Recent progresses in gut microbiome mediates obstructive sleep apnea-induced cardiovascular diseases.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a multifactorial sleep disorder with a high prevalence in the general population. OSA is associated with an increased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), particularly hypertension, and is linked to worse outcomes. Although the correlation between OSA and CVDs is firmly established, the mechanisms are poorly understood. Continuous positive airway pressure is primary treatment for OSA reducing cardiovascular risk effectively, while is limited by inadequate compliance. Moreover, alternative treatments for cardiovascular complications in OSA are currently not available. Recently, there has been considerable attention on the significant correlation between gut microbiome and pathophysiological changes in OSA. Furthermore, gut microbiome has a significant impact on the cardiovascular complications that arise from OSA. Nevertheless, a detailed understanding of this association is lacking. This review examines recent advancements to clarify the link between the gut microbiome, OSA, and OSA-related CVDs, with a specific focus on hypertension, and also explores potential health advantages of adjuvant therapy that targets the gut microbiome in OSA.

Research hotspots and development trends in volume management of peritoneal dialysis patients: a bibliometrics and visual analysis up to 2022.

OBJECTIVES: Among different renal replacement therapies (RRTs), peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a family based treatment method with multiple advantages, which allowing patients to maintain autonomy, avoiding frequent hospital visits, and preventing the spread of the disease virus. To visually analyze the literatures related to volume management of PD patients through bibliometric methods, to explore research hotspots and development trends in this field. METHODS: The relevant literatures of PD patient volume management in the Web of Science core collection database were retrieved with the terms of peritoneal dialysis, volume management, capacity management, fluid status, and volume overload. The retrieval time was from the establishment of the database to October 2022. CiteSpace 6.1.R3 software was used to visually analyze Country, Institution, Author, Keyword, and draw keyword clusters and keyword emergence maps. RESULTS: A total of 788 articles were included in the analysis, and the annual number of papers was on the rise, with the American, China, and Brirain in the top three, and Peking University and University College London in the top. Keywords cluster analysis showed 11 clusters. In the keyword emergence analysis, the keywords with higher emergence intensity rank are continuous cyclic peritoneal dialysis, ambulatory peritoneal dialysis, and icodextrin. The current research hotspots and trends are in the evaluation of peritoneal dialysis patients' volume status, the selection and adjustment of dialysis prescriptions, and adverse health outcomes. CONCLUSION: The research on peritoneal dialysis volume management in China started late, but it has developed rapidly, and has a firm grasp of current research hotspots. However, there is less cooperation with other countries, so international exchanges and cooperation should be strengthened. At present, the volume assessment methods and dialysis modes are still the research hotspots, paying more attention to the adverse health outcomes of patients.

Exploring factors related to heart attack complicated with hypertension using a Bayesian network model: a study based on the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study.

Objectives: While Bayesian networks (BNs) represents a good approach to discussing factors related to many diseases, little attention has been poured into heart attack combined with hypertension (HAH) using BNs. This study aimed to explore the complex network relationships between HAH and its related factors, and to achieve the Bayesian reasoning for HAH, thereby, offering a scientific reference for the prevention and treatment of HAH. Methods: The data was downloaded from the Online Open Database of CHARLS 2018, a population-based longitudinal survey. In this study, we included 16 variables from data on demographic background, health status and functioning, and lifestyle. First, Elastic Net was first used to make a feature selection for highly-related variables for HAH, which were then included into BN model construction. The structural learning of BNs was achieved using Tabu algorithm and the parameter learning was conducted using maximum likelihood estimation. Results: Among 19,752 individuals (9,313 men and 10,439 women) aged 64.73 ± 10.32 years, Among 19,752 individuals (9,313 men and 10,439 women), there are 8,370 ones without HAH (42.4%) and 11,382 ones with HAH (57.6%). What's more, after feature selection using Elastic Net, Physical activity, Residence, Internet access, Asset, Marital status, Sleep duration, Social activity, Educational levels, Alcohol consumption, Nap, BADL, IADL, Self report on health, and age were included into BN model establishment. BNs were constructed with 15 nodes and 25 directed edges. The results showed that age, sleep duration, physical activity and self-report on health are directly associated with HAH. Besides, educational levels and IADL could indirectly connect to HAH through physical activity; IADL and BADL could indirectly connect to HAH through Self report on health. Conclusion: BNs could graphically reveal the complex network relationship between HAH and its related factors. Besides, BNs allows for risk reasoning for HAH through Bayesian reasoning, which is more consistent with clinical practice and thus holds some application prospects.

