High prevalence of frailty in end-stage renal disease

Usefulness of the Clinical Frailty Scale in patients with end-stage kidney disease

Background

The frailty index (FI) is commonly used to estimate frailty in end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients. The Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) is a less time-consuming alternative. We aimed to determine the test performance of the CFS for pre-dialysis and dialysis patients and patients receiving conservative therapy from the Dialysis Centre Apeldoorn.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, haemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, pre-dialysis patients and patients receiving conservative therapy from the Dialysis Centre Apeldoorn were included and subjected to frailty assessment. Nephrologists not familiar with the CFS completed the frailty score after medical consultation. The sensitivity, specificity and area under the curve (AUC) of the CFS were determined. The FI was used as the gold standard.

Results

Included were 144 patients, of whom 60 (41.7%) were considered frail according to the FI. The mean age was 67.4 ± 13.5 years and 56 (38.9%) were female. The cut-off point of the CFS for 'vulnerable' (CFS ≥4) had a sensitivity of 63.3%, a specificity of 81.0% and an AUC of 0.72. The cut-off point of the CFS for 'frail' (CFS ≥5) had a sensitivity of 50.0%, a specificity of 91.7% and an AUC of 0.71.

Conclusions

The CFS is a quick and easy-to-use tool for the determination of frailty in ESKD patients with a high prevalence of frailty. Nevertheless, the sensitivity of the CFS in the present study was considered too low to implement into daily clinical practice. The sensitivity might be increased by training nephrologists in the use of the CFS.

Frailty in Kidney Disease: A Comprehensive Review to Advance Its Clinical and Research Applications

Frailty is a multisystem syndrome of decreased physiologic reserve that has been shown to strongly and independently predict morbidity and mortality. Frailty is prevalent in patients living with kidney disease and occurs earlier in individuals with kidney disease as compared to the general population. In this comprehensive review, we examine clinical and research applications of frailty in kidney disease populations. Specifically, we clarify the definition of frailty and address common misconceptions, review the mechanisms and epidemiology of frailty in kidney disease, discuss challenges and limitations in frailty measurement, and provide updated evidence related to risk factors for frailty, its associated adverse outcomes, and interventions. We further add to the literature in this topic by highlighting the potential applications of frailty measurement in the care of patients with kidney disease and conclude with our recommendations for future research related to this important syndrome.

The frailty in older hemodialysis patients and associations with depression, functional status, dialysis adequacy

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to determine the level of frailty in older hemodialysis patients and to examine the relationship between their functional capacity, depression, and laboratory variables.

METHOD

This was a cross-sectional study, and the data were collected 243 dialysis patients aged 65 and over between May 2021 and May 2022.

RESULTS

The frailty rate was 49%. A statistically significant positive correlation was found between the frailty and age, hemodialysis vintage, and the number of hospitalizations. The frailty was negatively correlated with body mass index, Kt/V, Albumin, and parathyroid hormone. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between frailty and depression and a negative correlation between functional capacity.

CONCLUSION

A relationship was found between frailty and depression, functional capacity, and laboratory variables. In addition, the variables affecting the level of frailty in geriatric dialysis patients included dialysis vintage, dialysis adequacy, number of hospitalizations, albumin level, and patient weight.

Age-related markers and predictors of diabetic kidney disease progression in type 2 diabetes patients: a retrospective cohort study

Background

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is characterized by reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and albuminuria, which play a pivotal role in both diagnosing and determining the disease's progression. This study aimed to assess the trajectory of these markers concerning age in individuals with DKD and identify predictive factors for the decline in eGFR decline, variation in albuminuria, mortality, and progression to renal replacement therapy (RRT).

Design

This retrospective cohort encompassed patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), divided into two age categories: <75 and ⩾75 years old.

Methods

Over a 3-year span, the study evaluated eGFR (CKD-EPI) and 24-h albuminuria. Univariate and multivariate analyses were employed to pinpoint factors associated with deteriorating renal function and mortality. Significance was set at p < 0.05, and Kaplan-Meier survival curves were constructed to illustrate renal and overall survival.

Results

The analysis comprised 304 patients. Comparable eGFR declines were evident in both age groups during the transition from the first to the second year and from the second to the third year. Nonetheless, a more pronounced rise in albuminuria was evident in the ⩾75 years group during the first to the second year. Multivariate analysis unveiled that systolic blood pressure (SBP) measurements in the first year positively forecasted eGFR decline. Age was associated with heightened albuminuria and mortality, while hospitalizations linked to cardiovascular causes robustly predicted mortality. Hospitalizations due to sepsis and cardiovascular reasons, coupled with first-year SBP measurements, served as predictive indicators for progression to RRT.

Conclusion

Both age groups experienced similar declines in eGFR, though the ⩾75 years group displayed a more significant increase in albuminuria during the first to the second year. Age, hospitalizations, and higher blood pressure levels were correlated with exacerbated renal function deterioration and/or elevated mortality in DKD. Timely intervention and tailored management strategies stand as critical components for enhancing outcomes among DKD patients.

The prevalence and influencing factors of frailty in patients with chronic kidney disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

To investigate the prevalence and influencing factors of frailty and pre-frailty in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients and thereby provide a scientific basis for effective avoidance of frailty in patients with CKD.

METHODS

PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, EBSCO, Cochrane Library, CNKI, VIP, CBMdisc, and Wanfang databases were searched for relevant studies published till December 31, 2021. The summary results were described as odds ratios (ORs) or standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). A meta-analysis was performed using StataSE12.0.

RESULTS

Fifteen published studies, which enrolled a total of 3294 CKD patients, met the inclusion criteria. The combined prevalence of frailty in CKD patients was 38.1% (95% CI 29.7-46.5%) and pre-frailty was 37.9% (95% CI 32.7-43.1%). The main factors influencing frailty in CKD patients were age (SMD 0.524, 95% CI 0.326-0.723), diastolic blood pressure (SMD - 0.294, 95% CI - 0.518 to - 0.071), body mass index (BMI) (SMD - 0.267, 95% CI - 0.471 to - 0.064), grip strength (SMD - 0.929, 95% CI - 1.233 to - 0.626), hemoglobin level (SMD - 0.346, 95% CI - 0.448 to - 0.243), serum albumin level (SMD - 0.533, 95% CI - 0.655 to - 0.411), Charlson Comorbidity Index (SMD 0.421, 95% CI 0.150-0.692), multiple medications (SMD 0.625, 95% CI 0.354-0.895), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score (SMD - 0.563, 95% CI - 0.846 to - 0.280), and female (OR 2.391, 95% CI 1.236-4.627).

CONCLUSION

Frailty is common in CKD patients. The prevalence of frailty among CKD patients was related to age, diastolic blood pressure, BMI, grip strength, hemoglobin and serum albumin levels, Charlson Comorbidity Index, multiple medications, MMSE score, and female.

