needs. The patient experience of diabetes care has not been explored in Queensland hospitals. AIMS: To investigate the experiences of patients with diabetes when hospitalised using the Queensland Inpatient Diabetes Survey (QuIDS). METHODS: In 2019 and 2021, patient experience surveys were collected as part of the statewide QuIDS, a cross-sectional study assessing the quality of inpatient care received by people with diabetes in Queensland, Australia. Patient responses were categorised and frequencies reported as percentages. Free text comments were analysed using thematic analysis methods. Pooled descriptive data were presented. RESULTS: Responses were collected from 27 hospitals in 2019 (n = 526, 52.4% of all patients with diabetes) and 35 hospitals in 2021 (n = 709, 55.5%). Overall, patients were satisfied with their inpatient diabetes care. Areas for improvement identified by surveyed patients include the choice and timing of meals, staff knowledge about diabetes and increased diabetes self-management. Access to a specialist diabetes team was also identified as being potentially underutilised. Patient comments fell into four major themes: communication, food choices, patient autonomy and education. CONCLUSION: Many patients reported positive inpatient experiences; however, patients also expressed dissatisfaction with their inpatient diabetes care. Our data provide unique insight and an opportunity to improve standards of care and service provision for inpatients with diabetes.

Diet quality, Self-efficacy and Health Literacy in Adults with Chronic Kidney Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study.

OBJECTIVE: Adherence to high quality dietary patterns is associated with lower risk of disease progression and all-cause mortality in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Self-efficacy and health literacy are recognised as factors that may lead to better adherence to high quality diets. However, these associations are not well studied in CKD. This study aims to explore the relationship between health literacy, self-efficacy, and diet quality in CKD. METHODS: Participants with CKD stages 3a-5 recruited from three large tertiary hospitals were assessed using the Self-Efficacy for Managing Chronic Disease 6-item scale (SEMCD-6), the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ) and the Australian Eating Survey (AES) Food Frequency Questionnaire. Diet quality was measured using the Australian Recommended Food Score (ARFS). Associations were examined using multivariable linear regression models, adjusted for sex and type 2 diabetes (T2D) diagnosis. RESULTS: Sixty participants were included in the analysis. Mean age of participants was 74.5 years old and 58% were male. The mean ARFS was poor (Mean=29.9±9.1/73) and characterised by high intake of processed foods and animal protein, and low intake of fruit and vegetables. Mean SEMCD-6 was high (7.12±2.07/10). Self-efficacy and health literacy domains 6 - Actively engage with healthcare providers and 7 - Navigating healthcare system independently predicted diet quality in the adjusted model for sex and T2D. CONCLUSION: Adults with CKD report suboptimal diet quality. The results suggest that self-efficacy and aspects of health literacy should be considered when designing interventions aimed at improving diet quality in people with CKD.

Acceptability, Adherence, Safety and Experiences of Low Energy Diets in People With Obesity and Chronic Kidney Disease: A Mixed Methods Study.

OBJECTIVES: Obesity is a modifiable risk factor for chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression. Low energy diets (LEDs) have not been adequately studied in people with CKD. This study aimed to explore acceptability, adherence, safety, and experiences of two LED prescriptions in adults living with obesity and CKD. DESIGN AND METHODS: In a mixed-methods study, obese adults with CKD were prescribed two LEDs (∼800 to 1000 kcal/day each), in a randomised order for 2 weeks each. One diet consisted of four meal replacement products daily (Optifast®, Nestlé Health Science) and the other two pre-prepared frozen meals (Lite n' Easy®, Mitchell's Quality Foods). Participants received weekly dietitian support, completed daily adherence checklists (converted to % of provided meals/replacements consumed) and participated in post-intervention semi-structured interviews to capture their experience. RESULTS: Nine participants were included (mean age 46.5 ± 14.3 years, estimated glomerular filtration rate 64 ± 26 mL/min/1.73 m2, 4/9 male). Mean self-reported adherence was 88 ± 11% and mean 4-week weight change was -7.3 ± 5.6 kg. Two participants withdrew at week two. Most frequently reported side effects were hunger and headaches. Adverse events of interest included one episode each of hyperkalaemia and hypoglycaemia. No serious adverse events occurred. Four overarching themes of patient experiences were identified: strategies used to adapt, disruption to the norm, individual preferences, and influences on acceptability. CONCLUSIONS: LEDs were found to be acceptable and safe with high self-reported adherence rates. Future LED trials should include specialist diabetes management, close monitoring for hyperkalaemia and adequate support to assist with managing side effects and dietary and social adjustments.

