A clinical score to predict recovery in end-stage kidney disease due to acute kidney injury.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a major contributor to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). About one-third of patients with ESKD due to AKI recover kidney function. However, the inability to accurately predict recovery leads to improper triage of clinical monitoring and impacts the quality of care in ESKD. Methods: Using data from the United States Renal Data System from 2005 to 2014 (n = 22 922), we developed a clinical score to predict kidney recovery within 90 days and within 12 months after dialysis initiation in patients with ESKD due to AKI. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to examine the effect of various covariates on the primary outcome of kidney recovery to develop the scoring system. The resulting logistic parameter estimates were transformed into integer point totals by doubling and rounding the estimates. Internal validation was performed. Results: Twenty-four percent and 34% of patients with ESKD due to AKI recovered kidney function within 90 days and 12 months, respectively. Factors contributing to points in the two scoring systems were similar but not identical, and included age, race/ethnicity, body mass index, congestive heart failure, cancer, amputation, functional status, hemoglobin and prior nephrology care. Three score categories of increasing recovery were formed: low score (0-6), medium score (7-9) and high score (10-12), which exhibited 90-day recovery rates of 12%, 26% and 57%. For the 12-month scores, the low, medium and high groups consisted of scores 0-5, 6-8 and 9-11, with 12-month recovery rates of 16%, 33% and 62%, respectively. The internal validation assessment showed no overfitting of the models. Conclusion: A clinical score derived from information available at incident dialysis predicts renal recovery at 90 days and 12 months in patients with presumed ESKD due to AKI. The score can help triage appropriate monitoring to facilitate recovery and begin planning long-term dialysis care for others.

Similar Risk of Kidney Failure among Patients with Blinding Diseases Who Receive Ranibizumab, Aflibercept, and Bevacizumab: An Observational Health Data Sciences and Informatics Network Study.

PURPOSE: To characterize the incidence of kidney failure associated with intravitreal anti-VEGF exposure; and compare the risk of kidney failure in patients treated with ranibizumab, aflibercept, or bevacizumab. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study across 12 databases in the Observational Health Data Sciences and Informatics (OHDSI) network. SUBJECTS: Subjects aged ≥ 18 years with ≥ 3 monthly intravitreal anti-VEGF medications for a blinding disease (diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, exudative age-related macular degeneration, or retinal vein occlusion). METHODS: The standardized incidence proportions and rates of kidney failure while on treatment with anti-VEGF were calculated. For each comparison (e.g., aflibercept versus ranibizumab), patients from each group were matched 1:1 using propensity scores. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the risk of kidney failure while on treatment. A random effects meta-analysis was performed to combine each database's hazard ratio (HR) estimate into a single network-wide estimate. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence of kidney failure while on anti-VEGF treatment, and time from cohort entry to kidney failure. RESULTS: Of the 6.1 million patients with blinding diseases, 37 189 who received ranibizumab, 39 447 aflibercept, and 163 611 bevacizumab were included; the total treatment exposure time was 161 724 person-years. The average standardized incidence proportion of kidney failure was 678 per 100 000 persons (range, 0-2389), and incidence rate 742 per 100 000 person-years (range, 0-2661). The meta-analysis HR of kidney failure comparing aflibercept with ranibizumab was 1.01 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.70-1.47; P = 0.45), ranibizumab with bevacizumab 0.95 (95% CI, 0.68-1.32; P = 0.62), and aflibercept with bevacizumab 0.95 (95% CI, 0.65-1.39; P = 0.60). CONCLUSIONS: There was no substantially different relative risk of kidney failure between those who received ranibizumab, bevacizumab, or aflibercept. Practicing ophthalmologists and nephrologists should be aware of the risk of kidney failure among patients receiving intravitreal anti-VEGF medications and that there is little empirical evidence to preferentially choose among the specific intravitreal anti-VEGF agents. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES: Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.

Challenges in the Care of Patients with AKI Receiving Outpatient Dialysis: AKINow Recovery Workgroup Report.

