Incidence of bleeding from gastroduodenal ulcers in patients with end-stage renal disease receiving hemodialysis

Low Frequency of Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding Despite Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs and Corticosteroids in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

BACKGROUND

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease. It has been identified that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids can be essential risk factors for developing complications such as upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB).

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to describe the safety profile of drugs used to treat RA focused in UGIB.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study of patients with RA between 2015 and 2021, a description of the population, and an evaluation of the relationship with UGIB through bivariate analysis and logistic regression.

RESULTS

Of 405 individuals, 16 presented UGIB (93.8% women, mean age was 65±13.6 years). No statistically significant differences were found regarding UGIB and medication use, except for the mean dose of corticosteroids. In the multivariate analysis, it was found that the presence of anemia in the last three months had an adjusted OR (AOR) of 16.1 (95% CI 2.74- 24.23) and higher HAQ values during the previous three months had an AOR of 6.17 (95% CI 1.79- 21.24).

CONCLUSION

This study found a low frequency of UGIB in patients with RA. More significant disability and anemia in the previous months were independently associated with UGIB. The low frequency of NSAID use in this population is noteworthy. In general, reasonable medication use related to this complication is recommended.

Small Bowel Bleeding Caused by a Small Bowel Lipoma in a Patient with Hemodialysis

Introduction

Small bowel bleeding is being diagnosed with increasing frequency with the development of capsule endoscopy.

Case Presentation

We report a case of lipoma that caused hematochezia in an 80-year-old woman with ischemic heart disease receiving antiplatelet therapy and on hemodialysis for renal failure. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography scans, esophagogastroduodenoscopy, and colonoscopy failed to identify the source of hematochezia. Capsule endoscopy revealed a small bowel tumor, which was removed through laparoscopic surgery without interruption of antiplatelet agents. The small bowel tumor was pathologically diagnosed as a lipoma. There was no recurrence of the hematochezia after surgery.

Conclusion

Lipomas could cause hematochezia. With appropriate preoperative testing, comorbidity assessment, and surgical planning, we believe that surgical resection is a safe treatment option for the removal of small bowel lipomas even in patients who are on hemodialysis or are taking antiplatelet agents.

Clinical Features of Gastroduodenal Ulcers in Kidney Transplant Patients

Objective The risk of developing peptic ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding is high in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Whether or not kidney transplant patients, who are treated with multiple medications, including immunosuppressive drugs, are at an increased risk of developing peptic ulcers is unclear. Methods In this retrospective study, we compared the clinical and endoscopic features of gastroduodenal ulcers between kidney transplant patients and CKD patients. The subjects underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy between January 2015 and March 2021. Results Gastroduodenal ulcers were observed more frequently (6.5%) in kidney transplant patients than in CKD patients (2.1%) (p=0.026). Due in part to the lower median age in the kidney transplant ulcer group than in the CKD ulcer group (59 vs. 70 years old, p=0.016), the rates of atrophic gastritis and Helicobacter pylori infection were also lower in the kidney transplant ulcer group than in the CKD ulcer group. Significantly more kidney transplant patients were treated with acid secretion inhibitors than CKD ulcer patients (100% vs. 34.8%, p=0.0005). Peptic ulcers were observed frequently in kidney transplant patients, even though common risk factors for gastroduodenal ulcers other than immunosuppressive drugs were few. All kidney transplant patients were taking immunosuppressive medications, and tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, and methylprednisolone were taken more frequently than others. Conclusion Kidney transplant patients have a high risk of developing gastroduodenal ulcers. All kidney transplant patients take immunosuppressive medications, so there may be an association between immunosuppressive medications and gastroduodenal ulcer development.

Gastrointestinal bleeding in chronic kidney disease patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) is a major cause of mortality in patients with renal failure. We conducted a systematic review of the literature to evaluate the rates, predictors, and outcomes of GIB in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). A search of MEDLINE and EMBASE databases was performed, and data were extracted from relevant studies. Statistical pooling was performed to determine the rate of GIB in patients with CKD, and a random-effect meta-analysis was performed to determine the predictors of GIB and mortality in patients with GIB. Twenty-two studies were included in this review, with 7,810,273 patients with CKD included in the analysis. The pooled results of five studies suggested that the rate of GIB in patients with CKD was 2.2%, and among the studies in which patients with CKD underwent endoscopy, the pooled results for GIB were 35.8%. Receipt of dialysis (OR 14.48, 95%CI 4.96-42.32), older age (OR 1.03, 95%CI 1.02-1.05), diabetes mellitus (OR 1.30, 95%CI 1.22-1.39), history of ulcers (OR 1.53, 95%CI 1.03-2.26), and cirrhosis (OR 1.73, 95%CI 1.41-2.12) were significantly associated with GIB. The pooled results suggest a twofold increase in the odds of mortality with GIB, with significant heterogeneity (OR 2.12, 95%CI 1.45-3.10, I2 = 93%). GIB in patients with CKD affects 2% of patients but can be greater in the group of patients who underwent endoscopy. Receipt of dialysis is a strong predictor of GIB, and sustained GIB is associated with a twofold increase in the odds of mortality compared to patients without GIB.

Predictive factors and prognosis of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in gastric cancer: A large population-based study (UGIB-GC trial)

BACKGROUND

Gastric cancer remains the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Significant number of gastric cancer patients presented with bleeding.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to identify risk factors and overall survival rates of bleeding gastric cancer patients.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study was conducted between 2007-2022 at tertiary care center in Thailand. Clinical information, endoscopic findings and histological type were extensively reviewed and were compared between bleeders and non-bleeders. Patients were monitored for at least 5 years.

RESULTS

There were 20,981 patients who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy during study period. Total of 201 gastric cancer patients were included in this study, 21 were excluded due to incomplete medical records. 180 gastric cancer patients were included with mean age of 60.5±14.3 years. There were 65 (36.1%) patients with gastrointestinal bleeding. Hypertension and chronic kidney disease were significantly more common in bleeders than non-bleeders (43.1% vs 23.5%, OR2.51, 95%CI 1.14.-5.52, p = 0.022; and 16.9% vs 5.2%, OR2.00, 95%CI 1.56-6.63, p = 0.025, respectively). current H. pylori infection was also significantly more common in bleeders than non-bleeders (84.6% vs. 55.7%, OR 4.39, 95%CI 1.90-10.12, p<0.001). Median overall survival of bleeders was significantly lower than non-bleeders (7±0.93 vs 10±2.10 months, p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Bleeding gastric cancer was not an uncommon condition. Majority of patients presented at advanced stage with grave prognosis. Male gender, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and current H. pylori infection were reliable predictors for bleeding. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are the key to improve clinical outcome.

Development and Validation of a Predictive Risk Algorithm for Bleeding in Individuals on Long-term Hemodialysis: An International Prospective Cohort Study (BLEED-HD)

Background

Individuals with kidney disease are at a high risk of bleeding and as such tools that identify those at highest risk may aid mitigation strategies.

Objective

We set out to develop and validate a prediction equation (BLEED-HD) to identify patients on maintenance hemodialysis at high risk of bleeding.

Design

International prospective cohort study (development); retrospective cohort study (validation).

Settings

Development: 15 countries (Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study [DOPPS] phase 2-6 from 2002 to 2018); Validation: Ontario, Canada.

Patients

Development: 53 147 patients; Validation: 19 318 patients.

Measurements

Hospitalization for a bleeding event.

Methods

Cox proportional hazards models.

Results

Among the DOPPS cohort (mean age, 63.7 years; female, 39.7%), a bleeding event occurred in 2773 patients (5.2%, event rate 32 per 1000 person-years), with a median follow-up of 1.6 (interquartile range [IQR], 0.9-2.1) years. BLEED-HD included 6 variables: age, sex, country, previous gastrointestinal bleeding, prosthetic heart valve, and vitamin K antagonist use. The observed 3-year probability of bleeding by deciles of risk ranged from 2.2% to 10.8%. Model discrimination was low to moderate (c-statistic = 0.65) with excellent calibration (Brier score range = 0.036-0.095). Discrimination and calibration of BLEED-HD were similar in an external validation of 19 318 patients from Ontario, Canada. Compared to existing bleeding scores, BLEED-HD demonstrated better discrimination and calibration (c-statistic: HEMORRHAGE = 0.59, HAS-BLED = 0.59, and ATRIA = 0.57, c-stat difference, net reclassification index [NRI], and integrated discrimination index [IDI] all P value <.0001).

Limitations

Dialysis procedure anticoagulation was not available; validation cohort was considerably older than the development cohort.

