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Objective: Hemodialysis patients' ability to access food that is both compatible with a renal diet and affordable is affected by the local food environment. Comparisons of the availability and cost of food items suitable for the renal diet versus a typical unrestricted diet were completed using the standard Nutrition Environment Measures Survey and a renal diet-modified Nutrition Environment Measures Survey., Design: Cross-sectional study., Setting: Twelve grocery stores in Northeast Ohio., Main Outcome Measure: Availability and cost of food items in 12 categories., Results: The mean total number of food items available differed significantly (P ≤ .001) between the unrestricted diet (38.9 ± 4.5) and renal diet (32.2 ± 4.7). The mean total cost per serving did not differ significantly (P = 0.48) between the unrestricted diet ($5.67 ± 2.50) and renal diet ($5.76 ± 2.74)., Conclusion: The availability of renal diet food items is significantly less than that of unrestricted diet food items, but there is no difference in the cost of items that are available in grocery stores. Further work is needed to determine how to improve the food environment for patients with chronic diseases., (Copyright © 2017 National Kidney Foundation, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background and Objectives: Observational studies have reported an association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and microalbuminuria or proteinuria and chronic kidney disease (CKD) with varying risk estimates. We aimed to systematically review the association between MetS, its components, and development of microalbuminuria or proteinuria and CKD. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND MEASUREMENTS AND POPULATION: We searched MEDLINE (1966 to October 2010), SCOPUS, and the Web of Science for prospective cohort confidence interval (CI) studies that reported the development of microalbuminuria or proteinuria and/or CKD in participants with MetS. Risk estimates for eGFR <60 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) were extracted from individual studies and pooled using a random effects model. The results for proteinuria outcomes were not pooled because of the small number of studies., Results: Eleven studies (n = 30,146) were included. MetS was significantly associated with the development of eGFR <60 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) (odds ratio, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.34, 1.80). The strength of this association seemed to increase as the number of components of MetS increased (trend P value = 0.02). In patients with MetS, the odds ratios (95% CI) for development of eGFR <60 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) for individual components of MetS were: elevated blood pressure 1.61 (1.29, 2.01), elevated triglycerides 1.27 (1.11, 1.46), low HDL cholesterol 1.23 (1.12, 1.36), abdominal obesity 1.19 (1.05, 1.34), and impaired fasting glucose 1.14 (1.03, 1.26). Three studies reported an increased risk for development of microalbuminuria or overt proteinuria with MetS., Conclusions: MetS and its components are associated with the development of eGFR <60 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) and microalbuminuria or overt proteinuria.

Protein-energy wasting (PEW), which is manifested by low serum levels of albumin or prealbumin, sarcopenia and weight loss, is one of the strongest predictors of mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Although PEW might be engendered by non-nutritional conditions, such as inflammation or other comorbidities, the question of causality does not refute the effectiveness of dietary interventions and nutritional support in improving outcomes in patients with CKD. The literature indicates that PEW can be mitigated or corrected with an appropriate diet and enteral nutritional support that targets dietary protein intake. In-center meals or oral supplements provided during dialysis therapy are feasible and inexpensive interventions that might improve survival and quality of life in patients with CKD. Dietary requirements and enteral nutritional support must also be considered in patients with CKD and diabetes mellitus, in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis, renal transplant recipients, and in children with CKD. Adjunctive pharmacological therapies, such as appetite stimulants, anabolic hormones, and antioxidative or anti-inflammatory agents, might augment dietary interventions. Intraperitoneal or intradialytic parenteral nutrition should be considered for patients with PEW whenever enteral interventions are not possible or are ineffective. Controlled trials are needed to better assess the effectiveness of in-center meals and oral supplements.

