Analysis of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratios as inflammatory biomarkers in chronic kidney disease: impact of parathyroidectomy / Análise das relações neutrófilo/linfócito e plaqueta/linfócito como marcadores inflamatórios na doença renal crônica: impacto da paratireoidectomia

Abstract Introduction: Secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) is one of the causes for inflammation in CKD. We assessed the impact of parathyroidectomy (PTX) on neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (N/L) and platelet-to-lymphocyte (P/L) ratios in SHPT patients. Methods: A total of 118 patients [hemodialysis (HD, n = 81), and transplant recipients (TX, n = 37)] undergoing PTX between 2015 and 2021 were analyzed. Results: There was a significant reduction in calcium and PTH levels in both groups, in addition to an increase in vitamin D. In the HD group, PTX did not alter N/L and P/L ratios. In the TX group, there was a reduction in N/L and P/L ratios followed by a significant increase in total lymphocyte count. Conclusion: N/L and P/L ratios are not reliable biomarkers of inflammation in SHPT patients undergoing PTX. Uremia, which induces a state of chronic inflammation in dialysis patients, and the use of immunosuppression in kidney transplant recipients are some of the confounding factors that prevent the use of this tool in clinical practice.

Resumo Introdução: O hiperparatireoidismo secundário (HPTS) é uma das causas de inflamação na DRC. Avaliamos o impacto da paratireoidectomia (PTX) nas relações neutrófilo/linfócito (N/L) e plaqueta/linfócito (P/L) em pacientes com HPTS. Métodos: Foram analisados 118 pacientes [hemodiálise (HD, n = 81) e transplantados (TX, n = 37)] submetidos à PTX entre 2015 e 2021. Resultados: Houve redução significativa de cálcio e PTH nos dois grupos, além de elevação de vitamina D. No grupo HD, a PTX não mudou as relações N/L e P/L. Já no grupo TX, houve redução nas relações N/L e P/L acompanhadas de elevação significativa do número de linfócitos totais. Conclusão: As relações N/L e P/L não são marcadores fidedignos de inflamação em pacientes com HPTS submetidos à PTX. A uremia, que induz um estado de inflamação crônica em pacientes dialíticos, e o uso de imunossupressão em pacientes transplantados renais são alguns dos fatores de confusão que impedem o uso dessa ferramenta na prática clínica.

Chronic Kidney Disease in Brazil: Current Status and Recommended Improvements.

Background: Over the last 3 decades, over 700 million individuals worldwide have been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD). In a 2017 survey in southern Brazil, 11.4% of those surveyed had CKD. Early identification and effective therapy in Brazil may reduce CKD's impact. This panel discusses the early diagnosis and treatment of CKD and the barriers and actions needed to improve the management of CKD in Brazil. A panel of Brazilian nephrologists was provided with relevant questions to address before a multiday conference. During this meeting, each narrative was discussed and edited through several rounds until agreement on the relevant topics and recommendations was achieved. Summary: Panelists highlighted hurdles to early diagnosis and treatment of CKD. These include, but are not limited to, a lack of public and patient education, updated recommendations, multidisciplinary CKD treatment, and a national CKD database. People-centered, physician-centered, and healthcare institution-centered actions can be taken to improve outcomes. Patient empowerment is needed via multiple channels of CKD education and access to health-monitoring wearables and apps. Primary care clinicians and nonspecialists must be trained to screen and manage CKD-causing illnesses, including diabetes and hypertension. The healthcare system may implement a national health data gathering system, more screening tests, automated test result reporting, and telehealth. Key Messages: Increasing access to early diagnosis can provide a path to improving care for patients with CKD. Concerted efforts from all stakeholders are needed to overcome the barriers.

Analysis of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratios as inflammatory biomarkers in chronic kidney disease: impact of parathyroidectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) is one of the causes for inflammation in CKD. We assessed the impact of parathyroidectomy (PTX) on neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (N/L) and platelet-to-lymphocyte (P/L) ratios in SHPT patients. METHODS: A total of 118 patients [hemodialysis (HD, n = 81), and transplant recipients (TX, n = 37)] undergoing PTX between 2015 and 2021 were analyzed. RESULTS: There was a significant reduction in calcium and PTH levels in both groups, in addition to an increase in vitamin D. In the HD group, PTX did not alter N/L and P/L ratios. In the TX group, there was a reduction in N/L and P/L ratios followed by a significant increase in total lymphocyte count. CONCLUSION: N/L and P/L ratios are not reliable biomarkers of inflammation in SHPT patients undergoing PTX. Uremia, which induces a state of chronic inflammation in dialysis patients, and the use of immunosuppression in kidney transplant recipients are some of the confounding factors that prevent the use of this tool in clinical practice.

