The Benefit of a Glucose-Sparing PD Therapy on Glycemic Control Measured by Serum Fructosamine in Diabetic Patients in a Randomized, Controlled Trial (IMPENDIA)

Management of diabetes in people with advanced chronic kidney disease

Diabetes is the commonest cause of end stage kidney disease globally, accounting for almost 40% of new cases requiring renal replacement therapy. Management of diabetes in people with advanced kidney disease on renal replacement therapy is challenging due to some unique aspects of assessment and treatment in this group of patients. Standard glycaemic assessment using glycated haemoglobin may not be valid in such patients due to altered red blood cell turnover or iron/erythropoietin deficiency, leading to changed red blood cell longevity. Therefore, use of continuous glucose monitoring may be beneficial to enable more focussed glycaemic assessment and improved adjustment of therapy. People with advanced kidney disease may be at higher risk of hypoglycaemia due to a number of physiological mechanisms, and in addition, therapeutic options are limited in such patients due to lack of experience or license. Insulin therapy is the basis of treatment of people with diabetes with advanced kidney disease due to many other drugs classes being contraindicated. Targets for glycaemic control should be adjusted according to co-morbidity and frailty, and continuous glucose monitoring should be used in people on dialysis to ensure low risk of hypoglycaemia. Post-transplant diabetes is common amongst people undergoing solid organ transplantation and confers a greater risk of mortality and morbidity in kidney transplant recipients. It should be actively screened for and managed in the post-transplant setting.

The Importance of Fructosamine for Monitoring the Compensation and Effectiveness of Diabetes Treatment

BACKGROUND

The use of fructosamine to assess the glycemic control represents a new step in diagnostics, and it has been accompanied by the active scientific discussion in recent years. That is why the purpose of this work is to study the average level of fructosamine in apparently healthy individuals and individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM), as well as the possibility to use it when evaluating the effectiveness of inpatient treatment of patients with hyperglycemia on the seven to ten days of hospitalization.

METHODS

This research work was carried out in Alma-Ata, Republic of Kazakhstan, based on the endocrinology department in the period from 2020 to 2022. The work consists of a retrospective analysis of previously examined patients and a prospective stage. The statistical evaluation was carried out with the calculation of reliability coefficient, confidence interval, and criteria for testing for normality. The level of fructosamine in healthy individuals in the corresponding region was analyzed in this article for the first time, and the correlation between this indicator and the level of glycated hemoglobin was found.

RESULTS

The effectiveness of treatment of the Type 2 DM (according to the treatment protocol) has also been studied in stationary conditions for the seven to ten days, which makes it possible to judge the effectiveness of the prescribed therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

These results will allow identifying the irrationality of the prescribed therapy at an early stage, which is especially important for the correct management of patients with this pathology, and minimizing the possible complications.

Narrative Review of glycaemic management in people with diabetes on peritoneal dialysis

There is an increasing number of people with diabetes on peritoneal dialysis (PD) worldwide. However, there is a lack of guidelines and clinical recommendations for managing glucose control in people with diabetes on PD. The aim of this review is to provide a summary of the relevant literature and highlight key clinical considerations with practical aspects in the management of diabetes in people undergoing PD. A formal systematic review was not conducted because of the lack of sufficient and suitable clinical studies. A literature search was performed using PubMed, MEDLINE, Central, Google Scholar and ClinicalTrials.gov., from 1980 through February 2022. The search was limited to publications in English. This narrative review and related guidance have been developed jointly by diabetologists and nephrologists, who reviewed all available current global evidence regarding the management of diabetes in people on PD.We focus on the importance of individualized care for people with diabetes on PD, the burden of hypoglycemia, glycemic variability in the context of PD and treatment choices for optimizing glucose control. In this review, we have summarized the clinical considerations to guide and inform clinicians providing care for people with diabetes on PD.

International Icodextrin Use and Association with Peritoneal Membrane Function, Fluid Removal, Patient and Technique Survival

BACKGROUND

Icodextrin has been shown in randomized controlled trials to benefit fluid management in peritoneal dialysis (PD). We describe international icodextrin prescription practices and their relationship to clinical outcomes.

METHODS

We analyzed data from the prospective, international PDOPPS, from Australia/New Zealand, Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Membrane function and 24-hour ultrafiltration according to icodextrin and glucose prescription was determined at baseline. Using an instrumental variable approach, Cox regression, stratified by country, was used to determine any association of icodextrin use to death and permanent transfer to hemodialysis (HDT), adjusted for demographics, comorbidities, serum albumin, urine volume, transplant waitlist status, PD modality, center size, and study phase.

