Effects of a 16-week physical training on clinical outcomes in patients with hypertension and chronic kidney disease: NEPHROS post-trial follow-up.

The NEPHROS is a randomized controlled trial which applied a 16-week aerobic and resistance training to patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and high blood pressure. This report describes a long-term post-trial follow-up, comparing survival, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) change between the intervention and control groups according to in-trial cardiovascular risk factors. Three years after the original trial, NEPHROS participants were re-evaluated. Cox proportional hazards model was used to compare survival time and linear regression for changes in GFR and physical and mental HRQoL summary scores between intervention and control groups according to age, sex, and in-trial GFR, C-reactive protein, glucose, lipids, ankle-brachial index (ABI), functional capacity, and blood pressure. Of the 150 participants of NEPHROS, 128 were included in the long-term analysis. The previous exercise training had no effects on survival, GFR, or HRQoL. Baseline in-trial GFR (HR = 0.95, 95%CI: 0.92; 0.98) and ABI (HR = 0.03, 95%CI: 0.002; 0.43) were positive independent predictors for survival. Lower ABI (coefficient = 9.00, 95%CI: 0.43; 17.5) and higher systolic blood pressure (coefficient = -0.13, 95%CI: -0.24; -0.03) were independent predictors for GFR decline. A 16-week exercise program had no long-term effect on survival, quality of life, or glomerular filtration in patients with CKD stages 2 to 4. Lower GFR and ABI and higher systolic blood pressure were associated with poorer prognosis among CKD patients.

Effects of a 16-week physical training on clinical outcomes in patients with hypertension and chronic kidney disease: NEPHROS post-trial follow-up / Os efeitos de um treinamento físico de 16 semanas sobre desfechos clínicos em pacientes com hipertensão e doença renal crônica: o estudo NEPHROS de seguimento pós-ensaio / Efectos de un entrenamiento físico durante 16 semanas en los resultados clínicos de pacientes afectados de hipertensión y enfermedad crónica de riñón: NEPHROS seguimiento post ensayo

The NEPHROS is a randomized controlled trial which applied a 16-week aerobic and resistance training to patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and high blood pressure. This report describes a long-term post-trial follow-up, comparing survival, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) change between the intervention and control groups according to in-trial cardiovascular risk factors. Three years after the original trial, NEPHROS participants were re-evaluated. Cox proportional hazards model was used to compare survival time and linear regression for changes in GFR and physical and mental HRQoL summary scores between intervention and control groups according to age, sex, and in-trial GFR, C-reactive protein, glucose, lipids, ankle-brachial index (ABI), functional capacity, and blood pressure. Of the 150 participants of NEPHROS, 128 were included in the long-term analysis. The previous exercise training had no effects on survival, GFR, or HRQoL. Baseline in-trial GFR (HR = 0.95, 95%CI: 0.92; 0.98) and ABI (HR = 0.03, 95%CI: 0.002; 0.43) were positive independent predictors for survival. Lower ABI (coefficient = 9.00, 95%CI: 0.43; 17.5) and higher systolic blood pressure (coefficient = -0.13, 95%CI: -0.24; -0.03) were independent predictors for GFR decline. A 16-week exercise program had no long-term effect on survival, quality of life, or glomerular filtration in patients with CKD stages 2 to 4. Lower GFR and ABI and higher systolic blood pressure were associated with poorer prognosis among CKD patients.

O estudo NEPHROS é um ensaio controlado e randomizado que aplicou um programa de treinamento aeróbico e de força com duração de 16 semanas em pacientes com doença renal crônica e hipertensão arterial. O artigo descreve o seguimento pós-ensaio de longo prazo, comparando sobrevida, qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde (HRQoL) e mudança na taxa de filtração glomerular estimada (TFGe) entre o grupo de intervenção e o grupo controle, e de acordo com fatores de risco cardiovascular registrados durante o ensaio. Os participantes do estudo NEPHROS foram reavaliados três anos depois do ensaio original. Foi usada a razão de riscos proporcionais de Cox para comparar o tempo de sobrevida, e a regressão linear para comparar a mudança na TFGe e as pontuações gerais de HRQoL física e mental, entre os grupos de intervenção e controle, de acordo com idade, sexo e níveis durante o ensaio original de TFGe, proteína C-reativa, glicose, lipídios, índice tornozelo-braquial (ITB), capacidade funcional e pressão arterial. Entre os 150 participantes do NEPHROS, 128 foram incluídos na análise de seguimento. Não foi observado nenhum efeito do treinamento na sobrevida, TFGe ou HRQoL. As medidas durante o ensaio original de TFGe (HR = 0,95; IC95%: 0,92; 0,98) e ITB (HR = 0,03; IC95%: 0,002; 0,43) foram preditores positivos independentes de sobrevida. ITB mais baixo (coeficiente = 9,00; IC95%: 0,43; 17,5) e pressão sistólica mais alta (coeficiente = -0,13; IC95% -0,24; -0.03) foram preditores independentes de declínio da TFGe. O programa de exercício de 16 semanas não teve efeito no longo prazo sobre sobrevida, qualidade de vida ou mudança na taxa de filtração glomerular em pacientes com doença renal crônica de estágios 2 a 4. Níveis mais baixos de TFGe e ITB e pressão arterial sistólica mais elevada estiveram associados a prior prognóstico entre pacientes com doença renal crônica.

