Temporal Trends and Factors Associated with Medication Prescription Patterns in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients

INTRODUCTION

Patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD) suffer from a high burden of comorbidities, which are managed with multiple medications. Determinants of prescription patterns are largely unknown in this population. This study assesses temporal changes and factors associated with medication prescription in a nationally representative population of patients on PD under the universal coverage healthcare system in Brazil.

METHODS

Incident patients recruited in the Brazilian Peritoneal Dialysis Study (BRAZPD) from December 2004 to January 2011, stratified by prior hemodialysis (HD) treatment, were included in the analysis. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the association between medication prescription and socioeconomic factors. Yearly prevalent cross-sections were calculated to estimate prescription over time.

RESULTS

Medication prescription was in general higher among patients who had previously received HD, compared with those who started renal replacement therapy (RRT) directly on PD. Prescription increased from baseline to 6 months of PD therapy, particularly in those who did not previously receive HD. After accounting for patient characteristics, significant associations were found between socioeconomic factors, geographic region, and medication prescription patterns. Finally, the prescription of all cardioprotective and anemia medications and phosphate binders increased significantly over time.

CONCLUSION

In a PD population under universal coverage in a developing country, there was an increase in drug prescription during the first 6 months on PD, and a trend toward more liberal prescription of medications in later years. Independent from patient characteristics and comorbidities, socioeconomic factors influenced drug prescriptions that likely impact patient outcome, calling for public health action to decrease potential inequities in management of comorbidities in PD patients.

Vitamin D Receptor Gene Polymorphisms and Environment Influencing the Impact on Survival in Hemodialysis Patients

INTRODUCTION

The vitamin D-receptor axis is involved in multiple physiological functions and altered states such as hypertension, mineral metabolism disorders, and inflammation. These disturbances are major risk factors for progression to end-stage kidney disease and cardiovascular disease. In addition, changes in internal systemic environment could be influencing the impact of survival in patients with kidney disease. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of vitamin D receptor (VDR) polymorphisms on hemodialysis patients' survival.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 122 hemodialysis patients and 120 healthy controls were compared for VDR gene polymorphism. Markers for full coverage in the VDR gene were selected and genotyped. The hemodialysis patients were followed until death event, which was considered the primary endpoint for the survival analysis.

RESULTS

Two tag SNPs (rs10875695 and rs11168293) showed significant differences between the hemodialysis and healthy patients. In survival analysis, the CC genotype for rs2248098, compared to the TT genotype, was associated with a worse mortality rate. After adjustments for age, sex, diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular disease, the genotype CC (rs2248098) was associated with a higher risk of mortality in a multivariable analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Polymorphisms specific to patients with kidney disease could be influencing different conditions associated with mortality. Thus, these genetic markers, rs2248098 for example, would act in a specific time in the history of kidney disease and would bring different results of patient survival outcomes.

Noncommunicable diseases and their common risk factors in Curitiba, Brazil: results of a cross-sectional, population-based study

Objective

To describe the estimated prevalence of noncommunicable diseases and their common risk factors among the adult population of Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil, based on results of the EPIdemiology of CURitiba: EvaluAtion of Noncommunicable diseases (EPICUREAN) study.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional, population-based survey of 1 103 residents of Curitiba, grouped by age (18 - 39 years of age, 40 - 59, and ≥ 60 years), conducted in August 2013 - August 2014. Household interviews, anthropometry, blood pressure measurements, and fasting capillary glycemia were performed during two visits to each participant. The analyses included frequency distribution and prevalence estimates of main outcomes. Prevalence estimates, weighted by age and sex, were presented as absolute numbers and percentages.

Results

Prevalence estimates for self-reported depression were 21.2%; hypertension, 31.2%; diabetes, 9.1%; self-reported dyslipidemia, 21.7%; obesity, 21.2%; current smoking, 16.1%; binge drinking, 23.4%; and insufficient physical activity, 35.1%. Prevalences of diabetes and hypertension were higher among individuals with less schooling and the elderly. Binge drinking and leisure-time physical activity were more prevalent in young adults. Men presented higher prevalences of overweight, current smoking, and harmful use of alcohol. Obesity and moderate- to-severe risk of depression were more frequent among women and those with lower income.

Conclusions

The prevalence of NCDs and common risk factors among the adult population of Curitiba are high and reveal a gradient of vulnerabilities by age, sex, education level, and income. To address health inequities and meet the needs of different population groups, the health system should monitor NCDs and risk factors and implement equitable public health policies.