RESULTS

Icodextrin was prescribed in 1986 (35%) of 5617 patients, >43% of patients in all countries, except in the United States, where it was only used in 17% and associated with a far greater use of hypertonic glucose. Patients on icodextrin had more coronary artery disease and diabetes, longer dialysis vintage, lower residual kidney function, faster peritoneal solute transfer rates, and lower ultrafiltration capacity. Prescriptions with or without icodextrin achieved equivalent ultrafiltration (median 750 ml/d [interquartile range 300-1345 ml/d] versus 765 ml/d [251-1345 ml/d]). Icodextrin use was not associated with mortality (HR=1.03; 95% CI, 0.72 to 1.48) or HDT (HR 1.2; 95% CI, 0.92 to 1.57).

CONCLUSIONS

There are large national and center differences in icodextrin prescription, with the United States using significantly less. Icodextrin was associated with hypertonic glucose avoidance but equivalent ultrafiltration, which may affect any potential survival advantage or HDT.

Association between Peritoneal Glucose Exposure and Peritonitis in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients: TheBalANZ Trial

Background

Glucose is the primary osmotic medium used in most peritoneal dialysis (PD) solutions, and exposure to glucose has been shown to exert detrimental effects both locally, at the peritoneal membrane, and systemically. Moreover, high dialysate glucose exposure may predispose patients to an increased risk of peritonitis, perhaps as a result of impaired host defences, vascular disease, and damage to the peritoneal membrane.

Methods

In this post-hoc analysis of a multicenter, multinational, open-label randomized controlled trial of neutral pH, low-glucose degradation product (GDP) versus conventional PD solutions ( balANZ trial), the relationship between peritonitis rates of low (< 123.1 g/day) versus high (≥ 123.1 g/day) dialysate glucose exposure was evaluated in 177 incident PD patients over a 2-year study period.

Results

Peritonitis rates were 0.44 episodes per patient-year in the low-glucose exposure group and 0.31 episodes per patient-year in the high-glucose exposure group, (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 0.69, p = 0.09). There was no significant association between dialysate glucose exposure and peritonitis-free survival on univariable analysis (high glucose exposure hazard ratio [HR] 0.66, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.40 –1.08) or on multivariable analysis (adjusted HR 0.64, 95% CI 0.39 – 1.05). Moreover, there was no relationship between peritoneal glucose exposure and type of organism causing peritonitis. Physician-rated severity of first peritonitis episodes was similar between groups, as was rate and duration of hospital admission.

Conclusions

Overall, this study did not identify an association between peritoneal dialysate glucose exposure and peritonitis occurrence, severity, hospitalization, or outcomes. A further large-scale, prospective, randomized controlled trial evaluating patient-level outcomes is merited.

Icodextrin Versus Glucose Solutions for the Once-Daily Long Dwell in Peritoneal Dialysis: An Enriched Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE

The efficacy and safety of icodextrin versus glucose-only peritoneal dialysis (PD) regimens is unclear. The aim of this study was to compare once-daily long-dwell icodextrin versus glucose among patients with kidney failure undergoing PD.

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), enriched with unpublished data from investigator-initiated and industry-sponsored studies.

SETTING & STUDY POPULATIONS

Individuals with kidney failure receiving regular PD treatment enrolled in clinical trials of dialysate composition.

SELECTION CRITERIA FOR STUDIES

Medline, Embase, CENTRAL, Ichushi Web, 10 Chinese databases, clinical trials registries, conference proceedings, and citation lists from inception to November 2018. Further data were obtained from principal investigators and industry clinical study reports.

DATA EXTRACTION

2 independent reviewers selected studies and extracted data using a prespecified extraction instrument.

ANALYTIC APPROACH

Qualitative synthesis of demographics, measurement scales, and outcomes. Quantitative synthesis with Mantel-Haenszel risk ratios (RRs), Peto odds ratios (ORs), or (standardized) mean differences (MDs). Risk of bias of included studies at the outcome level was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for RCTs.

RESULTS

19 RCTs that enrolled 1,693 participants were meta-analyzed. Ultrafiltration was improved with icodextrin (medium-term MD, 208.92 [95% CI, 99.69-318.14] mL/24h; high certainty of evidence), reflected also by fewer episodes of fluid overload (RR, 0.43 [95% CI, 0.24-0.78]; high certainty). Icodextrin-containing PD probably decreased mortality risk compared to glucose-only PD (Peto OR, 0.49 [95% CI, 0.24-1.00]; moderate certainty). Despite evidence of lower peritoneal glucose absorption with icodextrin-containing PD (medium-term MD, -40.84 [95% CI, -48.09 to-33.59] g/long dwell; high certainty), this did not directly translate to changes in fasting plasma glucose (-0.50 [95% CI, -1.19 to 0.18] mmol/L; low certainty) and hemoglobin A_1c levels (-0.14% [95% CI, -0.34% to 0.05%]; high certainty). Safety outcomes and residual kidney function were similar in both groups; health-related quality-of-life and pain scores were inconclusive.

