J-shaped association of platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio with 5-year mortality among patients with chronic kidney disease in a prospective cohort study

International Urology and Nephrology - To examine whether platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) is associated with 5-year mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), we performed this...     

Chronic kidney disease and mortality and morbidity among patients with established cardiovascular disease: a West of Ireland community-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The importance of chronic kidney disease as an independent risk factor for morbidity and mortality in patients with cardiovascular disease in the community is not widely recognized. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study based in the West of Ireland followed a randomized practice-based sample of patients with cardiovascular disease. A database of 1609 patients with established cardiovascular disease was established in 2000. This was generated from a randomized sample of 35 general practices in the West of Ireland. The primary endpoint was a cardiovascular composite endpoint, which included death from a cardiovascular cause or any of the cardiovascular events of myocardial infarction (MI), heart failure, peripheral vascular disease and stroke. The secondary endpoint was death from any cause. RESULTS: Of the original community-based cohort of 1609 patients with cardiovascular disease, 1272 (79%) had one or more serum creatinine measurements during the study period and 31 (1.9%) patients were lost to follow-up. Median follow-up was 2.90 years (SD 1.47) and the risk of the cardiovascular composite endpoint (total of 219 events) was significantly increased in those patients with reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) [log rank (Mantel-Cox) 26.74, P<0.001] as was the risk of death from any cause (total of 214 deaths) [Log Rank (Mantel-Cox) 56.97, P<0.001]. On the basis of the proportional hazards model, while adjusting for other significant covariates, reduced estimated GFR was associated with a significant increase in risk of the primary and secondary outcomes (P<0.01). For every 10 ml decrement in estimated GFR there was a corresponding 20% increase in hazard of the cardiovascular composite endpoint and a 33% increase in hazard of death from any cause. CONCLUSIONS: Estimated GFR appears to discriminate prognosis between patients with established cardiovascular disease. These results emphasise the importance of recognising chronic kidney disease as a significant risk factor in patients with cardiovascular disease in the community.     

Prognosis and risk factors of chronic kidney disease progression in patients with diabetic kidney disease and non-diabetic kidney disease: a prospective cohort CKD-ROUTE study

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is emerging rapidly as the leading cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) worldwide. In this 3-year prospective, multicenter cohort study, a total of 1138 pre-dialysis CKD patients were recruited. Patients were categorized into two groups according to the etiologies of DKD and non-diabetic kidney disease (NDKD). Propensity score matching was performed to adjust for confounding factors, resulting in 197 patients being assigned to DKD and NDKD groups, respectively. The primary endpoints were 50% estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline and initiation of kidney replacement therapy (KRT). The secondary endpoints were all-cause death and the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events. We found that DKD patients have a higher risk to develop 50% eGFR decline endpoint (HR:2.30, 95%CI [1.48–3.58], p < 0.001) and KRT endpoint (HR:1.64, 95%CI [1.13–2.37], p < 0.05) than NDKD patients. The 3-year cumulative incidence of 50% eGFR decline and KRT endpoint was significantly higher in DKD patients (26.90% vs.13.71% and 35.03% vs. 22.34%, respectively). The Cox regression analyses showed that the increased systolic blood pressure (SBP), DKD, decreased serum albumin (Alb), and higher CKD stages were risk factors for the 50% eGFR decline endpoint; the increased SBP, DKD, decreased serum Alb, serum creatinine (Scr), higher CKD stages, presence of proteinuria and CVD were risk factors for KRT endpoint; the increased age, decreased hemoglobin (Hb), decreased serum Alb were risk factors for all-cause death endpoint; the increased age, decreased serum Alb were risk factors for CVD events endpoint. Appropriate preventive or therapeutic interventions should be taken to control these predictive factors to delay the development of CKD complications, thereby improving the prognosis and reducing the disease burden of the high-risk populations.     

A nationwide prospective cohort study of patients with advanced chronic kidney disease in Japan: The Reach-J CKD cohort study

Background

Epidemiology and outcomes of Japanese patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD)—an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 45 ml/min/1.73 m²—has remained largely unexamined.

Methods

We conducted a nationwide survey to determine the distribution of Japanese CKD patients, and are conducting a cohort study of these patients. A questionnaire eliciting details about facilities and their CKD practices was sent to all clinics/hospitals with nephrologists. Based on the survey results, we recruited 2400 advanced CKD patients receiving nephrologist care from at least 30 representative facilities throughout Japan, selected randomly with stratification by region and facility size. Through patient questionnaires and nephrologist-practice surveys aligned with the international CKD Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (CKDopps), we shall annually or semi-annually collect patient, physician and clinic data prospectively, detailing CKD practices for 5 years, with a primary outcome of death or renal replacement therapy initiation, and secondary outcomes being decline of eGFR by 30% or 50%, CKD progression to CKD G5, or a cardiovascular event.

