Effectiveness of regdanvimab on mortality in COVID-19 infected patients on hemodialysis

Background Although several therapeutic agents have been evaluated for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), there are lack of effective and proven treatments for end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The present study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of regdanvimab on mortality in COVID-19–infected patients on hemodialysis (HD). Methods We conducted an observational retrospective study in 230 COVID-19–infected patients on HD, of whom 77 (33.5%) were administered regdanvimab alone or in combination with dexamethasone or remdesivir during hospitalization (regdanvimab group) and 153 patients (66.5%) were not (no regdanvimab group). The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. We compared mortality rates according to the use of regdanvimab and investigated the factors associated with mortality. Results Fifty-nine deaths occurred during hospitalization, 49 in the no regdanvimab group (32.0%) and 10 in the regdanvimab group (13.0%), and the mortality rate was significantly higher in the no regdanvimab group than that in the regdanvimab group (p = 0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that malignancy (p = 0.001), SPO2 of <95% at admission (p = 0.003), and administration of antibiotics and regdanvimab (p = 0.007 and p = 0.002, respectively) were significantly associated factors with mortality. Conclusion Regdanvimab administration is beneficial in improving prognosis in hospitalized COVID-19 patients on HD. Considering the vulnerability to infection and high mortality of ESRD patients, regdanvimab may be considered as a therapeutic option in COVID-19 patients on HD

Effects of the route of erythropoietin administration on hemoglobin variability and cardiovascular events in hemodialysis patients

Introduction Despite of the routine use of erythropoietin in hemodialysis patients to correct anemia, its administration route’s effects on hemoglobin variability and cardiovascular events remain elusive. Herein, we determined different erythropoietin administration routes’ effects on hemoglobin variability in hemodialysis patients and the associated factors of hemoglobin variability and cardiovascular events. Methods This is a post hoc analysis of a prospective, controlled, randomized, unblinded study with 78 Korean hemodialysis patients receiving intravenous (n = 40) or subcutaneous (n = 38) erythropoietin therapy. We evaluated hemoglobin variability by calculating the frequency of hemoglobin measurements outside the target range during all visits. The high-frequency group was defined by those with hemoglobin variability over the median value (25%) while the low-frequency group was defined by those with hemoglobin variability of <25%. Results In this analysis, 37 patients (51.1%) were male, and the mean age was 50.6 ± 12.5 years. The frequency of the value being outside the target hemoglobin range was higher in the subcutaneous group compared to the intravenous group (p = 0.03). The low-frequency group required significantly lower erythropoietin doses compared to the high-frequency group. In the adjusted Cox analysis, the parameter high group was a significant independent risk factor for cardiovascular events (p = 0.03). Conclusion The risk out of the target hemoglobin range increased with subcutaneous administration compared with intravenous erythropoietin administration in hemodialysis patients. An increased frequency of the value being outside the target hemoglobin range was also associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events

The paradoxical effect of aldosterone on cardiovascular outcome in maintenance hemodialysis patients

Background Patients with end-stage kidney disease face increased risk of cardiovascular events, and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) contributes to the high occurrence of cardiovascular mortality (CM). Although a high serum aldosterone (sALD) level is involved in the development of cardiovascular complications in the general population, this association is unclear in patients undergoing hemodialysis. We aimed to determine the impact of sALD on LVDD and CM among hemodialysis patients (HDPs). Methods We performed a prospective cohort study of maintenance HDPs without cardiovascular disease. The patients were divided into two groups according to the median level of sALD. All patients underwent baseline echocardiography to evaluate diastolic dysfunction (E/e' ratio > 15). The LVDD and CM rates were compared between the high and low aldosterone groups. Results We enrolled a total of 60 adult patients (mean age, 57.9 ± 12.1 years; males, 30.0%). The low aldosterone group had an increased left ventricular diastolic dimension compared with the high aldosterone group (52.2 ± 8.4 mm vs. 50.3 ± 5.2 mm, respectively; p = 0.03). Low log-aldosterone (odds ratio [OR], 0.40; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.19–0.86) and large left atrial dimension (OR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.11–1.54) were independent risk factors for LVDD at baseline. In addition, Cox regression analysis demonstrated that low sALD was an independent predictor of CM in HDPs (hazard ratio, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.25–0.85; p = 0.01) during follow-up. Conclusion Low sALD was not only associated with LVDD but was also an independent predictor of CM among HDPs regardless of their interdialytic weight gain

Dialysis specialist care and patient survival in hemodialysis facilities: a Korean nationwide cohort study