Creatinine index: a retrospective cohort study in an urban Australian dialysis context.

AIM: This study aimed to described the relationship between the CI and mortality in an Australian context. INTRODUCTION: Maintenance haemodialysis is a catabolic state associated with a significant decrease in lean body mass (LBM) and protein energy wasting. LBM can be derived or estimated from creatinine kinetic modelling, specifically the creatinine index (CI). This has been demonstrated in cohort studies to predict mortality. METHODS: One hundred seventy-nine patients undergoing haemodialysis in 2015 were included in this cohort. They were followed for 5 years with pertinent clinical data collected to calculate the CI as of December 2015. For analysis, patients were split into a high and low CI group based on the median (18.32 mg/kg/day). The primary outcome of interest was all-cause mortality, and secondary outcomes included myocardial infarction, stroke and transplantation. RESULTS: During follow-up, 69 (76.7%) patients in the low CI group and 28 (31.5%) patients in the high CI group died (P < 0.001). The relative risk (RR) of mortality within the low compared with the high CI group was 2.43 (95% confidence interval, 1.75-3.38). Fully adjusted Cox proportional hazards modelling demonstrated a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.498 (95% CI, 0.292-0.848) for survival in the high CI group. Lower CI was associated with increased risk of stroke (RR, 5.43 [95% CI, 1.24-23.84]), whereas transplant was more likely in the high CI group (RR, 6.4 [95% confidence interval, 1.96-20.88]). CONCLUSIONS: In a single-centre Australian haemodialysis cohort, the CI was strongly associated with mortality and stroke risk. The CI is an accurate and simple method to identify patients with low LBM at risk for significant morbidity and mortality.

Nutrition in Kidney Disease: Core Curriculum 2022.

As chronic kidney disease (CKD) progresses, the requirements and utilization of different nutrients change substantially. These changes are accompanied by multiple nutritional and metabolic abnormalities that are observed in the continuum of kidney disease. To provide optimal care to patients with CKD, it is essential to have an understanding of the applicable nutritional principles: methods to assess nutritional status, establish patient-specific dietary needs, and prevent or treat potential or ongoing nutritional deficiencies and derangements. This installment of AJKD's Core Curriculum in Nephrology provides current information on these issues for the practicing clinician and allied health care workers and features basic, practical information on epidemiology, assessment, etiology, and prevention and management of nutritional considerations in patients with kidney disease. Specific emphasis is made on dietary intake and recommendations for dietary patterns, and macro- and micronutrients. In addition, special conditions such as acute kidney injury and approaches to obesity treatment are reviewed.

Quality and validity of diet quality indices for use in Australian contexts: a systematic review.

Diet quality indices (DQIs) are tools used to evaluate the overall diet quality against dietary guidelines or known healthy dietary patterns. This review aimed to evaluate DQIs and their validation processes to facilitate decision making in the selection of appropriate DQI for use in Australian contexts. A search of CINAHL, PubMed and Scopus electronic databases was conducted for studies published between January 2010 and May 2020, which validated a DQI, measuring > 1 dimension of diet quality (adequacy, balance, moderation, variety) and was applicable to the Australian context. Data on constructs, scoring, weighting and validation methods (construct validity, criterion validity, reliability and reproducibility) were extracted and summarised. The quality of the validation process was evaluated using COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments Risk of Bias and Joanna Briggs Appraisal checklists. The review identified twenty-seven indices measuring adherence to: national dietary guidelines (n 13), Mediterranean Diet (n 8) and specific population recommendations and chronic disease risk (n 6). Extensiveness of the validation process varied widely across and within categories. Construct validity was the most strongly assessed measurement property, while evaluation of measurement error was frequently inadequate. DQIs should capture multiple dimensions of diet quality, possess a reliable scoring system and demonstrate adequate evidence in their validation framework to support use in the intended context. Researchers need to understand the limitations of newly developed DQIs and interpret results in view of the validation evidence. Future research on DQIs is indicated to improve evaluation of measurement error, reproducibility and reliability.