Background: Optimal hydration measures to prevent contrast-induced nephropathy are controversial., Study Design: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis using the MEDLINE database (1966 to January 2008), EMBASE (January 2008), and abstracts from conference proceedings., Setting & Population: Adult patients undergoing contrast procedures., Selection Criteria for Studies: Randomized controlled trials comparing intravenous hydration with sodium bicarbonate with hydration with intravenous normal saline for prevention of contrast-induced nephropathy., Intervention: Hydration with intravenous sodium bicarbonate with or without N-acetylcysteine versus hydration with normal saline with or without N-acetylcysteine., Outcomes: Contrast-induced nephropathy, need for renal replacement therapy, and worsening of heart failure., Results: Twelve trials (1,854 participants) were included. Sodium bicarbonate significantly decreased the risk of contrast-induced nephropathy (12 trials, 1,652 patients; odds ratio [OR], 0.46; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.26 to 0.82; I2 = 55.9%) without a significant difference in need for renal replacement therapy (9 trials, 1,215 patients; OR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.16 to 1.53; I2 = 0%), in-hospital mortality (11 trials, 1,640 patients; OR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.15 to 1.69), or congestive heart failure compared with controls. Similar results were seen for the risk of contrast-induced nephropathy when sodium bicarbonate was compared with normal saline alone (OR, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.20 to 0.77), but not when sodium bicarbonate/N-acetylcysteine combination was compared with N-acetylcysteine/normal saline combination (OR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.34 to 1.37). A subgroup analysis limited to published trials showed similar results (OR, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.10 to 0.64; I2 = 63.3%), whereas unpublished studies showed a nonsignificant decrease (OR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.46 to 1.57; I2 = 25.9%) in risk of contrast-induced nephropathy., Limitation: Publication bias and heterogeneity., Conclusion: Hydration with sodium bicarbonate decreases the incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy in comparison to hydration with normal saline without a significant difference in need for renal replacement therapy and in-hospital mortality. Larger studies analyzing patient-centered outcomes are needed.

Background and Objectives: Addition of aldosterone antagonists (AA) might provide renal benefits to proteinuric chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients over and above the inhibition of renin-angiotensin system blockers (RAS). We evaluated the benefits and harms of adding selective and nonselective AA in CKD patients already on RAS., Design, Setting, Participants, & Measurements: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Renal Health Library were searched for relevant randomized clinical trials in adult CKD patients. Results were summarized using the random-effects model., Results: Eleven trials (991 patients) were included. In comparison to angiotensin- converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) and/or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) plus placebo, nonselective AA along with ACEi and/or ARB significantly reduced 24 h proteinuria (seven trials, 372 patients, weighted mean difference [WMD] -0.80 g, 95% CI -1.27, -0.33) and BP. This did not translate into an improvement in GFR (WMD -0.70 ml/min/1.73m(2), 95% CI -4.73, 3.34). There was a significant increase in the risk of hyperkalemia with the addition of nonselective AA to ACEi and/or ARB (relative risk 3.06, 95% CI 1.26, 7.41). In two trials, addition of selective AA to ACEi resulted in an additional reduction in 24 h proteinuria, without any impact on BP and renal function. Data on cardiovascular outcomes, long-term renal outcomes and mortality were not available in any of the trials., Conclusions: Aldosterone antagonists reduce proteinuria in CKD patients already on ACEis and ARBs but increase the risk of hyperkalemia. Long-term effects of these agents on renal outcomes, mortality, and safety need to be established.

