Blood pressure control, proteinuria, and the progression of renal disease. The Modification of Diet in Renal Disease Study

A European Renal Association (ERA) synopsis for nephrology practice of the 2023 European Society of Hypertension (ESH) Guidelines for the Management of Arterial Hypertension

In June 2023, the European Society of Hypertension (ESH) presented and published the new 2023 ESH Guidelines for the Management of Arterial Hypertension, a document that was endorsed by the European Renal Association (ERA). Following the evolution of evidence in recent years, several novel recommendations relevant to the management of hypertension in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) appeared in these Guidelines. These include recommendations for target office blood pressure (BP) <130/80 mmHg in most and against target office BP <120/70 mmHg in all patients with CKD; recommendations for use of spironolactone or chlorthalidone for patients with resistant hypertension with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) higher or lower than 30 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively; use of a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor for patients with CKD and estimated eGFR ≥20 mL/min/1.73 m2; use of finerenone for patients with CKD, type 2 diabetes mellitus, albuminuria, eGFR ≥25 mL/min/1.73 m2 and serum potassium <5.0 mmol/L; and revascularization in patients with atherosclerotic renovascular disease and secondary hypertension or high-risk phenotypes if stenosis ≥70% is present. The present report is a synopsis of sections of the ESH Guidelines that are relevant to the daily clinical practice of nephrologists, prepared by experts from ESH and ERA. The sections summarized are those referring to the role of CKD in hypertension staging and cardiovascular risk stratification, the evaluation of hypertension-mediated kidney damage and the overall management of hypertension in patients with CKD.

Long-Term Cardiovascular Outcomes in Children and Adolescents With Hypertension

Importance

Hypertension affects 6% of all children, and its prevalence is increasing. Childhood hypertension tracks into adulthood and is associated with subclinical cardiovascular disease; however, there is a lack of evidence linking childhood hypertension to cardiovascular outcomes, which may contribute to underdiagnosis and undertreatment.

Objective

To determine the long-term associated risk of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) among children diagnosed with hypertension.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This was a population-based, retrospective, matched cohort study conducted from 1996 to 2022. The study included all children (aged 3-18 years) alive in Ontario, Canada, from 1996 to 2021, who were identified using provincial administrative health databases. Children with prior kidney replacement therapy were excluded.

Exposure

Incident hypertension diagnosis, identified by validated case definitions using diagnostic and physician billing claims. Each case was matched with 5 controls without hypertension by age, sex, birth weight, maternal gestational hypertension, prior comorbidities (chronic kidney disease, diabetes, cardiovascular surgery), and a propensity score for hypertension.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was MACE (a composite of cardiovascular death, stroke, hospitalization for myocardial infarction or unstable angina, or coronary intervention). Time to MACE was evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards regression.

Results

A total of 25 605 children (median [IQR] age, 15 [11-17] years; 14 743 male [57.6%]) with hypertension were matched to 128 025 controls without hypertension. Baseline covariates were balanced after propensity score matching, and prior comorbidities were uncommon (hypertension vs control cohort: malignancy, 1451 [5.7%] vs 7908 [6.2%]; congenital heart disease, 1089 [4.3%] vs 5408 [4.2%]; diabetes, 482 [1.9%] vs 2410 [1.9%]). During a median (IQR) of 13.6 (7.8-19.5) years of follow-up, incidence of MACE was 4.6 per 1000 person-years in children with hypertension vs 2.2 per 1000 person-years in controls (hazard ratio, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.9-2.2). Children with hypertension were at higher associated risk of stroke, hospitalization for myocardial infarction or unstable angina, coronary intervention, and congestive heart failure, but not cardiovascular death, compared with nonhypertensive controls.

Conclusions and Relevance

Children diagnosed with hypertension had a higher associated long-term risk of MACE compared with controls without hypertension. Improved detection, follow-up, and control of pediatric hypertension may reduce the risk of adult cardiovascular disease.

Estimating risk of rapid disease progression in pediatric patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease: a randomized trial of tolvaptan

BACKGROUND

Tolvaptan preserves kidney function in adults with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) at elevated risk of rapid progression. A trial (NCT02964273) evaluated tolvaptan safety and pharmacodynamics in children (5-17 years). However, progression risk was not part of study eligibility criteria due to lack of validated criteria for risk assessment in children. As risk estimation is important to guide clinical management, baseline characteristics of the study participants were retrospectively evaluated to determine whether risk of rapid disease progression in pediatric ADPKD can be assessed and to identify parameters relevant for risk estimation.

METHODS

Four academic pediatric nephrologists reviewed baseline data and rated participant risk from 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest) based on clinical judgement and the literature. Three primary reviewers independently scored all cases, with each case reviewed by two primary reviewers. For cases with discordant ratings (≥ 2-point difference), the fourth reviewer provided a secondary rating blinded to the primary evaluations. Study participants with discordant ratings and/or for whom data were lacking were later discussed to clarify parameters relevant to risk estimation.

RESULTS

Of 90 evaluable subjects, primary reviews of 69 (77%) were concordant. The proportion considered at risk of rapid progression (final mean rating ≥ 3.5) by age group was: 15-17 years, 27/34 (79%); 12- < 15, 9/32 (28%); 4- < 12, 8/24 (33%). The panelists agreed on characteristics important for risk determination: age, kidney imaging, kidney function, blood pressure, urine protein, and genetics.

CONCLUSIONS

High ratings concordance and agreement among reviewers on relevant clinical characteristics support the feasibility of pediatric risk assessment.

Age- and Race-Specific Changes in ESKD Incidence over Four Decades

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

ESKD incidence has changed substantially in the past four decades, but differences by age and race have been unexplored. Using data from the United States Renal Data System, we found that ESKD incidence rose for Black and White teenagers, adults, and older adults for two decades beginning in 1980. Growth in incidence slowed for most groups by 1993, and by 2006, the annual percent change (APC) in ESKD incidence had declined for all groups, except White adults, for whom rates continued to rise. By 2019, ESKD incidence among Black and White adolescents nearly returned to 1980 levels, but no other group achieved that degree of improvement. Nonetheless, the ESKD incidence rate among Black American patients exceeds that of White patients in every age group. Distinct patterns in ESKD incidence among patients of different age, sex, and racial groups are shown. These findings could reflect changes in dialysis acceptance rates, access to preventive health care, incidence of diabetes mellitus, implementation of evidence-based guidelines for treatment of CKD, or other unrecognized factors. There may be population-specific opportunities to change the growth of the US ESKD population and address current racial disparities.

BACKGROUND

Substantial changes in ESKD incidence over four decades among Black and White Americans of different ages have been incompletely explored.

METHODS

We analyzed United States Renal Data System data from 1980 to 2019 to determine ESKD incidence trends among Black and White adolescent (13-17 years), adult (18-64 years), and older adult (≥65) populations. We used the National Cancer Institute Joinpoint Regression Program to estimate annual percent change (APC) in ESKD incidence and to define points in time where a statistically significant change in APC slope occurred for each group.

RESULTS

ESKD incidence rose after 1980 for all groups, although the trends differed ( P < 0.001). Growth in incidence slowed for most by 1993, and by 2006, the APC in ESKD incidence had declined for all groups, except White adults, for whom rates continued to rise ( P < 0.05). By 2019, ESKD incidence among Black and White adolescents nearly returned to 1980 levels, but no other group achieved that degree of improvement. Nonetheless, the ESKD incidence among Black American patients exceeds that of White patients in every age group.

CONCLUSIONS

Distinct patterns in ESKD incidence among patients of different age, sex, and racial groups are shown. These findings could reflect changes in dialysis acceptance rates, access to preventive health care, incidence of diabetes mellitus, implementation of evidence-based guidelines for treatment of CKD, or other unrecognized factors.

PODCAST

This article contains a podcast at https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/www.asn-online.org/media/podcast/JASN/2024_03_13_ASN0000000000000310.mp3.

Development and Validation of a Multivariable Nomogram Predictive of Post-Nephroureterectomy Renal Function

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The timing of perioperative nephrotoxic chemotherapy for upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) remains controversial and strongly depends on predicted platinum eligibility after radical nephroureterectomy (RNU). The study objective was to develop and validate a multivariable nomogram to predict estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) following RNU.

METHODS

This was a multi-institutional retrospective study of patients with UTUC treated with RNU from 2000 to 2020 at seven high-volume referral centers. Use of adjuvant chemotherapy was risk-stratified. Patients were retrospectively randomly allocated 2:1 to discovery and validation cohorts. Discovery data were used to identify independent factors associated with GFR at 1-3 mo after RNU on linear regression, and backward selection was applied for model construction. Accuracy was defined as the percentage of predicted eGFR results within 30% of the corresponding observed eGFR.