NEPHROS es un ensayo controlado aleatorio que aplicó un entrenamiento de 16 semanas aeróbico y de resistencia a pacientes con enfermedad crónica de riñón y presión alta. El informe actual describe un seguimiento de largo plazo post ensayo, comparando supervivencia, calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (HRQoL) y el cambio de tasa estimada de filtración glomerular (eGFR) entre los grupos de intervención y control, y según factores de riesgo cardiovascular en el ensayo. Tras tres años del ensayo original, los participantes en NEPHROS fueron reevaluados. Se usó el modelo de Cox de riesgos proporcionales para comparar el tiempo de supervivencia y la regresión lineal para comparar el cambio en los marcadores resumen eGFR, físicos y mentales HRQoL, entre los grupos de intervención y grupos de control, y según edad, sexo, y eGFR en el ensayo, proteína C-reactiva, glucosa, lípidos, índice tobillo-brazo (ABI), capacidad funcional y presión sanguínea. De los 150 participantes de NEPHROS, 128 personas fueron incluidas en el análisis a largo plazo. No se observó un cambio en el efecto del entrenamiento físico previo en la supervivencia, eGFR o HRQoL. La base de referencia en el ensayo eGFR (HR = 0,95; 95%CI: 0,92; 0,98) y ABI (HR = 0,03; 95%CI: 0,002; 0,43) fueron predictores independientes positivos para la supervivencia. Un más bajo ABI (coeficiente = 9,00; 95%CI: 0,43; 17,5) y una presión sistólica sanguínea más alta (coeficiente = -0,13; 95%CI -0,24; -0,03) fueron predictores independientes para la disminución de la eGFR. El programa de ejercicio de dieciséis semanas no tuvo un efecto a largo plazo en la supervivencia, calidad de vida o cambio en la filtración glomerular en pacientes con etapas 2 a 4 enfermedad crónica de riñón. Una eGFR y ABI más bajos, y una presión más alta sistólica de sangre estuvieron asociadas con una prognosis más escasa entre pacientes enfermedad crónica de riñón.

Intradialytic training in patients with end-stage renal disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials assessing the effects of five different training interventions.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing hemodialysis may have reduced dialysis adequacy (Kt/V), low cardiorespiratory fitness, and worse prognosis. Different types of intradialytic training (IDT) may serve as an adjunct therapy for the management of the ESRD. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the impact of different types of IDT on clinical outcomes and functional parameters in ESRD. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane CENTRAL, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and Google Scholar were searched for randomized clinical trials in adult patients with ESRD which compared IDT with usual care (UC), without language restrictions and published up to July 2019; a handsearch of references was also performed. Certainty of evidence was assessed using GRADE, and risk of bias in primary studies with the RoB 1.0 tool. RESULTS: Fifty studies were included (n = 1757). Compared to UC, aerobic IDT improved Kt/V (WMD = 0.08), VO2peak (WMD = 2.07 mL/kg/min), 6-minute walk test (6MWT) distance (64.98 m), reduced systolic blood pressure (- 10.07 mmHg) and C-reactive protein (- 3.28 mg/L). Resistance training increased 6MWT distance (68.50 m). Combined training increased VO2peak (5.41 mL/kg/min) and reduced diastolic blood pressure (- 5.76 mmHg). Functional electrostimulation (FES) and inspiratory muscle training (IMT) improved 6MWT distance (54.14 m and 117.62 m, respectively). There was no impact on total cholesterol, interleukin-6, or hemoglobin levels. There was no difference in incidence of adverse events between the IDT and control groups. The certainty of evidence was variable according to the GRADE scale, with most outcomes rated very low certainty. The risk of bias assessment of primary studies showed unclear risk in most. CONCLUSIONS: Aerobic, resistance, and combined training during hemodialysis, as well as FES and IMT, demonstrated to be effective for the treatment of the patient with ESRD. Our data should be interpreted in light of the unclear risk of bias of most evaluated articles and the low to very low certainty of evidence for evaluated outcomes. PROSPERO REGISTRATION ID: CRD42017081338. DATA SHARING REPOSITORY: https://osf.io/fpj54/.