BACKGROUND: Up to one third of survivors of AKI that required dialysis (AKI-D) during hospitalization remain dialysis dependent at hospital discharge. Of these, 20%-60%, depending on the clinical setting, eventually recover enough kidney function to stop dialysis, and the remainder progress to ESKD. METHODS: To describe the challenges facing those still receiving dialysis on discharge, the AKINow Committee conducted a group discussion comprising 59 participants, including physicians, advanced practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, and patients. The discussion was framed by a patient who described gaps in care delivery at different transition points and miscommunication between care team members and the patient. RESULTS: Group discussions collected patient perspectives of ( 1 ) being often scared and uncertain about what is happening to and around them and ( 2 ) the importance of effective and timely communication, a comfortable physical setting, and attentive and caring health care providers for a quality health care experience. Provider perspectives included ( 1 ) the recognition of the lack of evidence-based practices and quality indicators, the significant variability in current care models, and the uncertain reimbursement incentives focused on kidney recovery and ( 2 ) the urgency to address communication barriers among hospital providers and outpatient facilities. CONCLUSIONS: The workgroup identified key areas for future research and policy change to ( 1 ) improve communication among hospital providers, dialysis units, and patients/care partners; ( 2 ) develop tools for risk classification, subphenotyping, and augmented clinical decision support; ( 3 ) improve education to providers, staff, and patients/care partners; ( 4 ) identify best practices to improve relevant outcomes; ( 5 ) validate quality indicators; and ( 6 ) assess the effect of social determinants of health on outcomes. We urge all stakeholders involved in the process of AKI-D care to align goals and work together to fill knowledge gaps and optimize the care to this highly vulnerable patient population.

Optimum Care of AKI Survivors Not Requiring Dialysis after Discharge: An AKINow Recovery Workgroup Report.

AKI survivors experience gaps in care that contribute to worse outcomes, experience, and cost.Challenges to optimal care include issues with information transfer, education, collaborative care, and use of digital health tools.Research is needed to study these challenges and inform optimal use of diagnostic and therapeutic interventions to promote recovery AKI affects one in five hospitalized patients and is associated with poor short-term and long-term clinical and patient-centered outcomes. Among those who survive to discharge, significant gaps in documentation, education, communication, and follow-up have been observed. The American Society of Nephrology established the AKINow taskforce to address these gaps and improve AKI care. The AKINow Recovery workgroup convened two focus groups, one each focused on dialysis-independent and dialysis-requiring AKI, to summarize the key considerations, challenges, and opportunities in the care of AKI survivors. This article highlights the discussion surrounding care of AKI survivors discharged without the need for dialysis. On May 3, 2022, 48 patients and multidisciplinary clinicians from diverse settings were gathered virtually. The agenda included a patient testimonial, plenary sessions, facilitated small group discussions, and debriefing. Core challenges and opportunities for AKI care identified were in the domains of transitions of care, education, collaborative care delivery, diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, and digital health applications. Integrated multispecialty care delivery was identified as one of the greatest challenges to AKI survivor care. Adequate templates for communication and documentation; education of patients, care partners, and clinicians about AKI; and a well-coordinated multidisciplinary posthospital follow-up plan form the basis for a successful care transition at hospital discharge. The AKINow Recovery workgroup concluded that advancements in evidence-based, patient-centered care of AKI survivors are needed to improve health outcomes, care quality, and patient and provider experience. Tools are being developed by the AKINow Recovery workgroup for use at the hospital discharge to facilitate care continuity.

Impact of COVID-19 on Disease Self-management Among Patients With Advanced CKD: A Qualitative Study.

