International consensus definitions of clinical trial outcomes for kidney failure: 2020

Worsening of Diabetes Control Measures and Decreased Kidney Function in Pre-Diabetic Kidney Donors Compared to Non-Diabetic Donors Whose BMI Before Kidney Donation was Above 30

BACKGROUND

The incidence of end-stage renal disease has increased dramatically over the past two decades. Kidney transplantation is the best treatment option for individuals with end-stage renal disease, and living donor kidney transplantation has significant advantages over deceased donor kidney transplantation. Although there are criteria for assessing living kidney donors, different medical centers handle certain medical problems differently. The aim of this study is to investigate how kidney donation affects renal biochemical indicators, blood pressure measurements, and glucose control in healthy young female adults without diabetes compared to a pre-diabetic group.

METHODS

A prospective cohort study recruited 142 female kidney donors, who were divided into two cohorts based on their diabetic history (pre-diabetic and non-diabetic). The participants were monitored for seven years after kidney donation. Key clinical and biochemical markers were measured before and after donation.

RESULTS

The pre-diabetic group had higher mean values for blood pressure readings, body mass indices, Oral Glucose Tolerance Test, HbA1c (DCCT) (%), serum creatinine levels, proteinuria, and lower e-GFR compared to those in the non-diabetic group. All these findings were statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Pre-diabetic donors are at an increased risk for many adverse clinical and biochemical outcomes, including hypertension, glucose tolerance, and worsening kidney function tests and should be advised that their condition may worsen over time and can result in end-organ complications. If the donors decide to proceed, they should be closely and frequently monitored during both the short- and long-term periods.

Clinical trial designs of emerging therapies for diabetic kidney disease (DKD)

Current evidence for medical therapies for diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is largely based on large-scale clinical trials. These trials, however, often exhibit heterogeneity in participant characteristics and baseline kidney function. These differences may lead to misinterpretation in clinical practice, such that treatment effects from different trials are directly compared and generalized to broader populations beyond the population in which each trial was conducted. This is particularly relevant if comparisons on efficacy and safety are made when the underlying study populations are distinctly different. Indeed, key clinical trials evaluating sodium-glucose transport protein-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i), non-steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (nsMRA), and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) differed in recruitment requirements (inclusion/exclusion criteria), resulting in differences in the severity of the underlying kidney disease as well as risk factor profiles. Moreover, these trials defined their primary and secondary outcomes differently. Collectively, these factors lead to distinct study populations with different baseline risks for DKD progression in the placebo arm in each clinical trial. Consequently, a direct head-to-head comparison of the treatment effect between treatments using relative risk measures from placebo-controlled clinical trials alone is not recommended. In addition, healthcare professionals should be equipped to understand the specific target population of clinical trials to avoid over-generalization when drawing conclusions from these trials.

Non-adherence to cardiometabolic medication as assessed by LC-MS/MS in urine and its association with kidney and cardiovascular outcomes in type 2 diabetes mellitus

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Non-adherence to medication is a frequent barrier in the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, potentially limiting the effectiveness of evidence-based treatments. Previous studies have mostly relied on indirect adherence measures to analyse outcomes based on adherence. The aim of this study was to use LC-MS/MS in urine-a non-invasive, direct and objective measure-to assess non-adherence to cardiometabolic drugs and analyse its association with kidney and cardiovascular outcomes.

METHODS

This cohort study includes 1125 participants from the PROVALID study, which follows patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus at the primary care level. Baseline urine samples were tested for 79 cardiometabolic drugs and metabolites thereof via LC-MS/MS. An individual was classified as totally adherent if markers for all drugs were detected, partially non-adherent when at least one marker for one drug was detected, and totally non-adherent if no markers for any drugs were detected. Non-adherence was then analysed in the context of cardiovascular (composite of myocardial infarction, stroke and cardiovascular death) and kidney (composite of sustained 40% decline in eGFR, sustained progression of albuminuria, kidney replacement therapy and death from kidney failure) outcomes.

RESULTS

Of the participants, 56.3% were totally adherent, 42.0% were partially non-adherent, and 1.7% were totally non-adherent to screened cardiometabolic drugs. Adherence was highest to antiplatelet and glucose-lowering agents and lowest to lipid-lowering agents. Over a median (IQR) follow-up time of 5.10 (4.12-6.12) years, worse cardiovascular outcomes were observed with non-adherence to antiplatelet drugs (HR 10.13 [95% CI 3.06, 33.56]) and worse kidney outcomes were observed with non-adherence to antihypertensive drugs (HR 1.98 [95% CI 1.37, 2.86]).

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

This analysis shows that non-adherence to cardiometabolic drug regimens is common in type 2 diabetes mellitus and negatively affects kidney and cardiovascular outcomes.

Acetazolamide Tolerance in Acute Decompensated Heart Failure: An Observational Study

Objectives: This real-life study aimed to evaluate the safety of acetazolamide (ACZ), a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor with diuretic effects. ACZ has recently been proven to improve decongestion in the context of patients hospitalized for acute heart failure (HF). However, data in terms of safety are lacking. Methods: We conducted a monocentric observational prospective study from November 2023 to February 2024 in a 12-bed cardiology department, recording adverse events (hypotension, severe metabolic acidosis, severe hypokalemia and renal events) during in-hospital HF treatment. All patients hospitalized for acute HF during the study period treated with ACZ (500 mg IV daily for 3 days) on top of IV furosemide (n = 28, 48.3%) were compared with patients who have been treated with IV furosemide alone (n = 30, 51.7%). Results: The patients treated with ACZ were younger than those without (median age 78 (range 67-86) vs. 85 (79-90) years, respectively, p = 0.01) and had less frequent chronic kidney disease (median estimated glomerular fraction rate (60 (35-65) vs. 38 (26-63) mL/min, p = 0.02). As concerned adverse events during HF treatment, there were no differences in the occurrences of hypotension (three patients [10.7%] in the ACZ group vs. four [13.3%], p = 0.8), renal events (four patients [14.3%] in the ACZ group vs. five [16.7%], p = 1) and severe hypokalemia (two [7.1%] in the ACZ group vs. three [10%], p = 1). No severe metabolic acidosis occurred in either group. Conclusions: Although the clinical characteristics differed at baseline, with younger age and better renal function in patients receiving ACZ, the tolerance profile did not significantly differ from patients receiving furosemide alone. Additional observational data are needed to further assess the safety of ACZ-furosemide combination in the in-hospital management of HF, especially in older, frail populations.

Comparative effectiveness of second line oral antidiabetic treatments among people with type 2 diabetes mellitus: emulation of a target trial using routinely collected health data

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effectiveness of three commonly prescribed oral antidiabetic drugs added to metformin for people with type 2 diabetes mellitus requiring second line treatment in routine clinical practice.

DESIGN

Cohort study emulating a comparative effectiveness trial (target trial).

SETTING

Linked primary care, hospital, and death data in England, 2015-21.

PARTICIPANTS

75 739 adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus who initiated second line oral antidiabetic treatment with a sulfonylurea, DPP-4 inhibitor, or SGLT-2 inhibitor added to metformin.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Primary outcome was absolute change in glycated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) between baseline and one year follow-up. Secondary outcomes were change in body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at one year and two years, change in HbA1c at two years, and time to ≥40% decline in eGFR, major adverse kidney event, hospital admission for heart failure, major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE), and all cause mortality. Instrumental variable analysis was used to reduce the risk of confounding due to unobserved baseline measures.

RESULTS

75 739 people initiated second line oral antidiabetic treatment with sulfonylureas (n=25 693, 33.9%), DPP-4 inhibitors (n=34 464 ,45.5%), or SGLT-2 inhibitors (n=15 582, 20.6%). SGLT-2 inhibitors were more effective than DPP-4 inhibitors or sulfonylureas in reducing mean HbA1c values between baseline and one year. After the instrumental variable analysis, the mean differences in HbA1c change between baseline and one year were -2.5 mmol/mol (95% confidence interval (CI) -3.7 to -1.3) for SGLT-2 inhibitors versus sulfonylureas and -3.2 mmol/mol (-4.6 to -1.8) for SGLT-2 inhibitors versus DPP-4 inhibitors. SGLT-2 inhibitors were more effective than sulfonylureas or DPP-4 inhibitors in reducing BMI and systolic blood pressure. For some secondary endpoints, evidence for SGLT-2 inhibitors being more effective was lacking-the hazard ratio for MACE, for example, was 0.99 (95% CI 0.61 to 1.62) versus sulfonylureas and 0.91 (0.51 to 1.63) versus DPP-4 inhibitors. SGLT-2 inhibitors had reduced hazards of hospital admission for heart failure compared with DPP-4 inhibitors (0.32, 0.12 to 0.90) and sulfonylureas (0.46, 0.20 to 1.05). The hazard ratio for a ≥40% decline in eGFR indicated a protective effect versus sulfonylureas (0.42, 0.22 to 0.82), with high uncertainty in the estimated hazard ratio versus DPP-4 inhibitors (0.64, 0.29 to 1.43).

