ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The prevalence of peritoneal dialysis (PD) in Thailand is increasing rapidly in part because of Thailand's Peritoneal Dialysis First policy. PD is a home-based renal replacement therapy in which patients with chronic kidney disease perform up to 4 exchanges of dialysate fluid per day in the peritoneal cavity. Overhydration is one of the most common complications in patients on PD and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. To monitor hydration status, patients collect hydration metrics, including body weight, blood pressure, urine output, and ultrafiltration volume, from each dialysis cycle and enter this information into a PD logbook. This information is reviewed bimonthly at PD clinic appointments. The chronic kidney disease-PD (CKD-PD) app with near-field communication (NFC) and optical character recognition (OCR) was developed to automate hydration metric collection. The information was displayed in the app for self-monitoring and uploaded to a database for real-time monitoring by the PD clinic staff. Early detection and treatment of overhydration could potentially reduce the morbidity and mortality related to overhydration. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to identify usability issues and technology adoption barriers for the CKD-PD app with NFC and OCR and a monitoring system and to use this information to make rapid cycle improvements. METHODS: A multidisciplinary team of nephrologists, PD clinic nurses, computer programmers, and engineers trained and observed 2 groups of 5 participants in the use of the CKD-PD app with NFC and OCR and a monitoring system. The participants were observed using technology in their homes in 3 phases. The data collected included the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology questionnaire, think-aloud observation, user ratings, completion of hydration metrics, and upload of hydration metrics to the central database. These results were used by the team between phases to improve the functionality and usefulness of the app. RESULTS: The CKD-PD app with NFC and OCR and a monitoring system underwent 3 rapid improvement cycles. Issues were identified regarding the usability of the NFC and OCR data collection, app stability, user interface, hydration metric calculation, and display. NFC and OCR improved hydration metric capture; however, issues remained with their usability. App stability and user interface issues were corrected, and hydration metrics were successfully uploaded by the end of phase 3. Participants' scores on technology adoption decreased but were still high, and there was enthusiasm for the self-monitoring and clinical communication features. CONCLUSIONS: Our rapid cycle process improvement methodology identified and resolved key barriers and usability issues for the CKD-PD app with NFC and OCR and a monitoring system. We believe that this methodology can be accomplished with limited training in data collection, statistical analysis, and funding.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Colistin is a lifesaving treatment for multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacterial (MDR-GNB) infections along with its well-known nephrotoxicity. The controversy of colistin-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) on mortality is noted. This study aimed to determine the risk factors and impact of AKI on the survival and significance of colistin dosage. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed in adult patients who received intravenous colistin for MDR-GNB treatment between June 2015 and June 2017. Factors influencing colistin-induced AKI and survival were evaluated by Cox regression analysis. Cut-off levels of the colistin dose per ideal body weight (IBW) that significantly affected clinical outcomes were assessed with linearity trends and receiver operating characteristic analyses. RESULTS: AKI occurred in 68.5% of 412 enrolled patients with an incidence rate of 10.6 per 100 patients-days and a median time was 6 (3-13) days. Stages I-III of AKI were 38.3, 24.5, and 37.2%. Factors associated with colistin-induced AKI were advanced age, high serum bilirubin, AKI presented before colistin administration, increased daily colistin doses per IBW, and concomitant use of nephrotoxic drugs. Colistin-induced AKI was related to mortality (HR 1.74, 95% CI 1.06-2.86, p=0.028). In the non-AKI before colistin usage subgroup, the total dose and total dose/IBW were >1,500-2,000 mg and 30-35 mg/kg to benefit mortality reduction but were <2,500-3,000 mg and 45-50 mg/kg for risk reduction of AKI. A daily colistin dose/IBW >4.5 mg/kg/day also increased the risk of AKI. In the AKI developed before colistin subgroup, the cut-off values of total colistin dose >1250-1350 mg and total dose/IBW >23.5-24 mg/kg demonstrated significant risks of AKI. CONCLUSION: The incidence of AKI after colistin administration was high and impacted mortality. Prevention and early correction of these related factors are mandatory. Careful use of colistin was also both beneficial in mortality and AKI reductions.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Hungry bone syndrome (HBS) following parathyroidectomy is associated with severe hypocalcemia and increased morbidity. This study aims to determine the incidence and risk factors of post-parathyroidectomy HBS in dialysis patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT). METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted, and medical records of patients with SHPT requiring parathyroidectomy between January 2014 and January 2020 were reviewed. HBS was defined as the requirement of intravenous calcium administration due to hypocalcemia-related symptoms and/or reductions in serum calcium concentration (<8.4 mg/dL) within 72 h after parathyroidectomy. RESULTS: A total of 130 dialysis patients were enrolled. The majority of patients (85.4%) received hemodialysis and the remaining patients (14.6%) received peritoneal dialysis. Ectopic parathyroid glands were identified in 6.6% of patients by preoperative parathyroid scintigraphy. Diffuse parathyroid hyperplasia was the most common histopathological characteristic of SHPT (90.8%). HBS occurred in 82.3% of patients following parathyroidectomy. Preoperative serum intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) concentration was significantly correlated with serum calcium (r = -0.48, p < 0.01) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) concentration (r = 0.71, p < 0.01). Patients with HBS had significantly longer hospital stays than patients without (8 versus 3 days, p < 0.01). Based on multiple logistic regression analysis, young age (≤45 years), high preoperative serum ALP (>420 IU/L) and iPTH (>1,000 pg/mL), and absence of preoperative hypercalcemia (>10.2 mg/dL) were significantly associated with HBS. CONCLUSIONS: Post-parathyroidectomy HBS is common in dialysis patients with SHPT. Young age, high preoperative serum ALP and iPTH, and low preoperative serum calcium concentrations were important risk factors for HBS.