Clinical implications of frailty in peritoneal dialysis patients - A prospective observational study

BACKGROUND

Frailty is an age-related condition that predicts adverse outcomes. The study was aimed to investigate the clinical implications of frailty evolution in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD).

METHOD

In this prospective study, all new-onset (<6 months) and prevalent (≧6 months) PD patients completed frailty assessment at entry and 6 months by a semiautomated frailty index of 80 risk factors (FI80) which also contained the 5 components of Fried frailty phenotype. A score ≧13/80 (FI80 > 0.16) or ≧3/5 (frailty phenotype) was designated to define frailty.

RESULT

337 PD patients were recruited (new-onset 23.4%, prevalent 76.6%). Two hundred (59.3%) and 163 (48.4%) patients were frail by FI80 and frailty phenotype, respectively. Predictors for frailty were old age, dialysis, diabetes mellitus, gout and sleep disorder. New-onset patients aged <55 years displayed the best evolution of frailty over 6 months (stable or improved, n = 29/47, 61.7% by FI80, p = 0.0293), compared with other groups. Survival analysis found that frail patients exhibited the worse outcomes (overall death and hospitalization). Poisson regression showed frailty was associated with increased utilizations of outpatient and ER services; however multivariate Cox models identified only diabetes, gout and low body mass index (<19 kg/m2), but not frailty, predicted overall death and hospitalizations.

CONCLUSION

Frailty is a common medical condition in PD patients, and the status of which can be stabilized or improved in new-onset, young patients at least over the short term. Compared with frailty, certain comorbidities (diabetes and gout) and undernutrition appeared to be more robust in the prediction of adverse outcomes.

Frailty syndrome and end-stage kidney disease outcomes at a Latin American dialysis center

INTRODUCTION

Frailty syndrome generates a high risk of adverse outcomes and mortality, and its prevalence is elevated in patients with end-stage kidney disease. Few studies have reported the prevalence and outcomes of frailty in populations from less developed countries.

OBJECTIVE

To identify the clinical outcomes and factors associated with the frailty syndrome in patients with stage five chronic kidney disease who started renal replacement therapy - both hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis- in a dialysis center in Bucaramanga, Colombia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a prospective study of patients with end-stage kidney disease who initiated dialysis at a center in Colombia and had a twelve-month follow-up.

RESULTS

The overall frailty prevalence was 50.47% and two out of three patients older than 65 years had the syndrome. We found significantly higher followup mortality among patients with frailty: odds ratio of 2.95 (CI: 1.07- 8.13; p=0.036) in unadjusted analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Literature shows that compared to developed nations, Latin American adults are facing a higher prevalence of chronic diseases, and frailty syndrome is raising. In this study, according to the FRAIL scale, having a frailty syndrome predicts a higher mortality; hypoalbuminemia and low creatinine levels at the beginning of dialysis could act as predictors of its diagnosis.

Frailty and chronic kidney disease: associations and implications

INTRODUCTION

Frailty and its association with chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been established previously. The present study examined this association further by studying the distribution of frailty among groups defined by different stages of the disease. It also identified associated health deficits and explored their association with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and urine albumin creatinine ratio (UACR).

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 90 non-dialysis dependent CKD Stage 1-4 patients, recruited in three stratified groups of 30 participants each based on the stage of disease. Frailty was assessed using Fried's frailty criteria and associated health deficits were recorded using a pre-determined list. Depression was screened using a 4-point depression scale.

RESULTS

21.1% of the participants were frail and 43.3% were pre-frail. The proportion of frailty in CKD groups A (Stages 1 and 2), B (Stage 3a), and C (Stages 3b and 4) was 10%, 13.3%, and 40%, respectively. The association of health deficits including co-morbidities, physical parameters, mental status, daily activities, etc. with UACR, eGFR, and CKD stages was not statistically significant. Nearly one in two frail participants was depressed compared with 14% among non-frail participants.

CONCLUSION

The skewed distribution of 21% frail subjects identified in our study indicates an association between frailty and advancing kidney disease. Frail individuals had a lower eGFR, higher UACR, were more likely to be depressed, and had higher count of health deficits and poorer performance on Barthel Index of Activities of Daily Living and WHOQOL. Early identification of depression would improve care in these patients.

[Frailty and chronic kidney disease - the real problem of modern nephrology: A review]

The article deals with the syndrome of frailty or senile asthenia in patients with chronic kidney disease. The questions of prevalence, diagnosis, pathogenesis of this syndrome and its clinical consequences in chronic kidney disease are discussed.

Frailty in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease Stage Five

Aim To study the prevalence of frailty in patients with chronic kidney disease stage 5 (CKD5) and to assess coexisting factors associated with frailty in chronic kidney disease. Patients and methods We studied the prevalence of frailty in CKD5 patients from November 2021 to November 2022. CKD5 patients over 18 years of age were included. Patients on maintenance hemodialysis and CKD5 patients on pre-dialysis care were included. Patients with active infection and significant morbidity were excluded. We performed a history and clinical examination and recorded laboratory data. We performed frailty assessments using modified Fried's criteria. Frailty was defined based on previously validated Fried's criteria, which included 1. Slowness, 2. Weakness, 3. Unintentional weight loss, 4. Exhaustion, 5. Low physical activity. A patient is considered frail if three or more components are present. We evaluated the prevalence of frailty in pre-dialysis and dialysis care participants and the association of frailty with coexisting factors. Results Of the 139 patients, 84 were on thrice-weekly hemodialysis, and 55 were on pre-dialysis care. We found the prevalence of frailty to be 41%. The prevalence of frailty was similar in patients on pre-dialysis care and hemodialysis. The prevalence of frailty in hemodialysis patients and those in pre-dialysis care was 43% and 40%, respectively. The prevalence of frailty among the elderly (over 55) was 82%. The prevalence of frailty among diabetes patients was 75%. Factors with a statistically significant association with frailty included old age (p < 0.005), native kidney disease (p < 0.005), edema (p < 0.001), intradialytic hypotension (p = 0.002), and various comorbidities like diabetes (p < 0.001), heart failure (p < 0.001), coronary artery disease (p = 0.001), and cerebrovascular accidents (p = 0.016). We observed no significant association with the duration of chronic kidney disease (CKD) (p = 0.458), duration of dialysis (p = 0.838), or body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.267). The most commonly reported frailty components were exhaustion (61.9%), low physical activity (61.2%), and weak handgrip (55.4%). Conclusion Frailty is a marker of increased vulnerability to adverse outcomes. A significant proportion, 41% of CKD5 patients, are frail. Dialysis does not affect the prevalence of frailty in CKD5 patients. Old age, native kidney disease, edema, intradialytic hypotension, and comorbidities like diabetes, heart failure, coronary artery disease, and cerebrovascular accident are significantly associated with frailty in CKD5 patients. CKD patients with those conditions should receive special care to reduce the development of frailty.