CONCLUSIONS

This emulation study of a target trial found that SGLT-2 inhibitors were more effective than sulfonylureas or DPP-4 inhibitors in lowering mean HbA1c, BMI, and systolic blood pressure and in reducing the hazards of hospital admission for heart failure (v DPP-4 inhibitors) and kidney disease progression (v sulfonylureas), with no evidence of differences in other clinical endpoints.

A hierarchical kidney outcome using win statistics in patients with heart failure from the DAPA-HF and DELIVER trials

Win statistics offer a new approach to the analysis of outcomes in clinical trials, allowing the combination of time-to-event and longitudinal measurements and taking into account the clinical importance of the components of composite outcomes, as well as their relative timing. We examined this approach in a post hoc analysis of two trials that compared dapagliflozin to placebo in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (DAPA-HF) and mildly reduced or preserved ejection fraction (DELIVER). The effect of dapagliflozin on a hierarchical composite kidney outcome was assessed, including the following: (1) all-cause mortality; (2) end-stage kidney disease; (3) a decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of ≥57%; (4) a decline in eGFR of ≥50%; (5) a decline in eGFR of ≥40%; and (6) participant-level eGFR slope. For this outcome, the win ratio was 1.10 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.06-1.15) in the combined dataset, 1.08 (95% CI = 1.01-1.16) in the DAPA-HF trial and 1.12 (95% CI = 1.05-1.18) in the DELIVER trial; that is, dapagliflozin was superior to placebo in both trials. The benefits of treatment were consistent in participants with and without baseline kidney disease, and with and without type 2 diabetes. In heart failure trials, win statistics may provide the statistical power to evaluate the effect of treatments on kidney as well as cardiovascular outcomes.

Timing of Initiation of Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitors Based on Serum Uric Acid Level Does Not Predict Renoprognosis in Patients with Preserved Kidney Function

Background: Despite recent evidence of remaining possibility that early initiation of xanthine oxidase inhibitors (XOIs) is beneficial in renoprognosis for patients with stage 2 or less chronic kidney disease (CKD), no evidence is available regarding the difference in renoprognosis based on serum uric acid (sUA) levels at the initiation of XOIs among patients with preserved kidney function. Methods: New XOI initiators were divided into quartiles based on baseline sUA. Primary outcome was the composite incidence of a significant estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline (≥40% decline in eGFR from baseline or development of eGFR <30 mL/1.73 m2/min) or all-cause death within 5 years. Results: After excluding inapplicable patients, 1170 XOI initiators were analyzed (mean ± standard deviation age: 68 ± 14.3 years; sUA: 10.6 ± 1.15 mg/dL). On overall median [interquartile range (IQR)] follow-up of 824 (342, 1576) days, incidence rate of the primary outcome was 287 per 1000 person-years for 5 years. Although the nonadjusted model showed a dose-response association between baseline sUA level and the outcome, the adjusted model showed no significant association. Adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence interval) of the second, third, and fourth quartiles of baseline sUA with the composite outcome within 5 years compared to the first quartile were 1.00 (0.78, 1.29), 1.00 (0.80, 1.30), and 1.02 (0.80, 1.32), respectively. Conclusions: Early initiation of XOIs did not predict a significant benefit on renoprognosis even among the population with preserved kidney function. The validity of initiating XOIs with the aim of improving renoprognosis based on sUA is questionable.

Implications of Implementing the 2021 CKD-EPI Equation Without Race on Managing Patients With Kidney Disease in British Columbia, Canada

Introduction

We investigated the implications of implementing race-free Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) 2021 equation among real-world patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) from British Columbia (BC), Canada.

Methods

This study included nondialysis-dependent patients with CKD aged ≥19 years who were registered in the Patient Records and Outcome Management Information System (PROMIS) as of March 31, 2016 (index date) with ≥1 serum creatinine measurement within 1 year before the index date. Patients with a history of kidney transplantation before the index date were excluded. CKD-EPI 2021 versus 2009 equation was the exposure variable. Difference in mean estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and number (%) of patients reclassified to a different eGFR category were estimated. We used Fine and Gray subdistribution hazard model to investigate the association between change in eGFR category and progression to kidney failure (incident maintenance dialysis or kidney transplantation) within 2 years.

Results

A total of 11,604 patients (median age 73 years, 52% male) were included. Compared to the 2009 equation, eGFR from 2021 equation was on average 2.7 ml/min per 1.73 m2 higher. Variation was higher among males. Overall, ∼17% of the study sample were reclassified to a category with higher eGFR by 2021 equation (switchers). The highest proportion (28%) of patients were reclassified from G5 to G4. The risk of progressing to kidney failure was 22% less among switchers compared to nonswitchers; adjusted subdistribution hazard ratio (HR) (95% confidence interval [CI]) is 0.78 (0.65, 0.94).

Conclusion

CKD-EPI 2021 equation appeared to provide higher eGFR compared to 2009 equation. This higher eGFR values appeared to be concordant with subsequent real-world CKD progression outcomes. Higher eGFR from the 2021 equation may have substantial clinical implications in both diagnosis as well as long-term care of patients with CKD.

Oral Chinese Herbal Medicine plus usual care for diabetic kidney disease: study protocol for a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial

Background

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) has become the leading cause of kidney failure, causing a significant socioeconomic burden worldwide. The usual care for DKD fails to achieve satisfactory effects in delaying the persistent loss of renal function. A Chinese herbal medicine, Tangshen Qushi Formula (TQF), showed preliminary clinical benefits with a sound safety profile for people with stage 2-4 DKD. We present the protocol of an ongoing clinical trial investigating the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of TQF compared to placebo in delaying the progressive decline of renal function for people with stage 2-4 DKD.

Methods

A mixed methods research design will be used in this study. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial will evaluate the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of TQF compared to placebo on kidney function for people with stage 2-4 DKD. An embedded semi-structured interview will explore the acceptability of TQF granules and trial procedures from the participant's perspective. Sixty eligible participants with stage 2-4 DKD will be randomly allocated to the treatment group (TQF plus usual care) or the control group (TQF placebo plus usual care) at a 1:1 ratio for 48-week treatment and 12-week follow-up. Participants will be assessed every 12 weeks. The feasibility will be assessed as the primary outcome. The changes in the estimated glomerular filtration rate, urinary protein/albumin, renal function, glycemic and lipid markers, renal composite endpoint events, and dampness syndrome of Chinese medicine will be assessed as the efficacy outcomes. Safety outcomes such as liver function, serum potassium, and adverse events will also be evaluated. The data and safety monitoring board will be responsible for the participants' benefits, the data's credibility, and the results' validity. The intent-to-treat and per-protocol analysis will be performed as the primary statistical strategy.

Discussion

Conducting a rigorously designed pilot trial will be a significant step toward establishing the feasibility and acceptability of TQF and trial design. The study will also provide critical information for future full-scale trial design to further generate new evidence supporting clinical practice for people with stage 2-4 DKD.

Trial registration number

https://www.chictr.org.cn/, identifier ChiCTR2200062786.

Kidney Outcomes and Preservation of Kidney Function With Obinutuzumab in Patients With Lupus Nephritis: A Post Hoc Analysis of the NOBILITY Trial

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether adding obinutuzumab to standard-of-care lupus nephritis (LN) therapy could improve the likelihood of long-term preservation of kidney function and do so with less glucocorticoids.

METHODS

Post hoc analyses of the phase II NOBILITY trial were performed. Time to unfavorable kidney outcome (a composite of treatment failure, doubling of serum creatinine, or death), LN flare, first 30% and 40% declines in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) from baseline, and chronic eGFR slope during the trial were compared between patients with active LN who were randomized to take obinutuzumab (n = 63) or placebo (n = 62) in combination with mycophenolate mofetil and glucocorticoids. The number of patients who achieved complete renal response (CRR) on 7.5 mg or less per day of prednisone was also determined.

RESULTS

Obinutuzumab reduced the risk of developing the composite kidney outcome by 60%, LN flare by 57%, and first eGFR decline of 30% or 40% by 80% and 91%, respectively. Patients receiving obinutuzumab had a significantly slower decline in eGFR than patients receiving placebo, with an annualized eGFR slope advantage of 4.1 ml/min/1.73 m2 /year (95% confidence interval 0.14-8.08). Overall, 38% of patients receiving obinutuzumab compared with 16% of patients receiving placebo achieved CRR at week 76 while receiving 7.5 mg or less per day of prednisone (P < 0.01); at week 104, the difference did not achieve significance (38% vs 22%; P = 0.06).

CONCLUSION

Post hoc analyses of NOBILITY demonstrated that compared with standard-of-care therapy, obinutuzumab treatment resulted in superior preservation of kidney function and prevention of LN flares. More patients achieved CRR at week 76 with less glucocorticoid use in the obinutuzumab group.

Combinative predictive effect of left ventricular mass index, ratio of HDL and CRP for progression of chronic kidney disease in non-dialysis patient

PURPOSE

This current study scrutinized the association among left ventricular mass index (LVMI), ratio of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and C-reactive protein (CRP), and renal function. Furthermore, we examined the predictive effects of left ventricular mass index and HDL/CRP on progression of non-dialysis chronic kidney disease.

METHODS

We enrolled adult patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) who were not receiving dialysis and obtained follow-up data on them. We extracted and compared data between different groups. To investigate the relationship between left ventricular mass index (LVMI), high-density lipoprotein (HDL)/C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, and CKD, we employed linear regression analysis, Kaplan-Meier analysis, and Cox proportional hazards regression analysis.

