Dietary Trends and Management of Hyperphosphatemia Among Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease: An International Survey of Renal Care Professionals

Implementation of a coagulation component into a phosphate kinetics model in haemodialysis therapy: A tool for detection of clotting problems?

A coagulation component should be considered in phosphate kinetics modelling because intradialytic coagulation of the extracorporeal circuit and dialyser might reduce phosphate removal in haemodialysis. Thus, the objective of this study was to add and evaluate coagulation as an individual linear clearance reduction component to a promising three-compartment model assuming progressive intradialytic clotting. The model was modified and validated on intradialytic plasma and dialysate phosphate samples from 12 haemodialysis patients collected during two treatments (HD1 and HD2) at a Danish hospital ward. The most suitable clearance reduction in each treatment was identified by minimizing the root mean square error (RMSE). The model simulations with and without clearance reduction were compared based on RMSE and coefficient of determination (R2 ) values. Improvements were found for 17 of the 24 model simulations when clearance reduction was added to the model. The slopes of the clearance reduction were in the range of 0.011-0.632/h. Three improvements were found to be statistically significant (|observed z value| > 1.96). A very significant correlation (R2  = 0.708) between the slopes for HD1 and HD2 was found. Adding the clearance reduction component to the model seems promising in phosphate kinetics modelling and might be explained, at least in part, by intradialytic coagulation. In future studies, the model might be developed further to serve as a potentially useful tool for the quantitative detection of clotting problems in haemodialysis. NEW FINDINGS: What is the central question of this study? The aim was to add an intradialytic coagulation component to a modified version of a promising three-compartment phosphate kinetics model. The hypothesis was that circuit and dialyser clotting can be modelled by an individual linear phosphate clearance reduction component during haemodialysis treatment. What is the main finding and its importance? Improvements were found for 17 of 24 model simulations when clearance reduction was added to the model. Thus, the kinetics model seems promising and could be a useful tool for the quantitative detection of clotting problems in haemodialysis patients.

Strongyloides stercoralis infection induces gut dysbiosis in chronic kidney disease patients

Background

Strongyloides stercoralis infection typically causes severe symptoms in immunocompromised patients. This infection can also alter the gut microbiota and is often found in areas where chronic kidney disease (CKD) is common. However, the relationship between S. stercoralis and the gut microbiome in chronic kidney disease (CKD) is not understood fully. Recent studies have shown that gut dysbiosis plays an important role in the progression of CKD. Hence, this study aims to investigate the association of S. stercoralis infection and gut microbiome in CKD patients.

Methodology/Principal findings

Among 838 volunteers from Khon Kaen Province, northeastern Thailand, 40 subjects with CKD were enrolled and divided into two groups (S. stercoralis-infected and -uninfected) matched for age, sex and biochemical parameters. Next-generation technology was used to amplify and sequence the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene to provide a profile of the gut microbiota. Results revealed that members of the S. stercoralis-infected group had lower gut microbial diversity than was seen in the uninfected group. Interestingly, there was significantly greater representation of some pathogenic bacteria in the S. stercoralis-infected CKD group, including Escherichia-Shigella (P = 0.013), Rothia (P = 0.013) and Aggregatibacter (P = 0.03). There was also a trend towards increased Actinomyces, Streptococcus and Haemophilus (P > 0.05) in this group. On the other hand, the S. stercoralis-infected CKD group had significantly lower representation of SCFA-producing bacteria such as Anaerostipes (P = 0.01), Coprococcus_1 (0.043) and a non-significant decrease of Akkermansia, Eubacterium rectale and Eubacterium hallii (P > 0.05) relative to the uninfected group. Interesting, the genera Escherichia-Shigella and Anaerostipes exhibited opposing trends, which were significantly related to sex, age, infection status and CKD stages. The genus Escherichia-Shigella was significantly more abundant in CKD patients over the age of 65 years and infected with S. stercoralis. A correlation analysis showed inverse moderate correlation between the abundance of the genus of Escherichia-Shigella and the level of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).

Conclusions/Significance

Conclusion, the results suggest that S. stercoralis infection induced gut dysbiosis in the CKD patients, which might be involved in CKD progression.

Human strongyloidiasis is caused by a soil-transmitted helminth, Strongyloides stercoralis, which typically causes severe symptoms in immunocompromised individuals. This infection can also alter the gut microbiota and is often found in areas where chronic kidney disease (CKD) is common. However, the relationship between S. stercoralis and the gut microbiome in CKD is not known. This is the first study to investigate the gut microbiota of CKD patients with and without S. stercoralis using high-throughput sequencing of the V3–V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. Infection with S. stercoralis was associated with reduced gut microbial diversity. In addition, infection with this nematode led to reduced abundance of SCFA-producing bacteria and enrichment of pathogenic bacteria. In particular, there were significant differences in abundance of the beneficial genus Anaerostipes (a decrease) and the pathogenic taxon Escherichia-Shigella (an increase) in CKD patients infected with S. stercoralis relative to controls. In the infected group, the representation of Escherichia-Shigella was significantly higher in patients over the age of 65 years. There was a significant inverse moderate correlation of Escherichia-Shigella with the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).

