Thirst in patients on chronic hemodialysis: What do we know so far?

Interdialytic weight gain and low-salt diet in patients on chronic hemodialysis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

The present systematic review and meta-analysis aims to determine the difference in the interdialytic weight gain (IDWG) between low salt intake diet and normal/high salt intake diet or between nutritional counseling aimed at reducing diet salt intake and no nutritional counseling in patients on chronic hemodialysis.

METHODS

Medline, PubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were searched. Randomized, crossover or parallel studies and observational studies were considered for inclusion and: 1) included adult patients on chronic hemodialysis since at least 6 months; 2) compared normal salt intake diet with low salt intake diet on IDWG; 3) compared nutritional counseling aimed at reducing diet salt intake with no intervention on IDWG; 4) reported on IDWG.

RESULTS

Eight articles (783 patients) were fully assessed for eligibility and included in the investigation. Meta-analysis showed frequencies of patients that increased their weight after dialysis more than 2.5 Kg (events) over total enrolled subjects for each group (control and experimental). As no significant heterogeneity was observed (I2 = 8%; p = 0.36), the pooled analysis was performed using a fixed-effect model. Funnel plot was generated and no obvious asymmetry was observed. The Overall Odds Ratio to get an event in the experimental group, in respect to controls, is 0.57 (0.33-0.97) (p = 0.04] with single studies OR ranging between 0.11 and 1.08.

CONCLUSION

The present systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that the use of a low salt diet sodium or a nutritional counseling aimed at reducing diet salt intake is associated with a statistically significant reduction of the IDWG in patients on chronic hemodialysis.

Non-pharmacological interventions to reduce thirst in patients with heart failure or hemodialysis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Thirst is a frequent and burdening symptom in many patients, especially in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) and/or receiving hemodialysis (HD). As drug therapies are not feasible, non-pharmacological strategies are needed to reduce thirst and thirst-related burden.

OBJECTIVES

To identify non-pharmacological interventions aiming to reduce thirst in patients with CHF and/ or HD, to describe intervention components, and to evaluate the effectiveness of these interventions.

METHODS

In February 2024, we completed a systematic search in MEDLINE via PubMed, Livivo, CINAHL, Cochrane Library and Web of Science. Two reviewers independently screened titles, abstracts, and full texts, performed critical appraisal and data extraction. We checked risk of bias with the checklists of the Joanna Briggs Institute and the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool and calculated meta-analyses for sufficiently homogeneous studies using fixed-effects models.

RESULTS

We included 15 intervention studies applying non-pharmacological interventions including chewing gum (n = 8), low-sodium diet (n = 2), acupressure (n = 1), frozen strawberries (n = 1), fluid timetables (n = 1), ice cubes and mouthwash (n = 1), and a psychological intervention (n = 1). Sample sizes varied between 11 and 88 participants. Eleven intervention studies showed a reduction of thirst as intervention effect. Meta-analyses for chewing gum showed no significant effect on thirst using a visual analogue scale (IV: -2,32 [-10.37,5.73]; p = 0.57) or the dialysis thirst inventory (IV: -0.26 [- 1.83, 1.30]; p = 0.74). Quality of studies was moderate to low.

CONCLUSION

Results indicate that various non-pharmacological interventions could be helpful to reduce thirst in patients with CHF or HD, but important uncertainty remains.

Association of serum sodium levels with fractures and mortality in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis

BACKGROUND

Hyponatremia is implicated in pathological bone resorption and has been identified as a risk factor for bone fracture in the general population. However, there are limited data on the association between serum sodium levels and fracture risk in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD).