Results

Of 790 eligible, responding facilities, 330 (41.8%) treat ≥80 advanced CKD patients in the average 3-month period. Regional distribution of these facilities is similar to that of persons in the general population. Hence, the 30 facilities selected for data collection appear to be geographically representative in Japan.

Conclusions

Our study will enhance understanding of various CKD practices and biological data associated with CKD progression, and allow international comparisons using the CKDopps platform. This will provide evidences to improve the health and quality of life for patients with advanced CKD.

     

Diagnosis of scaphoid fractures:A prospective multicenter study of 1,052 patients with 160 fractures

In a prospective multicenter study of 1,052 patients with clinical signs of a scaphoid fracture, mammo-graphic films and fine intensifying screens were used at the radiographic examination. 5 standardized projections including 3 special projections focused on the scaphoid were taken. 150 fractures were diagnosed at the first examination but in 10 cases the fracture was first diagnosed at a second radiographic examination after 10-14 days.

The second examination still seems mandatory despite the use of high quality radiographs with optimal spatial resolution and contrast, and the value of supplementary special projections.     

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.     

Association between medication adherence and clinical outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease: a prospective cohort study

Background

There is limited evidence of medication adherence related to progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine associations between medication adherence and the progression of CKD in outpatients with CKD.

Methods

This cohort study recruited 339 Thai patients with stages 3–5 CKD. Patients with a glomerular disease or receiving renal replacement therapy before recruitment were excluded. 295 were followed up regarding their serum creatinine, blood pressure, glycated hemoglobin, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol over 12 months. Medication adherence was measured at baseline using the Thai version of the 8-Item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale^®. The primary outcome was the progression of CKD. The progression of CKD was defined as either a decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate of at least 3 ml/min/1.73 m²/year or initiation of renal replacement therapy. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using Chi-squared tests and multiple logistic regressions.

Results

Twenty-one percent had poor adherence. Younger patients were more likely to have poor adherence (adjusted OR 2.81, 95 % CI 1.45–5.43). Anti-hypertensive agents were the most frequently reported as not being taken (52 %). Patients with poor adherence were associated with the progression of CKD (adjusted OR 1.96, 95 % CI 1.02–3.76). Those with poor adherence were less likely to control their blood pressure, than moderate-to-high adherence group (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

The findings suggest that CKD patients with poor medication adherence are more likely to have progression of CKD. Health care providers should acknowledge these findings and provide effective strategies to deal with this issue.

     

Reproducibility of BI-RADS breast density measures among community radiologists: a prospective cohort study

Using data from the Vermont Breast Cancer Surveillance System (VBCSS), we studied the reproducibility of Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) breast density among community radiologists interpreting mammograms in a cohort of 11,755 postmenopausal women. Radiologists interpreting two or more film-screen screening or bilateral diagnostic mammograms for the same woman within a 3- to 24-month period during 1996-2006 were eligible. We observed moderate-to-substantial overall intra-rater agreement for use of BI-RADS breast density in clinical practice, with an overall intra-radiologist percent agreement of 77.2% (95% confidence interval (CI), 74.5-79.5%), an overall simple kappa of 0.58 (95% CI, 0.55-0.61), and an overall weighted kappa of 0.70 (95% CI, 0.68-0.73). Agreement exhibited by individual radiologists varied widely, with intra-radiologist percent agreement ranging from 62.1% to 87.4% and simple kappa ranging from 0.19 to 0.69 across individual radiologists. Our findings underscore the need for additional evaluation of the BI-RADS breast density categorization system in clinical practice.     

Effectiveness and current status of multidisciplinary care for patients with chronic kidney disease in Japan: a nationwide multicenter cohort study

Background

Multidisciplinary care is well established in clinical practice, but its effectiveness in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains unclear. The aim of this study was to determine whether multidisciplinary care could help to avoid worsening kidney function in patients with CKD.

Methods

This nationwide study had a multicenter retrospective observational design and included 3015 Japanese patients with CKD stage 3–5 who received multidisciplinary care. We assessed the annual decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate (ΔeGFR) and urinary protein in the 12 months before and 24 months after the start of multidisciplinary care. All-cause mortality and initiation of renal replacement therapy were investigated according to baseline characteristics.