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.

Altered gut microbiota and microbial biomarkers associated with chronic kidney disease

The present study aimed to determine the differences in gut microbiota between patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and healthy controls (HC) and search for better microbial biomarkers associated with CKD. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing approach was used to investigate the differences in gut microbiota between the CKD and HC groups. The study found that 12 phylotypes were overrepresented in the CKD group and 19 in the HC group at the genus level. Furthermore, genera Lachnospira and Ruminococcus_gnavus performed the best in differentiating between HC and CKD populations. In addition, this novel study found that the genera Holdemanella, Megamonas, Prevotella 2, Dielma, and Scardovia were associated with the progression of CKD and hemodialysis. In conclusion, the composition of gut microbiota was different in CKD populations compared with healthy populations, and Lachnospira and R._gnavus were better microbial biomarkers. In addition, five phylotypes, including Holdemanella, Megamonas, Prevotella2, Dielma, and Scardovia, served as an indicator of the progression of CKD and hemodialysis. However, large‐scale prospective studies should be performed to identify the reliability of the set of these phylotypes as biomarkers.

Effectiveness of educational or behavioral interventions on adherence to phosphate control in adults receiving hemodialysis: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

People with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) develop impaired excretion of phosphate. Hyperphosphatemia develops in ESKD as a result of the kidney's reduced ability to excrete ingested phosphate load and is characterized by high bone turnover and increased musculoskeletal morbidity including bone pain and muscle weakness. Increased serum phosphate levels are also associated with cardiovascular disease and associated mortality. These effects are significant considering that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in ESKD, making phosphate control a crucial treatment goal.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the effectiveness of education or behavioral interventions on adherence to phosphate control in adults with ESKD receiving hemodialysis (HD).

INCLUSION CRITERIA TYPES OF PARTICIPANTS

Adults aged over 18 years with ESKD undergoing HD, attending dialysis facilities regardless of frequency and duration of treatment sessions per week. Studies with participants receiving hemodiafiltration were excluded.

TYPES OF INTERVENTION(S)/PHENOMENA OF INTEREST

All types of educational and behavioral interventions aimed at improving adherence to dietary phosphate restriction, phosphate binder medication and HD.

TYPES OF STUDIES

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), non-RCTs, before and after and cohort studies.

OUTCOMES

Outcome measures included serum phosphate levels, patient knowledge and adherence to phosphate control methods, chronic kidney disease (CKD) self-management behavior and perceived self-efficacy for CKD related to phosphate control.

SEARCH STRATEGY

A search was conducted in CINAHL, MEDLINE, The Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, PsycINFO and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global to find published studies between January 2005 and December 2015.

METHODOLOGICAL QUALITY

Risk of bias was assessed by three reviewers prior to inclusion in the review using standardized critical appraisal instruments from the Joanna Briggs Institute Meta-Analysis of Statistics Assessment and Review Instrument (JBI-MAStARI).

DATA EXTRACTION

Data were extracted using the standardized data extraction tool from JBI-MAStARI.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Data were pooled using JBI software. Mean differences (95% confidence interval [CI]) and effect size estimates were calculated for continuous outcomes. Meta-analysis using a random-effects model was performed for serum phosphate levels, and where the findings could not be pooled using meta-analysis, results have been presented in a narrative form. Standard GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) evidence assessment of outcomes has been reported.

RESULTS

A total of 18 studies were included in the review: seven studies focused on dietary phosphate, four studies focused on medications (phosphate binders) and six studies focused on dietary phosphate and medications. Only one study taught patients about diet, medications and HD to control phosphate. Sixteen studies showed significant improvements in phosphate levels. Meta-analysis of eight RCTs favored educational or behavioral interventions over standard care for serum phosphate control, with a weighted mean reduction of -0.23 mmol/l (95% CI -0.37, -0.08) in treatment groups.

CONCLUSION

Overall, educational or behavioral interventions increase adherence to phosphate control. Studies in this systematic review revealed improved outcomes on serum phosphate levels, patient knowledge and adherence to phosphate control methods, CKD self-management behavior and perceived self-efficacy for CKD related to phosphate control. However, there is a lack of sufficient data on how some of the studies implemented their interventions, suggesting that further research is required. Successful strategies that improve and optimize long-term adherence to phosphate control still need to be formulated.

Gut microbiome and kidney disease: a bidirectional relationship

Recent technological advances and efforts, including powerful metagenomic and metatranscriptomic analyses, have led to a tremendous growth in our understanding of microbial communities. Changes in microbial abundance or composition of human microbial communities impact human health or disease state. However, explorations into the mechanisms underlying host-microbe interactions in health and disease are still in their infancy. Although changes in the gut microbiota have been described in patients with kidney disease, the relationships between pathogenesis, mechanisms of disease progression, and the gut microbiome are still evolving. Here, we review changes in the host-microbiome symbiotic relationship in an attempt to explore the bidirectional relationship in which alterations in the microbiome affect kidney disease progression and how kidney disease may disrupt a balanced microbiome. We also discuss potential targeted interventions that may help re-establish this symbiosis and propose more effective ways to deploy traditional treatments in patients with kidney disease.