Comparison of Saudi Arabian hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients’ illness perceptions

The clinical outcome of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) may differ according to their beliefs concerning their illness and its treatment. Both the disease itself and negative perceptions of the illness may increase patients’ morbidity and mortality. This study aims to compare hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients’ illness perceptions and their related factors. This cross-sectional comparative study was conducted in five dialysis centers. After excluding patients with psychiatric comorbidities, 342 stable dialysis patients (HD, n?=?267; PD, n?=?75) completed a demographic questionnaire and the Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ-R). The data were analyzed using t-tests and ANOVAs. Out of the 342 patients, 53.8% were male and 46.2% were female. Their mean age was 46.1?±?16.5 years. Compared to the HD patients, the PD patients perceived their illness to be significantly less chronic (p?=?.029) and more controllable, whether through personal or treatment control (p?=?.012, p?=?.017). Patients’ most common cause of attributions were stress, worry, or poor past medical care. PD showed an advantage over HD in terms of perceptions of ESRD chronicity and controllability. Intervention programs targeting illness perception are needed to support dialysis patients.     

Sarcopenia and cardiovascular risk indices: Its impact on cardiovascular events and mortality in dialysis patients

Background: Sarcopenia is a common complication in end-stage renal disease. Low muscle strength and muscle mass are risk factors for cardiovascular disease and mortality in patients undergoing dialysis. We studied the relation between sarcopenia and pre-atherosclerotic markers and its effect on cardiovascular events and death in dialysis patients. Methods: We measured muscle strength, muscle mass, carotid intima-media thickness, and pulse wave velocity in 106 patients. Sarcopenia was diagnosed according to the EWGSOP-2 suggestions. Patients with low muscle strength and low muscle mass were considered sarcopenic. The follow-up period for cardiovascular events and mortality was 24 months. Results: The mean age and dialysis duration were 57.4 ± 16.6 and 6.5 ± 4.9 years, respectively. Of all patients, 53 (50%) were male and 70 (66%) were on hemodialysis treatment. Sarcopenia and low muscle strength were seen in 47.1% and 88.7%, respectively. Hemodialysis patients were more likely to be sarcopenic than peritoneal dialysis patients (p = 0.001). Ferritin and Kt/V levels were higher, and body mass index was lower significantly in sarcopenic patients (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in carotid intima-media thickness and pulse wave velocity measurements between the groups (p = 0.62 and p = 0.68, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference in cardiovascular events and mortality in cases with and without sarcopenia (p = 0.43 and p = 0.17, respectively). Conclusion: There was no association between sarcopenia and pre-atherosclerotic markers, cardiovascular events, and all-cause mortality in dialysis patients. Techniques to detect low muscle strength and muscle mass need standardization, and new specific cut-off levels must be defined for dialysis patients.     

Do we practice what we preach? Dialysis modality choice among healthcare workers in the United Kingdom

Background

In the United Kingdom, over 80% of end-stage kidney disease patients receive in-center hemodialysis. We conducted a survey of UK renal healthcare workers on their preferred dialysis modality if they needed dialysis themselves.

Methods

An anonymized online survey was disseminated to all renal healthcare workers in the United Kingdom. We asked “Assume you are an otherwise well 40-year-old (and, separately, 75-year-old) person approaching end stage kidney disease, you have no living kidney donor options at present. There are no contraindications to any dialysis options. Which dialysis therapy would you choose?” We also asked about factors influencing their choice.

Results

858 individuals with a median age of 44.3 years responded. 70.2% were female, 37.4% doctors, and 31.1% were senior nurses. There was a preference for peritoneal dialysis over in-center hemodialysis (50.47% v. 6.18%; p < 0.001 for 40-year-old and 49.18% v. 17.83%; p < 0.001 for 75-year-old assumption) and home hemodialysis (50.47% v. 39.28%; p < 0.001 for 40-year-old and 49.18% v. 18.41% for 75-year-old assumption). There was a preference for home hemodialysis over in-center hemodialysis for 40-year-old (39.28% v. 6.18%; p < 0.001) but not for 75-year-old. On logistic regression, senior doctors were more likely to opt for PD when compared to nurses. Nurses, allied healthcare professionals, and those of Asian/British Asian ethnicity were more likely to choose in-center hemodialysis.

