Role of the Opinions of the Nephrologist and Structural Factors in Dialysis Modality Selection. Results of a Peritoneal Dialysis Study Group Questionnaire.

Background. The use of PD depends on economic, structural and organizational factors. The nephrologist's opinion is that peritoneal dialysis is less used than it shold be. In Italy, PD is not carried out in private Centers, but neither is it in around one third of Public Centers. The aim of this study was to investigate the opinions of nephrologists on PD in Public Centers only, thereby nullifying the influence of the economic factors. Materials and Methods. The investigation was carried out by means of an online questionnaire (Qs) via mail, and during meetings and Congresses in 2006-07. The Qs investigated the characteristics of the Centers, the nephrologists interviewed, and opinions on the various aspects of the choice of Renal Replacement Therapy Renal Replacement Therapy (RRT) (26 questions). Responses were received from 454 nephrologists in 270 public Centers. Among these, 205 centers (370 Qs) report PD (PD-YES), 36 (42 Qs) do not (PD-NO) and 29 (42 Qs) do not use it but send patients selected for PD to other Centers (PD-TRANSF). Results. The PD-NO and PD-TRANSF Centers are significantly smaller, with greater availability of beds. In the PD-YES Centers the presence of a pre-dialysis pathway, early referral and nurses dedicated solely to PD are associated with a higher use of PD. The nephrologists in the PD-NO Centers rate PD more negatively in terms of both clinical and non-clinical factors. The belief that more than 40% of patients can do either PD or HD differs among the nephrologists in the PD-YES (74.3%), PD-TRANSF (45.2%) and PD-NO (28.6%) Centers. Likewise, the belief that PD can be used as a first treatment in more than 30% of cases differs among the nephrologists in PD-YES (49.2%), PD-TRANSF (33.3%) and PD-NO (14.3%) Centers. Conclusions. The use of PD in Public Centers is conditioned by both structural and organizational factors, and by the opinions of nephrologists on the use and effectiveness of the technique.

The effectiveness of a blended-learning training methodology on the dialysis nurse’s perception of competence. Quasi-experimental study / Efetividade de um programa de formação b-learning na perceção de competência do enfermeiro de diálise. Estudo quase-experimental

Introdução:Os enfermeiros que prestam cuidados à pessoa com doença renal crónica em hemodiálise devem ter formação específica em técnicas dialíticas. Assim, os Enfermeiros de Diálise deverão desenvolver competências específicas e diferenciadas ao longo do seu percurso profissional. O b-learning desempenha um papel fundamental na modernização do ensino, tornando-o mais acessível, flexível e adaptado às necessidades dos enfermeiros. Oferece oportunidades para melhorar a quali-dade da aprendizagem e promover a colaboração e a inovação no processo educativo.Objetivos:Os objetivos do estudo foram: avaliar a influência das variáveis sociodemográficas (idade e habilitações literárias) e da formação adquirida (frequência e duração) no perfil de competências e avaliar a eficácia de um programa de formação em técnicas de HD, na perceção de competência do Enfermeiro de Diálise. Material e Métodos:Estudo quase-experimental, pré e pós-teste, sem grupo controle. Resultados:A idade, a frequência e a duração da formação influenciam a perceção de competência do enfermeiro de diálise. Os participantes apresentaram uma melhoria significativa em alguns domínios da perceção de competência do Enfermeiro de Diálise após a implementação de um programa de formação em técnicas de HD. Conclusões:A existência de um programa de formação para Enfermeiros de Diálise, devidamente estruturado e padronizado, é uma mais-valia na aquisição, consolidação e atualização de conhecimentos. (AU)

Introduction: Nurses providing care to individuals with chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis must have specific training in dialysis techniques. Therefore, Dialysis Nurses should develop specific and differentiated competencies throughout their professional career. Blended learning plays a fundamental role in modernizing education, making it more accessible, flexible, and tailored to the needs of nurses. It offers opportunities to improve the quality of learning and promote collaboration and innovation in the educational process. Objectives: The study’s objectives were to assess the influence of sociodemographic variables (age and education) and acquired training (frequency and duration) on the competence profile and to evaluate the effectiveness of a training program in HD techniques on the perception of competence of Dialysis Nurses. Material and Methods: Quasi-experimental, pre and post-test study without a control group. Results: Age, frequency, and duration of training influence dialysis nurses’ perceptions of competence. Participants showed a significant improvement in some domains of dialysis nurses’ perceptions of competence after the implementation of a training program in HD techniques. Conclusions: A properly structured and standardized training program for dialysis nurses is an asset in acquiring, consolidating, and updating knowledge. (AU)