Biomarkers of cardio-renal syndrome in uremic myocardiopathy animal model

Introduction:

Cardio-renal syndrome subtype 4 (CRS4) is a condition of primary chronic kidney disease that leads to reduction of cardiac function, ventricular hypertrophy, and risk of cardiovascular events. Objective: Our aim was to understand the mechanisms involved on the onset of CRS4.

Methods:

We used the nephrectomy 5/6 (CKD) animal model and compared to control (SHAM). Serum biomarkers were analyzed at baseline, 4, and 8 weeks. After euthanasia, histology and immunohistochemistry were performed in the myocardium.

Results:

Troponin I (TnI) was increased at 4 weeks (W) and 8W, but nt-proBNP showed no difference. The greater diameter of cardiomyocytes indicated left ventricular hypertrophy and the highest levels of TNF-α were found at 4W declining in 8W while fibrosis was more intense in 8W. Angiotensin expression showed an increase at 8W.

Conclusions:

TnI seems to reflect cardiac injury as a consequence of the CKD however nt-proBNP did not change because it reflects stretching. TNF-α characterized an inflammatory peak and fibrosis increased over time in a process connecting heart and kidneys. The angiotensin showed increased activity of the renin-angiotensin axis and corroborates the hypothesis that the inflammatory process and its involvement with CRS4. Therefore, this animal study reinforces the need for renin-angiotensin blockade strategies and the control of CKD to avoid the development of CRS4.

Clinicians' and researchers' perspectives on establishing and implementing core outcomes in haemodialysis: semistructured interview study

OBJECTIVES

To describe the perspectives of clinicians and researchers on identifying, establishing and implementing core outcomes in haemodialysis and their expected impact.

DESIGN

Face-to-face, semistructured interviews; thematic analysis.

STETTING

Twenty-seven centres across nine countries.

PARTICIPANTS

Fifty-eight nephrologists (42 (72%) who were also triallists).

RESULTS

We identified six themes: reflecting direct patient relevance and impact (survival as the primary goal of dialysis, enabling well-being and functioning, severe consequences of comorbidities and complications, indicators of treatment success, universal relevance, stakeholder consensus); amenable and responsive to interventions (realistic and possible to intervene on, differentiating between treatments); reflective of economic burden on healthcare; feasibility of implementation (clarity and consistency in definition, easily measurable, requiring minimal resources, creating a cultural shift, aversion to intensifying bureaucracy, allowing justifiable exceptions); authoritative inducement and directive (endorsement for legitimacy, necessity of buy-in from dialysis providers, incentivising uptake); instituting patient-centredness (explicitly addressing patient-important outcomes, reciprocating trial participation, improving comparability of interventions for decision-making, driving quality improvement and compelling a focus on quality of life).

CONCLUSIONS

Nephrologists emphasised that core outcomes should be relevant to patients, amenable to change, feasible to implement and supported by stakeholder organisations. They expected core outcomes would improve patient-centred care and outcomes.

p-cresol but not p-cresyl sulfate stimulate MCP-1 production via NF-κB p65 in human vascular smooth muscle cells

INTRODUCTION

p-cresol (PC) and p-cresyl sulfate (PCS) are responsible for many of the uremia clinical consequences, such as atherosclerosis in Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) patients.

OBJECTIVES

We investigate the in vitro impact of PC and PCS on monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) expression via NF-kappa B (NF-κB) p65 in VSMC.

METHODS

PCS was synthesized by PC sulfatation. VSMC were extracted by enzymatic digestion of umbilical cord vein and characterized by immunofluorescence against α-actin antibody. The cells were treated with PC and PCS at their normal (n), uremic (u) and maximum uremic concentrations (m). Cell viability was assessed by MTT. MCP-1 expression was investigated by ELISA in cells supernatants after toxins treatment with or without the NF-κB p65 inhibitor.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in cell viability after toxins treatment for all concentrations tested. There was a significant increase in MCP-1 expression in cells treated with PCu and PCm (p < 0.001) and PCSn, PCSu and PCSm (p < 0.001), compared with the control. When VSMC were treated with the NF-κB p65 inhibitor plus PCu and PCm, there was a significant decrease in MCP-1 production (p < 0.005). This effect was not observed with PCS.

