[Attention deficit disorder with/without hyperactivity and obesity in adolescence]. / Trouble du déficit de l'attention avec/ou sans hyperactivité et obésité à l'adolescence.

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neuropsychiatric disorder associated with significant impairment and distress throughout the lifespan. ADHD is also frequently associated with obesity. Epidemiological studies that have strongly suggested a causal relationship between ADHD and obesity, underscoring the importance of clarifying the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. An important focus has been the link between ADHD-related impulsivity and obesity, potentially mediated by impulsive eating behavior. Studies suggest that targeting the impulsive dimension of ADHD significantly reduces the risk of obesity. ADHD detection and treatment in children, adolescents and adults is important in terms of prevention and managing of obesity across the lifespan.

Le trouble déficitaire de l'attention avec hyperactivité (TDAH) est un trouble neuropsychiatrique prévalent lié à une déficience et à une détresse significative tout au long de la vie. Il est également fréquemment associé à l'obésité, des études épidémiologiques ayant prouvé une relation de cause à effet. Le lien entre l'impulsivité liée au TDAH et l'obésité a fait l'objet d'une attention particulière. Des études suggèrent que le fait de cibler la dimension impulsive du TDAH devrait réduire de manière significative le risque d'obésité. La détection et le traitement du TDAH chez les adolescents souffrant d'obésité sont importants pour la prévention et la prise en charge de cette pathologie souvent réfractaire aux traitements habituels de l'obésité.

Family based behavioral treatment in adolescents suffering from obesity: evolution through adulthood.

BACKGROUND: Family Based Behavioral Treatments (FBBT) are reported to have a favorable impact on the short and mid-term evolution on the body mass index (BMI) of adolescents suffering from obesity. This study investigated the long-term BMI z-score evolution, as well as variables associated with favorable or unfavorable evolution in adolescents who beneficiated from FBBT group therapy treatment for obesity. METHODS: This was a prospective study including adolescents who participated in FBBT group therapy for obesity sessions (n = 131). All adolescents were invited for a study's clinical interview 4 years after the therapy, during which their weight and height were measured, and they answered a questionnaire on some life habits. Anthropometric measurements at the time of therapy as well as socio-demographic data were retrospectively extracted from the electronic medical record. RESULTS: Seventy-six subjects (57% of the sample) accepted to participate in the study. At the study's clinical interview (mean 5.5 years after FBBT), 52.6% of the adolescents showed a favorable evolution of their weight status defined as a decrease (>-0.2) or stabilization (between - 0.2 and + 0.2) of their BMI z-score. 32% were engaged in a daily physical activity and 40.6% monitored their weight at least once a week or more. Only these 2 variables were associated with a favorable evolution (p = 0.009 and p = 0.001, respectively). Less than half of the sample (45.9%) have maintained a medical weight-management follow up, of which 67% had a BMI equal or more than 30. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term evolution of the BMI z-score was favorable for most of the adolescents, emphasizing the potential benefits of FBBT treatment on the long term for adolescents suffering from obesity. This study highlighted the difficulty for long-term weight management follow up in this population at risk of numerous medical comorbidities, confirming the need to improve adherence to weight management treatment at this age of transition of care. Prospective observational study registered.

Impact of COVID-19 lockdown on adolescents in treatment for obesity.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown on body mass index (BMI) z-score of adolescents treated for obesity, and to assess the correlation between BMI z-score changes and lifestyle variables. METHODS: This cross-sectional study recruited 66 participants aged 11-18 years with overweight or obesity who attended our obesity clinics before and after the lockdown. We assessed demographic and anthropometric characteristics as well as lifestyle variables. RESULTS: The mean BMI z-score of the participants was stable during this period (p = 0.233). Balanced diet, snacking, and sweet beverage consumption improved in about half of the participants. Having at least one parent at home was associated with a significantly more balanced diet (p = 0.008) and an increase in family activities (p = 0.015). Physical activities decreased (51.5%) and screen time increased for most of the adolescents (86.4%). The BMI z-score decreased significantly when three or more lifestyle habits improved (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that BMI z-scores were stable for a majority of adolescents treated for obesity during the COVID19 lockdown, along with positive and negative changes on weight-related lifestyle habits. This extraordinary period may have created opportunities for lifestyle modification and has emphasized the importance of family support in the management of obesity in adolescents.