LIMITATIONS

Trial quality was variable. The follow-up period was heterogeneous, with a paucity of assessments over the long term. Mortality results are based on just 32 events and were not corroborated using time-to-event analysis of individual patient data.

CONCLUSIONS

Icodextrin for once-daily long-dwell PD has clinical benefit for some patients, including those not meeting ultrafiltration targets and at risk for fluid overload. Future research into patient-centered outcomes and cost-effectiveness associated with icodextrin is needed.

Prevalence of obesity and obesity-associated muscle wasting in patients on peritoneal dialysis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

A progressive decrease in muscle mass until full-blown sarcopenia may occur in patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD) and worsen their life quality and expectancy. Here we investigate the prevalence of obesity and obesity-associated muscle wasting in PD patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study design was observational, cross sectional. Body composition was assessed with BIA and BIVA in 88 PD patients (53.4 ± 13.1 years; 67% male). Patients with obesity and/or with reduced muscle mass were identified using FMI and SM/BW cutoff values, respectively. Inflammatory status was assessed by measuring CRP and fibrinogen blood levels.

RESULTS

A total of 44.3% of the patients showed a reduced muscle mass (37.5% moderate and 6.8% severe). The prevalence of obesity was 6.1%, 81.8%, and 100% in patients with normal, moderately, and severely reduced muscle mass, respectively (p < 0.05). Of the total, 15.2% of the patients with normal muscle mass, 18.4% of those with moderately reduced muscle mass, and 66.7% of those with severely reduced muscle mass had diabetes. The prevalence of severe muscle mass loss was higher in those with diabetes than in those without diabetes (22.2% vs. 2.8%, p < 0.05). Patients with obesity-associated muscle wasting showed higher fibrinogen (613.9 ± 155.1 vs. 512.9 ± 159.5 mg/dL, p < 0.05) and CPR (1.4 ± 1.3 vs. 0.6 ± 0.8 mg/dL, p < 0.05) blood concentrations than those with normal body composition.

CONCLUSION

Obesity and diabetes were strongly associated with muscle mass loss in our PD patients. It remains to be established whether prevention of obesity with nutritional interventions can halt the occurrence of muscle mass loss in patients on PD.

Biocompatible dialysis fluids for peritoneal dialysis

BACKGROUND

Biocompatible peritoneal dialysis (PD) solutions, including neutral pH, low glucose degradation product (GDP) solutions and icodextrin, have previously been shown to favourably influence some patient-level outcomes, albeit based on generally sub-optimal quality studies. Several additional randomised controlled trials (RCT) evaluating biocompatible solutions in PD patients have been published recently. This is an update of a review first published in 2014.

OBJECTIVES

This review aimed to look at the benefits and harms of biocompatible PD solutions in comparison to standard PD solutions in patients receiving PD.

SEARCH METHODS

The Cochrane Kidney and Transplant Specialised Register was searched up to 12 February 2018 through contact with the Information Specialist using search terms relevant to this review. Studies in the Specialised Register are identified through searches of CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and EMBASE, conference proceedings, the International Clinical Trials Register Search Portal and ClinicalTrials.gov.

SELECTION CRITERIA

All RCTs and quasi-RCTs in adults and children comparing the effects of biocompatible PD solutions (neutral pH, lactate-buffered, low GDP; neutral pH, bicarbonate(± lactate)-buffered, low GDP; glucose polymer (icodextrin)) in PD were included. Studies of amino acid-based solutions were excluded.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two authors extracted data on study quality and outcomes. Summary effect estimates were obtained using a random-effects model, and results were expressed as risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for categorical variables, and mean differences (MD) or standardised mean differences (SMD) and 95% CI for continuous variables.