The initial attempt at home hemodialysis in mainland China.

BACKGROUND: Observational studies have shown home hemodialysis (HHD) to be associated with better survival than facility hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD). Patients on HHD have reported higher quality of life and independence. HHD is considered to be an economical way to manage end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has had a significant impact on patients with ESKD. Patients on HHD may have an advantage over in-center HD patients because of a lower risk of exposure to infection. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: We enrolled HD patients from our dialysis center. We first established the HHD training center. The training center was approved by the Chinese government. Doctors, nurses and engineers train and assess patients separately. There are three forms of patient monitoring: home visits, internet remote monitoring, and outpatient services. Demographic and medical data included age, sex, blood pressure, and dialysis-related data. Laboratory tests were conducted in our central testing laboratory, including hemoglobin (Hgb), serum creatinine (Cr), urea nitrogen (BUN), uric acid (UA), albumin (Alb), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), parathyroid hormone (PTH), and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels. RESULTS: Six patients who underwent regular dialysis in the HD center of our hospital were selected for HHD training. We enrolled 6 patients, including 4 males and 2 females. The mean age of the patients was 47.5 (34.7-55.7) years, and the mean dialysis age was 33.5 (11.2-41.5) months. After an average of 16.0 (11.2-25.5) months of training, Alb, P and BNP levels were improved compared with the baseline values. After training, three patients returned home to begin independent HD. During the follow-up, there were no serious adverse events leading to hospitalization or death, but there were several adverse events. They were solved quickly by extra home visits of the technicians or online by remote monitoring. During the follow-up time, the laboratory indicators of all the patients, including Hgb, Alb, Ca, P, PTH, BNP, and ß2-MG levels, remained stable before and after HHD treatment. CONCLUSION: HHD is feasible and safe for ESKD in China, but larger-scale and longer-term studies are needed for further confirmation.

Development and validation of prediction model using nursing notes on sentiment scores for prognosis of patients with severe acute kidney injury receiving continuous renal replacement therapy based on computational intelligence algorithms.

Background: Currently, the prediction values of models for the prognosis of acute kidney injury (AKI) receiving continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) were ordinary and establishing a better prediction model is necessary. Nursing notes are an important predictor of in-hospital mortality in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. This study established prognostic prediction models for AKI patients receiving CRRT especially using nursing notes. Methods: Totally, 682 AKI patients undergoing CRRT were included. AKI was diagnosed based on Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria. Four hundred and twelve patients lacking nursing notes data were excluded. Finally, 270 patients were included and randomly divided into a training set (n=189) and a testing set (n=81) at a ratio of 7:3. Univariate analysis explored the possible predictors of mortality in AKI patients receiving CRRT. Random forest models and broad learning system (BLS) models (with or without sentiment scores) were respectively constructed in the training set and verified in the testing set. The performances of the models were assessed by the sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC). Results: For the random forest model including the sentiment scores, the AUC was 0.86 (95% CI: 0.81-0.91), the sensitivity was 0.72 (95% CI: 0.63-0.80), and the specificity was 0.87 (95% CI: 0.80-0.94) in the training set and the AUC was 0.78 (95% CI: 0.68-0.88), the sensitivity was 0.65 (95% CI: 0.49-0.80), and the specificity was 0.75 (95% CI: 0.62-0.88) in the testing set. For the BLS model including the sentiment scores, the AUC was 0.87 (95% CI: 0.82-0.92), the sensitivity was 0.95 (95% CI: 0.91-0.99) and the specificity was 0.48 (95% CI: 0.38-0.59) in the training set and the AUC was 0.82 (95% CI: 0.73-0.91), the sensitivity was 0.41 (95% CI: 0.25-0.56) and the specificity was 0.98 (95% CI: 0.93-1.00) in the testing set. Conclusions: The BLS models including the sentiment scores might offer a tool for quickly identifying patients AKI patients receiving CRRT with high risk of mortality and providing timely interventions to them for improving their prognosis.