Sex-related differences in pre-dialysis trajectories and dialysis initiation: A French nationwide retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: In the last two decades, sex and gender differences have been documented in chronic kidney disease (CKD) management, including access to renal replacement therapy and its outcomes. The objectives of this study were to 1) compare the pre-dialysis healthcare utilization in men and women, and 2) examine the sex-specific factors associated with emergency dialysis start. METHODS: Adult patients with CKD who started dialysis in France in 2015 were extracted from the Renal Epidemiology and Information Network registry. Patients were matched to the French National Health Data System database to extract healthcare utilization data for the 2 years before dialysis start. Frequencies and monthly rates of consultations and hospitalizations were compared between men and women. Logistic regression analyses were performed separately in the two groups. RESULTS: Among the 8856 patients included, 3161 (35.7%) were women. Median age (71 years) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (8.1 and 7.7 ml/min for men and women) were similar between groups at dialysis start. Monthly consultations rates with a general practitioner and nephrology-related care were similar between women and men. Some sex-specific differences were found: higher frequencies of consultations with a psychiatrist in women and more frequent hospitalizations for circulatory system diseases in men. Emergency dialysis start rate was 30% in both groups. Emergency dialysis start was associated with acute nephropathy, compared with slowly progressive nephropathy, in women but not in men (OR = 1.48, p<0.01 vs 1.15, p = 0.18). CONCLUSIONS: This study found similar quantitative pre-dialysis healthcare utilization in men and women. To better understand sex/gender differences in CKD care trajectories, future research should focus on patients with CKD who are unknown to nephrology services, on patients receiving conservative care and on the sex/gender-specific mechanisms underlying care decision-making.

Circulating osteoprotegerin levels and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with pre-dialysis chronic kidney disease: results from the KNOW-CKD study.

While the relationship between circulating osteoprotegerin (OPG) and cardiovascular events is well-established in the general population, its association with cardiovascular risks in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients remains less robust. This study hypothesized that elevated circulating OPG levels might be associated with an increased risk of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in CKD patients, a total of 2,109 patients with CKD stages 1 through pre-dialysis 5 from the KNOW-CKD cohort were categorized into quartiles based on serum OPG levels. The primary outcome of the study was 3-point MACE, defined as a composite of nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or cardiac death. The median follow-up duration was 7.9 years. The cumulative incidence of 3-point MACE significantly varied across serum OPG levels in Kaplan-Meier curve analysis (P < 0.001, log-rank test), with the highest incidence observed in the 4th quartile. Cox regression analysis indicated that, relative to the 1st quartile, the risk of 3-point MACE was significantly higher in the 3rd (adjusted hazard ratio 2.901, 95% confidence interval 1.009 to 8.341) and the 4th quartiles (adjusted hazard ratio 4.347, 95% confidence interval 1.410 to 13.395). In conclusion, elevated circulating OPG levels are associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes in pre-dialysis CKD patients.

Higher sclerostin is associated with pulmonary hypertension in pre-dialysis end-stage kidney disease patients: a cross-sectional prospective observational cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD) that contributes to mortality. Sclerostin, a SOST gene product that reduces osteoblastic bone formation by inhibiting Wnt/ß-catenin signaling, is involved in arterial stiffness and CKD-bone mineral disease, but scanty evidence to PH. This study explored the relationship between sclerostin and PH in CKD 5, pre-dialysis end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients. METHODS: This cross-sectional prospective observational cohort study included 44 pre-dialysis ESKD patients between May 2011 and May 2015. Circulating sclerostin levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. PH was defined as an estimated pulmonary artery systolic pressure > 35 mmHg on echocardiography. RESULTS: Patients with higher sclerostin levels ≥ 218.18pmol/L had echocardiographic structural cardiac abnormalities, especially PH (P < 0.01). On multivariate logistic analysis, sclerostin over 218.19pmol/L was significantly associated with PH (odds ratio [OR], 41.14; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.53-373.89, P < 0.01), but multivariate Cox regression analysis showed the systemic vascular calcification score over 1 point (Hazard ratio [HR] 11.49 95% CI 2.48-53.14, P = 0.002) and PH ([HR] 5.47, 95% CI 1.30-23.06, P = 0.02) were risk factors for all-cause mortality in pre-dialysis ESKD patients. CONCLUSIONS: Serum sclerostin and PH have a positive correlation in predialysis ESKD patients. The higher systemic vascular calcification score and PH have an association to increase all-cause mortality in pre-dialysis ESKD patients.