Rationale & Objective: Patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) and their care partners experienced decreased access to care, and worse physical and emotional health during the Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic. Few studies have explored how COVID-19-related challenges affected disease self-management among those with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) and their care partners. Leventhal's self-regulation model offers a comprehensive framework for understanding disease self-management through the interplay of cognitive beliefs, emotional reactions and social influences. The study aims to examine the impact of COVID-19 on self-management activities among patients with CKD and care partners. Study Design: Qualitative study. Setting & Participants: Adults with advanced CKD, including dialysis and transplant recipients, and their carepartners. Analytical Approach: Thematic Analysis. Results: Among 42 participants, 12 had stage 4 CKD, 5 had stage 5 CKD, 6 were receiving in-center hemodialysis, 5 had a kidney transplant, and 14 were care partners. We identified 4 patient-related themes with corresponding subthemes related to the impact of COVID-19 on self-management: 1) cognitive understanding that COVID-19 is an additional health threat to existing kidney disease, 2) heightened anxiety and vulnerability driven by perceived risk, 3) coping with isolation through virtual interactions with healthcare services and social circles, 4) increased protective behaviors to maximize survival. Three care partner-related themes emerged: 1) hypervigilance in family care and protection, 2) interaction with health system and adaptations to self-management, and 3) increased intensity in caregiving role to facilitate patient self-management. Limitations: The qualitative study design limits the ability to generate generalizable data. Grouping patients with Stage 3 and 4 CKD, in-center hemodialysis, and kidney transplants together limited our ability to examine self-management challenges specific to each treatment requirement. Conclusions: When faced with the COVID-19 pandemic, patients with CKD and their care partners experienced heightened vulnerability and thus increased cautionary activities to maximize survival. Our study provides the groundwork for future interventions to help patients and care partners live with kidney disease during future crises.

Outcomes of kidney transplantation in patients with myeloma and amyloidosis in the USA.

BACKGROUND: Recent improvement in treatment and patient survival has opened the eligibility of kidney transplantation to patients who developed end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) from plasma cell dyscrasias (PCDs). Data on clinical outcomes in this population are lacking. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of United Network for Organ Sharing/Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network dataset (2006-2018) to compare patient and graft outcomes of kidney transplant recipients with ESKD due to PCD versus other causes. RESULTS: Among 168 369 adult first kidney transplant recipients, 0.22-0.43% per year had PCD as the cause of ESKD. The PCD group had worse survival than the non-PCD group for both living and deceased donor types {adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 2.24 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.67-2.99] and aHR 1.40 [95% CI 1.08-1.83], respectively}. The PCD group had worse survival than the diabetes group, but only among living donors [aHR 1.87 (95% CI 1.37-2.53) versus aHR 1.16 (95% CI 0.89-1.2)]. Graft survival in patients with PCD were worse than non-PCD in both living and deceased donors [aHR 1.72 (95% CI 1.91-2.56) and aHR 1.30 (95% CI 1.03-1.66)]. Patient and graft survival were worse in amyloidosis but not statistically different in multiple myeloma compared with the non-PCD group. CONCLUSION: The study data are crucial when determining kidney transplant eligibility and when discussing transplant risks in patients with PCD.

Anticancer Drug-Induced Capillary Leak Syndrome.

The term capillary leak syndrome (CLS) describes the manifestations associated with an increased capillary permeability to proteins leading to an escape of plasma from the blood circulatory system to surrounding tissues, muscle, organs, or body cavities. This results clinically in the typical triad of hypotension, edema, and elevated hematocrit. The more severe cases of CLS may present with cardiovascular collapse, shock, and death. The most classic form of this pathology is represented by the idiopathic systemic CLS (SCLS) also called Clarkson's disease, but capillary leaks are also described as adverse drug reactions foremost among which are anticancer drugs. This review will focus on oncologic drugs such as gemcitabine, therapeutic growth factors or cytokines, and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that appear now as the strongest candidates for anticancer drug-induced CLS.

Acute tubulointerstitial nephritis and COVID-19.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an ongoing pandemic that to date has spread to >100 countries. Acute kidney injury is not uncommon with this disease. The most common kidney biopsy finding is acute tubular injury. Glomerular diseases such as collapsing glomerulopathy and vasculitis, and thrombotic microangiopathy have been reported. Viral inclusion particles with distinctive spikes in the tubular epithelium and podocytes, and endothelial cells of the glomerular capillary loops, have been visualized by electron microscopy by some but disputed by others as non-viral structures. Interstitial infiltrates have not commonly been described in the published kidney biopsy series from patients with COVID-19. Medications used to treat COVID-19 can lead to interstitial nephritis, but very few have been reported. In summary, interstitial kidney disease is a rare finding in COVID-19.

