Long-term Safety and Efficacy of Etrasimod for Ulcerative Colitis: Results from the Open-label Extension of the OASIS Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Etrasimod is an oral, selective, sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor modulator. In a phase 2, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in adults with moderately-to-severely active ulcerative colitis [OASIS], etrasimod 2 mg provided significant benefit versus placebo and was generally well tolerated. This open-label extension [OLE] evaluated safety and efficacy of etrasimod for up to 52 weeks. METHODS: In OASIS, 156 patients received etrasimod 1 mg, etrasimod 2 mg, or placebo, once daily for 12 weeks. After completing OASIS, patients could enrol in the OLE and receive etrasimod 2 mg for an additional 34-40 weeks. RESULTS: In all, 118 patients enrolled in the OLE; 112 patients received etrasimod 2 mg at any point and were evaluated for safety and efficacy. A total of 92 [82%] patients who received etrasimod 2 mg in the OLE completed the study. Treatment-emergent adverse events occurred in 60% [67/112] of patients receiving etrasimod 2 mg at any time, most commonly worsening ulcerative colitis and anaemia; 94% of adverse events were mild/moderate. At end of treatment, 64% of patients met the criteria for clinical response, 33% for clinical remission, and 43% for endoscopic improvement. Week 12 clinical response, clinical remission, or endoscopic improvement was maintained to end of treatment in 85%, 60%, or 69% of patients, respectively. Steroid-free clinical remission occurred in 22% of overall patients. CONCLUSIONS: In this long-term extension study, etrasimod 2 mg demonstrated a favourable safety profile. Most patients with clinical response, clinical remission, or endoscopic improvement at Week 12 maintained that status to end of treatment.

Safety, Pharmacokinetics, and Efficacy of Olorinab, a Peripherally Acting, Highly Selective, Full Agonist of the Cannabinoid Receptor 2, in a Phase 2a Study of Patients With Chronic Abdominal Pain Associated With Crohn's Disease.

Background: This randomized, open-label phase 2a study investigated the safety/tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy of olorinab-a highly selective, peripherally acting, full agonist of the cannabinoid receptor 2-in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) experiencing abdominal pain. Methods: Eligible subjects 18-80 years of age with quiescent to mildly active CD were randomized to receive olorinab 25 or 100 mg three times daily for 8 weeks. The primary objective was to assess safety/tolerability. Results: Fourteen subjects received olorinab 25 mg (N = 6) or 100 mg (N = 8). Ten subjects [4 (67%) in the 25-mg group and 6 (75%) in the 100-mg group] reported a total of 34 treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs; 32 grade 1/2, not serious events; 2 grade 3, serious, not treatment-related events). No dose reductions or discontinuations due to TEAEs or deaths were reported. Dose-proportional increases in olorinab exposure from 25 to 100 mg were observed, with minimal accumulation at both doses. At week 8, the mean (SD) change from baseline in average abdominal pain score at peak olorinab plasma concentrations was -4.61 (1.77) in the 25-mg group (P = 0.0043) and -4.57 (2.17) in the 100-mg group (P = 0.0036). The change from baseline at week 8 in the mean (SD) number of pain-free days per week was +1.60 (2.61) in the 25-mg group and +2.33 (3.62) in the 100-mg group. No subject required pain medication on study. Conclusions: Patients with quiescent to mildly active CD receiving olorinab experienced mild-to-moderate adverse events and an improvement in abdominal pain scores in this study.

