Prevalence of chronic kidney disease risk factors among low birth weight adolescents

Background

By adulthood, low birth weight infants have an increased risk for chronic kidney disease (CKD). The extent to which objective CKD risk factors are present at earlier ages is unclear.

Methods

We analyzed 5352 participants aged 12–15 years in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999–2012. Participants were classified as low birth weight (LBW; < 2500 g), very low birth weight (VLBW; < 1500 g), or normal (2500–4000 g) by parental/proxy recall. Albuminuria (albumin/creatinine 30 – <300 mg/g), decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR; < 90 ml/min/1.73 m²; Counahan–Barratt), and elevated systolic blood pressure (BP; ≥ 95th percentile for age, height, and sex) were considered CKD risk factors.

Results

While albuminuria did not vary by birth weight, elevated blood pressure (BP) and decreased eGFR occurred more frequently in LBW/VLBW adolescents (elevated BP: LBW 6.0 %, VLBW 11.2 %, normal 2.4 %; decreased eGFR: LBW 23.2 %, VLBW 32.5 %, normal 16.1 %). After multivariable adjustment, LBW/VLBW adolescents had greater odds for both elevated BP (LBW: OR 2.90, 95 % CI 1.48–5.71; VLBW: 5.23; 1.11–24.74) and decreased eGFR (LBW: 1.49, 95 % CI 1.06–2.10; VLBW 2.49, 95 % CI 1.20–5.18).

Conclusions

In the U.S. population, both decreased eGFR and elevated systolic BP occur frequently among adolescents with history of LBW/VLBW.

     

Gender Difference in the Association of Hyperuricemia with Chronic Kidney Disease in Southern China

Background: The effect of hyperuricemia on chronic kidney disease (CKD) is controversial, and little is known about gender as it relates to hyperuricemia and CKD. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 7,053 adults in the general Chinese population in Southern China using a multi-stage stratified sampling method. In which associations between hyperuricemia and indicators of CKD (defined by albuminuria (urinary albumin-to -creatinine ratio ≥ 30mg/g) or decreased modified MDRD equation estimated GFR (<60ml/min per 1.73m(2)) were tested using multivariate logistic regression. Results: After adjustment for potential confounders, hyperuricemia was associated with increased risk of reduced renal function and CKD but not albuminuria, with odds ratios (ORs) (95% CI) of 4.39 (3.38-5.70, P <0.001), 1.54 (1.31-1.82, P <0.001) and 0.96 (0.78-1.17, P =0.671), respectively. The interaction between gender and hyperuricemia with CKD was significant (P =0.010); and stratified analysis showed a stronger association of hyperuricemia with CKD in males (OR (95% CI): 2.04 (1.56-2.67), P <0.001) than in females (1.45 (1.17-1.80), P =0.001). Conclusions: We observed an independent association of hyperuricemia with CKD that was stronger in males, and this independent association in male might imply some gender specific mechanisms. These results should be confirmed in future prospective studies.     

Self‐reported weight at birth predicts measures of femoral size but not volumetric BMD in eldery men: MrOS

The mechanism whereby poor intrauterine growth increases risk of adult hip fracture is unclear. We report the association between birth weight and proximal femoral geometry and density in community‐dwelling elderly men. We used self‐reported birth weight, measured adult height and weight and proximal femoral quantitative computed tomography (QCT) measurements of femoral neck axis length, cross‐sectional area, and volumetric BMD (vBMD) among the participants in the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men (MrOS), a cohort study of community‐dwelling US men aged 65 and older. We compared men with birth weight <7 pounds (lower birth weight [LBW]; n = 501) and ≥9 pounds (higher birth weight [HBW]; n = 262) with those weighing 7–8.9 pounds (medium birth weight [MBW], referent group; n = 1068) using linear regression adjusting for current age, height, and BMI. The mean age of the 1831 men who had both birth weight and QCT measurements was 73 years (SD 5.9). Compared with the referent MBW, HBW men had concordantly longer femoral neck (+0.16 SD; p = .028) and cross‐sectional area (+0.24 SD, p = .001). LBW men had a smaller cross‐sectional (–0.26 SD, p < .001) but longer femoral neck for their height (+0.11 SD, p = .05). Neither cortical nor trabecular vBMD at the femoral neck was associated with birth weight. These findings support the hypothesis that the skeletal envelope, but not density, is set, in part, at birth. Further research exploring the association between early developmental factors and lifetime fracture risk is needed and may inform primary preventative strategies for fracture prevention. © 2011 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research     