Use of frailty assessment instruments in nephrology populations: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

Frailty is a clinical syndrome of accelerated aging associated with adverse outcomes. Frailty is prevalent among patients with chronic kidney disease but is infrequently assessed in clinical settings, due to lack of consensus regarding frailty definitions and diagnostic tools. This study aimed to review the practice of frailty assessment in nephrology populations and evaluate the context and timing of frailty assessment.

METHODS

The search included published reports of frailty assessment in patients with chronic kidney disease, undergoing dialysis or in receipt of a kidney transplant, published between January 2000 and November 2021. Medline, CINAHL, Embase, PsychINFO, PubMed and Cochrane Library databases were examined. A total of 164 articles were included for review.

RESULTS

We found that studies were most frequently set within developed nations. Overall, 161 studies were frailty assessments conducted as part of an observational study design, and 3 within an interventional study. Studies favoured assessment of participants with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and transplant candidates. A total of 40 different frailty metrics were used. The most frequently utilised tool was the Fried frailty phenotype. Frailty prevalence varied across populations and research settings from 2.8% among participants with CKD to 82% among patients undergoing haemodialysis. Studies of frailty in conservatively managed populations were infrequent (N = 4). We verified that frailty predicts higher rates of adverse patient outcomes. There is sufficient literature to justify future meta-analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

There is increasing recognition of frailty in nephrology populations and the value of assessment in informing prognostication and decision-making during transitions in care. The Fried frailty phenotype is the most frequently utilised assessment, reflecting the feasibility of incorporating objective measures of frailty and vulnerability into nephrology clinical assessment. Further research examining frailty in low and middle income countries as well as first nations people is required. Future work should focus on interventional strategies exploring frailty rehabilitation.

Relationship of Frailty with Kidney Function in Adults More Than 60-Years-Old: Effect of Using Different Formulas to Estimate Glomerular Filtration Rate

Objective

Determine the relationship of renal function with frailty using different formulas for estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).

Methods

Individuals who were 60-years-old or more (n=507) were recruited from August 2020 to June 2021, and the FRAIL scale was used to classify them as non-frail or frail. The three equations used to compute the eGFR were based on serum creatinine (eGFRcr), cystatin C (eGFRcys), or SCr+CysC (eGFRcr-cys). Renal function was classified using eGFR and defined as normal (≥90 mL/min/1.73m²), mild damage (59-89 mL/min/1.73m²), or moderate damage (≤60 mL/min/1.73m²). The relationship of frailty with renal function was analyzed. A subset of participants (n=358) was used to analyze changes in eGFR from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2021 according to frailty and using the different eGFR equations.

Results

There were significant differences between the eGFRcr-cys and eGFRcr values in the frail group (P<0.05), but not the non-frail group; however, the differences between the eGFRcr-cys and eGFRcys values were significant in the frail and non-frail groups (P<0.001). Based on each eGFR equation, the prevalence of frailty increased as eGFR decreased (P<0.001), but there was no significant relationship after adjusting for age or the age-adjusted Charlson co-morbidity index. There were temporal declines in eGFR in all three frailty groups (robust, pre-frail, and frail), especially in the frail group (2.226 mL/min/1.73m² per year; P<0.001).

Conclusion

For older individuals who are frail, the eGFRcr value may not provide accurate estimates of renal function. Frailty is associated with a rapid decline in kidney function.

Frailty phenotype in heart failure: A condition that transcends age

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Studies on younger frail and pre-frail subjects suffering from heart failure (HF) are scarce, except for those focusing on the critically ill. This work aims to describe differences between younger (<65 years) and older (≥65 years) pre-frail and frail HF outpatients regarding their nutritional, functional and clinical statuses.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, a sample of 99 HF frail and pre-frail patients (aged 24-81 years, 38.4% women, 21.2% frail, 59.6% <65 years) was recruited from an HF outpatients' clinic in northern Portugal. Muscle mass was estimated from mid-upper arm muscle circumference. Weight status was assessed using body mass index. Hand grip strength and gait speed were measured. Medical records were reviewed. Associations between participants' characteristics and age were calculated using binary logistic regression.

RESULTS

Age was associated with hand grip strength (OR=0.90), gait speed (OR=0.01) and diabetes (OR=4.95). Obesity, muscle mass or heart failure functional classes were not associated with age categories.

CONCLUSION

There is an overall lack of differentiation between younger and older HF patients with the frailty phenotype. Therefore, frailty phenotype should be assessed in all patients, regardless of age. Hand grip strength seems to be a good predictor for older age and more studies are needed to define age-specific hand grip strength cut-offs for HF populations.

Factors associated with frailty in kidney transplant recipients: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Frailty is prevalent in kidney transplant recipients and associated with multiple health care challenges. The association between frailty and outcomes has been extensively studied in kidney transplant recipients, but the status of frailty and its associated factors are not well studied, hindering efforts to develop strategies to improve care and reduce frailty.

OBJECTIVES

To identify the factors that are associated with frailty in kidney transplant recipients comprehensively.

DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS

The associated factors of frailty were explored by a cross-sectional study of 185 kidney transplant recipients.

MEASUREMENTS

Data were collected using the general information questionnaire, the Charlson comorbidity index, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, the Perceived Social Support Scale and the Tilburg Frailty Indicator. Data were analyzed using the multiple linear regression analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 75 (40.5%) kidney transplant recipients were assessed as frail by Chinese TFI. Age (β = 0.228), time post-transplant (β = 0.055), sleep quality (β = 0.224) and psychological resilience (β = -0.038) entered the final multiple regression equation and accounted for 41.8% of the total frailty variation (R²  = 0.418, F = 21.31, p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Frailty was common among kidney transplant recipients. Old age, long time after transplantation, poor sleep quality and low psychological resilience were main associated factors for frailty. Integrated care interventions are therefore needed for this vulnerable population to prevent or delay frailty.

Effects of Mediterranean Diet, DASH Diet, and Plant-Based Diet on Outcomes among End Stage Kidney Disease Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

The Mediterranean, Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension (DASH), and plant-based diets may provide cardiovascular benefit to the general population. However, data on their effect on end stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients are limited. This systematic review aims to assess the impact of Mediterranean, DASH, and plant-based diets on outcomes among ESKD patients.

METHODS

A literature review was conducted in EMBASE, MEDLINE, and Cochrane databases from inception through September 2022 to identify studies that assess the clinical outcomes of Mediterranean, DASH, or plant-based diets on ESKD patients on hemodialysis (HD) or peritoneal dialysis (PD). Effect estimates from the individual studies were derived utilizing the random-effect, generic inverse variance approach of DerSimonian and Laird.