Bioimpedance-Guided Monitoring of Volume Status in Patients With Kidney Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background and Objective: Bioimpedance technologies are increasingly used to determine fluid status in patients with chronic kidney disease and those with end-stage kidney disease on dialysis. We aimed to determine whether this technology improves clinical outcomes as compared with usual care. Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of trials, comparing fluid management guided by bioimpedance technologies to standard of care in patients with chronic kidney disease. Our primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes included blood pressure control, all-cause hospitalization, major adverse cardiovascular events, and change in left ventricular mass index. Results: Our search identified 819 citations of which 12 randomized controlled trials were included (2420 patients). No studies of non-dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease patients met inclusion criteria. Mean age was 55 years and mean follow-up was 1 year. There was a statistically significant difference in all-cause mortality between both arms studied (risk ratio [RR] 0.64, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.44, 0.99). Better blood pressure control was observed in the bioimpedance arm of the included articles, weighted mean differences (WMD) -3.13 mm Hg (95% CI: -5.73, -0.53 mm Hg) for systolic blood pressure and WMD -2.50 mm Hg (95% CI: -4.36, -0.64 mm Hg) for diastolic blood pressure. No difference was observed concerning the other outcomes. Conclusions: Among patients on maintenance dialysis, bioimpedance-guided volume management showed decreased all-cause mortality and blood pressure but no significant difference in all-cause hospitalization, major adverse cardiac event, or change in left ventricular mass index. This may be due to a younger population sample than previous articles. Moreover, our study identified a knowledge gap by highlighting the lack of studies evaluating this technology in non-dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease patients.

Contexte et objectif: Les technologies de bio-impédance sont de plus en plus utilisées pour déterminer le statut hydrique des patients atteints d'insuffisance rénale chronique et des patients atteints d'insuffisance rénale terminale sous dialyze. Notre objectif était de vérifier si cette technologie améliore les résultats cliniques des patients par rapport aux soins habituels. Méthodologie: Nous avons procédé à une revue systématique et à une méta-analyze d'essais comparant la gestion des fluides guidée par les technologies de bio-impédance aux normes de soins chez les patients atteints d'insuffisance rénale chronique. Le principal critère de jugement était la mortalité toutes causes confondues. La régulation de la pression artérielle, l'hospitalization toutes causes confondues, les événements cardiovasculaires majeurs indésirables et la modification de l'index de masse ventriculaire gauche constituaient les critères de jugement secondaires. Résultats: Notre recherche a permis de répertorier 819 citations, desquelles 12 essais contrôlés randomisés ont été retenus (2 420 patients). Aucune étude portant sur des patients atteints d'insuffisance rénale chronique non dépendants de la dialyze ne remplissait les critères d'inclusion. L'âge moyen des sujets était de 55 ans et le suivi moyen était d'un an. Une différence statistiquement significative a été observée entre les deux bras étudiés en ce qui concerne la mortalité toutes causes confondues (RR: 0.64; IC 95% entre: 0.44, 0.99). Une meilleure régulation de la pression artérielle a été observée dans le bras de bio-impédance des manuscrits inclus, soit une moyenne pondérée des écarts de −3.13 mm Hg (IC 95% entre: −5.73, −0.53 mm Hg) pour la pression artérielle systolique et de −2.50 mm Hg (IC 95% entre: −4.36, −0.64 mm Hg) pour la pression artérielle diastolique. Aucune différence n'a été observée pour les autres résultats. Conclusion: Chez les patients sous dialyze d'entretien, la prise en charge du volume guidée par la bio-impédance a montré une diminution de la mortalité toutes causes confondues et une meilleure régulation de la pression artérielle. Aucune différence significative n'a été cependant observée dans les hospitalisations toutes causes confondues, les événements cardiaques majeurs indésirables ou la modification de l'index de masse ventriculaire gauche. Ce résultat pourrait être attribuable au fait que l'échantillon de population était cette fois-ci plus jeune que les populations étudiées dans les manuscrits précédents. De plus, notre étude a permis d'identifier un écart dans les connaissances en soulignant le manque d'études évaluant cette technologie chez les patients atteints d'insuffisance rénale chronique non dépendants de la dialyze.