Haematological Indices and Iron Status in Pre-Dialysis Chronic Kidney Disease Patients.

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with haematological changes, the commonest being anaemia. The number and function of white blood cells (WBC) and platelets are equally affected. Iron deficiency is a common cause of anaemia in the CKD population and anaemia has been associated with reduced cardiac function, increased rates of hospitalization, morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to determine the haematological indices and iron status among pre-dialysis CKD patients. METHOD: A hospital-based cross-sectional study involving 95 predialysis CKD patients and 95 age- and sex-matched apparently healthy controls. Full blood count, peripheral blood film, serum ferritin, transferrin saturation, C-reactive protein (CRP), electrolytes, urea and creatinine, serum folate and vitamin B12 were done in all study participants. Comparisons were made between results obtained from participants in both groups. RESULT: The mean ages were 58.1 ± 14.9 years and 58.3 ± 15.0 years in the CKD group and controls, respectively. The male:female ratio was 1:0.9 in both groups. The prevalence of anaemia was 51.6% and 3% in patients with CKD and controls, respectively. There was no significant difference in the total WBC count, neutrophil and lymphocyte differentials, platelet count, serum vitamin B12 and folate in patients with CKD and controls. The prevalence of iron deficiency among patients with CKD was 32.6%, of which 62.5% were absolutely iron-deficient while 37.5% were functionally iron-deficient. The median ferritin and CRP were also higher in CKD. (p =0.001). CONCLUSION: Anaemia and iron deficiency are common in predialysis CKD patients. Early diagnosis and treatment are important to avoid the problems associated with them. MOTS-CLÉS: Maladie rénale chronique, Anémie, Carence en fer, Pré-dialyse.

Sex-specific differences in a large cohort of Brazilian incident dialysis patients over 12 years: A retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: Sex-specific differences in the epidemiology of chronic kidney disease, such as higher prevalence of women on pre-dialysis and men on chronic dialysis treatment, have been reported worldwide. In this regard, data from non-high-income countries are scarce. We aimed to compare the demographic, clinical, and dialysis characteristics of incident dialysis patients, both men and women, in a large cohort of Brazilian patients over a 12-year period. METHODS: This was a multicentric retrospective cohort study coordinated by the Brazilian Society of Nephrology. The study included all adult incident dialysis patients in the Brazilian Dialysis Registry from January 2011 to December 2022. The variables studied encompassed age, skin color, education, CKD etiology, predialysis nephrologist care, dialysis characteristics, and geographic region. Additionally, the sample was analyzed for each of the three 4-year periods over the 12 years of data collection. RESULTS: A total of 24,632 incident dialysis patients were included. Men were 59.1% of the dialysis population, remaining stable over the three 4-year periods. Besides other differences, women started dialysis younger (58.5 ± 16.2 years vs 59.5 ± 14.4 years; p < 0.001), had a lower educational level (less than 8 years at school: 54% vs 44%; p < 0.001), received more predialysis nephrologist care (46.2% vs 44.2%; p = 0.04), and had a higher prevalence of peritoneal dialysis (4.4% vs 3.5%; p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: We consistently observed a higher prevalence of men on dialysis and differences in demographic, clinical, and dialysis characteristics. The underlying reasons for these sex differences still necessitate further clarification.

Assessment of Dialysis Adequacy Using Small Solute Clearance Indices among Twice versus Thrice Weekly Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital of Bangladesh.

This observational study was carried out in the Department of Nephrology, Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, Bangladesh from January 2020 to December 2020. A total of 179 patients were included in this study according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Informed written consent was taken from each patient. All patients were underwent detail history taking, thorough physical examination and relevant investigations. Data collection was conducted through a structured questionnaire. Collected data were analyzed using the statistical software SPSS 23.0. Mean age ±SD of the study patients was 47.06±14.1 with a majority in age group 41-50 years. Male predominance was observed with a male: female ratio of 2.19:1 and 68.7% male patients. Level of pre-dialysis, post-dialysis urea in the study population was 123.77±26.86mg/dl, 50.27±15.70mg/dl respectively and mean ±SD of Urea Reduction Ratio (URR) in hemodialysis (target >65.0%) was 67.2±1.9. Most of the 8 hours (two times) per week hemolysis patients could not achieve the target value of dialysis adequacy parameters. On the other hand, maximum people in 12 hours (three times) per week hemodialysis group achieved the target value of dialysis adequacy parameters. It is important to calculate Kt/V or URR and individualize the dialysis doses for each patient.

