Effect of nephrology referrals and multidisciplinary care programs on renal replacement and medical costs on patients with advanced chronic kidney disease: A retrospective cohort study

Primary and specialist care interaction and referral patterns for individuals with chronic kidney disease: a narrative review

BACKGROUND

Timely referral of individuals with chronic kidney disease from primary care to secondary care is evidenced to improve patient outcomes, especially for those whose disease progresses to kidney failure requiring kidney replacement therapy. A shortage of specialist nephrology services plus no consistent criteria for referral and reporting leads to referral pattern variability in the management of individuals with chronic kidney disease.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this review was to explore the referral patterns of individuals with chronic kidney disease from primary care to specialist nephrology services. It focused on the primary-specialist care interface, optimal timing of referral to nephrology services, adequacy of preparation for kidney replacement therapy, and the role of clinical criteria vs. risk-based prediction tools in guiding the referral process.

METHODS

A narrative review was utilised to summarise the literature, with the intent of providing a broad-based understanding of the referral patterns for patients with chronic kidney disease in order to guide clinical practice decisions. The review identified original English language qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods publications as well as systematic reviews and meta-analyses available in PubMed and Google Scholar from their inception to 24 March 2023.

RESULTS

Thirteen papers met the criteria for detailed review. We grouped the findings into three main themes: (1) Outcomes of the timing of referral to nephrology services, (2) Adequacy of preparation for kidney replacement therapy, and (3) Comparison of clinical criteria vs. risk-based prediction tools. The review demonstrated that regardless of the time frame used to define early vs. late referral in relation to the start of kidney replacement therapy, better outcomes are evidenced in patients referred early.

CONCLUSIONS

This review informs the patterns and timing of referral for pre-dialysis specialist care to mitigate adverse outcomes for individuals with chronic kidney disease requiring dialysis. Enhancing current risk prediction equations will enable primary care clinicians to accurately predict the risk of clinically important outcomes and provide much-needed guidance on the timing of referral between primary care and specialist nephrology services.

The Effect of Medical Cooperation in the CKD Patients: 10-Year Multicenter Cohort Study

Introduction: While chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of the most important contributors to mortality from non-communicable diseases, the number of nephrologists is limited worldwide. Medical cooperation is a system of cooperation between primary care physicians and nephrological institutions, consisting of nephrologists and multidisciplinary care teams. Although it has been reported that multidisciplinary care teams contribute to the prevention of worsening renal functions and cardiovascular events, there are few studies on the effect of a medical cooperation system. Methods: We aimed to evaluate the effect of medical cooperation on all-cause mortality and renal prognosis in patients with CKD. One hundred and sixty-eight patients who visited the one hundred and sixty-three clinics and seven general hospitals of Okayama city were recruited between December 2009 and September 2016, and one hundred twenty-three patients were classified into a medical cooperation group. The outcome was defined as the incidence of all-cause mortality, or renal composite outcome (end-stage renal disease or 50% eGFR decline). We evaluated the effects on renal composite outcome and pre-ESRD mortality while incorporating the competing risk for the alternate outcome into a Fine–Gray subdistribution hazard model. Results: The medical cooperation group had more patients with glomerulonephritis (35.0% vs. 2.2%) and less nephrosclerosis (35.0% vs. 64.5%) than the primary care group. Throughout the follow-up period of 5.59 ± 2.78 years, 23 participants (13.7%) died, 41 participants (24.4%) reached 50% decline in eGFR, and 37 participants (22.0%) developed end-stage renal disease (ESRD). All-cause mortality was significantly reduced by medical cooperation (sHR 0.297, 95% CI 0.105–0.835, p = 0.021). However, there was a significant association between medical cooperation and CKD progression (sHR 3.069, 95% CI 1.225–7.687, p = 0.017). Conclusion: We evaluated mortality and ESRD using a CKD cohort with a long-term observation period and concluded that medical cooperation might be expected to influence the quality of medical care in the patients with CKD.

Renal Functional Outcomes in Patients With Angiomyolipomas: Surveillance vs Embolization vs Nephrectomy

OBJECTIVE

To investigate renal functional outcomes of surveillance, embolization, and surgery for angiomyolipomas (AML).