KEY FINDINGS AND LIMITATIONS

We included 1100 patients, of whom 733 were in the discovery and 367 were in the validation cohort. Multivariable predictors of postoperative eGFR decline included advanced age (odds ratio [OR] -0.18, 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.28 to -0.08), diabetes (OR -2.38, 95% CI -4.64 to -0.11), and hypertension (OR -2.24, 95% CI -4.16 to -0.32). Factors associated with favorable postoperative eGFR included larger tumor size (OR 10.57, 95% CI 7.4-13.74 for tumors >5 cm vs ≤2 cm) and preoperative eGFR (OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.39-0.49). A composite nomogram predicted postoperative eGFR with good accuracy in both the discovery (80.5%) and validation (78.6%) cohorts. Limitations include exclusion of patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

A nomogram that incorporates ubiquitous preoperative clinical variables can predict post-RNU eGFR and was validated with an independent cohort.

PATIENT SUMMARY

We developed a tool that uses patient data to predict eligibility for chemotherapy after surgery to remove the kidney and ureter in patients with cancer in the upper urinary tract.

The interval between the onset of increased blood pressure and proteinuria in preeclampsia and the contributing factors

PURPOSE

New-onset proteinuria, as a pivotal sign of representative renal lesions in preeclampsia, is still the most common diagnostic tool for this condition and has been proven to be related to a significantly abnormal sFlt-1/VEGF ratio in circulation. At the same time, blood pressure control plays a vital role in the occurrence and evolution of proteinuria. Therefore, it is particularly helpful to investigate their interval, not only for performing urinalysis for protein more accurately but also for evaluating blood pressure as well as the aggravation of illness, as the related research is limited.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 515 preeclampsia patients and 358 normotensive pregnant women who labored in the Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University from January 2016 to January 2020. First, we described the onset circumstance of high blood pressure and proteinuria as well as the interval among the case group and the subgroups. Then, we determined whether there were significant differences in the basic information, laboratory test results, and newborns between the case and normal groups. Finally, multifactor ANOVA was used to determine the factors influencing the interval.

RESULTS

1. The two most common complications in preeclampsia were proteinuria (88.35%) and placental dysfunction (5.05%). Moreover, 72.04% of preeclampsia cases were diagnosed by abnormal blood pressure together with new-onset proteinuria. 2. The average interval between high blood pressure and proteinuria was 22 gestational days (from 0 to 106 days), and this interval was not significantly different between mild and severe PE (26 days vs. 21 days, P > 0.05) but significantly differed between early-onset and late-onset PE (9 days vs. 28 days, P < 0.05). 3. The number of prenatal visits, serum creatinine in the early trimester, gestational time and diastolic blood pressure value when increased blood pressure was initially detected may influence the interval between the onset of increased blood pressure and proteinuria.

CONCLUSION

New-onset proteinuria was still the main parameter for identifying preeclampsia. The interval between increased blood pressure and proteinuria was probably related to the imbalance in the sFlt-1/VEGF ratio; therefore, we should pay attention to monitor proteinuria during the prenatal visits, especially for patients with a lower frequency of prenatal visits, higher serum creatinine in the early trimester, earlier onset and higher diastolic blood pressure at the initial onset of increased blood pressure.

Evaluation of amino acids and other related metabolites levels in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on hemodialysis by LC/MS/MS and GC/MS

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is a rapidly increasing health problem, and every year, about 2 million ESRD cases are reported worldwide. Hemodialysis (HD) is the vital renal reinstatement therapy for ESRD, and HD patterns play a crucial role in patients' health. Plasma metabolomics is the potential approach to understanding the HD process, effectiveness, and patterns. The lack of protein vitality is a primary problem for HD patients, and the quantities of amino acids intracellularly and in the blood are considered to be a symbolic index of protein metabolism and nutrition conditions. In the current study, LC/MS/MS and GC/MS methods were developed for 29 targeted plasma metabolites and validated as per ICH bioanalytical method validation M10 guidelines. The 29 metabolites included 20 proteinogenic amino acids and nine other related metabolites. The methods were employed to measure the absolute quantities (µM) of the targeted metabolites in HD patients (n=60) before and after dialysis (PRE-HD and POST-HD), and compared with the healthy control (HC) group (n=60). Phenylacetylglutamine was found to be higher in both PRE-HD (72.88±14.5 µM) and POST-HD (26.62±7.9 µM), when compared to HC (1.61±0.6 µM). On the other hand, glutamic acid was lower in PRE-HD (14.90±6.5 µM), and POST-HD (13.6±6.1 µM) than that of HC (245.4±37.8 µM). The dialytic loss was found to be 52-45% for arginine, lysine, and histidine, while it was 38-26% for glycine, cysteine, proline, alanine, threonine, glutamine, valine, and methionine. The dialytic loss was low (≤12%) for aspartic acid, glutamic acid, asparagine, leucine, tyrosine, tryptophan, and isoleucine. Graphical abstract adapted from mass spectrometry templates by Biorender.com retrieved from https://app.biorender.com/biorender-templates .

Management of traditional risk factors for the development and progression of chronic kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its downstream complications (i.e. cardiovascular) are a major source of morbidity worldwide. Additionally, deaths due to CKD or CKD-attributable cardiovascular disease account for a sizeable proportion of global mortality. However, the advent of new pharmacotherapies, diagnostic tools, and global initiatives are directing greater attention to kidney health in the public health agenda, including the implementation of effective strategies that (i) prevent kidney disease, (ii) provide early CKD detection, and (iii) ameliorate CKD progression and its related complications. In this Review, we discuss major risk factors for incident CKD and CKD progression categorized across cardiovascular (i.e. hypertension, dyslipidemia, cardiorenal syndrome), endocrine (i.e. diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, testosterone), lifestyle (i.e. obesity, dietary factors, smoking), and genetic/environmental (i.e. CKDu/Mesoamerican nephropathy, APOL1, herbal nephropathy) domains, as well as scope, mechanistic underpinnings, and management.

Blood pressure targets in chronic kidney disease: still no consensus

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Despite a strong consensus that treatment of hypertension is fundamental to strategies seeking to slow chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression and reduce the associated risk of cardiovascular events (CVE), controversy persists regarding optimal blood pressure (BP) targets. This article reviews the evidence for different targets, discusses associated controversies and suggests approaches to improve BP control.

RECENT FINDINGS

Landmark clinical trials established the principle that lower BP targets are associated with slower progression of CKD in people with a greater magnitude of proteinuria and previous guidelines recommended a target BP of <130/80 mmHg for those with proteinuria. However, the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial provided new evidence that a systolic BP target of <120 mmHg was associated with a reduced risk of CVE, though there was no impact on CKD progression and there was concern about an increase in renal adverse events. Nevertheless, 2021 Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes guidelines recommended systolic BP <120 mmHg, though other updated guidelines did not follow this trend. All guidelines emphasise the importance of standardised BP measurement and a personalised approach.

SUMMARY

An individualised and shared decision-making approach to BP target setting and management is recommended, guided by standardised BP measurement.

Development of an adaptive clinical web-based prediction tool for kidney replacement therapy in children with chronic kidney disease

Clinicians need improved prediction models to estimate time to kidney replacement therapy (KRT) for children with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Here, we aimed to develop and validate a prediction tool based on common clinical variables for time to KRT in children using statistical learning methods and design a corresponding online calculator for clinical use. Among 890 children with CKD in the Chronic Kidney Disease in Children (CKiD) study, 172 variables related to sociodemographics, kidney/cardiovascular health, and therapy use, including longitudinal changes over one year were evaluated as candidate predictors in a random survival forest for time to KRT. An elementary model was specified with diagnosis, estimated glomerular filtration rate and proteinuria as predictors and then random survival forest identified nine additional candidate predictors for further evaluation. Best subset selection using these nine additional candidate predictors yielded an enriched model additionally based on blood pressure, change in estimated glomerular filtration rate over one year, anemia, albumin, chloride and bicarbonate. Four additional partially enriched models were constructed for clinical situations with incomplete data. Models performed well in cross-validation, and the elementary model was then externally validated using data from a European pediatric CKD cohort. A corresponding user-friendly online tool was developed for clinicians. Thus, our clinical prediction tool for time to KRT in children was developed in a large, representative pediatric CKD cohort with an exhaustive evaluation of potential predictors and supervised statistical learning methods. While our models performed well internally and externally, further external validation of enriched models is needed.

Renin angiotensin aldosterone inhibitors in the treatment of proteinuria in children with congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract: more evidence needed

INTRODUCTION

Congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) can be associated with proteinuria, possibly leading to a decline in kidney function. The aim of this review is to evaluate evidence on the efficacy of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors (RAASi) in children affected by CAKUT with proteinuria or chronic kidney disease (CKD).