Phosphate is associated with frailty in older patients with chronic kidney disease not on dialysis.

PURPOSE: Frailty is common in older patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and has been considered an independent risk factor for adverse clinical outcomes in this population. CKD-associated mineral and bone metabolism (CKD-MBD) increases energy expenditure and causes malnutrition and inflammation leading to frailty. We investigated whether CKD-MBD markers and energy metabolism are associated with frailty in patients with advanced CKD on conservative management. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we investigated factors associated with frailty in a sample of 75 patients ≥ 65 years, with stage 4 or 5 CKD. Collected data included age, sex, body mass index, physical activity status, educational level, Charlson Comorbidity Index, and laboratory markers. Frailty was evaluated according to Fried's classification. RESULTS: Frailty was observed in 51.3% and pre-frailty in 47.3%. The frail population was significantly older, with a high proportion of females, more inactive, had lower educational levels, spent a long time sitting throughout the day, and had higher phosphate and fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF-21). In the multivariate logistic analysis age (odds ratio 1.13, p = 0.026) and phosphate (odds ratio 3.38, p = 0.021) remained independently associated with frailty. CONCLUSION: Serum phosphate seems to be a toxin associated with the frailty phenotype in older patients with CKD. Whether strategies to decrease serum phosphate would reduce the risk of frailty in this population deserves further evaluation.

Effects of nutritional supplementation stabilizing muscle mass loss in older patients on hemodiafiltration.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Malnutrition is common in older individuals with end-stage renal disease on maintenance dialysis. Whether nutritional supplementation may improve skeletal muscle mass (SMM) and survival rate in this population is uncertain. We aimed to analyze the effect of a year of nutritional supplementation on muscle mass and survival rate in older patients on hemodiafiltration. METHODS: In this observational study, older patients (≥65 years old) on maintenance hemodiafiltration were selected to receive nutritional counselling + nutritional supplementation (N = 85, Supp+) or nutritional counselling alone (N = 47, Supp-) and followed for 1 year. The outcomes were a change in SMM and sarcopenia diagnosis. The secondary outcome was 1-year mortality rate. Nutritional parameters included calf circumference, body mass index, anthropometric measurements, subjective global assessment, and handgrip strength (HGS). Data were evaluated using GLM for repeated measures with adjustment for covariates (age and diabetes). RESULTS: Malnutrition was found in 50.8% of patients. At baseline, patients from the Supp+ group were older and had worse nutritional parameters including hand grip strength, calf circumference, anthropometric findings and sarcopenia (all p values < 0.05). During the follow-up, there was no significant change in sarcopenia (from 50.8% to 58.3%, p = 0.108), and there was a more pronounced decrease in the SMM index in the Supp-group (p = 0.049), with a significant intervention interaction (p = 0.030). Twenty deaths occurred, 7 (35%) in the Supp- and 13 (65%) in the Supp+ group (p = 0.540). SMM index (relative risk 0.90, p = 0.030) and age (relative risk 1.07, p = 0.046) were independently associated with higher mortality rates. CONCLUSION: Nutritional supplementation in older and malnourished individuals undergoing hemodiafiltration mitigates the loss of the SMM index and benefits survival rate.

Corneal and Coronary Calcification in Maintenance Hemodialysis: The Face Is No Index to the Heart.

Although the eyes are the main site of metastatic calcification in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), corneal and conjunctival calcification (CCC) is poorly evaluated in this population. Whether CCC correlates with coronary artery calcification remains unknown since studies so far have relied on methods with low sensitivity. Our objective was to test the relationship between CCC and coronary calcification based on tomography. This was a cross-sectional study that included patients on maintenance dialysis. Clinical, demographic, and biochemical data (calcium, phosphorus, parathormone, alkaline phosphatase, and 25(OH)-vitamin D) were recorded. Hyperparathyroidism was defined as parathyroid hormone (PTH) > 300 pg/mL. CCC was evaluated by anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT), and coronary calcium scores (Agatston method) were assessed by computed tomography. We compared no/mild with moderate/severe CCC. Twenty-nine patients were included (49.6 ± 15.0 years, 62.1% female, on hemodialysis for 5.7 [2.7-9.4] years, 17.2% with diabetes mellitus, 75.9% with hyperparathyroidism). CCC was found in 82.7% of patients, with median scores of 9 (3, 14.5), ranging from 0 to 16. CCC was classified as absent/mild, moderate, and severe in 27.6%, 20.7%, and 51.7%, respectively. Coronary calcification was found in 44.8% of patients, with median scores of 11 (0, 464), varying from 0 and 6456. We found no significant correlation between coronary calcium scores and CCC (r = 0.203, p = 0.282). Hyperphosphatemia was more frequent in patients with moderate/severe CCC than in those with absent/mild CCC. We concluded that CCC was frequent in patients with CKD on dialysis and did not correlate with coronary calcium scores. Hyperphosphatemia appears to contribute to CCC. © 2023 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