Objective: Little is known about job satisfaction among renal dietitians. We sought to determine overall job satisfaction and specific domains of job satisfaction among renal dietitians., Design: Cross-sectional study., Setting: A total of 46 outpatient hemodialysis facilities in northeast Ohio., Participants: A group of 40 renal dietitians., Intervention: Structured questionnaire., Main Outcome Measure: Overall job satisfaction; specific domains of job satisfaction, workload, and suggestions for improving job satisfaction., Results: Of all responding dietitians, 78% expressed overall satisfaction with their job. Dietitians were least satisfied with opportunities for advancement (13%), supervisors' handling of employees (50%), the chance to be somebody in the community (53%), praise received for doing a good job (55%), and amount of work assigned (58%). Dietitians were most satisfied with the chance to do things for others (98%). A higher patient-to-renal dietitian ratio was associated with lower overall job satisfaction and a reduced likelihood that renal dietitians would recommend their career to others. The most common suggestions for improving job satisfaction consisted of reducing paperwork (named by 28% of dietitians), spending more time with patients (23%), and increasing time for creative projects (18%)., Conclusions: Although renal dietitians generally expressed overall satisfaction with their jobs, almost all were dissatisfied with opportunities for advancement, and nearly half were dissatisfied with other specific aspects of their work. We urge local and national associations of renal dietitians to collaborate with dialysis facilities, chains, and regulatory agencies to improve job satisfaction. Further research is needed to determine the impact of job satisfaction of renal dietitians on patient outcomes.

Background: Medicare's reimbursement system was changed in January 2004 to encourage more frequent visits between dialysis patients and nephrologists. We sought to determine the impact of this policy change on patient-nephrologist visits, quality of care, and health-related quality of life., Methods: We examined visits and outcomes for 2,043 patients at 12 hemodialysis facilities in northeast Ohio for 12 months before and 7 months after the reimbursement change. For comparison of outcomes, we used linear, logistic, or negative binomial regression models (for continuous, binary, and rate outcomes, respectively) to assess the significance of changes across the 2 periods., Results: For patients seen before and after the reimbursement change for at least 6 months, the number of visits per patient-month increased from 1.52 before to 3.14 after (P < 0.001). The percentage of patients with no nephrologist visits per patient-month decreased from 16.6% before to 4.6% after (P < 0.001). However, there were no clinically important changes in Kt/V, albumin level, hemoglobin level, phosphorus level, calcium level, hemodialysis catheter use, ultrafiltration volume, shortened or skipped treatments, hospital admissions, hospitalization days, or health-related quality of life, including patient satisfaction., Conclusion: Despite a marked increase in visits between patients and nephrologists, there was no clinically important impact on parameters related to quality of care or health-related quality of life. Additional work is needed to determine effective payment strategies to improve dialysis patient outcomes.

Background: The proper strategy to screen for early chronic kidney disease is debatable, but protein-creatinine ratio from a random urine sample (UPC) commonly is used. The purpose is to determine whether dipstick data effectively identify patients with increased UPC ratios. Because urine concentration affects proteinuria interpretation, we hypothesized that dipstick protein (DSP) and specific gravity (SG) are sufficient for screening., Methods: A hospital laboratory database was searched for urine samples simultaneously assayed for UPC ratio, DSP, and SG (n = 2,098). A random 70% of the cohort was used to generate a development model, which was validated in the remaining 30%. Samples were stratified according to DSP and SG values. A DSP versus SG matrix was created, and each sample was allocated to a discrete DSP-SG category. Proportions of samples with overt (UPC ratio > or = 500 mg/g) and nephrotic-range proteinuria (UPC ratio > or = 3,000 mg/g) were calculated for all 40 cells., Results: Optimum correlations between DSP-SG cells and UPC ratios were determined for the development model, yielding 97.0% negative predictive value (NPV) for a UPC ratio of 500 mg/g or less and 97.5% positive predictive value (PPV) for a UPC ratio of 500 mg/g or greater. NPV for a UPC ratio of 3,000 mg/g or less was 99.7%. Application of the model to the validation sample showed a 96.5% NPV for a UPC ratio of 500 mg/g or less, 99.4% PPV for a UPC ratio of 500 mg/g or greater, and 99.0% NPV for a UPC ratio of 3,000 mg/g or less., Conclusion: DSP and SG values effectively identify patients requiring proteinuria quantification by means of UPC ratio. A Web-based tool was developed that allows DSP and SG value entry and provides a recommendation regarding the need for proteinuria quantification.