Prevalence and varieties of complementary and alternative medicine usage among individuals with pre-dialysis chronic kidney disease in Taiwan: an investigative cross-sectional analysis.

BACKGROUND: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is frequently used in the general population, yet only limited data are available regarding the prevalence of these medications in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Hence, our study aimed to explore the prevalence and types of CAM in Taiwanese patients with CKD. METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted by face-to-face interview of 275 pre-dialysis patients without dialysis treatment or kidney transplant at an outpatient nephrology clinic in Taiwan from March 2021 to June 2023. The study outcomes were the prevalence of CAM, CAM types, reasons for using CAM, and sources of information about CAM. RESULTS: Overall, 128 patients (46.5%) were using CAM, but no significant differences from non-CAM users in the various CKD stages (p = 0.156) were found. CAM usage was high in the age range of 20-60 years and duration of CKD ≤ 5 years (p < 0.05). The most commonly used type of CAM was nutritional approaches (79.7%), followed by other complementary health approaches (26.6%). The most commonly utilized modalities of CAM were vitamins and minerals (38.3%), and only 27.1% of patients disclosed their CAM use to their physicians. The most common sources of information about CAM were family and friends, cited by 66% of the participants. Health promotion and a proactive attitude were reported by 40% of users as the reasons for using CAM. CONCLUSIONS: The present study provides data on the CAM usage among CKD patients and adds to the increasing evidence on CAM use. Because some of these practices have safety concerns, better education from healthcare providers on the risks and benefits of CAM therapy is needed by CKD patients.

Combinative predictive effect of left ventricular mass index, ratio of HDL and CRP for progression of chronic kidney disease in non-dialysis patient.

PURPOSE: This current study scrutinized the association among left ventricular mass index (LVMI), ratio of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and C-reactive protein (CRP), and renal function. Furthermore, we examined the predictive effects of left ventricular mass index and HDL/CRP on progression of non-dialysis chronic kidney disease. METHODS: We enrolled adult patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) who were not receiving dialysis and obtained follow-up data on them. We extracted and compared data between different groups. To investigate the relationship between left ventricular mass index (LVMI), high-density lipoprotein (HDL)/C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, and CKD, we employed linear regression analysis, Kaplan-Meier analysis, and Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. RESULTS: Our study enrolled a total of 2351 patients. Compared with those in the non-progression group, subjects in the CKD progression group had lower ln(HDL/CRP) levels (- 1.56 ± 1.78 vs. - 1.14 ± 1.77, P < 0.001) but higher left ventricular mass index (LVMI) values (115.45 ± 29.8 vs. 102.8 ± 26.31 g/m2, P < 0.001). Moreover, after adjusting for demographic factors, ln(HDL/CRP) was found to be positively associated with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (B = 1.18, P < 0.001), while LVMI was negatively associated with eGFR (B = - 0.15, P < 0.001). In the end, we found that both LVH (HR = 1.53, 95% CI 1.15 to 2.05, P = 0.004) and lower ln(HDL/CRP) (HR = 1.46, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.96, P = 0.013) independently predicted CKD progression. Notably, the combined predictive power of these variables was stronger than either variable alone (HR = 1.98, 95% CI 1.5 to 2.62, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our study findings indicate that in pre-dialysis patients, both HDL/CRP and LVMI are associated with basic renal function and are independently correlated with CKD progression. These variables may serve as predictors for CKD progression, and their combined predictive power is stronger than that of either variable alone.

Regional variation in pre-dialysis blood pressure and its association with cardiovascular mortality rates in Japanese patients undergoing dialysis.