Efficacy and Safety of Etrasimod in a Phase 2 Randomized Trial of Patients With Ulcerative Colitis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Etrasimod (APD334) is an oral, selective sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor modulator in development for immune-mediated inflammatory disorders. We assessed the efficacy and safety of etrasimod in patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC). METHODS: In a phase 2, proof-of-concept, double-blind, parallel-group study, adult outpatients with modified Mayo Clinic scores (MCSs) (stool frequency, rectal bleeding, and endoscopy findings) of 4-9, endoscopic subscores of 2 or more, and rectal bleeding subscores of 1 or more were randomly assigned to groups given once-daily etrasimod 1 mg (n = 52), etrasimod 2 mg (n = 50), or placebo (n = 54) for 12 weeks. The study was performed from October 15, 2015, through February 14, 2018, at 87 centers in 17 countries. The primary endpoint was an increase in the mean improvement in modified MCS from baseline to week 12. Secondary endpoints included the proportion of patients with endoscopic improvement (subscores of 1 or less) from baseline to week 12. Exploratory endpoints, including clinical remission, are reported in the article, although the study was statistically powered to draw conclusions only on the primary endpoint. RESULTS: At week 12, the etrasimod 2 mg group met the primary and all secondary endpoints. Etrasimod 2 mg led to a significantly greater increase in mean improvement in modified MCS from baseline than placebo (difference from placebo, 0.99 points; 90% confidence interval, 0.30-1.68; P = .009), and etrasimod 1 mg led to an increase in mean improvement from baseline in modified MCS of 0.43 points more than placebo (90% confidence interval, reduction of 0.24 to increase of 1.11; nominal P = .15). Endoscopic improvement occurred in 41.8% of patients receiving etrasimod 2 mg vs 17.8% receiving placebo (P = .003). Most adverse events were mild to moderate. Three patients had a transient, asymptomatic, low-grade atrioventricular block that resolved spontaneously all patients had evidence of atrioventricular block before etrasimod exposure. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis, etrasimod 2 mg was more effective than placebo in producing clinical and endoscopic improvements. Further clinical development is warranted. Clinicaltrials.gov, Number: NCT02447302.

Efficacy and safety of ralinepag, a novel oral IP agonist, in PAH patients on mono or dual background therapy: results from a phase 2 randomised, parallel group, placebo-controlled trial.

PURPOSE: This phase 2 study was designed to assess the efficacy, safety and tolerability of immediate-release orally administered ralinepag, a selective, non-prostanoid prostacyclin receptor agonist with a 24-h terminal half-life, compared to placebo in adult patients with symptomatic pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). METHODS: 61 PAH patients who were receiving standard care, including mono or dual PAH-targeted background therapy were randomised 2:1 to ralinepag (n=40) or placebo (n=21). The starting dose of ralinepag was 10 µg twice daily. Dosage was then up-titrated as tolerated over the course of the 9-week dose-titration period, to a maximum total daily dose of 600 µg (300 µg twice daily). The primary efficacy end-point was the absolute change in pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) from baseline to week 22. Additional end-points included percentage change in PVR from baseline, other haemodynamic parameters, 6-min walk distance (6MWD) and safety and tolerability. RESULTS: Ralinepag significantly decreased PVR by 163.9 dyn·s·cm-5 compared to an increase of 0.7 dyn·s·cm-5 with placebo (p=0.02); the least-squares mean change from baseline PVR was -29.8% compared with placebo (p=0.03). 6MWD increased from baseline by 36.2 m with ralinepag and 29.4 m with placebo (p=0.90). Serious adverse events occurred in 10% of ralinepag patients and 29% of placebo patients. Study discontinuations occurred in 13% of ralinepag patients and 10% of placebo patients. SUMMARY: Ralinepag reduced PVR compared with placebo in PAH patients on mono (41%) or dual combination (59%) background therapy.