A 12-week personalised physical activity and dietary protein intervention for older adults undergoing peritoneal dialysis: A feasibility study.

This single-arm observational study explored the feasibility and efficacy of a 12-week personalised physical activity and dietary protein intervention programme for older adults undergoing peritoneal dialysis. Older adults undergoing peritoneal dialysis received eight individualised nutrition and physical activity advice sessions provided by trained nurses. Protein intake and physical activity were regarded as primary outcomes. All data were collected at baseline and at week 12. The enrolment rate was 78.4%. Twenty-nine patients participated in the study. Of these, 86.2% (25/29) completed the intervention. There was a significant increase in protein intake (t = -4.453, P< 0.001) and physical activity levels (Z = -2.929, P = 0.004). Of the participants, 56.0% achieved the targeted protein goal, and 41.4% met the physical activity goal. The timed up-and-go performance (t = 4.135, P = 0.001) increased after intervention. Trained nurses can successfully implement personalised diet and physical activity advice, and achieve promising patient outcomes.

Automated peritoneal dialysis as a cost-effective urgent-start dialysis option for ESRD patients: A prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have reported the feasibility of urgent-start peritoneal dialysis (PD) as an alternative to hemodialysis (HD) using a central venous catheter (CVC). However, the cost-effectiveness of automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) as an urgent-start dialysis modality has not been directly evaluated, especially in China. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) who required urgent-start dialysis at a single center from March 2019 to November 2020. Patients were grouped according to their urgent-start dialysis modality (APD and HD). Urgent-start dialysis conducted until 14 days after PD catheter insertion. Then, PD was maintained. Each patient was followed until July 2021 or death or loss to follow-up. The primary outcome was the incidence of short-term dialysis-related complications. The secondary outcome was the cost and duration of the initial hospitalization. Technique survival, peritonitis-free or bacteriamia-free survival and patient survival were also compared. RESULTS: Sixty-eight patients were included in the study, of whom 36 (52.9%) patients were in APD group. Mean follow-up duration was 20.1 months. Compared with the HD group, the APD group had significantly fewer short-term dialysis-related complications. The cost of initial hospitalization was also significantly lower in APD patients. There was no significant difference between APD and HD patients with respect to duration of the initial hospitalization, technique survival rate, peritonitis-free or bacteriemia-free survival rate, and patient survival rate. CONCLUSION: Among ESRD patients with an urgent need for dialysis, APD as urgent-start dialysis modality, compared with HD using a CVC, resulted in fewer short-term dialysis-related complications and lower cost.

The Impact of Multidisciplinary Collaborative Nursing Intervention on Arteriovenous Fistula in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of multidisciplinary collaborative nursing intervention on AVF in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) undergoing hemodialysis. Patients (n = 84) with CKD who underwent the first autologous AVF were randomly divided into control group and multidisciplinary collaborative nursing intervention (MCNI) group and they received routine nursing procedure and multidisciplinary collaborative nursing intervention procedure, respectively. The natural blood flow and vessel diameter in MCNI group were higher than that in control group at the fourth week after surgery (p < .05). The vessel diameter in MCNI group at 2 and 4 weeks after operation was significantly larger than that in control group (p < .05).In conclusions, the implementation of multidisciplinary collaborative nursing intervention procedure can significantly promote the maturation of AVF, effectively increase the blood flow of AVF and promote the growth of vessel diameter.

Comparison of the accuracy of measuring blood glucose in whole blood of arteriovenous mixed blood by two kinds of blood glucose meters.