AREAS COVERED

We conducted a bibliographic search between 1 December 2022 and 20 February 2023, including randomized controlled trials, case-control studies, observational studies, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews dealing with the efficacy of RAASi in reducing proteinuria and slowing the decline of kidney function in children.

EXPERT OPINION

RAASi are effective in reducing proteinuria and slowing CKD progression in many renal conditions; however, the efficacy of these drugs in patients affected by CAKUT with proteinuria is still unknown. While waiting for more evidence, when facing a child with CAKUT with isolated proteinuria or with proteinuria and CKD, a 6-12-month trial with RAASi with gradual increase to the maximal tolerated dose should be considered. If no improvement of proteinuria is obtained, the RAASi should be discontinued.

Systolic blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, and adverse kidney outcome: results from KNOW-CKD

It is unknown whether intensive control of blood pressure (BP) and lipids can delay the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). This study examined the combined association of strict targets of systolic BP (SBP) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels with adverse kidney outcomes. In total, 2012 patients from the KoreaN Cohort Study for Outcomes in Patients With CKD (KNOW-CKD) were classified into four groups according to SBP of 120 mmHg and LDL-C of 70 mg/dl: group 1, <120 and <70; group 2, <120 and ≥70; group 3, ≥120 and <70; group 4, ≥120 and ≥70. We constructed time-varying models treating two variables as time-varying exposures. The primary outcome was the progression of CKD, defined as a ≥50% decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate from the baseline or the onset of kidney failure requiring replacement therapy. The primary outcome events occurred in 27.9%, 26.7%, 40.3%, and 39.1% from groups 1 to 4. In the time-varying model, the hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for the primary outcome were 0.48 (0.33-0.69), 0.78 (0.63-0.96), and 0.96 (0.74-1.23) for groups 1 to 3, respectively, compared with group 4. When less stringent cut-offs of SBP of 130 mmHg and LDL-C of 100 mg/dl were used, this graded association was lost, while only SBP was associated with adverse kidney outcomes. In this study, the lower targets of SBP of <120 mmHg and LDL-C < 70 mg/dl were synergistically associated with a lower risk of adverse kidney outcomes.

Alterations in the Circulating Proteome Associated with Albuminuria

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

We describe circulating proteins associated with albuminuria in a population of African American Study of Kidney Disease and Hypertension with CKD (AASK) using the largest proteomic platform to date: nearly 7000 circulating proteins, representing approximately 2000 new targets. Findings were replicated in a subset of a general population cohort with kidney disease (ARIC) and a population with CKD Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC). In cross-sectional analysis, 104 proteins were significantly associated with albuminuria in the Black group, of which 67 of 77 available proteins were replicated in ARIC and 68 of 71 available proteins in CRIC. LMAN2, TNFSFR1B, and members of the ephrin superfamily had the strongest associations. Pathway analysis also demonstrated enrichment of ephrin family proteins.

BACKGROUND

Proteomic techniques have facilitated understanding of pathways that mediate decline in GFR. Albuminuria is a key component of CKD diagnosis, staging, and prognosis but has been less studied than GFR. We sought to investigate circulating proteins associated with higher albuminuria.

METHODS

We evaluated the cross-sectional associations of the blood proteome with albuminuria and longitudinally with doubling of albuminuria in the African American Study of Kidney Disease and Hypertension (AASK; 38% female; mean GFR 46; median urine protein-to-creatinine ratio 81 mg/g; n =703) and replicated in two external cohorts: a subset of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study with CKD and the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC).

RESULTS

In cross-sectional analysis, 104 proteins were significantly associated with albuminuria in AASK, of which 67 of 77 available proteins were replicated in ARIC and 68 of 71 available proteins in CRIC. Proteins with the strongest associations included LMAN2, TNFSFR1B, and members of the ephrin superfamily. Pathway analysis also demonstrated enrichment of ephrin family proteins. Five proteins were significantly associated with worsening albuminuria in AASK, including LMAN2 and EFNA4, which were replicated in ARIC and CRIC.

CONCLUSIONS

Among individuals with CKD, large-scale proteomic analysis identified known and novel proteins associated with albuminuria and suggested a role for ephrin signaling in albuminuria progression.

Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease in Children and Adolescents: Assessing and Managing Risk of Progression

The clinical management of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) in adults has shifted from managing complications to delaying disease progression through newly emerging therapies. Regarding pediatric management of the disease, there are still specific hurdles related to the management of children and adolescents with ADPKD and, unlike adults, there are no specific therapies for pediatric ADPKD or stratification models to identify children and young adults at risk of rapid decline in kidney function. Therefore, early identification and management of factors that may modify disease progression, such as hypertension and obesity, are of most importance for young children with ADPKD. Many of these risk factors could promote disease progression in both ADPKD and chronic kidney disease. Hence, nephroprotective measures applied early in life can represent a window of opportunity to prevent the decline of the glomerular filtration rate especially in young patients with ADPKD. In this review, we highlight current challenges in the management of patients with pediatric ADPKD, the importance of early modifying factors in disease progression as well as the gaps and future perspectives in the pediatric ADPKD research field.

Risk Assessment of Pre-dialysis Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Patients for Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) in a Tertiary Hospital in Nigeria: A Case-Controlled Cross-Sectional Study

INTRODUCTION

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the chronic kidney disease (CKD) population. CKD patients are more likely to die from CVD before ever reaching end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The study, therefore, seeks to identify the prevalence of risk factors of CVD in CKD patients such as systemic hypertension, anemia, dyslipidemia, hypoalbuminemia, albuminuria, and abnormal calcium/phosphate products.

METHODS

The study was a case-control cross-sectional study where one hundred fifty hypertensive CKD patients and age- and sex-matched hypertensive non-CKD subjects were consecutively enrolled at the renal unit of Delta State University Teaching Hospital (DELSUTH), Oghara.

RESULTS

The findings of the study revealed the mean ages of cases and controls to be 48.91±11.93 years and 51.0±15.45 years respectively (p-value 0.182). There was an equal number of males and females among the study group and controls (92 males and 58 females) making a male-to-female ratio of 3:2. The prevalence of CVD risk factors such as diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, elevated low-density lipoprotein, anemia, hypocalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, albuminuria, and hypoalbuminemia was significantly higher among the CKD group compared to controls. Similarly, the prevalence of reduced high-density lipoprotein (HDL) was higher among cases than controls, the difference was however not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

The study has shown that systemic hypertension, diabetes, anemia, dyslipidemia, hypoalbuminemia, albuminuria, and abnormal calcium/phosphate products increases the risk for CVD in the general population but is more expressed and significant in CKD patients.

Early intervention and intensive management of patients with diabetes, cardiorenal, and metabolic diseases

Increasing rates of obesity and diabetes have driven corresponding increases in related cardiorenal and metabolic diseases. In many patients, these conditions occur together, further increasing morbidity and mortality risks to the individual. Yet all too often, the risk factors for these disorders are not addressed promptly in clinical practice, leading to irreversible pathologic progression. To address this gap, we convened a Task Force of experts in cardiology, nephrology, endocrinology, and primary care to develop recommendations for early identification and intervention in obesity, diabetes, and other cardiorenal and metabolic diseases. The recommendations include screening and diagnosis, early interventions with lifestyle, and when and how to implement medical therapies. These recommendations are organized into primary and secondary prevention along the continuum from obesity through the metabolic syndrome, prediabetes, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and atrial fibrillation, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and heart failure (HF). The goal of early and intensive intervention is primary prevention of comorbidities or secondary prevention to decrease further worsening of disease and reduce morbidity and mortality. These efforts will reduce clinical inertia and may improve patients' well-being and adherence.

Recurrent nephrolithiasis and loss of kidney function: a cohort study

PURPOSE

To evaluate whether symptomatic recurrent nephrolithiasis leads to loss of kidney function.

METHODS

Adults who presented to the Emergency Department at least twice with symptomatic and radiologically confirmed nephrolithiasis were retrospectively recruited. Primary endpoint was the change in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) between baseline and at the time of data collection. Secondary endpoints include GFR slope defined as the mean rate of change in GFR from baseline to the end of the study period.

RESULTS

240 patients had recurrent symptomatic nephrolithiasis. Median follow-up was 5.4 years. The median age of first acute presentation was 51.6 years and the median baseline serum creatinine (bsCr) was 85.5 umol/l. 17.5% (n = 42) had worsening GFR, with the average change in GFR of - 8.64 ml/min/1.73 m² per year. Four patients progressed to ESKD requiring haemodialysis. 14.5% (n = 35) had calcium oxalate stones. Univariate analysis showed older patients (p < 0.001), more symptomatic stone episodes (p < 0.001) and non-calcium-containing stones (p < 0.001) were strongly associated with deteriorating kidney function. Age (p = 0.002) and number of acute stone episodes (p = 0.011) were significant predictive factors when unadjusted to co-morbidities. Age (p = 0.018) was the only predictive factor of worsening GFR when adjusted for co-morbidities. Average mean GFR slope was - 2.83/min/1.73 m² per year.