Adequate blood pressure (BP) management poses a significant challenge in improving the prognosis of patients undergoing dialysis. We aimed to investigate the relationship between pre-dialysis systolic blood pressure (SBP) and underlying disease in Japanese patients undergoing dialysis, based on prefectural location, and assess the association between pre-dialysis SBP and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality rate. We extracted the basic information of 336,182 patients who were undergoing dialysis in 2021 from the Web-based Analysis of Dialysis Data Archives database. Data on average pre-dialysis SBP were analyzed according to sex, prefectural location, and diabetic status, and the CVD mortality rate for each prefecture was calculated. The mean pre-dialysis SBP of the patients (males, 66.3%; mean age, 69.7 ± 12.5 years) was 151.9 ± 24.7 mmHg. Overall, 133,037 patients had underlying diabetic kidney disease (DKD). The patients with DKD were younger, had a shorter dialysis duration, and a higher pre-dialysis SBP than those with non-DKD comorbidities. The prefecture-based mean pre-dialysis SBP values were all higher than 140 mmHg. At the prefectural level, CVD mortality rate was positively correlated with pre-dialysis SBP (r = 0.3127, p = 0.0324) and diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.3378, p = 0.0202) among female patients. At the prefectural level, pre-dialysis SBP is >140 mmHg in Japanese patients undergoing dialysis, especially in those with DKD. The positive association between pre-dialysis SBP and CVD mortality rate suggests that optimal BP management at the prefectural level may reduce CVD mortality rates. At the prefectural level, pre-dialysis SBP is higher than 140 mmHg in Japanese patients undergoing dialysis, especially higher in those with DKD.

Bisphenol A and chlorinated derivatives of bisphenol A assessment in end stage renal disease patients: Impact of dialysis therapy.

Patients with end stage kidney disease treated by dialysis (ESKDD) process dialysis sessions to remove molecules usually excreted by kidneys. However, dialysis therapy could also contribute to endocrine disruptors (ED) burden. Indeed, materials like dialyzer filters, ultrapure dialysate and replacement fluid could exposed ESKDD patients to Bisphenol A (BPA) and chlorinated derivatives of BPA (ClxBPAs). Thus, our aim was to compare BPA and ClxBPAs exposure between ESKDD patients, patients with stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD5) not dialyzed and healthy volunteers. Then we describe the impact of a single dialysis session, according to dialysis modalities (hemodialysis therapy (HD) versus online hemodiafiltration therapy (HDF)) and materials used with pre-post BPA and ClxBPAs concentrations. The plasma levels of BPA and four ClxBPAs, were assessed for 64 ESKDD patients in pre and post dialysis samples (32 treated by HD and 32 treated by HDF) in 36 CKD5 patients and in 24 healthy volunteers. BPA plasma concentrations were 22.5 times higher for ESKDD patients in pre-dialysis samples versus healthy volunteers (2.208 ± 5.525 ng/mL versus 0.098 ± 0.169 ng/mL) (p < 0.001). BPA plasma concentrations were 16 times higher for CKD5 patients versus healthy volunteers, but it was not significant (1.606 ± 3.230 ng/mL versus 0.098 ± 0.169 ng/mL) (p > 0.05). BPA plasma concentrations for ESKDD patients in pre-dialysis samples were 1.4 times higher versus CKD5 patients (2.208 ± 5.525 ng/mL versus 1.606 ± 3.230 ng/mL) (p < 0.001). For healthy volunteers, ClxBPAs were never detected, or quantified while for CKD5 and ESKDD patients one ClxBPAs at least has been detected or quantified in 14 patients (38.8%) and 24 patients (37.5%), respectively. Dialysis therapy was inefficient to remove BPA either for HD (1.983 ± 6.042 ng/mL in pre-dialysis versus 3.675 ± 8.445 ng/mL in post-dialysis) or HDF (2.434 ± 5.042 ng/mL in pre-dialysis versus 7.462 ± 15.960 ng/mL in post dialysis) regarding pre-post BPA concentrations (p > 0.05). The same result was observed regarding ClxBPA analysis. Presence of polysulfone in dialyzer fibers overexposed ESKDD patients to BPA in pre-dialysis samples with 3.054 ± 6.770 for ESKDD patients treated with a polysulfone dialyzer versus 0.708 ± 0.638 (p = 0.040) for ESKDD patients treated without a polysulfone dialyzer and to BPA in post-dialysis samples with 6.629 ± 13.932 for ESKDD patients treated with a polysulfone dialyzer versus 3.982 ± 11.004 (p = 0.018) for ESKDD patients treated without a polysulfone dialyzer. This work is to our knowledge the first to investigate, the impact of a dialysis session and materials used on BPA and ClxBPAs plasma concentrations and to compare these concentrations to those found in CKD5 patients and in healthy volunteers.