METHODS

We analyzed a historical cohort of 2220 maintenance HD patients to examine the association between serum sodium levels and the risk of fracture and mortality. We also examined the association between serum sodium levels and osteoporosis, based on metacarpal bone mineral density, in a subcohort of 455 patients with available data. In addition, we examined the association between serum sodium levels and bone turnover markers in a separate cross-sectional cohort of 654 maintenance HD patients.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up of 5.4 years, 712 patients died, 113 experienced clinical fractures, and 64 experienced asymptomatic vertebral fractures. Lower serum sodium levels were associated with an increased risk of mortality (HR 1.06 per 1 mEq/L decrease; 95% CI 1.03-1.09) but not with the risk of clinical fracture (HR 1.04 per 1 mEq/L decrease; 95% CI 0.97-1.11). A similar lack of association was observed for asymptomatic vertebral fracture and any fracture. Serum sodium levels were also not associated with osteoporosis in a subcohort with available data (n = 455) or with bone alkaline phosphatase or tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-5b in a separate cross-sectional cohort.

CONCLUSION

Serum sodium levels were associated with mortality but not with fracture risk, osteoporosis, or bone turnover markers in maintenance HD patients.

The relationship between fatigue, pruritus, and thirst distress with quality of life among patients receiving hemodialysis: a mediator model to test concept of treatment adherence

Hemodialysis is a conservative treatment for end-stage renal disease. It has various complications which negatively affect quality of life (QOL). This study aimed to examine the relationship between fatigue, pruritus, and thirst distress (TD) with QOL of patients receiving hemodialysis, while also considering the mediating role of treatment adherence (TA). This cross-sectional study was carried out in 2023 on 411 patients receiving hemodialysis. Participants were consecutively recruited from several dialysis centers in Iran. Data were collected using a demographic information form, the Fatigue Assessment Scale, the Thirst Distress Scale, the Pruritus Severity Scale, the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey, and the modified version of the Greek Simplified Medication Adherence Questionnaire for Hemodialysis Patients. Covariance-based structural equation modeling was used for data analysis. The structural model and hypothesis testing results showed that all hypotheses were supported in this study. QOL had a significant inverse association with fatigue, pruritus, and TD and a significant positive association with TA. TA partially mediated the association of QOL with fatigue, pruritus, and TD, denoting that it helped counteract the negative association of these complications on QOL. This model explained 68.5% of the total variance of QOL. Fatigue, pruritus, and TD have a negative association with QOL among patients receiving hemodialysis, while TA reduces these negative associations. Therefore, TA is greatly important to manage the associations of these complications and improve patient outcomes. Healthcare providers need to assign high priority to TA improvement among these patients to reduce their fatigue, pruritus, and TD and improve their QOL. Further studies are necessary to determine the most effective strategies for improving TA and reducing the burden of complications in this patient population.

Is increased subjective thirst associated with greater interdialytic weight gains, extracellular fluid and dietary sodium intake?

BACKGROUND

Some previous studies have reported an effect of increasing subjective thirst and interdialytic weight gains (IDWG), and that this may be influenced by nonadherence to dietary sodium restrictions, whereas others reported no such association. As such we wished to review the effect of self-reported thirst on IDWGs and dietary sodium intake.

METHODS

Dialysis patients were asked to complete visual analogues thirst, distress thermometer (DT) scores and complete a sodium food frequency questionnaire (SFFQ). IDWG and pre and post dialysis volumes were measured with multifrequency bioelectrical impedance.

RESULTS

One hundred and eleven patients completed the questionnaires and had bioimpedance measurements: 63% male, mean age 63.8 ± 16.1 years, 33% diabetic with a median thirst score 3 (0-5) and SFFQ 52.0 ± 18, and IDWG 2.1 ± 1.3%. Thirst was associated with DT (r = 0.28, p = 0.004) and negatively with age (r = -0.31, p < 0.001), but not SFFQ, IDWG, extracellular water, or dialysate sodium, or dialysate to plasma gradient. Patients with higher thirst scores were younger (58.0 ± 15.2 vs. 69.4 ± 15.0 years, p < 0.001) with higher DT scores (5 [2-7] vs. 2 [0-5], p < 0.001). On multivariate logistic analysis, only age was associated with self-reported thirst (odds ratio 0.95, 95% confidence limits 0.92-0.98, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

We found that subjective thirst was greater for younger patients and those who reported higher levels of distress, but no association with IDWGs, dietary sodium intake, or dialysate sodium. However, most of our patients followed the dietary advice, as evidenced by the low SFFQ scores and % IDWGs. Whether thirst increases distress or distress increases subjective thirst remains to be determined.