Hypertriglyceridemia accompanied by increased serum complement component 3 and proteinuria in non-nephrotic chronic kidney disease

Background

Hypertriglyceridemia (hTG) is a risk factor for progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD); however, it remains unknown whether the adipocytokine complement component 3 (C3) is involved in the association between hTG and CKD.

Methods

The study included 138 patients (54 % male) with non-nephrotic (serum albumin ≥3 g/dl) CKD who had undergone a renal biopsy and did not have hypocomplementemic disease. Renal arteriolopathy was assessed semi-quantitatively. We examined the cross-sectional associations between proteinuria and hTG with or without a higher serum C3 level (hC3), defined as equal or above the median value.

Results

The mean (SD) age of the patients was 42 (±17) years and urine protein was 1.2 (±1.2) g/gCr. Patients with hTG had a significantly higher urine protein than those without hTG. Subgroup analysis showed that the hTG+/hC3+ group had higher grade arteriolopathy and urine protein levels. Multiple logistic regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, and diabetes mellitus showed that hC3+ alone was associated significantly with higher levels of urine protein [odds ratio (OR), 2.98; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.19–7.46, p = 0.02]; however, hTG alone showed no such association. hTG+/hC3+ was a significant factor when hTG?/hC3? was used as the reference (adjusted OR 5.32; 95 % CI 1.40–20.17, p = 0.01), with this OR being decreased by adjustment for arteriolopathy.

Conclusions

hTG accompanied by hC3 was associated with proteinuria in non-nephrotic CKD. Arteriolopathy may influence this association. A prospective study is needed to determine the predictive value of this association in CKD progression.     

Association of kidney function with mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease not yet on dialysis: a historical prospective cohort study

Significant mortality occurs in populations with chronic kidney disease (CKD), but the relative contributions of lower glomerular filtration rate (GFR) itself, accompanying comorbidities, and the numerous abnormalities that develop with advancing CKD are poorly studied. We examined all-cause predialysis mortality in 861 United States veterans with CKD stage 3 to 5 not yet on dialysis. The association of GFR with mortality was analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method, and the effects of several confounding variables on mortality were assessed in a Cox proportional-hazards model. Overall death rate was 102.1/1,000 person-years (95% CI: 90.2 to 115.6). Lower kidney function was associated with higher mortality (relative risk [95%CI] for GFR less than 20 v 41 to 60 mL/min/1.73 m2: 2.56 [1.61 to 4.07], P<0.001) after adjustment for age, race, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, smoking status, body mass index, mean arterial pressure, serum albumin, blood cholesterol, haemoglobin, and 24-hour urine protein. For every 10 mL/min/1.73 m2 lower estimated GFR, the adjusted relative risk of mortality (95% CI) was 1.28 (1.12 to 1.45), P<0.001. Lower kidney function is associated with increased mortality in patients with moderate and advanced CKD. This association is present even after adjustment for several confounders.     

Trefoil factor 3 predicts incident chronic kidney disease: a case-control study nested within the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study