CONCLUSIONS

VSMC are involved in atherosclerosis lesion formation and production of MCP-1, which contributes to the inflammatory response initiation. Our results suggest that PC mediates MCP-1 production in VSMC, probably through NF-κB p65 pathway, although we hypothesize that PCS acts through a different subunit pathway since NF-κB p65 inhibitor was not able to inhibit MCP-1 production.

Relationships between Neighborhood Walkability and Objectively Measured Physical Activity Levels in Hemodialysis Patients

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Neighborhood walkability is associated with indicators of health in the general population. We explored the association between neighborhood walkability and daily steps in hemodialysis (HD) patients.

METHODS

We measured daily steps over 5 weeks using Fitbit Flex (Fitbit, San Francisco, CA, USA) and retrieved Walk Score® (WS) data by patient's home ZIP code (www.walkscore.com; 0 = poorest walkability; 100 = greatest walkability).

RESULTS

HD patients took a mean of 6,393 ± 3,550 steps/day (n = 46). Median WS of the neighborhood where they resided was 28. Patients in an above-median WS (n = 27) neighborhood took significantly more daily steps compared to those (n = 19) in a below-median WS neighborhood (7,514 ± 3,900 vs. 4,800 ± 2,228 steps/day; p < 0.001, t test). Daily steps and WS were directly correlated (R = 0.425; p = 0.0032, parametric test; R = 0.359, p = 0.0143, non-parametric test).

CONCLUSION

This is the first study conducted among HD patients to indicate a direct relationship between neighborhood walkability and the actual steps taken. These results should be considered when designing initiatives to increase and improvise exercise routines in HD populations.

Sodium Intake and Blood Pressure in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: A Salty Relationship

BACKGROUND

Hypertension affects almost all chronic kidney disease patients and is related to poor outcomes. Sodium intake is closely related to blood pressure (BP) levels in this population and decreasing its intake consistently improves the BP control particularly in short-term controlled trials. However, most patients struggle in following a controlled diet on sodium according to the guidelines recommendation due to several factors and barriers discussed in this article.

SUMMARY

This review article summarizes the current knowledge related to the associations between sodium consumption, BP, and the risk of cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease (CKD); it also provides recommendations of how to achieve sodium intake lowering. Key Messages: Evidences support the benefits in decreasing sodium intake on markers of cardiovascular and renal outcomes in CKD. Trials had shorter follow-up and to maintain long-term sodium intake control is a major challenge. Larger studies with longer follow-up looking at hard endpoints will be important to drive future recommendations.

Impact of the Karnofsky Performance Status on Survival and its Dynamics during the Terminal Year of Peritoneal Dialysis Patients

Background

Simple and low-cost tools to monitor the risk profile of patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD) at high risk of complications and mortality are scarce. One of the tools available to monitor the variation in vitality and dependence levels is the Karnofsky performance status (KPS). This study analyzed the average trends and variation of KPS during the 12 months before death and its independent value in predicting patients’ survival.

Methods

The data were compiled from the BRAZPD II multi-center study, performed in Brazil between 2004 and 2011. For the analysis of KPS dynamics, we included patients with at least 12 months of follow-up on PD and who had a fatal event during the follow-up. The following covariables were evaluated: age, gender, ethnicity, educational level, and presence of diabetes. We used the linear regression model to present the results: the log (time) before death was represented by the regression variable and KPS was the response. We also analyzed the independent impact of baseline KPS on patients’ survival.

Results

From the population of 9,905 patients enrolled in the BRAZPD study, 4,133 survived 12 months on PD and were included in the analysis. There was a gradual decline in the KPS scores, which accelerated in the last 2 months before death. These changes were similar irrespective of age, race, family income, gender, diabetes, PD modality, and education level. We observed 989 fatal events in this population during the observation period, and the KPS score was identified as an independent predictor for mortality in this cohort.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates for the first time the dynamics of KPS before death in PD patients, indicating a progressive and accelerated decline of KPS in the 12 months before patients died. In addition, KPS was an independent predictor of mortality in this population.

GlycA, a marker of protein glycosylation, is related to albuminuria and estimated glomerular filtration rate: the ELSA-Brasil study

Background

Systemic inflammation has been implicated in several chronic diseases. GlycA is a new nuclear mass resonance (NMR) spectroscopy-derived biomarker of systemic inflammation that reflects protein glycosylation. We evaluated the association of GlycA with albuminuria and eGFR in the ELSA-Brasil Study.

