State-of-the-Art Management of Hyperphosphatemia in Patients With CKD: An NKF-KDOQI Controversies Perspective

Medication burden in patients with dialysis-dependent CKD: a systematic review

This systematic review aimed to statistically profile the medication burden and associated influencing factors, and outcomes in patients with dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease (DD-CKD). Studies of medication burden in patients with DD-CKD in the last 10 years from 1 January 2013 to 31 March 2024 were searched from PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases. Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) or Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) methodology checklist was used to evaluate quality and bias. Data extraction and combining from multiple groups of number (n), mean, and standard deviation (SD) were performed using R programming language (version4.3.1; R Core Team, Vienna, Austria). A total of 10 studies were included, and the results showed a higher drug burden in patients with DD-CKD. The combined pill burden was 14.57 ± 7.56 per day in hemodialysis (HD) patients and 14.63 ± 6.32 in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. The combined number of medications was 9.74 ± 3.37 in HD and 8 ± 3 in PD. Four studies described the various drug classes and their proportions, in general, antihypertensives and phosphate binders were the most commonly used drugs. Five studies mentioned factors associated with medication burden. A total of five studies mentioned medication burden-related outcomes, with one study finding that medication-related burden was associated with increased treatment burden, three studies finding that poor medication adherence was associated with medication burden, and another study finding that medication complexity was not associated with self-reported medication adherence. Limitations: meta-analysis was not possible due to the heterogeneity of studies.

Dietary nutrient intake and nutritional status in maintenance hemodialysis patients: a multicenter cross-sectional survey

PURPOSE

To investigate the dietary nutrient intake of Maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients, identify influencing factors, and explore the correlation between dietary nutrient intake and nutritional and disease control indicators.

METHODS

This was a multicenter cross-sectional study. A dietary survey was conducted using a three-day dietary record method, and a self-designed diet management software was utilized to calculate the daily intake of dietary nutrients. The nutritional status and disease control indicators were assessed using subjective global assessment, handgrip strength, blood test indexes, and dialysis adequacy.

RESULTS

A total of 382 MHD patients were included in this study. Among them, 225 (58.9%) and 233 (61.0%) patients' protein and energy intake did not meet the recommendations outlined in the National Kidney Foundation's Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative Clinical Practice Guideline for Nutrition in Chronic Kidney Disease (2020 update). The average protein and energy intake for these patients were 0.99 ± 0.32 g/kg/d and 29.06 ± 7.79 kcal/kg/d, respectively. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that comorbidity-diabetes had a negative influence on normalized daily energy intake (nDEI = DEI / ideal body weight) (B = -2.880, p = 0.001) and normalized daily protein intake (nDPI = DPI / ideal body weight) (B = -0.109, p = 0.001). Pearson correlation analysis revealed that dietary DPI (r = -0.109, p < 0.05), DEI (r = -0.226, p < 0.05) and phosphorus (r = -0.195, p < 0.001) intake were statistically correlated to Kt/V; dietary nDPI (r = 0.101, p < 0.05) and sodium (r = -0.144, p < 0.001) intake were statistically correlated to serum urea nitrogen; dietary DPI (r = 0.200, p < 0.001), DEI (r = 0.241, p < 0.001), potassium (r = 0.129, p < 0.05), phosphorus (r = 0.199, p < 0.001), and fiber (r = 0.157, p < 0.001) intake were statistically correlated to serum creatinine; dietary phosphorus (r = 0.117, p < 0.05) and fiber (r = 0.142, p < 0.001) intake were statistically correlated to serum phosphorus; dietary nDPI (r = 0.125, p < 0.05), DPI (r = 0.135, p < 0.05), nDEI (r = 0.116, p < 0.05), DEI (r = 0.125, p < 0.05), potassium (r = 0.148, p < 0.001), and phosphorus (r = 0.156, p < 0.001) intake were statistically correlated to subjective global assessment scores; dietary nDPI (r = 0.215, p < 0.001), DPI (r = 0.341, p < 0.001), nDEI (r = 0.142, p < 0.05), DEI (r = 0.241, p < 0.001), potassium (r = 0.166, p < 0.05), phosphorus (r = 0.258, p < 0.001), and fiber (r = 0.252, p < 0.001) intake were statistically correlated to handgrip strength in males; dietary fiber (r = 0.190, p < 0.05) intake was statistically correlated to handgrip strength in females.

CONCLUSIONS

The dietary nutrient intake of MHD patients need improvement. Inadequate dietary nutrient intake among MHD patients could have a detrimental effect on their blood test indexes and overall nutritional status. It is crucial to address and optimize the dietary intake of nutrients in this patient population to enhance their health outcomes and well-being.

Assessment of the Correlation Between Serum Phosphate Level and Muscle Strength as Measured by Handgrip Strength in Patients Treated With Hemodialysis

Background

Sarcopenia, commonly observed in patients treated with hemodialysis, correlates with low serum phosphate levels. Although normophosphatemia is desired, dietary phosphate restriction is difficult to achieve and may result in undesirable protein restriction.