Effects of naltrexone sustained-release/bupropion sustained-release combination therapy on body weight and glycemic parameters in overweight and obese patients with type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and safety of 32 mg naltrexone sustained-release (SR)/360 mg bupropion SR (NB) in overweight/obese individuals with type 2 diabetes with or without background oral antidiabetes drugs. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This was a 56-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in which 505 patients received standardized lifestyle intervention and were randomized 2:1 to NB or placebo. Coprimary end points were percent weight change and achievement of ≥5% weight loss. Secondary end points included achievement of HbA1c <7% (53 mmol/mol), achievement of weight loss ≥10%, and change in HbA1c, waist circumference, fasting blood glucose, and lipids. RESULTS: In the modified intent-to-treat population (54% female, 80% Caucasian, and mean age 54 years, weight 106 kg, BMI 37 kg/m(2), and HbA1c 8.0% [64 mmol/mol]), NB resulted in significantly greater weight reduction (-5.0 vs. -1.8%; P < 0.001) and proportion of patients achieving ≥5% weight loss (44.5 vs. 18.9%, P < 0.001) compared with placebo. NB also resulted in significantly greater HbA1c reduction (-0.6 vs. -0.1% [6.6 vs. 1.1 mmol/mol]; P < 0.001), percent of patients achieving HbA1c <7% (53 mmol/mol) (44.1 vs. 26.3%; P < 0.001), and improvement in triglycerides and HDL cholesterol compared with placebo. NB was associated with higher incidence of nausea (42.3 vs. 7.1%), constipation (17.7 vs. 7.1%), and vomiting (18.3 vs. 3.6%). No difference was observed between groups in the incidence of depression, suicidal ideation, or hypoglycemia. CONCLUSIONS: NB therapy in overweight/obese patients with type 2 diabetes induced weight loss, which was associated with improvements in glycemic control and select cardiovascular risk factors and was generally well tolerated with a safety profile similar to that in patients without diabetes.

Evaluation of Cinacalcet Therapy to Lower Cardiovascular Events (EVOLVE): rationale and design overview.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The dramatically high rates of mortality and cardiovascular morbidity observed among dialysis patients highlights the importance of identifying and implementing strategies to lower cardiovascular risk in this population. Results from clinical trials undertaken thus far, including trials on lipid reduction, normalization of hematocrit, and increased dialysis dosage, have been unsuccessful. Available data indicate that abnormalities in calcium and phosphorus metabolism, as a result of either secondary hyperparathyroidism alone or the therapeutic measures used to manage secondary hyperparathyroidism, are associated with an increased risk for death and cardiovascular events. However, no prospective trials have evaluated whether interventions that modify these laboratory parameters result in a reduction in adverse cardiovascular outcomes. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS: Evaluation of Cinacalcet Therapy to Lower Cardiovascular Events is a global, phase 3, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial evaluating the effects of cinacalcet on mortality and cardiovascular events in hemodialysis patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism. Approximately 3800 patients from 22 countries will be randomly assigned to cinacalcet or placebo. Flexible use of traditional therapies will be permitted. The primary end point is the composite of time to all-cause mortality or first nonfatal cardiovascular event (myocardial infarction, hospitalization for unstable angina, heart failure, or peripheral vascular disease, including lower extremity revascularization and nontraumatic amputation). RESULTS: The study will be event driven (terminated at 1882 events) with an anticipated duration of approximately 4 yr. CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation of Cinacalcet Therapy to Lower Cardiovascular Events will determine whether management of secondary hyperparathyroidism with cinacalcet reduces the risk for mortality and cardiovascular events in hemodialysis patients.

Effects of the calcimimetic cinacalcet HCl on cardiovascular disease, fracture, and health-related quality of life in secondary hyperparathyroidism.