Conclusions

Most healthcare workers in renal medicine would choose home-based treatment for themselves although the majority of end-stage kidney disease patients receive in-center hemodialysis in the United Kingdom; the reasons for the discrepancy need to be explored.     

Pulmonary Hypertension in Dialysis Patients

Cardiovascular complications are encountered frequently in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. The study was designed as a prospective cohort study and a total of 105 dialysis patients, 77 hemodialysis and 28 peritoneal dialysis patients, were investigated. All patients had undergone M-Mode Doppler echocardiography every 6 months by which their systolic pulmonary arterial pressures (sPAPs) and left ventricular mass indices (LVMIs) were recorded. Thirty-nine (37.1%) patients had pulmonary hypertension (PHT), that is, a mean sPAP of more than 35 mmHg. The frequency of PHT was higher in peritoneal dialysis patients but the difference was insignificant (p = 0.08). However, the frequency of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) was found to be significantly higher in peritoneal dialysis patients than in hemodialysis patients (p = 0.001). When patients with and without PHT were compared, the duration of dialysis (p = 0.02), hemoglobin (p = 0.01), HbA1c (p = 0.03), and serum albumin levels (p = 0.003) were found to be significantly higher in patients with PHT than those without PHT. In conclusion, although nonsignificant, we found a higher prevalence of PHT in peritoneal dialysis patients when compared with hemodialysis patients. This might be due to the significantly higher prevalence of LVH, hence hypervolemia, in peritoneal dialysis patients. The prevention and treatment of PHT in dialysis patients is very important for the improvement of survival in these patients. Hence, the increased prevalence of PHT in ESRD patients necessitates understanding the multiple and interacting factors, such as LVH, serum albumin and hemoglobin levels, and control of diabetes, that might contribute to this pathology in these patients.     

The Relationship among Asymmetric Dimethylarginine (ADMA) Levels,Residual Renal Function,and Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis Patients

Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is an endogenous inhibitor of endothelial-based nitric oxide synthase. Its level is increased by end stage renal disease. However, most studies showing an increase in ADMA in dialysis patients have focused on hemodialysis. Results with peritoneal dialysis patients have been more inconclusive. Recent studies suggest that ADMA may be a new cardiovascular risk factor. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between ADMA levels, residual renal function, and left ventricular hypertrophy in peritoneal dialysis patients. Serum ADMA measurements and echocardiographic evaluations were performed in 54 peritoneal dialysis patients and 26 healthy volunteers. Residual renal function was measured in peritoneal dialysis patients by urea clearance from a urine collection. Thirty-two of the 54 peritoneal dialysis patients had residual renal function. ADMA levels of the peritoneal dialysis group were found to be significantly higher than those of healthy individuals (p = 0.03). Within the peritoneal dialysis group, ADMA levels of patients with residual renal function were significantly lower than those without residual renal function (p = 0.01), though they were still higher than the ADMA levels of the control group (p = 0.04). Serum levels of ADMA were positively correlated with left ventricular mass index (r = 0.29, p = 0.01) and negatively correlated with early mitral inflow velocity (Em) (r = ?0.28, p = 0.01), Em/Late mitral inflow velocity (Am) (r = ?0,32, p = 0.00), and isovolumetric relaxation time (r = ?0.30, p = 0.01). In conclusion, increased ADMA levels seem to be associated with left ventricular hypertrophy in peritoneal dialysis patients, and residual renal function may lead to a reduction of serum ADMA levels.     

The influence of low calcium dialysate on left ventricular diastolic function in peritoneal dialysis patients

Left ventricular (LV) diastolic function was found to be a significant predictor of cardiovascular events and general mortality in dialysis. Studies have indicated that dialysate calcium concentrations were significantly associated with cardiac function. However, the relationship between low calcium dialysate and LV diastolic function has not been clear. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of low calcium dialysate on cardiac function in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. A total of 60 PD patients were enrolled in this study, with a calcium content of the PD solution of 1.25?mmol/L in 30 patients (low-calcium group) and 1.75?mmol/L in 30 patients (standard-calcium group). Standard M-mode and two-dimensional ultrasound measurements were applied to detect the cardiac function. After 12-month follow-up, we found no significant difference in blood pressure, calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone (PTH), etc., between the two groups. Residual renal function (RRF), which is associated with LV cardiac function, was significantly decreased in the standard-calcium group compared with the low-calcium group (5.64?±?3.23 vs. 9.38?±?3.17, p?=?.001). Compared with the low-calcium group, E_max (peak early diastolic velocity) and A_max (peak late diastolic velocity) were significantly decreased (p?p?相似文献   