Objective

We aimed to evaluate whether hyperphosphatemia is associated with higher muscle strength in patients receiving hemodialysis treatment.

Design

A single-center prospective observational study.

Setting

Ambulatory prevalent patients undergoing hemodialysis treatments in a dialysis unit of a tertiary hospital.

Patients

Participants included prevalent patients treated with hemodialysis. All patients were above 18 years. Only patients with residual kidney function below 200 mL/24 hours were included to avoid bias.

Measurements

Muscle strength was measured by handgrip strength (HGS). Each patient repeated 3 measurements, and the highest value was recorded. Handgrip strength cutoffs for low muscle strength were defined as <27 kg in men and <16 kg in women. Biochemical parameters, including serum phosphate level, were driven from routine monthly blood tests. Hyperphosphatemia was defined as serum phosphate above 4.5 mg/dL.

Methods

Handgrip strength results were compared to nutritional, anthropometric, and biochemical parameters-in particular phosphate level. Long-term mortality was recorded.

Results

Seventy-four patients were included in the final analysis. Handgrip strength was abnormally low in 33 patients (44.5%). Patients with abnormal HGS were older and more likely to have diabetes mellitus and lower albumin and creatinine levels. There was no correlation between HGS and phosphate level (r = 0.008, P = .945). On multivariable analysis, predictors of higher HGS were body mass index and creatinine. Diabetes mellitus and female sex predicted lower HGS. Hyperphosphatemia correlated with protein catabolic rate, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine. On multivariable analysis, predictors of hyperphosphatemia were higher creatinine level, normal albumin level, and heart failure. During mean follow-up time of 7.66 ± 3.9 months, 11 patients died. Mortality was significantly higher in patients with abnormally low HGS compared with normal HGS (odds ratio = 9.32, P = .02).

Limitations

A single-center study. All measurements were performed at one time point without repeated assessments. Direct dietary intake, degree of physical activity, and medication compliance were not assessed.

Conclusion

Hyperphosphatemia correlated with increased protein intake as assessed by protein catabolic rate in patients treated with hemodialysis; however, neither correlated with higher muscle strength as measured by HGS.Trial registration: MOH 202125213.

Biochemical markers of iron status and iron accumulation in peritoneal dialysis patients treated with ferric citrate

BACKGROUND

Hyperphosphataemia is a common complication of kidney disease. Current dialysis techniques do not provide enough phosphorus clearance, hence the need to use phosphorus binders. Treatment options include calcium carbonate, calcium acetate, lanthanum carbonate, sevelamer hydrochloride and iron-based binders. Patients receiving peritoneal dialysis (PD) with sustained elevated ferritin levels exceeding 800 ng/mL are at a higher risk of death. We identify PD patients treated with iron-based binders and compare ferritin and risk of iron accumulation to patients treated with non-iron-based binders.

METHODS

All records of patients receiving PD at Emory dialysis centres until 30 October 2021 were reviewed for phosphorus binders. Basic demographics and laboratory data were time-referenced to the days on treatment with a particular binder. Patients were followed until discontinuation of the phosphorus binder, death, transplant, transfer to another dialysis provider or censoring at 36 months after medication was started.

RESULTS

Compared to calcium acetate and sevelamer, ferric citrate utilisation in PD patients resulted in a sustained increase in ferritin. The proportion of patients with a ferritin equal to or greater than 800 ng/dL and transferrin saturation greater than 40% increased over time in patients treated with ferric citrate and was higher during the second and third year of follow-up compared to baseline values and to patients treated with calcium acetate or sevelamer. Two patients (7%) treated with ferric citrate developed clinically significant haemosiderosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of ferric citrated in PD resulted in significant iron accumulation as judged by ferritin levels.

Oral Nutritional Supplement Prescription and Patient-Reported Symptom Burden Among Patients With Late-Stage Non-Dialysis Chronic Kidney Disease

Background

Malnutrition and protein-energy wasting (PEW) are nutritional complications of advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) that contribute to morbidity, mortality, and decreased quality of life. No previous studies have assessed the effect of oral nutritional supplements (ONSs) on patient-reported symptom burden among patients with non-dialysis CKD (CKD-ND) who have or are at risk of malnutrition/PEW.

Objective

The objective of this study was (1) to quantify the associations between baseline nutritional parameters and patient-reported symptom scores for wellbeing, tiredness, nausea, and appetite and (2) to compare the change in symptom scores among patients prescribed ONS with patients who did not receive ONS in a propensity-score-matched analysis.

Design

This study conducted observational cohort analysis using provincial registry data.

Setting

This study was done in multidisciplinary CKD clinics in British Columbia.

Patients

Adult patients >18 years of age with CKD-ND entering multidisciplinary CKD clinics between January 1, 2010-July 31, 2019 who had at least 2 Edmonton Symptom Assessment System Revised: Renal (ESASr:Renal) assessments.