Skeletal muscle changes in older patients undergoing online hemodiafiltration.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Skeletal muscle mass (SMM) and function are negatively affected in chronic kidney disease (CKD). SMM and the assessment of muscle strength and functionality are indicators of clinical and nutritional status. We aimed to evaluate older patients undergoing online hemodiafiltration (OL-HDF), using muscle ultrasound (US) to monitor the SMM, correlating findings with strength and physical performance. METHODS: This is a prospective cohort that included patients on OL-HDF, evaluated at admission (T0), 6 months (T1), and 12 months (T2) by anthropometric data, calf circumference (CC) measurement, muscle strength measured by handgrip (HGS) and functionality by gait speed. Muscle US was used for serial assessment of the quantity and quality of SMM during the 12-month follow-up. The main outcome was change in the following muscle parameters: quadriceps muscle thickness (QT), rectus femoris cross-sectional area (RF-CSA), pennation angle (PA) and muscle echogenicity, evaluated by the US. RESULTS: Thirty subjects were included (75.9 ± 7.8 years, 76.7% men). Over time, there was a significant reduction in CC (p < 0.01) in both sexes and gait speed only in men (p < 0.01). The reduction of SMM was observed in both sexes by the assessment of QT and RF-CSA (p < 0.01). There was an increased muscle echogenicity in both men (p < 0.01) and women (p = 0.01). The percentage of SMM loss of the RF-CSA in 12 months was -19.3 ± 6.9% (95% CI: 15.2-23.2; p < 0.01) in men and -23.0 ± 8.2% (95% CI: 12.8-31.1; p < 0.01) in women. CONCLUSION: Muscle US, a bedside, non-invasive, accessible, and inexpensive tool, can be applied for assessment of the accelerated loss of SMM in older patients with CKD on dialysis.

Older patients are less prone to fast decline of renal function: a propensity-matched study.

PURPOSE: Despite CKD is common among older patients, and although factors associated with CKD progression have been explored over decades, little is known about the decline of renal function specifically in older individuals. METHODS: We included adult patients with CKD on conservative management in a propensity-score matched study 1:1 older (> 65 year) and young (≤ 65 yr). Factors associated with the slope of the decline of eGFR such as proteinuria, initial eGFR, diabetes, sex, and use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor block (ACEI/ARB) were analyzed. Inclusion criteria were at least two consultations in the service and an initial eGFR lower than 45 ml/min/m2, in the period between January 2012 and December 2017. RESULTS: Crude analysis of eGFR decline shows a slower progression of older patients when compared to younger patients in both absolute change [- 2.0 (- 4.5, - 1.0) vs. -3.0 (- 7.0, - 1.0) ml/min/1.73m2, p < 0.001] and slope of eGFR reduction [- 2.2 (- 4.4, - 1.0) vs. 3.1 (- 6.7, - 1.2)) ml/min/1.73m2, p < 0.001]. Patients considered fast progressors (> 5 ml/min/1.73 m2/year decline in eGFR) were less likely to be older (35.2% young vs. 22.0% older, p < 0.001). Adjusted logistic multivariate regression confirmed that older patients had less odds ratio of eGFR decline, independently of the presence of proteinuria, diabetes, ACEI/ARB use, sex, baseline eGFR, baseline phosphate and baseline 25(OH) vitamin D. CONCLUSION: Older patients present slower CKD progression even after multiple adjustments. This information should be taken into consideration while treating these patients on conservative management and should be kept in mind while planning dialysis start.

Self-reported and objective sleep duration in patients with CKD: are they telling the same story? / Duração do sono autorrelatada e objetiva em pacientes com DRC: contam a mesma história?