Background It is important for the dialysis specialist to provide essential and safe care to hemodialysis (HD) patients. However, little is known about the actual effect of dialysis specialist care on the survival of HD patients. We therefore investigated the influence of dialysis specialist care on patient mortality in a nationwide Korean dialysis cohort. Methods We used an HD quality assessment and National Health Insurance Service claims data from October to December 2015. A total of 34,408 patients were divided into two groups according to the proportion of dialysis specialists in their HD unit, as follows: 0%, no dialysis specialist care group, and ≥50%, dialysis specialist care group. We analyzed the mortality risk of these groups using the Cox proportional hazards model after matching propensity scores. Results After propensity score matching, 18,344 patients were enrolled. The ratio of patients from the groups with and without dialysis specialist care was 86.7% to 13.3%. The dialysis specialist care group showed a shorter dialysis vintage, higher levels of hemoglobin, higher single-pool Kt/V values, lower levels of phosphorus, and lower systolic and diastolic blood pressures than the no dialysis specialist care group. After adjusting demographic and clinical parameters, the absence of dialysis specialist care was a significant independent risk factor for all-cause mortality (hazard ratio, 1.10; 95% confidence interval, 1.03–1.18; p = 0.004). Conclusion Dialysis specialist care is an important determinant of overall patient survival among HD patients. Appropriate care given by dialysis specialists may improve clinical outcomes of patients undergoing HD

Fibroblast growth factor-23 and cardiovascular disease among prevalent hemodialysis patients focusing on residual kidney function

BackgroundIn patients undergoing incident hemodialysis, increased fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) levels are associated with the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD), but the influence of residual kidney function (RFK) on this association is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between FGF-23 levels, RKF, and CVD in patients undergoing prevalent hemodialysis.MethodsThis cross-sectional and longitudinal observational study included 296 patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis for at least three months who were followed up for a median of 44 months. RKF was defined as 24-h urine output &gt;200 mL, left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction as E/E’ &gt;15 on echocardiographic parameters. CVD was defined as hospitalization or emergency room visits due to cardiovascular causes, such as angina, myocardial infarction, or congestive heart failure.ResultsThe median intact FGF-23 (iFGF-23) level was 423.8 pg/mL (interquartile range, 171–1,443). Patients with an FGF-23 level &gt; 423.8 pg/mL significantly had a lower proportion of RKF (39.2% vs. 60.1%, P &lt; 0.001) and a higher proportion of LV diastolic dysfunction (54. 1% vs. 29.1%, P &lt; 0.001) than those with an iFGF-23 level ≤ 423.8 pg/mL. The odds ratio (OR) for LV diastolic dysfunction was significantly higher in patients with RFK (OR per one-unit increase in the natural log-transformed iFGF-23 levels, 1.80; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.11–2.93) than in patients without RKF (OR per one-unit increase in the natural log-transformed iFGF-23 levels: 1.42; 95% CI: 1.01–1.99) in multivariate analysis (p &lt; 0.001). During the follow-up period, 55 patients experienced CVD. The hazard ratio (HR) for CVD development was also significantly higher in patients with RKF (HR per one-unit increase in the natural log-transformed iFGF-23 levels, 2.64; 95% CI: 1.29–5.40) than those without RKF (HR per one-unit increase in the natural log-transformed iFGF-23 levels: 1.44; 95% CI: 1.04–1.99) in multivariate analysis (p = 0.05).ConclusionsIncreased iFGF-23 levels were associated with LV diastolic dysfunction and CVD development in patients undergoing prevalent hemodialysis; however, the loss of RKF attenuated the magnitude of these associations. Therefore, in these patients, RKF strongly influenced the detrimental role of iFGF-23 in the development of CVD

Impact of electrolyte-rich dialysate during continuous renal replacement therapy on serum phosphate and potassium in ICU patients.

BackgroundHypophosphatemia and hypokalemia occur frequently during continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). We evaluated serum phosphate and potassium levels in patients administered three different types of dialysis solution.MethodsThe study population consisted of 324 intensive care unit patients who underwent CRRT between January 2015 and December 2018. Patients were divided into three groups: group 1 (n = 105) received Hemosol B0 (no potassium or phosphate); group 2 (n = 78) received Hemosol B0 and potassium-containing solution (MultiBic); and group 3 (n = 141) received phosphate- and potassium-containing solution (Phoxilium), Hemosol B2, Prismasol 2, and Prismasol 4. A different protocol was followed in each group.ResultsThe incidence rate of hypophosphatemia was 55% lower in group 3 compared to group 1 (incidence rate ratio (IRR) 0.45, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.33 to 0.61) and 61% lower compared to group 2 (IRR 0.39, 95% CI: 0.29 to 0.53). Group 3 also had a 50% lower incidence rate of hypokalemia compared to group 1 (IRR 0.50, 95% CI: 0.29 to 0.88). The negative slope in phosphate level in group 3 was greater than that in group 1 (ß = 0.19, 95% CI: 0.02 to 0.37, p = 0.032), while the negative slope in the potassium level was greater in group 2 than in group 1(ß = 0.10, 95% CI: 0.03 to 0.17, p = 0.008). Additional intravenous calcium was not used in any case, and most cases of acid-base disturbances were well controlled.ConclusionsThe use of phosphate- and potassium-containing with a proper CRRT protocol prevented decreases in serum phosphate and potassium levels, thus also preventing hypophosphatemia and hypokalemia, and additional replacement during CRRT