Identifying Modifiable System-Level Barriers to Living Donor Kidney Transplantation.

Introduction: Studying existing health systems with variable living donor kidney transplantation (LDKT) performance and understanding factors that drive these differences can inform comprehensive system-level approaches to improve LDKT. We aimed to quantify previously identified barriers and estimate their association with LDKT performance. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of health professionals (HPs). Statements, rated on a Likert scale of "strongly disagree" to "strongly agree", captured themes related to communication; role perception; HP's education, training and comfort; attitudes; referral process; patient; as well as resources and infrastructure. The percentage who agreed with these statements was analyzed and compared by LDKT performance (living donation rates higher or lower than the national average) and participant characteristics. Results: We obtained 353 complete responses. Themes related to poor communication, poor role perception, and HPs education or training or comfort emerged as barriers to LDKT. When compared with HPs from high-performing provinces, those from low-performing provinces had lower odds of agreeing that their province promoted LDKT (adjusted odd ratio [aOR] = 0.27, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.16-0.48). They also had lower odds of initiating discussions about LDKT (aOR = 0.30, 95% CI: 0.17-0.55), and higher odds of agreeing that the transplant team is best suited to discuss LDKT (aOR = 2.64, 95% CI: 1.60-4.33) and that more resources would increase LDKT discussions (aOR = 2.06, 95% CI: 1.25-3.40). Nonphysician role and less than 10 years of experience were associated with the level of agreement across several themes. Creating guidelines, streamlining evaluations, and improving communication were ranked as priorities to increase LDKT. Conclusion: There are system-level barriers to LDKT and some were more prevalent in low-performing provinces. Interventions to eliminate them should be implemented in conjunction with patient-level interventions as part of a comprehensive system-level approach to increase LDKT.

Evaluation of the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on BMI in children and adolescents with or without obesity.

BACKGROUND: In Switzerland, from March 15th to May 11th 2020, schools and most shops were closed nationwide due to the COVID-19-related lockdown. This cessation of activities may have impacted weight gain in children and adolescents. The aims of our study were to evaluate the effects of the COVID-19 lockdown on the BMI of children and adolescents in treatment for obesity, and to compare its evolution to that of the previous year at the same time, as well as to that of normal-weight children. METHODS: This retrospective study gathered demographic and anthropometric data from subjects aged 6-18 years both with normal weight and with obesity, who attended our hospital clinics at four time points: before and after the lockdown period in 2020, and at the same times of the year in 2019. We used paired t-tests to assess weight, BMI and BMI z-score changes, linear and standard multiple regressions, independent Student's t-tests or Chi-square tests to compare groups, and Pearson correlation coefficient when appropriate. RESULTS: Forty-seven children with obesity and 18 normal-weight subjects had complete data for the 4 visits. The mean BMI increased in both groups during the lockdown (obese: + 0.96 ± 1.5 vs. control: + 0.51 ± 0.1), however the increase was significantly more important in the subjects with obesity compared to the same period in 2019 (2019: + 0.33 ± 1.0; mean difference between 2019 and 2020: + 0.63 ± 2.0 p = 0.034). CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 lockdown had a negative impact on the BMI of youth with obesity. Interestingly we observed extreme changes in this population, which was not the case in normal-weight children. Therefore, families with a child with obesity must be actively supported during these stressful and obesogenic periods of confinement.

[Health needs of unaccompanied minors - An experience of a consultation for adolescents in Geneva]. / Besoins de santé des mineurs non accompagnés - L'expérience d'une consultation d'adolescents à Genève.

This article addresses the health needs of unaccompanied undocumented minors (UMs) received in Geneva. In our experience and according to the literature, the most frequent diagnoses in this population are depression, anxiety disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder and substance abuse. Their medical and psychological treatments are often complicated by their psychosocial difficulties as well as by their wandering. Their treatment should be given by a multidisciplinary care team that works with the different structures that support them both socially and administratively. The adolescent health unit of the Geneva University Hospital give them the opportunity to reclaim their physical and mental health. It also enables them to bond with others and rethink their future trajectories.

