Use of kidney failure risk equation as a tool to evaluate referrals from primary care to specialist nephrology care.

BACKGROUND: With rising costs and burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD), timely referral of patients to a kidney specialist is crucial. Currently, Kidney Health Australia (KHA) uses a 'heat map' based on severity and not future risk of kidney failure, whereas the kidney failure risk equation (KFRE) score predicts future risk of progression. AIMS: Evaluate whether a KFRE score assists with timing of CKD referrals. METHODS: Retrospective cohort of 2137 adult patients, referred to tertiary hospital outpatient nephrologist between 2012 and 2020, were analysed. Referrals were analysed for concordance with the KHA referral guidelines and, with the KFRE score, a recommended practice. RESULTS: Of 2137 patients, 626 (29%) did not have urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) measurement at referral. For those who had a UACR, the number who met KFRE preferred referral criteria was 36% less than KHA criteria. If the recommended KFRE score was used, then fewer older patients (≥40 years) needed referral. Positively, many diabetes patients were referred, even if their risk of kidney failure was low, and 29% had a KFRE over 3%. For patients evaluated meeting KFRE criteria, a larger proportion (76%) remained in follow-up, with only 8% being discharged. CONCLUSIONS: KFRE could reduce referrals and be a useful tool to assist timely referrals. Using KFRE for triage may allow those patients with very low risk of future kidney failure not be referred, remaining longer in primary care, saving health resources and reducing patients' stress and wait times. Using KFRE encourages albuminuria measurement.

Comparing surgeon- and nephrologist-inserted Tenckhoff catheters: experience from a metropolitan centre in Sydney.

BACKGROUND: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is an effective home-based form of dialysis. Although several factors limit its use, the timely and successful insertion of a PD catheter is essential for increased uptake. AIMS: This retrospective observational study was performed at a tertiary teaching hospital in Sydney with the aim of comparing outcomes of PD catheter insertion using a percutaneous, modified Seldinger technique utilised by a trained nephrologist to the traditional surgical insertion using a mini-laparotomy. RESULTS: Over an 8-year period, 194 PD catheters were inserted. Aside from lower body mass indexes in the nephrologist-led interventions (P = 0.02), patient demographics were well matched. Time-to-insertion was significantly shorter with the percutaneous technique (P < 0.001). Univariant logistic regression noted no difference in the complication rate between the nephrologist-inserted and surgically inserted groups (likelihood ratio, 1.59; P = 0.08). There were differences in the type of adverse outcomes with each technique. Surgical procedures were more likely to have exit site leaks (P = 0.009) and peritonitis (P = 0.004), whereas procedure abandonment (P = 0.009) was more common in nephrologist-led procedures. CONCLUSIONS: The current study highlights that with careful patient selection, trained nephrologists in metropolitan areas can successfully insert PD catheters. Our experience noted fewer delays to catheter insertion, with similar total complication rates.

Integrated virtual medical consultations versus traditional clinic care in a public and a private outpatient service.

Objectives: The iConnect Care programme provided integrated 'virtual care' (VC) for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the South Eastern Sydney Local Health District. VC is an alternative to outpatient care which expedites time to specialists' opinions and is safe. Comparing different outpatient care models is important to understand the role of telehealth and integrated care, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to compare a VC model with existing CKD outpatient care. Design participants and setting: A multisite, comparative, retrospective cohort study with parallel groups. 374 patients with mild CKD were recruited (July 2013 and August 2015) from public and private outpatients and followed for 12 months (n=304) or via VC (n=70). Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and urine albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR) were compared at baseline, 6 and 12 months. Results: At 12 months, no significant differences existed among groups in eGFR or ACR or haemoglobin, but serum creatinine was lower in the VC cohort. A significant difference existed in time to see a patient from time of referral; 7 days for VC clinic and 35-42 days for outpatient clinic. Patients interviewed felt VC was efficient and they were well managed. Conclusion: VC can be a faster mechanism to access a nephrologist and other specialists. It provided similar outcomes to outpatient care. VC represents an additional assessment and follow-up pathway supported in the community. Time to deliver is similar, but specific resources are needed. It has the potential to evolve into a standard component of chronic disease care.