Conclusion

In patients on maintenance hemodialysis, BLEED-HD is a simple risk equation that may be more applicable than existing risk tools in predicting the risk of bleeding in this high-risk population.

Association of Serum Magnesium with Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients: a Multicentre Retrospective Study

Serum magnesium is involved in the process of blood coagulation, and low serum magnesium is associated with haemorrhagic diseases. No studies have explored the relationship between serum magnesium and gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB). This study aimed to explore the association between serum magnesium and GIB in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. This was a multicentre retrospective cohort study. The primary endpoint was GIB. According to the baseline serum magnesium level of 0.7 mmol/L, patients were divided into two groups: the hypomagnesaemia group and the nonhypomagnesaemia group. A multivariate Cox regression model was used to investigate the association between hypomagnesaemia and GIB. A total of 654 PD patients from four Chinese peritoneal dialysis centres were recruited from February 1, 2010 to January 31, 2020. During the follow-up, 47 patients experienced GIB. Kaplan-Meier curves showed that there was a significant difference in the risk of GIB between the two groups (log-rank = 11.82, P < 0.001). The multivariable Cox regression model showed that the risk of GIB was higher in the hypomagnesaemia group than the nonhypomagnesaemia group after adjustment for demographic variables and laboratory indicators (HR = 3.007, 95% CI 1.488-6.079, P = 0.002). A baseline lower serum magnesium level was associated with a higher risk of GIB in PD patients.

Effect of dialysis modalities on risk of hospitalization for gastrointestinal bleeding

Dialysis patients are at risk of both thromboembolic and bleeding events, while thromboembolism prevention and treatment may confer a risk of major bleeding. Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is a great concern which can result in high subsequent mortality rates. Our object was to clarify whether hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) confer different incidence of GI bleeding, and further assist individualized decision-making on dialysis modalities. We conducted a population-based retrospective cohort study which included all incident dialysis patients above 18 years old derived from the National Health Insurance database from 1998 to 2013 in Taiwan. 6296 matched pairs of HD and PD patients were identified. A propensity score matching method was used to minimize the selection bias. The adjusted hazard ratio for GI bleeding was 1.13 times higher in the HD group than in the PD group, and data from the unmatched cohort and the stratified analysis led to similar results. Among subgroup analysis, we found that the use of anticoagulants will induce a much higher incidence of GI bleeding in HD patients as compared to in PD patients. We concluded that PD is associated with a lower GI bleeding risk than HD, and is especially preferred when anticoagulation is needed.

Quality of life assessment in patients on chronic dialysis: Comparison between haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis at a national hospital in Vietnam

OBJECTIVES

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is a chronic disease that can adversely affect the patient's quality of life (QoL) in terms of functional limitation and cognitive impairment. This study aimed to identify the factors associated with QoL in patients with ESRD undergoing dialysis at a national hospital in Vietnam.

METHODS

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among outpatients aged ≥18 years who underwent haemodialysis (HD) or peritoneal dialysis (PD) for at least 3 months at Thong Nhat Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam from May 2020 to July 2021. QoL was measured using the validated Vietnamese version of the EuroQol-5 Dimensional-5 Level (EQ-5D-5L). The factors associated with the QoL of patients with ESRD undergoing dialysis were identified using multiple linear regression analysis.

RESULTS

In total, 131 (73.6%) and 47 (26.4%) patients underwent HD and PD, respectively. Overall, 178 (55.6%) patients were men (median age, 66 [56-79] years). The mean EQ-5D-5L score was significantly higher in patients undergoing PD than in those undergoing HD (0.848 ± 0.183 vs. 0.766 ± 0.231; p = 0.030). Older age (β = -0.006; p < 0.001) and peptic ulcer disease (β = -0.083; p = 0.029) were associated with lower QoL scores. PD treatment was associated with higher QoL scores (β = 0.065; p = 0.046).

CONCLUSIONS

It is necessary to improve the QoL of patients undergoing dialysis, especially of elderly patients and patients with peptic ulcer disease. PD may be a better method for maintenance dialysis, if applicable, in terms of QoL.

Analgesic use and associated adverse events in patients with chronic kidney disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Treating pain in the context of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is challenging because of altered pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, with an increased risk of toxicity and drug adverse events in this population. The aims of this systematic review and meta-analysis were to assess the prevalence of analgesic use and establish the risk of analgesics-related adverse events, in patients with CKD.

METHODS

Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. Medline, Embase, CINAHL, and CENTRAL were searched until January 2021. Random-effects meta-analyses and meta-regression were conducted to pool and summarise prevalence data and measures of association between analgesic use and adverse events.

RESULTS

Sixty-two studies relevant to the prevalence of analgesic use and 33 to analgesic-related adverse events were included, combining data on 2.3 and 3 million individuals, respectively. Pooled analyses found that 41% (95% confidence interval [CI], 35-48) of the CKD population regularly use analgesia. The annual period prevalence was estimated at 50% for opioids and 21% for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID). Overall, 20% and 7% of patients with CKD are on chronic opioid or NSAID therapy, respectively. Opioid use was associated with an increased risk of death (1.61; 95% CI, 1.12-2.31; n= 7, I²= 91%), hospitalisation (1.38; 95% CI, 1.32-1.45; n=2, I²=0%), and fractures (1.51; 95% CI, 1.16-1.96; n=3, I²=54%).

CONCLUSION

High levels of analgesic consumption and related serious adverse outcomes were found in patients with CKD. Consideration needs to be given to how these patients are assessed and managed in order to minimise harms and improve outcomes.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

CRD42019156491 (PROSPERO).

Cinacalcet and gastrointestinal bleeding risk in patients receiving hemodialysis

PURPOSE

Secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) is common among dialysis patients, and calcimimetics are a mainstay of treatment. This study assessed whether cinacalcet use is associated with gastrointestinal bleeding in a large hemodialysis cohort.

METHODS

A linked database of clinical records and medical claims for patients receiving hemodialysis in a large dialysis organization, 2007-2010, was used. A nested case-control study was performed among patients aged ≥18 years who had received hemodialysis for ≥90 days, had Medicare Parts A, B, and D coverage for ≥1 year, and had clinical evidence of SHPT (parathyroid hormone >300 pg/mL). Cases were those who experienced death or hospitalization caused by gastrointestinal bleeding. Each case was matched to up to four controls. Exposure was measured by any cinacalcet use, current use, past use, cumulative exposure days, and cumulative dosage. Conditional logistic models were used to assess the association.

RESULTS

Of 48 437 patients included, 2570 experienced gastrointestinal bleeding events (2498 non-fatal, 72 fatal), and 2465 (2397 non-fatal, 68 fatal) were matched to 9500 controls; 17.2% of cases and 15.8% of controls had cinacalcet exposure and 11.1% of both cases and controls had current use. The adjusted odds ratios (95% CI) of gastrointestinal bleeding for any use, current use, and past use of cinacalcet were 1.04 (0.91-1.19), 0.97 (0.83-1.13), and 1.22 (0.99-1.50), respectively, with no use as the reference.

CONCLUSION

The results do not suggest an elevated risk of gastrointestinal bleeding resulting in hospitalization or death for hemodialysis patients exposed to cinacalcet.

Causes of death in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis in Japan: 10-year outcomes of the Q-Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Although the mortality rate in patients on hemodialysis remains extremely high, detailed information on causes of death over long-term periods is limited. The aim of this study was to clarify the underlying causes of death in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis in Japan.

METHODS

This was a 10-year, multicenter, observational study of 3528 outpatients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis in Japan. Clinical outcomes were analyzed and causes of death were classified into six broad categories including cardiovascular diseases, infectious diseases, malignant neoplasms, cachexia, trauma/accidents, and other diseases, and more detailed subcategories.

RESULTS

During the 10-year follow-up period, 1748 (49.5%) patients died. The most frequent causes of death were cardiovascular diseases (36.1%), followed by infectious diseases (25.8%) and malignant neoplasms (13.5%). In a detailed classification, sudden death, pulmonary infection, and lung cancer were the most common causes of death in cardiovascular diseases, infectious diseases, and malignant neoplasms, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Our study determined details on causes of death in Japanese hemodialysis patients during the 10-year follow-up period. Cardiovascular disease, especially sudden death is noticeable cause of death among patients on hemodialysis.

