Design and methodology of the chronic kidney disease as a dysmetabolic determinant of disability among older people (CKD-3D) study: a multicenter cohort observational study.

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common condition in older people and represents a global health issue since it increases the risk of associated comorbidities and all-cause mortality. Furthermore, older people with reduced renal function might be at higher risk for developing functional limitation and disability. Moreover, the current creatinine-based measures of renal function are influenced by several factors in older population. The aims of the CKD-3D project are to perform an observational study to expand the knowledge about CKD-disability relationship and to investigate the use of novel biomarkers of kidney function. METHODS: An observational, multicenter, prospective cohort study will be conducted in 75 + old patients consecutively admitted to acute care wards of geriatric medicine at participating hospitals. The study planned to enroll 440 patients undergoing clinical and laboratory evaluations at baseline and after 12 months. Face-to-face follow-up at 6 months and telephone follow-up at 3 and 9 months will be carried out. Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) and the measurement of Cystatin C, Beta-Trace Protein and Beta2-Microglobulin levels will be included. DISCUSSION: This study will provide useful information to prevent CKD-related disability by collecting real-life data over 1-year period. The combined approach of CGA and the investigation of innovative existing biomarkers will make it possible to develop new recommendations and guidelines for a patient-centered approach. It is believed that such a study may lead to an improvement of knowledge on CKD in elderly patients and may also have implications in daily clinical practice and in decision-making process.

Cognitive Impairment, Chronic Kidney Disease, and 1-Year Mortality in Older Patients Discharged from Acute Care Hospital.

The prognostic interaction between chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cognitive impairment is still to be elucidated. We investigated the potential interaction of overall cognitive impairment or defective constructional praxis and CKD in predicting 1-year mortality among 646 older patients discharged from hospital. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated using the Berlin Initiative Study (BIS) equation. Cognitive impairment was assessed by the Mini Mental State Exam (MMSE) and defective constructional praxis was ascertained by the inherent MMSE item. The study outcome was 1-year mortality. Statistical analysis was carried out using Cox regression. After adjusting for potential confounders, the co-occurrence of eGFR <30 and overall cognitive impairment (Hazard Ratio (HR) = 3.12, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 1.26-7.77) and defective constructional praxis (HR = 2.50, 95% CI = 1.08-5.77) were associated with the outcome. No significant prognostic interaction of eGFR < 30 with either overall cognitive impairment (HR = 1.99, 95% CI = 0.38-10.3) or constructional apraxia (HR = 1.68, 95% CI = 0.33-8.50) was detectable, while only cognitive deficits were found significantly associated with the outcome in the interaction models (HR = 3.12, 95% CI = 1.45-6.71 for overall cognitive impairment and HR = 2.16, 95% CI = 1.05-4.45 for constructional apraxia). Overall cognitive impairment and defective constructional praxis may be associated with increased risk of 1-year mortality among older hospitalized patients with severe CKD. However, no significant prognostic interaction between CKD and cognitive impairment could be observed.

Hand Grip Strength May Affect the Association Between Anticholinergic Burden and Mortality Among Older Patients Discharged from Hospital.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The relationship between anticholinergic burden and mortality is unclear, and the impact of anticholinergic burden on prognosis may vary in the presence of other conditions common in old age. We aimed to investigate the role of hand grip strength as a potential effect modifier in the association between anticholinergic burden and 1-year mortality in older patients discharged from hospital. METHODS: Our series consisted of 620 older patients consecutively admitted to seven geriatric and internal medicine acute care wards in the context of a prospective multicenter observational study. Overall anticholinergic burden was assessed by Anticholinergic Cognitive Burden (ACB) score. Hand grip strength was assessed by the use of a North Coast medical hand dynamometer and categorized by using sex-specific cut-offs (women < 15 kg, men < 20 kg). The study outcome was 1-year mortality. Statistical analysis was performed by Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: After adjusting for potential confounders, the co-occurrence of an ACB score of 2 or more and low hand grip strength was significantly associated with mortality (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.30, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07-6.01). Stratified analysis confirmed that an ACB score of 2 or more was associated with mortality among patients with low (HR = 2.15, 95% CI 1.08-5.02), but not normal hand grip strength (HR = 0.88, 95% CI 0.13-3.52). The association was confirmed among patients with low hand grip strength after adjusting for the ACB score at the 3-month follow-up (HR = 2.20; 95% CI 1.09-4.87), as well as when considering the ACB score as a continuous variable (HR = 1.24, 95% CI 1.03-1.48). CONCLUSIONS: The ACB score at discharge may predict mortality among older patients discharged from an acute care hospital with low hand grip strength. Hospital physicians should be aware that prescribing anticholinergic medications in such a vulnerable population may have negative prognostic implications.

The excess mortality risk associated with anticholinergic burden among older patients discharged from acute care hospital with depressive symptoms.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between anticholinergic burden and mortality is controversial, and the impact of anticholinergic burden on prognosis may vary in presence of other conditions common in old age. We aimed at investigating the role of depressive symptoms as potential effect modifiers in the association between anticholinergic burden and 1-year mortality in older patients discharged from hospital. METHODS: Our series consisted of 576 older patients consecutively admitted to seven geriatric and internal medicine acute care wards in the context of a prospective multicenter observational study. Overall anticholinergic burden was assessed by Anticholinergic Cognitive Burden (ACB) score. Depressive symptoms were assessed by 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). The study outcome was all-cause mortality during 12-months follow-up. Statistical analysis was carried out by Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: After adjusting for potential confounders, discharge ACB score = 2 or more was significantly associated with the outcome among patients with GDS > 5 (HR = 3.70; 95%CI = 1.18-11.6), but not among those with GDS ≤ 5 (HR = 2.32; 95%CI = 0.90-6.24). The association was confirmed among depressed patients after adjusting for ACB score at 3-month follow-up (HR = 3.58; 95%CI = 1.21-10.7), as well as when considering ACB score as a continuous variable (HR = 1.42; 95%CI = 1.10-1.91). The interaction between ACB score at discharge and BADL dependency was statistically significant (p < .005). CONCLUSIONS: ACB score at discharge may predict mortality among older patients discharged from acute care hospital carrying high GDS score e. Hospital physician should be aware that prescribing anticholinergic medications in such a vulnerable population may have negative prognostic implications.