BACKGROUND: Secondary hyperparathyroidism (HPT) and abnormal mineral metabolism are thought to play an important role in bone and cardiovascular disease in patients with chronic kidney disease. Cinacalcet, a calcimimetic that modulates the calcium-sensing receptor, reduces parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion and lowers serum calcium and phosphorus concentrations in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and secondary HPT. METHODS: We undertook a combined analysis of safety data (parathyroidectomy, fracture, hospitalizations, and mortality) from 4 similarly designed randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials enrolling 1184 subjects (697 cinacalcet, 487 control) with ESRD and uncontrolled secondary HPT (intact PTH > or =300 pg/mL). Cinacalcet or placebo was administered to subjects receiving standard care for hyperphosphatemia and secondary HPT (phosphate binders and vitamin D). Relative risks (RR) and 95% CI were calculated using proportional hazards regression with follow-up times from 6 to 12 months. Health-related quality-of-life (HRQOL) data were obtained from the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 (SF-36), and the Cognitive Functioning scale from the Kidney Disease Quality of Life instrument (KDQOL-CF). RESULTS: Randomization to cinacalcet resulted in significant reductions in the risk of parathyroidectomy (RR 0.07, 95% CI 0.01-0.55), fracture (RR 0.46, 95% CI 0.22-0.95), and cardiovascular hospitalization (RR 0.61, 95% CI 0.43-0.86) compared with placebo. Changes in HRQOL favored cinacalcet, with significant changes observed for the SF-36 Physical Component Summary score and the specific domains of Bodily Pain and General Health Perception. CONCLUSION: Combining results from 4 clinical trials, randomization to cinacalcet led to significant reductions in the risk of parathyroidectomy, fracture, and cardiovascular hospitalization, along with improvements in self-reported physical function and diminished pain. These data suggest that, in addition to its effects on PTH and mineral metabolism, cinacalcet had favorable effects on important clinical outcomes.

Cinacalcet hydrochloride is an effective treatment for secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with CKD not receiving dialysis.

BACKGROUND: Secondary hyperparathyroidism develops early in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Clinical guidelines from the National Kidney Foundation-Kidney/Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative emphasize the need to control parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcium, and phosphorus levels in patients with CKD not receiving dialysis to reduce poor outcomes. This phase 2 study evaluated the effects of the oral calcimimetic cinacalcet hydrochloride in patients with CKD not on dialysis therapy. METHODS: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 18-week study enrolled adults with an estimated glomerular filtration rate of 15 to 50 mL/min/1.73 m2 (0.25 to 0.83 mL/s/1.73 m2) and an intact PTH (iPTH) level greater than 130 pg/mL (ng/L). Cinacalcet (or placebo) was titrated from 30 to 180 mg once daily to obtain a 30% or greater reduction in iPTH levels from baseline. RESULTS: Baseline mean iPTH levels were 243 pg/mL (ng/L) in the cinacalcet group (n = 27) and 236 pg/mL (ng/L) in the control group (n = 27). At baseline, 28% of subjects were being administered vitamin D sterols and 43% were being administered phosphate binders or calcium supplements. The addition of cinacalcet significantly decreased iPTH concentrations compared with controls during the efficacy-assessment phase: 56% versus 19% of subjects achieved a 30% or greater reduction in iPTH levels (P = 0.006), and mean iPTH levels decreased by 32% in the cinacalcet group, but increased by 6% in the control group (P < 0.001). Mean serum calcium and phosphorus levels remained within normal range throughout the study. Cinacalcet generally was well tolerated; the most frequent adverse events were gastrointestinal. CONCLUSION: This preliminary study provides evidence that cinacalcet is efficacious for the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism in subjects with CKD not receiving dialysis.

Cinacalcet HCl, an oral calcimimetic agent for the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism in hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis: a randomized, double-blind, multicenter study.

Management of secondary hyperparathyroidism is challenging with traditional therapy. The calcimimetic cinacalcet HCl acts on the calcium-sensing receptor to increase its sensitivity to calcium, thereby reducing parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion. This phase 3, multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study evaluated the efficacy and safety of cinacalcet in hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients with PTH > or =300 pg/ml despite traditional therapy. A total of 395 patients received once-daily oral cinacalcet (260 HD, 34 PD) or placebo (89 HD, 12 PD) titrated from 30 to 180 mg to achieve a target intact PTH (iPTH) level of < or =250 pg/ml. During a 10-wk efficacy assessment phase, cinacalcet was more effective than control for PTH reduction outcomes, including proportion of patients with mean iPTH levels < or =300 pg/ml (46 versus 9%), proportion of patients with > or =30% reduction in iPTH from baseline (65 versus 13%), and proportion of patients with > or =20, > or =40, or > or =50% reduction from baseline. Cinacalcet had comparable efficacy in HD and PD patients; 50% of PD patients achieved a mean iPTH < or =300 pg/ml. Cinacalcet also significantly reduced serum calcium, phosphorus, and Ca x P levels compared with control treatment. The most common side effects, nausea and vomiting, were usually mild to moderate in severity and transient. Once-daily oral cinacalcet was effective in rapidly and safely reducing PTH, Ca x P, calcium, and phosphorus levels in patients who received HD or PD. Cinacalcet offers a new therapeutic option for controlling secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with chronic kidney disease on dialysis.