Association between periodontal inflamed surface area and systemic inflammatory biomarkers among pre-dialysis chronic kidney disease patients.

Background: Several studies have shown an association between chronic kidney disease (CKD) and periodontitis. However, only few studies have quantified the burden of periodontal inflammation in pre-dialysis CKD patients. The aim of this study was to determine the association between periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA) and systemic inflammatory biomarkers among pre-dialysis CKD patients. Materials and Methods: 120 pre-dialysis CKD participants were recruited into this study. 60 participants constituted Group A (those with periodontitis) while 60 participants constituted Group B (those without periodontitis). Full periodontal examination was carried out in the participants for the estimation of PISA. Blood samples also collected to determine levels of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in all participants. Independent t-test was used to compare means of PISA, hsCRP and IL-6 levels in the two groups. Pearson correlation analysis was used to determine association between PISA and (hsCRP and IL-6). Results: The mean value of hsCRP was significantly higher in Group A compared to Group B (3.41 mg/L vs. 2.18 mg/L). PISA moderately correlated with hsCRP (r = 0.4, P < 0.01) in both groups. hsCRP also moderately correlated with IL-6 (r = 0.6, P < 0.001) in both groups. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that there was an association between PISA and hsCRP. Increased hsCRP level in Group A revealed the inflammatory burden imposed by periodontitis.

Calidad de vida y técnica de diálisis: comparación entre la diálisis peritoneal y la hemodiálisis. Una revisión sistemática / Quality of life and dialysis technique: a comparison between peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis. An integrative review

Introducción:Los pacientes en diálisis presentan peores resul-tados en la calidad de vida respecto a la población general. Entre otras variables, ésta peor calidad de vida se ha relacionado con la técnica de diálisis, aunque sin evidencia suficiente.Objetivo: Conocer la influencia de la técnica de diálisis en la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud y analizar las variables más influyentes en cada una de ellas.Metodología: Se realizó una revisión sistemática basada en la declaración PRISMA. Se analizaron 10 artículos extraídos de las bases de datos PubMed, Scopus y WOS. Se incluyeron artículos originales, tanto en inglés como en español, que compararan la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud entre ambas modalida-des de diálisis. Resultados: Se incluyeron 10 artículos (6 estudios observacio-nales y 4 revisiones sistemáticas. Emergieron como principales variables: la comparación de la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud entre diálisis peritoneal y hemodiálisis, y aquellas va-riables más influyentes en la percepción de la calidad de vida (edad, sexo femenino, comorbilidad, estudios, soledad, estado civil, desempleo, dolor, funcionamiento físico y apoyo social).Conclusiones: Los resultados muestran una mejor percepción de la calidad de vida de los pacientes en diálisis peritoneal en diversas esferas, en parte porque son pacientes más jóvenes, con mayor autonomía, presentan menos patologías asociadas y tienen más apoyo social. Sin embargo, no todos los estudios son coincidentes con estos resultados o no encuentran diferencias entre una técnica u otra respecto a la percepción de la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (AU)

Introduction: Dialysis patients exhibit the poorer quality of life outcomes compared to the general population. Among several factors, such reduced quality of life has been associated with the dialysis technique, although without sufficient evidence.Objective: To understand the influence of dialysis technique on health-related quality of life and analyze the most influential variables in each modality.Methodology: A systematic review based on the PRISMA statement was conducted. Ten articles were analyzed from the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Original articles in both English and Spanish that compared health-related quality of life between both dialysis modalities were included.Results: Ten articles were included (6 observational studies and 4 systematic reviews). Key variables emerged, including the comparison of health-related quality of life between peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis, and those variables most influential in the perception of quality of life (age, female gender, comorbidity, education, loneliness, marital status, unemployment, pain, physical functioning, and social support).Conclusions: The results demonstrate a better perception of the quality of life among peritoneal dialysis patients in various aspects, partly because they are younger, more autonomous, have fewer associated pathologies, and receive more social support. However, not all studies are consistent with these results or find differences between one technique and another regarding the perception of health-related quality of life (AU)

Mortalidad por SARS-CoV2 en personas con insuficiencia renal crónica: una revisión integrativa / Mortality due to SARS-CoV-2 in individuals with chronic kidney disease: an integrative review

