Factors and Outcome of Renal Osteodystrophy-Associated Initial Fragility Fracture in End-Stage Renal Disease Patients

Alkaline Phosphatase and Parathyroid Hormone Levels: International Variation and Associations With Clinical Outcomes in the DOPPS

Introduction

Secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) increases the risk of fractures and cardiovascular (CV) disease in patients on hemodialysis (HD). The relationship between parathyroid hormone (PTH) and outcomes has been inconsistent, possibly due to variable bone responsiveness to PTH. The KDIGO guideline suggests monitoring total alkaline phosphatase (ALP), but the role of ALP versus PTH in the management of mineral and bone disorder (MBD) is not clear.

Methods

The analysis included 28,888 patients on HD in 9 countries in Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS) phase 3 to 7 (2005-2021). The primary exposures of interest were normalized ALP and PTH, which are raw values divided by facility upper normal limit, measured at study enrollment. Cox models were used to estimate hazard ratios of all-cause or CV mortality and any or hip fracture adjusted for potential confounders. Linear mixed models, adjusted for potential confounders, were employed to investigate the relationship between normalized ALP levels and patient characteristics.

Results

Normalized PTH showed a J-shaped association with all-cause or CV mortality, and a weak linear association with fracture. In contrast, normalized ALP showed a strong association with all outcomes. Factors associated with higher ALP levels after controlling for PTH included Black race, longer dialysis vintage, diabetes mellitus, hypocalcemia, hypophosphatemia, elevated C-reactive protein (CRP), and the use of cinacalcet.

Conclusion

Total ALP is a more robust exposure of adverse outcomes than PTH in patients on HD. PTH responsiveness is affected by race, primary renal disease, comorbidities, and mineral metabolism and therapy. Our results indicate that it may be useful to evaluate target organ response, rather than PTH alone when considering the consequences of (SHPT).

Association of Chronic Kidney Disease and Complications Following Acute Torsional Ankle Fracture

BACKGROUND

Although chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been associated with poor outcomes following traumatic fractures, there is a scarcity of literature describing the effect on outcomes of ankle fractures. We will examine the impact of CKD on clinical outcomes following torsional ankle fracture, including complications and unplanned surgical procedures.

METHODS

A retrospective review of 1981 adult patients with torsional ankle fractures treated at a level 1 trauma center was performed to identify patients with CKD based on glomerular filtration rate. Demographic, injury, and treatment-related characteristics were collected. Outcomes included any unplanned procedure: implant removal, debridement, revision, arthrodesis, and amputation; in addition to complications of superficial infection, deep infection, and implant irritation. Patients with CKD were matched with patients without CKD by propensity score matching. Univariate comparisons between groups were conducted using chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests.

RESULTS

136 patients (68 with CKD and 68 without CKD) were analyzed. Of the 68 patients with CKD, the mean stage of disease was 3.7 with 24% on dialysis for a mean length of 4.1 years. Patients without CKD were more likely to undergo primary ORIF (100% vs 54%, P < .001). Thirty-five percent of patients with CKD had surgical complications vs 19% in the cohort without (P = .07). Patients with open fractures, dislocation, and chronic kidney disease were, respectively, 5.19, 3.77, and 3.91 times more likely to have any complication (P = .02, P = .05, P = .05). Patients with CKD were more likely to undergo unplanned arthrodesis (P = .01). Only dislocation was an independent predictor for unplanned procedure (odds ratio = 5.08, P = .026).

CONCLUSION

Following torsional ankle fracture, CKD is associated with increased likelihood of having a complication or an unplanned arthrodesis. Open fractures and dislocation at time of injury are also associated with complications. Our findings encourage caution about surgical treatment of ankle fractures in patients with CKD.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, retrospective, comparative, prognostic.