International Society of Nephrology Global Kidney Health Atlas: structures, organization, and services for the management of kidney failure in Latin America.

Latin America is a region with a widely variable socioeconomic landscape, facing a surge in noncommunicable diseases, including chronic kidney disease and kidney failure, exposing significant limitations in the delivery of care. Despite region-wide efforts to explore and address these limitations, much uncertainty remains as to the capacity, accessibility, and quality of kidney failure care in Latin America. Through this second iteration of the International Society of Nephrology Global Kidney Health Atlas, we aimed to report on these indicators to provide a comprehensive map of kidney failure care in the region. Survey responses were received from 18 (64.2%) countries, representing 93.8% of the total population in Latin America. The median prevalence and incidence of treated kidney failure in Latin America were 715 and 157 per million population, respectively, the latter being higher than the global median (142 per million population), with Puerto Rico, Mexico, and El Salvador experiencing much of this growing burden. In most countries, public and private systems collectively funded most aspects of kidney replacement therapy (dialysis and transplantation) care, with patients incurring at least 1% to 25% of out-of-pocket costs. In most countries, >90% of dialysis patients able to access kidney replacement therapy received hemodialysis (n = 11; 5 high income and 6 upper-middle income), and only a small minority began with peritoneal dialysis (1%-10% in 67% of countries; n = 12). Few countries had chronic kidney disease registries or targeted detection programs. There is a large variability in the availability, accessibility, and quality of kidney failure care in Latin America, which appears to be subject to individual countries' funding structures, underreliance on cheap kidney replacement therapy, such as peritoneal dialysis, and limited chronic kidney disease surveillance and management initiatives.

Beck Depression Inventory as a screening tool for depression in chronic haemodialysis patients.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Cognitive Depression Index (CDI) as a potential screening tool for major depression in haemodialysis (HD) patients. METHODS: Forty-five HD patients completed both the BDI/CDI and diagnostic interview. The interview was conducted by two experienced clinicians and was based on DSM-IV criteria. The sensitivity, specificity and positive (PPV) and negative (NPV) predictive values were then calculated. RESULTS: A diagnosis of depression was found in 6 of the 45 participants (13.3%). Optimal cut-offs were ≥18 for the BDI (sensitivity 1.0, specificity 0.90, PPV 0.60, NPV 1.0) and ≥11 for the CDI (sensitivity 1.0, specificity 0.92, PPV 0.67, NPV 1.0). CONCLUSIONS: Both the BDI and CDI were shown to be acceptable screening tools for depression in this population of chronic HD patients. The recommended cut-off scores for both scales are higher than those suggested for the general population and slightly higher than previously found in the chronic kidney disease literature, suggesting that altered thresholds are required when using these screening tools amongst HD patients.

iConnect CKD - virtual medical consulting: A web-based chronic kidney disease, hypertension and diabetes integrated care program.

AIMS: Chronic kidney disease patients overwhelm specialist services and can potentially be managed in the primary care (PC). Opportunistic screening of high risk (HR) patients and follow-up in PC is the most sustainable model of care. A 'virtual consultation' (VC) model instead of traditional face to face (F2F) consultations was used, aiming to assess efficacy and safety of the model. METHODS: Seventy patients were recruited from PC sites and hospital clinics and followed for 1 year. The HR patients (eGFR < 30 mL/min/1.73m2 +/- albuminuria >30 mg/mmol/L) were randomized to either VC or F2F. Patients were monitored in 6 monthly follow-up cycles by a Clinical Nurse Specialist. The specialist team provided virtual or clinical support and included a Nephrologist, Endocrinologist, Cardiologist and Renal 'Palliative' Supportive Care. RESULTS: Sixty one (87%) patients were virtually tracked or consulted with 14 (23%) being HR. At 12 months, there was no difference in outcomes between VC and F2F patients. All patients were successfully monitored. General practitioners reported a high level of satisfaction and supported the model, but found software integration challenging. Patients found the system attractive and felt well managed. Specialist consults occurred within a week, and if a second specialist opinion was required, it took another 2 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: The programme demonstrated safe, expedited and efficient follow up with a clinical and web based programme. Support from the general practitioners and patients was encouraging, despite logistical issues. Ongoing evaluation of VC services will continue and feasibility to larger networks and more chronic diseases remains the long term goal.