Cet article propose d'aborder les besoins de santé des mineurs non accompagnés non requérants d'asile accueillis à Genève. Dans notre expérience et selon la littérature, les diagnostics les plus fréquents dans cette population sont les troubles anxio­dépressifs, l'état de stress post-traumatique et les abus de substances. Leur prise en charge, souvent compliquée par leurs difficultés psychosociales et leur errance, devrait se faire par une équipe pluridisciplinaire de soins ainsi qu'en réseau avec les différentes structures qui les soutiennent sur le plan social et administratif. L'Unité santé jeunes (USJ) des Hôpitaux universitaires de Genève leur propose des espaces pour se réapproprier leur santé tant physique que psychique, afin de leur donner la possibilité de se lier à l'autre et de repenser leur errance.

Health status and healthcare services utilisation among unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors settled in Switzerland: a protocol for a retrospective cohort study from a hospital-based youth outpatient clinic.

INTRODUCTION: Unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors (UASMs) represent a population group with complex healthcare needs. Initial and ongoing healthcare is challenging for host countries but considered essential. This publication describes the protocol concerning a large cohort of UASMs settled in Switzerland in 2015-2016. Our aim is to assess their health status and examine their trajectories of healthcare services utilisation during the 3-year period after their initial health control. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will retrospectively analyse data of all newly arrived UASMs aged 12-18 years who benefited from a first health assessment at the Youth Clinic of Geneva University Hospitals between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2016. Source of data will be electronic medical records. Main outcomes include the determination of their health status (acute and chronic conditions) and the utilisation of different care sectors (ambulatory primary care and subspecialty clinics, emergency room and inpatient wards). A secondary outcome will be the identification of patients at risk for high use of services as well as those with limited access to care. We will extract the following data: demographic characteristics (age, gender and country of origin), social determinants (place of residence, the presence of family in Geneva, school performance and asylum status), clinical information (reason for attending service, anthropometric measurements and medical diagnosis at discharge) and laboratory parameters (complete blood count, ferritin level, 25-hydroxyvitamin D level, hepatitis B antigen and antibodies, tetanus antibodies, QuantiFERON and stool and serology tests for intestinal parasites). We will collect data from first health assessment and during a follow-up period of 3 years for each patient. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: In accordance with the Swiss clinical research law, this protocol has been approved by the local ethics committee (project ID: 2021-01260). Our findings will provide important information for the development of quality healthcare services focusing to UASMs. We intend to disseminate our results through publication in peer-reviewed journals.

[Eating disorders and obesity in adolescents†: clinical implications]. / Troubles des conduites ­alimentaires et obésité à l'adolescence†: ­implications cliniques.

Binge eating disorder (BED) is associated with obesity and a quarter of adolescents with weight excess may suffer from the complete or a partial form of this disorder. A systematic screening for BED should be performed in this population as non-identification will complicate the patient's management. A short screening tool, -named ADO-BEDs, was specifically developed for these adolescents. This latter tool appears to be useful to guide the medical consul-tation. As such, the health professional will be able to refer the -patient for further evaluation in case of BED suspicion. Health -professionals should be aware that body dissatisfaction or teasing triggered by the adolescent's body are not an incentive to lose weight and increase the risk of eating disorders. Therefore, negative comments should be avoided in consultation.

Les troubles des conduites alimentaires (TCA) de type accès ­hyperphagiques sont associés à l'obésité et sont présents sous leurs formes complètes ou partielles chez près d'un quart des adolescents en excès de poids. Un dépistage systématique doit être effectué dans cette population lorsqu'elle consulte, afin de permettre une prise en charge optimale. Un outil de dépistage nommé ADO-BEDs a été spécifiquement développé pour ces ­adolescents. Utile pour guider la consultation, il permet au ­soignant d'aborder le trouble et d'adresser le patient pour une évaluation spécialisée en cas de suspicion de TCA. Viser une ­augmentation de l'insatisfaction corporelle ou faire des commentaires négatifs portant sur le physique de l'adolescent ne sont pas une aide à la motivation, mais augmentent le risque de TCA et devraient être évités en consultation.

Bioimpedance-measured volume overload predicts longer duration of mechanical ventilation in intensive care unit patients.