CONCLUSIONS

Recurrent symptomatic nephrolithiasis is associated with loss of kidney function, in older patients, increased episodes of symptomatic nephrolithiasis and non-calcium-containing stones. Age is the only predictive factor for progression to chronic kidney disease in this subgroup.

Kidney-Function Trajectories From Young Adulthood to Midlife: Identifying Risk Strata and Opportunities for Intervention

Introduction

Understanding normative patterns of change in kidney function over the life course may allow targeting of early interventions to slow or prevent the onset of kidney disease, but knowledge about kidney functional change before middle age is limited. This study used prospective longitudinal data from a representative birth cohort to examine common patterns of change from young to midadulthood and to identify risk factors and outcomes associated with poorer trajectories.

Methods

We used group-based trajectory modeling in the Dunedin study birth cohort (n = 857) to identify the following: (i) common kidney function trajectories between the ages 32 and 45 years, (ii) early-life factors associated with those trajectories, (iii) modifiable physical and psychosocial factors across adulthood associated with differences in trajectory slope, and (iv) links between trajectories and kidney-related outcomes at age 45 years.

Results

Three trajectory groups were identified and could be differentiated by age 32 years as follows: normal (58% of participants), low-normal (36%), and high-risk (6%) groups. Those from low socioeconomic backgrounds had higher odds of following a high-risk (vs. normal) trajectory. Modifiable factors (blood pressure, body mass index, inflammation, glycated hemoglobin, smoking, and socioeconomic status) across adulthood were associated with steeper age-related declines in kidney function, particularly among those in the low-normal and high-risk groups. Those in the low-normal and high-risk groups also had more adverse kidney-related outcomes at age 45 years.

Conclusion

The current findings could be used to inform the development of early interventions and point to socioeconomic conditions across the life course and health-related risk factors and behaviors in adulthood as kidney health promotion targets.

Nocturnal Hypertension in Children With Chronic Kidney Disease Is Common and Associated With Progression to Kidney Replacement Therapy

BACKGROUND

Nocturnal hypertension is a risk factor for chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression among adults. In children, effects of nocturnal hypertension on CKD progression is less studied.

METHODS

We investigated the relationships between nocturnal, daytime, or sustained hypertension and progression to kidney replacement therapy in children using Cox proportional hazards models. Nocturnal and diurnal hypertension respectively defined as: mean blood pressure >95th percentile and/or load >25% for either systolic or diastolic blood pressure within sleep or wake periods.

RESULTS

One thousand five hundred seventy-seven ambulatory blood pressure monitoring studies from 701 CKiD participants were reviewed. Nighttime, daytime, and both types of hypertension were 19%, 7%, and 33%, respectively. Participants with both daytime and nocturnal hypertension had the highest risk of kidney replacement therapy. Among children with CKD, compared with those who were normotensive, those with isolated nocturnal hypertension had a hazard ratio of 1.49 ([CI, 0.97-2.28]; P=0.068) while those with both daytime and nocturnal hypertension had a HR of 2.23 ([CI, 1.60-3.11]; P<0.001) when adjusted for age, race, sex, and baseline proteinuria and glomerular filtration. Estimates for risk were similar among glomerular and nonglomerular participants but not significant in glomerular due to smaller sample size.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of both daytime and nocturnal hypertension is significantly associated with risk of kidney replacement therapy. Our study confirms the utility of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in children with CKD. Identifying and controlling both daytime and nocturnal hypertension using ambulatory blood pressure monitoring may improve outcomes and delay CKD progression in this population.

Blood pressure and kidney outcomes in patients with severely decreased glomerular filtration rate: a nationwide observational cohort study

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the association between blood pressure (BP) and kidney outcomes in patients with estimated glomerular filtration rate less than 30 ml/min per 1.73 m 2 and different degrees of albuminuria.

METHODS

National observational cohort study of 18 071 chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 4-5 patients in routine nephrology care 2010-2017. The association between both baseline and repeated clinic office BP and eGFR slope and kidney replacement therapy (KRT) was explored using multivariable adjusted joint models. The analyses were stratified on albuminuria at baseline.

RESULTS

The adjusted yearly eGFR slope became increasingly steeper from -0,91 (95% CI -0.83 to -1.05) ml/min per 1.73 m 2 per year in those with SBP less than 120 mmHg at baseline to -2.09 (-1.83 to -2.37) ml/min per 1.73 m 2 in those with BP greater than 160 mmHg. Similarly, eGFR slope was steeper with higher DBP. Lower SBP and DBP was associated with slower eGFR decline in patients with albuminuria grade A3 (>30 mg/mmol) but not consistently in albuminuria A1-A2. Those with diabetes progressed faster and the association between BP and eGFR slope was stronger. In repeated BP measurement analyses, every 10 mmHg higher SBP over time was associated with 39% additional risk of KRT.

CONCLUSION

In people with eGFR less than 30 ml/min per 1.73 m 2 , lower clinic office BP is associated with more favorable kidney outcomes. Our results support lower BP targets also in people with CKD stage 4-5.

The effect of acid use as a preservative on the results of biochemical tests measured in 24-h urine

Twenty-four-hour urine measurements play a crucial role in the diagnosis, follow-up and treatment of various diseases. There are different approaches to the collection of urine in patients who need to collect multiple urine samples at a time, especially in hospitals with heavy workloads. In this study, we compared the sodium, potassium, chloride, amylase, calcium, creatinine, phosphorus, microalbumin, protein, magnesium, urea, uric acid, adrenaline, noradrenaline, dopamine, metanephrine, normetanephrine, vanillylmandelic acid, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid and homovanillic acid results of 24-h urine samples analyzed immediately without acid addition, which we accepted as the reference and baseline measurement, with the results of the samples analyzed after waiting for 24 h without acid addition, analyzed immediately with acid addition and analyzed after waiting for 24 h with acid addition. Chloride, microalbumin, amylase and protein tests, which are recommended to be measured in the sample without preservatives, are affected by acid addition. Adrenaline, noradrenaline and dopamine, which are the tests recommended to be measured in acid-added urine are degraded in the samples without acid, and the levels of metanephrine and normetanephrine were not significantly degraded in the absence of preservatives.

Impact of Home Telemonitoring and Management Support on Blood Pressure Control in Nondialysis CKD: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background:

Hypertension is a major cause of cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and death. Several studies have demonstrated the efficacy of home blood pressure telemonitoring (HBPT) for blood pressure (BP) control and outcomes, but the effects of this intervention remain unclear in patients with CKD.

Objective:

To determine the impact of HBPT on cardiovascular–related and kidney disease–related outcomes in patients with CKD.

Design:

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Setting:

All studies that met our criteria regardless of country of origin.

Participants:

Patients with chronic kidney disease included in studies using HBPT for BP assessment and control.

Measurements:

Descriptive and quantitative analysis of our primary and secondary outcomes.

Methods:

We searched MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL Plus, PsycINFO, Cochrane CENTRAL, Web of Science, and gray literature from inception for observational and randomized controlled studies in nondialysis (ND) CKD using HBPT for BP control. We selected studies that used HBPT as intervention (with or without a control arm) for BP control in ND-CKD populations. The primary outcome was change in mean systolic BP (SBP) and mean diastolic BP (DBP).

Results:

We selected 7 studies from 1669 articles that were initially identified. Overall, pooled estimates in the mean difference (MD) for SBP and DBP were −8.8 mm Hg; 95% confidence interval (CI): −16.2 to −1.4; P = .02 and −2.4 mm Hg; 95% CI: −3.8 to −1.0; P < .001, respectively. For studies comparing intervention with usual care (UC), pooled estimate in MD for SBP was −8.0 mm Hg (P = .02) with no significant reduction for DBP (−2.6 mm Hg; P = .18). In studies without a UC arm, both SBP and DBP were not significantly reduced (P > .05). The pooled estimate in MD for estimated glomerular filtration rate showed a significant improvement (5.4 mL/min/1.73 m²; P < .001).

Limitations:

Heterogeneity and few available studies for inclusion limited our ability to identify a robust link between HBPT use and BP and kidney function improvement.

Conclusion:

Home blood pressure telemonitoring is associated with mild lowering of BP and moderately improved kidney function in patients with CKD. However, larger studies with improved designs and prolonged interventions are still needed to assess the effects of HBPT on patients’ outcomes.

PROSPERO registration ID

CRD42020190705

Frequency of Subclinical Hypothyroidism in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease

Introduction: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is the progressive loss of function of the nephron over a long period of time. As the glomerular filtration rate falls, it leads to subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH). This cross-sectional study is carried out to measure the frequency of SCH in CKD patients in our population.

