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Correa-Rotter R, Méndez Durán A, Vallejos A, Rico-Fontalvo J, Cusumano AM, Rosa-Diez GJ, Sánchez Polo V, Goecke H, Arango JJ, Cerón VV, Diná E, Fonseca FH, Valdés RA, Vanoni M. Unmet Needs of CKD in Latin America: A Review from Expert Virtual Working Group. Kidney Int Rep 2023; 8:954-967. [PMID: 37180514 PMCID: PMC10166742 DOI: 10.1016/j.ekir.2023.02.1082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) represents a major challenge for Latin American (LatAm) because of its epidemic proportions. Therefore, the current status and knowledge of CKD in Latin America is not clearly understood. Moreover, there is a paucity of epidemiologic studies that makes the comparison across the countries even more difficult. To address these gaps, a virtual kidney expert opinion meeting of 14 key opinion leaders from Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, and Panama was held in January 2022 to review and discuss the status of CKD in various LatAm regions. The meeting discussed the following: (i) epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of CKD, (ii) detection and prevention programs, (iii) clinical guidelines, (iv) state of public policies about diagnosis and management of chronic kidney disease, and (v) role of innovative therapies in the management of CKD. The expert panel emphasized that efforts should be made to implement timely detection programs and early evaluation of kidney function parameters to prevent the development or progression of CKD. Furthermore, the panel discussed the importance of raising awareness among health care professionals; disseminating knowledge to the authorities, the medical community, and the general population about the kidney and cardiovascular benefits of novel therapies; and the need for timely updating of clinical practice guidelines, regulatory policies, and protocols across the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Correa-Rotter
- Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Ciudad de México, México
| | | | | | - Jorge Rico-Fontalvo
- Technology and Innovation Management, Simón Bolivar University, Barranquilla, Colombia
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Eliana Diná
- Hospital Metropolitano de Santiago, Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic
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2
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Huarez B, Hernández-Vásquez A, Azañedo D, Vargas-Fernández R, Comandé D, Agüero-Palacios Y. Prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection in patients with end-stage renal disease in Latin America and the Caribbean: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Arch Virol 2022; 167:2653-2664. [PMID: 36195804 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-022-05604-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
AIM To estimate the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing hemodialysis in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). MATERIALS AND METHODS Observational studies published in Spanish, Portuguese, and English language by November 25, 2021, in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, SciELO, and LILACS were selected by two reviewers according to predefined eligibility criteria. Study quality was assessed using the US National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute tool for observational cohort and cross-sectional studies. A meta-analysis of proportions was performed using a random-effects model based on the DerSimonian and Laird method, using R. PROSPERO N°: CRD42018107403. RESULTS A total of 20 studies were included in the narrative synthesis (15 from Brazil, two from Cuba, two from Argentina, and one from Peru). Only 17 studies were included in the meta-analysis (13 from Brazil, two from Argentina, one from Cuba, and one from Peru). The overall prevalence of HCV in ESRD patients undergoing hemodialysis in LAC was 11.3% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 8.9% - 13.9%; I2: 99 %). In Brazil and Argentina, the prevalence was 6% and 26.1%, respectively. Prevalence after excluding poor-quality studies was 10.7%. CONCLUSION The prevalence of HCV in ESRD patients undergoing hemodialysis in LAC was 11.3%. The implementation of infection control measures in hemodialysis centers in LAC is required. It is also necessary to increase the number of studies on the subject in the ESRD population in most LAC countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bertha Huarez
- Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru
| | - Akram Hernández-Vásquez
- Centro de Excelencia en Investigaciones Económicas y Sociales en Salud, Vicerrectorado de Investigación, Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, Lima, Peru.