RESULTS

Our study enrolled a total of 2351 patients. Compared with those in the non-progression group, subjects in the CKD progression group had lower ln(HDL/CRP) levels (- 1.56 ± 1.78 vs. - 1.14 ± 1.77, P < 0.001) but higher left ventricular mass index (LVMI) values (115.45 ± 29.8 vs. 102.8 ± 26.31 g/m2, P < 0.001). Moreover, after adjusting for demographic factors, ln(HDL/CRP) was found to be positively associated with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (B = 1.18, P < 0.001), while LVMI was negatively associated with eGFR (B = - 0.15, P < 0.001). In the end, we found that both LVH (HR = 1.53, 95% CI 1.15 to 2.05, P = 0.004) and lower ln(HDL/CRP) (HR = 1.46, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.96, P = 0.013) independently predicted CKD progression. Notably, the combined predictive power of these variables was stronger than either variable alone (HR = 1.98, 95% CI 1.5 to 2.62, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Our study findings indicate that in pre-dialysis patients, both HDL/CRP and LVMI are associated with basic renal function and are independently correlated with CKD progression. These variables may serve as predictors for CKD progression, and their combined predictive power is stronger than that of either variable alone.

Validating the association of Oxford classification and renal function deterioration among Taiwanese individuals with Immunoglobulin A nephropathy

Validation of the Oxford classification (MEST and MEST-C) for Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) in the Taiwanese population is lacking. Our study aimed to validate this classification and assess individual lesion impact. We conducted a retrospective cohort study at Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan (Jan 2011-Jul 2023). Composite renal outcomes were evaluated using clinical conditions and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). We used Kaplan-Meier, univariable/multivariable logistic regression and ROC curves. Subgroup analysis considered eGFR < or ≥ 30.0 ml/min/1.73 m2. In 366 renal biopsies, serum creatinine was 1.34 mg/dl, eGFR 53.8 ml/min/1.73 m2, urine protein-creatinine ratio 1159 mg/g. T1/T2 lesions had lowest baseline eGFR (39.6/11.5 ml/min/1.73 m2), correlating with poorest renal survival (median survival 54.7/34.4 months). Univariable analysis linked all individual variables to worse renal outcomes. Multivariable analysis (MEST/MEST-C) showed only T1/T2 linked to worse outcomes. T score had highest predictive power (AUC 0.728, sensitivity 60.2%, specificity 83.6%), with MEST having high AUC (0.758). No extra predictive power was seen transitioning MEST to MEST-C. Subgroup analysis (eGFR < 30.0 ml/min/1.73 m2) associated C1 with improved renal outcomes (odds ratio 0.14, 95% CI 0.03-0.65). T lesion correlated with worse outcomes across subgroups. The T lesion consistently correlated with worse renal outcomes across all groups and baseline statuses. Integrating the C lesion into the transition from MEST to MEST-C did not enhance predictive power. Importantly, the C1 lesion was linked to improved renal outcomes in the eGFR < 30.0 ml/min/1.73 m2 subgroup, likely due to treatment effects.

Association between urinary C-megalin levels and progressive kidney dysfunction: a cohort study based on the diabetes distress and care registry at Tenri (DDCRT 24)

AIMS

The aim of this cohort study was to evaluate the association between urinary levels of C-megalin, a full-length form of megalin, and kidney dysfunction progression and its dependence on the urinary albumin-creatinine ratio (UACR) in individuals with diabetes.

METHODS

We enrolled 1,547 individuals with diabetes who visited the ambulatory clinic at Tenri Hospital, a regional tertiary-care hospital in Tenri City, Nara Prefecture, Japan, with an estimated glomerular filtration (eGFR) of ≥ 30 mL/min/1.73 m2. The hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated using Cox proportional hazard models to examine the association between urinary C-megalin levels and eGFR decline by ≥ 40% from baseline.

RESULTS

Urinary C-megalin level was not associated with ≥ 40% eGFR decline in an age-, sex-, eGFR-, systolic blood pressure-, hemoglobin-, and UACR-adjusted model in the 1,547 patients enrolled in the study. However, urinary C-megalin levels were associated with a ≥ 40% decline in eGFR when accounting for the relationship between urinary C-megalin levels and UACR in the model. This association was UACR-dependent.

CONCLUSIONS

High urinary C-megalin levels were associated with progressive kidney dysfunction in individuals with diabetes, and this association was attenuated by high UACRs.

The decline in kidney function after heart transplantation and its impact on survival

BACKGROUND

Evidence of decline in native renal function after heart transplantation (HTx) in the Asian population is limited. This study determined the incidence and risk factors associated with declining kidney function after HTx and its impact on survival.

METHODS

A retrospective study of consecutive adult heart transplant patients was conducted in a single center between 2010 and 2020. The decline in kidney function was defined as the presence of one of the following criteria, including a ≥ 40% decline in eGFR, absolute value <15 mL/min/1.73 m2 (calculated by the CKD-EPI method), doubling of serum creatinine, or dialysis.

RESULTS

A total of 79 patients (77% male, mean age 44.5 ± 11.53 years, with a mean eGFR at discharge from the heart transplant admission of 87.9 ± 25.48 mL/min/1.73 m2 ) were included. During the median follow-up of 42 months, the rate of decline in eGFR was 3.9 mL/min/1.73 m2 per year, with a cumulative probability of decline in kidney function of 22% at 1 year and 43% at 5 years. The need for dialysis was 2.5% at 1 year and 5% at 5 years. The decline in kidney function within 1 year after discharge (hazard ratio (HR), 22.24; p = .007) and pre-HTx diabetes mellitus (DM) (HR, 8.99; p = .034) were independently associated with the need for dialysis. Post-HTx dialysis predicted all-cause mortality (HR, 4.47; p = .017).

CONCLUSIONS

Approximately 20% of HTx patients developed a decline in kidney function within 1 year after discharge. These individuals and pre-HTx DM patients needed preventive measures to prevent progression to chronic dialysis, which impacted survival. (thaiclinicaltrials.org number, TCTR20230620004).

Impact of Finerenone-Induced Albuminuria Reduction on Chronic Kidney Disease Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes : A Mediation Analysis

BACKGROUND

In patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D), finerenone, a nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist, reduces cardiovascular and kidney failure outcomes. Finerenone also lowers the urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR). Whether finerenone-induced change in UACR mediates cardiovascular and kidney failure outcomes is unknown.

OBJECTIVE

To quantify the proportion of kidney and cardiovascular risk reductions seen over a 4-year period mediated by a change in kidney injury, as measured by the change in log UACR between baseline and month 4.

DESIGN

Post hoc mediation analysis using pooled data from 2 phase 3, double-blind trials of finerenone. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02540993 and NCT02545049).

SETTING

Several clinical sites in 48 countries.

PATIENTS

12 512 patients with CKD and T2D.

INTERVENTION

Finerenone and placebo (1:1).

MEASUREMENTS

Separate mediation analyses were done for the composite kidney (kidney failure, sustained ≥57% decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate from baseline [approximately a doubling of serum creatinine], or kidney disease death) and cardiovascular (cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or hospitalization for heart failure) outcomes.

RESULTS

At baseline, median UACR was 514 mg/g. A 30% or greater reduction in UACR was seen in 3338 (53.2%) patients in the finerenone group and 1684 (27.0%) patients in the placebo group. Reduction in UACR (analyzed as a continuous variable) mediated 84% and 37% of the treatment effect on the kidney and cardiovascular outcomes, respectively. When change in UACR was analyzed as a binary variable (that is, whether the guideline-recommended 30% reduction threshold was met), the proportions mediated for each outcome were 64% and 26%, respectively.

LIMITATION

The current findings are not readily extendable to other drugs.

CONCLUSION

In patients with CKD and T2D, early albuminuria reduction accounted for a large proportion of the treatment effect against CKD progression and a modest proportion of the effect against cardiovascular outcomes.

PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE

Bayer AG.

Development and Validation of a New Hierarchical Composite End Point for Clinical Trials of Kidney Disease Progression

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

The established composite kidney end point in clinical trials combines clinical events with sustained large changes in GFR but does not weigh the relative clinical importance of the end point components. By contrast, a hierarchical composite end point (HCE) accounts for the clinical importance of the end point components. The authors developed and validated a kidney HCE that combines clinical kidney outcomes with longitudinal GFR changes (GFR slope). They demonstrate that in seven major placebo-controlled kidney outcome trials with different medications, treatment effect estimates on the HCE were consistently in similar directions and of similar magnitudes compared with treatment effects on the established kidney end point. The HCE's prioritization of clinical outcomes and ability to combine dichotomous outcomes with GFR slope make it an attractive alternative to the established kidney end point.

BACKGROUND

The established composite kidney end point in clinical trials combines clinical events with sustained large changes in GFR. However, the statistical method does not weigh the relative clinical importance of the end point components. A HCE accounts for the clinical importance of the end point components and enables combining dichotomous outcomes with continuous measures.