The glomerular filtration rate plays a key role in the management and prognosis of kidney disease. Formulas for estimating it often use demographic factors (age, sex, and race) as proxies for muscle creatinine generation. This essay discusses the pros and cons of using race in these formulas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a randomized controlled trial which examined the effect of limiting the intake of phosphorus-containing food additives on serum phosphorus levels in patients with end-stage renal disease. 279 patients with elevated baseline serum phosphorus levels at 14 long-term hemodialysis facilities were included in the trial. Participants in the intervention group received education on avoiding foods with phosphorus additives. The control participants received usual care. Researchers found modest improvements in hyperphosphatemia with education for patients with end-stage renal disease.

Acute kidney injury is a major complication of hospitalization, occurring in 5-7 percent of hospitalized patients. The patient characteristics and prognostic variables that help predict acute kidney injury have not been studied in the general hospitalized population. The objectives of this study are to derive and validate a predictive score for hospital-acquired acute kidney injury (HAKI). We conducted a case-controlled study of HAKI involving 180 cases and 360 controls. A multivariate logistic regression model was developed in two-thirds of the subjects and validated in the other third. Upon admission, cases in the developmental sample were older (67 vs. 63 yrs, p = .008) and more likely to have diabetes (51% vs. 35%; p = .003), hypertension (77% vs. 60%, p = .001), heart failure (34% vs. 20%, p = .004), blood urea nitrogen ≥25 mg/dL (38% vs. 20%, p = <.001), creatinine ≥1.1 mg/dL (65% vs. 39%; p <.001), albumin ≤4 g/dL (85% vs. 71%; p = .033), and bicarbonate <24 mEq/L or >30 mEq/L (42% vs. 29%; p = .05) compared to controls. The final risk score included pulse, bicarbonate, creatinine, and specific medications (NSAIDs, ACE inhibitors, ARBs, and/or diuretics). The c-statistic for the risk score in the developmental sample was 0.69. In the validation sample, an increasing number of risk factors was associated with increased risk of HAKI (16% and 62% in the low and high-risk groups, respectively). In conclusion, a simple model based on readily available data stratifies patients according to their risk of developing HAKI and may guide clinical decision making and provide a basis for further research into HAKI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors look at a study done by E. D. Michos on the prognostic value of cardiac troponin in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Topics discussed include increased use of troponin measurement in patients with CKD that creates confusion of cardiac disease, role of cardiac troponin in regulating heart muscle contraction, and use of troponin level in diagnosis of myocardial infarction.

High dietary phosphorus intake is harmful for persons with kidney disease and possibly for the general public, however food labels rarely report phosphorus content. Although the quantity of phosphorus-containing food additives used within the United States food supply is not publically known, it is presumed that the consumption of these additives is substantial due to consumer reliance on processed convenience foods. We sought to determine the prevalence of phosphorus–containing food additives in commonly purchased grocery products and to compare the phosphorus content of a subset of top–selling food products with and without phosphorus additives. Study staff reviewed the labels of the 2394 most commonly purchased branded grocery products in northeast Ohio for phosphorus additives. The 5 top-selling products containing phosphorus additives from each food category were matched with similar products without phosphorus additives and analyzed for phosphorus content. Four days of sample meals were created using analyzed foods and daily phosphorus burden and pricing differential were computed. 44% of top-selling grocery items contained phosphorus additives. The additives were particularly common in prepared frozen foods (72%), dry food mixes (70%), packaged meat (65%), bread & baked goods (57%), soup (54%), and yogurt (51%) categories. Phosphorus additive foods averaged 67mg phosphorus/100gm more than matched non-additive containing foods (p=03). In sample meals, additive foods contributed an excess phosphorus burden of 736mg per day. Phosphorus additive-free meals cost an average of $2.00 more per day In conclusion, phosphorus additives are commonly present in groceries and contribute significantly to the phosphorus content of foods. Moreover, phosphorus additive foods are less costly than additive-free foods. As a result, phosphorus additives may be an important contributor to hyperphosphatemia among persons with chronic kidney disease [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]