Measurements

The measurements include nutrition-related parameters such as body mass index (BMI), serum albumin, serum phosphate, serum bicarbonate, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and ESASr:Renal scores (overall and subscores for wellbeing, tiredness, nausea, and appetite).

Methods

Multivariable linear regression was applied to assess associations between nutritional parameters and ESASr:Renal scores. Propensity-score matching using the greedy method was used to match patients prescribed ONS with those not prescribed ONS using multiple demographic, comorbidity, health care utilization, and temporal factors. Linear regression was used to assess the association between first ONS prescription and change in ESASr:Renal overall score and subscores for wellbeing, tiredness, nausea, and appetite.

Results

Of total, 2076 patients were included. Higher baseline serum albumin was associated with lower overall ESASr:Renal score (-0.20, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -0.40 to -0.01 per 1 g/L increase in albumin), lower subscores for tiredness (-0.04, 95% CI = -0.07 to -0.01), nausea (-0.03, 95% CI = -0.04 to -0.01), and appetite (-0.03, 95% CI = -0.06 to -0.01). Higher BMI was associated with higher overall ESASr:Renal score (0.32, 95% CI = 0.16 to 0.48 per 1 kg/m2 increase in BMI), higher symptom subscores for wellbeing (0.02, 95% CI = 0.00 to 0.04) and tiredness (0.05, 95% CI = 0.02 to 0.07). Higher baseline NLR was associated with higher overall score (0.21, 95% CI = 0.03 to 0.39 per 1 unit increase in NLR), higher symptom subscores for wellbeing (0.03, 95% CI = 0.01 to 0.05) and nausea (0.03, 95% CI = 0.02 to 0.05). In the propensity-score-matched analysis, there were no statistically significant associations between ONS prescription and change in overall ESASr:Renal (beta coefficient for change in ESASr:Renal = 0.17, 95% CI = -2.64 to 2.99) or for subscores for appetite, tiredness, nausea, and wellbeing.

Limitations

Possible residual confounding. The ESASr:Renal assessments were obtained routinely only in patients with G5 CKD-ND and/or experiencing significant CKD-related symptoms.

Conclusions

This exploratory observational analysis of patients with advanced non-dialysis CKD demonstrated BMI, serum albumin, and NLR were modestly associated with patient-reported symptoms, but we did not observe an association between ONS use and change in ESASr:Renal scores.

Sevelamer Use and Mortality in People with Chronic Kidney Disease Stages 4 and 5 Not on Dialysis

Rationale and objective: Data suggest that non-calcium-based binders, and specifically sevelamer, may lead to lower rates of death when compared with calcium-based binders in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. However, the association between sevelamer use and mortality for those with non-dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease (NDD-CKD) patients has been uncertain. Study design: Our research is presented in a prospective cohort study. Setting and participants: A total of 966 participants with NDD-CKD stages 4-5 were enrolled in the PECERA study from 12 centers in Spain. Exposure: The participants were treated with sevelamer. Outcome: This study yielded all-cause and cardiovascular mortality outcomes. Analytical approach: We conducted an association analysis between mortality and sevelamer use with time-dependent Cox proportional hazards models. Results: After a median follow-up of 29 months (IQR: 13-36 months), death occurred in 181 participants (19%), with cardiovascular (n = 95, 53%) being the leading cause of death. In a multivariable model, the adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for patients under sevelamer treatment were 0.44 (95% CI, 0.22 to 0.88) and 0.37 (95% CI, 0.18 to 0.75) for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, respectively, compared with those of untreated patients. Limitations: Some limitations include potential confusion via indication bias; causal statements about these associations cannot be made due to the observational nature of this study. Conclusions: In this prospective NDD-CKD cohort study, the administration of sevelamer was independently associated with lower all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, suggesting that non-calcium-based phosphate binders might be the first-line therapy for phosphate lowering in this population. Further interventional studies clarifying the risks and benefits of phosphate binders in NDD-CKD are warranted.

Long-term safety and decrease of pill burden by tenapanor therapy: a phase 3 open-label study in hemodialysis patients with hyperphosphatemia

Phosphate binders (PBs) generally have a high pill burden. Tenapanor selectively inhibits sodium/hydrogen exchanger isoform 3, reducing intestinal phosphate absorption. Tenapanor is a novel drug administered as a small tablet, twice daily. This multicenter, open-label, single-arm, phase 3 study aimed to evaluate the long-term safety of tenapanor and its efficacy in decreasing PB pill burden. Tenapanor 5 mg twice daily was administered to hemodialysis patients with serum phosphorus level 3.5-7.0 mg/dl at baseline; the dose could be increased up to 30 mg twice daily. Patients could also switch from PBs. The primary endpoint was safety during 52-week administration. The key secondary endpoint was a ≥ 30% reduction in the total pill number of daily PBs and tenapanor from baseline. Of 212 patients starting treatment, 154 completed the study. Diarrhea was the most frequent adverse event, occurring in 135 patients (63.7%); most events were classified as mild (74.8%). No clinically significant changes occurred other than serum phosphorus level. At Week 52/discontinuation, 158/204 patients (77.5%) achieved the key secondary endpoint. Complete switching from PBs to tenapanor was achieved in 50-76 patients (26.7%-41.5%), and 80 patients (51.9%) at Week 8-12 and Week 50, respectively. Serum phosphorus remained generally stable within the target range (3.5-6.0 mg/dl). These findings suggest the long-term safety and tolerability of tenapanor. Tenapanor could reduce or eliminate PB pill burden while controlling serum phosphorus levels.Trial registration: NCT04771780.

