When ESKD complicates cancer screening and cancer treatment.

End-stage kidney disease (ESKD) affects the recommended screening, incidence, treatment, and mortality of cancer. Cancer occurring in a patient with ESKD can influence candidacy for kidney transplantation as well as dialysis decision-making and cancer treatment. Certain cancers are more common among ESKD patients, notably, viral-mediated cancers that are associated with human papilloma or hepatitis viruses, and urothelial cancers associated with analgesic and Balkan nephropathies. Solid tumors are not believed to occur more frequently in ESKD patients. The presence of ESKD may confer a higher risk of post-surgical complications as well as mortality. The cost-effectiveness of cancer screening depends upon individual cancer risk and estimated overall survival. The high mortality associated with ESKD argues against routine cancer screening in dialysis patients. Cancer treatment in ESKD may be complicated by the need to avoid, adjust doses of and/or coordinate the timing of administration of imaging contrast, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy with dialysis treatments. There is a general dearth of information on the treatment of cancer in ESKD patients. These issues will be discussed, and some general guidelines presented based upon the current literature.

National outcomes of in-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation in patients with acute kidney injury: years 2005 - 2011
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BACKGROUND: There is paucity of data on the outcomes of in-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in patients with acute kidney injury (AKI). We analyzed the impact of acute kidney injury on in-hospital CPR-related outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed data from Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS 2005 - 2011) including patients with and without AKI who had undergone in-hospital CPR. Baseline characteristics, in-hospital complications and discharge outcomes were compared between the two groups. We determined the effect of AKI on length of hospital stay, discharge destination, hospital mortality, survival trends, and discharge to home. RESULTS: 180,970 patients with primary or secondary diagnosis of AKI underwent in-hospital CPR compared to 323,620 patients without AKI. Unadjusted in-hospital mortality rates were higher in the AKI group (78.2 vs. 71.8%, p < 0.0001). After adjusting for age, sex, and potential confounders, patients in the AKI group had higher odds of mortality with odds ratio 1.3, 95% confidence interval 1.2 - 1.4, p < 0.0001. Survivors in the AKI group were more likely to be discharged to nursing homes and had higher mean hospitalization charges. In 2011 compared with 2005, there was an improved survival after CPR and higher rates of discharges to home. There was no significant change in the mean length of hospital stay between these time periods (p = 0.4). CONCLUSION: AKI independently increases the odds of in-hospital mortality and nursing home placement after in-hospital CPR. These data may facilitate CPR discussions and decision-making in critically ill patients.
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Fertility, Contraception, and Novel Reproductive Technologies in Chronic Kidney Disease.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis function, leading to menstrual abnormalities, sexual dysfunction, functional menopause, and loss of fertility. Pregnancy in a patient with CKD is associated with a higher risk of complications to both the mother and the fetus, highlighting the importance of contraceptive counseling at all stages of CKD. There has been limited research on the safety and efficacy of different contraceptive methods in the CKD population, and it is important to tailor the choice of contraception to the patient's lifestyle and comorbidity status. Cyclophosphamide is a commonly used immunosuppressive agent that impairs fertility in a dose-dependent fashion, with greater impact in older women of child-bearing age. Strategies to reduce the impact of cyclophosphamide on ovarian reserve as well as fertility preservation technologies are options to consider when treating immune-mediated CKD. A multidisciplinary approach in counseling the woman with CKD who wishes to contemplate or avoid pregnancy is necessary to optimize outcomes. Further research in this important area is required.