| | | | | | - Daniel Comandé
- Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy (IECS), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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3
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Geetha D, Kronbichler A, Rutter M, Bajpai D, Menez S, Weissenbacher A, Anand S, Lin E, Carlson N, Sozio S, Fowler K, Bignall R, Ducharlet K, Tannor EK, Wijewickrama E, Hafidz MIA, Tesar V, Hoover R, Crews D, Varnell C, Danziger-Isakov L, Jha V, Mohan S, Parikh C, Luyckx V. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the kidney community: lessons learned and future directions. Nat Rev Nephrol 2022; 18:724-737. [PMID: 36002770 PMCID: PMC9400561 DOI: 10.1038/s41581-022-00618-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has disproportionately affected patients with kidney disease, causing significant challenges in disease management, kidney research and trainee education. For patients, increased infection risk and disease severity, often complicated by acute kidney injury, have contributed to high mortality. Clinicians were faced with high clinical demands, resource shortages and novel ethical dilemmas in providing patient care. In this review, we address the impact of COVID-19 on the entire spectrum of kidney care, including acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, dialysis and transplantation, trainee education, disparities in health care, changes in health care policies, moral distress and the patient perspective. Based on current evidence, we provide a framework for the management and support of patients with kidney disease, infection mitigation strategies, resource allocation and support systems for the nephrology workforce.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duvuru Geetha
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
| | | | - Megan Rutter
- Department of Lifespan and Population Health, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Divya Bajpai
- Department of Nephrology, Seth Gordhandas Sunderdas Medical College (GSMC) and the King Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital, Mumbai, India
| | - Steven Menez
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Annemarie Weissenbacher
- Department of Visceral, Transplant and Thoracic Surgery, Center of Operative Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Shuchi Anand
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Standford, California, USA
| | - Eugene Lin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Leonard D. Schaeffer Center for Health Policy & Economics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Nicholas Carlson
- Department of Nephrology, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Research, The Danish Heart Foundation, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Stephen Sozio
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Kevin Fowler
- Principal, Voice of the Patient Inc, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Ray Bignall
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Nationwide Children's Hospital and Department of Paediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Kathryn Ducharlet
- Department of Renal Medicine, Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Nephrology and Palliative Care, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Australia and Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Elliot K Tannor
- Department of Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
- Renal Unit, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Eranga Wijewickrama
- Consultant Nephrologist and Professor in the Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka
- University Medical Unit, National Hospital of Sri Lanka and National Institute of Nephrology, Dialysis & Transplantation, Colombo, Sri Lanka
| | | | - Vladimir Tesar
- Department of Nephrology, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Robert Hoover
- Deming Department of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Deidra Crews
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Charles Varnell
- Division of Nephrology & Hypertension, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- James M. Anderson Center for Health Systems Excellence, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Lara Danziger-Isakov
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Vivekanand Jha
- George Institute for Global Health, New Delhi, India
- School of Public Health, Imperial College, London, UK
- Prasanna School of Public Health, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Sumit Mohan
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and the Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, USA
| | - Chirag Parikh
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Valerie Luyckx
- Associate Scientist, Renal Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
- Honorary Associate Professor, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Nephrologist, University Childrens Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
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4
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Quek CWN, Ong RRS, Wong RSM, Chan SWK, Chok AKL, Shen GS, Teo AYT, Panda A, Burla N, Wong YA, Chee RCH, Loh CYL, Lee KW, Tan GHN, Leong REJ, Koh NSY, Ong YT, Chin AMC, Chiam M, Lim C, Zhou XJ, Ong SYK, Ong EK, Krishna LKR. Systematic scoping review on moral distress among physicians. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e064029. [PMID: 36691160 PMCID: PMC9442489 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-064029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Concepts of moral distress (MD) among physicians have evolved and extend beyond the notion of psychological distress caused by being in a situation in which one is constrained from acting on what one knows to be right. With many accounts involving complex personal, professional, legal, ethical and moral issues, we propose a review of current understanding of MD among physicians. METHODS A systematic evidence-based approach guided systematic scoping review is proposed to map the current concepts of MD among physicians published in PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, Web of Science, SCOPUS, ERIC and Google Scholar databases. Concurrent and independent thematic and direct content analysis (split approach) was conducted on included articles to enhance the reliability and transparency of the process. The themes and categories identified were combined using the jigsaw perspective to create domains that form the framework of the discussion that follows. RESULTS A total of 30 156 abstracts were identified, 2473 full-text articles were reviewed and 128 articles were included. The five domains identified were as follows: (1) current concepts, (2) risk factors, (3) impact, (4) tools and (5) interventions. CONCLUSIONS Initial reviews suggest that MD involves conflicts within a physician's personal beliefs, values and principles (personal constructs) caused by personal, ethical, moral, contextual, professional and sociocultural factors. How these experiences are processed and reflected on and then integrated into the physician's personal constructs impacts their self-concepts of personhood and identity and can result in MD. The ring theory of personhood facilitates an appreciation of how new experiences create dissonance and resonance within personal constructs. These insights allow the forwarding of a new broader concept of MD and a personalised approach to assessing and treating MD. While further studies are required to test these findings, they offer a personalised means of supporting a physician's MD and preventing burn-out.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chrystie Wan Ning Quek