Methods: This case-control research was undertaken at the nephrology unit of the Peoples University of Medical and Health Sciences for Women in Pakistan from March 2021 to January 2022. The research included 200 volunteers with documented evidence of CKD between the ages of 18 and 60 years. A case group of 200 people without CKD was also enlisted, matched by age, gender, and comorbidities. Data were recorded in a self-structured questionnaire and analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences® software (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY).

Results: Thyroid-stimulating hormone was significantly raised in participants with CKD (4.91 ± 1.10 mIU/L vs. 3.62 ± 0.72 mIU/L; p-value < 0.0001). A significant association between SCH and CKD was established (p-value < 0.00001).

Conclusion: Due to the positive correlation between SCH and CKD, multidisciplinary management, including a team of endocrinologists and nephrologists, is advised to keep a regular check on these patients.

Impact of lenvatinib on renal function compared to sorafenib for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma

Anti-VEGF drugs, such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors, play an important role in systemic therapy for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC). We examined the effects of sorafenib and lenvatinib on proteinuria and renal function.Patients who were administered sorafenib (n = 85) or lenvatinib (n = 52) as first line treatment for uHCC from July 2009 to October 2020, were enrolled in this retrospective observational study. A propensity score analysis including 13 baseline characteristics was performed. Eighty four patients were selected (sorafenib, n = 42; lenvatinib, n = 42) by propensity score matching (one-to-one nearest neighbor matching within a caliper of 0.2). We analyzed changes in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) during tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment, as well as the development of proteinuria in both groups. A multivariate analysis was performed to identify predictors of a deterioration of eGFR.At 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks, ΔeGFR was significantly lower in the lenvatinib group than in the sorafenib group (P < .05). The lenvatinib group showed a significantly higher frequency of proteinuria than the sorafenib group (30.9% vs 7.1%, P = .005) and had a higher rate of decrease in eGFR than the sorafenib group (P < .05). Multivariate analysis revealed that lenvatinib use was the only predictive factor of eGFR deterioration (odds ratio 2.547 [95% CI 1.028-6.315], P = .043). In cases of proteinuria ≤1+ during lenvatinib treatment, eGFR did not decrease. However, eGFR decreased in the long term (>24 weeks) in patients who have proteinuria ≥2+.Lenvatinib has a greater effect on proteinuria and renal function than sorafenib. In performing multi-molecular targeted agent sequential therapy for uHCC, proteinuria and renal function are important factors associated with drug selection after atezolizumab-bevacizumab combination therapy currently used as the first-line treatment.

Tight Blood Pressure Control in Chronic Kidney Disease

Hypertension affects over a billion people worldwide and is the leading cause of cardiovascular disease and premature death worldwide, as well as one of the key determinants of chronic kidney disease worldwide. People with chronic kidney disease and hypertension are at very high risk of renal outcomes, including progression to end-stage renal disease, and, even more importantly, cardiovascular outcomes. Hence, blood pressure control is crucial in reducing the human and socio-economic burden of renal and cardiovascular outcomes in those patients. However, current guidelines from hypertension and renal societies have issued different and sometimes conflicting recommendations, which risk confusing clinicians and potentially contributing to a less effective prevention of renal and cardiovascular outcomes. In this review, we critically appraise existing evidence and key international guidelines, and we finally formulate our own opinion that clinicians should aim for a blood pressure target lower than 130/80 in all patients with chronic kidney disease and hypertension, unless they are frail or with multiple comorbidities. We also advocate for an even more ambitious systolic blood pressure target lower than 120 mmHg in younger patients with a lower burden of comorbidities, to minimise their risk of renal and cardiovascular events during their lifetime.

Chronic kidney disease and associated factors among adult population in Southwest Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, data on the burden and determinants of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the general population is limited. This community-based study was conducted to assess the burden and associated factors of CKD among adults in Southwest Ethiopia. The study was conducted from August 23, 2018-October 16, 2018. Study participants were selected using a random sampling method. A structured questionnaire was used to collect relevant data. Blood pressure and anthropometric indices were measured following standard procedures. About 5 ml of urine sample was collected and the dipstick test was performed immediately. A blood sample of 3-5ml was collected for serum creatinine and blood glucose level determination. The three commonest estimators of glomerular filtration rate and the National Kidney Foundation Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative were used to define and stage CKD. Data were analyzed using SPSS 21. Multivariable logistic regression was employed and p-value <0.05 was used to indicate statistically significant results. A total of 326 participants with a mean age of 39.9(SD±11.2) years were enrolled in the study. The proportions of female participants (59.8%) were relatively higher than male participants (40.2%). The mean eGFR using CKD-EPI, CG and MDRD was 124.34 (SD±23.8) mL/min/1.73m², 110.67(SD±33.0) mL/min/1.73m² and 131.29 (SD±32.5) mL/min/1.73m² respectively. The prevalence of CKD was 7.4% using CKD-EPI & MDRD and 8% using CG. Similar finding using CKD-EPI & MDRD may indicate that either CKD-EPI or MDRD can be used to estimate GFR in this study area. In the age and sex-adjusted logistic regression model, hypertension was significantly associated with CKD using CKD-EPI & MDRD and age ≥40 years old was significantly associated with CKD using CG. Behavioral characteristics and other traditional risk factors were not significantly associated with CKD in the current study. The prevalence of CKD was high in the study area. Only hypertension and age ≥40 years old were significantly associated with CKD. More of the increased prevalence of CKD in the current study remained unexplained and deserves further study.

High blood pressure in children and adolescents: current perspectives and strategies to improve future kidney and cardiovascular health

Hypertension is one of the most common causes of preventable death worldwide. The prevalence of pediatric hypertension has increased significantly in recent decades. The cause of this is likely multifactorial, related to increasing childhood obesity, high dietary sodium intake, sedentary lifestyles, perinatal factors, familial aggregation, socioeconomic factors, and ethnic blood pressure (BP) differences. Pediatric hypertension represents a major public health threat. Uncontrolled pediatric hypertension is associated with subclinical cardiovascular disease and adult-onset hypertension. In children with chronic kidney disease (CKD), hypertension is also a strong risk factor for progression to kidney failure. Despite these risks, current rates of pediatric BP screening, hypertension detection, treatment, and control remain suboptimal. Contributing to these shortcomings are the challenges of accurately measuring pediatric BP, limited access to validated pediatric equipment and hypertension specialists, complex interpretation of pediatric BP measurements, problematic normative BP data, and conflicting society guidelines for pediatric hypertension. To date, limited pediatric hypertension research has been conducted to help address these challenges. However, there are several promising signs in the field of pediatric hypertension. There is greater attention being drawn on the cardiovascular risks of pediatric hypertension, more emphasis on the need for childhood BP screening and management, new public health initiatives being implemented, and increasing research interest and funding. This article summarizes what is currently known about pediatric hypertension, the existing knowledge-practice gaps, and ongoing research aimed at improving future kidney and cardiovascular health.

Increased mortality with intensive control in patients with higher baseline SBP and lower Framingham risk

OBJECTIVE

In the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT), the relative reduction in primary outcome with intensive blood pressure (BP) control was numerically smallest in the highest baseline SBP tertile. In this post hoc analysis of SPRINT, the goal was to explore whether the effects of intensive BP treatment varied among patients with different baseline SBP and cardiovascular risks.

METHODS

Patient-level data from 9361 randomized participants in SPRINT were used. Heterogeneity between treatment and patient characteristics were examined stratified by different baseline SBP levels. Cumulative incidences of primary outcome and all-cause death were compared between treatment groups for patients with baseline SBP at least 160 mmHg and lower Framingham risk.

RESULTS

For participants with a baseline SBP of at least 160 mmHg, intensive treatment was associated with a higher rate of all-cause death as compared with standard treatment (1.86 vs. 1.62% per year). After adjustment for age and sex, intensive treatment was associated with significantly increased all-cause death compared with standard treatment [hazard ratio (95% CI) for intensive group: 3.12 (1.00-9.69); P = 0.049] in participants with an SBP of at least 160 mmHg and a Framingham risk score of 31.3% or less (average of median and geometric mean). Patient outcomes were otherwise similar regarding age, use of antihypertensive therapy, cardiovascular disease or chronic kidney disease.

CONCLUSION

Among the SPRINT participants with a baseline SBP of at least 160 mmHg and a lower Framingham risk score, targeting an SBP of less than 120 mmHg compared with less than 140 mmHg resulted in a significantly higher rate of all-cause death.