RESULTS

Seven studies with 9400 ESKD patients (8395 HD and 1005 PD) met the eligibility criteria and were included in the data analysis. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) of mortality for ESKD patients who adhered to the Mediterranean versus plant-based diet were 0.49 (95% CI: 0.07-3.54; two studies, I² = 67%) and 0.87 (95% CI: 0.75-1.01; two studies, I² = 0%), respectively. Data on mortality for ESKD patients on a DASH diet were limited to one study with an OR of 1.00 (95% CI: 0.89-1.12). The pooled OR of cardiovascular mortality among ESKD patients who adhered to a plant-based diet was 0.86 (95% CI: 0.68-1.08; two studies, I² = 0%), compared to those who did not. Data on cardiovascular mortality among those with Mediterranean and DASH diet were limited to one study with ORs of 1.14 (95% CI: 0.90-1.43) and 1.19 (95% CI: 0.99-1.43), respectively. Mediterranean diet adherence was found to be associated with reduced risk of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) with an OR of 0.82 (95% CI: 0.68-0.99) in a study including 127 ESKD patients. The risk of hyperkalemia was not significant among those with a plant-based diet with an OR of 1.00 (95% CI: 0.94-1.07) in a study including 150 ESKD patients.

CONCLUSIONS

While our systematic review demonstrated no significant associations of Mediterranean, DASH, and plant-based diets with reduced all-cause mortality or cardiovascular mortality, there was also no evidence that suggested harmful effects of these diets to ESKD patients.

Impact of the Nutrition-Inflammation Status on the Functionality of Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease

Functional capacity of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients is compromised by their nutrition-inflammation status. We evaluated the functional capacity of advanced chronic kidney disease (ACKD) patients and the influence of the nutrition-inflammation status. In a cross-sectional study, which included ACKD patients from the nephrology department of the Hospital Universitario de la Princesa in Madrid, Spain, we assessed: functional capacity with the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) test, interpreting a result <7 in the test as low functionality; body composition with monofrequency bioimpedance; muscular strength with hand grip strength; nutritional and inflammatory status using biochemical parameters and the Malnutrition Inflammation Scale (MIS). A total of 255 patients with ACKD were evaluated, 65.8% were men, their mean age was 70.65 ± 11.97 years and 70.2% of the patients had an age >65 years. The mean score of SPPB was 8.50 ± 2.81 and 76.4% of the patients presented a score ≥7, with a higher percentage in the group of men. The percentage of patients with limitations increased with age. The patients with SPPB values higher than 7 showed high values of albumin and low soluble C-reactive protein (s-CRP) and MIS. We found better functionality in well-nourished patients. A multivariate logistic regression model established an association of high albumin values with a better functional capacity (OR: 0.245 CI: 0.084−0.714 p < 0.010), while another model showed an association between CRP values and decreased functionality (OR: 1.267 CI: 1.007−1.594 p = 0.044). Conclusion: nutritional status and body composition influence on the functional capacity of patients with ACKD.

Prevalence and associated factors of frailty among Southern Chinese Han patients on haemodialysis: a multicentre, observational cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

Frailty has been extensively studied in the general population. However, there is little information on frailty among patients undergoing haemodialysis (HD) in China. This study analysed the prevalence and associated factors of frailty among Southern Chinese Han patients on HD.

DESIGN

Observational cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Three HD centres in Southern China.

PARTICIPANTS

Three hundred patients who underwent regular HD between June 2019 and October 2019.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Frailty was assessed using the Tilburg indicator of frailty (TFI) questionnaire, and the psychological status of the respondents was evaluated by the Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) and the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS).

RESULTS

Seventy-five per cent of participants were in the frailty group, and the TFI score of HD patients was 6.89±2.87, with 8.15±2.06 in the frailty group and 2.87±1.31 in the non-frailty group. Frailty patients had higher SDS and SAS scores, and were more likely to suffer depression and anxiety than non-frailty patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis excluding depression and anxiety showed that age, Charlson Comorbidity Index (excluding end-stage renal disease), a nuclear family (compared with living alone), and albumin were independently associated with frailty (all p<0.05). In the model including depression and anxiety, age, diabetes mellitus, living as a couple (compared with living alone), a nuclear family (compared with living alone), an extended family (compared with living alone), low phosphorus, depression and anxiety were associated with frailty by multivariate logistic regression analysis (all p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Approximately three-quarters of patients with HD in Southern China are frail, often accompanied with depression and anxiety. Age, diabetes mellitus, family structure, phosphorus, depression and anxiety were associated with frailty.

Prevalence and Associates of Frailty Status in Different Stages of Chronic Kidney Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study

OBJECTIVES

Frailty is a state of homeostenosis associated with adverse outcomes. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) increases considerably by aging and shares the common risk factors with frailty. We aimed to examine the prevalence and independent associates of frailty status in CKD patients.

DESIGN

In this single-centre, cross-sectional study, we used the five-item Fatigue, Resistance, Ambulation, Illnesses and Loss of Weight (FRAIL) scale to evaluate frailty. A binary logistic regression analysis model including the parameters found to have relationship with frailty in univariate analyses was used to detect independent associates of frailty status. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were given.

PARTICIPANTS

Study included 148 patients aged 18-80. Sixty (60) patients were end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on maintenance hemodialysis (HD) (at least for 3 months) and 88 were stage 3-4 CKD patients. Thirty-seven (37) patients (42%) were eGFR G3a, 31 patients (35.3%) were eGFR G3b and 20 patients (22.7%) were eGFR G4 in stage 3-4 CKD patients.

MEASUREMENTS

Demographics, etiology of CKD, comorbidities, regular drugs, dialysis-related and laboratory data were recorded. FRAIL scale was scored as follows; 0=robust, 1-2=prefrail, and ≥3= frail. The frailty status was compared between frail+prefrail group vs robust (non-frail) group.

RESULTS

The prevalences of prefrailty and frailty were 68.3% and 3.3% in HD group and 53.4% and zero in stage 3-4 CKD group, respectively (p = 0.025). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, being in HD group (OR=3.87, 95% CI= 1.06-14.19, p=0.04), older age (OR=1.09, 95% CI= 1.04-1.13) and female sex (OR=9.13, 95%CI= 2.82-29.46) were independent risk factors for frailty (p<0.001, for both).

CONCLUSION

Prefrailty and frailty are quite common among HD and CKD stage 3-4 patients. Being an HD patient is an independent risk factor for non-robust (frail or prefrail) status. Our findings point out a remarkably high prevalence of frailty severity (prefrailty/frailty) phenotype among patients with advanced CKD stages.