Efficacy and Safety of Ferric Citrate on Hyperphosphatemia among Chinese Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease Undergoing Hemodialysis: A Phase III Multicenter Randomized Open-Label Active-Drug-Controlled Study

INTRODUCTION

Hyperphosphatemia in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients is positively associated with mortality. Ferric citrate is a potent phosphorus binder that lowers serum phosphorus level and improves iron metabolism. We compared its efficacy and safety with active drugs in Chinese CKD patients with hemodialysis.

METHODS

Chinese patients undergoing hemodialysis were randomized into two treatment groups in a 1:1 ratio, receiving either ferric citrate or sevelamer carbonate, respectively, for 12 weeks. Serum phosphorus levels, calcium concentration, and iron metabolism parameters were evaluated every 2 weeks. Frequency and severity of adverse events were recorded.

RESULTS

217 (90.4%) patients completed the study with balanced demographic and baseline characteristics between two groups. Ferric citrate decreased the serum phosphorus level to 0.59 ± 0.54 mmol/L, comparable to 0.56 ± 0.62 mmol/L by sevelamer carbonate. There was no significant difference between two groups (p > 0.05) in the proportion of patients with serum phosphorus levels reaching the target range, the response rate to the study drug, and the changes of corrected serum calcium concentrations, and intact-PTH levels at the end of treatment. The change of iron metabolism indicators in the ferric citrate group was significantly higher than those in the sevelamer carbonate group. There are 47 (40.5%) patients in the ferric citrate group, and 26 (21.3%) patients in the sevelamer carbonate group experienced drug-related treatment emergent adverse events (TEAEs); most were mild and tolerable. Common drug-related TEAEs were gastrointestinal disorders, including diarrhea (12.9 vs. 2.5%), fecal discoloration (14.7 vs. 0%), and constipation (1.7 vs. 7.4%) in ferric citrate and sevelamer carbonate group.

CONCLUSION

Ferric citrate capsules have good efficacy and safety in the control of hyperphosphatemia in adult patients with CKD undergoing hemodialysis. Efficacy is not inferior to sevelamer carbonate. The TEAEs were mostly mild and tolerated by the patients.

Progress in pharmacotherapy for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia in renal failure

INTRODUCTION

Among the clinical and metabolic complications of progressive chronic kidney disease (CKD), CKD-mineral bone disorder (CKD-MBD) significantly contributes to morbidity and mortality. While overt and persistent hyperphosphatemia is typical of advanced CKD and requires treatment, other abnormalities of calcium/phosphate metabolism begin to occur since the early stages of the disease.

AREAS COVERED

We searched on the PubMed database, without restrictions for language or time range, for randomized clinical trials and meta-analyses investigating phosphate-lowering therapies. The various phosphate binders show different safety profiles and diverse effects on calcium/phosphate metabolism and vascular calcification. The in-depth knowledge of the characteristics of these drugs is crucial to ensure adequate treatment to CKD patients.

EXPERT OPINION

A proper control of serum phosphate can be achieved using phosphate binders. These medications may induce side effects. Moreover, data on their impact on clinical outcomes are partly controversial or scarce, especially for the new generation drugs. Hyperphosphatemia favors cardiovascular disease and increases the risk for CKD progression. These effects are partially mediated by fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), a phosphaturic hormone that raises to maintain normal serum phosphate. Since there are no data supporting the use of phosphate-lowering agents when phosphataemia is normal, a key role is played by reducing dietary phosphate intake with the aim to control serum phosphate and the compensatory FGF23 and parathyroid hormone (PTH) increase.

Assessing patiromer utilization and associated serum potassium changes in US veterans with prior sodium polystyrene sulfonate exposure