Abstract Introduction: There is disagreement between data on sleep duration obtained from questionnaires and objective measurements. Whether this is also true for individuals with CKD is unknown. Here we compared self-reported sleep duration with sleep duration obtained by actigraphy. Methods: This prospective study included adult individuals with stage 3 CKD recruited between September/2016 and February/2019. We evaluated subjective sleep duration by asking the following question: "How many hours of actual sleep did you get at night?" Results: Patients (N=34) were relatively young (51 ± 13 years). Self-reported and measured sleep duration were 7.1 ± 1.7 and 6.9 ± 1.6 hours, respectively, with no correlation between them (p=0.165). Although the mean difference between measurements was 0.21 h, the limits of agreement ranged from -3.7 to 4.1 h. Conclusion: Patients with CKD who are not on dialysis have an erroneous sleep perception. Data on sleep duration should be preferentially obtained from objective measurements in patients with CKD.

Resumo Introdução: Há discordância entre os dados sobre duração do sono obtidos a partir de questionários e medições objetivas. Não se sabe se isto também é verdade para indivíduos com DRC. Aqui comparamos a duração do sono autorrelatada com a duração do sono obtida por meio de actigrafia. Métodos: Este estudo prospectivo incluiu indivíduos adultos com DRC estadio 3 recrutados entre Setembro/2016 e Fevereiro/2019. Avaliamos a duração subjetiva do sono, fazendo a seguinte questão: "Quantas horas de sono real você teve à noite?" Resultados: Os pacientes (N=34) eram relativamente jovens (51 ± 13 anos). A duração do sono autorrelatada e mensurada foi de 7,1 ± 1,7 e 6,9 ± 1,6 horas, respectivamente, sem correlação entre elas (p=0,165). Embora a diferença média entre as medições tenha sido de 0,21 h, os limites de concordância variaram de -3,7 a 4,1 h. Conclusão: Pacientes com DRC que não estão em diálise apresentam uma percepção equivocada do sono. Dados sobre a duração do sono devem ser obtidos preferencialmente a partir de medições objetivas em pacientes com DRC.

Calf Circumference Predicts Falls in Older Adults on Hemodialysis.

OBJECTIVE: Older patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) undergoing maintenance hemodialysis are at a higher risk of falling. However, there is no standard method to screen patients at higher risk. We have evaluated whether calf circumference (CC) measurement would be able to predict falls in this population. METHODS: This is a prospective study that enrolled patients aged ≥65 years on conventional hemodialysis, followed for 6 months. The presence of falls was associated with demographical, clinical, and biochemical data. Reduced CC was set at <34 cm for men and <33 cm for women. We evaluated physical status using Duke activity status index (DASI) and hand grip strength (HGS). RESULTS: Ninety-one patients were included (age 73.7 ± 5.4 years, 69.2% men, 56% with diabetes). Mean CC was 32.6 ± 3.7 cm, with a high prevalence of reduced CC (61.5%). During the follow-up, 13 falls were identified (1 had a fracture and died). These patients were older and heavier (P = .017 and P = .025, respectively). Most falls occurred in patients with sarcopenic obesity (BMI >27 kg/m2 plus reduced HGS or reduced CC). In a logistic regression model, reduced CC (hazard ratio (HR) 7.81, confidence interval (CI): 1.13-53.86, P = .037), higher age (HR 1.19, CI: 1.04-1.36, P = .011), and higher body weight (relative risk (RR) 1.13, CI: 1.04-1.22, P = .003) were independently associated with falls in a fully adjusted model. CONCLUSION: CC measurement, an easy and nonexpensive tool, was able to predict falls in older patients on HD. Further studies should test the inclusion of CC in a fall risk assessment in older patients on hemodialysis.

Self-reported and objective sleep duration in patients with CKD: are they telling the same story?

INTRODUCTION: There is disagreement between data on sleep duration obtained from questionnaires and objective measurements. Whether this is also true for individuals with CKD is unknown. Here we compared self-reported sleep duration with sleep duration obtained by actigraphy. METHODS: This prospective study included adult individuals with stage 3 CKD recruited between September/2016 and February/2019. We evaluated subjective sleep duration by asking the following question: "How many hours of actual sleep did you get at night?" RESULTS: Patients (N=34) were relatively young (51 ± 13 years). Self-reported and measured sleep duration were 7.1 ± 1.7 and 6.9 ± 1.6 hours, respectively, with no correlation between them (p=0.165). Although the mean difference between measurements was 0.21 h, the limits of agreement ranged from -3.7 to 4.1 h. CONCLUSION: Patients with CKD who are not on dialysis have an erroneous sleep perception. Data on sleep duration should be preferentially obtained from objective measurements in patients with CKD.