Cinacalcet hydrochloride maintains long-term normocalcemia in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.

Calcimimetics increase the sensitivity of parathyroid calcium-sensing receptors to extracellular calcium, thereby reducing PTH secretion. This multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study assessed the ability of the oral calcimimetic cinacalcet HCl to achieve long-term reductions in serum calcium and PTH concentrations in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (HPT). Patients (n = 78) were randomized to cinacalcet or placebo. Cinacalcet was titrated from 30-50 mg twice daily during a 12-wk dose-titration phase. Efficacy was assessed during 12-wk maintenance and 28-wk follow-up phases. The primary endpoint was the achievement of normocalcemia [serum calcium

Slowing the progression of diabetic nephropathy and its cardiovascular consequences.

This paper incorporates the findings from a multidisciplinary meeting on diabetic nephropathy and its renal and cardiovascular complications into a review article. The epidemic of obesity and the growing elderly population in the United States are primary drivers of a secondary epidemic of incipient type 2 diabetes mellitus and diabetic nephropathy. Current therapies aim to treat blood pressure, particularly with agents that block the renin-angiotensin system, to a target of 130/80 mm Hg. However, even lower blood pressure targets may be optimal. Control of hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia, smoking cessation, exercise, and weight loss all compliment blood pressure control and are achieved most effectively when the patient, provider, and health system are aligned with these goals. Once end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is reached, patients enter the highest cardiovascular risk-state appreciated in human medicine. Because of uniform access to care in the United States, advanced data systems, and circulatory system (intravascular) access in most patients, the ESRD population should be the future sampling frame for newer treatments tested in both prospective cohort and randomized trials. Cardiorenal risk, or the degree of excess cardiovascular risk incurred by patients with chronic kidney disease and ESRD, is a state offering considerable research opportunities for novel cardiovascular risk factors. Future studies should fully consider the possibility that improved outcomes would be achieved at a greater cost; thus, cost-effectiveness studies are essential for understanding the economic aspects of implementation. The goal of an ideal clinical trial would be ESRD prevention; however, pragmatic objectives such as a greater understanding of therapeutic toxicities should also be explored in this population.

Mineral metabolism, mortality, and morbidity in maintenance hemodialysis.

Mortality rates in ESRD are unacceptably high. Disorders of mineral metabolism (hyperphosphatemia, hypercalcemia, and secondary hyperparathyroidism) are potentially modifiable. For determining associations among disorders of mineral metabolism, mortality, and morbidity in hemodialysis patients, data on 40,538 hemodialysis patients with at least one determination of serum phosphorus and calcium during the last 3 mo of 1997 were analyzed. Unadjusted, case mix-adjusted, and multivariable-adjusted relative risks of death were calculated for categories of serum phosphorus, calcium, calcium x phosphorus product, and intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) using proportional hazards regression. Also determined was whether disorders of mineral metabolism were associated with all-cause, cardiovascular, infection-related, fracture-related, and vascular access-related hospitalization. After adjustment for case mix and laboratory variables, serum phosphorus concentrations >5.0 mg/dl were associated with an increased relative risk of death (1.07, 1.25, 1.43, 1.67, and 2.02 for serum phosphorus 5.0 to 6.0, 6.0 to 7.0, 7.0 to 8.0, 8.0 to 9.0, and >/=9.0 mg/dl). Higher adjusted serum calcium concentrations were also associated with an increased risk of death, even when examined within narrow ranges of serum phosphorus. Moderate to severe hyperparathyroidism (PTH concentrations >/=600 pg/ml) was associated with an increase in the relative risk of death, whereas more modest increases in PTH were not. When examined collectively, the population attributable risk percentage for disorders of mineral metabolism was 17.5%, owing largely to the high prevalence of hyperphosphatemia. Hyperphosphatemia and hyperparathyroidism were significantly associated with all-cause, cardiovascular, and fracture-related hospitalization. Disorders of mineral metabolism are independently associated with mortality and morbidity associated with cardiovascular disease and fracture in hemodialysis patients.