Background: Early detection of individuals at high risk for chronic kidney disease (CKD) may aid prevention. Urinary levels of trefoil factor 3 (TFF3) are associated with acute kidney injury in animal models, but the association of TFF3 levels with incident CKD in humans is unknown. Methods: We conducted a case-control study nested within the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study and the ARIC Carotid MRI Study to determine whether urinary TFF3 levels predict incident CKD over 8.6 years of follow-up. A total of 143 participants with incident CKD (eGFR decreasing by ≥25% to <60 ml/min/1.73 m(2)) were matched on age, sex and race to 143 non-cases. Results: Higher TFF3 levels at baseline were strongly associated with Black race, diabetes (both p = 0.002), and antihypertensive medication use (p = 0.02). Compared to participants with TFF3 levels in the lowest quartile, the odds ratio (OR) of incident CKD was 1.84 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.80, 4.22) for individuals with TFF3 levels in the second quartile, 2.43 (95% CI: 1.06, 5.53) for the third quartile, and 2.77 (95% CI: 1.22, 6.28) for the fourth quartile (p trend = 0.02). Adjustment for covariates, including urinary albumin: creatinine ratio, did not markedly change the associations. Twofold higher TFF3 levels were strongly associated with incident CKD after adjustment for CKD risk factors (adjusted OR = 1.35; 95% CI: 1.11, 1.64). Conclusions: Higher urinary TFF3 levels may indicate ongoing repair of damage in the kidney. Additional studies are needed to confirm whether TFF3 can be useful as a marker of increased risk for CKD.     

Influence of low birth weight on minimal change nephrotic syndrome in children, including a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Low birth weight (LBW) has been shown to lead to a low nephron endowment with subsequent glomerular hyperfiltration. Additional renal disease can therefore be expected to have a more severe course. Minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS) is a common chronic illness in childhood. As it is important to be able to predict prognosis in MCNS, we set out to study the effect of LBW on MCNS in a cohort of patients from our University Medical Center, and performed a meta-analysis. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of children with MCNS treated at the VU University Medical Center was performed, identifying 55 patients of whom 4 had LBW. The meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager (The Cochrane Collaboration). RESULTS: The meta-analysis consisted of 201 patients (25 LBW, 176 normal birth weight). More LBW patients were classified as steroid resistant [odds ratio (OR) 6.97 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.02-24.04), P = 0.002]. The number of relapses per year of follow-up was significantly higher in the LBW patients with MCNS [weighted mean difference 0.93 (95% CI 0.71-1.15) relapse per year, P < 0.0001]. MCNS patients with LBW were significantly more likely to be treated with cyclosporine [OR 4.4 (95% CI 1.7-11.8), P = 0.003] or cytotoxic agents [OR 4.2 (95% CI 1.8-10.2), P = 0.001] during the course of their disease, and they had a higher chance of developing several complications during the follow-up period, including hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis provides support for an adverse effect of LBW on the course and prognosis of MCNS in children, which can aid clinicians and parents in assessing the expected clinical course.     

Low birth weight does not increase the risk of nephropathy in Finnish type 1 diabetic patients.

BACKGROUND: Low birth weight (LBW) has been linked to renal disease both in animal models and human studies. However, the role of birth weight in the development of diabetic nephropathy is unclear. We, therefore, studied the impact of birth weight on the development of diabetic nephropathy and other related traits, such as diabetic retinopathy and macrovascular disease, in Caucasian type 1 diabetic patients. METHODS: Data on size at birth were obtained from original birth certificates in 1543 Finnish patients with type 1 diabetes. The patients were divided into those with low (LBW; below the 10th percentile), normal (NBW; 11-90th percentile) and high birth weight (HBW; above the 90th percentile). RESULTS: Diabetic nephropathy was equally common in the groups with various birth weight (LBW vs NBW vs HBW: 21 vs 20 vs 17%, P = NS). End-stage renal disease (3 vs 5 vs 4%, P = NS), laser-treated retinopathy (31 vs 31 vs 31%, P = NS) and macrovascular disease (5 vs 5 vs 8%, P = NS) were equally prevalent in the various birth weight groups. The time from the onset of diabetes to the onset of diabetic nephropathy was similar irrespective of birth weight (log-rank test; P = NS). CONCLUSIONS: Based on our cross-sectional data, LBW does not have an impact on the development of diabetic nephropathy, laser-treated retinopathy or macrovascular disease later in life in Caucasians with type 1 diabetes.     