Untreated chronic hyperkalemia is associated with an increased risk of mortality. Novel potassium binders (e.g., patiromer) are new additions to the clinician's armamentarium. Prior to their approval, clinicians often considered trialing sodium polystyrene sulfonate. The study objective was to assess patiromer utilization and associated changes in serum potassium (K+) in US veterans with prior sodium polystyrene sulfonate exposure. This was a real-world observational study of US veterans with chronic kidney disease and a baseline K+ ≥ 5.1 mEq/L, initiated on patiromer between January 1, 2016, and February 28, 2021. The primary endpoints were patiromer utilization (dispensations and treatment courses), and K+ change at 30-, 91-, and 182-day follow-up (FU) intervals. Patiromer utilization was described using Kaplan-Meier probabilities and the proportion of days covered. Descriptive changes in population average K+ were obtained from a pre-post design using single-arm within-patient pre-post lab pairs and paired t tests. Two hundred five veterans met the study criteria. We observed an average of 1.25 (95% CI, 1.19-1.31) treatment courses and a median treatment duration of 64 days. Fifty veterans (24.4%) had >1 course, and 17.6% of patients remained on their initial patiromer treatment course until the end of the 180-day FU. The mean K+ value was 5.73 mEq/L (5.66-5.79) at baseline, 4.95 mEq/L (95% CI, 4.86-5.05) at the 30-day interval, 4.93 mEq/L (95% CI, 4.84-5.03) at the 91-day interval, and 4.9 mEq/L (95% CI, 4.8-4.99) at the 182-day interval. Novel potassium binders (e.g., patiromer) are newer chronic hyperkalemia management tools for clinicians. The average population K+ decreased to <5.1 mEq/L at all follow-up intervals. Patiromer appeared to be well tolerated with nearly 18% of patients remaining on their initial treatment course during the entire 180-day FU period. The median treatment duration was 64 days and approximately 24% of patients initiated a second course during FU.

Health Economic Benefits of Introducing Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide in the Treatment of Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease under Dialysis in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Hyperphosphatemia is an electrolyte disorder highly prevalent in patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis (HD) that usually requires treatment with oral phosphate binders (PBs). Sucroferric oxyhydroxide (SO) is a calcium-free, iron-based PB indicated for the control of serum phosphorus. In the real-world setting, SO has shown clinical effectiveness with a lower pill burden and has also been associated with reduced hospital admission rates. This study aims to assess the potential economic benefits resulting from the introduction of SO to the health-care setting of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). An economic analysis using data from a retrospective real-world study that compared HD patients with uninterrupted SO prescriptions with patients who discontinued SO and switched to other PBs (oPBs). Annual drug costs for the estimated PB-eligible population in KSA were quantified. Costs per responder were estimated for all treatments. Hospital admissions' incidence rates were converted into annual inpatient cost savings and were deducted from drug costs to estimate the annual economic effect of SO versus oPBs. Sensitivity and breakeven analyses were also conducted. The eligible population for PB therapy in KSA was estimated at n = 14,748. Treating therapy-eligible populations exclusively with SO was estimated to generate annual inpatient cost-savings of SAR 107.4-119.4 million compared to treating the population with oPBs. The estimated economic effect signified overall annual savings ranging from SAR 82.8 to SAR 94.8 million when the population is treated with SO. Sensitivity analyses showed persistent cost savings. The estimated benefit-cost ratios showed that for every SAR 1 spent on SO, the expected return on investment was SAR 4.4-4.9. SO is an effective therapy that may result in substantial cost savings from reducing hospital admission costs that are attributable to hyperphosphatemia among HD patients.

Clinical significance of hemodialysis quality of care indicators in very elderly patients with end stage kidney disease

INTRODUCTION

Improvement in life expectancy has increased the number of very elderly patients undergoing hemodialysis. However, it is not clear which quality measures for hemodialysis should be employed in this population. Therefore, in this paper we investigated the association between major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) indicators of hemodialysis quality in very elderly patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data regarding a total of 29,692 patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (median age 61 years, 41.5% females) who participated in a national hemodialysis quality assessment program were analyzed. They were divided into < 80 years and ≥ 80 years age groups. The primary and secondary outcomes were MACCE and all-cause mortality, respectively. The association between the outcomes and some of the most widely used standard hemodialysis quality-of-care indicators, including spKt/V, hemoglobin, serum calcium, serum phosphate, and albumin levels, was evaluated. To explore the association between Cox proportional hazard models were constructed. Model 1 was adjusted for age and sex. Model 2 included additional demographic characteristics, such as Charlson Comorbidity Index (excluding diabetes), diabetes, cause of ESKD, dialysis vintage, BMI, and pre-dialysis systolic blood pressure. Model 3 was further adjusted for the main medications. To evaluate the relationship between MACCE risk and quality assessment indicators as a continuous variable, cubic spline analyses were conducted.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up of 3.7 years, MACCE occurred at a higher rate in the ≥ 80-years group than in the < 80-years group (282.0 vs. 110.1 events/1000 person-years). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that spKt/V, serum calcium and phosphate, and hemoglobin levels were associated with MACCE and all-cause mortality risk in patients aged < 80 years. However, these indicators showed no significant relationship with MACCE and all-cause mortality in patients aged ≥ 80 years. Low serum albumin levels were significantly associated with increased MACCE and all-cause mortality risks, regardless of age.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, hemodialysis quality-of-care indicators including spKt/V, serum calcium and phosphate levels, and hemoglobin were not related to MACCE or all-cause mortality in very elderly hemodialysis patients. However, lower serum albumin levels were associated with poor outcomes, regardless of patient age. Assuring nutritional status rather than improving hemodialysis management adequacy may be more beneficial for improving outcomes in very elderly hemodialysis patients. Further prospective evaluations are needed to confirm these findings.