Progression of Diabetic Retinopathy and Declining Renal Function in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Background. At a university hospital in Korea, we conducted a retrospective study to determine the association of the progression of diabetic retinopathy (DR) with declining renal function in type 2 diabetes. Methods. We included a total of 1527 patients with type 2 diabetes who followed up in our diabetes clinic and underwent fundus photographic examinations from August 2006 to February 2014. DR was assessed by retinal ophthalmologists using comprehensive ophthalmologic examinations. Results. The baseline prevalence of nonproliferative DR (NPDR) and proliferative DR (PDR) was 26.5% and 14.7%, respectively. Among 1303 patients with no DR and NPDR, 134 (10.3%) patients progressed to NPDR or PDR. The progression group had longer duration of diabetes, higher fasting plasma glucose, higher HbA1c, and a higher rate of ≥20% decline in eGFR during the follow-up period. After multivariate analysis, ≥20% decline in eGFR (odds ratio 2.553, 95% CI 1.219-5.348, p=0.013) was an independent risk factor for progression of DR in patients with NPDR. Conclusion. Declining renal function was independently associated with DR progression in patients with NPDR, suggesting that investigation of DR status should be recommended for patients with declining renal function

Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index and First-Year Mortality in Incident Hemodialysis Patients

Objective. The Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index is a simple nutritional screening method, and this study aimed to investigate the association between the initial Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index and all-cause mortality in incident patients in the first year after the initiation of hemodialysis. Materials and Methods. This study is a retrospective cohort study and used the Korean Renal Data System database. Patients who were eligible for Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index assessment and underwent hemodialysis from January 2016 to December 2019 were included. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality, and outcome evaluation was performed in December 2020. A Cox proportional hazard model was used to analyze the association between the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index and mortality. Results. A total of 10,545 patients were included, and the mean age was 63.9 ± 3.7 years. The patients were divided into four groups by the quartile of the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index with a mean value of 96.2 ± 8.2. During the study period, 545 (5.2%) deaths occurred. The surviving patients had higher Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index values than ones who died in the first year of hemodialysis initiation (96.6 ± 7.5 vs. 88.2 ± 9.3, p p p p < 0.001). Conclusions. These findings suggest that a low Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (<91.8) is associated with first-year all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in patients who start hemodialysis and may be a useful and reproducible tool for assessing prognoses in this population

Geriatric nutritional risk index is associated with retinopathy in patients with type 2 diabetes

Abstract The geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) is a nutrition-related risk assessment tool and has been used in various clinical settings. The relationship between body mass index (BMI) and the associated risk of diabetic retinopathy (DR) remains inconclusive. We aimed to evaluate the association between GNRI and DR in patients with type 2 diabetes. We included a total of 1359 patients with type 2 diabetes who followed up in our diabetes clinic and underwent fundus photographic examinations from August 2006 to February 2014. DR was assessed by retinal ophthalmologists using comprehensive ophthalmologic examinations. Patients were divided into tertiles according to their GNRI category. Patients in a lower GNRI tertile tended to have a higher proportion of nonproliferative DR (NPDR) and proliferative DR (PDR) compared with those in the other tertiles. The risk of PDR was higher in patients included in GNRI tertile 1 (Odds ratio (OR) 2.252, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.080–4.823, P = 0.033) and GNRI tertile 2 (OR 2.602, 95% CI 1.323–5.336, P = 0.007) compared with those in GNRI tertile 3. In patients with lower GNRIs, the prevalence of DR was higher than in those with higher GNRIs. When GNRI was compared with BMI using the area under the curve, overall accuracy was high in GNRI. The risk of PDR was high in patients with low GNRI and there is an inverse association between GNRI scores and prevalence of DR. GNRI might be a useful tool to predict DR in patients with type 2 diabetes

Comparison of the montreal cognitive assessment and the mini-mental state examination as screening tests in hemodialysis patients without symptoms

Cognitive impairment in end-stage renal disease patients is associated with an increased risk of mortality. We examined the cognitive function in hemodialysis (HD) patients and compared the Korean versions of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (K-MoCA) and of the Mini-Mental State Examination (K-MMSE) to identify the better cognitive screening instrument in these patients. Thirty patients undergoing hemodialysis and 30 matched reference group of apparently healthy control were included. All subjects underwent the K-MoCA, K-MMSE and a neuropsychological test battery to measure attention, visuospatial function, language, memory and executive function. All cognitive data were converted to z-scores with appropriate age and education level prior to group comparisons. Cognitive performance 1.0 SD below the mean was defined as modest cognitve impairment while 1.5 below the mean was defined as severe cognitive impairment. Modest cognitive impairment in memory plus other cognitive domains was detected in 27 patients (90%) while severe cognitive impairment in memory plus other cognitive domains was detected in 23 (77%) patients. Total scores in the K-MoCA were significantly lower in HD patients than in the reference group. However, no significant group difference was found in the K-MMSE. The K-MMSE ROC AUC (95% confidence interval) was 0.72 (0.59–0.85) and K-MoCA ROC AUC was 0.77 (0.65–0.89). Cognitive impairment is common but under-diagnosed in this population. The K-MoCA seems to be more sensitive than the K-MMSE in HD patients