BACKGROUND: Portable blood glucose meters are the main method for detecting the blood glucose status of clinical patients. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the accuracy of detecting blood glucose in haemodialysis patients by sampling two blood glucose meters through the haemodialysis line. METHODS: Convenient sampling was used to select 80 patients with maintenance haemodialysis. The patients were sampled through the arterial end of the haemodialysis line within three minutes of being put on the machine. One specimen was tested by glycemeter1, which can identify the type of blood in the arteries and veins, and glycemeter2, which can only detect blood glucose in the capillaries for bedside blood glucose testing. The other specimen was sent to the laboratory biochemical analyser for blood glucose testing. RESULTS: When the blood glucose value of the first blood glucose meter (No. 1) was compared with the laboratory biochemical analyser, the correlation coefficient was r = 0.805 (p < 0.05), the out of value of the first blood glucose meter accounted for 4.4%, and the consistency reached 95% (p < 0.05). When the blood glucose value of the second blood glucose meter (No. 2) was compared with the laboratory biochemical analyser, the correlation coefficient was r = 0.800 (p < 0.05), the out of value of the second blood glucose meter accounted for 4.4%, and the consistency reached 95% (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: For patients with maintenance haemodialysis, the blood glucose values detected by the two bedside blood glucose meters using arteriovenous mixed blood in the pipeline do not affect the accuracy and can respond more realistically.

Efficacy and safety of polysaccharide iron complex capsules compared with iron sucrose in hemodialysis patients: study protocol for a randomized, open-label, positive control, multicenter trial (IHOPE).

BACKGROUND: Anemia is one of the main complications of chronic kidney disease especially kidney failure, which includes treatment with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents and iron supplementation, including intravenous and oral iron. However, intravenous iron may pose limitations, such as potential infusion reactions. Oral iron is mainly composed of divalent iron, which can excessively stimulate the gastrointestinal tract. Iron polysaccharide complex capsules are a novel oral iron trivalent supplement with higher iron content and lower gastrointestinal irritation. However, since high-quality evidence-based medicinal support is lacking, it is necessary to conduct clinical studies to further evaluate the effectiveness and safety of oral iron polysaccharide complex in chronic kidney disease patients. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial uses an open-label, parallel group design, where the efficacy and safety of maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) participants is evaluated. The experimental group is assigned erythropoietins and iron polysaccharide complex (two capsules each time, bid), and the control group is assigned erythropoietin and sucrose iron (100mg, 2w) injection. Participants (aged 18-75 years) undergoing maintenance hemodialysis were considered for screening. Inclusion criteria included hemoglobin (Hb) ≥110g/L and < 130g/L, transferrin saturation (TSAT) > 20% and < 50%, and serum ferritin (SF) > 200µg/L and < 500µg/L. Exclusion criteria included acute or chronic bleeding, serum albumin < 35g/L, hypersensitive C-reactive protein (HsCRP) > 10 mg/L, and severe secondary hyperparathyroidism (iPTH ≥ 800 pg/mL). Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are described in the "Methods" section. The primary endpoint is TSAT of the participants at week 12. Secondary endpoints include Hb, SF, hematocrit (Hct), HsCRP, pharmacoeconomic evaluation, drug costs, quality of life, and indicators of oxidative stress. The treatment will last for 24 weeks with a follow-up visit at baseline (within 7 days prior to initial treatment) and weeks 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 after initial treatment. This clinical research includes 9 hemodialysis centers in mainland China and plans to enroll 186 participants. DISCUSSION: It is expected that it will provide strong evidence to reveal the clinical efficacy and safety of oral iron in the treatment of chronic CKD-related anemia in MHD patients through this clinical trial. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2000031166 . Registered on March 23, 2020.