Knowledge Requirements and Unmet Needs of Informal Caregivers of Patients with End-Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD) Receiving Haemodialysis: A Narrative Review

Background: Patients with end-stage kidney disease receiving haemodialysis rely heavily on informal caregivers to support them living at home. Informal caregiving may exact a toll on caregivers’ physical, emotional, and social well-being, impacting negatively on their overall quality of life. The aim of this narrative review is to report knowledge requirements and needs of informal caregivers of patients with end stage kidney disease (ESKD) receiving haemodialysis. Methods: The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Reporting Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA). Five electronic databases were searched: Web of Science, PsycINFO, Embase, Medline, and CINAHL to identify the experiences and unmet needs of informal caregivers of patients with end stage kidney disease (ESKD) receiving haemodialysis. Results: Eighteen papers were included in the review and incorporated a range of methodological approaches. There are several gaps in the current literature around knowledge and informational needs and skills required by informal caregivers, such as signs and symptoms of potential complications, dietary requirements, and medication management. Although most research studies in this review illustrate the difficulties and challenges faced by informal caregivers, there is a paucity of information as to which support mechanisms would benefit caregivers. Conclusion: Informal caregivers provide invaluable assistance in supporting people with ESKD undergoing haemodialysis. These informal caregivers however experience multiple unmet needs which has a detrimental effect on their health and negatively influences the extent to which they can adequately care for patients. The development of supportive interventions is essential to ensure that informal caregivers have the requisite knowledge and skills to allow them to carry out their vital role.

Patient Frailty and Functional Use of Hemodialysis Vascular Access: A Retrospective Study of the US Renal Data System

Rationale & Objective:

Despite the high prevalence of frailty among dialysis patients, it is unknown whether frailty is associated with dialysis vascular access failure. This study examined the association between frailty and functional use of vascular access.

Study Design:

Retrospective observational study.

Setting & Participants:

Patients who initiated hemodialysis through a tunneled catheter in the US Renal Data System database from 2012 through 2017 and underwent subsequent creation of an arteriovenous fistula or graft.

Predictors:

The “claims-based frailty indicator” (CFI) was calculated using a validated claims-based disability status model anchored to a well-described frailty phenotype.

Outcomes:

Time to functional use for fistulas and grafts defined as the time from initiation of hemodialysis to treatments using the index vascular access with 2 needles.

Analytical Approach:

Fine and Gray competing risk models separately examining fistula and graft outcomes. Patient survival was modeled for the entire cohort using Cox proportional hazards regression.

Results:

A total of 41,471 patients met inclusion criteria, including 33,212 who underwent fistula creation and 8,259 who underwent graft placement. Higher CFI quartiles were associated with a greater rate of mortality. Patients in the highest CFI quartile had more than 2 times the rate of mortality compared with patients in the lowest CFI quartile (hazard ratio [HR], 2.49 [95% CI, 2.41–2.58]). In multivariable analyses, the highest CFI quartile was significantly associated with longer time to functional use of fistulas (HR, 0.65 [95% CI, 0.62–0.69]) and grafts (HR, 0.88 [95% CI, 0.79–0.98]).

Limitations:

Generalizability may be limited by the requirement of 12 months of Medicare claims availability before initiation of dialysis. There were no data on patient anatomic characteristics or surgeon characteristics and limited patient-specific sociodemographic data.

Conclusions:

Higher degrees of frailty are associated with longer times to vascular access functional use. Frailty may be useful for informing clinical decision-making regarding choice of vascular access.

Frailty phenotype and associated nutritional factors in a sample of Portuguese outpatients with heart failure

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Frailty phenotype (FP) is very common in heart failure (HF) and both syndromes worsen one another. The aim of this study is to first describe FP in a sample of Portuguese patients with HF, and to analyse its association with nutritional and clinical statuses, namely, muscle mass, obesity and functional class.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In this cross-sectional study, a sample of 136 outpatients with HF (24-81 years, 33.8% women) were randomly selected from the appointments' listings of a HF and Transplant clinic in a Portuguese University Hospital. FP was assessed according to Fried et al. muscle mass was estimated from the mid-upper arm muscle circumference; weight status was assessed using the body mass index; HF functional classes were registered. The association between participants' characteristics and FP categories was analysed using logistic ordinal regression. The frequency of pre-frailty and frailty is 57.4% and 15.4%, respectively. Within frail individuals, 52.4% were under the age of 65. In multivariable analysis, frailty was positively associated with age 70 or older (OR = 3.44) and obesity (OR = 2.66), and negatively associated with muscle mass (OR = 0.77) and HF functional classes I (OR = 0.14) or II (OR = 0.29).

CONCLUSION

Muscle mass seems to be an important predictor of frailty in patients with HF and should be taken into account when designing intervention plans that allow for reverting or modifying frailty and pre-frailty. Younger patients should be monitored for the presence and evolution of FP.

KDIGO Clinical Practice Guideline on the Evaluation and Management of Candidates for Kidney Transplantation

The 2020 Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) Clinical Practice Guideline on the Evaluation and Management of Candidates for Kidney Transplantation is intended to assist health care professionals worldwide who evaluate and manage potential candidates for deceased or living donor kidney transplantation. This guideline addresses general candidacy issues such as access to transplantation, patient demographic and health status factors, and immunological and psychosocial assessment. The roles of various risk factors and comorbid conditions governing an individual's suitability for transplantation such as adherence, tobacco use, diabetes, obesity, perioperative issues, causes of kidney failure, infections, malignancy, pulmonary disease, cardiac and peripheral arterial disease, neurologic disease, gastrointestinal and liver disease, hematologic disease, and bone and mineral disorder are also addressed. This guideline provides recommendations for evaluation of individual aspects of a candidate's profile such that each risk factor and comorbidity are considered separately. The goal is to assist the clinical team to assimilate all data relevant to an individual, consider this within their local health context, and make an overall judgment on candidacy for transplantation. The guideline development process followed the Grades of Recommendation Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. Guideline recommendations are primarily based on systematic reviews of relevant studies and our assessment of the quality of that evidence, and the strengths of recommendations are provided. Limitations of the evidence are discussed with differences from previous guidelines noted and suggestions for future research are also provided.

Severity of frailty as a significant predictor of mortality for hemodialysis patients: a prospective study in China

Background: Frailty is known to be highly prevalent in older hemodialysis (HD) patients. We studied the prevalence of frailty and its associated factors in Chinese HD patients. We further studied if frailty could predict survival in HD patients. Methods: This is a prospective study involving patients receiving maintenance HD in the dialysis center of Xuanwu Hospital, Beijing. Study subjects were enrolled from October to December, 2017 and followed up for two years. Demographic data, comorbidities and biological parameters were collected. Frailty was assessed using the Fried frailty phenotype at baseline. Cox regression analysis was performed to identify the relationship between frailty and mortality in HD patients. Kaplan-Meier was plotted using the cutoff value obtained by ROC curve to evaluate survival rates in different frailty status. Results: Total of 208 HD patients were enrolled with a mean age of 60.5±12.7 years. According to the frailty criteria, at baseline the prevalence of robust, pre-frail and frail in HD patients was 28.7%, 45.9%, and 25.4%, respectively. The two-year all-cause mortality was 18.8% (39/207) and underlying causes of death included coronary artery disease (CAD), cerebrovascular disease (CVD), hyperkalemia, severe infection, malignant tumor and others. Survival curve showed the patients with frailty score ≥4 to have significantly shorter survival time as compared to patients with frailty score ≤ 3. Frailty predicted two-year mortality when frailty score ≥4 with a sensitivity of 70% and a specificity of 83.67% with an AUC of 0.819. Frailty score was positively associated with age and ratio of ultrafiltration volume to dry weight, while negatively associated with levels of serum albumin, uric acid and diastolic blood pressure after HD. Conclusions: Our results confirm frailty to be very common among HD patients and severity of frailty was a significant predictor of mortality for HD patients. Factors such as age, malnutrition and low blood pressure are the factors to be associated with frailty. Interdialytic weight gain inducing excessive ultrafiltration volume is an important risk factor.