Intradialytic exercise with blood flow restriction is more effective than conventional exercise in improving walking endurance in hemodialysis patients: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to compare the effect of intradialytic aerobic exercise with blood flow restriction, without blood flow restriction (conventional) and no exercise (control) on muscle strength and walking endurance among chronic kidney disease patients. DESIGN: Open label and parallel group randomized controlled trial. SUBJECTS: Adult patients with chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis. INTERVENTION: A 12-week intradialytic training with or without blood flow restriction compared with a control group. MAIN MEASURES: Strength and walking endurance were measured using thoracolumbar dynamometry and a 6-minute walk test, respectively, before and after training. RESULTS: A total of 66 patients were randomized into three groups: blood flow restriction group (n = 22), conventional exercise group (n = 22) and control group (n = 22). There were seven dropouts, and 59 patients were included in the analysis. There was a significant increase in the 6-minute walking distance in the blood flow restriction group (from 412.7 (115.9) to 483.0 (131.0) m, P = 0.007) in comparison with the conventional exercise group (from 426.79 (115.00) to 433.2 (120.42) m, not significant) and the control group (from 428.4 (108.1) to 417.3 (100.2) m, not significant). The change in the walking distance over time was significantly different among groups (intervention group/time, P = 0.02). The simple effects test found a significant time effect only in the blood flow restriction group. There was no significant difference in strength change between the groups. CONCLUSION: Among chronic kidney disease patients, intradialytic exercise of low/moderate intensity with blood flow restriction was more effective in improving walking endurance than conventional exercise or no exercise.

Effects of continuous moderate exercise with partial blood flow restriction during hemodialysis: A protocol for a randomized clinical trial.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with physical weakness and increased oxidative stress and inflammation levels. Rehabilitation programs are associated with an improvement in the functional capacity, inflammatory and oxidative stress profile. Exercise associated with blood flow restriction (BFR) has been demonstrating positive effects in training programs, but there is lack information about exercise with BFR in CKD. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to describe a protocol using continuous moderate exercise with blood flow restriction (BFR) applied during hemodialysis (HD) to measures health indicators and immune system and oxidative stress parameters in CKD patients. Methods: A RTC will be conducted with 42 patients in HD. Baseline measures will be compared with final measures (anthropometric, cardiorespiratory, biochemical, muscle fitness, nutritional and behavioral questions). Participants will be randomly allocated to: 1) Continuous moderate exercise group with BFR; 2) Continuous moderate exercise group without BFR; 3) Control group without exercise. The intervention will be 12 weeks long during HD session. Patients will perform 20 min of continuous moderate exercise on a stationary bicycle three times a week. The present study is expected to generate significant information about the role of exercise with BFR in patients with CKD during HD.

From the 1990s to CORAL (Cardiovascular Outcomes in Renal Atherosclerotic Lesions) trial results and beyond: does stenting have a role in ischemic nephropathy?

The prevalence of atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis is high, ∼7% in individuals older than 65 years and ∼50% in patients with diffuse arterial disease, and it is increasingly frequent in an aging population. About 10% to 15% of atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis cases lead to the development of resistant hypertension and/or ischemic nephropathy. The management of ischemic nephropathy may include medical therapy and/or revascularization. In the past, revascularization required surgical bypass or endarterectomy, accompanied by the morbidity and mortality associated with a major surgical procedure. During the last few decades, less invasive endovascular procedures such as percutaneous transluminal renal artery angioplasty with stent placement have become available. At the same time, new antihypertensive and cardiovascular drugs have been developed, which may preclude revascularization, at least in some cases. The indications of each of these therapeutic options have changed over time. This review offers a temporal perspective on the course of technical and scientific advances and the accompanying change in clinical practice for the treatment of ischemic nephropathy. The latest randomized clinical trials, including the CORAL (Cardiovascular Outcomes in Renal Atherosclerotic Lesions) trial, the largest on the subject, as well as a meta-analysis of these studies, have indicated that the best approach is medical therapy alone. There is evidence that revascularization brings no additional benefit, at least in low-risk and stable atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis. High-risk patients, especially those with recurrent flash pulmonary edema, could benefit from percutaneous transluminal renal artery angioplasty and stent placement, but there is no definitive evidence and the treatment choice should take into account the risks and potential benefits of the procedure.

Do people accept brain death as death? A study in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Although the term brain death has been clinically and legally accepted as a death criterion, few data are published about public attitudes and beliefs concerning this topic. OBJECTIVES: To examine public understanding of brain death and how the term brain death affects decisions about organ donation. METHODS: Population-based cross-sectional study, with individuals aged 20 years or older in the urban area of Pelotas, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The instrument used was a structured questionnaire, completed in individual interviews. chi2 and t test were used in the univariate and logistic regression in multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Of 3159 participants, 80.1% would authorize organ donation from a relative who had previously declared a willingness to do so. However, when the words "brain death" were used as death, only 63% would authorize organ donation. When the subject had not been discussed, only a third of the participants would authorize the donation of a relative's organs. CONCLUSIONS: When the term death was substituted with brain death, the willingness to donate decreased by 20%, suggesting that some individuals do not understand or accept the term brain death. Increasing comprehension about the concept of brain death and adopting educational strategies are essential to obtain higher rates of organ donation in developing countries.