Study on the changes of blood glucose in hemodialysis patients with diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to observe the regularity of blood glucose changes in hemodialysis patients with diabetes, time of onset of hypoglycemia and blood glucose level during dialysis, and to explore the sensitive early warning indicators of hypoglycemia in dialysis patients. BACKGROUND: Diabetes patients have a high incidence of hypoglycemia during hemodialysis. METHODS: A total of 124 maintenance hemodialysis patients with diabetes were selected for this study. Before dialysis, one, two, and three h after dialysis, and when hypoglycemia symptoms occurred, the blood glucose changes were monitored, the blood glucose drop range was observed when hypoglycemia symptoms occurred, and the correlation between the two was analyzed. RESULTS: After the start of the dialysis, the patient's blood glucose showed a downward trend. The symptoms of hypoglycemia were most obvious within one-two hours, with an incidence rate of 57.9%. When the blood glucose drop percentage reached 37.7%, the specificity and sensitivity of early warning hypoglycemia symptoms were 84.6 and 73%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: For hemodialysis patients with diabetes, attention should be paid to the symptoms of hypoglycemia during dialysis, and blood glucose should be monitored before dialysis and after 1-2 h of dialysis. If the blood glucose drop percentage is greater than 37.7%, the timely measures should be taken.

Intelligent "Internet Plus" services in the first case of home hemodialysis in mainland China.

BACKGROUND: Many studies have shown that compared with those who use other dialysis modalities, patients using home hemodialysis (HHD) have an increased rate of survival and better quality of life. It was noted in 2006 that there was opportunity for significant expansion of the use of HHD in many countries. China covers a vast area and has a large amount of end-stage renal failure patients. But in mainland China, all dialysis treatments are in-center, and the number of HHD patients is zero. In 2018, our hospital received the permission of the Shanghai government to carry out HHD. CASE PRESENTATION: We initiated four incident hemodialysis patients on an HHD regimen, one patient has been dialyzed in the home safely for 8 months. The biochemical parameters of the first patient remained stable on the regimen and he achieved standard Kt/V urea targets. Treatment-related adverse events were not reported during the follow-up. We combined HHD with intelligent "Internet Plus" real-time remote monitoring and introduced the Internet, especially visualization software, to replace traditional telephone and home visit methods. It is more intuitive and quicker to assist patients in performing home hemodialysis and improve the safety of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: HHD can be performed by selected trained patients in mainland China. Combined with the internet, visualization software, and traditional telephone and home visits, it is intuitive and quick to assist patients in carrying out HHD and improve the safety of treatment. HHD broadens the choices for uremia patients in China.

Study on the changes of blood glucose in hemodialysis patients with diabetes

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to observe the regularity of blood glucose changes in hemodialysis patients with diabetes, time of onset of hypoglycemia and blood glucose level during dialysis, and to explore the sensitive early warning indicators of hypoglycemia in dialysis patients. BACKGROUND: Diabetes patients have a high incidence of hypoglycemia during hemodialysis. METHODS: A total of 124 maintenance hemodialysis patients with diabetes were selected for this study. Before dialysis, one, two, and three h after dialysis, and when hypoglycemia symptoms occurred, the blood glucose changes were monitored, the blood glucose drop range was observed when hypoglycemia symptoms occurred, and the correlation between the two was analyzed. RESULTS: After the start of the dialysis, the patient's blood glucose showed a downward trend. The symptoms of hypoglycemia were most obvious within one-two hours, with an incidence rate of 57.9%. When the blood glucose drop percentage reached 37.7%, the specificity and sensitivity of early warning hypoglycemia symptoms were 84.6 and 73%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: For hemodialysis patients with diabetes, attention should be paid to the symptoms of hypoglycemia during dialysis, and blood glucose should be monitored before dialysis and after 1-2 h of dialysis. If the blood glucose drop percentage is greater than 37.7%, the timely measures should be taken.

A pilot study of thiamin and folic acid in hemodialysis patients with cognitive impairment.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the effectiveness of thiamin and folic acid supplementation on the improvement of the cognitive function in patients with maintenance hemodialysis. METHOD: In the present study, we randomly assigned patients undergoing hemodialysis who had the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score lower than 26 to treatment group (n = 25, thiamin 90 mg/day combined with folic acid 30 mg/day) or control group (n = 25, nonintervention). All subjects were followed up for 96 weeks. The primary outcome was the improvement of the MoCA score. The secondary outcomes included homocysteine level, survival and safety. RESULTS: Patients in treatment group had an increase of the MoCA score from 21.95 ± 3.81 at baseline to 25.68 ± 1.96 at week 96 (p < 0.001, primary outcome), as compared with the MoCA score from 20.69 ± 3.40 to 19.62 ± 3.58 in control group. Thiamin combined with folic acid treatment also resulted in lower level of serum homocysteine in treatment group compare with control group at week 96 (p < 0.05, secondary outcome). 3 patients and 9 patients died during follow-up period in treatment and control group respectively (p = 0.048). The proportion of adverse events in treatment group was significantly lower than that in control group. CONCLUSION: Hemodialysis patients with cognitive impairment treated with thiamin and folic acid had a significant improvement in MoCA score.