Outcomes of In-Hospital Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in Patients with CKD.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Advance care planning, including code/resuscitation status discussion, is an essential part of the medical care of patients with CKD. There is little information on the outcomes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation in these patients. We aimed to measure cardiopulmonary resuscitation outcomes in these patients. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS: Our study is observational in nature. We compared the following cardiopulmonary resuscitation-related outcomes in patients with CKD with those in the general population by using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (2005-2011): (1) survival to hospital discharge, (2) discharge destination, and (3) length of hospital stay. All of the patients were 18 years old or older. RESULTS: During the study period, 71,961 patients with CKD underwent in-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation compared with 323,620 patients from the general population. Unadjusted in-hospital mortality rates were higher in patients with CKD (75% versus 72%; P<0.001) on univariate analysis. After adjusting for age, sex, and potential confounders, patients with CKD had higher odds of mortality (odds ratio, 1.24; 95% confidence interval, 1.11 to 1.34; P≤0.001) and length of stay (odds ratio, 1.11; 95% confidence interval, 1.07 to 1.15; P=0.001). Hospitalization charges were also greater in patients with CKD. There was no overall difference in postcardiopulmonary resuscitation nursing home placement between the two groups. In a separate subanalysis of patients ≥75 years old with CKD, higher odds of in-hospital mortality were also seen in the patients with CKD (odds ratio, 1.10; 95% confidence interval, 1.02 to 1.17; P=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, we observed slightly higher in-hospital mortality in patients with CKD undergoing in-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

We Offer Renal Replacement Therapy to Patients Who Are Not Benefitted by It.

Nephrologists offer renal replacement therapy (RRT) to patients who are unlikely to benefit in part because of our discomfort discussing goals of care in the setting of an uncertain prognosis for a given individual. Permanent neurological impairment, terminal illness (life expectancy <6 months), medical conditions precluding the safe delivery of dialysis, elderly patients with poor prognosis, and those who begin "early" RRT are categories of patients for whom dialysis may not be beneficial. Successful use of time-limited trials of dialysis may reduce the number of patients who are started on RRT without significant benefit. However, clear achievable milestones and goals need to be incorporated into plans for time-limited trials to ensure that continuing RRT beyond the trial period is appropriate. The lack of information on outcomes and symptom management using a "palliative approach" to dialysis suggests this should not be a clinical option until additional study is done and efficacy data available. Clinical practice guidelines are available to assist nephrologists in the appropriate withholding of RRT.

The Role of Time-Limited Trials in Dialysis Decision Making in Critically Ill Patients.

Technologic advances, such as continuous RRT, provide lifesaving therapy for many patients. AKI in the critically ill patient, a fatal diagnosis in the past, is now often a survivable condition. Dialysis decision making for the critically ill patient with AKI is complex. What was once a question solely of survival now is nuanced by an individual's definition of quality of life, personal values, and short- and long-term prognoses. Clinical evaluation of AKI in the critically ill is multifaceted. Treatment decision making requires consideration of the natural evolution of the patient's AKI within the context of the global prognosis. Situations are often marked by prognostic uncertainty and clinical unknowns. In the face of these uncertainties, establishment of patient-directed therapies is imperative. A time-limited trial of continuous RRT in this setting is often appropriate but difficult to execute. Using patient preferences as a clinical guide, a proper time-limited trial requires assessment of prognosis, elicitation of patient values, strong communication skills, clear documentation, and often, appropriate integration of palliative care services. A well conducted time-limited trial can avoid interprofessional conflict and provide support for the patient, family, and staff.

Conservative Care of the Elderly CKD Patient: A Practical Guide.

Palliative care is a branch of medicine dedicated to the relief of symptoms experienced during the course of illness. Renal palliative medicine or kidney supportive care is an evolving branch of nephrology, which incorporates the principles of palliative care into the care of CKD and ESRD (dialysis, transplant, and conservatively managed) patients. Conservative (non-dialytic) management is a legitimate option for frail, elderly CKD patients in whom dialysis may not lead to an improvement in quality or duration of life. Patients with advanced CKD have a high symptom burden that often worsens before death. Palliative or supportive care by visiting nurses, palliative care programs, or knowledgeable CKD programs should be routine for conservatively managed CKD patients. Decision-making about dialysis or conservative management requires patients and families be given information on prognosis, quality of life on dialysis, and options for supportive care. Advance care planning is the process by which these issues can be explored. In addition to advance care planning, because patients with ESRD have a high symptom burden, this needs to be addressed. Patients with ESRD have a high symptom burden, which needs to be addressed in any treatment plan. Common symptoms include pain, fatigue, insomnia, pruritus, anorexia, and nausea. Symptoms appear to increase as the patient nears death, and this must be anticipated. Recommendations for management are discussed in the article. Hospice care should be offered to all patients who are expected to die within the next 6 months, and supportive care should be provided to all CKD patients managed conservatively or with dialysis.