Characteristics and complications of fracture in older adults with chronic kidney disease: a cross-sectional study

Background

The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical characteristics of older fracture patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and to determine the risk factors of perioperative cardiovascular complications.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed clinical data of older fracture patients with CKD admitted to the Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January 2016 to October 2021. The data we collected included baseline characteristics and complications. We finally determined the risk factors of perioperative cardiovascular complications by using logistic regression.

Results

We ended up enrolling 224 patients, and there were 91 (40.6%) males and 133 (59.4%) females, with a median age of 79 years. 80–84 years old was the age group with high incidence of fracture. The majority of fracture occurred indoors (130 cases, 58.0%) and morning (98 cases, 43.8%). Hip fracture was most common (183 cases, 81.7%), of which femoral neck fracture (101 cases, 45.0%) was the most prevalent. The most common comorbid condition was hypertension (171 cases, 76.3%), and anemia was the most common complication (148 cases, 66.1%). Age ≥ 80 years (OR = 2.023, 95% CI 1.110–3.688), previously combined with cardiovascular calcification (OR = 1.901, 95% CI 1.047–3.451) and admission hemoglobin level < 100 g/L (OR = 3.191, 95% CI 1.744–5.838) were independent risk factors of perioperative cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Conclusion

It was especially necessary to enhance fracture prevention for CKD. Patients whose age older than 80, hemoglobin less than 100 g/L on admission and have previous cardiovascular calcification are more likely to develop perioperative CVD. Such patients require reasonable decisions during the perioperative period to avoid the occurrence of CVD.

Prevalence and predictors of asymptomatic vertebral fracture in patients with end-stage renal disease

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and predictors of asymptomatic vertebral fracture in patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing hemodialysis.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 80 patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing hemodialysis. Medical history, Fracture Risk Assessment Tool and anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of the thoracolumbar and lumbosacral spine were obtained. Vertebral fractures were identified using the Genant semiquantitative assessment.

Results

Radiography demonstrated asymptomatic vertebral fracture in 22 patients (27.5%). FRAX® results for major osteoporotic fracture (area under the curve, 0.64) and hip fracture (area under the curve, 0.62) were able to discriminate patients with prevalent asymptomatic vertebral fracture. A multivariate analysis demonstrated that a 1-year average corrected calcium (odds ratio, 0.38), steroid use (odds ratio, 8.99), and a serum albumin concentration <25 g/dL (odds ratio, 28.82) significantly predicted prevalent asymptomatic vertebral fracture (clinical model; area under the curve, 0.82). Combining the 1-year average corrected calcium and serum albumin concentration <25 g/dL with FRAX® results for major osteoporotic fracture (area under the curve, 0.78) and FRAX® results for hip (area under the curve, 0.75) produced a significantly greater area under the curve value to predict fracture when compared with FRAX® result for major osteoporotic fracture and FRAX® result for hip (P = 0.022).

Conclusion

Asymptomatic vertebral fracture is prevalent. FRAX® results for major osteoporotic fracture and hip provided lower ability in predicting asymptomatic vertebral facture when compared to the clinical model. Combining a 1-year average corrected calcium and serum albumin concentration <25 g/dL with FRAX® result for major osteoporotic fracture or hip improved the model's performance and provided comparable area under the curve to the clinical model.

Cervical Fusion-Requiring Mineral and Bone Disorder Disguised as Osteoporosis in a Chronic Kidney Disease Patient on Hemodialysis: A Case Report

Bony deformities and fragility fractures in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on long-term hemodialysis can be caused by either osteoporosis or chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD). Correct identification of the underlying mechanism is critical since the treatment methods differ, and one treatment approach could negatively affect the other. Cervical kyphosis, severe enough to require immediate surgical treatment, can be caused by uncontrolled CKD-MBD, albeit in limited cases. This report presents the case of a 61-year-old female with an 11-year history of hemodialysis treatment and severe cervical kyphosis with myelopathy, which required 2-stage spinal surgeries. Our report calls for a careful diagnostic approach in ESRD patients with skeletal disorders, the points to consider before calcium replacement, and early detection of fragility fractures in them. Moreover, early mobilization and weight-bearing after the surgical procedure may lead to better neurological and functional improvements.