End-stage renal disease and lower gastrointestinal bleeding-A propensity-matched analysis of nationwide inpatient sample

AIMS

We aim to determine the influence of lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB) on mortality, morbidity, length of hospital stay and resource utilisation in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The National Inpatient Sample database (2016 &2017) was used for data analysis using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision codes to identify the patients with the principal diagnosis of ESRD and LGIB. We assessed the all-cause in-hospital mortality, morbidity, predictors of mortality, length of hospital stay (LOS) and total costs between propensity-matched groups of ESRD patients with LGIB versus ESRD patients.

RESULTS

We identified 2 187 954 ESRD patients, of whom 242 075 has LGIB, and 1 945 879 were ESRD patients. The in-hospital mortality was higher in ESRD with LGIB (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.5-2.2; P = .00). ESRD with LGIB has higher odds of mechanical ventilation (OR 1.4, 95% CI 6.4-16.4; P = .00), and shock requiring vasopressor (OR 1.2, 95% CI 4.9-5.4; P = .002). Advanced age (OR 1.02 CI 1.02-1.03 P = .00), anaemia (OR 1.04 CI 1.59-1.91 P = .006), acute coronary syndrome (OR 1.8 CI 1.6-2.1, P = .00), acute respiratory failure (OR 1.29 CI 2.0-2.6, P = .00), mechanical ventilation (OR 1.9, CI 3.5-4.4, P = .00) and sepsis (OR 1.5, CI 4.1-5.08, P = .00) were identified as predictors of mortality in ESRD with LGIB. Mean LOS (10.8 ± 14.9 vs 6.3 ± 8.5, P < .01) and mean total charges (37 054 $ vs 18 080 $, P < .01) were also higher.

CONCLUSIONS

In this propensity-matched analysis, ESRD with LGIB was associated with higher odds of in-hospital mortality, mechanical ventilation and shock requiring vasopressor. Mean LOS and resource utilisation were also higher.

Natural history of upper and lower gastrointestinal bleeding in hemodialysis patients: A dual-center long-term cohort study

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Knowledge on the risk of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding in hemodialysis patients is limited. We evaluated the risk of GI bleeding in hemodialysis patients compared with non-hemodialysis patients.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort study from 1996 to 2017 at the Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, and Horinouchi Hospital. We analyzed patients on hemodialysis for chronic renal failure and controls not on hemodialysis. The primary endpoint was GI bleeding. A survival analysis was performed to estimate the cumulative incidence and hazard ratio of GI bleeding.

RESULTS

A total of 14 451 patients were analyzed (417 hemodialysis and 14 034 non-hemodialysis patients). In total, 524 GI bleeding events occurred. Upper and lower GI bleeding occurred in 432 and 92 patients in the hemodialysis and non-hemodialysis groups, respectively. The most frequent source of upper and lower GI bleeding was gastric ulcer and colonic diverticular bleeding, respectively. The cumulative incidence of GI bleeding was 4.44% at 1 year, 7.15% at 3 years, and 10.40% at 5 years in hemodialysis patients; the respective rates were 2.35%, 2.98%, and 3.79% in non-hemodialysis patients during a mean follow-up period of 3.5 years. Hemodialysis was significantly associated with an increased risk of GI bleeding after adjustment (hazard ratio 1.67, P = 0.01, 95% confidence interval 1.13-2.50).

CONCLUSIONS

Hemodialysis patients had a GI bleeding rate of 10% over 5 years, and hemodialysis was a risk factor for GI bleeding.

Hemodialysis Increases the Risk of Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding and Angiodysplasia Bleeding: A Nationwide Population Study

Background

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) with or without hemodialysis were considered to have bleeding tendency and higher risk for gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. Previous studies had documented that hemodialysis may increase the gastroduodenal ulcer bleeding. Few studies evaluated the relationship between CKD and lower GI bleeding. Materials and Methods. An observational cohort study design was conducted. The end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients receiving regular hemodialysis (dialysis CKD), CKD patients without dialysis (dialysis-free CKD), and controls were selected from 1 million randomly sampled subjects in the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan. These three group subjects were matched by age, sex, comorbidity, and enrollment time in a 1 : 2 : 2 ratio. The Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to identify the potential risk factors for lower gastrointestinal bleeding.

Results

Dialysis CKD patients (n = 574) had a higher incidence of lower GI bleeding than dialysis-free CKD patients (n = 574) had a higher incidence of lower GI bleeding than dialysis-free CKD patients (n = 574) had a higher incidence of lower GI bleeding than dialysis-free CKD patients (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that extreme old age (age ≥ 85), male gender, dialysis-free CKD, and dialysis CKD were independent factors of lower GI bleeding. Additionally, dialysis CKD patients also had a higher incidence of angiodysplasia bleeding compared to dialysis-free CKD patients and control subjects (1.1% vs. 0.1% and 0.1%, respectively; both P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that extreme old age (age ≥ 85), male gender, dialysis-free CKD, and dialysis CKD were independent factors of lower GI bleeding. Additionally, dialysis CKD patients also had a higher incidence of angiodysplasia bleeding compared to dialysis-free CKD patients and control subjects (1.1% vs. 0.1% and 0.1%, respectively; both

Conclusion

Hemodialysis may have higher risk of lower GI bleeding and angiodysplasia bleeding.

Recent evidence for direct oral anticoagulants in chronic kidney disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have emerged as an effective and safe alternative to vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) for stroke and venous thromboembolism (VTE) prevention. However, patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) experience an increase in the risk of both thromboembolism and bleeding, and the risk-benefit profile of DOACs, particularly in advanced CKD remains a source of ongoing debate. This review summarizes the recent evidence on the effects of DOACs in CKD across a range of clinical indications including newly emerging indications.

RECENT FINDINGS

Data on early-to-moderate stage CKD derived from pivotal randomized controlled trials in broader atrial fibrillation and VTE populations support the favorable risk-benefit ratio of DOACs compared with VKAs in patients in these groups. However, safety data from observational studies comparing DOACs with VKAs in patients with atrial fibrillation and CKD (moderate to advanced) have been conflicting. Recent trials have evaluated the efficacy of low-dose DOACs on major cardiovascular outcomes, showing promising risk-benefit ratios in high-risk populations with concurrent CKD.

SUMMARY

Current data on patients with CKD derived from trials in the broader population suggest that DOACs are an effective alternative to VKAs in patients with early-to-moderate stage CKD. However, studies on patients with advanced CKD are lacking. Further randomized controlled trials, particularly those evaluating the risk of any clinically relevant bleeding as part of a more accurate assessment of the risk-benefit profile of DOACs in people with CKD, are needed.

Prediction of perioperative transfusions using an artificial neural network

BACKGROUND

Accurate prediction of operative transfusions is essential for resource allocation and identifying patients at risk of postoperative adverse events. This research examines the efficacy of using artificial neural networks (ANNs) to predict transfusions for all inpatient operations.

METHODS

Over 1.6 million surgical cases over a two year period from the NSQIP-PUF database are used. Data from 2014 (750937 records) are used for model development and data from 2015 (885502 records) are used for model validation. ANN and regression models are developed to predict perioperative transfusions for surgical patients.

RESULTS

Various ANN models and logistic regression, using four variable sets, are compared. The best performing ANN models with respect to both sensitivity and area under the receiver operator characteristic curve outperformed all of the regression models (p < .001) and achieved a performance of 70-80% specificity with a corresponding 75-62% sensitivity.

CONCLUSION

ANNs can predict >75% of the patients who will require transfusion and 70% of those who will not. Increasing specificity to 80% still enables a sensitivity of almost 67%. The unique contribution of this research is the utilization of a single ANN model to predict transfusions across a broad range of surgical procedures.

Particular aspects of gastroenterological disorders in chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease patients: a clinically focused review

Besides renal disease, gastrointestinal (GI) disorders are frequently reported in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Related gastrointestinal symptoms tend to increase as the renal disease progresses. Also, in patients with ESRD, the modality of dialysis is related to particular forms of GI disorders.The kidney can interact with the digestive organs through functional endogenous systems such as the 'kidney-colon axis' and the 'kidney-liver axis'. Digestive diseases are one of the visible manifestations of the disturbance between hemostatic, hemodynamic and immunological balance in such patients.No clear management guidelines currently exist for many of the gastrointestinal problems that accompany renal failure. This review aims to describe the particular aspects of GI diseases present in CKD/ESRD. We focus our discussion in the specificities of epidemiology, diagnosis, and prognosis of such disorders between the different segments of the digestive system.

High risk of gastrointestinal hemorrhage in patients with systemic sclerosis

BACKGROUND

Systemic sclerosis (SSc), a life-threatening autoimmune disease characterized by vasculopathy. Numerous SSc patients demonstrate gastrointestinal (GI) involvement but the delicate GI bleeding risk remains sparse. We aimed to explore the role of SSc in determining the long-term risk of GI bleeding, including bleedings of upper (peptic and non-peptic ulcers) and lower GI tracts.