Effect of male body mass index on clinical outcomes following assisted reproductive technology: a meta‐analysis

Overweight and obese males might exhibit a great risk of infertility. However, according to the current studies, the association between elevated male body mass index (BMI) and the clinical adverse results after assisted reproductive technology (ART) remains controversial. Hence, we conducted a meta‐analysis to evaluate the effects of raised male BMI on clinical outcomes following ART. PubMed, EMBASE and three Chinese databases were used to identify relevant studies. The primary outcome was clinical pregnancy rate. Secondary outcomes included live birth rate and sperm parameters. A total of 5262 male participants from 10 cohort studies were subjected to meta‐analysis. Results indicated that overweight or obese had no significant impact on clinical pregnancy rate [in vitro fertilisation (IVF): odds ratio (OR), 0.73; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.39–1.39; intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI): OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.92–1.15], live birth rate (IVF: OR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.78–1.06; ICSI: OR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.50–1.99) and sperm concentration (SMD, ?0.28; 95% CI, ?0.65 to 0.08) compared with normal weight following IVF/ICSI treatments. Exclusion of any single study and almost all the sensitivity analyses showed that our results were reliable. At present, the role of male BMI in the process of ART is only partly understood and should be further investigated.     

Metabolic syndrome does not always play a critical role in decreased GFR

Background There is a paucity of literature available as to the relationship between different levels of each metabolic syndrome (MetS) component and decreased GFR. In the present study, we aimed to demonstrate whether MetS always plays a critical role in decreased GFR. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted between February 2010 and September 2012, with 75,468 adults enrolled undergoing measurements of blood pressure as well as tests of blood and urine samples. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to estimate the odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI), and the chi-square test was used for categorical variables and described as a percentage. Results Of the 75,468 participants, 350 (0.5%) subjects met criteria for the decreased GFR, with a mean age of 48.79?±?13.76?years. After adjustment for age, diastolic blood pressure and high-density lipoprotein were inversely related to decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in multivariable analyses, with an OR (95% CI) of 0.57 (0.39–0.84) and 0.41 (0.24–0.72), respectively. The prevalence rate of CKD in critical group was 0.73% (154 of 21,127) and 0% (0 of 370) in noncritical group. In analysis stratified by the type of MetS components, the differences in noncritical group and the reference group were not statistically significant (χ^2?=^?1.349, p?>?0.05). Conclusions MetS does not always play a critical role in decreased GFR, with different levels of individual components of MetS exerting idiosyncratic effects in decreased eGFR. In fact, patients with abnormal body mass index, high triglycerides, and elevated fasting plasma glucose would not have impact on decreased GFR.     

Prenatal Risk Factors for Childhood CKD

Development of CKD may be programmed prenatally. We sought to determine the association of childhood CKD with prenatal risk factors, including birth weight, maternal diabetes mellitus (DM), and maternal overweight/obesity. We conducted a population-based, case-control study with 1994 patients with childhood CKD (<21 years of age at diagnosis) and 20,032 controls in Washington state. We linked maternal and infant characteristics in birth records from 1987 to 2008 to hospital discharge data and used logistic regression analysis to assess the association of prenatal risk factors with childhood CKD. The prevalence of CKD was 126.7 cases per 100,000 births. High birth weight and maternal pregestational DM associated nominally with CKD, with respective crude odds ratios (ORs) of 1.17 (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.03 to 1.34) and 1.97 (95% CI, 1.15 to 3.37); however, adjustment for maternal confounders attenuated these associations to 0.97 (95% CI, 0.79 to 1.21) and 1.19 (95% CI, 0.51 to 2.81), respectively. The adjusted ORs for CKD associated with other prenatal factors were 2.88 (95% CI, 2.28 to 3.63) for low birth weight, 1.54 (95% CI, 1.13 to 2.09) for maternal gestational DM, 1.24 (95% CI, 1.05 to 1.48) for maternal overweight, and 1.26 (95% CI, 1.05 to 1.52) for maternal obesity. In subgroup analysis by CKD subtype, low birth weight and maternal pregestational DM associated significantly with increased risk of renal dysplasia/aplasia. Low birth weight, maternal gestational DM, and maternal overweight/obesity associated significantly with obstructive uropathy. These data suggest that prenatal factors may impact the risk of CKD. Future studies should aim to determine if modification of these factors could reduce the risk of childhood CKD.     