Safety of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccination in patients with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis

BACKGROUND

COVID-19 vaccination is essential. However, no study has reported adverse events (AEs) after ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccination in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on hemodialysis (HD). This study investigated the AEs within 30-days after the first dose of ChAdOx1 nCoV19 (Oxford-AstraZeneca) in ESRD patients on HD.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

A total of 270 ESRD patients on HD were enrolled in this study. To determine the significance of vascular access thrombosis (VAT) post vaccination, we performed a self-controlled case study (SCCS) analysis. Of these patients, 38.5% had local AEs; local pain (29.6%), tenderness (28.9%), and induration (15.6%) were the most common. Further, 62.2% had systemic AEs; fatigue (41.1%), feverishness (20%), and lethargy (19.9%) were the most common. In addition, post-vaccination thirst affected 18.9% of the participants with female predominance. Younger age, female sex, and diabetes mellitus were risk factors for AEs. Five patients had severe AEs, including fever (n = 1), herpes zoster (HZ) reactivation (n = 1), and acute VAT (n = 3). However, the SCCS analysis revealed no association between vaccination and VAT; the incidence rate ratio (IRR)-person ratio was 0.56 (95% CI 0.13-2.33) and 0.78 (95% CI 0.20-2.93) [IRR-event ratio 0.78 (95% CI 0.15-4.10) and 1.00 (95% CI 0.20-4.93)] in the 0-3 months and 3-6 months period prior to vaccination, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Though some ESRD patients on HD had local and systemic AEs after first-dose vaccination, the clinical significance of these symptoms was minor. Our study confirmed the safety profile of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 in HD patients and presented a new viewpoint on vaccine-related AEs. The SCCS analysis did not find an elevated risk of VAT at 1 month following vaccination. Apart from VAT, other vaccine-related AEs, irrespective of local or systemic symptoms, had minor clinical significance on safety issues. Nonetheless, further coordinated, multi-center, or registry-based studies are needed to establish the causality.

The reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the Shortened Xerostomia Inventory in hemodialysis patients

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to translate, linguistically validate and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Shortened Xerostomia Inventory (SXI) among Turkish patients undergoing hemodialysis.

METHODS

The study was conducted with 81 chronic hemodialysis patients in the hemodialysis units of two state hospitals between June and August 2020. Explanatory Factor Analysis (EFA) were implemented to test the construct validity. In addition, the test-retest method was performed to test the reliability and consistency of the scale over time.

RESULTS

A total of 81 patients participated in the study. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient of SXI was 0.788. The mean values for the test was 12.84±6.78 and re-test scores was 11.03±6.88. ICC value calculated as 0.992 and accordingly a statistically significant relationship between the test and retest scores (p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study showed that the SXI is a valid and reliable measurement tool for Turkish hemodialysis patients.

Factors Affecting Diet-Related Quality of Life Among Hemodialysis Patients According to Age-group

This study identified factors influencing diet-related quality of life (QoL) among hemodialysis patients by age. In a cross-sectional correlational study in South Korea, 175 participants from two age groups-20-59 years and 60 years and above-completed self-report questionnaires assessing demographic and health-related characteristics, eating status, subjective health status, disease-related factors, dietary knowledge, and xerostomia severity. Findings indicated that the predictors of diet-related QoL included subjective health status and regular eating status (20-59 years) and self-efficacy, attitude toward hydration behaviors, and exercise (60 years and above). In order to improve the diet-related quality of life of dialysis patients, young adults need to focus on their physical health and regular meals, and the elderly need a differentiation strategy that considers psychological factors such as self-efficacy and attitude toward pollination.

