Hemodialysis Product and Hip Fracture in Hemodialysis Patients: A Nationwide Cohort Study in Japan

Effectiveness of calcimimetics on fractures in dialysis patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism: meta-analysis of randomized trials

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of calcimimetics in reducing the risk of fractures in dialysis patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library for articles published through December 9, 2023. The quality of each trial was evaluated using the Cochrane Collaboration tool. Meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model, and effect measures across studies were synthesized. The risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to quantify the risk of fracture.

RESULTS

We identified seven studies involving 6481 dialysis patients with SHPT. The administration of calcimimetics reduced fracture incidence compared to placebo or conventional treatment (RR: 0.50, 95% CI 0.29-0.88, p = 0.02). Calcimimetics demonstrated a low number needed to treat (NNT) to prevent an incident fracture (NNT: 47).

CONCLUSION

The use of calcimimetics offers a significant benefit in reducing the risk of fractures in patients undergoing dialysis with SHPT.

Smoking and risk of fractures requiring hospitalization in hemodialysis patients: a nationwide cohort study in Japan

BACKGROUND

Smoking is a well-established lifestyle risk factor for fractures in the general population, but evidence specific to hemodialysis populations is lacking. This nationwide cohort study used data from the Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy Renal Data Registry to examine the association between smoking status and fractures.

METHODS

A total of 154,077 patients (64.2% men; mean age, 68 years) aged ≥20 years undergoing maintenance hemodialysis thrice a week at the end of 2016 were followed for 1 year. Among these, 19,004 (12.3%) patients were current smokers. Standardized incidence rate ratios of hospitalization due to any fracture were calculated and analyzed by multivariable logistic regression analysis, controlling for potential confounders. Propensity score matching and subgroup analyses were also performed as sensitivity analyses.

RESULTS

During the 1-year follow-up period, 3,337 fractures requiring hospitalization (1,201 hip, 479 vertebral, and 1,657 other fractures) occurred in 3,291 patients. The age- and sex-standardized incidence ratio for current smokers was 1.24 (95% confidence interval, 1.12-1.39) relative to non-smokers. Standardized incidence ratios were similar after stratification by age group and sex. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed a 1.25-fold higher risk of any fracture requiring hospitalization (95% confidence interval, 1.10-1.42) in current smokers relative to non-smokers in a fully adjusted model. Propensity score matching showed similar results (odds ratio, 1.25; 95% confidence interval, 1.05-1.48). Subgroup analyses for baseline covariates revealed no significant interactions.

CONCLUSIONS

Smoking is a significant risk factor for any fracture requiring hospitalization in hemodialysis patients.

Lower Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) Is Associated with Higher Risk of Fractures in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis

BACKGROUND

Although malnutrition and bone fracture are both major complications in patients undergoing hemodialysis, their association has not been clarified. The aim of our study was to clarify the association between the geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI), an indicator of nutritional status, and the incidence of bone fractures in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

METHODS

We included 1342 registered patients undergoing hemodialysis and performed a post hoc analysis. We divided patients into the high GNRI group (≥92), considered to have a low risk of malnutrition, and the low GNRI group (<92), considered to have a high risk of malnutrition. Fracture-free survival in the low and high GNRI groups was evaluated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox proportional hazards models were used to identify the risk factors for fractures requiring hospitalization. All results were stratified by sex.

RESULTS

New bone fractures developed in 108 (8.0%) patients in 5 years of follow-up. Bone fractures occurred more frequently in the low GNRI group compared with the high GNRI group (HR: 3.51, 95% CI: 1.91-6.42, p < 0.01 in males; HR: 2.47, 95% CI: 1.52-4.03, p < 0.01 in females). A low GNRI was significantly associated with an increased incidence of bone fractures, even after adjustment for covariates. However, the serum levels of calcium, phosphate, parathyroid hormone, and alkaline phosphatase were not associated with the incidence of bone fractures.

CONCLUSIONS

A low GNRI is an independent risk factor for bone fractures in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Early intervention for the low GNRI group may be important in preventing the occurrence of fractures.

Traditional and Non-traditional Risk Factors for Osteoporosis in CKD

Osteoporosis is a state of bone fragility with reduced skeletal resistance to trauma, and consequently increased risk of fracture. A wide range of conditions, including traditional risk factors, lifestyle choices, diseases and their treatments may contribute to bone fragility. It is therefore not surprising that the multi-morbid patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is at a particularly high risk. CKD is associated with reduced bone quantity, as well as impaired bone quality. Bone fragility in CKD is a composite of primary osteoporosis, accumulation of traditional and uremia-related risk factors, assaults brought on by systemic disease, and detrimental effects of drugs. Some risk factors are modifiable and represent potential targets for intervention. This review provides an overview of the heterogeneity of bone fragility in CKD.

Long-term excess mortality after hip fracture in hemodialysis patients: a nationwide cohort study in Japan

INTRODUCTION

Fracture dialysis patients have a higher risk of 1-year mortality compared with non-fracture dialysis patients. However, it is unclear whether excess mortality persists for more than a year.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a nationwide cohort study in 162,360 hemodialysis patients in Japan. Study outcomes were 5-year all-cause mortality and cause-specific mortality. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to examine the association between hip fracture and mortality in two cohorts: the full cohort, which included potential confounders as covariates in multivariable-adjusted regression models, and the propensity score-matched cohort.

RESULTS

Crude mortality rates for fracture patients were double those of non-fracture patients and persisted during the 5-year period. The association between hip fracture and mortality was significant even after adjusting for premorbid conditions (hazard ratio (HR) 1.22, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.13-1.32). Similar findings were observed in the propensity score-matched cohort of 2410 patients (HR 1.20, 95% CI 1.05-1.36). While cause-specific mortality rates for all categories, with the exception of sudden deaths, were higher for fracture patients relative to non-fracture patients in the full unmatched cohort, only the mortality rate for heart disease was significantly higher for fracture patients relative to non-fracture patients in the propensity score-matched cohort.

CONCLUSION

Excess mortality persisted for many years after hip fracture in hemodialysis patients, and was still present after adjusting for several premorbid conditions and propensity score matching.