Different Perspectives of Spanish Patients and Professionals on How a Dialysis Unit Should Be Designed.

Aim: The opinion of hemodialysis patients, professionals and family members is rarely considered in the design of a hemodialysis unit. Purpose: To know and compare the opinion and preferences of patients, family members and professionals regarding the design of a dialysis unit and the potential activities they believe should be carried out during the session in order to provide architects with real information for the construction of a dialysis center. Patients and Methods: Anonymous and voluntary survey in electronic format addressed to patients, relatives and professionals belonging to the 18 hemodialysis centers of the renal foundation and to ALCER and its different delegations, in relation to leisure activities to be carried out in the dialysis center and preferred design of the treatment room. The results obtained between the patient-family group and the professionals were compared. Results: We received 331 responses, of which 215 were from patients and family members (65%) and 116 (35%) from professionals. The most represented category among professionals was nursing (53%), followed by assistants (24%) and physicians (12.9%). A higher proportion of patients (66%) preferred rooms in groups of 10-12 patients as opposed to professionals who preferred open-plan rooms (p<0.001). The options that showed the most differences between patients and professionals were chatting with colleagues and intimacy (options most voted by patients/families), versus performing group activities and visibility (professionals). Conclusion: The professionals' view of patients' needs does not always coincide with the patients' perception. The inclusion of the perspective of people with kidney disease continues to be a pending issue in which we must improve both patient organizations and professionals, and the opinion of professionals and patients must be included in the design of a dialysis unit and the activities to be developed in it.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Spain in the Successive Pandemic Waves on Hemodialysis Patients and Healthcare Personnel.

(1) Background: The impact of SARS-CoV-2 has been variable over the time course of the pandemic and in different populations. The aim was to analyze the impact of COVID-19 infection in a known population of hemodialysis (HD) patients and professionals in Spain at different times of the pandemic. (2) Methods: We conducted an observational, descriptive study with a follow-up from 3 March 2020 to 23 April 2022 (776 days), using in average of 414 professionals and 1381 patients from 18 HD units in Spain. The data from the positive PCR or the rapid antigen detection test (RADT) subject were analyzed and segmented into six periods (waves). (3) Results: Of 703 positive COVID-19 tests, 524 were HD patients (74.5%), and 179 were HD professionals (25.5%). Overall, 38% of staff and 43% of patients were affected. Differences were observed in regard to incidence (21% vs. 13%), mortality (3.5% vs. 0%), and symptomatology between the patients and professionals and throughout the pandemic. (4) Conclusions: COVID-19 severity varied during different pandemic waves, with a greater impact seen in the first wave. HD professionals and patients had similar infection rates, but patients had higher mortality rates. Community transmission was the primary route of infection.

Etelcalcetide and Paricalcitol in Chronic Kidney Disease: When the Target Is Inflammation.

Introduction: secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHP) is frequent in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), particularly in those in dialysis. To treat this complication, the current options available include phosphorus restriction, phosphate binders, the inhibition of parathyroid hormone (PTH) synthesis and secretion by the supplementation of vitamin D or VDR activators, or the use of calcimimetics. Beyond the control of PTH, the effects of the treatment of SHP on other biomarkers of risk may represent an additional benefit for this population. In this study, we explore the benefits of current SHP treatment options, mainly paricalcitol and/or etelcalcetide in the inflammatory state of hemodialysis (HD) patients. Results: the study finally included 142 maintenance HD patients (5 patients were excluded) followed for 6 months (dialysis vintage 26 ± 30 months, mean age 70 years old, 73% women, 81% Spanish white, 47% diabetic). In this case, 52 patients were on regular treatment with paricalcitol for SHP and 25 patients were eligible to initiate etelcalcetide. The baseline serum levels of Ca, P, PTH, Ferritin, albumin, C-reactive protein (CRP), and other variables were measured. We found serum PTH levels showed an improvement after the treatment with etelcalcetide again paricalcitol and no treatment (p < 0.04). Of note, serum levels of CRP were significantly lower in a small group of patients (n = 11) receiving paricalcitol + etelcalcetide compared to paricalcitol or etelcalcetide alone. The proportion of patients with CRP within target ranges (≤1.0 mg/dL) increased significantly after combined treatment (p < 0.001). Conclusions: etelcalcetide proved to safely reduce the PTH levels without significant adverse events and the possibility of a synergic anti-inflammatory effect with the simultaneous use of Paricalcitol in HD patients.

Mortality in Hemodialysis Patients with COVID-19, the Effect of Paricalcitol or Calcimimetics.