METHODS

Patients with SSc diagnosis were identified from the Catastrophic Illness Patient Database and the National Health Insurance Research Database from 1998 to 2007. Each SSc patient was matched with five SSc-free individuals by age, sex, and index date. All individuals (case = 3665, control = 18,325) were followed until the appearance of a GI bleeding event, death, or end of 2008. A subdistribution hazards model was assessed to evaluate the GI bleeding risk with adjustments for age, sex, and time-dependent covariates, comorbidity, and medications.

RESULTS

The incidence rate ratios of GI bleeding were 2.38 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.02-2.79), 2.06 (95% CI, 1.68-2.53), and 3.16 (95% CI, 2.53-3.96) for over-all, upper, and lower GI bleeding events in SSc patients. In the competing death risk in the subdistribution hazards model with time-covariate adjustment, SSc was an independent risk factor for over-all GI bleeding events (subdistribution hazard ratio [sHR] 2.98, 95% CI, 2.21-4.02), upper GI bleeding events (sHR 2.80, 95% CI, 1.92-4.08), and lower GI bleeding events (sHR 3.93, 95% CI, 2.52-6.13).

CONCLUSION

SSc patients exhibited a significantly higher risk of over-all and different subtype GI bleeding events compared with the SSc-free population. The prevention strategy is needed for these high GI bleeding risk groups.

Anticoagulation in Patients With Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease: Walking the Fine Line Between Benefit and Harm

Chronic kidney disease affects more than 3 million Canadians and is highly associated with cardiovascular diseases that require anticoagulation, such as atrial fibrillation and venous thromboembolism. Patients with chronic kidney disease are at a problematic crossroads; they are at high risk of thrombotic conditions requiring anticoagulation and bleeding complications due to anticoagulation. The limited high-quality clinical evidence to guide decision-making in this area further compounds the dilemma. In this review, we discuss the physiology and epidemiology of bleeding and thrombosis in patients with kidney disease. We specifically focus on patients with advanced kidney disease (estimated glomerular filtration rate ≤ 30 mL/min) or who are receiving dialysis and focus on the nephrologist perspective regarding these issues. We summarize the existing evidence for anticoagulation use in the prevention of stroke with atrial fibrillation and provide practical clinical recommendations for considering anticoagulation use in this population. Last, we examine specific scenarios such as the use of a glomerular filtration rate estimating equation and dosing, the use of existing prediction tools for stroke and hemorrhage risk, current patterns of anticoagulation use (including during the dialysis procedure), and vascular calcification with vitamin K antagonist use in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Long-Term Clinical Outcome of Drug-Eluting vs. Bare-Metal Stent Implantation After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in End-Stage Renal Disease Patients on Hemodialysis - Nationwide Cohort Study in Taiwan

BACKGROUND

Data on clinical outcome after drug-eluting stent (DES) vs. bare-metal stent (BMS) implantation in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) under hemodialysis are limited and controversial.Methods and Results:We identified 4,970 patients under chronic hemodialysis from Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) who had their first coronary stenting between 1 January 2007 and 31 December 2012. After 1:1 propensity score matching, we evaluated clinical outcomes for 1,151 patients in the DES group and 1,151 patients in the matched BMS group. We used ICD-9 CM codes or operation code to identify all outcomes in the study cohort after the index procedure. Primary outcomes including composite endpoints of mortality, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), non-fatal stroke, and revascularization after the index procedure were similar in both groups (HR, 0.94; 95% CI: 0.81-1.09; P=0.399). The results were consistent in various generations of DES vs. BMS groups. Secondary outcomes including mortality, non-fatal MI, non-fatal stroke, revascularization, cardiovascular death, hospitalization for heart failure, peptic ulcer bleeding or blood transfusion were similar in both groups, except for a lower risk of peptic ulcer disease in the DES group (HR, 0.59; 95% CI: 0.41-0.83; P=0.003) than the BMS group.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients on chronic hemodialysis, implantation of DES did not have a better clinical outcome than BMS.

Risk factors for peptic ulcer disease in patients with end-stage renal disease receiving dialysis

Background

Compared to the general population, patients with end-stage renal disease have more gastrointestinal symptoms and a higher prevalence of peptic ulcer. Risk factors for peptic ulcer disease in patients with end-stage renal disease, however, remain poorly defined. This study aims to better identify those risk factors.

Methods

We analyzed 577 patients with end-stage renal disease from 2004 to 2016. We excluded patients with life-threatening conditions. All patients underwent upper endoscopy. We analyzed patient medical records, medication history, and endoscopic findings. Independent sample t test, chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test, and multiple logistic regression analysis were used in statistical analyses.

Results

Of the 577 patients with end-stage renal disease, 174 had peptic ulcer disease (gastric or duodenal ulcer). Patients on hemodialysis had a higher prevalence of peptic ulcer disease than those on peritoneal dialysis. Patients with peptic ulcer disease had lower serum albumin level and higher blood urea nitrogen level than those without peptic ulcer disease. Positive scores on two or more nutritional indices (albumin, serum cholesterol, uric acid, and creatinine levels) were associated with peptic ulcer disease in end-stage renal disease.

Conclusion

Hemodialysis, hypoalbuminemia, and multiple malnutrition indices were associated with the prevalence of peptic ulcer disease in patients with end-stage renal disease receiving dialysis.

WISP1 silencing confers protection against epithelial-mesenchymal transition of renal tubular epithelial cells in rats via inactivation of the wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in uremia

Uremia can affect hepatic metabolism of drugs by regulating the clearance of drugs, but it has not been clarified whether gene silencing could modulate the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process in uremia. Hence, we investigated the effect of WISP1 gene silencing on the renal tubular EMT in uremia through the wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Initially, microarray-based gene expression profiling of uremia was used to identify differentially expressed genes. Following the establishment of uremia rat model, serum creatinine, and urea nitrogen of rats were detected. Renal tubular epithelial cells (TECs) were transfected with shRNA-WISP1 lentivirus interference vectors and LiCI (the wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway activator) to explore the regulatory mechanism of WISP1 in uremia in relation to the wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Then, expression of WISP1, wnt2b, E-cadherin, α-SMA, c-myc, Cyclin D1, MMP-2, and MMP-9 was determined. Furthermore, TEC migration and invasion were evaluated. Results suggested that WISP1 and the wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway were associated with uremia. Uremic rats exhibited increased serum creatinine and urea nitrogen levels, upregulated WISPl, and activated wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Subsequently, WISP1 silencing decreased wnt2b, c-myc, Cyclin D1, α-SMA, MMP-2, and MMP-9 expression but increased E-cadherin expression, whereas LiCI treatment exhibited the opposite trends. In addition, WISP1 silencing suppressed TEC migration and invasion, whereas LiCI treatment promoted TEC migration and invasion. The findings indicate that WISP1 gene silencing suppresses the activation of the wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, thus reducing EMT of renal TECs in uremic rats.

Factors Associated with Recurrent Ulcers in Patients with Gastric Surgery after More Than 15 Years: A Cross-Sectional Single-Center Study

Aim

We aimed to establish the independent predictive factors (from Helicobacter pylori infection, biliary reflux, histologic features of the gastric mucosa, drugs, comorbidities, and social habits) for gastric stump ulcer occurrence more than 15 years after surgery.

Methods

76 patients with previous gastric surgery were included: 21 patients with gastric ulcer (marginal ulcer or ulcer of the rest of the gastric remnant-study group) and 55 controls (nonulcer group).

Results

Helicobacter pylori infection tended to be higher in the control group than in the ulcer group (14.5% vs. 4.8%, p = 0.43), without statistical significance. Alcohol consumption had a significant positive association with ulcer (p = 0.008), while smoking (p = 0.064), low-dose aspirin (p = 0.063), and biliary reflux (p = 0.106) had a tendency toward statistical signification for positive association. On univariate analysis, smoking (p = 0.048, OR = 3.15, 95% CI: 1.01-9.93) and low-dose aspirin consumption (p = 0.067, OR = 2.63, 95% CI: 0.95-7.68) were significantly associated with ulcer. According to the multivariable regression model, alcohol consumption (OR = 6.68, 95% CI: 1.29-41.14) and biliary reflux (OR = 6.12, 95% CI: 1.36-38.26) remained significantly associated with increased odds of stump ulcer.

Conclusion

Biliary reflux and alcohol consumption, but not Helicobacter pylori infection or gastrotoxic drug, seem to be the most important predictors for ulcer recurrence in patients with gastric surgery for peptic ulcer after more than 15 years.