Outcomes of In-Hospital Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in Maintenance Dialysis Patients.

Outcomes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in hospitalized patients with ESRD requiring maintenance dialysis are unknown. Outcomes of in-hospital CPR in these patients were compared with outcomes in the general population using data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS; 2005-2011). The study population included all adults (≥ 18 years old) from the general population and those with a history of ESRD. Baseline characteristics, in-hospital complications, and discharge outcomes were compared between the two groups. The effects of in-hospital CPR on mortality, length of stay, hospitalization charges, and discharge destination were analyzed. Yearly national trends in survival, discharge to home, and length of stay were also examined using the Cochran-Armitage trend test. During the study period, 56,069 patients with ESRD underwent in-hospital CPR compared with 323,620 patients from the general population. Unadjusted in-hospital mortality rates were higher in patients with ESRD (73.9% versus 71.8%, P<0.001) on univariate analysis. After adjusting for age, gender, and potential confounders, patients with ESRD had higher odds of mortality (odds ratio, 1.24; 95% confidence interval, 1.11 to 1.3; P<0.001). Survival after CPR improved in the year 2011 compared with 2005 (31% versus 21%, P<0.001). Multivariate analysis also revealed that a greater proportion of patients with ESRD who survived were discharged to skilled nursing facilities. In conclusion, outcomes after in-hospital CPR are improving in patients with ESRD but remain worse than outcomes in the general population. Patients with ESRD who survive are more likely to be discharged to nursing homes.

End-of-life care beliefs among Muslim physicians.

OBJECTIVE: Physicians' religiosity affects their approach to end-of-life care (EOLC) beliefs. Studies exist about end-of-life care beliefs among physicians of various religions. However, data on Muslim physicians are lacking. This study explores the beliefs centering on aspects of end-of-life care among Muslim physicians in the US and other countries. DESIGN: A 25 item, online survey was created and distributed via Survey Monkey®. The survey was targeted toward Muslim physicians in the US and other countries. RESULTS: A total 461 Muslim physicians responded to our survey. The primary end point was if the Muslim physicians thought that making a patient DO NOT RESUSCITATE (DNR) is allowed in Islam?. Nearly 66.8 % of the respondents replied yes as compared to 7.38 % of the respondents who said no. Country of origin, country of practice, and if physicians had talked about comfort care in the past had the most impact on the yes vs. no response (p=0.0399, p=0.0092 and 0.0023 respectively). CONCLUSION: Muslim physicians' beliefs on EOLC issues are affected more by the area of practice, country of origin and previous experience in talking about comfort care than the religious beliefs.

End-of-life care beliefs among Hindu physicians in the United States.

Several studies from the United States and Europe showed that physicians' religiosity is associated with their approach to end-of-life care beliefs. No such studies have focused exclusively on Hindu physicians practicing in the United States. A 34-item questionnaire was sent to 293 Hindu physicians in the United States. Most participants believed that their religious beliefs do not influence their practice of medicine and do not interfere with withdrawal of life support. The US practice of discussing end-of-life issues with the patient, rather than primarily with the family, seems to have been adopted by Hindu physicians practicing in the United States. It is likely that the ethical, cultural, and patient-centered environment of US health care has influenced the practice of end-of-life care by Hindu physicians in this country.

Update on end-of-life care training during nephrology fellowship: a cross-sectional national survey of fellows.