Abnormal regional homogeneity and amplitude of low frequency fluctuation in chronic kidney patients with and without dialysis

Purpose

The study characterizes regional homogeneity (ReHo) and amplitude of low frequency fluctuations (ALFF) in abnormal regions of brain in patients of chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Materials and methods

A total of 64 patients of CKD were divided into 26 cases of non-dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease (NDD-CKD), and 38 cases of dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease (DD-CKD). A total of 43 healthy controls (normal control, NC) were also included. All subjects underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). ALFF and ReHo data was processed for monitoring the differences in spontaneous brain activity between the three groups. ALFF and ReHo values of extracted differential brain regions were correlated to the clinical data and cognitive scores of CKD patients.

Results

Non-dialysis-dependent group has increased ALFF levels in 13 brain regions while that of DD group in 28 brain regions as compared with NC group. ReHo values are altered in six brain regions of DD group. ALFF is correlated with urea nitrogen and ReHo with urea nitrogen and creatinine. DD group has altered ReHo in two brain regions compared with NDD group. The differences are located in basal ganglia, cerebellar, and hippocampus regions.

Conclusion

Abnormal activity in basal ganglia, cerebellar, and hippocampal regions may be involved in the cognitive decline of CKD patients. This link can provide theoretical basis for understanding the cognitive decline.

Non calcium phosphate binders - Is there any evidence of benefit

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Low-level evidence and opinion-based clinical practice guidelines highlight the substantial uncertainty in the practice patterns of hyperphosphatemia management in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This manuscript reviews the evidence for the choice of phosphate binders and its impact on clinical outcomes.

RECENT FINDINGS

Phosphate binders are among the most common medications prescribed for patients on dialysis. Clinical practice guidelines recommend lowering phosphate levels toward normal range and restricting calcium-based binders in all CKD patients. There is substantial gap in the evidence underlying these recommendations with lack of any placebo-controlled, randomized trials showing survival benefits for any class of phosphate-binders. Despite the lack of evidence for specific phosphate target or if lowering phosphate improves survival, use of phosphate binders has remained central strategy in approach to hyperphosphatemia. Use of binders has added to the cost and contributed significant pill burden. Restriction of calcium-based binders to avoid positive calcium balance and consequent vascular calcification risk has a physiological rationale and weight of observational studies.

SUMMARY

There is currently no conclusive evidence that definitively guides the choice of any specific binders for management of hyperphosphatemia in patients with CKD. Use of noncalcium-based binders has a theoretical advantage in restricting total calcium intake to decrease the risk of vascular calcification but no proven benefits for mortality.

Safety and Effectiveness of Roxadustat in Dialysis-Dependent Patients With Renal Anemia: A Hospital-Based Cohort Study

Background

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have shown the efficacy and safety of Roxadustat and conclude that it has the potential to change the treatment for anemia associated with chronic kidney disease. However, the experience of its use from clinical perspectives post-approval is lacking.

Aim

Using a clinical practice context, this study aims to compare Roxadustat's effectiveness and tolerability with Erythropoietin (EPO) in patients with renal anemia undergoing dialysis.

Methods

We examined the clinical records of patients with a diagnosis of renal anemia on dialysis who were prescribed Roxadustat or Erythropoietin at the department of nephrology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University from January 2021 to December 2021. Eligible hemodialysis (HD) or peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients with renal anemia, aged >18 or <75 years, without infection, active bleeding, and malignancy were recruited. These patients received Roxadustat or EPO based on the preferential prescription choice made by the nephrologists of the department. We retrospectively attempted to determine the treatment response measured by the change in hemoglobin rate, from baseline up to six months. We also explored the impact of various factors on the treatment response and reported adverse events.

Results

A total of 106 patients have been included in the final analysis, with 53 patients in each group. The mean age of the study group was 49.9 ± 13.6 years with the main Hb level at the baseline of 8.1 g/dL ± 1.23 g/dl. The gain of hemoglobin from the baseline averaged over six months was 2.2 ± 2.11 g/dl in the Roxadustat group compared with 1.1 ± 1.67 g/dL in the EPO group (p=0.01). As compared to EPO,Roxadustat reduced the total cholesterol level by -0.59 ± 1.08 mmol/l versus -0.01 ± 1.28 mmol/l (p=0012) and the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol by -0.48 ± 1.07 mmol/l versus -0.47 ± 1.05 (p=0.017) in the first three months. Associated factors with a non-response to treatment were age greater than 65 years (OR=6, 95% CI: 1.23-32.46, p=0.02), hypertension (OR=3.5, 95%CI: 0.89-13.25, p=0.060), and heart failure (OR=4.18, 95%CI:4.18 1.04-20.39, p=0.040). Although the proportion of hospitalization and infection was higher in the EPO group and the incidences of gastrointestinal symptoms (vomiting, nausea) and blood transfusions were higher in the Roxadustat group, there were no statistically significant differences.

Conclusion

Roxadustat improved hemoglobin compared to erythropoietin in patients undergoing dialysis with a safe profile but precautions should be taken for old patients with a cardiovascular medical history.