Disorders of serum omega-3 fatty acid composition in dialyzed patients,and their associations with fat mass

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at increased risk of cardiovascular mortality. Lipid disorders, a constant feature of CKD, might contribute to this state. The aim of this study was to evaluate n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) composition in CKD patients treated with dialysis, in comparison to the general population and to assess possible associations between the n-3 PUFA profile and anthropometric variables. Thirty-three prevalent dialysis patients were studied and compared with an age- and sex-adjusted control group of 22 patients. Fatty acid composition in serum was analyzed by gas chromatography with a mass spectrometer detector (GC-MS) and anthropometric measures were assessed by bioimpedance spectroscopy. The fatty acid profile of dialyzed patients was characterized by a significantly lower percentage content of n-3 PUFA. For α-linolenic acid (ALA), it was 0.21?±?0.09% in dialysis patients versus 0.33?±?0.11% in the control group (p?p?p?r?=?.48 (p?r?=?.40 (p?相似文献   

Platelet Activity and Serum Homocysteine Levels in Patients with End-Stage Renal Failure with Regard to Dialysis Modality

Background. Recent evidence suggests that the activation of platelets and their interaction with circulating cells are important independent risk factors for atherosclerosis. In non-uremic patients with symptomatic peripheral vascular disease, a relationship between serum homocysteine (Hcy) levels and platelet activity had been reported. The purposes of this study were to evaluate of effects of dialysis modality on platelet activity in patients with end-stage renal failure and to investigate the relationship between platelet activity, Hcy, and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). Material and Methods. In age and sex matched 19 healthy subjects, 20 hemodialysis (HD) patients, and 18 continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients, the expression of platelet surface receptors CD41, CD61, CD42a, and CD62P were investigated. CD62P expression was statistically significantly increased in HD patients compared with CAPD patients and controls (34.4 ± 22.5%; 17.3 ± 19.6%, 12.0 ± 15.6%, respectively, p < 0.05), but not in CAPD patients compared with controls. There was a positive correlation between CD62 expression and duration of dialysis in HD patients (r = 0.498, p = 0.026). Mean plasma Hcy levels in dialysis patients were higher than reference levels. However, we could not find any relationship between CD62 expression, Hcy, and LVH in both groups (p > 0.05). Conclusions. Hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis (PD) have a different impact on the expression of CD62: peritoneal dialysis seems to have a more favorable effect. It may be possible that the differences in biocompatibility between PD and HD potentially contribute to differences in CD62 expression.     

Association between heart rate variability and haemodynamic response to exercise in chronic heart failure

Objectives. Heart rate variability (HRV) and haemodynamic response to exercise (i.e. peak cardiac power output) are strong predictors of mortality in heart failure. The present study assessed the relationship between measures of HRV and peak cardiac power output. Design. In a prospective observational study of 33 patients (age 54?±?16 years) with chronic heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (29?±?11%), measures of the HRV (i.e. R-R interval and standard deviation of normal R-R intervals, SDNN) were recorded in a supine position. All patients underwent maximal graded cardiopulmonary exercise testing with non-invasive (inert gas rebreathing) cardiac output assessment. Cardiac power output, expressed in watts, was calculated as the product of cardiac output and mean arterial blood pressure. Results. The mean RR and SDNN were 837?±?166 and 96?±?29?ms, peak exercise cardiac power output 2.28?±?0.85 watts, cardiac output 10.34?±?3.14?L/min, mean arterial blood pressure 98?±?14?mmHg, stroke volume 91.43?±?40.77?mL/beat, and oxygen consumption 19.0?±?5.6?mL/kg/min. There was a significant but only moderate relationship between the RR interval and peak exercise cardiac power output (r?=?0.43, p?=?.013), cardiac output (r?=?0.35, p?=?.047), and mean arterial blood pressure (r?=?0.45, p?=?.009). The SDNN correlated with peak cardiac power output (r?=?0.42, p?=?.016), mean arterial blood arterial (r?=?0.41, p?=?.019), and stroke volume (r?=?0.35, p?=?.043). Conclusions. Moderate strength of the relationship between measures of HRV and cardiac response to exercise suggests that cardiac autonomic function is not good indicator of overall function and pumping capability of the heart in chronic heart failure.     