BACKGROUND: Patients with end-stage renal disease have high mortality and symptom burden. Past studies demonstrated that nephrologists do not feel prepared to care for their patients at the end of life. We sought to characterize current palliative and end-of-life care education received during nephrology fellowship and compare this with data from 2003. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional online survey of second-year nephrology trainees. Responses were compared to a similar survey in 2003. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: 104 US nephrology fellowship programs in 2013. MEASUREMENTS: Quality of training in and attitudes toward end-of-life care and knowledge and preparedness to provide nephrology-specific end-of-life care. RESULTS: Of 204 fellows included for analysis (response rate, 65%), significantly more thought it was moderately to very important to learn to provide care at end of life in 2013 compared to 2003 (95% vs 54%; P<0.001). Nearly all (99%) fellows in both surveys believed physicians have a responsibility to help patients at end of life. Ranking of teaching quality during fellowship in all areas (mean, 4.1±0.8 on a scale of 0-5 [0, poor; 5, excellent]) and specific to end-of-life care (mean, 2.4±1.1) was unchanged from 2003, but knowledge of the annual gross mortality rate for dialysis patients was nominally worse in 2013 because only 57% versus 67% in 2003 answered correctly (P=0.05). To an open-ended question asking what would most improve fellows' end-of-life care education, the most common response was a required palliative medicine rotation during fellowship. LIMITATIONS: Assessments were based on fellows' subjective perceptions. CONCLUSIONS: Nephrology fellows increasingly believe they should learn to provide end-of-life care during fellowship. However, perceptions about the quality of this teaching have not improved during the past decade. Palliative care training should be integrated into nephrology fellowship curricula.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder in a female associated with multiple bladder stones.

BACKGROUND: Bladder cancer is the most common malignancy in the urinary tract. Urothelial carcinoma is the most common histologic type of bladder cancer in the United States, accounting for approximately 90%. Squamous cell carcinoma is less common, making up 3-5% of bladder cancers. We present a case of squamous cell carcinoma in a female associated with multiple bladder stones. CASE PRESENTATION: A 76-year-old Caucasian woman presented to the emergency department with gross hematuria and dysuria for one month. Urinalysis showed many RBCs and WBCs with positive nitrite. She was admitted with an initial impression of urinary tract infection and intravenous ceftriaxone was started. Urine culture grew greater than 100,000 cfu/ml of Enterococcus species. Computed tomographic imaging of the abdomen/pelvis with oral contrast revealed a markedly distended bladder with hemorrhage, multiple calculi, and diffuse bladder wall thickening. Cystoscopy was performed for diffuse bladder wall thickening and demonstrated numerous bladder stones, a bladder mass, and organized blood clots. Biopsy of the mass was consistent with high-grade carcinoma with squamous differentiation. The bladder cancer was not surgically resectable and radical cystectomy was not recommended due to old age and poor functional status. The patient refused chemotherapy and she died in 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: The association between foreign bodies in the bladder and sqaumous cell carcinoma is well established. Long-standing bladder stones have been implicated as a cause of squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder. Our female patient's unusual presentation with multiple bladder stones and sqaumous cell carcinoma of the bladder highlights the association between these two conditions.

Changes in fertility and hormone replacement therapy in kidney disease.

Infertility is common among men and women with CKD and fertility is usually restored with successful kidney transplantation. There are many causes of infertility in those on dialysis, including sexual dysfunction and impaired spermatogenesis and ovulation resulting from an altered hormonal milieu. There is little information about infertility in CKD, but it is clear that ESRD results in low rates of pregnancy in women. Early reports of increased pregnancy rates in women on nocturnal hemodialysis suggest that this modality may improve the abnormal reproductive hormonal milieu of ESRD; small studies of men on dialysis also suggest this. Just as the specific causes of infertility in men and women with CKD/ESRD are unknown, we also lack information about the appropriateness of hormone replacement in these patients. This paper reviews these linked issues, pointing out the lack of data upon which to base clinical decision-making about these quality-of-life issues in our CKD/ESRD patients.