Clarifying Optimal Sodium InTake In Cardiovasular and Kidney (COSTICK) Diseases: a study protocol for two randomised controlled trials

Background: While low sodium intake (<2.3g/day) is recommended for all, there is uncertainty about feasibility and net cardiovascular effects. In COSTICK, we evaluated the effects of a dietary counselling intervention (reduced sodium intake) on intermediate cardiorenal outcomes in patients with (STICK) and without (COSIP) mild/moderate kidney disease. Methods: This is a protocol for two phase IIb randomised, two-group, parallel, open-label, controlled, single centre trials. Participants were aged >40 years with stable blood pressure, unchanged anti-hypertensive medications, willing to modify diet and provided written informed consent. Participants were excluded for abnormal sodium handling, heart failure, high dose diuretics, immunosuppression, pregnancy/lactation, postural hypotension, cognitive impairment, high or low body mass index (BMI) or inclusion in another trial. STICK participants had estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) 30-60ml/min/1.73m2 and were excluded for acute kidney Injury, rapidly declining eGFR; known glomerular disease or current use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. For COSIP, participants were excluded for known kidney or cardiovascular disease. Participants were randomized to usual care only (healthy eating) or an additional sodium lowering intervention (target <100mmol/day) through specific counseling (sodium use in foods, fresh over processed foods, sodium content of foods and eating outside of home). In STICK the primary outcome is change in 24-hour urinary creatinine clearance. In COSIP, the primary outcome is change in five biomarkers (renin, aldosterone, high sensitivity troponin T, pro-B-type natriuretic peptide and C-reactive protein). Our primary report (COSTICK), reports six biomarker outcome measures in the entire population at 2 years follow-up. Discussion: These Phase II trials will explore uncertainty about low sodium intake and cardiovascular and kidney biomarkers, and help determine the feasibility of low sodium intake. Trial results will also provide preliminary information to guide a future definitive clinical trial, if indicated. Trial registration: STICK: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02738736 (04/04/2016); COSIP: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02458248 (15/05/2016)

DCRM Multispecialty Practice Recommendations for the management of diabetes, cardiorenal, and metabolic diseases

Type 2 diabetes (T2D), chronic kidney disease (CKD), atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), and heart failure (HF)-along with their associated risk factors-have overlapping etiologies, and two or more of these conditions frequently occur in the same patient. Many recent cardiovascular outcome trials (CVOTs) have demonstrated the benefits of agents originally developed to control T2D, ASCVD, or CKD risk factors, and these agents have transcended their primary indications to confer benefits across a range of conditions. This evolution in CVOT evidence calls for practice recommendations that are not constrained by a single discipline to help clinicians manage patients with complex conditions involving diabetes, cardiorenal, and/or metabolic (DCRM) diseases. The ultimate goal for these recommendations is to be comprehensive yet succinct and easy to follow by the nonexpert-whether a specialist or a primary care clinician. To meet this need, we formed a volunteer task force comprising leading cardiologists, nephrologists, endocrinologists, and primary care physicians to develop the DCRM Practice Recommendations, a multispecialty consensus on the comprehensive management of the patient with complicated metabolic disease. The task force recommendations are based on strong evidence and incorporate practical guidance that is clinically relevant and simple to implement, with the aim of improving outcomes in patients with DCRM. The recommendations are presented as 18 separate graphics covering lifestyle therapy, patient self-management education, technology for DCRM management, prediabetes, cognitive dysfunction, vaccinations, clinical tests, lipids, hypertension, anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapy, antihyperglycemic therapy, hypoglycemia, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), ASCVD, HF, CKD, and comorbid HF and CKD, as well as a graphical summary of medications used for DCRM.

Which Is a Better Predictor of GFR Decline: 24-h Urine Protein or 24-h Protein-Creatinine Ratio? An Exploration of the MDRD Study Data

Background

Proteinuria is a known risk factor for progression of chronic kidney disease. Proteinuria magnitude can be estimated by measuring spot urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (least accurate), 24-h urine collection for protein (24 P), or 24-h protein-creatinine ratio (24 PCR). The MDRD study found that 24 P measured at baseline was the strongest single predictor of the rate of GFR decline during study follow-up. However, predictive powers of 24 P and 24 PCR have not been compared in the literature. The current study addresses this question using the MDRD cohort data.

Methods

The study is a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from the MDRD cohort using simple and multiple regression models. Slope of measured GFR (mGFR) over time was used as the response and models that included baseline 24 PCR or 24 P were compared for the entire sample and for subgroups formed by restricting the values of 24-h creatinine and 24 P.

Results

Log 24 P and Log 24 PCR correlated almost equally with mGFR slope. However, in simple linear regression models and multivariable linear regression models adjusting for age and sex, the model with 24 PCR had a higher R 2 than the corresponding one that had 24 P except for the subgroup 24 P < 1 g.

Conclusion

We observe that 24 PCR may be a better marker of proteinuria magnitude in predicting decline in kidney function compared to 24 P in particular for patients with 24 P ≥ 1. This finding needs validation in prospective clinical trials.

Prognostic and Therapeutic Implications of Renal Insufficiency in Heart Failure

The heart and kidneys are closely related vital organs that significantly affect each other. Cardiorenal syndrome is the term depicting the various spectra of cardiorenal interaction mediated by the hemodynamic, neurohormonal, and biochemical cross-talk between these two organs. In patients with heart failure (HF), both the baseline and worsening renal function are closely related to prognosis. However, for both investigational and clinical purposes, the unified definition and classification of renal injury are still necessary. Renal insufficiency is caused by multiple factors, and categorizing them into monogenous subgroups of phenotype is difficult. Various clinical scenarios related to the chronicity of HF, progression of renal dysfunction, and issues related to pharmacologic therapies associated with the prognosis of patients with HF have been reviewed in this study.

Point-of-care testing technologies for the home in chronic kidney disease: a narrative review

Point-of-care testing (POCT) performed by the patient at home, paired with eHealth technologies, offers a wealth of opportunities to develop individualized, empowering clinical pathways. The non-dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease (CKD) patient who is at risk of or may already be suffering from a number of the associated complications of CKD represents an ideal patient group for the development of such initiatives. The current coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and drive towards shielding vulnerable individuals have further highlighted the need for home testing pathways. In this narrative review we outline the evidence supporting remote patient management and the various technologies in use in the POCT setting. We then review the devices currently available for use in the home by patients in five key areas of renal medicine: anaemia, biochemical, blood pressure (BP), anticoagulation and diabetes monitoring. Currently there are few devices and little evidence to support the use of home POCT in CKD. While home testing in BP, anticoagulation and diabetes monitoring is relatively well developed, the fields of anaemia and biochemical POCT are still in their infancy. However, patients' attitudes towards eHealth and home POCT are consistently positive and physicians also find this care highly acceptable. The regulatory and translational challenges involved in the development of new home-based care pathways are significant. Pragmatic and adaptable trials of a hybrid effectiveness-implementation design, as well as continued technological POCT device advancement, are required to deliver these innovative new pathways that our patients desire and deserve.

Effects of Metabolic Factors, Race-Ethnicity, and Sex on the Development of Nephropathy in Adolescents and Young Adults With Type 2 Diabetes: Results From the TODAY Study

OBJECTIVE

To describe the longitudinal effects of sex, race-ethnicity, and metabolic factors on the risk of developing diabetic kidney disease (DKD) in the Treatment Options for Type 2 Diabetes in Adolescents and Youth (TODAY) cohort.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) by serum creatinine and cystatin C were assessed annually for up to 15 years after study entry. Markers of DKD included micro- and macroalbuminuria (UACR ≥30 mg/g and ≥300 mg/g, respectively), hyperfiltration (eGFR ≥135 mL/min/1.73 m2), and rapid eGFR annual decline (>3 mL/min/1.73 m2 and/or ≥3.3%). The relationships between risk factors and DKD were evaluated longitudinally using time-to-event models.

RESULTS

Data were available on 677 participants, average age at baseline 14 years, with a mean ± SD follow-up of 10.2 ± 4.5 years. Each 1% increment in HbA1c conferred higher risk of microalbuminuria (hazard ratio 1.24 [95% CI 1.18, 1.30]), macroalbuminuria (1.22, [1.11, 1.34]), hyperfiltration (1.11, [1.05, 1.17]), and rapid eGFR decline (1.12, [1.04, 1.20]). Higher systolic blood pressure and baseline serum uric acid, and lower indices of β-cell function (C-peptide index and oral disposition index [oDI]), increased the risk of microalbuminuria, while higher triglycerides increased risk of micro- and macroalbuminuria. Lower oDI levels, female sex, and Hispanic ethnicity were associated with higher risk of hyperfiltration.

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated HbA1c was a shared risk factor among all phenotypes of DKD in this longitudinal cohort of adolescents and young adults with youth-onset type 2 diabetes. Other risk factors included elevated blood pressure, triglycerides, serum uric acid, and β-cell dysfunction.