PURPOSE: Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is a technology that provides a rapid, non-invasive measurement of volume in body compartments and may aid the physician in the assessment of volume status. We sought to investigate the effect of BIA-measured volume status on duration of mechanical ventilation, 28-day mortality, and acute kidney injury requiring renal replacement therapy in a population of medical/surgical patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS: Prospective observational study of adult patients who required mechanical ventilation within 24 hr of admission to ICU. Bioelectrical impedance analysis measured extracellular water (ECW) and total body water (TBW) and these measurements were recorded on days 1, 3, 5, and 7. RESULTS: A total of 36 patients were enrolled. Mean (standard deviation) age was 61.8 (21.3) years and 31% of patients were female. The majority were admitted from the emergency department or operating room. The most common diagnosis was sepsis. At 28 days, eight patients (22%) had died. There was no association between ECW/TBW ratio at day 1 and 28-day mortality (odds ratio, 1.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.6 to 2.3) after adjusting for age, sex, and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score. The median [interquartile range] number of ventilator days was 5 [2.5-7.5]. On day 1, for each 1% increase in the ECW/TBW ratio, there was a 1.2-fold increase in ventilator days (95% CI, 1.003 to 1.4; P = 0.05). It is notable that 20% of eligible patients could not be enrolled because medical equipment interfered with correct electrode placement. CONCLUSION: Bioimpedance-measured ECW/TBW on day 1 of admission to the ICU is associated with time on the ventilator. While this technology may be a useful adjunct to the clinical assessment of volume status, there are technical barriers to its routine use in a general ICU population.

Renal artery reconstruction and kidney autotransplantation for Takayasu arteritis-induced renal artery stenosis.

A young woman with Takayasu arteritis and complex renal artery stenosis in a solitary functional kidney underwent an ex vivo revascularization with autologous saphenous vein graft and renal autotransplantation. Before surgery, she had resistant hypertension and recurrent episodes of acute kidney injury. Two years later, her blood pressure is 123/77 mm Hg, and there have been no acute kidney injury episodes. Computed tomography scan demonstrates no abnormal thickening of the graft despite proximal progression of disease to involve the superior mesenteric artery. As Takayasu arteritis is a progressive disease, use of autologous vein graft, which is unlikely to become involved, is of paramount importance.

Health Professional-Identified Barriers to Living Donor Kidney Transplantation: A Qualitative Study.

BACKGROUND: Living donor kidney transplantation (LDKT) has several advantages over deceased donor kidney transplantation. Yet rates of living donation are declining in Canada and there exists significant interprovincial variability. Efforts to improve living donation tend to focus on the patient and barriers identified at their level, such as not knowing how to ask for a kidney or lack of education. These efforts favor those who have the means and the support to find living donors. Thus, a Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)-organized workshop recommended that education efforts to understand and remove barriers should focus on health professionals (HPs). Despite this, little attention has been paid to what they identify as barriers to discussing LDKT with their patients. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to explore HP-identified barriers to discuss living donation with patients in 3 provinces of Canada with low (Quebec), moderate (Ontario), and high (British Columbia) rates of LDKT. DESIGN: This study consists of an interpretive descriptive approach as it enables to move beyond description and inform clinical practice. SETTING: Purposive criterion and quota sampling were used to recruit HPs from Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia who are involved in the care of patients with kidney disease and/or with transplant coordination. PATIENTS: Not applicable. MEASUREMENTS: Semistructured interviews were conducted. The interview guide was developed based on a preliminary analytical framework and a review of the literature. METHODS: Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data stemming from the interviews. The coding process comprised of a deductive and inductive approach, and the use of a qualitative analysis software (NVivo 11). Following this, themes were identified and developed. Interviews were conducted until thematic saturation was obtained. In total, we conducted 16 telephone interviews as thematic saturation was attained. RESULTS: Six predominant themes emerged: (1) lack of communication between transplant and dialysis teams, (2) absence of referral guidelines, (3) role perception and lack of multidisciplinary involvement, (4) HP's lack of information and training, (5) negative attitudes of some HP toward LDKT, (6) patient-level barriers as defined by the HP. HPs did mention patients' attitudes and some characteristics as the main barriers to discussions about living donation; this was noted in all provinces. HPs from Ontario and British Columbia indicated multiple strategies being implemented to address some of these barriers. Those from Ontario mentioned strategies that center on the core principles of provincial-level standardization, while those from British Columbia center on engaging the entire multidisciplinary team and improved role perception. We noted a dearth of such efforts in Quebec; however, efforts around education and promotion, while tentative, have emerged. LIMITATIONS: Social desirability and selection bias. Our analysis might not be applicable to other provinces. CONCLUSIONS: HPs involved with the referral and coordination of transplantation play a major role in access to LDKT. We have identified challenges they face when discussing living donation with their patients that warrant further assessment and research to inform policy change.