Correlates of objective sleep quality in older peritoneal dialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Sleep disturbance is a prominent concern in dialysis patients and detrimentally impacts clinical and self-reported health outcomes. This study aimed to collect sleep data from in-home actigraphy and to explore possible predictors of sleep quality in older peritoneal dialysis patients. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study. Peritoneal dialysis patients aged ≥60 years participated in this study. For each participant, sleep quality was assessed by analyzing the data produced by an actigraphic device worn on the wrist 24 h a day for seven consecutive days. Physical function was assessed using handgrip strength and the Timed Up and Go test. Depression was assessed using the self-reported Geriatric Depression Scale. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to examine the factors influencing sleep efficiency and sleep time. RESULTS: Based on data collected from 50 participants (N = 50, mean age 70.4 years, 70% male), including 333 nights of actigraphy-monitored sleep, the mean sleep efficiency was 75.5%±14.2% and the mean total sleep time 391.0 ± 99.3 min per night. Higher hemoglobin (ß = 0.38, p = 0.007) and lower serum phosphorus (ß = -0.30, p = 0.042) levels were significant predictors of better sleep efficiency. The only significant predictor of the total sleep time was age (ß = 0.32, p = 0.021). CONCLUSION: Older peritoneal dialysis patients had poor sleep, characterized by low sleep efficiency. Low hemoglobin and high serum phosphorus levels were predictors of poor sleep efficiency and, as such, modifiable factors for clinicians to consider when treating patients with sleep complaints.

Validation of the Chinese version of the low physical activity questionnaire (LoPAQ) with ActiGraph accelerometer in hemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Valid instruments for measuring physical activity at the low end of the physical activity range and producing quantitative results are required among dialysis patients who are extremely inactive. This study aimed to translate and adapt a Chinese version of the low physical activity questionnaire (LoPAQ) and to examine its reliability and validity among hemodialysis patients. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study. The LoPAQ was translated into Chinese and culturally adapted following the standardized questionnaire adaptation process. Participants wore an ActiGraph for seven consecutive days and were asked to complete the Chinese version of the LoPAQ (C-LoPAQ) following the ActiGraph monitoring period. The criterion validity of the C-LoPAQ was examined with accelerometers using Spearman's correlation coefficients. Bland-Altman plots were adopted to determine the absolute agreement between methods. The test-retest reliability was analyzed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). RESULTS: Eighty-five hemodialysis patients had valid accelerometers and C-LoPAQ data. The total walking time reported on LoPAQ was correlated with step counts by ActiGraph (rho = 0.47, p < 0.01). A moderate correlation was also observed between the C-LoPAQ and the ActiGraph-measured physical activity for total calories (rho = 0.44, p < 0.01). There was a fair correlation between ActiGraph-measured sedentary time and C-LoPAQ-measured inactive time (rho = 0.22, p < 0.05). The test-retest reliability coefficients of C-LoPAQ ranged from 0.30 to 0.66. CONCLUSIONS: The C-LoPAQ demonstrated moderate validity for measuring low levels of physical activity, especially walking, and total kilocalories of physical activity among hemodialysis patients in China.