METHODS

We developed and validated a new HCE for kidney disease progression, performing post hoc analyses of seven major Phase 3 placebo-controlled trials that assessed the effects of canagliflozin, dapagliflozin, finerenone, atrasentan, losartan, irbesartan, and aliskiren in patients with CKD. We calculated the win odds (WOs) for treatment effects on a kidney HCE, defined as a hierarchical composite of all-cause mortality; kidney failure; sustained 57%, 50%, and 40% GFR declines from baseline; and GFR slope. The WO describes the odds of a more favorable outcome for receiving the active compared with the control. We compared the WO with the hazard ratio (HR) of the primary kidney outcome of the original trials.

RESULTS

In all trials, treatment effects calculated with the WO reflected a similar direction and magnitude of the treatment effect compared with the HR. Clinical trials incorporating the HCE would achieve increased statistical power compared with the established composite end point at equivalent sample sizes.

CONCLUSIONS

In seven major kidney clinical trials, the WO and HR provided similar direction of treatment effect estimates with smaller HRs associated with larger WOs. The prioritization of clinical outcomes and inclusion of broader composite end points makes the HCE an attractive alternative to the established kidney end point.

Predictive Effect of System Inflammation Response Index for Progression of Chronic Kidney Disease in Non-Dialyzing Patient

Purpose

Scant research has been conducted on the interplay between the systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). The present study endeavors to meticulously scrutinize the association between SIRI and renal function. Additionally, we aim to assess its efficacy in predicting the progression of CKD in non-dialysis patients.

Patients and Methods

Adult patients with CKD who were not undergoing dialysis were enrolled, and follow-up data were obtained. Data from distinct groups were extracted and meticulously compared. A comprehensive analytical approach was adopted, including logistic regression analysis, Kaplan-Meier analysis, Cox proportional hazards regression analysis, and subgroup analysis.

Results

Our study included 1420 patients, with a mean age of 61 ± 17 years, and 63% were male. 244 (17.2%) patients experienced the progression of CKD. As the level of ln(SIRI) increased, patients tended to be older, with a higher proportion of males, and increased prevalence rates of hypertension, stroke, heart failure, and progression of CKD. Additionally, the levels of baseline creatinine and C-reactive protein were elevated, while the levels of estimated glomerular filtration rate and hemoglobin decreased. Upon adjusting for demographic and biochemical variables, logistic regression analysis indicated that ln(SIRI) was independently associated with advanced CKD in pre-dialysis patients (OR=1.59, 95% CI: 1.29-1.95, P<0.001). Moreover, Cox proportional-hazard analysis revealed that ln(SIRI) independently predicted CKD progression (HR: 1.3, 95% CI: 1.07-1.59, P=0.009). Conducting a subgroup analysis, we observed significant interactions between ln(SIRI) levels and gender (p<0.001), age (p=0.046), and hypertension (p=0.028) in relation to the progression of CKD.

Conclusion

Our study's findings demonstrate a significant association between SIRI and fundamental renal function, and independently establish a correlation between SIRI and the progression of CKD in pre-dialysis patients. These observations suggest that SIRI holds promise as a potential predictor for CKD progression.

The 2021 KDIGO blood pressure target and the progression of chronic kidney disease: Findings from KNOW-CKD

BACKGROUND

The 2021 Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) clinical practice guideline for the management of blood pressure (BP) in chronic kidney disease (CKD) recommends a target systolic BP of <120 mmHg as this target can provide cardiovascular benefits. However, it remains unclear whether implementing the new BP target could improve kidney outcomes.

METHODS

The association between the 2021 KDIGO BP target and CKD progression was examined and compared with the 2012 KDIGO BP target among 1724 participants included in the KoreaN Cohort Study for Outcomes in Patients With CKD. The main exposure was the BP status categorized according to the 2012 or 2021 KDIGO guideline: (1) controlled within the 2021 target, (2) controlled within the 2012 target only, and (3) above both targets. The primary outcome was a composite kidney outcome of ≥50% decline in the estimated glomerular filtration rate from baseline or the initiation of kidney replacement therapy during the follow-up period.

RESULTS

Composite kidney outcomes occurred in 650 (37.7%) participants during the 8078 person-years of follow-up (median, 4.9 years). The incidence rates of this outcome were 55, 66.5, and 116.4 per 1000 person-years in BP controlled within the 2021 and 2012 KDIGO targets, and BP above both targets, respectively. In the multivariable cause-specific hazard model, hazard ratios for the composite outcome were 0.76 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.60-0.95) for BP controlled within the 2021 target and 1.36 (95% CI, 1.13-1.64) for BP above both targets, compared with BP controlled within 2012 target only.

CONCLUSION

The newly lowered BP target by the 2021 KDIGO guideline was associated with improved kidney outcome compared with BP target by the 2012 KDIGO guideline.

Longitudinal estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) modeling in long-term renal function to inform clinical trial design in kidney transplantation

Kidney transplantation is the preferred treatment for individuals with end-stage kidney disease. From a modeling perspective, our understanding of kidney function trajectories after transplantation remains limited. Current modeling of kidney function post-transplantation is focused on linear slopes or percent decline and often excludes the highly variable early timepoints post-transplantation, where kidney function recovers and then stabilizes. Using estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), a well-known biomarker of kidney function, from an aggregated dataset of 4904 kidney transplant patients including both observational studies and clinical trials, we developed a longitudinal model of kidney function trajectories from time of transplant to 6 years post-transplant. Our model is a nonlinear, mixed-effects model built in NONMEM that captured both the recovery phase after kidney transplantation, where the graft recovers function, and the long-term phase of stabilization and slow decline. Model fit was assessed using diagnostic plots and individual fits. Model performance, assessed via visual predictive checks, suggests accurate model predictions of eGFR at the median and lower 95% quantiles of eGFR, ranges which are of critical clinical importance for assessing loss of kidney function. Various clinically relevant covariates were also explored and found to improve the model. For example, transplant recipients of deceased donors recover function more slowly after transplantation and calcineurin inhibitor use promotes faster long-term decay. Our work provides a generalizable, nonlinear model of kidney allograft function that will be useful for estimating eGFR up to 6 years post-transplant in various clinically relevant populations.

Partnering with patients and caregivers to enrich research and care in kidney disease: values and strategies

Patient and caregiver involvement broadens the scope of new knowledge generated from research and can enhance the relevance, quality and impact of research on clinical practice and health outcomes. Incorporating the perspectives of people with lived experience of chronic kidney disease (CKD) affords new insights into the design of interventions, study methodology, data analysis and implementation and has value for patients, healthcare professionals and researchers alike. However, patient involvement in CKD research has been limited and data on which to inform best practice is scarce. A number of frameworks have been developed for involving patients and caregivers in research in CKD and in health research more broadly. These frameworks provide an overall conceptual structure to guide the planning and implementation of research partnerships and describe values that are essential and strategies considered best practice when working with diverse stakeholder groups. This article aims to provide a summary of the strategies most widely used to support multistakeholder partnerships, the different ways patients and caregivers can be involved in research and the methods used to amalgamate diverse and at times conflicting points of view.

Impact of outcome adjudication in kidney disease trials: observations from the Study of Heart and Renal Protection (SHARP)

Introduction

We aimed to assess opportunities for trial streamlining and the scientific impact of adjudication on kidney and cardiovascular outcomes in CKD.

Methods

We analysed the effects of adjudication of ~2100 maintenance kidney replacement therapy (KRT) and ~1300 major atherosclerotic events (MAEs) recorded in SHARP. We first compared outcome classification before versus after adjudication, and then re-ran randomised comparisons using pre-adjudicated follow-up data.

Results

For maintenance KRT, adjudication had little impact with only 1% of events being refuted (28/2115). Consequently, randomised comparisons using pre-adjudication reports found almost identical results (pre-adjudication: simvastatin/ezetimibe 1038 vs placebo 1077; risk ratio [RR] 0.95, 95%CI 0.88-1.04; post-adjudicated: 1057 vs 1084; RR=0.97, 95%CI 0.89-1.05). For MAEs, about one-quarter of patient reports were refuted (324/1275 [25%]), and reviewing 3538 other potential vascular events and death reports identified only 194 additional MAEs. Nevertheless, randomised analyses using SHARP's pre-adjudicated data alone found similar results to analyses based on adjudicated outcomes (pre-adjudication: 573 vs 702; RR=0.80, 95%CI 0.72-0.89; adjudicated: 526 vs 619; RR=0.83, 95%CI 0.74- 0.94), and also suggested refuted MAEs were likely to represent atherosclerotic disease (RR for refuted MAEs=0.80, 95%CI 0.65-1.00).

Conclusions

These analyses provide three key insights. First, they provide a rationale for nephrology trials not to adjudicate maintenance KRT. Secondly, when an event that mimics an atherosclerotic outcome is not expected to be influenced by the treatment under study (e.g. heart failure), the aim of adjudicating atherosclerotic outcomes should be to remove such events. Lastly, restrictive definitions for the remaining suspected atherosclerotic outcomes may reduce statistical power.

Longer-term Mortality and Kidney Outcomes of Participants in the Combination Antibiotics for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CAMERA2) Trial: A Post Hoc Analysis

Background

The Combination Antibiotic Therapy for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CAMERA2) trial ceased recruitment in July 2018, noting that a higher proportion of patients in the intervention arm (combination therapy) developed acute kidney injury (AKI) compared to the standard therapy (monotherapy) arm. We analyzed the long-term outcomes of participants in CAMERA2 to understand the impact of combination antibiotic therapy and AKI.