Methods

The cross-sectional association between GlycA (automated NMR LipoProfile(®) test spectra, LabCorp, Raleigh, NC), and overnight 12 h–albuminuria and CKD-EPI eGFR was evaluated among 5050 participants.

Results

GlycA was higher among older, women, smokers, alcohol abstemious, obese and in those with diabetes, hypertension or dyslipidemia. In addition, both eGFR and albuminuria were associated to GlycA. In linear regression, GlycA was independently associated with log albuminuria (B 0.03; 95%CI 0.02–0.04, P < 0.0001, per 1sd increase) and inversely related to eGFR (B -0.53; 95%CI -0.99 – -0.07, P < 0.02), even after adjustments including hsCRP. In logistic regression, GlycA was independently related to the risk of A2 or A3 albuminuria (OR 1.42, 95%CI 1.27–1.57, p < 0.0001, per 1sd increase), of having an eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73m² (OR 1.26, 95%CI 1.12–1.41, p = 0.0003, per 1 sd) or of a combined diagnosis of both conditions (OR 1.35, 95%CI 1.23–1.46, p < 0.0001, per 1 sd). In the ROC curve, GlycA had a higher AUC in comparison to hsCRP (AUC 0.67 vs. 0.62, p = 0.06) for the association with albuminuria A2 or A3.

Conclusions

The present study demonstrates that GlycA is associated with albuminuria and eGFR, independently of major risk factors for CKD progression, including (and with a stronger association than) hsCRP. GlycA should be further evaluated in CKD progression.

Peritonitis in Children on Chronic Peritoneal Dialysis: The Experience of a Large National Pediatric Cohort

BACKGROUND

We performed this study to evaluate the incidence, risk factors, microbiology, treatment, and outcome of peritonitis in pediatric Peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients at a nationwide prospective study.

METHODOLOGY

Patients younger than 18 years recruited in the BRAZPD II study from 2004 to 2011, who presented their first peritonitis episode, were included in the study.

RESULTS

We found 125 first episodes of peritonitis in 491 children PD patients (0.43 episodes/patient-year). Patients free of peritonitis episode constituted 75.6% in 1 year. Culture-negative episodes were very high (59.2%) and gram-positive (GP) bacteria were the most commonly found organisms (58.8%). First-generation cephalosporin was the initial choice to cover GP (40.5%) and aminoglycosides was the most prescribed antibiotics used for gram-negative agents (27.5%). Treatment failure was 26.4%. Technique failure (TF) occurred in 12.1% and peritonitis was the main cause (65.1%). Pseudomonas (p = 0.04) and negative cultures (p < 0.001) were identified as predictors of TF.

CONCLUSION

Peritonitis remains a common complication of PD in children and negative cultures and pseudomonas had a negative impact on TF.

From bench to the hemodialysis clinic: protein-bound uremic toxins modulate NF-κB/Nrf2 expression

PURPOSE

Uremic toxins produced by gut microbiota (indoxyl sulfate-IS, p-cresyl sulfate-p-CS, and indole-3-acetic acid-IAA) accumulate in hemodialysis (HD) patients and exhibit potent inflammatory effects. However, the impact of these toxins on nuclear E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) expression in HD patients remains poorly defined. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between uremic toxins and Nrf2/NF-κB expression in vitro (RAW 264.7 macrophage-like cells) and in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from HD patients.

METHODS

Uremic toxins, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured in fifteen HD patients and nine healthy individuals. RAW 264.7 macrophage-like cells were incubated with IS, as a prototype of protein-bound uremic toxin. Nrf2 and NF-κB expressions were analyzed by RT-qPCR.

RESULTS

HD patients presented high levels of inflammatory markers, MDA and uremic toxins. In addition, they presented high NF-κB and low Nrf2 expression. Uremic toxins were positively correlated with NF-κB expression (IS, ρ = 0.58, p < 0.003; p-CS, ρ = 0.71, p < 0.001; IAA, ρ = 0.62, p < 0.001) and negatively with Nrf2 (IS, ρ = - 0.48, p = 0.01; p-CS, ρ = - 0.46, p < 0.02). Uremic toxins also exhibited positive correlations with CRP and MDA levels. Multivariate analysis revealed that p-CS is a determinant factor of NF-κB expression. In RAW 264.7 culture, NF-κB mRNA expression was stimulated by IS, while Nrf2 was downregulated.

CONCLUSIONS

Thus, uremic toxins may stimulate NF-κB mRNA and decrease Nrf2 expression in HD patients and, consequently, trigger inflammation and oxidative stress.