Improving nephrology service delivery - Accessing the specialist.

BACKGROUND: The increased prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is straining the medical workforce and healthcare budget. To improve efficiency, patients require streamlined access to renal and general practice specialist advice. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article is to profile general practitioner (GP) referrals for patients with CKD and compare these referrals to national guidelines. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 200 randomly selected outpatient referrals to the renal service at St George Hospital, Sydney, between 2008 and 2011. These referrals were compared against national referral guidelines. RESULTS: Declining renal function accounted for the majority (44%; n = 78) of referrals, while advice regarding hypertension management contributed to a further 21% (n = 38) of referrals. Fifteen per cent (n = 27) of patients were referred back to their GP after one visit, while 40% (n = 72) required follow-up beyond 12 months. When compared with the National nephrology referral guidelines, 25% (n = 42) of referrals did not meet the criteria. DISCUSSION: Access to renal specialists may be difficult because of bottlenecks in the public clinic, frustrating all parties concerned. If an alternative, more integrated, possibly web-based CKD support service existed, some formal reviews could be bypassed. This study provides preliminary data supporting the development of such a service, and simultaneously providing streamlined sup-port to the GP and relieving pressure on hospital clinics.

Depression and chronic kidney disease: A review for clinicians.

OBJECTIVE: To review the recent academic literature surrounding the prevalence, aetiopathology, associations and management of depression in chronic kidney disease (CKD), in order to provide a practical and up-to-date resource for clinicians. METHODS: We conducted electronic searches of the following databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE and PsycINFO. The main search terms were: depression, mood disorders, depressive disorder, mental illness, in combination with kidney disease, renal insufficiency, dialysis, kidney failure. Separate searches were conducted regarding antidepressant use in CKD. RESULTS: A number of recent, large and well-conducted studies have confirmed markedly raised rates of depression amongst those with CKD, with meta-analysis suggesting the prevalence of interview-defined depression to be approximately 20%. The interactions between depression and CKD are complex, bidirectional and multifactorial. Depression in CKD has been shown to be associated with multiple poor outcomes, including increased mortality and hospitalisation rates, as well as poorer treatment compliance and quality of life. Clinical evaluation of depression in patients with CKD can be challenging; however, once a diagnosis is made, a range of treatment modalities can be considered. CONCLUSIONS: Depression is common in CKD and is associated with a significant risk of adverse outcomes. Given the importance of this issue, there is now an urgent need for well-conducted randomised trials of interventions for depression in CKD in order to provide information on the safety and efficacy of treatments.

Kidney failure: aims for the next 10 years and barriers to success.

Although in some parts of the world acute and chronic kidney diseases are preventable or treatable disorders, in many other regions these diseases are left without any care. The nephrology community needs to commit itself to reduction of this divide between high-income and low-income regions. Moreover, new and exciting developments in fields such as pharmacology, genetic, or bioengineering, can give a boost, in the next decade, to a new era of diagnosis and treatment of kidney diseases, which should be made available to more patients.

Predictive Modelling Risk Calculators and the Non Dialysis Pathway.