Methods

Trial sites obtained additional follow-up data. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality, censored at death or the date of last known follow-up. Secondary outcomes included kidney failure or a reduction in kidney function (a 40% reduction in estimated glomerular filtration rate to <60 mL/minute/1.73 m²). To determine independent predictors of mortality in this cohort, adjusted hazard ratios were calculated using a Cox proportional hazards regression model.

Results

This post hoc analysis included extended follow-up data for 260 patients. Overall, 123 of 260 (47%) of participants died, with a median population survival estimate of 3.4 years (235 deaths per 1000 person-years). Fifty-five patients died within 90 days after CAMERA2 trial randomization; another 68 deaths occurred after day 90. Using univariable Cox proportional hazards regression, mortality was not associated with either the assigned treatment arm in CAMERA2 (hazard ratio [HR], 0.84 [95% confidence interval [CI], .59-1.19]; P = .33) or experiencing an AKI (HR at 1 year, 1.04 [95% CI, .64-1.68]; P = .88).

Conclusions

In this cohort of patients hospitalized with methicillin-resistant S aureus bacteremia, we found no association between either treatment arm of the CAMERA2 trial or AKI (using CAMERA2 trial definition) and longer-term mortality.

Effects of newer kidney protective agents on kidney endpoints provide implications for future clinical trials

Doubling of serum creatinine (equivalent to a 57% decline in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)) is an accepted component of a composite kidney endpoint in clinical trials. Smaller declines in eGFR (40%, 50%) have been applied in several recently conducted clinical trials. Here, we assessed the effects of newer kidney protective agents on endpoints including smaller proportional declines in eGFR to compare relative event rates and the magnitude of observed treatment effects. We performed a post hoc analysis of 4401 patients in the CREDENCE, 4304 in the DAPA-CKD, 5734 in the FIDELIO-DKD, and 3668 in the SONAR trials, which assessed the effects of canagliflozin, dapagliflozin, finerenone and atrasentan in patients with chronic kidney disease. Effects of active therapies versus placebo on alternative composite kidney endpoints incorporating different eGFR decline thresholds (40%, 50%, or 57% eGFR reductions from baseline) with kidney failure or death due to kidney failure were compared. Cox-proportional hazards regression models were used to assess and compare treatment effects. During follow-up, event rates were higher for endpoints incorporating smaller versus larger eGFR decline thresholds. Compared to the treatment effects on kidney failure or death due to kidney failure, the magnitude of relative treatment effects was generally similar when considering composite endpoints incorporating smaller declines in eGFR. Hazard ratios for the four interventions ranged from 0.63 to 0.82 for the endpoint incorporating 40% eGFR decline and 0.59 to 0.76 for the endpoint incorporating 57% eGFR decline. Clinical trials incorporating a 40% eGFR decline in a composite endpoint would require approximately half the number of participants compared to a 57% eGFR decline with equivalent statistical power. Thus, in populations at high risk of CKD progression, the relative effects of newer kidney protective therapies appear generally similar across endpoints based on varying eGFR decline thresholds.

Challenges of defining renal response in ANCA-associated vasculitis: call to action?

Avoiding end-stage kidney disease in patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV) has a high therapeutic priority. Although renal response is a crucial measure to capture clinically relevant changes, clinal trials have used various definitions and no well-studied key surrogate markers to predict renal outcome in AAV exist. Differences in clinical features and histopathologic and therapeutic approaches will influence the course of kidney function. Its assessment through traditional surrogates (i.e. serum creatinine, glomerular filtration rate, proteinuria, hematuria and disease activity scores) has limitations. Refinement of these markers and the incorporation of novel approaches such as the assessment of histopathological changes using cutting-edge molecular and machine learning mechanisms or new biomarkers could significantly improve prognostication. The timing is favourable since large datasets of trials conducted in AAV are available and provide a valuable resource to establish renal surrogate markers and, likely, aim to investigate optimized and tailored treatment approaches according to a renal response score. In this review we discuss important points missed in the assessment of kidney function in patients with AAV and point towards the importance of defining renal response and clinically important short- and long-term predictors of renal outcome.

Long-Term Outcomes in IgA Nephropathy

BACKGROUND

IgA nephropathy can progress to kidney failure, and risk assessment soon after diagnosis has advantages both for clinical management and the development of new therapeutics. We present relationships among proteinuria, eGFR slope, and lifetime risks for kidney failure.

METHODS

The IgA nephropathy cohort (2299 adults and 140 children) of the UK National Registry of Rare Kidney Diseases (RaDaR) was analyzed. Patients enrolled had a biopsy-proven diagnosis of IgA nephropathy plus proteinuria >0.5 g/d or eGFR <60 ml/min per 1.73 m 2 . Incident and prevalent populations and a population representative of a typical phase 3 clinical trial cohort were studied. Analyses of kidney survival were conducted using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression. eGFR slope was estimated using linear mixed models with random intercept and slope.

RESULTS

The median (Q1, Q3) follow-up was 5.9 (3.0, 10.5) years; 50% of patients reached kidney failure or died in the study period. The median (95% confidence interval [CI]) kidney survival was 11.4 (10.5 to 12.5) years; the mean age at kidney failure/death was 48 years, and most patients progressed to kidney failure within 10-15 years. On the basis of eGFR and age at diagnosis, almost all patients were at risk of progression to kidney failure within their expected lifetime unless a rate of eGFR loss ≤1 ml/min per 1.73 m 2 per year was maintained. Time-averaged proteinuria was significantly associated with worse kidney survival and more rapid eGFR loss in incident, prevalent, and clinical trial populations. Thirty percent of patients with time-averaged proteinuria of 0.44 to <0.88 g/g and approximately 20% of patients with time-averaged proteinuria <0.44 g/g developed kidney failure within 10 years. In the clinical trial population, each 10% decrease in time-averaged proteinuria from baseline was associated with a hazard ratio (95% CI) for kidney failure/death of 0.89 (0.87 to 0.92).

CONCLUSIONS

Outcomes in this large IgA nephropathy cohort are generally poor with few patients expected to avoid kidney failure in their lifetime. Significantly, patients traditionally regarded as being low risk, with proteinuria <0.88 g/g (<100 mg/mmol), had high rates of kidney failure within 10 years.

Longer time to recovery from acute kidney injury is associated with major adverse kidney events in patients with cirrhosis

BACKGROUND

In patients with cirrhosis and acute kidney injury (AKI), longer time to AKI-recovery may increase the risk of subsequent major-adverse-kidney-events (MAKE).

AIMS

To examine the association between timing of AKI-recovery and risk of MAKE in patients with cirrhosis.

METHODS

Hospitalised patients with cirrhosis and AKI (n = 5937) in a nationwide database were assessed for time to AKI-recovery and followed for 180-days. Timing of AKI-recovery (return of serum creatinine <0.3 mg/dL of baseline) from AKI-onset was grouped by Acute-Disease-Quality-Initiative Renal Recovery consensus: 0-2, 3-7, and >7-days. Primary outcome was MAKE at 90-180-days. MAKE is an accepted clinical endpoint in AKI and defined as the composite outcome of ≥25% decline in estimated-glomerular-filtration-rate (eGFR) compared with baseline with the development of de-novo chronic-kidney-disease (CKD) stage ≥3 or CKD progression (≥50% reduction in eGFR compared with baseline) or new haemodialysis or death. Landmark competing-risk multivariable analysis was performed to determine the independent association between timing of AKI-recovery and risk of MAKE.

RESULTS

4655 (75%) achieved AKI-recovery: 0-2 (60%), 3-7 (31%), and >7-days (9%). Cumulative-incidence of MAKE was 15%, 20%, and 29% for 0-2, 3-7, >7-days recovery groups, respectively. On adjusted multivariable competing-risk analysis, compared to 0-2-days, recovery at 3-7 and >7-days was independently associated with an increased risk for MAKE: sHR 1.45 (95% CI 1.01-2.09, p = 0.042), sHR 2.33 (95% CI 1.40-3.90, p = 0.001), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Longer time to recovery is associated with an increased risk of MAKE in patients with cirrhosis and AKI. Further research should examine interventions to shorten AKI-recovery time and its impact on subsequent outcomes.

CENtral blood pressure Targeting: a pragmatic RAndomized triaL in advanced Chronic Kidney Disease (CENTRAL-CKD): A Clinical Research Protocol

Background

Emerging data favor central blood pressure (BP) over brachial cuff BP to predict cardiovascular and kidney events, as central BP more closely relates to the true aortic BP. Considering that patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at high cardiovascular risk and can have unreliable brachial cuff BP measurements (due to high arterial stiffness), this population could benefit the most from hypertension management using central BP measurements.

Objective

To assess the feasibility and efficacy of targeting central BP as opposed to brachial BP in patients with CKD G4-5.

Design

Pragmatic multicentre double-blinded randomized controlled pilot trial.

Setting

Seven large academic advanced kidney care clinics across Canada.