Pathology of COVID-19-associated acute kidney injury.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common among hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), with the occurrence of AKI ranging from 0.5% to 80%. An improved knowledge of the pathology of AKI in COVID-19 is crucial to mitigate and manage AKI and to improve the survival of patients who develop AKI during COVID-19. In this review, we summarize the published cases and case series of various kidney pathologies seen with COVID-19. Both live kidney biopsies and autopsy series suggest acute tubular injury as the most commonly encountered pathology. Collapsing glomerulopathy and thrombotic microangiopathy are other encountered pathologies noted in both live and autopsy tissues. Other rare findings such as anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody vasculitis, anti-glomerular basement membrane disease and podocytopathies have been reported. Although direct viral infection of the kidney is possible, it is certainly not a common or even widespread finding reported at the time of this writing (November 2020).

Outcomes Among Patients Hospitalized With COVID-19 and Acute Kidney Injury.

RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE: Outcomes of patients hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and acute kidney injury (AKI) are not well understood. The goal of this study was to investigate the survival and kidney outcomes of these patients. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: Patients (aged≥18 years) hospitalized with COVID-19 at 13 hospitals in metropolitan New York between March 1, 2020, and April 27, 2020, followed up until hospital discharge. EXPOSURE: AKI. OUTCOMES: Primary outcome: in-hospital death. SECONDARY OUTCOMES: requiring dialysis at discharge, recovery of kidney function. ANALYTICAL APPROACH: Univariable and multivariable time-to-event analysis and logistic regression. RESULTS: Among 9,657 patients admitted with COVID-19, the AKI incidence rate was 38.4/1,000 patient-days. Incidence rates of in-hospital death among patients without AKI, with AKI not requiring dialysis (AKI stages 1-3), and with AKI receiving dialysis (AKI 3D) were 10.8, 31.1, and 37.5/1,000 patient-days, respectively. Taking those without AKI as the reference group, we observed greater risks for in-hospital death for patients with AKI 1-3 and AKI 3D (HRs of 5.6 [95% CI, 5.0-6.3] and 11.3 [95% CI, 9.6-13.1], respectively). After adjusting for demographics, comorbid conditions, and illness severity, the risk for death remained higher among those with AKI 1-3 (adjusted HR, 3.4 [95% CI, 3.0-3.9]) and AKI 3D (adjusted HR, 6.4 [95% CI, 5.5-7.6]) compared with those without AKI. Among patients with AKI 1-3 who survived, 74.1% achieved kidney recovery by the time of discharge. Among those with AKI 3D who survived, 30.6% remained on dialysis at discharge, and prehospitalization chronic kidney disease was the only independent risk factor associated with needing dialysis at discharge (adjusted OR, 9.3 [95% CI, 2.3-37.8]). LIMITATIONS: Observational retrospective study, limited to the NY metropolitan area during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: AKI in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 was associated with significant risk for death.

Pathophysiology and Pathology of Acute Kidney Injury in Patients With COVID-19.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common among hospitalized patients with Coronavirus Infectious Disease 2019 (COVID-19), with the occurrence of AKI ranging from 0.5% to 80%. The variability in the occurrence of AKI has been attributed to the difference in geographic locations, race/ethnicity, and severity of illness. AKI among hospitalized patients is associated with increased length of stay and in-hospital deaths. Even patients with AKI who survive to hospital discharge are at risk of developing chronic kidney disease or end-stage kidney disease. An improved knowledge of the pathophysiology of AKI in COVID-19 is crucial to mitigate and manage AKI and to improve the survival of patients who developed AKI during COVID-19. The goal of this article is to provide our current understanding of the etiology and the pathophysiology of AKI in the setting of COVID-19.

Outcomes of patients with end-stage kidney disease hospitalized with COVID-19.