Chronic kidney disease after heart transplantation: a single‐centre retrospective study at Skåne University Hospital in Lund 1988–2010

We aimed to study the incidence, predictors and outcome of chronic kidney disease (CKD) after heart transplantation (HT). All our HT patients 1988–2010 were considered for inclusion. Of these, 134 came for annual follow‐ups including evaluation of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) using iohexol clearance measurements, and the CKD‐EPI (adults) or Schwartz (children) formulae. Median GFR (Q1–Q3) (ml/min/1.73 m²) declined from 67.0 (50.0–82.0) during transplant assessment (TA) to 56.0 (45.0–69.0) at year 1, 53.0 (41.0–68.0) at year 5 and 44.5 (25.0–57.3) at year 10. The cumulative incidence of CKD ≥ stage 4 was 25% at 5 years and 41% at 10 years after transplantation. Proteinuria the first year post‐HT was the only predictor related (P < 0.05) to a higher rate of GFR decline (HR 5.15, 95% CI 1.23–21.55). GFR ≥60 as compared to <60 before HT, or a first‐year GFR decline <30% as compared to >30%, was moreover associated (P < 0.05) with a lower risk of death (HR 0.30, 95% CI 0.12–0.76 and HR 0.35, 95% CI 0.13–0.90, respectively). Notably, the CKD‐EPI and Schwartz formulae overestimated GFR by 28 ± 29% and 26 ± 33%, respectively. In conclusion, CKD in HT patients is common and associated with worse outcome. To avoid diagnostic delay, GFR estimating equations' validity in HT patients needs further study.     

广西贺州城镇成人慢性肾脏病的流行病学调查

目的 探讨广西贺州城镇成人慢性肾脏病(CKD)的患病情况及危险因素。 方法 在广西中小城市贺州，采用分层整群系统随机抽样的方法，抽取贺州部分城镇1200名18岁以上的常住居民，对其进行问卷调查、检测肾脏损伤指标及相关危险因素。 结果 在资料完整的1069名居民中，白蛋白尿的患病率为7.5％；血尿的患病率为4.8％，肾功能下降的患病率为3．6％。该人群CKD的患病率为14.4％，知晓率为1.4％。二分类Logistic回归分析提示，年龄（OR为1.022，95%CI为1.008～1.035）、性别（OR为2.249，95%CI为1.502～3.367）、高血压（OR为4.397，95%CI为2.601～7.432）及糖尿病（OR为7.422，95%CI为3.985～13.825）与CKD独立相关。 结论 在我国广西中小城市贺州部分城镇中，成人CKD的患病率为14.4％，知晓率为1.4％。CKD的相关危险因素包括年龄、性别、高血压及糖尿病，与发达国家和我国大城市相似。     

Chronic Kidney Disease Is an Independent Risk Factor for Transfusion,Cardiovascular Complication,and Thirty-Day Readmission in Minimally Invasive Total Knee Arthroplasty

Background

Little is known about the relationship between chronic kidney disease (CKD) and minimally invasive total knee arthroplasty (MIS-TKA). We hypothesized that CKD was an independent risk factor for postoperative complications and increased blood transfusion in patients following MIS-TKA.

Blood lead and chronic kidney disease in the general United States population: results from NHANES III

BACKGROUND: High lead exposure is associated with hypertension and renal dysfunction but the effect of low-level environmental exposure is not as well studied. METHODS: We examined the association between blood lead and renal function among a representative sample of the civilian noninstitutionalized United States population with and without hypertension, age 20 years old or older, participating in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) (N=15211). Elevated serum creatinine was defined as >or=99th percentile of each race-sex specific distribution for healthy young adults and chronic kidney disease (CKD) as a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) <60 mL/min estimated using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) formula. RESULTS: Among persons with and without hypertension, mean blood lead was 4.21 and 3.30 ug/dL, respectively, the prevalence of elevated serum creatinine was 11.5% and 1.8%, respectively, and CKD was 10.0% and 1.1%, respectively. Among persons with hypertension, a graded association was present between higher quartile of blood lead and a higher odds ratio of both an elevated serum creatinine and CKD. Comparing the highest to lowest quartile of blood lead, the multivariate adjusted odds ratio (95% CI) of an elevated serum creatinine and CKD were 2.41 (1.46, 3.97) and 2.60 (1.52, 4.45), respectively. The analogous adjusted odds ratios (95% CI) among normotensives were 1.09 (0.53, 2.22) and 1.09 (0.41, 2.89), respectively. Associations were consistent when modeling lead as a continuous variable and in all subgroups except smokers. CONCLUSION: In the United States population with hypertension, exposure to lead, even at low levels, is associated with CKD. Reduction of lead exposure may reduce the burden of CKD in the community.     