The Prevalence of Frailty and its Association with Cognitive Dysfunction among Elderly Patients on Maintenance Hemodialysis: A Cross-Sectional Study from South India

Data are scarce regarding the prevalence of frailty in elderly patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (HD) in India. We conducted a cross-sectional observational study aimed to study the prevalence of frailty and cognitive dysfunction in patients aged 75 years or more undergoing maintenance HD in three tertiary care hospitals and associated stand-alone dialysis centers in North Kerala. Frailty was ascertained by two methods. In method 1 (physical performance measurement based), dichotomous scoring (0 or 1) of five domains, namely weight loss, exhaustion, low physical activity, weak grip, and slow walking, was done, and a score of 3/5 was used to define frailty. In method 2 (self-report measure based), scores on the Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36-item Questionnaire (SF-36) physical function domain were used instead of hand grip strength and walking speed, and a score of <75 was defined as meeting the criteria for weakness and slow walking. Cognitive function was documented using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Instrument. A total of 899 patients were screened, of whom 44 were aged 75 years or more and 39 met the criteria for inclusion. The majority (n = 31, 79.5%) had ages between 75 and 80 years and were male. Dialysis vintage was <1 year in 15.4%, 1-3 years in 51.3%, and >3 years in 33.3% of patients. Frailty was documented in 22 (56.4%) patients by method 1 and in 25 (64.1%) by method 2. There was a statistically significant difference between the two methods in documenting frailty (P < 0.001, Chi-square test). Cognitive impairment was present in 89.7% of patients and significantly associated with frailty (P < 0.001, Fisher's exact test). Frailty and cognitive dysfunction are highly prevalent in elderly people undergoing maintenance HD in North Kerala. Physical performance and self-report measure-based methods correlate well in frailty documentation.

Transitions in frailty state after kidney transplantation

PURPOSE

Frailty is the body's failure to return to homeostasis after every day or acute stressful events, causing adverse outcomes. To study its dynamics in kidney transplant recipients (KTR), we determined whether the degree of frailty and its domains are affected by kidney transplantation (KT).

METHODS

Between 2015 and 2017, 176 KTR were included. Frailty scores were measured using the Groningen Frailty Indicator (GFI), assessed preoperatively and during follow-up. Transitions in frailty state and changes in the individual domains were determined.

RESULTS

Mean age (±SD) was 51.8 (± 14.1) years, and 63.1% of KTR were male. Thirty patients were considered frail (GFI ≥ 4) at baseline. After a mean follow-up of 22.8 ± 8.3 months, 34 non-frail patients (19.3%) became frail, 125 patients (71.0%) remained the same, and 17 frail patients (9.7%) became non-frail (GFI < 4). In the domain psychosocial functioning, 28.4% of the patients had an increase in GFI score after follow-up. Patients who scored a point in the domain cognition at baseline had a greater chance of becoming frail (OR 4.38, 95% CI 0.59-32.24).

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, almost one-fifth of non-frail KTR transitioned to a frail state after their transplantation. These results could be used to predict the impact of KT on frailty course and help with implementing prehabilitation for patients at risk.

Frailty and Multimorbidity: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Multimorbidity and frailty are complex syndromes characteristics of aging. We reviewed the literature and provided pooled estimations of any evidence regarding (a) the coexistence of frailty and multimorbidity and (b) their association.

METHODS

We searched PubMed and Web of Science for relevant articles up to September 2017. Pooled estimates were obtained through random effect models and Mantel-Haenszel weighting. Homogeneity (I2), risk of bias, and publication bias were assessed. PROSPERO registration: 57890.

RESULTS

A total of 48 studies involving 78,122 participants were selected, and 25 studies were included in one or more meta-analyses. Forty-five studies were cross-sectional and 3 longitudinal, with the majority of them including community-dwelling participants (n = 35). Forty-three studies presented a moderate risk of bias and five a low risk. Most of the articles defined multimorbidity as having two or more diseases and frailty according to the Cardiovascular Health Study criteria. In meta-analyses, the prevalence of multimorbidity in frail individual was 72% (95% confidence interval = 63%-81%; I2 = 91.3%), and the prevalence of frailty among multimorbid individuals was 16% (95% confidence interval = 12%-21%; I2 = 96.5%). Multimorbidity was associated with frailty in pooled analyses (odds ratio = 2.27; 95% confidence interval = 1.97-2.62; I2 = 47.7%). The three longitudinal studies suggest a bidirectional association between multimorbidity and frailty.

CONCLUSIONS

Frailty and multimorbidity are two related conditions in older adults. Most frail individuals are also multimorbid, but fewer multimorbid ones also present frailty. Our findings are not conclusive regarding the causal association between the two conditions. Further longitudinal and well-designed studies may help to untangle the relationship between frailty and multimorbidity.

Association of gait speed and grip strength with risk of cardiovascular events in patients on haemodialysis: a prospective study

Background

Gait speed (GS) and handgrip strength (HGS), both factors associated with frailty and sarcopenia, are reportedly associated with CV events in the general population. However, little is known about the impact of these factors on the outcome of patients on dialysis. This study aimed to evaluate whether evaluation of GS and HGS could be associated the onset of fatal/non-fatal cardiovascular (CV) events in patients on haemodialysis (HD).

Methods

One-hundred-eighty-two patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing HD at four dialysis clinics in April 2015 provided written informed consent to participate in the study. We excluded patients who had physical disability, were unable to walk without help, or had recently experienced CV events. Usual GS over a 4-m walk and HGS were measured at baseline, and 173 patients (men, 124; women, 49) were divided into sex-specific quartiles according to GS and HGS and were followed-up for fatal/non-fatal CV events for a median of 2 years. We examined the association of GS and HGS with CV events and determined cut-off values using Cox regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, HD duration, history of CVD, and diabetes.