METHODS

Longitudinal data regarding patients with AML were analyzed retrospectively in this 2-center study. Demographic, radiographic, and functional data were tabulated according to treatment type. Primary outcome was change in renal function from diagnosis to within 6 months postdiagnosis (interim) and to latest glomerular filtration rate (GFR) assessment.

RESULTS

318 patients were diagnosed with AMLs; mean follow-up was 6.2 years. 184 patients (57.9%) were managed with surveillance, 30 (9.4%) underwent embolization, and 103 (32.4%) underwent surgery (91 partial nephrectomy; 12 radical nephrectomy). Baseline characteristics, including tumor size, age, and race differed between the 3 groups (P<.05). Surveilled AMLs were smaller (P<.001) than the intervention groups: 1.9 cm vs 5.4 cm (embolization) and 4.9 cm (surgery). Greater interim decreases in GFR were observed following intervention with embolization (-14.0%) or surgery (-11.8%), when compared with surveillance (-4.1%); however, this was not statistically significant (P=.19). Latest GFR was also reduced more (P=.02) with embolization (-14.1%) and surgery (-14.7%) when compared to surveillance (-6.0%). At latest determination, chronic kidney disease progression by at least one stage occurred in 37.8% overall, including 33.7% of surveilled patients, and was not statistically different across the three cohorts (P=.074).

CONCLUSION

Within the study limitations, surveillance appears to be appropriate for most AML patients; embolization and surgical intervention should be reserved for selected patients with large and/or symptomatic AML. Renal functional deterioration is common in patients with AML, whether managed with surveillance, embolization, or surgery. Long-term monitoring of renal function should be obligatory for all AML patients.

Psychosocial supports within pediatric nephrology practices: A pediatric nephrology research consortium survey

BACKGROUND

The landscape of available psychosocial services within pediatric nephrology care is poorly characterized. However, the effects of kidney disease on emotional health and health-related quality of life are well documented, as is the impact of social determinants of health on kidney disease outcomes. The objectives of this study were to assess pediatric nephrologists' perceptions of available psychosocial services and to elucidate inequities in access to psychosocial care.

METHODS

A web-based survey was distributed to members of the Pediatric Nephrology Research Consortium (PNRC). Quantitative analyses were performed.

RESULTS

We received responses from 49 of the 90 PNRC centers. With regards to dedicated services, social work was most commonly available (45.5-100%), followed by pediatric psychology (0-57.1%) and neuropsychology (0-14.3%), with no centers having embedded psychiatry. Availability of psychosocial providers was positively associated with nephrology division size, such that as center size increased, access to various psychosocial providers increased. Notably, the majority of respondents indicated that perceived need for psychosocial support exceeds that which is currently available, even at centers with higher levels of current support.

CONCLUSIONS

Within the US, there is wide variability in the availability of psychosocial services within pediatric nephrology centers despite a well-documented necessity for the provision of holistic care. Much work remains to better understand the variation in funding for psychosocial services and in utilization of psychosocial professionals in the pediatric nephrology clinic, and to inform key best practices for addressing the psychosocial needs of patients with kidney disease.

CKD Care Programs and Incident Kidney Failure: A Study of a National Disease Management Program in Taiwan

Rationale & Objective

Taiwan implemented national pay-for-performance programs for chronic kidney disease (CKD) care in 2006 and 2011; however, it is unknown whether this affected trends in maintenance dialysis. This study assessed the temporal trends in the incidence, prevalence, and mortality of individuals treated with maintenance dialysis from 2002-2016 in Taiwan.

Study Design

Follow-up study using Taiwan Renal Disease System Databases.

Setting & Participants

Participants who received dialysis for ≥90 days.

Predictors

Age, sex, and calendar year.

Outcomes

Incidence, prevalence of maintenance dialysis, or death, ascertained using the National Death Registry database.

Analytical Approach

The estimated annual percentage change was assessed by a generalized linear model, and the association of the programs with changes in the incidence of maintenance dialysis was evaluated using an age-period-cohort model.