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Division of Supportive and Palliative Care, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ryan Rui Song Ong
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Division of Supportive and Palliative Care, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ruth Si Man Wong
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Division of Supportive and Palliative Care, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sarah Wye Kit Chan
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Division of Supportive and Palliative Care, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore
| | - Amanda Kay-Lyn Chok
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Division of Supportive and Palliative Care, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore
| | - Grace Shen Shen
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Division of Supportive and Palliative Care, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore
| | - Andrea York Tiang Teo
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Division of Supportive and Palliative Care, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore
| | - Aiswarya Panda
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Division of Supportive and Palliative Care, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore
| | - Neha Burla
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Division of Supportive and Palliative Care, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yu An Wong
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Division of Supportive and Palliative Care, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ryan Choon Hoe Chee
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Division of Supportive and Palliative Care, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore
| | - Caitlin Yuen Ling Loh
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Division of Supportive and Palliative Care, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kun Woo Lee
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Division of Supportive and Palliative Care, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore
| | - Gabrielle Hui Ning Tan
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Division of Supportive and Palliative Care, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ryan Emmanuel Jian Leong
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Division of Supportive and Palliative Care, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore
| | - Natalie Song Yi Koh
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Division of Supportive and Palliative Care, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yun Ting Ong
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Division of Supportive and Palliative Care, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Min Chiam
- Division of Cancer Education, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore
| | - Crystal Lim
- Medical Social Services, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
| | - Xuelian Jamie Zhou
- Division of Supportive and Palliative Care, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Simon Yew Kuang Ong
- Division of Cancer Education, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Eng Koon Ong
- Division of Supportive and Palliative Care, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Lalit Kumar Radha Krishna
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Division of Supportive and Palliative Care, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore
- Division of Cancer Education, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
- Palliative Care Institute Liverpool, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- Centre of Biomedical Ethics, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- The Palliative Care Centre for Excellence in Research and Education, Singapore
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5
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Ashuntantang G, Miljeteig I, Luyckx VA. Bedside rationing and moral distress in nephrologists in sub- Saharan Africa. BMC Nephrol 2022; 23:196. [PMID: 35614418 PMCID: PMC9131991 DOI: 10.1186/s12882-022-02827-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Kidney diseases constitute an important proportion of the non-communicable disease (NCD) burden in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), though prevention, diagnosis and treatment of kidney diseases are less prioritized in public health budgets than other high-burden NCDs. Dialysis is not considered cost-effective, and for those patients accessing the limited service available, high out-of-pocket expenses are common and few continue care over time. This study assessed challenges faced by nephrologists in SSA who manage patients needing dialysis. The specific focus was to investigate if and how physicians respond to bedside rationing situations. Methods A survey was conducted among a randomly selected group of nephrologists from SSA. The questionnaire was based on a previously validated survey instrument. A descriptive and narrative approach was used for analysis. Results Among 40 respondents, the majority saw patients weekly with acute kidney injury (AKI) or end-stage kidney failure (ESKF) in need of dialysis whom they could not dialyze. When dialysis was provided, clinical compromises were common, and 66% of nephrologists reported lack of basic diagnostics and medication and > 80% reported high out-of-pocket expenses for patients. Several patient-, disease- and institutional factors influenced who got access to dialysis. Patients’ financial constraints and poor chances of survival limited the likelihood of receiving dialysis (reported by 79 and 78% of nephrologists respectively), while a patient’s being the family bread-winner increased the likelihood (reported by 56%). Patient and institutional constraints resulted in most nephrologists (88%) frequently having to make difficult choices, sometimes having to choose between patients. Few reported existence of priority setting guidelines. Most nephrologists (74%) always, often or sometimes felt burdened by ethical dilemmas and worried about patients out of hospital hours. As a consequence, almost 46% of nephrologists reported frequently regretting their choice of profession and 26% had considered leaving the country. Conclusion Nephrologists in SSA face harsh priority setting at the bedside without available guidance. The moral distress is high. While publicly funded dialysis treatment might not be prioritized in essential health care packages on the path to universal health coverage, the suffering of the patients, families and the providers must be acknowledged and addressed to increase fairness in these decisions. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12882-022-02827-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gloria Ashuntantang
- Yaoundé General Hospital Faculty of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon.,Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Bamenda, Bamenda, Cameroon
| | - Ingrid Miljeteig
- Bergen Centre for Ethics and Priority Setting, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway. .,Department of Research and Development, Helse Bergen Health Trust, Bergen, Norway.