CONTEXTE: La transplantation de reins provenant de donneurs vivants présente de nombreux avantages comparativement aux greffes d'organes provenant de donneurs décédés. Pourtant, les taux de greffes de reins provenant de donneurs vivants (GRDV) sont en baisse au Canada et varient beaucoup d'une province à l'autre. Actuellement, les efforts déployés se concentrent principalement sur les patients et des obstacles les touchant; le manque d'information ou le fait qu'ils ignorent comment demander un rein, notamment. Les patients ayant les moyens et le soutien pour trouver un donneur vivant sont ainsi favorisés. Un atelier organisé par l'IRSC a recommandé que les efforts visant la compréhension et l'élimination des obstacles à la GRDV se concentrent davantage sur les professionnels de la santé (PS). Néanmoins, peu d'attention a été accordée à ce que ceux-ci perçoivent comme des entraves à discuter d'une GRDV avec leurs patients. OBJECTIF: Nous voulions savoir ce que les PS de provinces canadiennes avec un taux de GRDV faible (Québec), moyen (Ontario) et élevé (Colombie-Britannique) considéraient comme des entraves à discuter de la procédure avec leurs patients. TYPE D'ÉTUDE: L'étude est une approche interprétative descriptive puisqu'elle dépasse la description et qu'elle est susceptible d'orienter la pratique clinique. CADRE: Des critères choisis à dessein et un échantillonnage par quotas ont été employés pour recruter des PS québécois, ontariens et britanno-colombiens impliqués dans les soins aux patients atteints de néphropathie et/ou dans la coordination des greffes. SUJETS: ne s'applique pas. MESURES: Des interviews semi-structurées ont été menées. Le guide de l'interview a été élaboré à partir d'une grille d'analyse préliminaire et d'une revue de la littérature. MÉTHODOLOGIE: Les données tirées des interviews ont été examinées par analyse thématique et le procédé de codage comportait une approche déductive et inductive, de même que l'utilisation d'un logiciel d'analyse qualitative (NVivo 11). Les principaux thèmes ont été dégagés puis développés, et les interviews ont été menées jusqu'à l'obtention d'une saturation thématique. Un total de 16 interviews téléphoniques a ainsi été mené. RÉSULTATS: Six principaux thèmes ont été dégagés : (1) le manque de communication entre les équipes de dialyse et de transplantation; (2) l'absence de lignes directrices pour l'aiguillage; (3) la perception des rôles et le manque d'implication de l'équipe multidisciplinaire; (4) le manque d'information et de formation de certains PS; (5) les perceptions négatives de certains PS à l'égard d'une GRDV et; (6) les difficultés liées directement aux patients. Dans chaque province sondée, les PS ont mentionné que l'attitude des patients et certaines caractéristiques consistaient les principales entraves à discuter d'une GRDV. Selon les répondants ontariens et britanno-colombiens, plusieurs stratégies sont actuellement mises en œuvre pour pallier ces difficultés. En Ontario, on mise sur l'application provinciale des principes fondamentaux de normalisation, alors qu'on se concentre plutôt sur l'implication de l'équipe multidisciplinaire et l'amélioration de la perception des rôles de chacun en Colombie-Britannique. Un manque d'efforts en ce sens a été observé au Québec, bien que de timides mesures de sensibilisation et de promotion aient émergé. LIMITES: En plus de biais de sélection et liés à l'acceptabilité sociale, notre analyse pourrait ne pas s'appliquer aux autres provinces. CONCLUSION: Les professionnels de la santé impliqués dans l'aiguillage et la coordination des greffes jouent un rôle essentiel dans l'accès à une transplantation de rein provenant d'un donneur vivant. Nous avons identifié les difficultés qu'ils perçoivent à discuter d'une GRDV avec leurs patients; des défis qui justifient une évaluation et des recherches plus poussées en vue d'éclairer les changements d'orientation.