Physical performance and health-related quality of life among older adults on peritoneal dialysis: a cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: Identifying performance-based tests that meaningful for patients may facilitate the implementation of rehabilitation programs. The primary aim of this study was to determine the independent associations between different performance-based tests and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among elderly peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in China. Patients on PD who were 60 years of age or above were included. HRQoL was assessed using the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36. Physical function was determined by handgrip strength, timed up and go (TUG) test, 5-repetition sit-to-stand test, and comfortable gait speed. Depressive symptoms were measured using the self-reported Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15). Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to examine the factors influencing HRQoL. RESULTS: In total, 115 participants with a mean age of 69.7 were included (46 women and 69 men). TUG (ß =- 0.460, p < 0.001), prealbumin (ß = 0.223, p = 0.014), and education level (ß = 0.183, p = 0.042) were associated with physical health. GDS score (ß = - 0.475, p < 0.001), serum albumin level (ß = 0.264, p = 0.003), and sex (ß = 0.217, p = 0.012), were associated with mental HRQoL. CONCLUSION: TUG could be a valuable test for use in clinical practice and research aiming at facilitating tailed exercise programs, as it was associated with self-perceived physical HRQoL and could be meaningful to elderly PD patients. Depressive symptoms and nutrition were another two important rehabilitation areas for optimizing the overall HRQoL of older adults on PD.

Family caregiver's burden and the social support for older patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis.

BACKGROUND: Most elderly people undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD) treatment have a high incidence of frailty, cognitive impairment and emotional disturbance leading to a significant impact on families. The burden experienced by the family caregivers could affect their physical and emotion health. The objective of this study was to examine the level of burden on family caregivers of elderly adults receiving PD and to identify any contributing factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study employing convenience sampling. Patient-caregiver dyads were recruited from the outpatient clinic of a university hospital in China in 2019. Caregivers provided information on their perceived burden and health-related quality of life. The elderly patients reported their functional dependence and depressive symptoms in the same interview. Linear regression analyses were used to determine the factors contributing to caregivers' burden. RESULTS: Sixty patient-caregiver dyads were recruited. The patients had a mean age of 70.7 ± 7.4 years. The caregivers reported moderate levels of burden having ZBI score of 30.5 ± 15.9. Multivariate analyses showed that being female, perceiving one's financial status as insufficient, a low level of social support for the caregiver, depressive symptoms in the patients and disability in carrying out the instrumental activities of daily life were statistically significant predictors of caregiver burden (adjusted R2 = 0.46, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Elderly adults receiving PD who experience physical dependence and depressive symptoms are a burden for caregivers. In response to this challenge, interventions designed with the goal of supporting the emotional and mental wellbeing of caregivers are warranted.

Daily dietary phosphorus intake variability and hemodialysis patient adherence to phosphate binder therapy.

INTRODUCTION: Phosphate balance could be reached only by an optimized combination of dietary restriction and the careful use of phosphate binders for patients receiving standard hemodialysis treatment. Little is known about individual variability of phosphorus intake and phosphate binder use in hemodialysis patients. The purposes of this study were to quantify phosphorus intake and to describe individual phosphate-binder use in hemodialysis patients. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study. The dietary phosphorus intake was assessed using a 3-day duplicate portion sampling method combined with chemical analysis. Patients' adherence to phosphate binders was evaluated by the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale, with a score of <6 being considered as an indicator of inadequate adherence. FINDINGS: A total of 101 food samples from 36 patients were collected and analyzed. The mean daily phosphorus, protein, and energy intake was 15.1 mg/kg/d, 1.0 g/kg/d, and 28.9 kcal/kg/d, respectively. There was a higher consumption of phosphorus on dialysis days (DDs) than on non-dialysis days (NDDs) (16.2 mg/kg/d vs. 14.0 mg/kg/d, P = 0.035); however, such a trend was not observed for dietary protein and energy intake (1.1 g/kg/d vs. 1.0 g/kg/d, P = 0.706; 30.3 kcal/kg/d vs. 27.6 kcal/kg/d, P = 0.225). A significantly higher percentage of patients on low phosphorus intake (<1000 mg/d) reported inadequate phosphate-binding adherence than those on high phosphorus intake (60% vs. 18%, P = 0.031). DISCUSSION: Patients receiving hemodialysis had a higher consumption of phosphorus on DDs than on NDDs; such a pattern was not obviously observed for protein and energy intake. For patients achieving phosphorus intake recommendation, medication nonadherence that possibly being attributed to the patient's necessity beliefs may pose extra hurdles for phosphate control.