Risk factors for upper gastrointestinal bleeding among aspirin users: An old issue with new findings from a population-based cohort study

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

We aimed to identify the risk factors of first-time occurrence of non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) among aspirin users after adjusting for confounding factors like age, gender, underlying co-morbidities, and medications.

METHODS

Using the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan and matching age, gender, underlying co-morbidities and enrollment time by propensity score, 11105 aspirin users and 11105 controls were identified for comparison from a cohort dataset of 1,000,000 randomly sampled subjects. Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to identify independent risk factors for first-time occurrence of non-variceal UGIB in the study cohort and in the aspirin users after adjusting for age, gender, underlying co-morbidities, and medications (e.g., non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs], cyclooxygenase-2 [COX-2] inhibitors, steroids, thienopyridines, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, warfarin, and dipyridamole).

RESULTS

By Cox proportional hazard regression analysis, aspirin use increased the risk of first-time occurrence of UGIB (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.48; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.28-1.72). Age, male gender, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)infection, diabetes, chronic kidney disease (CKD), cirrhosis, history of uncomplicated peptic ulcer disease (PUD), and use of NSAIDs, COX-2 inhibitors, steroids, and thienopyridines were independent risk factors for UGIB among aspirin users.

CONCLUSION

In addition to age, male gender, H. pylori infection, and concomitant use of NSAIDs, COX-2 inhibitors, steroids, and thienopyridines, underlying co-morbidities including diabetes, CKD, cirrhosis, history of PUD are also important risk factors for first-time occurrence of non-variceal UGIB in aspirin users.

Non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding

Non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (NVUGIB) is bleeding that develops in the oesophagus, stomach or proximal duodenum. Peptic ulcers, caused by Helicobacter pylori infection or use of NSAIDs and low-dose aspirin (LDA), are the most common cause. Although the incidence and mortality associated with NVUGIB have been decreasing owing to considerable advances in the prevention and management of NVUGIB over the past 20 years, it remains a common clinical problem with an annual incidence of ∼67 per 100,000 individuals in the United States in 2012. NVUGIB is a medical emergency, and mortality is in the range ∼1-5%. After resuscitation and initial assessment, early (within 24 hours) diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy together with intragastric pH control with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) form the basis of treatment. With a growing ageing population treated with antiplatelet and/or anticoagulant medications, the clinical management of NVUGIB is complex as the risk between gastrointestinal bleeding events and adverse cardiovascular events needs to be balanced. The best clinical approach includes identification of risk factors and prevention of bleeding; available strategies include continuous treatment with PPIs or H. pylori eradication in those at increased risk of developing NVUGIB. Treatment with PPIs and/or use of cyclooxygenase-2-selective NSAIDs should be implemented in those patients at risk of NVUGIB who need NSAIDs and/or LDA.

Impact of dialysis dependence on prognosis in patients with myocardial infarction: An 11-year population-based study

In this study we aimed to directly compare the short and long-term prognosis of nondialysis patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), dialysis patients, and patients with preserved renal function after acute myocardial infarction (AMI).AMI in patients with CKD is a catastrophic event associated with high medical expenditures and dismal survival. However, there is little research comparing post-AMI outcomes between patients with CKD who were and were not receiving dialysis.The retrospective cohort study included patients with AMI (n = 158,125) in the Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database who were treated March 1998 and December 2009. Patients were classified into a nondialysis CKD group (n = 6300), dialysis group (n = 5140), and a control group (n = 146,685). The clinical characteristics, in-hospital events, and long-term outcomes of these 3 groups were compared separately using a multivariable Cox proportional hazard model.The risks of in-hospital death and 2-year all-cause mortality were the highest in the dialysis group, followed by the nondialysis CKD group, and were the lowest in the control group. The 1-year risk of myocardial infarction did not differ among the 3 study groups, but the 2-year risk of myocardial infarction was higher in the dialysis group than in the control group (hazard ratio, 1.13; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-1.24; P = .010).Patients with CKD experienced adverse short- and long-term outcomes after acute myocardial infarction. Patients with CKD, especially those who are dialysis dependent, may require more intensive management to improve their post-AMI clinical outcomes.

Chronic kidney disease severely deteriorates the outcome of gastrointestinal bleeding: A meta-analysis

AIM

To understand the influence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) on mortality, need for transfusion and rebleeding in gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding patients.

METHODS

A systematic search was conducted in three databases for studies on GI bleeding patients with CKD or end-stage renal disease (ESRD) with data on outcomes of mortality, transfusion requirement, rebleeding rate and length of hospitalization (LOH). Calculations were performed with Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software using the random effects model. Heterogeneity was tested by using Cochrane's Q and I2 statistics. Mean difference (MD) and OR (odds ratio) were calculated.

RESULTS

1063 articles (EMBASE: 589; PubMed: 459; Cochrane: 15) were found in total. 5 retrospective articles and 1 prospective study were available for analysis. These 6 articles contained data on 406035 patients, of whom 51315 had impaired renal function. The analysis showed a higher mortality in the CKD group (OR = 1.786, 95%CI: 1.689-1.888, P < 0.001) and the ESRD group (OR = 2.530, 95%CI: 1.386-4.616, P = 0.002), and a rebleeding rate (OR = 2.510, 95%CI: 1.521-4.144, P < 0.001) in patients with impaired renal function. CKD patients required more unit red blood cell transfusion (MD = 1.863, 95%CI: 0.812-2.915, P < 0.001) and spent more time in hospital (MD = 13.245, 95%CI: 6.886-19.623, P < 0.001) than the controls.

CONCLUSION

ESRD increases mortality, need for transfusion, rebleeding rate and LOH among GI bleeding patients. Prospective patient registries and observational clinical trials are crucially needed.

Predicting in a predicament: Stroke and hemorrhage risk prediction in dialysis patients with atrial fibrillation

Whether to anticoagulate dialysis patients with atrial fibrillation is a common clinical dilemma with limited high-quality data to inform decision-making. While the efficacy and safety of anticoagulation for stroke prevention in dialysis patients with atrial fibrillation has long been debated and remains unclear, the more upstream issue of stroke risk assessment from atrial fibrillation has received relatively little attention. In the general population, a handful of risk scores to help predict stroke and hemorrhage risk in the setting of atrial fibrillation are widely validated and applied in clinical practice. But are they applicable to the dialysis population? The most commonly used stroke risk scores, CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASC, have limited validation in the dialysis population, and when validated, have shown poor performance (c-statistics <0.70). Stroke risk scores derived in the general atrial fibrillation population may perform poorly in dialysis patients for a number of reasons. Dialysis patients have unique stroke risk factors, such as chronic inflammation and vascular calcification, and a much higher competing risk of death, none of which are accounted for in current risk scores. Further complicating the dilemma of anticoagulation is hemorrhage risk, which is known to be exceedingly high in dialysis patients. Currently available hemorrhage risk scores, such as HAS-BLED, have not been validated in dialysis patients and will likely underestimate hemorrhage risk. Moving forward, risk tools specific to the dialysis population are needed to accurately assess and balance stroke and hemorrhage risks in dialysis patients with atrial fibrillation.

Cholecystectomy Reduces Recurrent Pancreatitis and Improves Survival After Endoscopic Sphincterotomy

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to assess whether cholecystectomy can decrease the recurrent pancreatitis in the elderly patients who received endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) and successful clearance of bile duct (BD) stones after gallstone-related acute pancreatitis.

METHODS

We analyzed data from National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan. Elderly patients (age ≧70 years old) who had gallstone-related acute pancreatitis and underwent successful EST with BD stones clearance were eligible for enrollment. This nationwide, population-based, propensity score (PS)-matched cohort study involved two cohorts: (1) patients who underwent cholecystectomy after ERCP with BD stone clearance as study group and (2) those who adopted wait-and-see strategy (without cholecystectomy) after ERCP with BD stone clearance as control group. The primary and secondary endpoints were recurrent acute pancreatitis and all-cause mortality, respectively.

RESULTS

During the study period, a total of 670 elderly patients (male 291, female 379) with a mean age of 79.1 was enrolled for analysis after PS matching. The incidence rate of recurrent acute pancreatitis was 12.39 per 1000 person-years in the cholecystectomy cohort and 23.94 per 1000 person-years in the PS-matched control cohort. The risk of recurrent acute pancreatitis was significantly lower in the cholecystectomy cohort (HR, 0.56; 95 % confidence interval [CI], 0.34-0.91; P = 0.021). The HR for all-cause mortality among the cholecystectomy cohort was 0.75 (95 % CI, 0.59-0.95; P = 0.016) compared with the control cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

Cholecystectomy decreased the subsequent recurrent acute pancreatitis and the all-cause mortality in elderly patients with EST and clearance of BD stones after gallstone-related acute pancreatitis.

Gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with renal failure under hemodialysis treatment: a single-center experience

PURPOSE

Gastrointestinal bleeding remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality for patients who need hemodialysis treatment. Our aim was to evaluate patients who needed hemodialysis and presented with bleeding during their hospital stay (uremic bleeding patients). Factors that increased the risk of bleeding and death were evaluated. Additionally, uremic bleeding patients were compared to non-uremic bleeding patients regarding gastrointestinal findings.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Fifty-one uremic bleeding patients were compared to two control groups which included uremic (hemodialysis dependent and non-bleeding) and non-uremic (no renal insufficiency and bleeding) patients.

RESULTS

NSAIDs and anti-ulcer drug usage were more common in uremic bleeding and in uremic non-bleeding groups, respectively. Dialysis vintage was longer in uremic bleeding group. Comparison of uremic bleeding and non-bleeding uremic patients regarding the usage of ACEI or ARB drugs yielded non-significant results. Acute kidney injury, lower plasma albumin level and high CRP level were significantly increased the risk of mortality in uremic bleeding patients. Hospital stay more than 1 week was the only strong factor for mortality when multivariate analysis was performed. Gastroduodenal and duodenal ulcers were significantly detected in uremic bleeding and non-uremic bleeding patients; respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Hemodialysis patients presenting with gastrointestinal bleeding should be evaluated regarding use of prescriptions and efforts should be done in order to shorten their hospital stay and decrease their mortality. Effect of ACEI or ARB drugs should also be evaluated in future studies.

Risk of Rebleeding and Mortality in Cirrhotic Patients with Peptic Ulcer Bleeding: A 12-Year Nationwide Cohort Study

Although a few studies have investigated the risks of peptic ulcer bleeding (PUB) in cirrhotic patients, large population-based studies on in-hospital and long-term reports on recurrent PUB in a cohort of cirrhotic patients are lacking. This 12-year nationwide cohort study aimed to investigate the risks of in-hospital and long-term rebleeding and mortality in cirrhotic patients and to identify possible risk factors. Patient data from 1997 to 2008 were extracted from the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan. A total of 15,575 patients who were discharged with a diagnosis of PUB were identified after strict exclusions (n = 2889). Among them, patients with cirrhosis (n = 737) and those with chronic hepatitis (n = 1044) were compared to propensity-score matched normal controls at a ratio of 1:1. Accumulated in-hospital and long-term follow-up PUB-free survival rates were analyzed in patients with cirrhosis, patients with chronic hepatitis, and matched controls. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to identify each independent risk factor. Compared with matched controls, patients with cirrhosis exhibited a 2.62-fold (95% CI: 1.74–3.92) higher risk of developing in-hospital rebleeding, but the risk of long-term rebleeding was comparable between cirrhotic patients and matched controls (hazard ratio: 1.29, 95% CI: 0.8–2.09). On the other hand, no significant difference was observed in in-hospital and long-term rebleeding between chronic hepatitis patients and matched controls. We compared the survival rates of cirrhotic and chronic hepatitis patients to that of matched controls. After propensity score matching, both cirrhotic and chronic hepatitis patients showed significantly lower survival than the matched controls (P < 0.0001 and 0.033, respectively) during the 12-year follow-up period. However, in-hospital and long-term rebleeding rates were not significantly different between chronic hepatitis patients and matched controls (P = 0.251 and 0.474, respectively). In conclusion, liver cirrhosis increased health care expenses in patients with PUB and these patients exhibited higher recurrent bleeding rate than non-cirrhotic patients during hospitalization. Cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis are independently associated with an increased long-term mortality when compared with patients without liver disease.

Chronic Kidney Disease and Risk for Gastrointestinal Bleeding in the Community: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Patients on dialysis are known to have higher risk for gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. However, data on mild to moderate CKD, particularly elevated albuminuria, are limited.

DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS

Among 11,088 participants in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study, we investigated the association of eGFR and urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) with risk for hospitalization with GI bleeding. Kidney measures were assessed at visit four (1996-1998), and follow-up was continued through 2011.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up of 13.9 years, 686 first incident hospitalizations with GI bleeding were observed (incidence rate, 4.9 per 1000 person-years [95% confidence interval (95% CI), 4.5 to 5.3]). Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models revealed that both lower eGFR and higher ACR were associated with higher risk for GI bleeding. With eGFR≥90 ml/min per 1.73 m2 as a reference, risk for GI bleeding was significant in moderately decreased eGFR of 30-59 ml/min per 1.73 m2 (hazard ratio [HR], 1.51; 95% CI, 1.13 to 2.02), and was highest in severely decreased eGFR<30 ml/min per 1.73 m2 (HR, 7.06; 95% CI, 3.91 to 12.76). Compared with ACR<10 mg/g, risk for GI bleeding became significantly higher in mild albuminuria with ACR 10-29 mg/g (HR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.08 to 1.69), and was nearly double in moderate and severe albuminuria (HR, 2.13; 95% CI, 1.66 to 2.71 for ACR 30-299 mg/g, and HR, 2.07; 95% CI, 1.33 to 3.22 for ACR≥300 mg/g). These results were largely consistent in demographic and clinical subgroups and independent of incident cardiovascular events or dialysis during follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Individuals with even mild to moderate CKD warrant clinical attention regarding the risk of hospitalization with GI bleeding.

Early eradication has a lower risk of peptic ulcer bleeding in Helicobacter pylori-infected chronic kidney disease patients

BACKGROUND

End stage renal disease (ESRD) contributes to a higher mortality rate in peptic ulcer bleeding (PUB) patients. A crucial question is whether early Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication therapy is necessary for H. pylori-infected chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. To explore whether H. pylori eradication therapy has a lower risk of PUB at the pre-ESRD stage than at the ESRD stage.

METHODS AND PATIENTS

Patients meeting 2 criteria were defined as newly diagnosed ESRD cases: (1) patients diagnosed with ESRD and receiving regular dialysis between 2000 and 2009; and (2) patients with no history of dialysis between 1997 and 1999. We divided the study participants into pre-ESRD and ESRD groups on the basis of the time between H. pylori eradication and dialysis. The date of the first PUB diagnosis was defined as the primary endpoint. Stratified Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was used to estimate the effect of H. pylori eradication at the pre-ESRD and ESRD stage on the occurrence of PUB.

RESULTS

We included 476 patients in the pre-ESRD cohort and 476 patients in the matched ESRD cohort. After adjustment for age, sex, the presence of comorbidities, and medication use, the hazard ratio of PUB was 0.66 times less in the pre-ESRD cohort than in the ESRD cohort. Factors such as Charlson's score more than 3, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were associated with an increased risk of PUB.

CONCLUSION

Our result supports that early H. pylori eradication has a lower risk of PUB in H. pylori-infected CKD patients.

The Risk of Major Hemorrhage with CKD

New staging systems for CKD account for both reduced eGFR and albuminuria; whether each measure associates with greater risk of hemorrhage is unclear. In this retrospective cohort study (2002-2010), we grouped 516,197 adults ≥40 years old by eGFR (≥90, 60 to <90, 45 to <60, 30 to <45, 15 to <30, or <15 ml/min per 1.73 m(2)) and urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR; >300, 30-300, or <30 mg/g) to examine incidence of hemorrhage. The 3-year cumulative incidence of hemorrhage increased 20-fold across declining eGFR and increasing urine ACR groupings (highest eGFR/lowest ACR: 0.5%; lowest eGFR/highest ACR: 10.1%). Urine ACR altered the association of eGFR with hemorrhage (P<0.001). In adjusted models using the highest eGFR/lowest ACR grouping as the referent, patients with eGFR=15 to <30 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) had adjusted relative risks of hemorrhage of 1.9 (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.5 to 2.4) with the lowest ACR and 3.7 (95% CI, 3.0 to 4.5) with the highest ACR. Patients with the highest eGFR/highest ACR had an adjusted relative risk of hemorrhage of 2.3 (95% CI, 1.8 to 2.9), comparable with the risk for patients with the lowest eGFR/lowest ACR. The associations attenuated but remained significant after adjustment for anticoagulant and antiplatelet use in patients ≥66 years old. The risk of hemorrhage differed by urine ACR in high risk subgroups. Our data show that declining eGFR and increasing albuminuria each independently increase hemorrhage risk. Strategies to reduce hemorrhage events among patients with CKD are warranted.