Standardized Outcomes in Nephrology-Peritoneal Dialysis (SONG-PD): Study Protocol for Establishing a Core Outcome Set in PD

BACKGROUND

Worldwide, approximately 11% of patients on dialysis receive peritoneal dialysis (PD). Whilst PD may offer more autonomy to patients compared with hemodialysis, patient and caregiver burnout, technique failure, and peritonitis remain major challenges to the success of PD. Improvements in care and outcomes are likely to be mediated by randomized trials of innovative therapies, but will be limited if the outcomes measured and reported are not important for patients and clinicians. The aim of the Standardised Outcomes in Nephrology-Peritoneal Dialysis (SONG-PD) study is to establish a set of core outcomes for trials in patients on PD based on the shared priorities of all stakeholders, so that outcomes of most relevance for decision-making can be evaluated, and that interventions can be compared reliably.

METHODS

The 5 phases in the SONG-PD project are: a systematic review to identify outcomes and outcome measures that have been reported in randomized trials involving patients on PD; focus groups using nominal group technique with patients and caregivers to identify, rank, and describe reasons for their choice of outcomes; semi-structured key informant interviews with health professionals; a 3-round international Delphi survey involving a multi-stakeholder panel; and a consensus workshop to review and endorse the proposed set of core outcome domains for PD trials.

DISCUSSION

The establishment of 3 to 5 high-priority core outcomes, to be measured and reported consistently in all trials in PD, will enable patients and clinicians to make informed decisions about the relative effectiveness of interventions, based upon outcomes of common importance.

A Salivary Urea Nitrogen Dipstick to Detect Obstetric-Related Acute Kidney Disease in Malawi

Introduction

Obstetric-related acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with adverse outcomes for mother and fetus, particularly in low-income countries. However, laboratory-independent tools to facilitate diagnosis are lacking. We assessed the diagnostic performance of a salivary urea nitrogen (SUN) dipstick to detect obstetric-related acute kidney disease in Malawi.

Methods

Women at high risk for AKI admitted to an obstetric unit in Blantyre, Malawi, were recruited between 21 September and 11 December 2015. Patients underwent serum creatinine (SCr) testing alongside measurement of SUN using a dipstick on admission, and every 48 hours thereafter if evidence of kidney disease was found.

Results

A total of 301 patients were included (mean age 25.9 years, 11% HIV positive). Of the patients, 23 (7.6%) had AKI, stage 1 in 47.8%, most commonly due to preeclampsia/eclampsia. Mean presenting SCr values were 108.8 ± 21.8 μmol/l (1.23 ± 0.25 mg/dl), 118 ± 34.45 μmol/l (1.33 ± 0.39 mg/dl), and 136.1 ± 30.4 μmol/l (1.54 ± 0.34 mg/dl) in AKI stages 1 to 3 respectively. SUN > 14 mg/dl had a sensitivity of 12.82% and a specificity of 97.33% to detect acute kidney disease; the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.551. In patients with normal SUN on admission, perinatal mortality was 11.8%, and was 25.0% if SUN was > 14 mg/dl (P = 0.18).

Conclusion

The SUN dipstick was specific but insensitive when used to diagnose obstetric-related AKI. Limited biochemical derangement and low salivary urea concentrations due to physiological changes in pregnancy, as opposed to a technical limitation of the dipstick itself, are the likely reason for the lack of sensitivity in this study.

Genetic and environmental risk factors for chronic kidney disease

In order to change the current state of chronic kidney disease knowledge and therapeutics, a fundamental improvement in the understanding of genetic and environmental causes of chronic kidney disease is essential. This article first provides an overview of the existing knowledge gaps in our understanding of the genetic and environmental causes of chronic kidney disease, as well as their interactions. The second part of the article formulates goals that should be achieved in order to close these gaps, along with suggested timelines and stakeholders that are to be involved. A better understanding of genetic and environmental factors and their interactions that influence kidney function in healthy and diseased conditions can provide novel insights into renal physiology and pathophysiology and result in the identification of novel therapeutic or preventive targets to tackle the global public health care problem of chronic kidney disease.

Sevelamer reduces endothelial inflammatory response to advanced glycation end products

Background

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) have been related to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), chronic kidney disease (CKD) and diabetes mellitus. We sought to investigate the binding capacity of sevelamer to both AGEs and uremic serum in vitro and then test this pharmaceutical effect as a potential vascular anti-inflammatory strategy.