SPRINT-A Kidney-Centric Narrative Review: Recent Advances in Hypertension

Hypertension is a potent cardiovascular risk factor with deleterious end-organ effects and is especially prevalent among patients with chronic kidney disease. The SPRINT (Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial) enrolled patients at an elevated cardiac risk including patients with mild to moderate chronic kidney disease and found that an intensive systolic blood pressure goal of <120 mm Hg significantly reduced the rates of adverse cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality and nonsignificantly reduced the rates of probable dementia; these results were consistent whether one had chronic kidney disease or not. However, results of intensive blood pressure therapy on chronic kidney disease progression were inconclusive, and there was an increased risk of incident chronic kidney disease and acute kidney injury, but the declines in kidney function appear to be hemodynamically driven and reversible. Overall, an intensive blood pressure target is effective in reducing cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality and may reduce the risk of probable dementia in patients with mild to moderate chronic kidney disease. More studies are needed to determine its long-term effects on kidney function.

Chronic kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease is a progressive disease with no cure and high morbidity and mortality that occurs commonly in the general adult population, especially in people with diabetes and hypertension. Preservation of kidney function can improve outcomes and can be achieved through non-pharmacological strategies (eg, dietary and lifestyle adjustments) and chronic kidney disease-targeted and kidney disease-specific pharmacological interventions. A plant-dominant, low-protein, and low-salt diet might help to mitigate glomerular hyperfiltration and preserve renal function for longer, possibly while also leading to favourable alterations in acid-base homoeostasis and in the gut microbiome. Pharmacotherapies that alter intrarenal haemodynamics (eg, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone pathway modulators and SGLT2 [SLC5A2] inhibitors) can preserve kidney function by reducing intraglomerular pressure independently of blood pressure and glucose control, whereas other novel agents (eg, non-steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists) might protect the kidney through anti-inflammatory or antifibrotic mechanisms. Some glomerular and cystic kidney diseases might benefit from disease-specific therapies. Managing chronic kidney disease-associated cardiovascular risk, minimising the risk of infection, and preventing acute kidney injury are crucial interventions for these patients, given the high burden of complications, associated morbidity and mortality, and the role of non-conventional risk factors in chronic kidney disease. When renal replacement therapy becomes inevitable, an incremental transition to dialysis can be considered and has been proposed to possibly preserve residual kidney function longer. There are similarities and distinctions between kidney-preserving care and supportive care. Additional studies of dietary and pharmacological interventions and development of innovative strategies are necessary to ensure optimal kidney-preserving care and to achieve greater longevity and better health-related quality of life for these patients.

Tetrahydrocurcumin Ameliorates Kidney Injury and High Systolic Blood Pressure in High-Fat Diet-Induced Type 2 Diabetic Mice

BACKGROUND

Activation of the intrarenal renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is implicated in the pathogenesis of kidney injury and hypertension. We aimed to investigate the protective effect of tetrahydrocurcumin (THU) on intrarenal RAS expression, kidney injury, and systolic blood pressure (SBP) in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced type 2 diabetic mice.

METHODS

Eight-week-old male mice were fed a regular diet (RD) or HFD for 12 weeks, and THU (50 or 100 mg/kg/day) was intragastrically administered with HFD. Physiological and metabolic changes were monitored and the expression of RAS components and markers of kidney injury were assessed.

RESULTS

HFD-fed mice exhibited hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia compared to those in the RD group (P<0.05). Kidney injury in these mice was indicated by an increase in the ratio of albumin to creatinine, glomerular hypertrophy, and the effacement of podocyte foot processes. Expression of intrarenal angiotensin-converting enzyme, angiotensin II type I receptor, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase-4, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 was also markedly increased in HFD-fed mice. HFD-fed mice exhibited elevated SBP that was accompanied by an increase in the wall thickness and vascular cross-sectional area (P<0.05), 12 weeks post-HFD consumption. Treatment with THU (100 mg/kg/day) suppressed intrarenal RAS activation, improved insulin sensitivity, and reduced SBP, thus, attenuating kidney injury in these mice.

CONCLUSION

THU alleviated kidney injury in mice with HFD-induced type 2 diabetes, possibly by blunting the activation of the intrarenal RAS/nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase IV (NOX4)/monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) axis and by lowering the high SBP.

Static and Dynamic Prediction of Chronic Renal Disease Progression Using Longitudinal Clinical Data from Taiwan's National Prevention Programs

Kidney diseases can cause severe morbidity, mortality, and health burden. Determining the risk factors associated with kidney damage and deterioration has become a priority for the prevention and treatment of kidney disease. This study followed 1042 chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients with Stage 3-5 kidney disease who were treated at a public veteran's hospital through the national prevention program. A total of 12.5 years of records of clinical measurements were collected and analyzed using dynamic and static Cox hazard models to predict the progression to dialysis treatment. The results showed that the statistical significance of several variables in patients with Stage 3-5 CKD was attenuated while the dynamic model was being used. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and urine protein to creatinine ratio (PCR) had the powerful ability to predict the progression of CKD patients with Stage 3a and Stage 3b-5 kidney disease, whereas serum calcium was also predictive for the progression of Stages 3b-5 CKD. Because these two sub-stages of Stage 3 CKD are often associated with differences in routine measurements and the risk analysis of renal dialysis, future research can use this predictive model as a reference while similar prevention programs are implemented.

Association of blood pressure after peritoneal dialysis initiation with the decline rate of residual kidney function in newly-initiated peritoneal dialysis patients

Background

Lower blood pressure (BP) levels are linked to a slower decline of kidney function in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) without kidney replacement therapy. However, there are limited data on this relation in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. Here we evaluated the association of BP levels with the decline of residual kidney function (RKF) in a retrospective cohort study.

Methods

We enrolled 228 patients whose PD was initiated between 1998 and 2014. RKF was measured as the average of creatinine and urea clearance in 24-hr urine collections. We calculated the annual decline rate of RKF by determining the regression line for individual patients. RKF is thought to decline exponentially, and thus we also calculated the annual decline rate of logarithmic scale of RKF (log RKF). We categorized the patients’ BP levels at 3 months after PD initiation (BP_3M) into four groups (Optimal, Normal & High normal, Grade 1 hypertension, Grade 2 & 3 hypertension) according to the 2018 European Society of Cardiology and European Society of Hypertension Guidelines for the management of arterial hypertension.

Results

The unadjusted, age- and sex-adjusted, and multivariable-adjusted decline rate of RKF and log RKF decreased significantly with higher BP_3M levels (P for trend <0.01). Compared to those of the Optimal group, the multivariable-adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence interval) for the faster side of the median decline rate of RKF and log RKF were 4.04 (1.24–13.2) and 5.50 (1.58–19.2) in the Grade 2 and 3 hypertension group, respectively (p<0.05).

Conclusions

Higher BP levels after PD initiation are associated with a faster decline in RKF among PD patients.

When should we start and stop ACEi/ARB in paediatric chronic kidney disease?

Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone inhibitors (RAASi) are the mainstay therapy in both adult and paediatric chronic kidney disease (CKD). RAASi slow down the progression of kidney failure by optimization of blood pressure and reduction of proteinuria. Despite recommendations from published guidelines in adults, the evidence related to the use of RAASi is surprisingly scarce in children. Moreover, their role in advanced CKD remains controversial. Without much guidance from the literature, paediatric nephrologists may discontinue RAASi in patients with advanced CKD due to apparent worsening of kidney function, hyperkalaemia and hypotension. Current data suggest that this strategy may in fact lead to a more rapid decline in kidney function. The optimal approach in this clinical scenario is still not well defined and there are varying practices worldwide. We will in this review describe the existing evidence on the use of RAASi in CKD with particular focus on paediatric data. We will also address the use of RAASi in advanced CKD and discuss the potential benefits and harms. At the end, we will suggest a practical approach for the use of RAASi in children with CKD based on current state of knowledge.

Achieved clinic blood pressure level and chronic kidney disease progression in children: a report from the Chronic Kidney Disease in Children cohort

BACKGROUND

Control of hypertension delays progression of pediatric chronic kidney disease (CKD), yet few data are available regarding what clinic blood pressure (BP) levels may slow progression.

METHODS

Longitudinal BP data from children in the Chronic Kidney Disease in Children cohort study who had hypertension or an auscultatory BP ≥ 90th percentile were studied. BP categories were defined as the maximum systolic or diastolic BP percentile (< 50th, 50th to 75th, 75th to 90th, and ≥ 90th percentile) with time-updated classifications corresponding to annual study visits. The primary outcome was time to kidney replacement therapy or a 30% decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate. Cox proportional hazard models described the effect of each BP category compared to BP ≥ 90th percentile.