BACKGROUND: In COVID-19 patients, low serum vitamin D (VD) levels have been associated with severe acute respiratory failure and poor prognosis. In regular hemodialysis (HD) patients, there is VD deficiency and markedly reduced calcitriol levels, which may predispose them to worse outcomes of COVID-19 infection. Some hemodialysis patients receive treatment with drugs for secondary hyperparathyroidism, which have well known pleiotropic effects beyond mineral metabolism. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of VD status and the administration of active vitamin D medications, used to treat secondary hyperparathyroidism, on survival in a cohort of COVID-19 positive HD patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional retrospective observational study was conducted from 12 March to 21 May 2020 in 288 HD patients with positive PCR for SARS-CoV2. Patients were from 52 different centers in Spain. RESULTS: The percent of HD patients with COVID-19 was 6.1% (288 out of 4743). Mortality rate was 28.4% (81/285). Three patients were lost to follow-up. Serum 25(OH)D (calcidiol) level was 17.1 [10.6-27.5] ng/mL and was not significantly associated to mortality (OR 0.99 (0.97-1.01), p = 0.4). Patients receiving active vitamin D medications (16/94 (17%) vs. 65/191(34%), p = 0.003), including calcimimetics (4/49 (8.2%) vs. 77/236 (32.6%), p = 0.001), paricalcitol or calcimimetics (19/117 (16.2%) vs. 62/168 (36.9%); p < 0.001), and also those on both paricalcitol and calcimimetics, to treat secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPTH) (1/26 (3.8%) vs. 80/259 (30.9%), p < 0.001) showed a lower mortality rate than patients receiving no treatment with either drug. Multivariate Cox regression analysis confirmed this increased survival. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the use of paricalcitol, calcimimetics or the combination of both, seem to be associated with the improvement of survival in HD patients with COVID-19. No correlation was found between serum VD levels and prognosis or outcomes in HD patients with COVID-19. Prospective studies and clinical trials are needed to support these findings.

Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum and Cardiorenal Disease: A Case Report.

Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by calcification of elastic fibres, skin lesions, fundus lesions and systemic vascular complications. PXE affects approximately 1 in 160,000 people, typically appearing as a formation of yellow papules containing abnormally calcified elastic fibres. The renal involvement of PXE has been reported. Several factors are known to promote soft tissue and accelerated arterial calcification in chronic kidney disease, including systemic inflammation, altered calcium and phosphate homeostasis, hypertension and a deficiency of endogenous calcification inhibitors. Given the impact of this disease, nephrologists may seek additional supportive features to improve and avoid the risk of complications. Moreover, PXE per se represents an interesting model to evaluate vascular disease in the early stages of renal disease. LEARNING POINTS: Pseudoxanthoma elasticum represents a rare disease that can involve renal problems.Vascular compromise in patients affected by pseudoxanthoma elasticum shares some components observed in patients with chronic kidney disease.Disorders of mineral and bone metabolism may coexist or be hidden in patients with pseudoxanthoma elasticum.

Desarrollo de un instrumento para la evaluación del malestar emocional para pacientes renales en diálisis / Development of a questionnaire to assess emotional distress in renal patients undergoing dialysis

Objetivo: Actualmente no existen herramientas validadas para evaluar el malestar emocional en pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica, pese a su alta prevalencia en todas las etapas de la patología. Este trabajo describe el desarrollo de un instrumento breve semiestructurado para la Evaluación del malestar Emocional de los pacientes renales en Diálisis (EE-D). Método: El EE-D incluye cinco preguntas con distintos formatos de respuesta (dicotómico, Likert y preguntas abiertas) para evaluar tristeza, ansiedad, preocupaciones, recursos para afrontar la enfermedad, signos externos de malestar y observaciones. Los ítems de la primera versión se sometieron a un estudio interjueces (N= 10). Posteriormente se realizó un estudio piloto multicéntrico (N= 25 pacientes en 5 hospitales). Resultados: Tras el estudio interjueces un ítem fue eliminado, y otro añadido. Tras el piloto no hubo modificaciones. La puntuación media (sobre 10) fue 4,16 (DT: 3,41) en tristeza y 3,68 (DT: 3,48) en ansiedad. El 48% refirió preocupaciones familiares, el 44% preocupaciones sobre su estado emocional-psicológico y el 40% sobre su enfermedad/tratamientos. Los principales recursos identificados fueron la esperanza en la posibilidad de trasplante y el apoyo social. A juicio de enfermería el 24% presentan expresión facial de malestar y el 16% otros signos de malestar. Discusión: El EE-D muestra unas garantías psicométricas preliminares. Ha sido distribuido en las Unidades de Diálisis de todo el territorio nacional con el objetivo de su implementación clínica en un marco investigador, lo que permitirá el desarrollo de futuros estudios de validación multicéntricos (AU)

Objective: Currently there are no validated assessment tools to explore emotional distress in patients with chronic kidney disease, even though it is very prevalent in all the phases of the disease. This study describes the development of a brief semi-structured interview to assess emotional distress in renal patients undergoing Dialysis (EE-D). Method: The EE-D includes five questions with different response formats (dichotomized, Likert scales and open-questions) to assess sadness, anxiety, concerns, and resources to cope with illness, external signs of distress and other considerations. An interjudge process was used with the items of the first version of the EE-D (N= 10 experts). Hereafter a pilot multicentric study was carried on (N= 25 patients in 5 hospitals). Results: After the interjudge analysis one item was removed from the EE-D, and one item was added. After the pilot study there were no changes in the tool. The average score (range 0 to 10) in sadness was 4.16 (SD= 3.41) and 3.68 (SD= 3.48) in depression. A total of 48% of the participants reported family concerns, 44% concerns about their psychological/ emotional state and 40% about their illness/treatments. The most important resources to cope with the illness were their hope in the possibility of a transplantation and their social support. According to the nursing staff who conducted the interviews 24% of the patients showed facial expression of distress and 16% other external signs of distress. Discussion: The EE-D has shown adequate preliminary psychometric properties. It has been recently distributed to all the dialysis units in Spain with the objective of conducting a multicentric validation study (AU)