| | - Valerie A Luyckx
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Renal Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Nephrology, University Children's Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
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6
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Prevalence of Hypertension, Diabetes, and Other Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Two Indigenous Municipalities in Rural Guatemala: A Population-Representative Survey. Glob Heart 2022; 17:82. [PMID: 36578912 PMCID: PMC9695220 DOI: 10.5334/gh.1171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Nearly 50% of Guatemalans are Indigenous Maya, yet few studies have examined the prevalence of modifiable cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in Indigenous Maya populations. Therefore, we sought to estimate the prevalence of modifiable CVD risk factors in two Indigenous Maya areas in Guatemala. Methods We conducted, between June 2018 and October 2019, a population-representative survey of adults aged 18 years and older in two rural Indigenous Maya municipalities in Guatemala. Our primary outcomes were five modifiable CVD risk factors: diabetes, hypertension, obesity, smoking, and alcohol use. We estimated the crude and age-standardized prevalence of each outcome. We also constructed multivariable logistic regression models to assess prevalence over covariates including age, sex, education level, ethnicity, and poverty. Sampling weights adjusted for nonresponse, and appropriate survey commands were used in all analyses. Results The crude prevalence of diabetes was 12.5% (95% confidence Interval [CI] 9.6% to 16.1%), hypertension 20.3% (95% CI 17.1% to 23.9%), obesity 23.7% (95% CI 19.4% to 28.6%), smoking 10.7% (95% CI 7.8% to 14.5%), and high alcohol use 0.9% (95% CI 0.5% to 1.6%). Age-standardized prevalence of each outcome was similar to the crude prevalence. The prevalence of multiple CVD risk factors increased between the age groups 18-29 years and 50-59 years before decreasing among older age groups. Men had twenty-fold higher smoking prevalence than women (20.5% vs. 1.2%, respectively) and women had nearly double the age-adjusted prevalence of obesity as men (30.1% vs. 17.0%, respectively). Conclusion There is a substantial prevalence of modifiable CVD risk factors in rural, Indigenous populations in Guatemala, in particular hypertension, diabetes, obesity (among women), and smoking (among men). These findings can help catalyze policy and clinical investments to improve the prevention, management, and control of CVD risk factors in these historically marginalized communities.
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7
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Pais P, Wightman A. Addressing the Ethical Challenges of Providing Kidney Failure Care for Children: A Global Stance. Front Pediatr 2022; 10:842783. [PMID: 35359883 PMCID: PMC8963107 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.842783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Children with kidney failure require kidney replacement therapy (KRT), namely maintenance dialysis and kidney transplant. Adequate kidney failure care consists of KRT or conservative treatment with palliative care. In the context of kidney failure, children depend on parents who are their surrogate decision-makers, and the pediatric nephrology team for taking decisions about KRT or conservative care. In this paper, we discuss the ethical challenges that arise relating to such decision-making, from a global perspective, using the framework of pediatric bioethics. While many ethical dilemmas in the care of children with KRT are universal, the most significant ethical dilemma is the inequitable access to KRT in low & middle income countries (LMICs) where rates of morbidity and mortality depend on the family's ability to pay. Children with kidney failure in LMICs have inadequate access to maintenance dialysis, timely kidney transplant and palliative care compared to their counterparts in high income countries. Using case vignettes, we highlight how these disparities place severe burdens on caregivers, resulting in difficult decision-making, and lead to moral distress among pediatric nephrologists. We conclude with key action points to change this status-quo, the most important being advocacy by the global pediatric nephrology community for better access to affordable kidney failure care for children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priya Pais
- Department of Pediatric Nephrology, St. John's Medical College, St. John's National Academy of Health Sciences, Bangalore, India
| | - Aaron Wightman
- Division of Bioethics and Palliative Care, Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, United States.,Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, United States.,Treuman Katz Center for Pediatric Bioethics, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, United States
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8
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Abstract