Characteristics of treated hypertension in incident hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of hypertension in dialysis patients is prevalent and poorly characterized. beta-Blockers and calcium channel blockers (CCBs) have been associated with reduced all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. This study describes the treatment of hypertension and assesses the association between mortality and class of antihypertensive medication among a cohort of dialysis patients. METHODS: The US Renal Data System (USRDS) Dialysis Morbidity and Mortality Study Wave II cohort was analyzed. A total of 2,877 patients initiating hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis in 1996 or 1997 and treated with antihypertensives were included in this analysis. Vital status was followed until November 2000. RESULTS: Calcium channel blockers were prescribed to 70.3% of patients. Only 31.5% and 27.0% of patients with cardiovascular disease were prescribed angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and beta-blockers, respectively. Mono-, double-, triple-, and more than triple-therapy were reported in 48.0%, 36.1%, 13.2%, and 2.7% of the cohort, respectively. In multivariable, fully adjusted models, no individual class of antihypertensives was associated with changes in all-cause mortality. In all patients, nondihydropyridine CCBs (non-DHP CCBs) were associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular death (hazard ratio, 0.78; 95% confidence interval, 0.62 to 0.97) and among end-stage renal disease patients with preexisting cardiovascular disease, dihydropyridine CCBs (DHP CCBs) and non-DHP CCBs were associated with reduced risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. CONCLUSION: Calcium channel blocker use is widespread among hypertensive dialysis patients. Antihypertensive prescription patterns suggest a lack of consensus regarding treatment of hypertension. Multivariable analysis of associations between antihypertensive class and mortality reveals results of uncertain clinical significance. Hypertension treatment trials in dialysis patients should be performed to appropriately inform treatment decisions.

Interactions between dialysis-related volume exposures, nutritional surrogates and mortality among ESRD patients.

BACKGROUND: Interdialytic weight gain is used as a surrogate for volume expansion in haemodialysis patients and as an indicator of non-compliance. Increased weight gain is associated with both a greater mortality risk and better nutrition indices. This analysis characterizes the association between dialysis-related volume expansion and mortality in the context of its interaction with nutritional surrogates. METHODS: All patients receiving haemodialysis through Fresenius Medical Care-North America during 1998 were included. The percentage reduction in weight or intradialytic weight loss (IDWL%) was defined as the difference between the average of pre- and post-dialysis weights from the last 3 months of 1997 expressed as a percentage of post-dialysis weight. Associations between IDWL% and clinical and demographic variables were estimated using linear regression. The association between mortality risk and IDWL% was estimated using Cox proportional hazards regression. RESULTS: Younger age, male gender, the presence of diabetes mellitus, decreasing cholesterol, post-dialysis weight and pre-dialysis blood pressure (systolic and pulse pressure) were associated with increased IDWL%. Increasing IDWL% was associated with increasing phosphorus, creatinine, albumin, potassium and urea reduction ratio. Increasing IDWL% was significantly associated with mortality at 1 year [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.07, P = 0.003]. Among patients with diabetes mellitus, increasing IDWL% was associated with a mortality HR of 1.03 (P = 0.02). Among patients without diabetes mellitus, increasing IDWL% was not associated with an increased mortality risk. Increasing IDWL% is associated with a greater mortality risk among patients with creatinine <7.26, which failed to remain significant for patients whose creatinine was >or=7.26 mg/dl. Increasing IDWL% is associated with a greater mortality risk among patients with greater post-dialysis weight, greater body mass index and lower serum sodium measurements. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms and extends the findings of the deleterious association between increasing IDWL% and mortality among patients with diabetes mellitus and among subgroups based on serum creatinine and body weight. The putative deleterious effect of dialysis-related volume expansion on mortality must be interpreted in the context of the patient's diabetic and nutritional status.