Association of dialysate calcium concentration with fetuin a level and carotid intima-media thickness in peritoneal dialysis patients

Serum fetuin A has been shown to be associated with the risk of vascular calcification and atherosclerosis, and it can predict the onset of cardiovascular mortality in dialysis patients. The carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) is an accessible and reliable method to identify the subclinical atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between dialysate calcium concentrations and fetuin A or cIMT in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD). Forty patients, newly diagnosed end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and undergoing peritoneal dialysis, were enrolled in the study, with a calcium content of the peritoneal dialysis (PD) solution of 1.25?mmol/L in 20 patients (low-Ca group) and 1.75?mmol/L in 20 patients (standard-Ca group). The patients were followed up for 12 months after the PD conducted. Serum fetuin A was determined using a human fetuin A enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit and cIMT was detected using ultrasonic wave. We observed no difference between two groups with regard to the baseline data of fetuin A, cIMT, calcium, phosphorus, calcium-phosphorus product, high sensitivity CRP (hsCRP), parathyroid hormone (PTH), or lipid parameters. After 12 months follow-up, fetuin A (263.92?±?16.1 vs. 282.76?±?21.0, p?=?0.017) and calcium-phosphorus product (39.85?±?7.76 vs. 47.50?±?6.65, p?=?0.009) were obviously lower in the low-Ca group than standard-Ca group, the other serum parameters were not different between these two groups. Compared with baseline data, serum fetuin A concentration significantly reduced in low-Ca group (?p?p?相似文献   

Relation Between Depression,Some Laboratory Parameters,and Quality of Life in Hemodialysis Patients

Depression is common in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and is associated with increased mortality and morbidity. Several investigators have estimated that depression occurs in about 20% to 30% of dialysis patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between depression, some laboratory parameters, and quality of life (QOL) in hemodialysis patients. Forty-three hemodialysis patients (mean age 40.5 ± 15.2; M = 28, F = 15) were included in the study. Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), and short form with 36 (SF-36) were used for evaluation. Subsequently, patients were divided into two groups according to HAMD scores: group 1, those who had a low HAMD score (between 0 and 7), and group 2, those who had a high HAMD score (over 7). The two groups were compared in terms of anxiety scores, QOL scores, and some laboratory parameters. The group 2 patients (n = 21; M = 13, F = 8) had lower levels of hemoglobin than the group 1 patients (9.5 ± 1.7 vs. 10.7 ± 1.4 g/dL, respectively; p< 0.01). Group 2 patients also had lower SF-36 scores than group 1 patients (91.5 ± 21.3 vs. 74.9 ± 13.6, respectively; p = 0.03). On the contrary, the patients of group 2 had higher HAMA scores than group 1 patients (16.6 ± 6.9 vs. 6.3 ± 3.5, respectively; p< 0.01) and CRP level (10.7 ± 4.6 vs. 4.5 ± 3.8, respectively; p< 0.001). A significant correlation was found between depression scores and C-reactive protein (CRP) (r = 0.57, p< 0.001) and HAMA scores (r = ? 0.43, p< 0.05). In contrast, a negative correlation was found between HAMD scores and albumin (r = ? 0.43, p< 0.05), hemoglobin (r = ? 0.38, p =0.015) and SF-36 scores (r = 0.39, p = 0.032). These findings demonstrate that there is a relationship among high depression score, low levels of hemoglobin and albumin, high CRP level, low SF-36 score, and high anxiety score. Evaluation of psychiatric status should be part of the care provided to hemodialysis patients.     

The Effect of Dialytic Modalities on Clinical Outcomes in ESRD Patients with Familial Mediterranean Fever