Patients

A total of 116 adults with CKD G4-5 (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] < 30 mL/min) and brachial cuff systolic BP between 120 and 160 mm Hg. The key exclusion criteria are 1) ≥ 5 BP drugs, 2) recent acute kidney injury, myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure or injurious fall, 3) previous kidney replacement therapy.

Methods

Double-blind randomization to a central or a brachial cuff systolic BP target (both < 130 mm Hg) as measured by a validated central BP device. The study duration is 12 months with follow-up visits every 2 to 4 months, based on local practice. All other aspects of CKD management are at the discretion of the attending nephrologist.

Outcomes

Primary Feasibility: Feasibility of a large-scale trial based on predefined components. Primary Efficacy: Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity at 12 months. Others: Efficacy (eGFR decline, albuminuria, BP drugs, and quality of life); Events (major adverse cardiovascular events, CKD progression, hospitalization, mortality); Safety (low BP events and acute kidney injury).

Limitations

May be challenging to distinguish whether central BP is truly different from brachial BP to the point of significantly influencing treatment decisions. Therapeutic inertia may be a barrier to successfully completing a randomized trial in a population of CKD G4-5. These 2 aspects will be evaluated in the feasibility assessment of the trial.

Conclusion

This is the first trial to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of using central BP to manage hypertension in advanced CKD, paving the way to a future large-scale trial.

Trial registration

clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05163158).

Recent updates in kidney risk prediction modeling: novel approaches and earlier outcomes

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Recent years have witnessed the development of kidney risk prediction models which diverge from traditional model designs to incorporate novel approaches along with a focus on earlier outcomes. This review summarizes these recent advances, evaluates their pros and cons, and discusses their potential implications.

RECENT FINDINGS

Several kidney risk prediction models have recently been developed utilizing machine learning rather than traditional Cox regression. These models have demonstrated accurate prediction of kidney disease progression, often beyond that of traditional models, in both internal and external validation. On the opposite end of the spectrum, a simplified kidney risk prediction model was recently developed which minimized the need for laboratory data and instead relies primarily on self-reported data. While internal testing showed good overall predictive performance, the generalizability of this model remains uncertain. Finally, there is a growing trend toward prediction of earlier kidney outcomes (e.g., incident chronic kidney disease [CKD]) and away from a sole focus on kidney failure.

SUMMARY

Newer approaches and outcomes now being incorporated into kidney risk prediction modeling may enhance prediction and benefit a broader patient population. However, future work should address how best to implement these models into practice and assess their long-term clinical effectiveness.

Benefits and harms of drug treatment for type 2 diabetes: systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

OBJECTIVE

To compare the benefits and harms of drug treatments for adults with type 2 diabetes, adding non-steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (including finerenone) and tirzepatide (a dual glucose dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP)/glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist) to previously existing treatment options.

DESIGN

Systematic review and network meta-analysis.

DATA SOURCES

Ovid Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Central up to 14 October 2022.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES

Eligible randomised controlled trials compared drugs of interest in adults with type 2 diabetes. Eligible trials had a follow-up of 24 weeks or longer. Trials systematically comparing combinations of more than one drug treatment class with no drug, subgroup analyses of randomised controlled trials, and non-English language studies were deemed ineligible. Certainty of evidence was assessed following the GRADE (grading of recommendations, assessment, development and evaluation) approach.

RESULTS

The analysis identified 816 trials with 471 038 patients, together evaluating 13 different drug classes; all subsequent estimates refer to the comparison with standard treatments. Sodium glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors (odds ratio 0.88, 95% confidence interval 0.83 to 0.94; high certainty) and GLP-1 receptor agonists (0.88, 0.82 to 0.93; high certainty) reduce all cause death; non-steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, so far tested only with finerenone in patients with chronic kidney disease, probably reduce mortality (0.89, 0.79 to 1.00; moderate certainty); other drugs may not. The study confirmed the benefits of SGLT-2 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists in reducing cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, admission to hospital for heart failure, and end stage kidney disease. Finerenone probably reduces admissions to hospital for heart failure and end stage kidney disease, and possibly cardiovascular death. Only GLP-1 receptor agonists reduce non-fatal stroke; SGLT-2 inhibitors are superior to other drugs in reducing end stage kidney disease. GLP-1 receptor agonists and probably SGLT-2 inhibitors and tirzepatide improve quality of life. Reported harms were largely specific to drug class (eg, genital infections with SGLT-2 inhibitors, severe gastrointestinal adverse events with tirzepatide and GLP-1 receptor agonists, hyperkalaemia leading to admission to hospital with finerenone). Tirzepatide probably results in the largest reduction in body weight (mean difference -8.57 kg; moderate certainty). Basal insulin (mean difference 2.15 kg; moderate certainty) and thiazolidinediones (mean difference 2.81 kg; moderate certainty) probably result in the largest increases in body weight. Absolute benefits of SGLT-2 inhibitors, GLP-1 receptor agonists, and finerenone vary in people with type 2 diabetes, depending on baseline risks for cardiovascular and kidney outcomes (https://matchit.magicevidence.org/230125dist-diabetes).

CONCLUSIONS

This network meta-analysis extends knowledge beyond confirming the substantial benefits with the use of SGLT-2 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists in reducing adverse cardiovascular and kidney outcomes and death by adding information on finerenone and tirzepatide. These findings highlight the need for continuous assessment of scientific progress to introduce cutting edge updates in clinical practice guidelines for people with type 2 diabetes.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42022325948.

Effects of Intensive Systolic Blood Pressure Lowering on End-Stage Kidney Disease and Kidney Function Decline in Adults With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Post Hoc Analysis of ACCORD-BP and SPRINT

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effects of intensive systolic blood pressure (SBP) lowering on the risk of major adverse kidney outcomes in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and/or prediabetes and cardiovascular risk factors.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

This post hoc ACCORD-BP subgroup analysis included participants in the standard glucose-lowering arm with cardiovascular risk factors required for SPRINT eligibility. Cox proportional hazards regression models compared the hazard for the composite of dialysis, kidney transplant, sustained estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <15 mL/min/1.73 m2, serum creatinine >3.3 mg/dL, or a sustained eGFR decline ≥57% between the intensive (<120 mmHg) and standard (<140 mmHg) SBP-lowering arms.

RESULTS

The study cohort included 1,966 SPRINT-eligible ACCORD-BP participants (40% women) with a mean age of 63 years. The mean SBP achieved after randomization was 120 ± 14 and 134 ± 15 mmHg in the intensive and standard arms, respectively. The kidney composite outcome occurred at a rate of 9.5 and 7.2 events per 1,000 person-years in the intensive and standard BP arms (hazard ratio [HR] 1.35 [95% CI 0.85-2.14]; P = 0.20). Intensive SBP lowering did not affect the risk of moderately (HR 0.96 [95% CI 0.76-1.20]) or severely (HR 0.92 [95% CI 0.66-1.28]) increased albuminuria. Including SPRINT participants with prediabetes in the cohort did not change the overall results.

CONCLUSIONS

This post hoc subgroup analysis suggests that intensive SBP lowering does not increase the risk of major adverse kidney events in individuals with T2DM and cardiovascular risk factors.

Cardiorenal diseases in type 2 diabetes mellitus: clinical trials and real-world practice

Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) can have multiple comorbidities and premature mortality due to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, hospitalization with heart failure and/or chronic kidney disease. Traditional drugs that lower glucose, such as metformin, or that treat high blood pressure and blood levels of lipids, such as renin-angiotensin-system inhibitors and statins, have organ-protective effects in patients with T2DM. Amongst patients with T2DM treated with these traditional drugs, randomized clinical trials have confirmed the additional cardiorenal benefits of sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i), glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP1RA) and nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists. The cardiorenal benefits of SGLT2i extended to patients with heart failure and/or chronic kidney disease without T2DM, whereas incretin-based therapy (such as GLP1RA) reduced cardiovascular events in patients with obesity and T2DM. However, considerable care gaps exist owing to insufficient detection, therapeutic inertia and poor adherence to these life-saving medications. In this Review, we discuss the complex interconnections of cardiorenal-metabolic diseases and strategies to implement evidence-based practice. Furthermore, we consider the need to conduct clinical trials combined with registers in specific patient segments to evaluate existing and emerging therapies to address unmet needs in T2DM.