RESULTS

Seven hundred fifty-four participants (median age 9.9 years at study entry) met inclusion criteria; 65% were male and 26% had glomerular CKD. Any BP < 90th percentile was associated with a decreased risk of progression for those with glomerular CKD (hazard ratio (HR), 0.63; 95% CI, 0.28-1.39 (< 50th); HR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.28-1.26 (50th-75th); HR, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.18-0.93 (75th-90th)). Similar results were found for those with non-glomerular CKD: any BP < 90th percentile was associated with decreased risk of progression (HR, 0.78; 90% CI, 0.49-1.25 (< 50th); HR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.33-0.84 (50th-75th); HR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.46-1.08 (75th-90th)).

CONCLUSIONS

Achieved clinic BP < 90th percentile was associated with slower CKD progression in children with glomerular or non-glomerular CKD. These data provide guidance for management of children with CKD in the office setting. Graphical abstract.

Measured sodium excretion is associated with CKD progression: results from the KNOW-CKD study

BACKGROUND

Diet is a modifiable factor of chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression. However, the effect of dietary salt intake on CKD progression remains unclear. Therefore, we analyzed the effect of dietary salt intake on renal outcome in Korean patients with CKD.

METHODS

We measured 24-h urinary sodium (Na) excretion as a marker of dietary salt intake in the prospective, multi-center, longitudinal KoreaN cohort study for Outcome in patients With CKD (KNOW-CKD). Data were analyzed from CKD patients at Stages G3a to G5 (n = 1254). We investigated the association between dietary salt intake and CKD progression. Patients were divided into four quartiles of dietary salt intake, which was assessed using measured 24-h urinary Na excretion. The study endpoint was composite renal outcome, which was defined as either halving the estimated glomerular filtration rate or developing end-stage renal disease.

RESULTS

During a median (interquartile range) follow-up of 4.3 (2.8-5.8) years, 480 (38.7%) patients developed the composite renal event. Compared with the reference group (Q2, urinary Na excretion: 104.2 ≤ Na excretion < 145.1 mEq/day), the highest quartile of measured 24-h urinary Na excretion was associated with risk of composite renal outcome [Q4, urinary Na excretion ≥192.9 mEq/day, hazard ratio 1.8 (95% confidence interval 1.12-2.88); P = 0.015] in a multivariable hazards model. Subgroup analyses showed that high-salt intake was particularly associated with a higher risk of composite renal outcome in women, in patients <60 years of age, in those with uncontrolled hypertension and in those with obesity.

CONCLUSIONS

High salt intake was associated with increased risk of progression in CKD.

Effect of an Intensive Weight-Loss Lifestyle Intervention on Kidney Function: A Randomized Controlled Trial

INTRODUCTION

Large randomized trials testing the effect of a multifactorial weight-loss lifestyle intervention including Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) on renal function are lacking. Here, we evaluated the 1-year efficacy of an intensive weight-loss intervention with an energy-reduced MedDiet (erMedDiet) plus increased physical activity (PA) on renal function.

METHODS

Randomized controlled "PREvención con DIeta MEDiterránea-Plus" (PREDIMED-Plus) trial is conducted in 23 Spanish centers comprising 208 primary care clinics. Overweight/obese (n = 6,719) adults aged 55-75 years with metabolic syndrome were randomly assigned (1:1) to an intensive weight-loss lifestyle intervention with an erMedDiet, PA promotion, and behavioral support (intervention) or usual-care advice to adhere to an energy-unrestricted MedDiet (control) between September 2013 and December 2016. The primary outcome was 1-year change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Secondary outcomes were changes in urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR), incidence of moderately/severely impaired eGFR (<60 mL/min/1.73 m2) and micro- to macroalbuminuria (UACR ≥30 mg/g), and reversion of moderately (45 to <60 mL/min/1.73 m2) to mildly impaired GFR (60 to <90 mL/min/1.73 m2) or micro- to macroalbuminuria.

RESULTS

After 1 year, eGFR declined by 0.66 and 1.25 mL/min/1.73 m2 in the intervention and control groups, respectively (mean difference, 0.58 mL/min/1.73 m2; 95% CI: 0.15-1.02). There were no between-group differences in mean UACR or micro- to macroalbuminuria changes. Moderately/severely impaired eGFR incidence and reversion of moderately to mildly impaired GFR were 40% lower (HR 0.60; 0.44-0.82) and 92% higher (HR 1.92; 1.35-2.73), respectively, in the intervention group.

CONCLUSIONS

The PREDIMED-Plus lifestyle intervention approach may preserve renal function and delay CKD progression in overweight/obese adults.

Effect of intensive blood pressure on the progression of non-diabetic chronic kidney disease at varying degrees of proteinuria

The ideal blood pressure (BP) target for renoprotection is uncertain in patients with non-diabetic chronic kidney disease (CKD), especially considering the influence exerted by pre-existing proteinuria. In this pooled analysis of landmark trials, we coalesced individual data from 5001 such subjects randomized to intensive versus standard BP targets. We employed multivariable regression to evaluate the relationship between follow-up systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) on CKD progression (defined as glomerular filtration rate decline by 50% or end-stage renal disease), focusing on the potential for effect modification by baseline proteinuria or albuminuria. The median follow-up was 3.2 years. We found that SBP rather than DBP was the primary predictor of renal outcomes. The optimal SBP target was 110-129 mm Hg. We observed a strong interaction between SBP and proteinuria such that lower SBP ranges were significantly linked with progressively lower CKD risk in grade A3 albuminuria or ≥0.5-1 g/day proteinuria (relative to SBP 110-119 mm Hg, the adjusted HR for SBP 120-129 mm Hg, 130-139 mm Hg, and 140-149 mm Hg was 1.5, 2.3, and 3.3, respectively; all p<0.05). In grade A2 microalbuminuria or proteinuria near 0.5 g/day, a non-significant but possible connection was seen between tighter BP and decreased CKD (aforementioned HRs all <2; all p>0.05), while in grade A1 albuminuria or proteinuria <0.2 g/day no significant association was apparent (HRs all <1.5; all p>0.1). We conclude that in non-diabetic CKD, stricter BP targets <130 mm Hg may help limit CKD progression as proteinuria rises.

Clarifying Optimal Sodium InTake In Cardiovasular and Kidney (COSTICK) Diseases: a study protocol for two randomised controlled trials

Background: While low sodium intake (<2.3g/day) is recommended for all, there is uncertainty about feasibility and net cardiovascular effects. In COSTICK, we evaluated the effects of a dietary counselling intervention (reduced sodium intake) on intermediate cardiorenal outcomes in patients with (STICK) and without (COSIP) mild/moderate kidney disease. Methods: This is a protocol for two phase IIb randomised, two-group, parallel, open-label, controlled, single centre trials. Participants were aged >40 years with stable blood pressure, unchanged anti-hypertensive medications, willing to modify diet and provided written informed consent. Participants were excluded for abnormal sodium handling, heart failure, high dose diuretics, immunosuppression, pregnancy/lactation, postural hypotension, cognitive impairment, high or low body mass index (BMI) or inclusion in another trial. STICK participants had estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) 30-60ml/min/1.73m2 and were excluded for acute kidney Injury, rapidly declining eGFR; known glomerular disease or current use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. For COSIP, participants were excluded for known kidney or cardiovascular disease. Participants were randomized to usual care only (healthy eating) or an additional sodium lowering intervention (target <100mmol/day) through specific counseling (sodium use in foods, fresh over processed foods, sodium content of foods and eating outside of home). In STICK the primary outcome is change in 24-hour urinary creatinine clearance. In COSIP, the primary outcome is change in five biomarkers (renin, aldosterone, high sensitivity troponin T, pro-B-type natriuretic peptide and C-reactive protein). Our primary report (COSTICK), reports six biomarker outcome measures in the entire population at 2 years follow-up. Discussion: These Phase II trials will explore uncertainty about low sodium intake and cardiovascular and kidney biomarkers, and help determine the feasibility of low sodium intake. Trial results will also provide preliminary information to guide a future definitive clinical trial, if indicated. Trial registration: STICK: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02738736 (04/04/2016); COSIP: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02458248 (15/05/2016)

The efficacy and safety of lenvatinib in the treatment of solid tumors: an up-to-date meta-analysis

Aim: We performed an updated meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of lenvatinib in cancer patients. Materials & methods: Databases were searched to identify relevant trials. Data were extracted to evaluate overall survival, progression-free survival, overall response rate and grade ≥3 adverse events. Results: The pooled analysis demonstrated that lenvatinib significantly improved progression-free survival (hazard ratio: 0.43; 95% CI: 0.23-0.80; p = 0.008), overall survival (hazard ratio: 0.85; 95% CI: 0.75-0.97; p = 0.013) and overall response rate (relative risk: 6.89; 95% CI: 2.22-21.36; p = 0.001) compared with control therapy. However, the use of lenvatinib can increase the risk of severe infection. Conclusion: Lenvatinib-containing regimens are associated with better progression-free survival, overall survival and overall response rate, but can induce severe infection.