Methods

AGEs were prepared by albumin glycation and characterized by absorbance and electrophoresis. Human endothelial cells were incubated in culture media containing AGEs and uremic serum with or without sevelamer. Receptor for advanced glycation end product (RAGE) expression was evaluated through immunocytochemistry and western blot to explore the interactions between AGEs and the endothelium. Inflammatory and endothelial dysfunction biomarkers, such as interleukin 6 (IL-6) and IL-8, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and serum amyloid A (SAA) were also measured in cell supernatant. The chemotactic property of the supernatant was evaluated.

Results

AGEs significantly induced the expression of RAGE, inflammatory and endothelial activation biomarkers [IL-6, (P < 0.005); IL-8, MCP-1, PAI-1 and SAA (P < 0.001)] and monocyte chemotaxis as compared with controls. In addition, AGEs increased the levels of inflammatory biomarkers, which were observed after 6 h of endothelial cell incubation with uremic serum [IL-6 (P < 0.001) IL-8, MCP-1 and PAI-1 (P < 0.05)]. On the other hand, after 6 h of endothelial cell treatment with sevelamer, RAGE expression (P < 0.05) and levels of inflammatory biomarkers [IL-6 and IL-8 (P < 0.001), MCP-1 (P < 0.01), PAI-1 and SAA (P < 0.005)] significantly decreased compared with the AGEs/uremic serum treatment alone.

Conclusions

Sevelamer decreased both endothelial expression of RAGE and endothelial dysfunction biomarkers, induced by AGEs, and uremic serum. Further studies are necessary for a better understanding of the potential protective role of sevelamer on uremic serum and AGEs-mediated endothelial dysfunction.

Occupational Heat Stress and Kidney Health: From Farms to Factories

Millions of workers around the world are exposed to high temperatures, intense physical activity, and lax labor practices that do not allow for sufficient rehydration breaks. The extent and consequences of heat exposure in different occupational settings, countries, and cultural contexts is not well studied. We conducted an in-depth review to examine the known effects of occupational heat stress on the kidney. We also examined methods of heat-stress assessment, strategies for prevention and mitigation, and the economic consequences of occupational heat stress. Our descriptive review summarizes emerging evidence that extreme occupational heat stress combined with chronic dehydration may contribute to the development of CKD and ultimately kidney failure. Rising global temperatures, coupled with decreasing access to clean drinking water, may exacerbate the effects of heat exposure in both outdoor and indoor workers who are exposed to chronic heat stress and recurrent dehydration. These changes create an urgent need for health researchers and industry to identify work practices that contribute to heat-stress nephropathy, and to test targeted, robust prevention and mitigation strategies. Preventing occupational heat stress presents a great challenge for a concerted multidisciplinary effort from employers, health authorities, engineers, researchers, and governments.

Impact of Renin-Angiotensin Aldosterone System Inhibition on Serum Potassium Levels among Peritoneal Dialysis Patients

BACKGROUND

The chronic use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blocker has been associated with hyperkalemia in patients with reduced renal function even after the initiation of hemodialysis. Whether such medications may cause a similar effect in peritoneal dialysis patients is not well established. So, the aim of our study was to analyze the impact of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone inhibitors on the serum levels of potassium in a national cohort of peritoneal dialysis patients.

METHOD

A prospective, observational, nationwide cohort study was conducted. We identified all incident patients on peritoneal dialysis that had angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) prescribed for at least 3 months and a similar period of time without these medications. Patients were divided into 4 groups: Groups I and III correspond to patients using, respectively, an ACEi or ARB and then got the drug suspended; Groups II and IV started peritoneal dialysis without the use of any renin-angiotensin aldosterone system inhibitor and then got, respectively, an ACEi or ARB introduced. Changes in potassium serum levels were compared using 2 statistical approaches: (1) the non-parametric Wilcoxon test for repeated measures and (2) a crossover analysis.

RESULTS

Mean potassium serum levels at the first phase of the study for Groups I, II, III, and IV were, respectively, 4.46 ± 0.79, 4.33 ± 0.78, 4.41 ± 0.63, and 4.44 ± 0.56. Changes in mean potassium serum levels for Groups I, II, III, and IV were -0.10 ± 0.60, 0.02 ± 0.56, -0.06 ± 0.46, and 0.03 ± 0.50, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The use of ACEi and ARB was not associated with a greater risk for hyperkalemia in stable peritoneal dialysis patients independently of residual renal function.