Background. Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive disease seen primarily in Sephardic Jews, Turks, and Armenians. The disease manifests as recurrent attacks of fever and serositis. The most important complication of FMF is the development of renal failure due to AA type amyloidosis. There has not been extensive experience with renal replacement therapy in FMF amyloidosis. Nevertheless, there may be a concern about the possibility of higher rates of morbidity and mortality in amyloidotic patients maintained on chronic hemodialysis. Moreover, there is not enough experience regarding patients on chronic peritoneal dialysis. As a result, the best treatment modality of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in these circumstances still remains unclear. This study aimed to compare the effect of hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis modalities on clinical outcomes in ESRD patients associated with FMF amyloidosis. Methods. Forty FMF patients with ESRD due to amyloidosis were retrospectively analyzed. All 40 patients were on renal replacement therapy, 20 on hemodialysis (HD), 20 on peritoneal dialysis (PD). Peritoneal solute transport rates, weekly mean creatinine clearance, and daily mean ultrafiltration (UF) of the patients on chronic peritoneal dialysis were evaluated. Weekly dialysis durations, dialysis membrane properties, Kt/V values, interdialytic weight gains, and frequency of hypotension during dialysis were evaluated on hemodialysis patients. All of the patients were examined according to their demographic characteristics, laboratory results, duration time on dialysis, erythropoietin requirements, frequencies of infectious complications requiring hospitalization, and the two renal replacement modalities mentioned above were compared in terms of these parameters. Results. Serum albumin levels of the patients with FMF amyloidosis who were maintained on peritoneal dialysis treatment were lower (2.87 vs 3.45) and the frequency of infections of the same group was higher (4.2 vs 0.5) than the patients with ESRD secondary to other diseases in the CAPD group. Conclusions. This retrospective analysis showed that peritoneal dialysis may have some disadvantages in amyloidotic patients. Due to the high frequency of hypoalbuminemia and infectious complications seen in this group, peritoneal dialysis is widely accepted as an alternative choice of treatment when hemodialysis is not appropriate.     

Potassium metabolism in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients

Background: Hypokalemia is common and may have contributed to the poor clinical outcome in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. In this study, we made a detailed investigation on the potassium metabolism in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients and tried to find out the possible factors associated with the high prevalence of hypokalemia in PD patients. Methods: A cross-sectional survey in 243 clinically stable CAPD patients was made in our PD center in 2010. Patients were divided into four groups according to whether they were anuric or not and different dialysis regimens. Patients’ demographic data and data on potassium metabolism including dietary potassium intakes, residual renal potassium, and peritoneal dialysis potassium removal were collected. Results: The average potassium intake in our 243 PD patients was 32.1?±?11.1?mmol/day. The total potassium removal was significantly higher in non-anuric patients as compared to anuric patients (33.2?±?9.1 vs. 23.0?±?4.7?mmol/day for 3 exchanges per day and 35.2?±?8.9 vs. 28.6?±?6.3?mmol/day for 4 exchanges per day, respectively, p?p?p?p?R² linear?=?0.645, p?Conclusions: Our study suggested that if potassium intake was limited in PD patients, we should be aware of the risk of hypokalemia with high doses of PD when patients have good RRF. Our study also suggested that potassium removal in PD patients may not necessarily reflect potassium intake even if serum potassium is normal, the effect of ICW should be considered when evaluating potassium homeostasis.     

Body mass index, dialysis modality, and survival: analysis of the United States Renal Data System Dialysis Morbidity and Mortality Wave II Study

BACKGROUND: The impact of obesity on survival in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients as related to dialysis modality (i.e., a direct comparison of hemodialysis with peritoneal dialysis) has not been assessed adjusting for differences in medication use, follow-up > or =2 years, or accounting for changes in dialysis modality. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of the United States Renal Data System (USRDS) Dialysis Morbidity and Mortality Wave II Study (DMMS) patients who started dialysis in 1996, and were followed until October 31 2001. Cox regression analysis was used to model adjusted hazard ratios (AHR) for mortality for categories of body mass index (BMI), both as quartiles and as > or =30 kg/m2 vs. lower. Because such a large proportion of peritoneal dialysis patients changed to hemodialysis during the study period (45.5%), a sensitivity analysis was performed calculating survival time both censoring and not censoring on the date of change from peritoneal dialysis to hemodialysis. RESULTS: There were 1675 hemodialysis and 1662 peritoneal dialysis patients. Among hemodialysis patients, 5-year survival for patients with BMI > or =30 kg/m2 was 39.8% vs. 32.3% for lower BMI (P < 0.01 by log-rank test). Among peritoneal dialysis patients, 5-year survival for patients with BMI >/=30 kg/m2 was 38.7% vs. 40.4% for lower BMI (P > 0.05 by log-rank test). In adjusted analysis, BMI > or = 30 kg/m2 was associated with improved survival in hemodialysis patients (AHR 0.89; 95% CI 0.81, 0.99; P= 0.042) but not peritoneal dialysis patients (AHR = 0.99; 95% CI, 0.86, 1.15; P= 0.89). Results were not different on censoring of change from peritoneal dialysis to hemodialysis. CONCLUSION: We conclude that any survival advantage associated with obesity among chronic dialysis patients is significantly less likely for peritoneal dialysis patients, compared to hemodialysis patients.     