MAIN RESULTS

This review update included 42 eligible studies (3262 participants), including six new studies (543 participants). Overall, 29 studies (1971 participants) compared neutral pH, low GDP PD solution with conventional PD solution, and 13 studies (1291 participants) compared icodextrin with conventional PD solution. Risk of bias was assessed as high for sequence generation in three studies, allocation concealment in three studies, attrition bias in 21 studies, and selective outcome reporting bias in 16 studies.Neutral pH, low GDP versus conventional glucose PD solutionUse of neutral pH, low GDP PD solutions improved residual renal function (RRF) preservation (15 studies, 835 participants: SMD 0.19, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.33; high certainty evidence). This approximated to a mean difference in glomerular filtration rate of 0.54 mL/min/1.73 m² (95% CI 0.14 to 0.93). Better preservation of RRF was evident at all follow-up durations with progressively greater preservation observed with increasing follow up duration. Neutral pH, low GDP PD solution use also improved residual urine volume preservation (11 studies, 791 participants: MD 114.37 mL/day, 95% CI 47.09 to 181.65; high certainty evidence). In low certainty evidence, neutral pH, low GDP solutions may make little or no difference to 4-hour peritoneal ultrafiltration (9 studies, 414 participants: SMD -0.42, 95% CI -0.74 to -0.10) which approximated to a mean difference in peritoneal ultrafiltration of 69.72 mL (16.60 to 122.00 mL) lower, and may increase dialysate:plasma creatinine ratio (10 studies, 746 participants: MD 0.01, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.03), technique failure or death compared with conventional PD solutions. It is uncertain whether neutral pH, low GDP PD solution use led to any differences in peritonitis occurrence, hospitalisation, adverse events (6 studies, 519 participants) or inflow pain (1 study, 58 participants: RR 0.51, 95% CI 0.24 to 1.08).Glucose polymer (icodextrin) versus conventional glucose PD solutionIn moderate certainty evidence, icodextrin probably reduced episodes of uncontrolled fluid overload (2 studies, 100 participants: RR 0.30, 95% CI 0.15 to 0.59) and augmented peritoneal ultrafiltration (4 studies, 102 participants: MD 448.54 mL/d, 95% CI 289.28 to 607.80) without compromising RRF (4 studies, 114 participants: SMD 0.12, 95% CI -0.26 to 0.49; low certainty evidence) which approximated to a mean creatinine clearance of 0.30 mL/min/1.73m² higher (0.65 lower to 1.23 higher) or urine output (3 studies, 69 participants: MD -88.88 mL/d, 95% CI -356.88 to 179.12; low certainty evidence). It is uncertain whether icodextrin use led to any differences in adverse events (5 studies, 816 participants) technique failure or death.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

This updated review strengthens evidence that neutral pH, low GDP PD solution improves RRF and urine volume preservation with high certainty. These effects may be related to increased peritoneal solute transport and reduced peritoneal ultrafiltration, although the evidence for these outcomes is of low certainty due to significant heterogeneity and suboptimal methodological quality. Icodextrin prescription increased peritoneal ultrafiltration and mitigated uncontrolled fluid overload with moderate certainty. The effects of either neutral pH, low GDP solution or icodextrin on peritonitis, technique survival and patient survival remain uncertain and require further high quality, adequately powered RCTs.

Associations Between Peritoneal Glucose Exposure, Glucose Degradation Product Exposure, and Peritoneal Membrane Transport Characteristics in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients: Secondary Analysis of the balANZ Trial

BACKGROUND

Glucose is the most commonly used osmotic medium in peritoneal dialysis (PD) solutions, and its use has been associated with both local and systemic adverse effects. Previous, single-center, observational cohort studies have reported conflicting findings regarding whether a relationship exists between peritoneal glucose exposure and peritoneal small solute transport rate.

METHODS

In this secondary analysis of the balANZ multicenter, multinational, randomized controlled trial of a neutral pH, ultra-low glucose degradation product (biocompatible) versus conventional PD solutions over a 2-year period, the relationship between time varying peritoneal glucose exposure and change in peritoneal solute transport rate, (measured as dialysate to plasma creatinine ratio at 4 hours [D:PCr_4h]), was evaluated using multivariable, multilevel linear regression. Baseline peritoneal glucose exposure was also assessed as either a continuous or categorical variable.

RESULTS

The study included 165 patients (age 58.1 ± 14.2 years, 55% male, 33% diabetic). Peritoneal glucose exposure increased over time (coefficient 1.49, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07 - 1.92 and was not significantly associated with change in D:PCr_4h (coefficient 0.00004, 95% CI -0.0001 - 0.0002, p = 0.68). Similar results were found when peritoneal glucose exposure was examined as a baseline continuous or categorical variable. A significant 2-way interaction was observed with PD solution type, whereby a progressive increase in D:PCr_4h was seen in the patients receiving conventional PD solution, but not in those receiving biocompatible solution.

CONCLUSIONS

Increases in peritoneal solute transport rate in PD patients over time were not associated with peritoneal glucose exposure, although a strong and positive association with PD solution glucose degradation product content was identified. Peritoneal glucose exposure may be a less important consideration than peritoneal glucose degradation product exposure with respect to peritoneal membrane function over time.