Bleeding after endoscopic submucosal dissection: Risk factors and preventive methods

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has become widely accepted as a standard method of treatment for superficial gastrointestinal neoplasms because it enables en block resection even for large lesions or fibrotic lesions with minimal invasiveness, and decreases the local recurrence rate. Moreover, specimens resected in an en block fashion enable accurate histological assessment. Taking these factors into consideration, ESD seems to be more advantageous than conventional endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), but the associated risks of perioperative adverse events are higher than in EMR. Bleeding after ESD is the most frequent among these adverse events. Although post-ESD bleeding can be controlled by endoscopic hemostasis in most cases, it may lead to serious conditions including hemorrhagic shock. Even with preventive methods including administration of acid secretion inhibitors and preventive hemostasis, post-ESD bleeding cannot be completely prevented. In addition high-risk cases for post-ESD bleeding, which include cases with the use of antithrombotic agents or which require large resection, are increasing. Although there have been many reports about associated risk factors and methods of preventing post-ESD bleeding, many issues remain unsolved. Therefore, in this review, we have overviewed risk factors and methods of preventing post-ESD bleeding from previous studies. Endoscopists should have sufficient knowledge of these risk factors and preventive methods when performing ESD.

Cross-sectional small intestinal surveillance of maintenance hemodialysis patients using video capsule endoscopy: SCHEMA study

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

Small intestinal pathology in hemodialysis (HD) patients has been studied in only a small number of retrospective case series. One method for noninvasively surveying small intestinal disorders is video capsule endoscopy (VCE). The primary aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of small intestinal abnormalities among asymptomatic maintenance HD outpatients using VCE. The secondary aim was to assess the clinical impact of these abnormalities.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This study consisted of two phases. In phase I, a cross-sectional study, a cohort of patients who received maintenance HD three times weekly at an outpatient hemodialysis clinic were studied using VCE. Phase II was a prospective cohort study with follow up for 1 year after VCE.

RESULTS

Fifty-six patients were enrolled in this study, and two were excluded from analysis due to capsule retention in the stomach. The prevalence of small bowel abnormalities in HD patients was 64.8 % (35/54) (95 % confidential interval 52.1 % - 77.6 %). Of 54 patients, 21 (38.9 %) had mucosal lesions, 10 (18.5 %) had vascular lesions, and 4 (7.4 %) had both lesion types. During the 1-year follow-up period, events occurred in four patients. A small bowel-associated event was observed in one patient, who underwent laparoscopy-assisted small intestinal partial resection 3 months after diagnosis by VCE. All patients in whom events were seen had small bowel abnormalities; no events were observed in the VCE-negative group.

CONCLUSIONS

Although asymptomatic maintenance HD patients had a high prevalence of small bowel abnormalities (64.8 %), they did not have a high incidence of small bowel-associated events during the 1-year follow-up.

Dialysis Patients with Implanted Drug-Eluting Stents Have Lower Major Cardiac Events and Mortality than Those with Implanted Bare-Metal Stents: A Taiwanese Nationwide Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the efficacy and long-term clinical benefits of DES for dialysis patients.

BACKGROUND

It is unclear whether percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation is associated with lower rates of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) or mortality compared to bare-metal stents (BMS).

METHODS

From a nationwide cohort selected from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database, we enrolled 2,835 dialysis patients who were hospitalized for PCI treatment with stent implantation from Dec 1, 2006. Follow-up was from the date of index hospitalization for PCI until the first MACE, date of death, or December 31, 2011, whichever came first.

RESULTS

A total of 738 patients (26.0%) had DES implanted, and 2,097 (74%) had BMS implanted. The medium time to the first MACE was 0.53 years (interquartile range: 0.89 years; range: 0-4.62 years). At 1-year follow-up, patients treated with BMS had significantly, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), all-cause mortality, and composite MACE compared to those treated with DES. The overall repeat revascularization with coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), non-fatal MI, all-cause mortality, and composite MACE were significantly lower in patients treated with DES than those treated with BMS. Multivariate cox regression analysis showed that older age, history of diabetes, history of heart failure, history of stroke, and DES vs. BMS were independent significant predictors of MACE.

CONCLUSIONS

DES implantation conferred survival benefits in dialysis patients compared with BMS implantation.

Helicobacter pylori: Effect of coexisting diseases and update on treatment regimens

The presence of concomitant diseases is an independent predictive factor for non-Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) peptic ulcers. Patients contracting concomitant diseases have an increased risk of developing ulcer disease through pathogenic mechanisms distinct from those of H. pylori infections. Factors other than H. pylori seem critical in peptic ulcer recurrence in end stage renal disease (ESRD) and cirrhotic patients. However, early H. pylori eradication is associated with a reduced risk of recurrent complicated peptic ulcers in patients with ESRD and liver cirrhosis. Resistances to triple therapy are currently detected using culture-based and molecular methods. Culture susceptibility testing before first- or second-line therapy is unadvisable. Using highly effective empiric first-line and rescue regimens can yield acceptable results. Sequential therapy has been included in a recent consensus report as a valid first-line option for eradicating H. pylori in geographic regions with high clarithromycin resistance. Two novel eradication regimens, namely concomitant and hybrid therapy, have proven more effective in patients with dual- (clarithromycin- and metronidazole-) resistant H. pylori strains. We aim to review the prevalence of and eradication therapy for H. pylori infection in patients with ESRD and cirrhosis. Moreover, we summarized the updated H. pylori eradication regimens.

Use of SSRI, But Not SNRI, Increased Upper and Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study in Taiwan

Selective serotonin receptor inhibitor (SSRI) and serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) users have been reported to have an increased risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB), but their association with lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB) is less studied. This study aimed to analyze the incidence of UGIB and LGIB among SSRI users, SNRI users, and controls.Using the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan, 9753 subjects who were taking serotonin reuptake inhibitors (8809 with SSRIs, and 944 with SNRIs), and 39,012 age, sex, and enrollment time-matched controls were enrolled at a 1:4 ratio. The log-rank test was used to analyze differences in the cumulative hazard of UGIB and LGIB between groups. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was used to evaluate the independent risk factors for UGIB and LGIB.During the 10-year follow-up period from 2000 to 2010, SSRI users, but not SNRI users, had significantly higher incidences of UGIB and LGIB than the controls (P < 0.001; log-rank test). The use of SSRIs, but not SNRIs, was independently associated with an increased risk of UGIB (hazard ratio [HR]:1.97; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.67-2.31) and LGIB (HR: 2.96, 95% CI: 2.46-3.57) after adjusting for age, sex, underlying comorbidities, and medications.The long-term use of SSRIs significantly increased the risk of UGIB and LGIB, and caused more LGIB than UGIB in the general population after adjusting for possible confounding factors, but the association between SNRIs and GIB is insignificant. Further prospective studies are needed to clarify this important issue.

Short-term use of glucocorticoids and risk of peptic ulcer bleeding: a nationwide population-based case-crossover study

BACKGROUND

Controversy exists regarding glucocorticoids therapy and the risk of peptic ulcer bleeding (PUB).

AIM

The present study was undertaken to determine whether short-term use of glucocorticoids is associated with the occurrence of peptic ulcer bleeding.

METHODS

The records of adult patients hospitalised for newly diagnosed peptic ulcer bleeding from 2000 to 2012 were retrieved from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database, a nationwide population-based registry system. The association between systemic glucocorticoids usage and peptic ulcer bleeding was determined with a conditional logistic regression model comparing cases and controls during time windows of 7, 14 and 28 days using a case-crossover design.

RESULTS

Of the 8894 enrolled patients, the adjusted self-matched odds ratios for peptic ulcer bleeding after exposure to the glucocorticoids were 1.37 (95% CI: 1.12-1.68, P = 0.003) for the 7-day window, 1.66 (95% CI: 1.38-2.00, P < 0.001) for the 14-day window and 1.84 (95% CI: 1.57-2.16, P < 0.001) for the 28-day window. Moderate to high, but not low dose glucocorticoids (methylprednisolone <4 mg/day or its equivalence) were associated with an increased risk of peptic ulcer bleeding. Concomitant use of a nonselective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) or aspirin further elevated the risk. However, it does not eliminate the effect of underlying diseases flare-up that may have placed the patients at risk for peptic ulcer bleeding in this kind of study design.

CONCLUSIONS

Short-term (7-28 days) exposure to glucocorticoids is significantly associated with peptic ulcer bleeding; this risk seems dose-dependent and is higher when nonselective NSAIDs or aspirin are used concurrently.