Emotional management and biological markers of dietetic regimen in chronic kidney disease patients

The aim of the study was to investigate the association between psychological characteristics and biological markers of adherence in chronic kidney disease patients receiving conservative therapy, hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis (PD), or kidney transplantation.

Seventy-nine adult patients were asked to complete the following questionnaires: Toronto Alexithymia scale, Snaith–Hamilton Pleasure Scale, and Short Form Health Survey. Biological markers of adherence to treatment were measured.

Peritoneal dialysis patients showed a lower capacity to feel pleasure from sensorial experience (p?=?.011) and a higher values of phosphorus compared to the other patients’ groups (p?=?.0001).

The inability to communicate emotions was negatively correlated with hemoglobin levels (r?=??(0).69; p?=?.001) and positively correlated with phosphorus values in the PD patients (r?=?.45; p?=?.050).

Findings showed higher psychological impairments and a lower adherence to the treatment in PD patients and suggest the implication of emotional competence in adherence to treatment.     

COVID-19: mortality rates of patients on hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis

Objective

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection might have a higher mortality rate in patients with end-stage renal disease due to immunosuppression. This study investigates the mortality rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection and the factors affecting mortality among patients who were on maintenance hemodialysis and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

Materials and methods

A total of 200 patients, including 157 maintenance hemodialysis and 43 continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients followed in our hospital, were included in the study. The patients' sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidities, history of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the previous year, death event, source of death (SARS-CoV-2 or not), presence of hospitalization due to SARS-CoV-2 infection, need for intensive care unit, need for ventilatory support in intensive care unit were obtained from the clinical file records.

Results

85 of the 200 patients had a history of SARS-Cov-2 infection during the last 12 months. Forty-two (49.5%) patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection were hospitalized. Patients with SARS-CoV-2 had longer dialysis time, increased mortality, and significantly higher comorbidities such as coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure. Besides, heart failure and hypertension were the determining factors in the risk factor analysis for SARS-CoV-2 infection. In dialysis patients, the mortality rate in the last year, due to all causes, including SARS-CoV-2 infection, was 23% while the mortality rate due to "SARS-CoV-2 infection only" was 13%) (p > 0.05). Our findings are important in guiding clinical decision-making and informing the public and health authorities about the risk of death associated with COVID-19 in this patient group.

     

Traditional and “new” cardiovascular risk markers and factors in pediatric dialysis patients

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the principal cause of mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The aim of this study was to analyze carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), endothelium-dependent dilatation (EDD), and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) as the cardiovascular risk markers and to investigate the independent risk factors of these markers in pediatric dialysis patients. This study included 39 children and adolescents undergoing dialysis (15 hemodialysis and 24 peritoneal dialysis) and 15 age- and gender-matched healthy subjects. The cIMT and EDD were assessed by high-resolution ultrasound, and LVMI was calculated from standard echocardiographic measurements. Compared with control subjects, cIMT standard deviation scores (SDS), LVMI, total homocysteine (tHcy), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) values were significantly higher in patients, but EDD values did not differ. The mean hs-CRP level was significantly higher in hemodialysis (HD) patients than in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. The cIMT-SDS and LVMI were associated with several variables in univariate analysis. Stepwise linear regression analysis, indexed SBP (p = 0.017), and hemoglobin (p = 0.001) turned out to be independent variables for predicting LVMI, and a significant predictor of cIMT was indexed diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (p = 0.035). The causes of atherosclerosis and left ventricular hypertrophy are multifactorial in children and adolescents with ESRD. Better management of hypertension and anemia may be priorities for preventing or improving CVD in these patients.     