Can Early Introduction of Palliative Care Limit Intensive Care, Emergency and Hospital Admissions in Patients with Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease? A Pilot Randomized Study.

BACKGROUND: Despite their poor prognosis, patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have little access to palliative care and tend to have a high rate of hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) admissions during their last year of life. OBJECTIVES: To determine the feasibility of a home palliative care intervention during 1 year versus usual care, and the possible impact of this intervention on emergency, hospital and ICU admissions, survival, mood, and health-related quality of life (HRQL). METHODS: Prospective controlled study of patients with severe COPD (GOLD stage III or IV) and long-term oxygen therapy and/or home noninvasive ventilation and/or one or more hospital admissions in the previous year for acute exacerbation, randomized to usual care versus usual care with add-on monthly intervention by palliative care specialists at home for 12 months. RESULTS: Of 315 patients screened, 49 (15.5%) were randomized (26 to early palliative care; 23 to the control group); aged (mean ± SD) 71 ± 8 years; FEV1 was 37 ± 14% predicted; 88% with a COPD assessment test score > 10; 69% on long-term oxygen therapy or home noninvasive ventilation. The patients accepted the intervention and completed the assessment scales. After 1 year, there was no difference between groups in symptoms, HRQL and mood, and there was a nonsignificant trend for higher admission rates to hospital and emergency wards in the intervention group. CONCLUSION: Although this pilot study was underpowered to formally exclude a benefit from palliative care in severe COPD, it raises several questions as to patient selection, reluctance to palliative care in this group, and modalities of future trials.

Recollection of participating in a trial: A qualitative study of patients with severe and very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND: Despite having similar palliative needs to patients with lung cancer, advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients are less likely to receive palliative care. To evaluate the effect of introducing specialized palliative care with severe to very severe COPD patients, a randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted in Switzerland. AIM: To explore COPD patients' recollection of the trial, their needs and the usefulness of the palliative care interventions. DESIGN AND SETTING: Qualitative study with advanced COPD patients who participated in a specialized palliative care intervention, conducted in a general hospital. METHOD: Eighteen patients with severe to very severe COPD were interviewed about their experiences. Interviews were transcribed and thematic content analysis was performed. RESULTS: Patients had poor recollection of the trial and difficulties understanding the palliative care intervention. No major differences were observed between patients who received the specialized intervention and those who did not. Content analysis emphasized that although they experienced disabling symptoms, participants tended to attribute their limitations to problems other than COPD and some declared that they were not sick. Patients reported restrictions due to oxygen therapy, and the burden of becoming dependent on it. This dependence resulted in intense anxiety, leading participants to focus on the present only. A strong feeling of perceived helplessness emerged from the patients' interviews. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that poor recollection and understanding of the palliative care intervention act as barriers to the conduct of clinical trials with severe and very severe COPD patients. Their cognitive difficulties, perception of COPD, functional limitations, overwhelming anxiety, focus on the present and perceived helplessness also seem to hinder the implementation of such care.

Interventions to prevent hemodynamic instability during renal replacement therapy in critically ill patients: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Hemodynamic instability related to renal replacement therapy (HIRRT) may increase the risk of death and limit renal recovery. Studies in end-stage renal disease populations on maintenance hemodialysis suggest that some renal replacement therapy (RRT)-related interventions (e.g., cool dialysate) may reduce the occurrence of HIRRT, but less is known about interventions to prevent HIRRT in critically ill patients receiving RRT for acute kidney injury (AKI). We sought to evaluate the effectiveness of RRT-related interventions for reducing HIRRT in such patients across RRT modalities. METHODS: A systematic review of publications was undertaken using MEDLINE, MEDLINE in Process, EMBASE, and Cochrane's Central Registry for Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs). Studies that assessed any intervention's effect on HIRRT (the primary outcome) in critically ill patients with AKI were included. HIRRT was variably defined according to each study's definition. Two reviewers independently screened abstracts, identified articles for inclusion, extracted data, and evaluated study quality using validated assessment tools. RESULTS: Five RCTs and four observational studies were included (n = 9; 623 patients in total). Studies were small, and the quality was mostly low. Interventions included dialysate sodium modeling (n = 3), ultrafiltration profiling (n = 2), blood volume (n = 2) and temperature control (n = 3), duration of RRT (n = 1), and slow blood flow rate at initiation (n = 1). Some studies applied more than one strategy simultaneously (n = 5). Interventions shown to reduce HIRRT from three studies (two RCTs and one observational study) included higher dialysate sodium concentration, lower dialysate temperature, variable ultrafiltration rates, or a combination of strategies. Interventions not found to have an effect included blood volume and temperature control, extended duration of intermittent RRT, and slower blood flow rates during continuous RRT initiation. How HIRRT was defined and its frequency of occurrence varied widely across studies, including those involving the same RRT modality. Pooled analysis was not possible due to study heterogeneity. CONCLUSIONS: Small clinical studies suggest that higher dialysate sodium, lower temperature, individualized ultrafiltration rates, or a combination of these strategies may reduce the risk of HIRRT. Overall, for all RRT modalities, there is a paucity of high-quality data regarding interventions to reduce the occurrence of HIRRT in critically ill patients.