White blood cells as a novel mortality predictor in haemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Many conventional cardiovascular risk factors in the general population are not as predictive in end-stage renal disease (ESRD). As absolute neutrophil count and total white blood cell (WBC) count are associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes and all-cause mortality, this analysis was undertaken to explore the associations of WBC variables with mortality risk in ESRD. METHODS: Of a total study population of 44 114 ESRD patients receiving haemodialysis during 1998 at facilities operated by Fresenius Medical Care, North America, 25 661 patients who underwent differential white cell count and had complete follow-up were included. Information on case mix (age, gender, race), clinical (diabetes, body mass index), and laboratory variables (haematocrit, albumin, creatinine, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, bicarbonate, ferritin, transferrin saturation and differential WBC count) was obtained. Associations between lymphocyte count, neutrophil count and demographic and clinical variables were examined using linear regression. Associations between WBC variables and survival were estimated using Cox proportional hazard regression. RESULTS: A higher lymphocyte count was associated with higher serum albumin and creatinine, lower age and black race. High neutrophil count was associated with lower serum albumin and creatinine, younger age and white race (all Ps <0.0001). Cox proportional hazard regression showed an increased lymphocyte count was associated with reduced mortality risk [HR 0.86 (0.83-0.89) per 500/ml increase in lymphocyte count] and an increased neutrophil count was associated with increased mortality risk [HR 1.08 (1.06-1.09) per 1000/ml increase in neutrophil count]. CONCLUSIONS: An increased neutrophil count is strongly associated with, and reduced lymphocyte count associated less strongly with, many surrogates of both malnutrition and inflammation. An increased neutrophil count and reduced lymphocyte count are independent predictors of increased mortality risk in haemodialysis patients.

Regional variability in anaemia management and haemoglobin in the US.

BACKGROUND: Regional differences in haemoglobin values and process care measures were examined using data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Clinical Performance Measures Project. It was posited that regional differences in haemoglobin values are consequent upon differences in components of clinical practice. METHODS: A national random sample of 8336 adult, in-centre haemodialysis patients, stratified by the 18 regional ESRD Networks, was drawn. Information was collected for October-December 1998. Multivariable stepwise linear and logistic regression analyses were performed to identify variables associated with haemoglobin. Linear regression analysis was used to identify variables associated with Epo/Hb index (mean weight-adjusted treatment level erythropoietin (Epo) dose divided by mean haemoglobin). RESULTS: The percentage of patients with haemoglobin concentration < 11 g/dl ranged from 34 to 52% across ESRD Networks. In addition to haemoglobin there was significant, non-random variation among ESRD Networks with regard to prescribed Epo dose and administration route, intravenous (IV) iron prescription and dialyser flux (high flux = KUf > or = 20 ml/mmHg/h) (all P-values < 0.001). Higher haemoglobin was associated with older age, male gender, higher serum albumin, higher transferrin saturation, higher Kt/V, lower serum ferritin and lower prescribed Epo dose (all P-values < 0.01). Diabetes mellitus as cause of ESRD, high-flux dialyser use, IV iron prescription or subcutaneous Epo prescription were not associated with haemoglobin. Male gender, diabetes as cause of ESRD, older age, higher transferrin saturation and higher albumin concentrations were associated with lower Epo/Hb index. Prescription of IV iron and IV Epo were associated with higher Epo/Hb index. CONCLUSIONS: Regional mean haemoglobin levels vary considerably across the US and the variation in haemoglobin is explained by both non-modifiable factors and modifiable clinical practice-derived variables.