Birth weight has no influence on glomerular number and volume

It has been proposed that low birth weight (LBW) results in a reduction in glomerular number that may, in turn, predispose an individual to develop hypertension in adulthood. Glomerular number is reduced in animal models of intra-uterine malnutrition using a variety of techniques. However, the relevance of such extreme models to man is uncertain. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether animals with naturally occurring LBW, which have not received any manipulation in utero, have a reduction in glomerular number, altered glomerular volume and abnormal urine albumin excretion. Litters from female rats delivering at term on the same day were weighed and sexed at birth. From each litter 2 males with the lowest birth weight (LBW n=18) and 2 males with a birth weight closest to the litter mean [normal birth weight (NBW) n=18] were selected and cross-fostered onto periparturient lactating dams. LBW rats weighed 6.7±0.6 g compared with 7.2±0.6 g for NBW rats (P=0.03). After weaning all rats were weighed weekly and underwent metabolic studies at 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks. Following perfusion fixation, glomerular number and mean glomerular volume were estimated using standard stereological techniques. There was no significant difference between LBW and NBW rats with respect to glomerular number (24 499±2 078 vs. 24 825±1 818), mean glomerular volume and urine albumin excretion, and no rats had a glomerular number outside the normal range. This study suggests that naturally occurring LBW has little influence on renal development, glomerular number and volume. Received: 29 August 2000 / Revised: 8 December 2000 / Accepted: 11 December 2000     

Modifiable Lifestyle Factors for Primary Prevention of CKD: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BackgroundDespite increasing incidence of CKD, no evidence-based lifestyle recommendations for CKD primary prevention apparently exist.MethodsTo evaluate the consistency of evidence associating modifiable lifestyle factors and CKD incidence, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and references from eligible studies from database inception through June 2019. We included cohort studies of adults without CKD at baseline that reported lifestyle exposures (diet, physical activity, alcohol consumption, and tobacco smoking). The primary outcome was incident CKD (eGFR<60 ml/min per 1.73 m²). Secondary outcomes included other CKD surrogate measures (RRT, GFR decline, and albuminuria).ResultsWe identified 104 studies of 2,755,719 participants with generally a low risk of bias. Higher dietary potassium intake associated with significantly decreased odds of CKD (odds ratio [OR], 0.78; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.65 to 0.94), as did higher vegetable intake (OR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.70 to 0.90); higher salt intake associated with significantly increased odds of CKD (OR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.06 to 1.38). Being physically active versus sedentary associated with lower odds of CKD (OR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.69 to 0.98). Current and former smokers had significantly increased odds of CKD compared with never smokers (OR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.10 to 1.27). Compared with no consumption, moderate consumption of alcohol associated with reduced risk of CKD (relative risk, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.79 to 0.93). These associations were consistent, but evidence was predominantly of low to very low certainty. Results for secondary outcomes were consistent with the primary finding.ConclusionsThese findings identify modifiable lifestyle factors that consistently predict the incidence of CKD in the community and may inform both public health recommendations and clinical practice.     