Dysnatremias in Chronic Kidney Disease: Pathophysiology, Manifestations, and Treatment

The decreased ability of the kidney to regulate water and monovalent cation excretion predisposes patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) to dysnatremias. In this report, we describe the clinical associations and methods of management of dysnatremias in this patient population by reviewing publications on hyponatremia and hypernatremia in patients with CKD not on dialysis, and those on maintenance hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. The prevalence of both hyponatremia and hypernatremia has been reported to be higher in patients with CKD than in the general population. Certain features of the studies analyzed, such as variation in the cut-off values of serum sodium concentration ([Na]) that define hyponatremia or hypernatremia, create comparison difficulties. Dysnatremias in patients with CKD are associated with adverse clinical conditions and mortality. Currently, investigation and treatment of dysnatremias in patients with CKD should follow clinical judgment and the guidelines for the general population. Whether azotemia allows different rates of correction of [Na] in patients with hyponatremic CKD and the methodology and outcomes of treatment of dysnatremias by renal replacement methods require further investigation. In conclusion, dysnatremias occur frequently and are associated with various comorbidities and mortality in patients with CKD. Knowledge gaps in their treatment and prevention call for further studies.

Content Analysis of the Diagnostic Proposition Risk of Excessive Fluid Volume in Hemodialysis Patients

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the content of the diagnostic proposition risk of excessive fluid volume in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

METHOD

Content validity study, with 48 judges who assessed the content of the diagnostic proposition risk of excessive fluid volume, using an electronic data collection instrument. The judges' answers were analyzed through the calculation of the Content Validity Index and the T test.

RESULTS

The risk of excessive fluid volume was considered adequate, containing 23 risk factors: increased sodium concentration in the dialysate; missing hemodialysis sessions; insufficient water; low self-efficacy for fluid restriction; deficient knowledge; altered body mass index; excessive intake of fluids, proteins and sodium; lower kt/v index; inadequate removal of fluids in hemodialysis; thirst; xerostomia; older people; comorbidities; renal function decline; decreased urinary volume; inflammatory status; hospitalization; low serum level of albumin and lymphocytes, and high level of phosphorus; and use of antihypertensive drugs.

CONCLUSION

The content of the diagnostic proposition risk of excessive fluid volume was considered adequate by the judges.

Evaluation of demographic and clinical risk factors for high interdialytic weight gain

Xerostomia and hyposalivation are highly prevalent in hemodialysis (HD) patients and this is effective in increased fluid intake. The aim of this study is to determine the demographic and clinical risk factors associated with high interdialytic weight gain (IDWG) in nondiabetic HD patients. In total, 52 eligible HD patients were recruited in this cross-sectional study. Patients were divided into two groups according to % IDWG: Group 1: High IDWG (≥3%) and Group 2: normal IDWG (<3%). Plasma osmolarity (POsm), unstimulated salivary flow rate (USFR), xerostomia inventory (XI), and dialysis thirst inventory (DTI) were evaluated. The mean age of the patients was 53.7 ± 15.7 years. The prevalence of xerostomia was 53.8%, and hyposalivation was in 40.3% in the patients. High IDWG was positively correlated with XI and DTI while it was negatively correlated with POsm and USFR. The area under the receiver-operating characteristics curve for POsm for high IDWG was 0.661, with sensitivity of 63.8% and specificity of 72.7% for a cut-off point of 297.4 mOsm/L. Logistic regression analysis showed that advanced age odds ratio (OR: 1.215, p = 0.019), pill burden (OR: 1.162, p = 0.031), C-reactive protein (CRP; OR: 1.308, p = 0.042), and low POsm (OR: 0.768, p = 0.046) were independently related to high IDWG. The prevalence of xerostomia and thirst was higher in HD patients with high IDWG compared to the normal IDWG group. Age, CRP, low POsm, and pill burden were independently associated with high IDWG.