Results

During the follow-up period, 46 CV events occurred. Both physical performance factors were significantly associated with CV events. Low GS (< 0.82 m/s for men and 0.81 m/s for women) and weak HGS (< 29.0 kg for men and 19.7 kg for women) were associated with CV events. For low vs. high GS, the hazard ratio (HR) for CV events was 2.29 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.20–4.33; P = 0.01], and for low vs. high HGS, the HR was 2.15 [95% CI: 1.00–5.04; P < 0.05]. These HRs remained significant after adjusting for confounding factors, such as sex, age, dialysis vintage, history of CV disease, and diabetes.

Conclusions

Slow GS and weak HGS in patients on HD were suggested to be independent predictors of fatal/non-fatal CV events.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12882-019-1370-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Frailty, Quality of Life, Anxiety, and Other Factors Affecting Adherence to Physical Activity Recommendations by Hemodialysis Patients

Hemodialysis patients perform little physical activity. We formulated a hypothesis that some factors, i.e., frailty, medical and functional factors, psychological factors, quality of life, awareness of recommendations, and sociodemographic factors influence the decisions of taking up physical activity. This prospective study comprised 72 dialysis patients aged 57.8 ± 16.0 ( x ¯ ± SD; in the range of 19-87 years of age). The following research tools were used: an interview about awareness of the physical activity recommendations, the Canadian Study of Health and Aging Scale (CSHA-CFS), scales for the assessment of functional status, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS), and the questionnaire of Kidney Disease Quality of Life (KDQOL-SF 1.3). The majority of patients diagnosed with frailty did not follow the physical activity recommendations (79.3%). Quality of life was better in active patients compared to inactive patients, especially in the domains of sleep and physical performance. The severity of trait anxiety was significantly higher in patients who did not follow the recommendations compared to patients who adhered to physical activity recommendations (46.0 ± 10.5 vs. 40.0 ± 8.2; p = 0.021 ). The likelihood of adherence decreased by 1% after each subsequent month of dialysis (odds ratio = 0.99; 95% confidence interval = 0.972-0.999; p = 0.047 ). Adherence was most limited by frailty. Adherence to recommendations on physical activity was affected by: motivation, lower levels of trait anxiety, and better quality of life. Age modified the effect of awareness and acceptance of the disease on adherence to physical activity recommendations.

Frailty, body composition and the risk of mortality in incident hemodialysis patients: the Predictors of Arrhythmic and Cardiovascular Risk in End Stage Renal Disease study

Background

Frail obese community-dwelling older adults are at increased mortality risk. Among hemodialysis (HD) patients, frailty is common and associated with increased mortality risk; however, in dialysis, obesity is associated with decreased mortality risk. Whether the frail-obese phenotype is associated with increased mortality risk among HD patients remains unclear.

Methods

This study included 370 incident HD patients enrolled in the Predictors of Arrhythmic and Cardiovascular Risk in End Stage Renal Disease (PACE) study. We measured frailty using the Fried phenotype, general obesity [body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m2] and abdominal obesity [waist:hip ratio (WHR) ≥median WHR] and estimated their associations with mortality.

Results

The mean age was 55 years, with 42% female, 73% African American, 57% diabetic and 52% frail. Frail HD patients had higher mean BMI (frail = 30.3 kg/m2, non-frail = 28.3 kg/m2; P = 0.02) and similar WHR (P = 0.8). Twenty-two percent were frail with general obesity and 27% were frail with abdominal obesity. Frailty was associated with 1.66-fold increased mortality risk [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03-2.67]. BMI was associated with a decreased mortality risk [25.0-29.9 kg/m2 hazard ratio (HR) 0.53 (95% CI 0.31-0.93); ≥30 kg/m2 HR 0.34 (95% CI 0.19-0.62)]. Frailty was associated with elevated mortality risk among HD patients with general [HR 3.77 (95% CI 1.10-12.92)] and abdominal obesity [HR 2.38 (95% CI 1.17-4.82)]. Frailty was not associated with mortality among HD patients without general or abdominal obesity.

Conclusions

In adults initiating HD, frailty was associated with elevated mortality risk, even among the obese. Frail-obese HD patients may be a high-risk, often-overlooked population, as obesity is assumed to be protective. Measurement of frailty and obesity may facilitate risk stratification.

Geriatric Assessment in Elderly Patients with End-Stage Kidney Disease

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Decision-making in elderly patients considering dialysis is highly complex. With the increasing number of elderly with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), it may be important to assess geriatric impairments in this population. The aim of the Geriatric assessment in OLder patients starting Dialysis (GOLD) study was to assess the prevalence of geriatric impairments and frailty in the elderly ESKD population by means of a geriatric assessment (GA), which is a comprehensive tool for overall health assessment.

METHODS

This study included 285 patients ≥65 years: 196 patients at the time of dialysis initiation and 89 patients who chose maximal conservative management (MCM). The GA assessed cognition, mood, nutritional status, (instrumental) activities of daily living (ADL), mobility, comorbidity burden, quality of life and overall frailty.

RESULTS

The mean age of the participants was 78 years and 36% were women. Of the incident dialysis patients, 77% started haemodialysis and 23% started peritoneal dialysis. Geriatric impairments were highly prevalent in both dialysis and MCM patients. Most frequently impaired geriatric domains in the dialysis group were functional performance (ADL 29%, instrumental ADL (iADL) 79%), cognition (67%) and comorbidity (41%). According to the GA, 77% in the dialysis group and 88% in the MCM group had 2 or more geriatric impairments. In the MCM group, functional impairment (ADL 45%, iADL 85%) was highly prevalent.

CONCLUSIONS

Geriatric impairments are highly prevalent in the elderly ESKD population. Since impairments can be missed when not searched for in regular (pre)dialysis care, the first step of improving nephrologic care is awareness of the extensiveness of geriatric impairment.

Frailty and chronic kidney disease: current evidence and continuing uncertainties

Frailty, the state of increased vulnerability to physical stressors as a result of progressive and sustained degeneration in multiple physiological systems, is common in those with chronic kidney disease (CKD). In fact, the prevalence of frailty in the older adult population is reported to be 11%, whereas the prevalence of frailty has been reported to be greater than 60% in dialysis-dependent CKD patients. Frailty is independently linked with adverse clinical outcomes in all stages of CKD and has been repeatedly shown to be associated with an increased risk of mortality and hospitalization. In recent years there have been efforts to create an operationalized definition of frailty to aid its diagnosis and to categorize its severity. Two principal concepts are described, namely the Fried Phenotype Model of Physical Frailty and the Cumulative Deficit Model of Frailty. There is no agreement on which frailty assessment approach is superior, therefore, for the time being, emphasis should be placed on any efforts to identify frailty. Recognizing frailty should prompt a holistic assessment of the patient to address risk factors that may exacerbate its progression and to ensure that the patient has appropriate psychological and social support. Adequate nutritional intake is essential and individualized exercise programmes should be offered. The acknowledgement of frailty should prompt discussions that explore the future care wishes of these vulnerable patients. With further study, nephrologists may be able to use frailty assessments to inform discussions with patients about the initiation of renal replacement therapy.