Low GDP Solution and Glucose-Sparing Strategies for Peritoneal Dialysis

Long-term exposure to a high glucose concentration in conventional peritoneal dialysis (PD) solution has a number of direct and indirect (via glucose degradation products [GDP]) detrimental effects on the peritoneal membrane, as well as systemic metabolism. Glucose- or GDP-sparing strategies often are hypothesized to confer clinical benefits to PD patients. Icodextrin (glucose polymer) solution improves peritoneal ultrafiltration and reduces the risk of fluid overload, but these beneficial effects are probably the result of better fluid removal rather than being glucose sparing. Although frequently used for glucose sparing, the role of amino acid-based solution in this regard has not been tested thoroughly. When glucose-free solutions are used in a combination regimen, published studies showed that glycemic control was improved significantly in diabetic PD patients, and there probably are beneficial effects on peritoneal function. However, the long-term effects of glucose-free solutions, used either alone or as a combination regimen, require further studies. On the other hand, neutral pH-low GDP fluids have been shown convincingly to preserve residual renal function and urine volume. The cost effectiveness of these solutions supports the regular use of neutral pH-low GDP solutions. Nevertheless, further studies are required to determine whether neutral pH-low GDP solutions exert beneficial effects on patient-level outcomes, such as peritonitis, technique survival, and patient survival.

Current Challenges and Opportunities in PD

Despite the gradual increased use of peritoneal dialysis (PD) globally around the world, it is recognized that a number of areas in PD as a renal-replacement therapy require attention and improvements. The current challenges in PD include how to tackle technique failure and sustain long-term PD, manage and prevent peritoneal infections, malnutrition and inflammation, cardiovascular mortality, volume overload, glucose exposure, adequacy of solute removal, peritoneal access, peritoneal physiology and changes with long-term PD, patient fatigue, psychosocial issues, and care of elderly patients on PD. Obviously, hemodialysis as another renal-replacement therapy modality also has its own areas that need attention and improvement by nephrologists and nurses. With more clinical and basic science research, outcome studies, and through better education and training, together with the implementation of global PD guidelines for enhancing care of PD patients, it is likely that such problem areas in PD gradually will be resolved and PD patient outcomes will be improved.

Renal Replacement Therapy: Purifying Efficiency of Automated Peritoneal Dialysis in Diabetic versus Non-Diabetic Patients

BACKGROUND

In order to reduce the cardiovascular risk, morbidity and mortality of peritoneal dialysis (PD), a minimal level of small-solute clearances as well as a sodium and water balance are needed. The peritoneal dialysis solutions used in combination have reduced the complications and allow for a long-time function of the peritoneal membrane, and the preservation of residual renal function (RRF) in patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD) is crucial for the maintenance of life quality and long-term survival. This retrospective cohort study reviews our experience in automatic peritoneal dialysis (APD) patients, with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) secondary to diabetic nephropathy (DN) in comparison to non-diabetic nephropathy (NDN), using different PD solutions in combination.

DESIGN

Fifty-two patients, 29 diabetic and 23 non-diabetic, were included. The follow-up period was 24 months, thus serving as their own control.

RESULTS

The fraction of renal urea clearance (Kt) relative to distribution volume (V) (or total body water) (Kt/V), or creatinine clearance relative to the total Kt/V or creatinine clearance (CrCl) decreases according to loss of RRF. The loss of the slope of RRF is more pronounced in DN than in NDN patients, especially at baseline time interval to 12 months (loss of 0.29 mL/month vs. 0.13 mL/month, respectively), and is attenuated in the range from 12 to 24 months (loss of 0.13 mL/month vs. 0.09 mL/month, respectively). Diabetic patients also experienced a greater decrease in urine output compared to non-diabetic, starting from a higher baseline urine output. The net water balance was adequate in both groups during the follow up period. Regarding the balance sodium, no inter-group differences in sodium excretion over follow up period was observed. In addition, the removal of sodium in the urine output decreases with loss of renal function. The average concentration of glucose increase in the cycler in both groups (DN: baseline 1.44 ± 0.22, 12 months 1.63 ± 0.39, 24 months 1.73 ± 0.47; NDN: baseline 1.59 ± 0.40, 12 months 1.76 ± 0.47, 24 months 1.80 ± 0.46), in order to maintain the net water balance. The daytime dwell contribution, the fraction of day and the renal fraction of studies parameters provide sustained benefit in the follow-up time, above 30%.

CONCLUSIONS

The wet day and residual renal function are determinants in the achievement of the objective dose of dialysis, as well as in the water and sodium balance. The cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) does not seem to influence the cleansing effectiveness of the technique.