Angiotensin II receptor blocker prevents upper gastrointestinal bleeding in hypertensive patients with chronic kidney disease not on dialysis

AIMS

Investigate if angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) decreases risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) in hypertensive patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) not on dialysis.

METHODS

All hypertensive patients with CKD not on dialysis in outpatient department of China Medical University Hospital from 2003 to May 2013 were enrolled. The risk of UGIB was analysed using Cox proportional hazard regression.

RESULTS

A total of 2744 hypertensive CKD patients including 1515 male and 1229 female, aged 64.9 ± 13.8 years old in a median of 1.9 (0.9-3.9) years were analysed. The incidence of UGIB was 4.5 per 100 patient-years. ARB was associated with a decreased risk of UGIB (p < 0.001) with an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 0.533 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.404-0.703]. A history of UGIB, Helicobacter pylori infection, diabetes, lower estimated glomerular filtration rate, elevated blood urea nitrogen and decreased serum albumin were independently associated with an increased risk of UGIB.

CONCLUSIONS

Angiotensin II receptor blocker is associated with a decreased risk of UGIB in hypertensive CKD patients not on dialysis, independent of their renal function, history of gastrointestinal bleeding and nutrition status.

Effect of low-dose proton pump inhibitor on preventing upper gastrointestinal bleeding in chronic kidney disease patients receiving aspirin

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) leads to significant morbidity and mortality in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. This study determined the efficacy of using a low-dose proton pump inhibitor (PPI) to reduce the risk of non-variceal UGIB in CKD patients receiving aspirin.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 500 CKD patients who received aspirin between January 2008 and March 2013. Cumulative incidence analysis using the Kaplan-Meier method was performed to analyze the rate of non-variceal UGIB and association with the administration of low-dose PPI.

RESULTS

Of the 500 patients, 191 received low-dose PPI. Over the follow-up period, which lasted 1067 person-years, three patients in the low-dose PPI group (8.9 per 1000 person-years) and 19 patients in the non-PPI group (25.9 per 1000 person-years) developed non-variceal UGIB, respectively (P = 0.113). Low-dose PPI use did not decrease the risk of UGIB in CKD patients, including patients who did not receive dialysis (P = 0.127). However, according to the subgroup analysis of 230 patients who received dialysis, the low-dose PPI group (14.4 per 1000 person-years) demonstrated significantly reduced incidence and risk of non-variceal UGIB in comparison with the non-PPI group (53.8 per 1000 person-years) (P = 0.032).

CONCLUSION

Prophylactic low-dose PPI can reduce the risk of non-variceal UGIB in dialysis patients receiving aspirin.

Risk of oral antifungal agent-induced liver injury in Taiwanese

AIM

Oral antifungal agent-induced liver injury is a common safety concern that may lead to patients' hesitation in treating fungal infections such as onychomycosis. This study evaluated risk of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) caused by oral antifungal agents in Taiwanese populations.

METHODS

A population-based study was conducted by analyzing who used oral antifungal agents from 2002 to 2008 from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Database. A comparison control group was randomly extracted from the remainder of the original cohort.

RESULTS

Of the 90,847 oral antifungal agents users, 52 patients had DILI. Twenty-eight DILI cases used ketoconazole, 12 fluconazole, eight griseofulvin, three itraconazole and two terbinafine. The incidence rates (IR) of DILI per 10,000 persons were 31.6, 4.9, 4.3, 3.6 and 1.6 for fluconazole, ketoconazole, griseofulvin, itraconazole and terbinafine, respectively. Longer exposure duration increased the risk of DILI, with IR for exposure duration ≥ 60 defined daily dose (DDD) of 170.9, 62.5, and 36.1 per 10,000 persons for ketoconazole, itraconazole and terbinafine, respectively. Patients taking antifungal agents had higher incidences of developing DILI compared with those in the control group after adjusting for age, gender and co-morbidities (relative risk 2.38, P < 0.001). All of the six patients with fatal DILI used fluconazole. Old age and fluconazole increased the risk of oral antifungal-induced fatal DILI.

CONCLUSIONS

Oral antifungal agents are associated with low incidence of acute liver injury, but which may be fatal, especially for the elderly. Longer treatment duration may increase the risk of antifungal agent-induced liver injury, especially ketoconazole.

Renal dysfunction is an independent risk factor for bleeding after gastric ESD

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

The number of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is increasing worldwide and gastric cancer sometimes occurs with CKD. However, the safety and feasibility of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for patients with CKD are not clear. The aim of this study is to clarify the feasibility and safety of gastric ESD for patients with CKD.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This was a multicenter retrospective cohort study. In total, 144 patients with CKD who underwent gastric ESD between May 2003 and October 2012 were enrolled. The patients were divided into three groups: stage 3 (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR]: 30 - 59 mL/min), stage 4 (eGFR: 15 - 29 mL/min), and stage 5 (eGFR: < 15 mL/min) according to the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes Guidelines. The en bloc and curative resection rates and complications were assessed as short-term outcomes. Overall survival was analyzed using Kaplan - Meier methods.

RESULTS

In total, 92 patients were in stage 3 CKD; 23 in stage 4; and 29 in stage 5, including 19 patients in hemodialysis. The en bloc resection rate was 95.8 %. Post-ESD bleeding was observed in four patients with stage 5 CKD (13.8 %), three with stage 4 (13.0 %), and one with stage 3 (1.1 %). All bleeding could be controlled by endoscopic hemostasis, but five patients required blood transfusion. Perforation occurred in two patients (6.9 %) with stage 5 CKD, none (0 %) with stage 4, and two (4.3 %) with stage 3. Multivariate Poisson regression analysis revealed CKD stage 4 was a critical factor related to bleeding, whereas diabetes mellitus and CKD stage 5, which largely consist of patients receiving hemodialysis, were not. The median observation period of patients who achieved curative resection was 25.9 months (range 0.8-112.7 months) and the 3-year overall survival rate was 92.5 %.

CONCLUSIONS

Estimated GFR is a significant independent predictive factor of post-ESD bleeding in patients with CKD.

Incidence and risk factors for new-onset atrial fibrillation among patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing renal replacement therapy

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is prevalent in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients and negatively impacts patient outcomes. We explored the incidence and risk factors for new-onset AF among patients with ESRD undergoing renal replacement therapy, without a prior history of AF, retrieved from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD). For each of 134,901 patients with ESRD, one age- and gender-matched control and one similarly matched patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD), a total of 404,703 patients, were selected from the NHIRD. The study endpoint was the occurrence of new-onset AF and patients were followed an average of 5.1 years. The incidence rates of AF were 12.1, 7.3, and 5.0 per 1000 person-years for ESRD, CKD, and control patients, respectively. Among patients with ESRD, age, hypertension, heart failure, coronary artery disease, peripheral arterial occlusive disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were significant risk factors for new-onset AF. Thus, patients with ESRD had a significantly higher risk of new-onset AF. The presence of multiple risk factors was associated with a higher possibility of AF occurrence.

Association between early Helicobacter pylori eradication and a lower risk of recurrent complicated peptic ulcers in end-stage renal disease patients

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients exhibit an increased incidence of peptic ulcer disease. Helicobacter pylori plays a central role in the development of peptic ulcers. The effect of early H pylori eradication on the recurrence of complicated peptic ulcer disease in ESRD patients remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to explore whether early H pylori eradication therapy in ESRD patients can reduce the risk of recurrent complicated peptic ulcers.We conducted a population-based cohort study and recruited patients with ESRD who had developed peptic ulcers. We categorized patients into early (time lag ≦120 days after peptic ulcer diagnosis) and late H pylori eradication therapy groups. The Cox proportional hazards model was used. The endpoint was based on hospitalization for complicated recurrent peptic ulcers.The early and late H pylori eradication therapy groups consisted of 2406 and 1356 ESRD patients, respectively, in a time lag of 120 days. After adjusting for possible confounders, the early eradication group exhibited a lower rate of complicated recurrent peptic ulcer disease (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.76, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.64-0.91, P = 0.003) in a time lag of ≦120 days, but a similar rate of complicated recurrent peptic ulcer disease in time lags of ≦1 year (HR = 0.97, 95% CI 0.79-1.19, P = 0.758) and 2 years (HR = 1.11, 95% CI 0.86-1.44, P = 0.433) compared with the late eradication group.We recommend administering H pylori eradication within 120 days after peptic ulcer diagnosis to H pylori infected ESRD patients who have developed peptic ulcers.