Hypertension prevalence and its associated risk factors in adults: a population-based study in Pelotas.

OBJECTIVE: To determine hypertension prevalence and its associated risk factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional, population-based study of people ages 20 to 69 living in the urban area of Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, was conducted. The dependent variable systemic hypertension was defined as blood pressure > or = 160 x 95 mm Hg (average of two readings) or current use of antihypertensive drugs. RESULTS: Among the 1,968 subjects enrolled in the study, hypertension prevalence was 23.6% (95% CI 21.6 to 25.3). A Poisson regression model was used to control confounding factors effects. The following variables remained statistically significant in the final model: family income, age, skin color, gender, family history of hypertension, extra salt intake, and body mass index. CONCLUSION: Compared with a similar study undertaken in 1992, hypertension prevalence increased, particularly in the younger groups.

Prevalência de hipertensão arterial em adultos e fatores associados: um estudo de base populacional urbana em Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil / Hypertension prevalence and its associated risk factors in adults: a population-based study in Pelotas

OBJETIVO: Determinar a prevalência de hipertensão arterial sistêmica e os fatores associados a sua ocorrência. MÉTODOS: Realizou-se um estudo transversal, de base populacional, na população de 20 a 69 anos residente na zona urbana de Pelotas-RS. A variável dependente hipertensão arterial sistêmica foi definida como pressão arterial >160 x 95 mmHg (média de duas medidas) ou o uso atual de medicação anti-hipertensiva. RESULTADOS: Entre as 1.968 pessoas incluídas no estudo, foi encontrada uma prevalência de 23,6 por cento (IC95 por cento 21,6 a 25,3) de hipertensão arterial. Os fatores de confusão foram controlados através da regressão de Poisson. Foram mantidas no modelo final com significância estatística as variáveis: renda familiar, idade, cor da pele, sexo, história familiar de hipertensão, consumo adicional de sal e índice de massa corporal. CONCLUSÃO: Observou-se um aumento da prevalência de hipertensão em comparação com estudo semelhante realizado em 1992. O maior aumento percentual de prevalência ocorreu nos grupos mais jovens.

OBJECTIVE: To determine hypertension prevalence and its associated risk factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional, population-based study of people ages 20 to 69 living in the urban area of Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, was conducted. The dependent variable systemic hypertension was defined as blood pressure >160 x 95 mm Hg (average of two readings) or current use of antihypertensive drugs. RESULTS: Among the 1,968 subjects enrolled in the study, hypertension prevalence was 23.6 percent (95 percent CI 21.6 to 25.3). A Poisson regression model was used to control confounding factors effects. The following variables remained statistically significant in the final model: family income, age, skin color, gender, family history of hypertension, extra salt intake, and body mass index. CONCLUSION: Compared with a similar study undertaken in 1992, hypertension prevalence increased, particularly in the younger groups.

Tacrolimus and quality of life after kidney transplantation--a multicenter study.

Kidney transplantation is currently the treatment of choice for end-stage renal disease. Although new immunosuppressive drugs have been introduced into clinical practice, the effect of such medication on quality of life (QoL) in transplant recipients is still unclear. The present study analyzes the impact of tacrolimus-based immunosuppression on QoL in a representative sample of adult kidney transplant recipients from Rio Grande do Sul, a Brazilian southern state. This was a cross-sectional multicenter study which used the SF-36 Health Survey for measuring QoL. The effect of tacrolimus on QoL was adjusted for possible confounders using multiple linear regression. A total of 272 patients (from 11 different centers) were evaluated, 48 of them were treated with tacrolimus. Transplant patients in use of tacrolimus presented significant higher scores in the physical component summary of SF-36 than non-users (49.1+/-8.3 vs. 46.1+/-8.7; p=0.03), and such difference was noted in the physical functioning and general health subscales (81.5+/-17.1 and 74.7+/-21.8; 74.6+/-22.3 and 67.1+/-22.3 for users and non-users of tacrolimus, respectively, p<0.05). The effect of tacrolimus remained significant after adjustment for age, gender, skin color and time since transplantation (coeff.: 2.83; 95% CI: 0.05-5.6, p=0.045). The association between tacrolimus-based immunosuppression and better perception of physical functioning and general health for renal transplant patients represents a significant finding as it may influence therapeutical decisions and contribute to maximize kidney transplantation benefits.