Interventions for weight loss in people with chronic kidney disease who are overweight or obese.

BACKGROUND: Obesity and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are highly prevalent worldwide and result in substantial health care costs. Obesity is a predictor of incident CKD and progression to kidney failure. Whether weight loss interventions are safe and effective to impact on disease progression and clinical outcomes, such as death remains unclear. OBJECTIVES: This review aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of intentional weight loss interventions in overweight and obese adults with CKD; including those with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) being treated with dialysis, kidney transplantation, or supportive care. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Kidney and Transplant Register of Studies up to 14 December 2020 through contact with the Information Specialist using search terms relevant to this review. Studies in the Register are identified through searches of CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, conference proceedings, the International Clinical Trials Register (ICTRP) Search Portal and ClinicalTrials.gov. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs of more than four weeks duration, reporting on intentional weight loss interventions, in individuals with any stage of CKD, designed to promote weight loss as one of their primary stated goals, in any health care setting. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two authors independently assessed study eligibility and extracted data. We applied the Cochrane 'Risk of Bias' tool and used the GRADE process to assess the certainty of evidence. We estimated treatment effects using random-effects meta-analysis. Results were expressed as risk ratios (RR) for dichotomous outcomes together with 95% confidence intervals (CI) or mean differences (MD) or standardised mean difference (SMD) for continuous outcomes or in descriptive format when meta-analysis was not possible. MAIN RESULTS: We included 17 RCTs enrolling 988 overweight or obese adults with CKD. The weight loss interventions and comparators across studies varied. We categorised comparisons into three groups: any weight loss intervention versus usual care or control; any weight loss intervention versus dietary intervention; and surgical intervention versus non-surgical intervention. Methodological quality was varied, with many studies providing insufficient information to accurately judge the risk of bias. Death (any cause), cardiovascular events, successful kidney transplantation, nutritional status, cost effectiveness and economic analysis were not measured in any of the included studies. Across all 17 studies many clinical parameters, patient-centred outcomes, and adverse events were not measured limiting comparisons for these outcomes. In studies comparing any weight loss intervention to usual care or control, weight loss interventions may lead to weight loss or reduction in body weight post intervention (6 studies, 180 participants: MD -3.69 kg, 95% CI -5.82 to -1.57; follow-up: 5 weeks to 12 months, very low-certainty evidence). In very low certainty evidence any weight loss intervention had uncertain effects on body mass index (BMI) (4 studies, 100 participants: MD -2.18 kg/m², 95% CI -4.90 to 0.54), waist circumference (2 studies, 53 participants: MD 0.68 cm, 95% CI -7.6 to 6.24), proteinuria (4 studies, 84 participants: 0.29 g/day, 95% CI -0.76 to 0.18), systolic (4 studies, 139 participants: -3.45 mmHg, 95% CI -9.99 to 3.09) and diastolic blood pressure (4 studies, 139 participants: -2.02 mmHg, 95% CI -3.79 to 0.24). Any weight loss intervention made little or no difference to total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, and inflammation, but may lower low density lipoprotein cholesterol. There was little or no difference between any weight loss interventions (lifestyle or pharmacological) compared to dietary-only weight loss interventions for weight loss, BMI, waist circumference, proteinuria, and systolic blood pressure, however diastolic blood pressure was probably reduced. Furthermore, studies comparing the efficacy of different types of dietary interventions failed to find a specific dietary intervention to be superior for weight loss or a reduction in BMI. Surgical interventions probably reduced body weight (1 study, 11 participants: MD -29.50 kg, 95% CI -36.4 to -23.35), BMI (2 studies, 17 participants: MD -10.43 kg/m², 95% CI -13.58 to -7.29), and waist circumference (MD -30.00 cm, 95% CI -39.93 to -20.07) when compared to non-surgical weight loss interventions after 12 months of follow-up. Proteinuria and blood pressure were not reported. All results across all comparators should be interpreted with caution due to the small number of studies, very low quality of evidence and heterogeneity across interventions and comparators. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: All types of weight loss interventions had uncertain effects on death and cardiovascular events among overweight and obese adults with CKD as no studies reported these outcome measures. Non-surgical weight loss interventions (predominately lifestyle) appear to be an effective treatment to reduce body weight, and LDL cholesterol. Surgical interventions probably reduce body weight, waist circumference, and fat mass. The current evidence is limited by the small number of included studies, as well as the significant heterogeneity and a high risk of bias in most studies.