Assessment of Alveolar Bone and Periodontal Status in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects 8-13% of the global population and has become one of the largest burdens on healthcare systems around the world. Peritoneal dialysis is one of the ultimate treatments for patients with severe CKD. Recently, increasing severe periodontal problems have been found in CKD patients. Periodontitis has been identified as a new variable risk factor for CKD. The aim of this study was to investigate the periodontal status and severity of alveolar bone loss in CKD patients with peritoneal dialysis (PD). One hundred and six patients undergoing PD (PD group) and 97 systemically healthy periodontitis patients (control group) were enrolled. The differences in the dimensions of the alveolar bone between two groups were compared, and the distribution of alveolar bone defects was analyzed by cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Gingival index (GI), plaque index (PLI), periodontal probing depth (PPD), and attachment loss (AL) were recorded. The levels of inflammatory factors in gingival crevicular fluid were assessed by ELISA. Compared to control group, there was a higher degree of alveolar bone loss in maxillary premolars, maxillary 2nd molar and mandibular 1st molar in patients with PD (p < 0.05). A comparison of bone loss in different sites revealed that the area with the highest degree of bone loss were on the mesial-buccal, mid-buccal, distal-buccal, and mesial-lingual site in PD patients. The expression levels of inflammatory factors were higher in PD group (p < 0.01). In conclusion, PD patients presented more severe periodontal and inflammatory status than systemically healthy periodontitis patients. The loss of the alveolar bone differed between the two groups. Different sites and teeth exhibited a diverse degree of bone loss. This study highlights that clinicians should pay close attention to periodontal status of peritoneal dialysis patients and provides a new thinking to improve healthcare for CKD.

Fractures after kidney transplantation: Incidence, predictors, and association with mortality

BACKGROUND

Major fractures (MF) are associated with increased mortality in the general population and represent an even higher risk in patients with chronic kidney disease. We investigated incidence, predictors and clinical outcomes associated with first MF (MF_first) following kidney transplantation (KT).

METHODS

We used the Swedish National Renal Registry of 3992 first KT recipients (2005-2016) (median age 53 years, 65% men) and identified all MF_first in hip, spine, humerus and forearm following KT. We estimated incidence rates and predictors of MF_first using flexible parametric hazard models and Fine-Gray analysis accounting for competing risk of death, and risk of all-cause mortality following MF_first using Cox proportional hazards models with fracture as time-varying exposure.

RESULTS

During median follow-up of 4.8 years (IQR 2.2-7.9 years), there were 279 fractures of which 139 were forearm fractures. The crude incidence rate of MF_first (n = 279) was 13.5/1000 patient-years and that of hip fractures (n = 69) 3.4/1000 patient-years. The multivariate-adjusted fracture incidence rates were highest during the first 6 months following KT, and 86% higher in women than in men. High age, female sex, previous history of MF, diabetes nephropathy, pretransplant dialysis therapy and acute rejection were associated with increased risk for MF_first, whereas pre-emptive KT was associated with lower risk of MF_first. Spline curves showed markedly higher impact of higher age on risk of MF_first in women than in men. MF_first (n = 279) independently predicted increased all-cause mortality risk (hazard ratio, HR, 1.78(95%CI 1.35-2.36)). Among MF_first, with humerus fracture as reference, hip fracture (HR, 4.68(95%CI 1.56-14.06)) and spine fracture (HR, 4.02(95%CI 1.19-13.54)), but not forearm fracture (HR, 1.17 (95%CI 0.38-3.53)), were associated with increased all-cause mortality risk.

CONCLUSIONS

The initial 6 months following kidney transplantation is a high-risk period for MF. Among MF, hip fracture and spine fracture associate with substantially increased all-cause mortality risk.