Opioids, a set of potent pain medications, have numerous known deleterious side effects, ranging from constipation to respiratory depression and death, and yet they are routinely prescribed and administered in biomedical settings. Situated against the backdrop of the US opioid epidemic, this paper examines how the iatrogenic and inadvertent harms and complications caused by opioid administration in clinical settings are experienced by clinicians as forms of moral injury. 'Moral injury' describes a moral agent's experience of perpetrating or being unable to prevent events that are at odds with their moral beliefs and social expectations. This concept powerfully extends Illich's notion of clinical iatrogenesis, which refers to harms experienced by patients; instead, 'moral injury' indexes forms of harm that extend beyond patients to those providing them care. Using an analytic auto-ethnographic approach based on more than a decade of clinical practice in urban hospitals in the Midwestern and Northeastern United States, the authors describe interactions with patients on opioids whose treatment trajectories are fraught with iatrogenic complications, and explore how biomedical institutions and systems further harm vulnerable patients who receive and are addicted to opioids. Though anxious to avoid harming their patients, clinicians are disempowered by hierarchical systems of medical decision-making, which hinder their ability to always act in what they feel are the patient's best interests. This paper highlights the emotional/affective distress and ambivalence experienced by physicians when making decisions about whether to administer or prescribe opioids. Ultimately, the paper demonstrates how iatrogenesis and moral injury are concomitantly produced through cascades of decision-making and local health systems, rather than individual clinical decisions alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Chary
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David Flood
- Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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9
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Luyckx VA, Moosa MR. Priority Setting as an Ethical Imperative in Managing Global Dialysis Access and Improving Kidney Care. Semin Nephrol 2021; 41:230-241. [PMID: 34330363 DOI: 10.1016/j.semnephrol.2021.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Priority-setting dilemmas arise when trade-offs must be made regarding the kinds of services that should be provided and to whom, thereby withholding other services from individuals or groups that could benefit from them. Currently, it is practically impossible for lower-income countries to provide dialysis for all patients with kidney failure; however, the fundamental premise of the human right to health, while acknowledging the current resource constraints, is the progressive realization of access to care for all. In this article we outline the rationale for priority setting, starting with the global goal of achieving universal health coverage, the prerequisites for fair and transparent priority setting, and discuss how these may apply to expensive care such as dialysis. Priority is inherently a value-laden process, and cannot be whittled down to technical considerations of clinical or cost effectiveness alone. Fair and transparent priority setting should originate from population health needs, be based on evidence, and be associated with ethical values or principles. This requires effective engagement with relevant stakeholders. Once policies are developed and implemented, good oversight is crucial to ensure accountability and to provide iterative feedback such that the goals of universal health coverage may be progressively realized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerie A Luyckx
- Renal Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; Department of Child Health and Pediatrics, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - M Rafique Moosa
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Cape Town, South Africa
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10
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Martin DE, Muller E. In Defense of Patient Autonomy in Kidney Failure Care When Treatment Choices Are Limited. Semin Nephrol 2021; 41:242-252. [PMID: 34330364 DOI: 10.1016/j.semnephrol.2021.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Respect for patient autonomy is a primary ethical obligation of health care providers. In kidney health care, clinical practice recommendations commonly include strategies to promote shared decision making with patients and their families about treatment options to promote patient autonomy and improve patient outcomes. However, for many people with kidney failure, treatment options may be unavailable or inaccessible. In these circumstances some clinicians may act paternalistically and withhold information from patients because of a fear of causing harm or because clinicians believe that patient autonomy is not a relevant consideration. In this article, we reflect on the concept of autonomy in the context of clinical decision making in kidney failure care, with particular attention to resource-constrained settings and the disclosure of information to patients for whom treatment may be inaccessible. We examine and address key concerns that patient autonomy may be impossible, irrelevant, or harmful in the context of limited treatment choices, and discuss factors that may influence paternalistic practices in such settings. We conclude that respect for autonomy is intrinsically and instrumentally valuable, and argue that in neglecting patient autonomy in resource-constrained settings, clinicians may exacerbate and entrench the structural inequalities and health inequities they are committed to addressing.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elmi Muller