Body mass index and chronic kidney disease outcomes after acute kidney injury: a prospective matched cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) and obesity are independent risk factors for chronic kidney disease (CKD). This study aimed to determine if obesity modifies risk for CKD outcomes after AKI. METHODS: This prospective multisite cohort study followed adult survivors after hospitalization, with or without AKI. The primary outcome was a combined CKD event of incident CKD, progression of CKD and kidney failure, examined using time-to-event Cox proportional hazards models, adjusted for diabetes status, age, pre-existing CKD, cardiovascular disease status and intensive care unit admission, and stratified by study center. Body mass index (BMI) was added as an interaction term to examine effect modification by body size. RESULTS: The cohort included 769 participants with AKI and 769 matched controls. After median follow-up of 4.3 years, among AKI survivors, the rate of the combined CKD outcome was 84.7 per1000-person-years with BMI ≥30 kg/m2, 56.4 per 1000-person-years with BMI 25-29.9 kg/m2, and 72.6 per 1000-person-years with BMI 20-24.9 kg/m2. AKI was associated with a higher risk of combined CKD outcomes; adjusted-HR 2.43 (95%CI 1.87-3.16), with no evidence that this was modified by BMI (p for interaction = 0.3). After adjustment for competing risk of death, AKI remained associated with a higher risk of the combined CKD outcome (subdistribution-HR 2.27, 95%CI 1.76-2.92) and similarly, there was no detectable effect of BMI modifying this risk. CONCLUSIONS: In this post-hospitalization cohort, we found no evidence for obesity modifying the association between AKI and development or progression of CKD.

Dietary interventions with dietitian involvement in adults with chronic kidney disease: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: A comprehensive evidence base is needed to support recommendations for the dietetic management of adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The present study aimed to determine the effect of dietary interventions with dietitian involvement on nutritional status, well-being, kidney risk factors and clinical outcomes in adults with CKD. METHODS: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO and EMBASE.com were searched from January 2000 to November 2019. Intentional weight loss and single nutrient studies were excluded. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. Effectiveness was summarised using the mean difference between groups for each outcome per study. RESULTS: Twelve controlled trials (1906 participants) were included. High fruit and vegetable intake, as well as a multidisciplinary hospital and community care programme, slowed the decline in glomerular filtration rate in adults with stage 3-4 CKD. Interventions addressing nutrition-related barriers increased protein and energy intake in haemodialysis patients. A Mediterranean diet and a diet with high n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids improved the lipid profile in kidney transplant recipients. CONCLUSIONS: A limited number of studies suggest benefits as a result of dietary interventions that are delivered by dietitians and focus on diet quality. We did not identify any studies that focussed on our primary outcome of nutritional status or studies that examined the timing or frequency of the nutritional assessment. This review emphasises the need for a wider body of high-quality evidence to support recommendations on what and how dietetic interventions are delivered by dietitians for adults with CKD.

Mortality and morbidity following exercise-based renal rehabilitation in patients with chronic kidney disease: the effect of programme completion and change in exercise capacity.