This guideline will review the current prediction models and survival/mortality scores available for decision making in patients with advanced kidney disease who are being considered for a non-dialysis treatment pathway. Risk prediction is gaining increasing attention with emerging literature suggesting improved patient outcomes through individualised risk prediction (1). Predictive models help inform the nephrologist and the renal palliative care specialists in their discussions with patients and families about suitability or otherwise of dialysis. Clinical decision making in the care of end stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients on a non-dialysis treatment pathway is currently governed by several observational trials (3). Despite the paucity of evidence based medicine in this field, it is becoming evident that the survival advantages associated with renal replacement therapy in these often elderly patients with multiple co-morbidities and limited functional status may be negated by loss of quality of life (7) (6), further functional decline (5, 8), increased complications and hospitalisations.

Africa and nephrology: the forgotten continent.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is not a priority on the health agenda in Africa and it remains a 'forgotten condition'. Most people in Africa do not have access to dialysis or transplantation, if they develop end-stage renal disease. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and HIV/AIDS enjoy a more prominent profile as a serious cause of morbidity and mortality, but despite the clear links of CVD and HIV with CKD, there has been a failure to highlight the link between chronic illnesses like diabetes, hypertension and HIV/AIDS and both CKD and CVD. Management of chronic illnesses requires a functioning public health system and good links between primary and specialist care. Despite calls to establish CKD prevention programs, there are very few in Africa and they have not been integrated into existing primary healthcare systems. This is aggravated by shortages of both financial and human resources and failure to strengthen health systems managing chronic diseases. The result is that very few people in Africa with CKD are managed early or receive dialysis or transplantation. This article investigates some of the issues impacting on the recognition of CKD as a public health issue, and will also consider some factors which could make CKD a more prominent chronic disease in Africa.

A comparison of cystatin C- and creatinine-based prediction equations for the estimation of glomerular filtration rate in black South Africans.

BACKGROUND: Serum creatinine (S-Cr)-based prediction equations are commonly used for estimating glomerular filtration rate (GFR). However, S-Cr concentration is also affected by other factors such as tubular secretion, muscle mass, diet, gender and age. Serum cystatin C (S-Cys C)-based prediction equations have been proposed as an improved potential alternative as S-Cys C levels are not influenced by many of the factors that affect creatinine concentration other than GFR. This may be of great benefit to patients with low muscle mass such as those infected with human immunodeficiency virus who are at increased risk for the development of renal impairment. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a S-Cys C-based prediction equation for different stages of renal disease in black South Africans. METHODS: One hundred patients with varying degrees of renal function were enrolled in the study. The plasma clearance of (51)Cr-EDTA, a gold standard method, was used to measure GFR (mGFR). In addition, serum was analysed for S-Cr and S-Cys C on each participant. This dataset was split into a development dataset (n = 50) and a test dataset (n = 50). The development dataset was used to formulate a S-Cys C- and S-Cr-based prediction equation using multiple linear regression analysis. These equations together with the four-variable MDRD and CKD-EPI equation were then tested on the test dataset. RESULTS: In the test dataset, accuracy within 15% of measured GFR was 68% for the S-Cys C equation and 48% for the S-Cr equation. Root mean square error for S-Cr eGFR was 10.7 mL/min/1.73 m(2) for those patients with mGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) and 25.5 mL/min/1.73 m(2) for those patients with mGFR > 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2). Root mean square error for S-Cys C eGFR was 10.2 mL/min/1.73 m(2) for those patients with mGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) and 11.9 mL/min/1.73 m(2) for those patients with mGFR > 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, S-Cys C-based prediction equations appear to be more precise than those of S-Cr for those patients with mGFR > 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) and may therefore be of benefit in the earlier detection of renal impairment.

Managing type 2 diabetes in Soweto-The South African Chronic Disease Outreach Program experience.