Introducción:La enfermedad infecciosa producida por el virus SARS-CoV2 provocó un grave problema de salud pública en la población en general; y para las personas con insuficiencia re-nal, se observó un mayor riesgo de desarrollar complicaciones severas y muerte.Objetivo: Identificar la evidencia científica relacionada con la mortalidad por SARS-CoV2 -19 de las personas con insuficien-cia renal crónica.Metodología: Se llevó a cabo una revisión integrativa, mediante búsqueda en las bases de datos Scopus, EBSCO, Pubmed (con-tiene además la base Medline), Science Direct, Scielo, Lilacs, y Embase.Resultados: Se obtuvieron y revisaron un total de 14 artículos. Estos, estaban escritos en idioma inglés y español, publicados en Europa (6), en Asia (5), en Norteamérica (1) y Latinoamérica (2). Las variables sociodemógraficas que mostraron influencia en la mortalidad fueron género masculino, edad avanzada, fra-gilidad de los pacientes en diálisis, presencia de comorbilidades como el síndrome cardiorrenal, cardiopatía isquémica, sobrepe-so, obesidad, multimorbilidad, diabetes, hipertensión arterial, antecedentes de ictus y demencia. Conclusiones: Se observó que la mortalidad por SARS-CoV2 grave fue mayor en pacientes con insuficiencia renal crónica que en la población en general, asociado con cambios en los marcadores bioquímicos como elevación de la troponina, pro-teína C reactiva, enzimas hepáticas, marcadores inflamatorios, disminución de linfocitos, albúmina sérica, así mismo, las com-plicaciones desarrolladas y que se asociaban con la mortalidad fueron síndrome de dificultad respiratoria aguda, coagulación intravascular diseminada, shock séptico, hipotensión y neumo-nía (AU)

ortality due to SARS-CoV-2 in individuals with chronic kidney disease: an integrative reviewIntroduction: The infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has posed a serious public health problem in the general population. For individuals with chronic kidney disease, a higher risk of developing severe complications and mortality has been observedObjective: To identify scientific evidence related to mor-tality from SARS-CoV-2 in individuals with chronic kidney disease.Methodology: An integrative review was conducted by searching the Scopus, EBSCO, PubMed (which also includes the Medline database), Science Direct, Scielo, Lilacs, and Embase databases. Results: A total of 14 articles were obtained and reviewed. These articles were written in English and Spanish and were published in Europe (6), Asia (5), North America (1), and Latin America (2). Sociodemographic variables that showed influence on mortality included male gender, advanced age, frailty of dialysis patients, presence of comorbidities such as cardio-renal syndrome, ischemic heart disease, overweight, obesity, multimorbidity, diabetes, hypertension, a history of stroke, and dementia.Conclusions: Severe mortality from SARS-CoV-2 was observed to be higher in patients with chronic kidney disease than in the general population. This was associated with changes in biochemical markers such as elevated troponin, C-reactive protein, liver enzymes, inflammatory markers, decreased lymphocytes, and serum albumin. Additionally, complications associated with mortality included acute respiratory distress syndrome, disseminated intravascular coagulation, septic shock, hypotension, and pneumonia (AU)

Abordaje de la sexualidad en las personas en tratamiento renal sustitutivo desde el punto de vista de pacientes y profesionales / Approach to sexuality in individuals undergoing renal replacement therapy from the perspectives of patients and professionals

Introducción:La enfermedad renal crónica afecta múltiples áreas de la vida de las personas, siendo la sexualidad una de ellas. Existen pocos estudios que analicen el abordaje que se lleva a cabo desde las unidades de diálisis sobre estos aspectos.Objetivos: nalizar la percepción que presentan los pacientes y los profesionales de las unidades de diálisis sobre el aborda-je de la sexualidad en personas en diálisis. Material y Método: Estudio observacional descriptivo de cor-te trasversal, llevado a cabo entre abril-mayo 2022 en la Or-ganización Sanitaria Integrada Araba, participando pacientes en tratamiento con diálisis (diálisis peritoneal y hemodiálisis, tanto en centro como domiciliaria) y profesionales (enfermas, técnicos en cuidados de enfermería y médicos) de estas uni-dades, quienes cumplimentaron un cuestionario ad-hoc, don-de se recogían datos sociodemográficos y aspectos relativos al abordaje la sexualidad en las personas en tratamiento con diálisis.Resultados: Participó el 20,2% de los pacientes y el 50,0% del equipo. Un 67,7% de los pacientes refería que el tratamiento ha afectado “mucho” o “en cierto modo” a su necesidad se-xual. Un 66,7% del equipo se sentía “en absoluto” o “no muy” capacitado para abordar la sexualidad en esta población.Conclusiones: La sexualidad se ve afectada en las perso-nas en tratamiento renal sustitutivo en diálisis y gran parte de los profesionales no se sienten capacitados para abordar este tema con los mismos. El abordaje de esta necesidad aún constituye una importante área de mejora. Es necesario do-tar a los profesionales de herramientas necesarias para poder abordar esta necesidad (AU)