Doctor-led intensive diet education on health-related quality of life in patients with chronic renal failure and hyperphosphatemia

BACKGROUND

Secondary hyperparathyroidism, renal osteodystrophy, and cardiovascular adverse events can occur if long-term hyperphosphatemia is not corrected, leading to the adverse prognosis of patients with chronic renal failure. Besides the use of phosphorus binders, clinical control measures for hyperphosphatemia in these patients should also incorporate diet control.

AIM

To observe doctor-led intensive diet education effects on health-related quality of life in patients with chronic renal failure and hyperphosphatemia.

METHODS

We assessed 120 patients with hyperphosphatemia and chronic renal failure on hemodialysis admitted to our hospital (July 2018 to March 2020). The control group (n = 60) was given routine nursing guidance, and the observation group (n = 60) was given doctor-led intensive diet education. The changes in EQ-5D-3L scores, disease-related knowledge, and compliance scores before intervention and 3 and 6 mo after intervention in the two groups were recorded. The levels of serum parathyroid hormone (iPTH), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), calcium-phosphorus product (Ca × P), serum creatinine (Scr), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) before intervention and 3 and 6 mo after intervention in the two groups were assessed along with patient satisfaction.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in blood iPTH, Ca, P, Ca × P, Scr, or BUN levels between the groups before intervention. After 3 and 6 mo of intervention, the blood iPTH, Ca, P, and Ca × P levels in the two groups decreased gradually (P < 0.05), but there were no significant differences in Scr or BUN. The blood iPTH, Ca, P, and Ca × P levels in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The satisfaction rate in the observation group after 3 mo was 93.33% and after 6, 90.00%, which was high compared with the 80.00% and 71.67%, respectively, in the control group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in EQ-5D-3L score between the two groups before intervention. After 3 and 6 mo of intervention, the visual analogue scale score of the two groups increased gradually (P < 0.05); and the scores of action ability, self-care, daily activities, pain and discomfort, and anxiety and depression decreased gradually (P < 0.05). The overall EQ-5D-3L score in the observation group was better than that in the control group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in disease-related knowledge or compliance scores between the groups before intervention. After 3 and 6 mo of intervention, the scores of disease, diet, and medication knowledge and compliance in the two groups increased gradually (P < 0.05). The scores of disease-related knowledge and compliance were higher in the observation group than in the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Doctor-led intensive diet education can improve patient satisfaction and the quality of life in patients with chronic renal failure and hyperphosphatemia and promote low-phosphorus diet behavior.

Phosphate and Cellular Senescence

Cellular senescence is one type of permeant arrest of cell growth and one of increasingly recognized contributor to aging and age-associated disease. High phosphate and low Klotho individually and synergistically lead to age-related degeneration in multiple organs. Substantial evidence supports the causality of high phosphate in cellular senescence, and potential contribution to human aging, cancer, cardiovascular, kidney, neurodegenerative, and musculoskeletal diseases. Phosphate can induce cellular senescence both by direct phosphotoxicity, and indirectly through downregulation of Klotho and upregulation of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1. Restriction of dietary phosphate intake and blockage of intestinal absorption of phosphate help suppress cellular senescence. Supplementation of Klotho protein, cellular senescence inhibitor, and removal of senescent cells with senolytic agents are potential novel strategies to attenuate phosphate-induced cellular senescence, retard aging, and ameliorate age-associated, and phosphate-induced disorders.

Serum Phosphorus and Albumin in Patients Undergoing Peritoneal Dialysis: Interaction and Association With Mortality

Hyperphosphatemia and hypoalbuminemia confer worse clinical outcomes, whether these risk factors interact to predispose to mortality is unclear. In this prospective cohort study, 2,118 patients undergoing incident continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) were enrolled and categorized into four groups based on the changing point regarding mortality at 1.5 mmol/L for serum phosphorus and 35 g/L for serum albumin. Risks of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality were examined independently and interactively in overall and subgroups. There was no association between serum phosphorus with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, but significant interactions (p = 0.02) between phosphorus and albumin existed in overall population. Patients in subgroup with high phosphorus and low albumin were at greater risk of all-cause (HR 1.95, 95%CI 1.27–2.98, p = 0.002) but not cardiovascular mortality (HR 0.37, 95%CI 0.10–1.33, p = 0.13), as compared to those with low phosphorus and high albumin. In contrast, patients with both low parameters had a higher risk of all-cause (HR 1.75, 95%CI 1.22–2.50, p = 0.002) and cardiovascular mortality (HR 1.92, 95%CI 1.07–3.45, p = 0.03). Notably, an elevated risk of both all-cause and cardiovascular mortality was observed in those with low serum albumin, irrespective of phosphorus levels, suggesting low albumin may be useful to identify a higher-risk subgroup of patients undergoing CAPD with different serum phosphorus levels.