Given the high risk of infection-related mortality, patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) may be at increased risk with COVID-19. To assess this, we compared outcomes of patients with and without ESKD, hospitalized with COVID-19. This was a retrospective study of patients admitted with COVID-19 from 13 New York hospitals from March 1, 2020, to April 27, 2020, and followed through May 27, 2020. We measured primary outcome (in-hospital death), and secondary outcomes (mechanical ventilation and length of stay). Of 10,482 patients with COVID-19, 419 had ESKD. Patients with ESKD were older, had a greater percentage self-identified as Black, and more comorbid conditions. Patients with ESKD had a higher rate of in-hospital death than those without (31.7% vs 25.4%, odds ratio 1.38, 95% confidence interval 1.12 - 1.70). This increase rate remained after adjusting for demographic and comorbid conditions (adjusted odds ratio 1.37, 1.09 - 1.73). The odds of length of stay of seven or more days was higher in the group with compared to the group without ESKD in both the crude and adjusted analysis (1.62, 1.27 - 2.06; vs 1.57, 1.22 - 2.02, respectively). There was no difference in the odds of mechanical ventilation between the groups. Independent risk factors for in-hospital death for patients with ESKD were increased age, being on a ventilator, lymphopenia, blood urea nitrogen and serum ferritin. Black race was associated with a lower risk of death. Thus, among patients hospitalized with COVID-19, those with ESKD had a higher rate of in-hospital death compared to those without ESKD.

COVID-19 in Hospitalized Patients on Chronic Peritoneal Dialysis: A Case Series.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) population, with high mortality rates reported among patients on hemodialysis. However, the degree to which it has affected the peritoneal dialysis (PD) population in the United States has not yet been elucidated. In this report, we describe the clinical characteristics, presentations, clinical course, and outcomes of ESKD patients on PD hospitalized with COVID-19. METHODS: We describe the characteristics, presentation, and outcomes of adult ESKD patients on chronic PD hospitalized with CO-VID-19 in our 13 major hospitals in the NY health system using descriptive statistical analysis. RESULTS: Of 419 hospitalized patients with ESKD, 11 were on chronic PD therapy (2.6%). Among those 11, 3 patients required mechanical ventilation, 2 of whom died. Of the entire cohort, 9 of the 11 patients (82%) were discharged alive. While fever was a common presentation, more than half of our patients also presented with diarrhea. Interestingly, 3 patients were diagnosed with culture-negative peritonitis during their hospitalization. Seven patients reported positive SARS-CoV-2 exposure from a member of their household. CONCLUSION: Hospitalized patients on PD with COVID-19 had a relatively mild course, and majority of them were discharged home.

Acute kidney injury in patients hospitalized with COVID-19.

The rate of acute kidney injury (AKI) associated with patients hospitalized with Covid-19, and associated outcomes are not well understood. This study describes the presentation, risk factors and outcomes of AKI in patients hospitalized with Covid-19. We reviewed the health records for all patients hospitalized with Covid-19 between March 1, and April 5, 2020, at 13 academic and community hospitals in metropolitan New York. Patients younger than 18 years of age, with end stage kidney disease or with a kidney transplant were excluded. AKI was defined according to KDIGO criteria. Of 5,449 patients admitted with Covid-19, AKI developed in 1,993 (36.6%). The peak stages of AKI were stage 1 in 46.5%, stage 2 in 22.4% and stage 3 in 31.1%. Of these, 14.3% required renal replacement therapy (RRT). AKI was primarily seen in Covid-19 patients with respiratory failure, with 89.7% of patients on mechanical ventilation developing AKI compared to 21.7% of non-ventilated patients. 276/285 (96.8%) of patients requiring RRT were on ventilators. Of patients who required ventilation and developed AKI, 52.2% had the onset of AKI within 24 hours of intubation. Risk factors for AKI included older age, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, black race, hypertension and need for ventilation and vasopressor medications. Among patients with AKI, 694 died (35%), 519 (26%) were discharged and 780 (39%) were still hospitalized. AKI occurs frequently among patients with Covid-19 disease. It occurs early and in temporal association with respiratory failure and is associated with a poor prognosis.