Diabetes (DM) and its resultant complications are a problem worldwide, and especially in developing countries like South Africa (SA). Risk factors associated with DM are potentially modifiable, but DM control is poor. Problems in SA include high prevalence of morbidity from DM and hypertension (HTN), lack of recognition of the importance of chronic kidney disease (CKD), late presentation to health care services, lack of education of health providers and patients, and poor quality of care in primary health care settings (PHC). In response, there has been growing advocacy for prevention strategies and improved support and education for primary health care nurses (PHCNs). A Chronic Disease Outreach Program (CDOP), based on the chronic care model was used to follow patients with DM and HTN, support PHCN, and improve health systems for management in Soweto. A group of 257 DM patients and 186 PHCN were followed over 2 years, with the study including the evaluation of 'functional' and clinical outcomes, diary recordings outlining program challenges, and a questionnaire assessing PHCNs' knowledge and education support, and the value of CDOP. CDOP was successful in supporting PHCNs, detecting patients with advanced disease, and ensuring early referral to a specialist center. It improved early detection and referral of high risk, poorly controlled patients and had an impact on PHCNs' knowledge. Its weaknesses include poor follow up due to poor existing health systems and the programs' inability to integrate into existing chronic disease services. The study also revealed an overworked, poorly supported, poorly educated and frustrated primary health care team.

Estimating glomerular filtration rate in black South Africans by use of the modification of diet in renal disease and Cockcroft-Gault equations.

BACKGROUND: The 4-variable Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (4-v MDRD) and Cockcroft-Gault (CG) equations are commonly used for estimating glomerular filtration rate (GFR); however, neither of these equations has been validated in an indigenous African population. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of the 4-v MDRD and CG equations for estimating GFR in black South Africans against measured GFR and to assess the appropriateness for the local population of the ethnicity factor established for African Americans in the 4-v MDRD equation. METHODS: We enrolled 100 patients in the study. The plasma clearance of chromium-51-EDTA ((51)Cr-EDTA) was used to measure GFR, and serum creatinine was measured using an isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS) traceable assay. We estimated GFR using both the reexpressed 4-v MDRD and CG equations and compared it to measured GFR using 4 modalities: correlation coefficient, weighted Deming regression analysis, percentage bias, and proportion of estimated GFR within 30% of measured GFR (P(30)). RESULTS: The Spearman correlation coefficient between measured and estimated GFR for both equations was similar (4-v MDRD R(2) = 0.80 and CG R(2) = 0.79). Using the 4-v MDRD equation with the ethnicity factor of 1.212 as established for African Americans resulted in a median positive bias of 13.1 (95% CI 5.5 to 18.3) mL/min/1.73 m(2). Without the ethnicity factor, median bias was 1.9 (95% CI -0.8 to 4.5) mL/min/1.73 m(2). CONCLUSIONS: The 4-v MDRD equation, without the ethnicity factor of 1.212, can be used for estimating GFR in black South Africans.

Prevention of chronic kidney and vascular disease: toward global health equity--the Bellagio 2004 Declaration.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) not only reflects target organ injury in systemic vascular disease in the general population and in association with diabetes, hypertension, and smoking, but it is recognized as one of the major risk factors in the pathogenesis and outcome of cardiovascular disease. Recent surveys have revealed that the prevalence of CKD, particularly the hidden mild form (mildly elevated levels of serum creatinine or urinary albumin excretion), is surprisingly high in the general population. In recent years, the global epidemic of type 2 diabetes has led to an alarming increase in the number of patients with CKD. Most patients with CKD (over 50 million individuals worldwide) succumb to cardiovascular events, while each year over 1 million develop end-stage renal failure, which requires costly treatment and in many countries of the world, unaffordable renal replacement therapy by chronic dialysis or renal transplantation. Alarmed by the immense challenge to human morbidity and the economic burden of CKD and ensuing systemic cardiovascular disease, the International Society of Nephrology convened a multidisciplinary group of expert physicians and public health leaders from around the world to develop strategies to delay and avert this bleak future by effective prevention of CKD based on awareness, early detection, and effective treatment.