BACKGROUND: Twelve weeks of renal rehabilitation (RR) have been shown to improve exercise capacity in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD); however, survival following RR has not been examined. METHODS: This study included a retrospective longitudinal analysis of clinical service outcomes. Programme completion and improvement in exercise capacity, characterised as change in incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT), were analysed with Kaplan-Meier survival analyses to predict risk of a combined event including death, cerebrovascular accident, myocardial infarction and hospitalisation for heart failure in a cohort of patients with CKD. Time to combined event was examined with Kaplan-Meier plots and log rank test between 'completers' (attended >50% planned sessions) and 'non-completers'. In completers, time to combined event was examined between 'improvers' (≥50 m increase ISWT) and 'non-improvers' (<50 m increase). Differences in time to combined event were investigated with Cox proportional hazards models (adjusted for baseline kidney function, body mass index, diabetes, age, gender, ethnicity, baseline ISWT and smoking status). RESULTS: In all, 757 patients (male 54%) (242 haemodialysis patients, 221 kidney transplant recipients, 43 peritoneal dialysis patients, 251 non-dialysis CKD patients) were referred for RR between 2005 and 2017. There were 193 events (136 deaths) during the follow-up period (median 34 months). A total of 43% of referrals were classified as 'completers', and time to event was significantly greater when compared with 'non-completers' (P = 0.009). Responding to RR was associated with improved event-free survival time (P = 0.02) with Kaplan-Meier analyses and log rank test. On multivariate analysis, completing RR contributed significantly to the minimal explanatory model relating clinical variables to the combined event (overall χ2 = 38.0, P < 0.001). 'Non-completers' of RR had a 1.6-fold [hazard ratio = 1.6; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.00-2.58] greater risk of a combined event (P = 0.048). Change in ISWT of >50 m contributed significantly to the minimal explanatory model relating clinical variables to mortality and morbidity (overall χ2 = 54.0, P < 0.001). 'Improvers' had a 40% (hazard ratio = 0.6; 95% CI 0.36-0.98) independent lower risk of a combined event (P = 0.041). CONCLUSIONS: There is an association between completion of an RR programme, and also RR success, and a lower risk of a combined event in this observational study. RR interventions to improve exercise capacity in patients with CKD may reduce risk of morbidity and mortality, and a pragmatic randomised controlled intervention trial is warranted.

Obesity as a barrier to kidney transplantation: Time to eliminate the body weight bias?

There is clear evidence that survival rates following transplantation far exceed those for remaining on dialysis, regardless of body size measured by body mass index (BMI). Studies over the past 15 years also suggest little to no difference in long-term outcomes, including graft survival and mortality, irrespective of BMI, in contrast to earlier evidence. However, weight bias still exists, as access to kidney transplantation remains inequitable in centers using arbitrary BMI limits. Clinicians faced with the decision regarding listing based on body size are not helped by conflicting recommendations in national and international guidelines. Therefore, in clinical practice, obesity, and recommendations for weight loss, remain a controversial issue when assessing suitability for kidney transplantation. Obesity management interventions in end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), whether for weight loss for transplantation listing or for slowing kidney disease progression, are under-explored in trial settings. Bariatric surgery is the most successful treatment for obesity, but carries increased risk in the ESKD population, and the desired outcome of kidney transplant listing is not guaranteed. Centers that limit transplants to those meeting arbitrary levels of body mass, rather than adopting an individualized assessment approach, may be unfairly depriving many ESKD patients of the survival and quality of life benefits derived from kidney transplantation. However, robotic kidney transplantation surgery holds promise for reducing perioperative risks related to obesity, and may therefore represent an opportunity to remove listing criteria based on size.

Nutrition and Exercise Rehabilitation in Obesity hypoventilation syndrome (NERO): a pilot randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Respiratory management of obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) focusses on the control of sleep-disordered breathing rather than the treatment of obesity. Currently, there are no data from randomised trials of weight loss targeted rehabilitation programmes for patients with OHS. INTERVENTION: A 3-month multimodal hybrid inpatient-outpatient motivation, exercise and nutrition rehabilitation programme, in addition to non invasive ventilation (NIV), would result in greater per cent weight loss compared with standard care. METHODS: A single-centre pilot randomised controlled trial allocated patients to either standard care or standard care plus rehabilitation. Primary outcome was per cent weight loss at 12 months with secondary exploratory outcomes of weight loss, exercise capacity and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) at the end of the rehabilitation programme to assess the intervention effect. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients (11 male, 59.8±12.7 years) with a body mass index of 51.1±7.7 kg/m2 were randomised. At 12 months, there was no between-group difference in per cent weight loss (mean difference -5.9% (95% CI -14.4% to 2.7%; p=0.17)). At 3 months, there was a greater per cent weight loss (mean difference -5% (95% CI -8.3% to -1.4%; p=0.007)), increased exercise capacity (6 min walk test 60 m (95% CI 29.5 to 214.5) vs 20 m (95% CI 11.5 to 81.3); p=0.036) and HRQL (mean difference SF-36 general health score (10 (95% CI 5 to 21.3) vs 0 (95% CI -5 to 10); p=0.02)) in the rehabilitation group. CONCLUSION: In patients with OHS, a 3-month comprehensive rehabilitation programme, in addition to NIV, resulted in improved weight loss, exercise capacity and QOL at the end of the rehabilitation period, but these effects were not demonstrated at 12 months, in part, due to the limited retention of patients at 12 months. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Pre-results; NCT01483716.