Markers of Kidney Tubular Function Deteriorate While Those of Kidney Tubule Health Improve in Primary Aldosteronism After Targeted Treatments

Background Targeted treatment with mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) or adrenalectomy in patients with primary aldosteronism (PA) causes a decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate; however, the associated simultaneous changes in biomarkers of kidney tubule health still remain unclear. Methods and Results We matched 104 patients with newly diagnosed unilateral PA who underwent adrenalectomy with 104 patients with unilateral PA who were treated with MRAs, 104 patients with bilateral PA treated with MRAs, and 104 patients with essential hypertension who served as controls. Functional biomarkers were measured before the targeted treatment and 1 year after treatment, including serum markers of kidney function (cystatin C, creatinine), urinary markers of proximal renal tubular damage (L-FABP [liver-type fatty-acid binding protein], KIM-1 [kidney injury molecule-1]), serum markers of kidney tubular reserve and mineral metabolism (intact parathyroid hormone), and proteinuria. Compared with the patients with essential hypertension, the patients with PA had higher pretreatment serum intact parathyroid hormone and urinary creatinine-corrected parameters, including L-FABP, KIM-1, and albumin. The patients with essential hypertension and with PA had similar cystatin C levels. After treatment with MRAs or adrenalectomy of unilateral PA and MRAs of bilateral PA, the patients with PA had increased serum cystatin C and decreased urinary L-FABP/creatinine, KIM-1/creatinine, creatinine-based estimated glomerular filtration rate, intact parathyroid hormone, and proteinuria (all P<0.05). In multivariable regression models, a higher urinary L-FABP/creatinine ratio and older age were significantly correlated with the occurrence of kidney failure (estimated glomerular filtration rate dip ≥30%) in the patients with PA after targeted treatment. Conclusions Compared with the matched patients with essential hypertension, the incident patients with PA at diagnosis had higher levels of several biomarkers, including markers of kidney damage, tubular reserve/mineral metabolism, and proteinuria. Functional kidney failure in the patients with PA after treatment could be predicted by a higher baseline urinary L-FABP/creatinine ratio and older age. After targeted treatments in the patients with bilateral or unilateral PA, these biomarkers of kidney tubule health were restored, but creatinine-based estimated glomerular filtration rate declined, which may therefore reflect hemodynamic changes rather than intrinsic damage to kidney tubular cells.

Defining measures of kidney function in observational studies using routine health care data: methodological and reporting considerations

The availability of electronic health records and access to a large number of routine measurements of serum creatinine and urinary albumin enhance the possibilities for epidemiologic research in kidney disease. However, the frequency of health care use and laboratory testing is determined by health status and indication, imposing certain challenges when identifying patients with kidney injury or disease, when using markers of kidney function as covariates, or when evaluating kidney outcomes. Depending on the specific research question, this may influence the interpretation, generalizability, and/or validity of study results. This review illustrates the heterogeneity of working definitions of kidney disease in the scientific literature and discusses advantages and limitations of the most commonly used approaches using 3 examples. We summarize ways to identify and overcome possible biases and conclude by proposing a framework for reporting definitions of exposures and outcomes in studies of kidney disease using routinely collected health care data.

Obstacles and opportunities in managing coexisting obesity and CKD: Report of a scientific workshop cosponsored by the National Kidney Foundation and The Obesity Society

The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) and The Obesity Society (TOS) cosponsored a multispecialty international workshop in April 2021 to advance the understanding and management of obesity in adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The underlying rationale for the workshop was the accumulating evidence that obesity is a major contributor to CKD and adverse outcomes in individuals with CKD, and that effective treatment of obesity, including lifestyle intervention, weight loss medications, and metabolic surgery, can have beneficial effects. The attendees included a range of experts in the areas of kidney disease, obesity medicine, endocrinology, diabetes, bariatric/metabolic surgery, endoscopy, transplant surgery, and nutrition, as well as patients with obesity and CKD. The group identified strategies to increase patient and provider engagement in obesity management, outlined a collaborative action plan to engage nephrologists and obesity medicine experts in obesity management, and identified research opportunities to address gaps in knowledge about the interaction between obesity and kidney disease. The workshop's conclusions help lay the groundwork for development of an effective, scientifically based, and multidisciplinary approach to the management of obesity in people with CKD.

Obstacles and Opportunities in Managing Coexisting Obesity and CKD: Report of a Scientific Workshop Cosponsored by the National Kidney Foundation and The Obesity Society

The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) and The Obesity Society (TOS) cosponsored a multispecialty international workshop in April 2021 to advance the understanding and management of obesity in adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The underlying rationale for the workshop was the accumulating evidence that obesity is a major contributor to CKD and adverse outcomes in individuals with CKD, and that effective treatment of obesity, including lifestyle intervention, weight loss medications, and metabolic surgery, can have beneficial effects. The attendees included a range of experts in the areas of kidney disease, obesity medicine, endocrinology, diabetes, bariatric/metabolic surgery, endoscopy, transplant surgery, and nutrition, as well as patients with obesity and CKD. The group identified strategies to increase patient and provider engagement in obesity management, outlined a collaborative action plan to engage nephrologists and obesity medicine experts in obesity management, and identified research opportunities to address gaps in knowledge about the interaction between obesity and kidney disease. The workshop's conclusions help lay the groundwork for development of an effective, scientifically based, and multidisciplinary approach to the management of obesity in people with CKD.

Impact of diabetes on the effects of sodium glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors on kidney outcomes: collaborative meta-analysis of large placebo-controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Large trials have shown that sodium glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors reduce the risk of adverse kidney and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with heart failure or chronic kidney disease, or with type 2 diabetes and high risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. None of the trials recruiting patients with and without diabetes were designed to assess outcomes separately in patients without diabetes.

METHODS

We did a systematic review and meta-analysis of SGLT2 inhibitor trials. We searched the MEDLINE and Embase databases for trials published from database inception to Sept 5, 2022. SGLT2 inhibitor trials that were double-blind, placebo-controlled, performed in adults (age ≥18 years), large (≥500 participants per group), and at least 6 months in duration were included. Summary-level data used for analysis were extracted from published reports or provided by trial investigators, and inverse-variance-weighted meta-analyses were conducted to estimate treatment effects. The main efficacy outcomes were kidney disease progression (standardised to a definition of a sustained ≥50% decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] from randomisation, a sustained low eGFR, end-stage kidney disease, or death from kidney failure), acute kidney injury, and a composite of cardiovascular death or hospitalisation for heart failure. Other outcomes were death from cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular disease considered separately, and the main safety outcomes were ketoacidosis and lower limb amputation. This study is registered with PROSPERO, CRD42022351618.

FINDINGS

We identified 13 trials involving 90 413 participants. After exclusion of four participants with uncertain diabetes status, we analysed 90 409 participants (74 804 [82·7%] participants with diabetes [>99% with type 2 diabetes] and 15 605 [17·3%] without diabetes; trial-level mean baseline eGFR range 37-85 mL/min per 1·73 m2). Compared with placebo, allocation to an SGLT2 inhibitor reduced the risk of kidney disease progression by 37% (relative risk [RR] 0·63, 95% CI 0·58-0·69) with similar RRs in patients with and without diabetes. In the four chronic kidney disease trials, RRs were similar irrespective of primary kidney diagnosis. SGLT2 inhibitors reduced the risk of acute kidney injury by 23% (0·77, 0·70-0·84) and the risk of cardiovascular death or hospitalisation for heart failure by 23% (0·77, 0·74-0·81), again with similar effects in those with and without diabetes. SGLT2 inhibitors also reduced the risk of cardiovascular death (0·86, 0·81-0·92) but did not significantly reduce the risk of non-cardiovascular death (0·94, 0·88-1·02). For these mortality outcomes, RRs were similar in patients with and without diabetes. For all outcomes, results were broadly similar irrespective of trial mean baseline eGFR. Based on estimates of absolute effects, the absolute benefits of SGLT2 inhibition outweighed any serious hazards of ketoacidosis or amputation.

INTERPRETATION

In addition to the established cardiovascular benefits of SGLT2 inhibitors, the randomised data support their use for modifying risk of kidney disease progression and acute kidney injury, not only in patients with type 2 diabetes at high cardiovascular risk, but also in patients with chronic kidney disease or heart failure irrespective of diabetes status, primary kidney disease, or kidney function.

FUNDING

UK Medical Research Council and Kidney Research UK.

Defining improvement in chronic kidney disease: regression and remission

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

International definitions exist for chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression and kidney failure but despite evidence that kidney function may improve, there are no agreed definitions for regression and remission of CKD. In the light of recent novel kidney protective therapies and the promise of regenerative medicine to reverse kidney damage, it is time to critically examine these neglected aspects of CKD epidemiology.

RECENT FINDINGS

We propose that CKD regression is viewed as a process of improvement defined as a sustained increase in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) by ≥25% and an improvement in GFR category or increase in GFR of 1≥ml/min/year, whereas remission is considered a category of improvement defined as GFR ≥60 ml/min/1.73m 2 and urine albumin to creatinine ratio &lt;30 mg/g. Several recent studies have reported improvement in kidney function in populations with CKD, even in the absence of specific therapy. Regression and remission of CKD are associated with increased likelihood of sustained improvement in kidney function as well as improved survival.

SUMMARY

Further research is warranted to validate the proposed definitions and investigate associated mechanisms. We look to a future in which the goal of therapy is not merely to slow CKD progression but to improve kidney function and seek a cure.

Significant reduction in chronic kidney disease progression with sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors compared to dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors in adults with type 2 diabetes in a UK clinical setting: An observational outcomes study based on international guidelines for kidney disease

AIMS

To confirm the reno-protective effects of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors compared with dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors on the onset and progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in routine clinical practice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the Clinical Practice Research Datalink Aurum database linked to Hospital Episode Statistics. The primary outcome was risk of the composite CKD endpoint based on the recent consensus guidelines for kidney disease: >40% decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), kidney death or end-stage kidney disease (ESKD; a composite of kidney transplantation, maintenance of dialysis, sustained low eGFR <15 ml/min/1.73m² or diagnosis of ESKD). Secondary outcomes were components of the composite CKD endpoint, analysed separately. Patients were propensity-score-matched 1:1 for SGLT2 inhibitor versus DPP-4 inhibitor use.