- Department of Surgery, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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Sosa R, Garcia P, Cipriano EO, Hernández A, Hernández EE, Chavez PI, Manchinelli A, Morales OA, Flores LE, Romero HJ, Raquec Y, Sapón BF, Soch KE, Anand S, Sánchez-Polo V. Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Patients With End-Stage Kidney Disease on Hemodialysis in Guatemala. Kidney Int Rep 2021; 6:1110-1117. [PMID: 33532670 PMCID: PMC7844387 DOI: 10.1016/j.ekir.2021.01.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Revised: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is public health concern across the world. Data on the epidemiology among patients on hemodialysis in Latin America and low- and middle-income countries are limited. METHODS Using electronic medical records from the second largest dialysis network in Guatemala, we performed a retrospective analysis of all adult patients on hemodialysis with the diagnosis of COVID-19 to estimate incidence of infection and to describe the demographics, comorbidities, and outcomes. We stratified incidence rate by region. We reviewed data from May 1 to July 31, 2020, with outcome data ascertained up to August 28, 2020. RESULTS Of 3201 patients undergoing hemodialysis, 325 patients were diagnosed with COVID-19 (incidence rate 102/1000 patients on hemodialysis, compared with 3/1000 in the general population). Incidence was higher in the Central region (207/1000) and lowest in the Southeast region (33/1000), and unlike in the general population, the incidence was lower in Guatemala City. The mean age of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 was 51.1 years (standard deviation [SD] 14.8 years), and 84 (25.8%) were female. The median length of hospital stay was 12 days (interquartile range [IQR] 10-16 days). Two hundred twenty-nine (69.8%) of the patients recovered, 90 patients died (27.7%), and 6 (1.8%) patients were still in the hospital at the time of last follow-up. CONCLUSION The incidence of diagnosed COVID-19 in Guatemalan patients on hemodialysis was much higher than reported in the general population, with outcomes similar to those described in high-income countries. Rural regions had higher incidence rates than the major metropolitan area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Regina Sosa
- Department of Nephrology, Guatemalan Institute of Social Security, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - Pablo Garcia
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Ever O. Cipriano
- Department of Nephrology, Guatemalan Institute of Social Security, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - Agualuz Hernández
- Department of Nephrology, Guatemalan Institute of Social Security, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - Elmer E. Hernández
- Department of Nephrology, Guatemalan Institute of Social Security, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - Paola I. Chavez
- Department of Nephrology, Guatemalan Institute of Social Security, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - Angélica Manchinelli
- Department of Nephrology, Guatemalan Institute of Social Security, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - Oscar A. Morales
- Department of Nephrology, Guatemalan Institute of Social Security, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - Lourdes E. Flores
- Department of Nephrology, Guatemalan Institute of Social Security, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - Hair J. Romero
- Department of Nephrology, Guatemalan Institute of Social Security, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - Yulany Raquec
- Department of Nephrology, Guatemalan Institute of Social Security, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - Byron F. Sapón
- Department of Nephrology, Guatemalan Institute of Social Security, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - Kevin E. Soch
- Department of Nephrology, Guatemalan Institute of Social Security, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - Shuchi Anand
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Vicente Sánchez-Polo
- Department of Nephrology, Guatemalan Institute of Social Security, Guatemala City, Guatemala
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12
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Miller AC, Tuiz E, Shaw L, Flood D, Garcia P, Dhaenens E, Thomson DR, Barnoya J, Montano CM, Rohloff P. Population Estimates of GFR and Risk Factors for CKD in Guatemala. Kidney Int Rep 2021; 6:796-805. [PMID: 33732994 PMCID: PMC7938058 DOI: 10.1016/j.ekir.2020.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an emerging public health priority in Central America. However, data on the prevalence of CKD in Guatemala, Central America's most populous country, are limited, especially for rural communities. METHODS We conducted a population-representative survey of 2 rural agricultural municipalities in Guatemala. We collected anthropometric data, blood pressure, serum and urine creatinine, glycosylated hemoglobin, and urine albumin. Sociodemographic, health, and exposure data were self-reported. RESULTS We enrolled 807 individuals (63% of all eligible, 35% male, mean age 39.5 years). An estimated 4.0% (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.4-6.6) had CKD, defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) less than 60 ml/min per 1.73 m2. Most individuals with an eGFR below 60 ml/min per 