Acute hemodialysis in a young man with severe symptomatic hyponatremia and kidney injury.

A 35-year-old man presented with severe hypo-osmolar hyponatremia (serum sodium 99 mmol/L), profound nonoliguric renal failure (serum creatinine 1240 µmol/L), and nephrotic range proteinuria. Computed tomography of the abdomen revealed nephromegaly and no obstruction. The patient was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and conventional hemodialysis was initiated. To avoid rapid sodium correction, we prescribed concurrent dialysate flow, a low dialysate sodium concentration, a small surface area dialyzer, and a low blood flow rate. We infused dextrose 5% water into the venous return line and adjusted the infusion rate according to hourly sodium concentration. The rate of sodium correction was 7.7 mmol/day over the first 3 days of admission. A subsequent renal biopsy revealed focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and interstitial infiltration with extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma nasal type. The patient died of massive lower gastrointestinal bleeding secondary to lymphomatous involvement day 19 in the ICU. In the setting of acute kidney injury requiring renal replacement therapy and concomitant severe hyponatremia, it is challenging to avoid overcorrection of serum sodium. We describe several key prescription modifications to conventional hemodialysis, factors that affect sodium diffusion at the level of the dialyzer membrane, and the importance of frequent laboratory monitoring.

Interventions to prevent hemodynamic instability during renal replacement therapy for acute kidney injury: a systematic review protocol.

BACKGROUND: Hemodynamic instability during renal replacement therapy (HIRRT) in the form of intradialytic hypotension (IDH) is a frequent complication of hemodialysis in end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), and most studies have focused on this chronic population. However, HIRRT is also an important concern for critically ill ICU patients with acute kidney injury (AKI), complicating an estimated 30% of dialysis treatments in this population. HIRRT can exacerbate organ hypoperfusion in the setting of critical illness and may negatively impact renal recovery in the AKI population. This is a protocol for a systematic review to synthesize the evidence surrounding dialysis-related interventions used to minimize HIRRT in critically ill patients with RRT-requiring AKI. This protocol has been registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) database. METHODS/DESIGN: We will search MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL databases in collaboration with a health information specialist using a comprehensive search strategy. We will also supplement our search with a scan of the "gray literature" to identify relevant ongoing trials or conference abstracts. Observational studies and clinical trials will be included in our analysis. Our outcomes will include the incidence of HIRRT, dialysis-related complications, in-hospital mortality, and renal recovery. Prior to our search, we performed an initial search of these databases and PROSPERO, which yielded no prior or ongoing systematic reviews on this topic. Two reviewers will independently screen the list of identified abstracts using pre-defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Two reviewers will then independently extract data from selected studies and undertake an assessment of their quality using validated tools. DISCUSSION: HIRRT is a common complication of renal replacement therapy not only in ESKD but also in the critically ill AKI population. It can result in early discontinuation of dialysis, further organ injury from hypoperfusion, and possibly negatively impact renal recovery. This systematic review will synthesize the existing evidence on the interventions employed to predict or prevent episodes HIRRT in critically ill patients with RRT-requiring AKI. This systematic review will allow for an understanding the current evidence for interventions to limit HIRRT in AKI and, in doing so, may also highlight areas in need of further research. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42016037754.