The Influence of Sevelamer Hydrochloride and Calcium Carbonate on Markers of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Hemodialysis at Six Months of Follow-Up

Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) present alterations in mineral and bone metabolism. Hyperphosphatemia in ESRD is considered an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), increasing morbidity, and mortality. Sevelamer hydrochloride is a calcium-free, non-absorbable phosphate-chelating polymer. Calcium carbonate chelator is helpful in controlling serum phosphate levels. There is insufficient information on the influence of sevelamer hydrochloride and calcium carbonate on the behavior of oxidative stress (OS) markers and inflammation in patients on hemodialysis (HD). A randomized open clinical trial was carried out on patients to evaluate sevelamer hydrochloride and calcium carbonate influence at 6 months of study follow-up. Levels of oxidants (LPO, NO, and 8-isoprostanes), antioxidants (SOD and TAC), oxidative DNA damage (8-OHdG and hOGG1), pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α), and inflammation markers (ferritin and C-reactive protein) were measured with colorimetric and ELISA methods. We found a significant increase in oxidants LPO and NO, and antioxidants SOD and TAC, and downregulation of IL-6 and TNF-α. Ferritin decrease at 6 months follow-up in the sevelamer hydrochloride group. Increase in C-reactive protein was found in the group of patients treated with calcium carbonate. In conclusion, we found an oxidative state imbalance with increase in LPO and NO oxidants. The activity of the antioxidant enzymes (SOD and TAC) was also found to increase, suggesting a compensatory effect in the face of increase in oxidants. The same phenomenon was observed with increase in the oxidative damage marker to DNA and the increase in the DNA repair enzyme, suggesting a compensatory effect. Pro-inflammatory cytokines were predominantly downregulated by TNF-α in the group that ingested sevelamer hydrochloride in the final determination at 6 months of follow-up. Serum ferritin levels decreased significantly at the end of follow-up in patients on HD in the sevelamer hydrochloride group. The management of hyperphosphatemia with sevelamer hydrochloride appears to have obvious anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits.

High Dietary Phosphate Exacerbates and Acts Independently of Low Autophagy Activity in Pathological Cardiac Remodeling and Dysfunction

High phosphate contributes to uremic cardiomyopathy. Abnormal autophagy is associated with the development and progression of heart disease. What is unknown is the effects of phosphate on autophagy and whether the ill effects of phosphate on cardiomyocytes are mediated by low autophagy. High (2.0% w/w)-phosphate diet reduced LC3 puncta in cardiomyocytes and ratio of LC3 II/I and increased p62 protein, indicating that autophagy activity was suppressed. Mice with cardiomyocyte-specific deletion of autophagy-related protein 5 (H-atg5-/-) had reduced autophagy only in the heart, developed cardiac dysfunction with hypertrophy and fibrosis, and had a short lifespan. When H-atg5-/- mice were fed a high-phosphate diet, they developed more apoptosis in cardiomyocytes, more severe cardiac remodeling, and shorter lifespan than normal phosphate-fed H-atg5-/- mice, indicating that cardiac phosphotoxicity is imparted independently of atg5. In conclusion, although high phosphate suppresses autophagy, high phosphate and low autophagy independently trigger and additionally amplify cardiac remodeling and dysfunction.

Estimating hospital inpatient cost-savings with sucroferric oxyhydroxide in patients on chronic hemodialysis in five European countries: a cost analysis

AIMS

Hyperphosphatemia is common among patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) undergoing dialysis. The iron-based phosphate binder (PB), sucroferric oxyhydroxide (SO), has a low daily pill burden and is indicated for the control of serum phosphorus in these patients. In a retrospective database study, hemodialysis patients switched to long-term SO therapy had fewer hospitalizations compared with patients switched to other PB therapies. This economic analysis aimed to quantify potential cost-savings of reduced hospitalizations associated with SO for healthcare systems in five European countries.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All-cause hospital admissions incidence data were sourced from a real-world retrospective database study comparing adult, in-center hemodialysis patients maintained on 2 years of SO therapy (mSO) versus patients who discontinued SO (dSO) within 90 days of their first prescription and switched to other PBs. A literature search was conducted to determine the cost per hospital admission for dialysis patients in the healthcare setting of each European country. A cost-model combined the incidence rate of all-cause hospital admissions and the cost per admission to estimate the country-specific inpatient costs for the mSO and dSO groups.

RESULTS

Annual inpatient cost-savings per patient in the mSO group versus the dSO group were €1,201, €2,097, €2,059, €1,512, and €3,068 in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK, respectively. When annual PB drug costs per patient were considered, the net annual economic cost-savings per patient were €327, €1,585, €1,022, €1,100, and €2,204, respectively.

LIMITATIONS

Hospital admissions data used in the analysis were observational in nature and derived from a US hemodialysis patient population; the effect of SO therapy on hospitalization rates for US and European hemodialysis patients may differ. The analysis did not consider indirect healthcare costs associated with hospitalizations.

CONCLUSION

SO therapy may offer substantial inpatient cost-savings by reducing all-cause hospital admissions attributable to uncontrolled hyperphosphatemia.