Is Frailty a Modifiable Risk Factor of Future Adverse Outcomes in Elderly Patients with Incident End-Stage Renal Disease?

Little is known about the clinical significance of frailty and changes of frailty after dialysis initiation in elderly patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). We prospectively enrolled 46 elderly patients with incident ESRD at a dialysis center of a tertiary hospital between May 2013 and March 2015. Frailty was assessed by using a comprehensive geriatric assessment protocol and defined as a multidimensional frailty score of ≥ 10. The main outcome was the composite of all-cause death or cardiovascular hospitalization, as determined in June 2016. The median age of the 46 participants was 71.5 years, and 63.0% of them were men. During the median 17.7 months follow-up, the rate of composite outcome was 17.4%. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, after adjusting for age, sex, diabetes, body mass index (BMI), and time of predialytic nephrologic care, female sex, and increased BMI were associated with increased and decreased odds of frailty, respectively. In multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis, after adjusting for age, sex, diabetes, BMI, and time of predialytic nephrologic care, frailty was significantly associated with the composite adverse outcome. In repeated frailty assessments, the multidimensional frailty score significantly improved 12 months after the initiation of dialysis, which largely relied on improved nutrition. Therefore, frailty needs to be assessed for risk stratification in elderly patients with incident ESRD.

Cardiac surgery in patients with end-stage renal disease on dialysis

OBJECTIVES

Over the past decade, the number of patients on dialysis and with cardiovascular diseases has steadily increased. This retrospective analysis compares the postoperative mortality after cardiac surgery between patients on hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.

METHODS

Between 1998 and 2015, 136 patients with end-stage renal disease initiating dialysis more than one month before surgery underwent cardiac surgery. Demographics, preoperative hemodynamic and biochemical data were collected from the patient records. Vital status and date of death was retrieved from a national register.

RESULTS

Hemodialysis was undertaken in 73% and peritoneal dialysis in 22% of patients aged 59.7 ± 12.9 years, mean EuroSCORE 8.6% ± 3.5. Isolated coronary artery bypass graft was performed in 46%, isolated valve procedure in 29% and combined procedures in 24% with no significant statistical difference between groups. The 30-day mortality was 14% for hemodialysis patients and 3% for peritoneal dialysis patients (p = .056). One-year and 5-year mortality were, 30% and 59% in the hemodialysis group, 30% and 57% in the peritoneal dialysis group (p = .975, p = .852). Independent predictors of total mortality were age (p = .001), diabetes (p = .017) and active endocarditis (p = .012).

CONCLUSION

No statistically significant difference in mortality was found between patients in hemo- or peritoneal dialysis. However, we observed that patients with end-stage renal disease on dialysis have two times higher mortality rate than estimated by EuroSCORE.

Frail Patient in Hemodialysis: A New Challenge in Nephrology-Incidence in Our Area, Barcelonès Nord and Maresme

Introduction

Labeling a patient as “frail” may be useful in assessing the prognosis and therapeutic approach.

Objective

The aim of the study is to define a pattern of frailty among our dialysis population, to analyse the incidence and clinical evolution of these patients.

Materials and Methods

We analysed a total of 320 patients with stage V chronic kidney disease (CKD) who were on hemodialysis between September 2014 and September 2015. To define a patient as frail we used the Fried phenotype model, and we added a new criteria-dialysis session length longer than 12 hours/week.

Results

5.6% of the 320 patients were frail. We found statistically significant differences regarding body mass index (BMI), hemoglobin (Hgb), and serum albumin, as well as the ability to perform the basic activities of daily living (p < 0.005), ability to ambulate (p = 0.01) and perform transfers (p < 0.005). We found statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of hospital admissions (p = 0.005) and mortality (p < 0.005).

Conclusion

5.6% of the study population were frail, with lower BMI, serum albumin and hemoglobin, lower capacity for basic activities of daily living, ambulation, and transference, as well as higher morbidity and mortality.

Prevalence of frailty in end-stage renal disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study is to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis on prevalence of frailty among patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). ESRD is associated with malnutrition, chronic inflammation, acidemia, impaired hormonal changes, and low physical activity, all of which can directly and indirectly contribute to the development of frailty. Coexistence of ESRD and frailty has been shown to increase risks of adverse health outcomes. Given potential reversibility of frailty, it is important to examine frailty status in this high-risk population.

METHODS

Three databases (EMBASE, Medline, and CINAHL) were systematically searched for studies providing cross-sectional data of prevalence of frailty defined by cardiovascular health study (CHS) criteria among ESRD patients. Meta-analysis calculated pooled prevalence of frailty according to modifications of CHS criteria.

RESULTS

Of 837 studies identified through the systematic review, seven studies were included. Three studies used both objectively measured and self-reported CHS criteria, and two studies each used only either criteria. Pooled prevalence of frailty was 36.8% (five studies: 95% CI = 29.9-44.1%, I ² = 82.6%, p < 0.001) and 67.0% (five studies: 95% CI = 58.7-74.7%, I ² = 96.5%, p < 0.001) according to the objectively measured and self-reported CHS criteria, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

More than one-third of ESRD patients were frail based on the objectively measured CHS criteria, and that prevalence of frailty almost doubled with the CHS criteria substituting self-reported physical function questionnaire score for objective measurements. Given substantial difference in prevalence of frailty depending on the modifications to CHS criteria, this information should be taken into account when evaluating frailty status among ESRD population.

Frailty and chronic kidney disease: A systematic review

OBJECTIVE

Frailty is associated with increased vulnerability to poor health. There is growing interest in understanding the association between frailty and chronic kidney disease (CKD). This systematic review explored how frailty is measured in patients with CKD and the association between frailty and adverse outcomes across different stages of renal impairment.

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic analysis of peer reviewed articles.

DATA SOURCES

Pubmed, Medline, Web of Science and Cochrane were used to identify the articles.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Articles published before the 17th of September 2016, that measured frailty in patients with CKD was eligible for the systematic review. Two independent researchers assessed the eligibility of the articles. Quality of the articles was assessed using the Epidemiological Appraisal Instrument.

RESULTS

The literature search yielded 540 articles, of which 32 met the study criteria and were included in the review (n=36,076, age range: 50-83 years). Twenty-three (72%) studies used or adapted the Fried phenotype to measure frailty. The prevalence of frailty ranged from 7% in community-dwellers (CKD Stages 1-4) to 73% in a cohort of patients on haemodialysis. The incidence of frailty increased with reduced glomerular filtration rate. Frailty was associated with an increased risk of mortality and hospitalization.

CONCLUSION

Frailty is prevalent in patients with CKD and it is associated with an increased risk of adverse health outcomes. There are differences in the methods used to assess frailty and this hinders comparisons between studies.