Results

A total of 144,258 incident cases with a follow-up of 346 million person-years were analyzed during the observed periods. The estimated annual percentage change of the expected crude incidence rate was slightly reduced by 0.41% (95% CI, −1.06 to 0.24) and was more obvious in women and patients aged greater than 70 years; whereas, it was significantly increased in those aged greater than 75 years. After disentangling age and cohort effects, the implementation of the care programs was associated with an overall net drift of −1.09% (95% CI, −1.65 to −0.52) per year and a significant linear reduction in the period rate ratio from 1.06 (95% CI, 1.02-1.09) in the years 2002-2006 to 0.95 (95% CI, 0.92-0.98) in 2012-2016, using years 2007-2011 as reference.

Limitations

The findings of the study may have limited inferences to other countries with different health care systems.

Conclusions

The implementation of universal CKD care programs in Taiwan has significantly reduced the long-term trends in the incidence of maintenance dialysis; hence, devoting governmental resources to CKD care and prevention is advocated.

Multidisciplinary care program in pre-end-stage kidney disease from 2010 to 2018 in Taiwan

BACKGROUND

The Taiwanese government launched a universal pay-for-performance (P4P) program in 2006 to promote multidisciplinary care for patients with stage 3b-5 chronic kidney disease (CKD). This study aimed to understand the enrollments, care processes, and outcomes of the P4P program between 2010 and 2018.

METHODS

We conducted a population-based study using the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Data. We divided the incident dialysis population into joining and not joining P4P groups based on whether patients had joined the pre-ESRD program before dialysis or not. Trends in the medications prescribed, anemia correction, vascular access preparation before dialysis initiation, and cumulative survival rate were compared.

RESULTS

The program included more than 100,000 patients with late-stage CKD. Enrollment increased by almost 100% from 2010 to 2018, with increases seen in those over 75 years old (127.5%), male (96.7%), and earlier CKD stages (≥35% stage 3b in 2018). Females were more likely to stay being enrolled. The joining P4P group was prescribed more appropriate medications, such as erythropoietin-stimulating agents and statins. However, a high number of patients were still prescribed metformin (≥40%) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (≥20%). Compared to the not joining P4P group, the patients in the P4P group had better anemia management, dialysis preparation, and post-dialysis survival.

CONCLUSION

The patients in the joining P4P program group were delivered more appropriate CKD care and were associated with better survival outcomes. Polices and action plans are needed to extend the coverage of and enrollment in the P4P program.

The role of different nephrology experts in informed shared decision-making for renal replacement therapy

BACKGROUND

Interprofessional teams and peer support are being increasingly considered in informed shared decision-making. In Germany, there appear to be deficits in the implementation of informed shared decision-making in the choice of renal replacement therapy, such as the lack of collaboration in interprofessional teams and the absence of structured peer support programmes for patients with chronic kidney disease.

OBJECTIVE

To explore nephrologists' and nurses' perspectives regarding their involvement in shared decision-making when choosing renal replacement therapy.

DESIGN

Guideline-based, problem-centred interviews were used.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 20 nephrologists and 15 nurses were recruited from 21 dialysis units all over Germany.

APPROACH

Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. They were analysed thematically using structuring and summary content analysis, supported by the qualitative data analysis software MAXQDA 12.

RESULTS

The most important findings were the late or missing participation of nurses in the informed shared decision-making process and the unstructured peer support. Along with time and financial factors, these aspects were seen as barriers to shared decision-making with patients who are often overwhelmed by the diagnosis. Furthermore, informed shared decision-making has been insufficiently considered in professional education and training.

CONCLUSION

Shared decision-making in the choice of renal replacement therapy is particularly challenging due to the patients' high disease burden. The greater incorporation of informed shared decision-making in education and training as well as the consistent involvement of nursing staff and structured peer counselling already in the predialysis phase with adequate reimbursement can address the identified hurdles.

Early Referral to Nephrological Care and the Uptake of Peritoneal Dialysis. An Analysis of German Claims Data