Management of hypertension in chronic kidney disease: the Italian multicentric study

BACKGROUND: Guidelines have indicated the achievement of blood pressure target (BP <130/80 mmHg) as a priority in the conservative treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD), but the current implementation of these recommendations in clinical practice is unknown. METHODS: We assessed control rates, treatment and clinical correlates of hypertension in 1201 adult non-dialyzed CKD patients followed up by a nephrologist for at least 6 months. RESULTS: Estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was 32 (SD 15) mL/min/1.73 m2. BP target was not achieved in 88% of patients (95% confidence interval (95% CI): 86-90%). In 84% of patients, BP levels were also above the target at the first visit to the nephrology unit 4.5 yrs previously. The risk of not achieving BP target during the nephro-logy follow-up was associated with older age (odds ratio (OR): 1.24, 95% CI 1.06-1.45, p=0.008), diabetes (OR: 2.25, 95% CI 1.20-4.20, p=0.011), and the duration of hypertension (OR: 1.13, 95% CI 1.02-1.24, p=0.016). Among patients with uncontrolled BP, about 70% received multidrug antihypertensive therapy including renin-angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors; conversely, diuretic treatment was prescribed in a minority of patients (37%), and at insufficient doses in half the cases, despite the insufficient implementation of a low salt diet (18%). CONCLUSIONS: BP target was not reached in most CKD patients routinely seen in the renal clinics. The main barrier to guideline implementation is possibly the inadequate treatment of extracellular volume expansion despite the large prevalence of factors, such as older age and diabetes, which further enhance the intrinsic BP salt sensitivity of CKD.     

Relationship between moderate to severe kidney disease and hip fracture in the United States

People with ESRD are at a high risk for hip fracture. However, the effect of moderate to severe chronic kidney disease (CKD) on hip fracture risk has not been well studied. As part of the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, information on both kidney function and history of hip fracture was obtained. This survey is a complex, multistage, probability sample of the US noninstitutionalized civilian population and was conducted between 1988 and 1994. A history of hip fracture was identified from the response to a questionnaire that was administered to all participants. There were 159 cases of hip fracture. There was a significantly increased likelihood of reporting a hip fracture in participants with estimated GFR <60 ml/min (odds ratio [OR] 2.12; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.18 to 3.80). In younger participants (aged 50 to 74 yr), the prevalence of CKD was approximately three-fold higher in those with a history of hip fracture versus in those without a history of hip fracture (19.0 versus 6.2%, respectively; P = 0.04). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, only the presence of CKD (OR 2.32; 95% CI 1.13 to 4.74), a reported history of osteoporosis (OR 2.52; 95% CI 1.08 to 5.91), and low physical activity levels (OR 2.10; 95% CI 1.03 to 4.27) were associated with a history of hip fracture. There is a significant association between hip fracture and moderate to severe degrees of CKD, particularly in younger individuals, that is independent of traditional risk factors for hip fracture.     

Medical epidemiology of patients surviving ten years after liver transplantation

Simo KA, Sereika S, Bitner N, Newton KN, Gerber DA. Medical epidemiology of patients surviving ten years after liver transplantation.
Clin Transplant 2011: 25: 360–367. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Abstract: The transition into extended long‐term follow‐up after liver transplantation raises a new series of issues with respect to continuing care of this population. A retrospective study was performed, analyzing patients who underwent orthotopic liver transplant (OLT) and survived ≥10 yr at a single institution. Long‐term comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension (HTN), chronic kidney disease (CKD), coronary artery disease (CAD), and obesity were identified and standardized prevalence ratios ([SPR]) utilized to compare with the general US population. There was an increased prevalence of HTN ([SPR] = 2.25 ± 0.61), DM ([SPR] = 2.67 ± 0.72), and CKD ([SPR] = 15.3 ± 4.04) but not CAD or obesity. In multivariate analysis, non‐viral etiology of end‐stage liver disease was associated with CKD (OR 3.42 CI 1.11–10.53), and an initial glomerular filtration rate (GFR) <60 mL/min per 1.73 m² (CKD stages III–V) was associated with HTN (OR 4.62 CI 1.14–18.73) after OLT. Creatinine ≥1.5 mg/dL at 10 yr was associated with an initial GFR <60 mL/min per 1.73 m² (p = 0.000) and CAD after OLT (p = 0.012). Patients, 10 yr after OLT, have a significantly higher prevalence of HTN, DM, and CKD than the general population, which is not confounded by obesity. Increased vigilance and proactive management are required to further improve long‐term outcomes.