Does Intragastric Balloon Treatment for Obesity in Chronic Kidney Disease Heighten Acute Kidney Injury Risk?

BACKGROUND: The outcomes of intragastric balloon (IGB) placement to achieve weight loss in obese patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have not been reported to date. This study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of the IGB as a weight-loss treatment among this patient population. METHODS: A prospective, single-arm, 'first in CKD' interventional study was conducted in patients with a body mass index >35 kg/m2 and CKD stages 3-4, referred for weight loss. After clinical assessment, the IGB was endoscopically inserted into the stomach and kept in place for 6 months. Complications, adverse events, acceptability, weight loss and metabolic responses were monitored over 6 months. RESULTS: Eleven participants were recruited over 18 months. Two patients withdrew (1 prior to IGB insertion and 1 early removal after 3 days due to persistent vomiting) from the study; 9 patients completed the study. There were 5 episodes of acute kidney injury (AKI), occurring in 3 patients. After 6 months, the mean body mass decreased by 9.6% (SD ±6.8). Median waist circumference and total cholesterol decreased significantly (-7.7 cm; interquartile range (IQR) -15.3 to -3.9; and -0.2 mmol/l; IQR -0.6 to -0.05, respectively), with no changes in estimated glomerular filtration rate, blood pressure, triglycerides, adipokines, inflammation, or arterial stiffness measured by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity. At IGB removal, there was 1 new case each of gastritis and esophagitis. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with IGB has only moderate efficacy on weight loss; yet it results in a high rate of complications in obese patients with established CKD. The risk of AKI may be raised due to increased risk of dehydration secondary to gastrointestinal symptoms associated with IGB placement and reduced baseline kidney function.

Effect of exercise training on estimated GFR, vascular health, and cardiorespiratory fitness in patients with CKD: a pilot randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Exercise capacity, which is predictive of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease risk, is reduced significantly in patients with non-dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease. This pilot study examined the effect of moderate-intensity exercise training on kidney function and indexes of cardiovascular risk in patients with progressive chronic kidney disease stages 3 to 4. STUDY DESIGN: Single-blind, randomized, controlled, parallel trial. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: 20 patients (aged 18-80 years; 17 men) randomly assigned to rehabilitation (n=10) or usual care (n=10). Participants were included if they were 18 years or older and had evidence of rate of decline in creatinine-based estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFRcr)≥2.9mL/min/1.73m(2) per year for 12 months preintervention. Patients were excluded if they had unstable medical conditions or had recently started regular exercise. INTERVENTION: The rehabilitation group received resistance and aerobic training (3 days per week) for a 12-month period. The usual care group received standard care. OUTCOMES: Kidney function assessed by comparing mean rate of change in eGFRcr (mL/min/1.73m(2) per year) from a 12-month preintervention period against the 12-month intervention period. Pulse wave velocity (PWV), peak oxygen uptake (Vo2peak), and waist circumference assessed at 0, 6, and 12 months. MEASUREMENTS: eGFR assessed using creatinine, cystatin C (eGFRcys), and a combination of both values (eGFRcr-cys). RESULTS: 18 participants (rehabilitation, 8; usual care, 10) completed the study. A significant mean difference in rate of change in eGFRcr (+7.8±3.0 [95% CI, 1.1-13.5] mL/min/1.73m(2) per year; P=0.02) was observed between the rehabilitation and usual care groups, with the rehabilitation group demonstrating a slower decline. No significant between-group mean differences existed in absolute eGFRcr, eGFRcr-cys, or eGFRcys at 12 months of study intervention. Significant between-group mean differences existed in PWV (-2.30 [95% CI, -3.02 to -1.59] m/s), waist circumference (-7.1±12.8 [95% CI, -12.4 to -3.2] cm), and Vo2peak (5.7 [95% CI, 1.34-10.10] mL/kg/min). Change in eGFRcr was correlated inversely with PWV (r=-0.5; P=0.04) at 12 months. LIMITATIONS: Small sample size, inconsistency between primary and secondary measures of kidney function. CONCLUSIONS: The effect of a 1-year exercise intervention on progression of kidney disease is inconclusive. A larger study with longer follow-up may be necessary.