Background: Hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) are medically equivalent alternatives for symptomatic therapy of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). An early referral (ER) of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) to a nephrological specialist is associated with a higher proportion of patients choosing PD. Germany historically shows a low PD uptake. This article is the first investigation into the impact of ER on the uptake of PD, using a large German claims database. Methods: Claims data of 4727 incident dialysis patients in 2015 and 2016 were analyzed. Accounting codes for nephrological care and dialysis modalities were identified. Their first documentation was defined as their first encounter with a nephrologist and their first dialysis treatment (HD or PD). ER was determined as receiving nephrological care at least six months before the first dialysis. A multivariate logistic regression model with adjusted odds ratios (AOR) investigates the impact of ER, outpatient dialysis start, age, comorbidities, and sex on the chance for PD. Results: Forty-three percent were referred to the nephrologist six months before their first dialysis (ER). Single tests, as well as the adjusted multivariate logistic regression, highlighted that ER significantly increases the chance for PD. In the multivariate model, the uptake of PD was associated with ER (AOR = 3.05; p < 0.001; 95% CI = 2.16–4.32), outpatient dialysis start (AOR = 0.71; p = 0.044; 95% CI = 0.51–0.99), younger age (AOR = 0.96; p < 0.001; 95% CI = 0.95–0.97), and fewer comorbidities (AOR = 0.85; p < 0.001; 95% CI = 0.44–1.58). Conclusions: ER of patients with CKD to a nephrologist increases PD uptake. It gives both nephrologists and patients enough time for patient education about different treatment options and can contribute to informed decisions about the dialysis treatment.

Association of glomerular filtration rate slope with timely creation of vascular access in incident hemodialysis

The factors associated with the timely creation of distal vascular access for hemodialysis initiation are unclear. We aimed to explore the association between the slope of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and the successful usage of vascular access upon hemodialysis initiation. This single center retrospective cohort study enrolled chronic kidney disease patients who undertook a multidisciplinary care program from 2003 to 2016. Using eGFR slope as predictor, we evaluated the vascular access created timely upon hemodialysis initiation. Among the 987 patients, vascular access was created at a median eGFR of 5.8 min/ml/1.73 m², with a median duration of 3.1 months before hemodialysis. The proportions of vascular access created timely, created not timely (vascular access immature), and not created were 68.5%, 8.8%, and 22.7%, respectively. There was a significant negative association of eGFR upon vascular access creation with eGFR slope (r = − 0.182, P < 0.001). The fastest eGFR slope patients (the first quartile or < − 10 min/ml/1.73 m²/year) had the lowest percentage of vascular access created timely. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, only higher eGFR upon vascular access creation (P = 0.001) and eGFR slope (P = 0.009) were significantly associated with vascular access created timely. The adjusted odds ratios of each quartile of eGFR slopes for vascular access created timely were 0.46 (95% confidence interval 0.27–0.86), 1.30 (0.62, 2.72), 1.00 (reference), and 0.95 (0.48–1.87), respectively. eGFR slope is associated with the timely creation of vascular access for the initiation of hemodialysis in a reverse-J-shaped pattern and may help determine the time of vascular access creation.

Effectiveness of Multidisciplinary Care for Chronic Kidney Disease: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common chronic disease. As this disease is extremely complex, multidisciplinary care (MDC) is needed to provide complete and continuous care.

AIM

A systematic literature review was performed to examine the constituents of MDC, the content of MDC interventions, and the health outcomes in CKD patients receiving MDC.

METHODS

Searches of five Chinese and English databases for studies of CKD patients who had received MDC from 2007 to 2019 revealed 11 studies, which comprised 16,066 CKD patients. The Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale (Physiotherapy Evidence Database, 2017) was used to appraise study quality for randomized controlled trials, and the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal tools (Joanna Briggs Institute, 2017) were for cohort studies.

RESULTS

The MDC teams that provided comprehensive medical care for these patients included nephrologists, nurses, surgeons, general practitioners, pharmacists, psychotherapists, social workers, nutritionists, and other specialists. The literature review revealed that MDC for CKD slows the decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate and decreases patient mortality, the risk of renal replacement therapy, the need for emergent dialysis, and annual medical costs. Analyses of biochemical markers in the CKD patients showed that MDC improves control of serum levels of calcium and phosphate, improves control of parathyroid hormone, and reduces proteinuria and fasting blood glucose values. However, further studies are needed to determine the effects of MDC on all-cause mortality, blood pressure control, hospitalization rate, hospitalization for cardiovascular or infection events, medications use, and other biochemical markers in CKD patients.

LINKING EVIDENCE TO ACTION

Cross-disciplinary collaboration of healthcare professionals is needed to ensure that patients undergo regular follow-up and periodic assessment of clinical status, in addition to ensuring that relevant resources and assistance are provided in a timely manner. A follow-up period of at least 2 years is also needed to ensure sufficient time to observe MDC results.