Results

Most of the patients had CKD stage 3b or higher and a median eGFR of 23.5 mL/min/1.73 m². The multidisciplinary care teams consisted of health care professionals from an average of four disciplines. ΔeGFR was significantly smaller at 6, 12, and 24 months after initiation of multidisciplinary care (all P < 0.0001), regardless of the primary cause of CKD and its stage when multidisciplinary intervention was started. Urinary protein level also decreased after initiation of multidisciplinary care. After a median follow-up of 2.9 years, 149 patients had died and 727 had started renal replacement therapy.

Conclusion

Multidisciplinary care may significantly slow the decline in eGFR in patients with CKD and might be effective regardless of the primary disease, including in its earlier stages. Multidisciplinary care is recommended for patients with CKD stage 3–5.

Trial registration

UMIN00004999.

     

Effect of antitubercular medications on blood pressure control in chronic kidney disease patients with tuberculosis: a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND: Previous anecdotal reports suggested a decrease in antihypertensive medication potency after starting antitubercular medications. This interaction could be unpredictable in presence of renal failure due to increased half-lives of most commonly used antihypertensive medications. METHODS: In a cohort study involving 135 patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), 62 patients with tuberculosis star-ted on antitubercular medications (TB group) were prospectively compared with 73 CKD controls (with no TB and not on antitubercular medications) for a change in antihypertensive medications. Antihypertensive dose was converted to unit score. RESULTS: The TB group had a greater increase in antihypertensive medication dose as compared with controls (89% vs. 54%, p<0.0001). In absolute terms an overall increase in antihypertensive medications was observed in 60% of pa-tients in the TB group, with a 2-fold dose increase from the baseline (p<0.0001). Four patients from the TB group de-veloped a hypertensive emergency. In multivariate linear regression, the association between TB group and increase in antihypertensives remained significant ( beta =0.38; p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: In CKD patients, antihypertensive medication potency is reduced in TB patients on antitubercular the-rapy in a significant number of patients, to a clinically significant degree with a potential risk for hypertensive emergency.     

The longitudinal chronic kidney disease study: a prospective cohort study of predialysis renal failure

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a significant public health problem: every year the number of Americans living with CKD and requiring renal replacement therapy increases. In addition, individuals with CKD have substantially increased morbidity and mortality compared to the general population. The Longitudinal Chronic Kidney Dialysis (LCKD) Study is a multicenter, prospective, observational study of patients with moderate to severe CKD that was designed to better describe the course of the disease and the determinants of patient outcomes. Patients with moderate to severe CKD (glomerular filtration rate [GFR] < 60 ml/min/m2) from four academic nephrology clinics were enrolled between 2000 and 2002. Special cardiac and vascular testing has recently commenced as phase II of this study. Areas that have been or are currently being studied include anemia management, health-related quality of life (HRQOL), medication use, and markers of cardiovascular disease. This article describes the LCKD Study in the context of current knowledge of CKD.     

Totally implantable central venous access ports in patients with cystic fibrosis: a multicenter prospective cohort study

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of late onset complications of totally implantable venous access devices (TIVAD) in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and to investigate possible associations between the rate of complications and different policies of TIVAD management. Methods: A multicenter prospective cohort study was performed in 11 Italian CF Centers. Patients with CF and a TIVAD were recruited and followed-up. Results: The study commenced on May 2008 and ended on September 2010. Eighty subjects were studied (77.5% women - mean age 27.2 years). Eighteen late complications of ports were observed (22.5%; incidence 0.96 per 1000 days of observation): three lumen occlusions, seven catheter-related infections , three port-related venous thrombosis, in addition to five other complications. A statistically significant association was found between the onset of catheter-related infection and the presence of CF-related diabetes (CFRD) (P=.0064) Conclusions: Our data suggest that TIVADs represent a safe and effective device for the intermittent IV administration of drugs in people with CF. However, people with CFRD have a higher risk of developing TIVAD-related infection.     

Chronic kidney disease predicts poor outcomes of COVID-19 patients

International Urology and Nephrology - The recent outbreak of COVID-19 rapidly spread worldwide. Comorbid diseases are determinants of the severity of COVID-19 infection and mortality. The aim of...     