Introduction: Chronic kidney disease affects multiple areas of individuals’ lives, with sexuality being one of them. Few studies analyze the approach taken by dialysis units on these aspects.Objetives: To analyze the perception of patients and professionals in dialysis units regarding the approach to sexuality in individuals undergoing dialysis.Material and Method: Cross-sectional descriptive observa-tional study conducted between April and May 2022 in the Integrated Health Organization of Araba. Participants in-cluded patients undergoing dialysis (peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis, both in-center and at home) and professionals (nurses, nursing care technicians, and physicians) from these units. They completed an ad-hoc questionnaire collecting so-ciodemographic data and aspects related to the approach to sexuality in individuals undergoing dialysis.Results: 20.2% of patients and 50.0% of the team participated. 67.7% of patients reported that the treatment had affected their sexual needs “much” or “to some extent.” 66.7% of the team felt “not at all” or “not very” confident in addressing sexuality in this population.Conclusions: Sexuality is impacted in individuals undergoing renal replacement therapy with dialysis, and a significant portion of professionals do not feel confident in addressing this issue with them. Addressing this need remains an important area for improvement. It is necessary to provide professionals with the necessary tools to address this need (AU)

Efficacy and Safety of a High-Energy, Low-Protein Formula Replacement Meal for Pre-Dialysis Chronic Kidney Disease Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

High-energy, low-protein formulas (HE-LPFs) are commonly used as oral nutritional supplements (ONSs) to help provide extra calories to patients who are adhering to a low-protein diet (LPD) after diagnosis with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of an HE-LPF as either a partial or a total replacement for one meal in pre-dialysis CKD patients. Stage 4-5 CKD patients received either a once-daily HE-LPF (HE-LPF group) or normal food (control group) for a period of 4 weeks while following an LPD. Overall, 73 patients who completed the study were included in the intention-to-treat population. After analyzing the 3-day food records, the HE-LPF group experienced a significant decrease in the percentage of energy derived from protein (p < 0.05) and an increase in the percentage of energy derived from fat (p < 0.05) compared to the control group. The two groups had no significant differences in body weight, body composition, grip strength, renal function, electrolytes, or metabolic markers. The HE-LPF group had a high adherence (94.9% at week 4), and no adverse effects were observed. HE-LPFs are safe to employ as meal replacements for pre-dialysis CKD patients adhering to an LPD.

Experimental hemodialysis in diet-induced ketosis and the potential use of dialysis as an adjuvant cancer treatment.

Numerous in vivo studies on the ketogenic diet, a diet that can induce metabolic conditions resembling those following extended starvation, demonstrate strong outcomes on cancer survival, particularly when combined with chemo-, radio- or immunological treatments. However, the therapeutic application of ketogenic diets requires strict dietary adherence from well-informed and motivated patients, and it has recently been proposed that hemodialysis might be utilized to boost ketosis and further destabilize the environment for cancer cells. Yet, plasma ketones may be lost in the dialysate-lowering blood ketone levels. Here we performed a single 180-min experimental hemodialysis (HD) session in six anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats given ketogenic diet for five days. Median blood ketone levels pre-dialysis were 3.5 mmol/L (IQR 2.2 to 5.6) and 3.8 mmol/L (IQR 2.2 to 5.1) after 180 min HD, p = 0.54 (95% CI - 0.6 to 1.2). Plasma glucose levels were reduced by 36% (- 4.5 mmol/L), p < 0.05 (95% CI - 6.7 to - 2.5). Standard base excess was increased from - 3.5 mmol/L (IQR - 4 to - 2) to 0.5 mmol/L (IQR - 1 to 3), p < 0.01 (95% CI 2.0 to 5.0). A theoretical model was applied confirming that intra-dialytic glucose levels decrease, and ketone levels slightly increase since hepatic ketone production far exceeds dialytic removal. Our experimental data and in-silico modeling indicate that elevated blood ketone levels during ketosis are maintained during hemodialysis despite dialytic removal.