International aid and medical practice in the less-developed world: doing it right, what can renal organizations learn?

The delivery of health care in poorer countries is reliant on international aid organizations. This article will focus on international aid and medical practice in the developing world. It will review the general issues, practices, and problems with international aid in the medical arena and will then focus on international aid, kidney detection, and prevention programs. The article will analyze some of the existing and successful organizations and their initiatives. The first part of this article will analyze such aspects as: the access of existing resources and available aid projects; the establishment of contact with international aid projects; the access of funds for the development of the project and, once it is established, the management of those funds; the planning of projects; and the role of research in international aid and medical practice both as a means of accessing resources and of managing the project. The second part of the article will look more specifically at issues in nephrology and international aid. The focus will be on current programs in nephrology and the critical appraisal of some existing programs. The last part will focus specifically on practical tasks which are needed when accessing international aid for medical projects. It will draw on the experiences of various programs and then outline suggested phases one should consider when establishing aid projects in order to best implement them. Kidney groups with intentions to deliver prevention and management strategies to developing countries need to learn from the experiences of existing international aid organizations and chronic kidney disease programs.

A chronic disease outreach program for Aboriginal communities.

BACKGROUND: Our objective is to describe a program to improve awareness and management of hypertension, renal disease, and diabetes in 3 remote Australian Aboriginal communities. METHODS: The program espouses that regular integrated checks for chronic disease and their risk factors are essential elements of regular adult health care. Programs should be run by local health workers, following algorithms for testing and treatment, with backup, usually from a distance, from nurse coordinators. Constant evaluation is essential to develop community health profiles and adapt program structure. RESULTS: Participation ranged from 65% to 100% of adults. Forty-one percent of women and 72% of men were current smokers. Body weight varied markedly by community. Although excessive in all, rates of chronic diseases also differed markedly among communities. Rates increased with age, but the greatest numbers of people with morbidities were middle age and young adults. Multiple morbidities were common by middle age. Hypertension and renal disease were early features, whereas diabetes was a variable and later manifestation of this integrated chronic disease syndrome. Adherence to testing and treatment protocols improved markedly over time. Substantial numbers of new diagnoses were made. Blood pressure improved in people in whom antihypertensive agents were started or increased. Components of a systematic activity plan became more clearly defined with time. Treatment of people in the community with the greatest disease burden posed a large additional workload. Lack of health workers and absenteeism were major impediments to productivity. CONCLUSION: We cannot generalize about body habitus, and chronic disease rates among Aboriginal adults. Pilot data are needed to plan resources based on the chronic disease burden in each community. Systematic screening is useful in identifying high-risk individuals, most at an early treatable stage. Community-based health profiles provide critical information for the development of rational health policy and needs-based health services.

Kidney and kidney related chronic diseases in South Africa and chronic disease intervention program experiences.

The burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is rising in the world and the greatest burden is likely in developing countries such as South Africa (SA). This burden is related to the increase of 130% in noncommunicable diseases (NCD) such as diabetes and hypertension. SA has an additional burden of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which has infected 19.9% of adults and contributes to 30% of deaths. NCDs remain the major causes of death (37%). Hypertension is considered as a cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in 34.6% of Blacks, 4.3% Whites, 20.9% of mixed race people, and 13.9% of Indians. Diabetes is believed to occur in 10% to 16% of South Africans. These risk factors, together with a high HIV/CKD burden (8%), result in a large burden of CKD. Other nontraditional risk factors, such as low birth weight, must also be considered. Despite rates of ESRD suspected to be about 400 per million population (pmp), only 99 pmp receive renal replacement therapy (RRT). Novel methods have to be established in the developing world to tackle the NCD and communicable disease burden. This article investigates the option of an integrated approach to chronic diseases as an answer to some of this burden. Both an urban-based and a rural-based NCD prevention and treatment program are reviewed.