Urokinase can reduce heparin dose in patients with hypercoagulable states during hemodialysis

Abstract

Heparin is routinely administered at high doses during hemodialysis to patients with hypercoagulable states. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of low-dose heparin in combination with urokinase in this patient population. The presence of a hypercoagulable state was confirmed by thromboelastography. Doses of heparin and urokinase were adjusted based on activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT). Clotting in the extracorporeal circuit was evaluated by a semi-quantitative index. Prothrombin time (PT) and APTT were measured before, during and after dialysis. Kt/V_urea was used to assess the efficacy of dialysis. D-dimer levels were measured 2?h after the start of hemodialysis. Hemodialysis data with heparin administered alone prior to dialysis were used as control in the present study. With urokinase treatment, the initial dose of heparin was reduced by 45.0?±?11.4% during hemodialysis and the maintenance dose by 46.8?±?12.8% compared with heparin alone. No side effects due to urokinase were observed. Bleeding events were rare. Post-dialysis PT (12.99?±?1.41 vs. 15.22?±?3.12?s, p?=?0.02) and APTT (97.75?±?43.62 vs. 140.16?±?30.12?s, p?=?0.002) with urokinase plus heparin were significantly shorter than with heparin alone. Finally, during dialysis, D-dimer levels were significantly higher with heparin alone (0.21?±?0.11?mg/L) than with heparin and urokinase (0.169?±?0.122?mg/L, p?=?0.017). In conclusion, urokinase significantly reduced the dose of heparin required during hemodialysis without any side effects in patients with hypercoagulable states during hemodialysis.     

Very early withdrawal from treatment in patients starting peritoneal dialysis

Introduction: Very early withdrawal from treatment in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD) is an increasingly important, but poorly understood, issue. Here, we identified the reasons and risk factors for very early withdrawal from PD.

Methods: Incident PD patients from The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University above 18?years who started treatment between January 1 2006 and December 31 2011 were included. Cessation of PD therapy within the first 90?days after beginning dialysis was classified as very early withdrawal.

Results: Totally 1444 patients were enrolled. Of these, 71 (4.9%) withdrew from PD therapy during the first 90?days. Primary reasons for very early withdrawal included death (34 patients, 47.9%), transplantation (21 patients, 29.6%) and transfer to hemodialysis (14 patients, 19.7%). The leading reasons for death were cardiovascular and infectious disease, accounting for 41.2% (14 patients) and 23.5% (8 patients) of total deaths, respectively. Dialysate leakage (six patients, 42.9%) and catheter dysfunction (five patients, 35.7%) were the main reasons for transfer to hemodialysis. In multivariate analysis, predictors for very early PD withdrawal were older age (per decade increasing; hazard ratio [HR], 1.22; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03–1.45; p?=?.019), higher systolic blood pressure (per 10?mmHg increasing; HR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.20–1.50; p?p?p?=?.001) and lower residual urine volume (per 100?ml/d increasing; HR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.84–0.95; p?=?.001).

Conclusions: Death was the primary reason for very early withdrawal from PD. Risk factors for very early withdrawal from PD were older in age, had higher systolic blood pressure, lower hemoglobin, lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and lower residual urine volume.     

The effects of dialysis modality choice on cognitive functions in patients with end-stage renal failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction

Cognitive dysfunction is a major consequence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and has further detrimental effects on both functionality and the quality of life for patients. While peritoneal dialysis is generally advocated in ESRD, there is a substantial knowledge gap about the differential effects of chronic dialysis modalities on cognitive dysfunction and decline. The aim of this meta-analysis is to evaluate cognitive function in peritoneal dialysis versus hemodialysis patients.

Methods

We performed a systematic review in different databases to identify studies that assessed the effect of different dialysis modalities on cognitive functions. Inclusion criteria for our meta-analysis were all studies that compared the effects of peritoneal dialysis on cognitive functions compared to intermittent hemodialysis. The data collected were the name of the first author, journal title, year of publication, country where the study was conducted, number of patients in the peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis arms and methods of assessment of cognitive functions.

Results

Out of 2769 abstracts reviewed in different databases, 11 papers were included in our meta-analysis. Altogether, 195,774 patients were included in the final analysis. The forest plot analysis of the rate of cognitive impairment in different dialysis modalities showed decreased risk of cognitive impairment in the peritoneal dialysis population compared to hemodialysis patients (relative risk?=?0.634, confidence interval ranges from 0.508 to 0.790). There was evidence of significant heterogeneity among studies with p?<?0.0001 and I²?=?85.5%. The sensitivity analysis limited to studies on patients younger than 65 years of age showed similar results (relative risk?=?0.516; 95% confidence intervals: 0.379–0.704).

Conclusion

Patients on peritoneal dialysis demonstrated a lower odd of cognitive dysfunction compared to those on hemodialysis. Future prospective studies should assess cognitive decline as a meaningful outcome in dialysis patients.