RESULTS

A total of 131 824 people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) were identified; 79.0% had no known history of CKD. During a median follow-up of 2.1 years, SGLT2 inhibitor initiation was associated with lower risk of progression to composite kidney endpoints than DPP-4 inhibitor initiation (7.48 vs. 11.77 events per 1000 patient-years, respectively). Compared with DPP-4 inhibitor initiation, SGLT2 inhibitor initiation was associated with reductions in the primary composite CKD endpoint (hazard ratio [HR] 0.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.56-0.74), all-cause mortality (HR 0.74, 95% CI 0.64-0.86) and ESKD (HR 0.37, 95% CI 0.25-0.55), reduced the rate of sustained low eGFR (HR 0.33, 95% CI 0.19-0.57), and reduced diagnoses of ESKD in primary care (HR 0.04, 95% CI 0.01-0.18). Results were consistent across subgroup and sensitivity analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

In adults with T2D, initiation of an SGLT2 inhibitor was associated with a significantly reduced risk of CKD progression and death compared with initiation of a DPP-4 inhibitor.

Adherence to multidisciplinary care in a prospective chronic kidney disease cohort is associated with better outcomes

INTRODUCTION

The Renal Healthcare Program Uruguay (NRHP-UY) is a national, multidisciplinary program that provides care to chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. In this study, we report the global results of CKD patient outcomes and a comparison between those treated at the NRHP-UY Units, with those patients who were initially included in the program but did not adhere to follow up.

METHODS

A cohort of not-on dialysis CKD patients included prospectively in the NRHP-UY between October 1st 2004 and September 30th 2017 was followed-up until September 30th 2019. Two groups were compared: a) Nephrocare Group: Patients who had at least one clinic visit during the first year on NRHP-UY (n = 11174) and b) Non-adherent Group: Patients who were informed and accepted to be included but had no subsequent data registered after admission (n = 3485). The study was approved by the Ethics Committee and all patients signed an informed consent. Outcomes were studied with Logistic and Cox´s regression analysis, Fine and Gray competitive risk and propensity-score matching tests.

RESULTS

14659 patients were analyzed, median age 70 (60-77) years, 56.9% male. The Nephrocare Group showed improved achievement of therapeutic goals, ESKD was more frequent (HR 2.081, CI 95%1.722-2.514) as planned kidney replacement therapy (KRT) start (OR 2.494, CI95% 1.591-3.910), but mortality and the combined event (death and ESKD) were less frequent (HR 0.671, CI95% 0.628-0.717 and 0.777, CI95% 0.731-0.827) (p = 0.000) compared to the Non-adherent group. Results were similar in the propensity-matched group: ESKD (HR 2.041, CI95% 1.643-2.534); planned kidney replacement therapy (KRT) start (OR 2.191, CI95% 1.322-3.631) death (HR 0.692, CI95% 0.637-0.753); combined event (HR 0.801, CI95% 0.742-0.865) (p = 0.000).

CONCLUSION

Multidisciplinary care within the NRHP-UY is associated with timely initiation of KRT and lower mortality in single outcomes, combined analysis, and propensity-matched analysis.

Clinical Trial Considerations in Developing Treatments for Early Stages of Common, Chronic Kidney Diseases: A Scientific Workshop Cosponsored by the National Kidney Foundation and the US Food and Drug Administration

In the past decade, advances in the validation of surrogate end points for chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression have heightened interest in evaluating therapies in early CKD. In December 2020, the National Kidney Foundation sponsored a scientific workshop in collaboration with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to explore patient, provider, and payor perceptions of the value of treating early CKD. The workshop reviewed challenges for trials in early CKD, including trial designs, identification of high-risk populations, and cost-benefit and safety considerations. Over 90 people representing a range of stakeholders including experts in clinical trials, nephrology, cardiology and endocrinology, patient advocacy organizations, patients, payors, health economists, regulators and policy makers attended a virtual meeting. There was consensus among the attendees that there is value to preventing the development and treating the progression of early CKD in people who are at high risk for progression, and that surrogate end points should be used to establish efficacy. Attendees also concluded that cost analyses should be holistic and include aspects beyond direct savings for treatment of kidney failure; and that safety data should be collected outside/beyond the duration of a clinical trial. Successful drug development and implementation of effective therapies will require collaboration across sponsors, patients, patient advocacy organizations, medical community, regulators, and payors.

A systematic review of statistical methodology used to evaluate progression of chronic kidney disease using electronic healthcare records

Background

Electronic healthcare records (EHRs) are a useful resource to study chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression prior to starting dialysis, but pose methodological challenges as kidney function tests are not done on everybody, nor are tests evenly spaced. We sought to review previous research of CKD progression using renal function tests in EHRs, investigating methodology used and investigators’ recognition of data quality issues.

Methods and findings

We searched for studies investigating CKD progression using EHRs in 4 databases (Medline, Embase, Global Health and Web of Science) available as of August 2021. Of 80 articles eligible for review, 59 (74%) were published in the last 5.5 years, mostly using EHRs from the UK, USA and East Asian countries. 33 articles (41%) studied rates of change in eGFR, 23 (29%) studied changes in eGFR from baseline and 15 (19%) studied progression to binary eGFR thresholds. Sample completeness data was available in 44 studies (55%) with analysis populations including less than 75% of the target population in 26 studies (33%). Losses to follow-up went unreported in 62 studies (78%) and 11 studies (14%) defined their cohort based on complete data during follow up. Methods capable of handling data quality issues and other methodological challenges were used in a minority of studies.

Conclusions

Studies based on renal function tests in EHRs may have overstated reliability of findings in the presence of informative missingness. Future renal research requires more explicit statements of data completeness and consideration of i) selection bias and representativeness of sample to the intended target population, ii) ascertainment bias where follow-up depends on risk, and iii) the impact of competing mortality. We recommend that renal progression studies should use statistical methods that take into account variability in renal function, informative censoring and population heterogeneity as appropriate to the study question.

Design, recruitment, and baseline characteristics of the EMPA-KIDNEY trial

BACKGROUND

The effects of the sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor empagliflozin on renal and cardiovascular disease have not been tested in a dedicated population of people with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

METHODS

The EMPA-KIDNEY trial is an international randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial assessing whether empagliflozin 10 mg daily decreases the risk of kidney disease progression or cardiovascular death in people with CKD. People with or without diabetes mellitus (DM) were eligible provided they had an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥20 but <45 mL/min/1.73 m2 or an eGFR ≥45 but <90 mL/min/1.73 m2 with a urinary albumin:creatinine ratio (uACR) ≥200 mg/g. The trial design is streamlined, as extra work for collaborating sites is kept to a minimum and only essential information is collected.

RESULTS

Between 15 May 2019 and 16 April 2021, 6609 people from eight countries in Europe, North America and East Asia were randomized. The mean age at randomization was 63.8 years [standard deviation (SD) 13.9)], 2192 (33%) were female and 3570 (54%) had no prior history of DM. The mean eGFR was 37.5 mL/min/1.73 m2 (SD 14.8), including 5185 (78%) with an eGFR <45 mL/min/1.73 m2. The median uACR was 412 mg/g) (quartile 1-quartile 3 94-1190), with a uACR <300 mg/g in 3194 (48%). The causes of kidney disease included diabetic kidney disease [n = 2057 (31%)], glomerular disease [n = 1669 (25%)], hypertensive/renovascular disease [n = 1445 (22%)], other [n = 808 (12%)] and unknown causes [n = 630 (10%)].

CONCLUSIONS

EMPA-KIDNEY will evaluate the efficacy and safety of empagliflozin in a widely generalizable population of people with CKD at risk of kidney disease progression. Results are anticipated in 2022.

Pretransplant Patient Education in Solid-organ Transplant: A Narrative Review

Education for pretransplant, solid-organ recipient candidates aims to improve knowledge and understanding about the transplant process, outcomes, and potential complications to support informed, shared decision-making to reduce fears and anxieties about transplant, inform expectations, and facilitate adjustment to posttransplant life. In this review, we summarize novel pretransplant initiatives and approaches to educate solid-organ transplant recipient candidates. First, we review approaches that may be common to all solid-organ transplants, then we summarize interventions specific to kidney, liver, lung, and heart transplant. We describe evidence that emphasizes the need for multidisciplinary approaches to transplant education. We also summarize initiatives that consider online (eHealth) and mobile (mHealth) solutions. Finally, we highlight education initiatives that support racialized or otherwise marginalized communities to improve equitable access to solid-organ transplant. A considerable amount of work has been done in solid-organ transplant since the early 2000s with promising results. However, many studies on education for pretransplant recipient candidates involve relatively small samples and nonrandomized designs and focus on short-term surrogate outcomes. Overall, many of these studies have a high risk of bias. Frequently, interventions assessed are not well characterized or they are combined with administrative and data-driven initiatives into multifaceted interventions, which makes it difficult to assess the impact of the education component on outcomes. In the future, well-designed studies rigorously assessing well-defined surrogate and clinical outcomes will be needed to evaluate the impact of many promising initiatives.