卡维地洛治疗肾病患者难治性高血压的前瞻性多中心临床研究

目的评价卡维地洛治疗各种肾脏病患者中难治性高血压的安全性、降压疗效和其对心肾功能的影响。方法采用前瞻性、多中心、开放、自身对照试验,入选患者共2171例,观察期限为8周。结果与用药前相比,所有患者治疗4周后平均收缩压(SBP)和舒张压(DBP)均明显下降(P＜0．01)。卡维地洛治疗4周降压有效率达57．1%,显效率为11．5%;至用药8周时有效率达79．7%,显效率为26．7%。治疗后平均心率有所下降,由治疗前(79．3±10．2)次/min下降为4周时(75．9±7．6)次/min和8周时的(75．0±8．5)次/min(P＜0．05),但仍处于正常范同。血浆中去甲肾上腺素平均水平由治疗前38．7ng/L降至17．6ng/L(P＜0．05)。卡维地洛治疗后患者肝肾功能、心电图均无明显改变,不良反应轻微。结论卡维地洛治疗肾病患者难治性高血压安全有效。     

The economic burden of the postoperative management in surgically treated trauma patients with peri- and/or intra-articular fractures of the lower extremities: A prospective multicenter cohort study

Objectives: To estimate the economic burden expressed in costs and quality of life of the post-surgical treatment of peri? and/or intra-articular fractures in the lower extremity from a societal perspective.Design: This is a quantitative study as it aims to find averages and generalize results to wider populations. The design is a cost–of-illness and quality of life study focusing on costs (in euros), Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Quality of Life (Qol) in patients with peri? and/or intra-articular fractures of the lower extremities.Setting: Surgically treated trauma patients with peri? and/or intra-articular fractures of the lower extremities during 26 weeks follow-up. Patients were included from 4 hospitals in the Netherlands.Main outcome measures: Costs, ADL and Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALY).Methods: Cost of illness was estimated through a bottom-up method. The Dutch Eq-5D-5 L questionnaire was used to calculate utilities while Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) scores were used as a measure of ADL. Non-parametric bootstrapping was used to test for statistical differences in costs. Subgroup analyses were performed to determine the influence of work status and further sensitivity analyses were performed to test the robustness of the results.Results: Total average societal costs were € 9836.96 over six months. Unexpectedly, total societal and healthcare costs were lower for patients with a paid job relative to patients without. Sensitivity analyses showed that our choice of a societal perspective and the EuroQol as our primary utility measurement tool had a significant effect on the outcomes. The ADL at baseline was respectively; 10.4 and at 26 weeks post-surgery treatment 49.5. The QoL was at baseline respectively; 0.3 and at 26 weeks post-surgery treatment 0.7. These findings are indicative of a significantly improved ADL and QoL (p ≤ 0.05) over time.Conclusions: This study reveal a substantial economic burden in monetary terms and effect on QoL of patients with peri? and/or intra-articular fractures of the lower extremities during 26 weeks follow-up.Registration: This study was registered in the Dutch Trial Register (NTR6077). Date of registration: 01–09–2016.     

Ovarian reserve in an Egyptian cohort with end-stage kidney disease on hemodialysis and after successful kidney transplantation: a prospective study

International Urology and Nephrology - Women with chronic kidney disease commonly have menstrual irregularities and fertility abnormalities. Antimüllerian hormone (AMH) and antral follicle...     

Fracture risk among patients with Paget's disease: a population-based cohort study.

Localized disruption of bone architecture leads to an increased risk of pathological fractures in patients with Paget's disease, but the impact of the disease on overall fracture risk is unknown. We addressed this issue among 236 Olmsted County, Minnesota residents (107 women and 129 men) first diagnosed with Paget's disease from 1950 through 1994. These subjects (mean +/- SD age at diagnosis, 69.6+/-12.2 years) were followed subsequently for 2798 person-years. During this period of observation, 33 pathological fractures were attributed to Paget's disease (1 skull, 11 vertebra, 1 shaft/distal humerus, 1 pelvis, 6 proximal femur, 2 shaft/distal femur, and 11 tibia/fibula). Excluding the fractures through pagetic bone, there was no increase in overall fracture risk in this cohort (standardized incidence ratio [SIR], 1.2; 95% CI, 0.9-1.4). However, there was a statistically significant increase in the risk of subsequent vertebra (SIR, 3.0; 95% CI, 2.2-4.1) and rib fractures (SIR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.1-2.4) but not fractures of the proximal femur (SIR, 0.6; 95% CI, 0.3-1.1) or distal forearm (SIR, 1.4; 95% CI, 0.7-2.5). Thus, unselected patients with Paget's disease in the community, who mostly have mild disease, have a significantly increased risk of vertebral fractures, although this may relate partly to increased surveillance. Additional work is needed to clarify the relationship between Paget's disease and vertebral fractures and to identify individuals at increased risk for more aggressive therapy.