1.73 m2 had diabetes or hypertension. In multivariable analysis, the important factors associated with risk for an eGFR less than 60 ml/min per 1.73 m2 included a history of diabetes or hypertension (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 11.21; 95% CI 3.28-38.24), underweight (body mass index [BMI] <18.5) (aOR 21.09; 95% CI 2.05-217.0), and an interaction between sugar cane agriculture and poverty (aOR 1.10; 95% CI 1.01-1.19). CONCLUSIONS In this population-based survey, most observed CKD was associated with diabetes and hypertension. These results emphasize the urgent public health need to address the emerging epidemic of diabetes, hypertension, and CKD in rural Guatemala. In addition, the association between CKD and sugar cane in individuals living in poverty provides some circumstantial evidence for existence of CKD of unknown etiology in the study communities, which requires further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann C. Miller
- Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Eva Tuiz
- Centro de Investigación en la Salud Indígena, Wuqu’ Kawoq, Tecpán, Guatemala
| | - Leah Shaw
- Centro de Investigación en la Salud Indígena, Wuqu’ Kawoq, Tecpán, Guatemala
| | - David Flood
- Centro de Investigación en la Salud Indígena, Wuqu’ Kawoq, Tecpán, Guatemala
| | - Pablo Garcia
- Centro de Investigación en la Salud Indígena, Wuqu’ Kawoq, Tecpán, Guatemala
| | - Eloin Dhaenens
- Centro de Investigación en la Salud Indígena, Wuqu’ Kawoq, Tecpán, Guatemala
| | - Dana R. Thomson
- Department of Social Statistics and Demography, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | | | | | - Peter Rohloff
- Centro de Investigación en la Salud Indígena, Wuqu’ Kawoq, Tecpán, Guatemala
- Division of Global Health Equity, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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13
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Workneh RS, Tuyishime E, Mumbwe M, Igaga EN, Bould MD. Not a "first world problem"-Care of the anesthetist in East and Southern Africa. Paediatr Anaesth 2021; 31:39-46. [PMID: 33124109 DOI: 10.1111/pan.14054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Burnout and related concepts such as resilience, wellness, and taking care of healthcare professionals have become increasingly prevalent in the medical literature. Most of the work in this area comes from high-income countries, with the remainder from upper-middle-income countries, and very little from lower-middle-income or low-income countries. Sub-Saharan Africa is particularly poorly represented in this body of literature. Anglo-American concepts are often applied to different jurisdictions without consideration of cultural and societal differences. However, anesthesia providers in this region have unique challenges, with both the highest burden of "surgical" disease in the world and the least resources, both in terms of human resources for health and in terms of essential drugs and equipment. The effect of burnout on healthcare systems is also likely to be very different with the current human resources for the health crisis in East and Central Africa. According to the Joint Learning Initiative Managing for Performance framework, the three essential factors for building a workforce to effectively support a healthcare system are coverage, competence, and motivation. Current efforts to build capacity in anesthesia in East and Southern Africa focus largely on coverage and competence, but neglect motivation at the risk of failing to support a sustainable workforce. In this paper, we include a review of the relevant literature, as well as draw from personal experience living and working in East and Southern Africa, to describe the unique issues surrounding burnout, resilience, and wellness in this region.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mbangu Mumbwe
- Department of Anesthesia, Ndola Central Hospital, Ndola, Zambia
| | | | - M Dylan Bould
- Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, The Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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14
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Martin DE, Parsons JA, Caskey FJ, Harris DCH, Jha V. Ethics of kidney care in the era of COVID-19. Kidney Int 2020; 98:1424-1433. [PMID: 33038425 PMCID: PMC7539938 DOI: 10.1016/j.kint.2020.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic presents significant challenges for health systems globally, including substantive ethical dilemmas that may pose specific concerns in the context of care for people with kidney disease. Ethical concerns may arise as changes in policy and practice affect the ability of all health professionals to fulfill their ethical duties toward their patients in providing best practice care. In this article, we briefly describe such concerns and elaborate on issues of particular ethical complexity in kidney care: equitable access to dialysis during pandemic surges; balancing the risks and benefits of different kidney failure treatments, specifically with regard to suspending kidney transplantation programs and prioritizing home dialysis, and barriers to shared decision-making; and ensuring ethical practice when using unproven interventions. We present preliminary advice on how to approach these issues and recommend urgent efforts to develop resources that will support health professionals and patients in managing them.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jordan A Parsons
- Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK; Instituts für Geschichte und Ethik der Medizin, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Fergus J Caskey
- Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK; The Richard Bright Renal Unit, Southmead Hospital, North Bristol National Health Service Trust, Bristol, UK
| | - David C H Harris
- Centre for Transplantation and Renal Research, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, University of Sydney, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Vivekanand Jha
- George Institute for Global Health India, University of New South Wales (UNSW), New Delhi, India; School of Public Health, Imperial College, London, UK; Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, Karnataka, India
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15
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Garcia P, Sánchez-Polo V. Global Dialysis Perspective: Guatemala. KIDNEY360 2020; 1:1300-1305. [PMID: 35372871 DOI: 10.34067/kid.0004092020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Garcia
- School of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California.,Center for Indigenous Health Research, Wuqu' Kawoq, Maya Health Alliance, Tecpán, Guatemala
| | - Vicente Sánchez-Polo
- Guatemalan Institute of Social Security (Instituto Guatemalteco de Seguridad Social, IGSS), Guatemala City, Guatemala
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16
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Garcia P, Mendoza C, Barnoya J, Monzón J, Miller AC, Aguilar-González A, Boj J, Cifuentes A, Dávila P, Flood D, Guzmán-Quilo C, Hernandez A, Lou-Meda R, Palacios E, Sánchez-Polo V, Sosa R, Rohloff P. CKD Care and Research in Guatemala: Overview and Meeting Report. Kidney Int Rep 2020; 5:1567-1575. [PMID: 32954082 PMCID: PMC7486195 DOI: 10.1016/j.ekir.2020.06.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Revised: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
On October 14–15, 2019, the 1st Symposium to Promote Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Research in Guatemala was held in Guatemala City, Guatemala. The Symposium hosted more than 50 attendees, including health care professionals, policy makers, researchers, and leaders of nongovernmental organizations. The meeting’s objectives were to (1) share clinical and health delivery experiences, (2) disseminate local research, and (3) establish consensus priorities for future research. In this report, we review the state of CKD nephrology in Guatemala, summarize experiences shared during the meeting from representatives of the clinical settings in Guatemala where CKD care is provided, and describe consensus priorities for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Garcia
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California, USA
- Centro para Investigaciones sobre la Salud Indígena, Wuqu’ Kawoq | Maya Health Alliance, Tecpán, Guatemala
| | - Carlos Mendoza
- Institute of Nutrition of Central America and Panama (Instituto de Nutrición de Centroamérica y Panamá, INCAP), Guatemala
| | - Joaquin Barnoya
- Unit for Cardiovascular Surgery (Unidad de Cirugía Cardiovascular de Guatemala, UNICAR), Guatemala
- Institute of Research and Higher Studies in Health Sciences (El Instituto de Investigación y Estudios Superiores en Ciencias de la Salud, IECIS), Rafael Landívar University, Guatemala
| | - Jose Monzón
- Institute of Research and Higher Studies in Health Sciences (El Instituto de Investigación y Estudios Superiores en Ciencias de la Salud, IECIS), Rafael Landívar University, Guatemala
| | - Ann C. Miller
- Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Angie Aguilar-González
- Foundation for Children with Kidney Disease (Fundación para el Niño Enfermo Renal, FUNDANIER), Guatemala
| | - Julio Boj
- National Center for Chronic Renal Disease (Unidad Nacional de Atención al Enfermo Renal Crónico, UNAERC), Guatemala
| | | | - Pedro Dávila
- Guatemalan Nephrology Association (Asociación Guatemalteca de Nefrología, AGN), Guatemala
| | - David Flood
- Centro para Investigaciones sobre la Salud Indígena, Wuqu’ Kawoq | Maya Health Alliance, Tecpán, Guatemala
- National Clinicians Scholars Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Carolina Guzmán-Quilo
- Toxicology Department-SALTRA, Faculty of Chemical Sciences and Pharmacy, Universidad de San Carlos, Guatemala
| | - Agualuz Hernandez
- Guatemalan Nephrology Association (Asociación Guatemalteca de Nefrología, AGN), Guatemala
- Guatemalan Institute of Social Security (Instituto Guatemalteco de Seguridad Social, IGSS), Guatemala
| | - Randall Lou-Meda
- Foundation for Children with Kidney Disease (Fundación para el Niño Enfermo Renal, FUNDANIER), Guatemala
| | - Eduardo Palacios
- Chronic Diseases Program of the Ministry of Health of Guatemala, Guatemala
| | - Vicente Sánchez-Polo
- Guatemalan Institute of Social Security (Instituto Guatemalteco de Seguridad Social, IGSS), Guatemala
| | - Regina Sosa
- Guatemalan Nephrology Association (Asociación Guatemalteca de Nefrología, AGN), Guatemala
- Guatemalan Institute of Social Security (Instituto Guatemalteco de Seguridad Social, IGSS), Guatemala
| | - Peter Rohloff
- Centro para Investigaciones sobre la Salud Indígena, Wuqu’ Kawoq | Maya Health Alliance, Tecpán, Guatemala
- Correspondence: Peter Rohloff, 2da Avenida 3-48 Zona 3, Barrio Patacabaj, Tecpán, Chimaltenango, Guatemala.
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