Risk for chronic kidney disease increases with obesity: Health Survey for England 2010.

OBJECTIVE: Studies of the relationship between obesity and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in nationally representative population samples are limited. Our study aimed to determine if overweight and obesity were independently associated with the risk for CKD in the 2010 Health Survey for England (HSE). DESIGN: The HSE is an annually conducted cross-sectional study. In 2010 serum creatinine was included to determine the incidence of CKD in the population. CKD was defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 ml/min per 1.73 m2 using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) formula. Multivariable logistic regression models were developed to calculate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for CKD risk by BMI (reference category: BMI=18.5-24.9 kg/m2) and adjusted for age, gender, ethnicity, smoking, diabetes and hypertension. SETTING: A random sample of nationally representative households in England. SUBJECTS: Adults (n 3463) with calculable eGFR and BMI were included. RESULTS: The prevalence of CKD was 5.9%. The risk of CKD was over 2.5 times higher in obese participants compared with normal-weight participants in the fully adjusted model (BMI=30.0-39.9 kg/m2: adjusted OR=2.78 (95% CI 1.75, 4.43); BMI ≥ 40.0 kg/m2: adjusted OR=2.68 (95% CI 1.05, 6.85)). CONCLUSIONS: Obesity is associated with an increased risk of CKD in a national sample of the UK population, even after adjustment for known CKD risk factors, which may have implications for CKD screening and future national health service planning and delivery.

Participation in a Structured Weight Loss Program and All-Cause Mortality and Cardiovascular Morbidity in Obese Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if participation in a weight loss program impacted upon a composite end point of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular morbidity in obese patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SUBJECTS: All patients with a body mass index (BMI) >30 kg/m(2) or >28 kg/m(2) with at least 1 comorbidity (hypertension, diabetes, or dyslipidemia) referred to an established weight management program (WMP) from 2005 to 2009 at a metropolitan tertiary teaching hospital were eligible for inclusion in the study cohort. INTERVENTION: Twelve-month structured weight loss program. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Combined outcome of all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke, and hospitalization for congestive heart failure; kidney transplantation waitlisting. RESULTS: A total of 169 obese patients with CKD commenced the WMP and 169 did not-becoming the observational control group (CON). There were no significant differences between groups for age, BMI, sex, ethnicity, smoking, hypertension, or kidney function at baseline, although CON included more patients with diabetes than WMP (49% vs. 38%, P = .03). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis with log-rank test differed between groups for the combined outcome (P = .03). Cox regression analysis with adjustment for age, sex, ethnicity, hypertension, diabetes, kidney function, baseline BMI, and smoking status, indicated that patients in WMP had a significantly longer event-free period for the combined outcome, than those in CON (adjusted hazard ratio 0.53; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.29-0.97; P = .04). Participation in the WMP did not increase the likelihood of kidney transplantation waitlisting (odds ratio [OR] 1.06; 95% CI 0.39-2.87; P = .9). Lower baseline BMI and greater weight loss over 12 months were the only factors related to kidney transplantation waitlisting (adjusted R(2) = 0.426). CONCLUSIONS: Participation in a structured weight loss program may be associated with improved outcomes in obese patients with CKD.