Glomerular filtration in the aging population.

In the last decades, improvements in the average life expectancy in the world population have been associated with a significant increase in the proportion of elderly people, in parallel with a higher prevalence of non-communicable diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes. As the kidney is a common target organ of a variety of diseases, an adequate evaluation of renal function in the approach of this population is of special relevance. It is also known that the kidneys undergo aging-related changes expressed by a decline in the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), reflecting the loss of kidney function, either by a natural senescence process associated with healthy aging or by the length of exposure to diseases with potential kidney damage. Accurate assessment of renal function in the older population is of particular importance to evaluate the degree of kidney function loss, enabling tailored therapeutic interventions. The present review addresses a relevant topic, which is the effects of aging on renal function. In order to do that, we analyze and discuss age-related structural and functional changes. The text also examines the different options for evaluating GFR, from the use of direct methods to the implementation of several estimating equations. Finally, this manuscript supports clinicians in the interpretation of GFR changes associated with age and the management of the older patients with decreased kidney function.

A randomized clinical trial to evaluate the effects of icodextrin on left ventricular mass index in peritoneal dialysis.

Left ventricular hypertrophy is a risk factor for cardiovascular mortality in patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD). Because icodextrin has a greater ultrafiltration power compared with glucose-based solutions for long dwell, it could improve left ventricular mass by reducing fluid overload. This was a randomized clinical trial that included patients on PD recruited from 2 teaching hospitals, in Sao Paulo-Brazil. Patients were allocated to the control glucose group (GLU) or the intervention icodextrin (ICO) group. Clinical and cardiac magnetic resonance image (MRI) parameters were evaluated at baseline and 6 months after randomization. The primary outcome was the change in left ventricular mass adjusted by surface area (ΔLVMI), measured by cardiac MRI. A total of 22 patients completed the study (GLU, N = 12 and ICO, N = 10). Baseline characteristics such as age, sex, underlying disease, and time on dialysis were similar in both groups. At baseline, 17 patients (77.3%) presented with left ventricular hypertrophy with no difference between groups (p = 0.748). According to the total body water (TBW)/extracellular water (ECW) ratio, 36.8% and 80% of patients from GLU and ICO groups, respectively, were considered hypervolemic (p = 0.044). During follow-up, ΔLVMI was 3.9 g/m (- 10.7, 2.2) in GLU and 5.2 (- 26.8, 16.8) in ICO group (p = 0.651). ΔLVMI correlated with change in brain natriuretic peptide (r = 0.566, p = 0.044), which remained significant in a multiple regression analysis. The use of the icodextrin-based solution in prevalent patients on PD compared with a glucose-based solution was not able to improve LMV. A larger randomized trial with a longer follow-up period may be needed to show changes in LVM in this patient population.Trial registration: this study has been registered at ReBEC (Registro Brasileiro de Ensaios Clinicos) under the identification #RBR-2mzhmj2, available at: https://ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/pesquisador .

Phosphate balance during dialysis and after kidney transplantation in patients with chronic kidney disease.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: In patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), hyperphosphatemia is associated with several adverse outcomes, including bone fragility and progression of kidney and cardiovascular disease. However, there is a knowledge gap regarding phosphate balance in CKD. This review explores its current state, depending on the stage of CKD, dialysis modalities, and the influence of kidney transplantation. RECENT FINDINGS: Adequate phosphate control is one of the goals of treatment for CKD-mineral and bone disorder. However, ongoing studies are challenging the benefits of phosphate-lowering treatment. Nevertheless, the current therapy is based on dietary restriction, phosphate binders, and optimal removal by dialysis. In the face of limited adherence, due to the high pill burden, adjuvant options are under investigation. The recent discovery that intestinal absorption of phosphate is mostly paracellular when the intraluminal concentration is adequate might help explain why phosphate is still well absorbed in CKD, despite the lower levels of calcitriol. SUMMARY: Future studies could confirm the benefits of phosphate control. Greater understanding of the complex distribution of phosphate among the body compartments will help us define a better therapeutic strategy in patients with CKD.

Hyperuricemia is associated with secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with chronic kidney disease.

PURPOSE: Hyperuricemia is common among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). In the general population, hyperuricemia is associated with secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT), in a mechanism that involves vitamin D metabolism. Data for patients with CKD, however, are scarce. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between hyperuricemia and mineral and bone metabolism, particularly hyperparathyroidism. METHODS: This is a retrospective study that included 922 adult patients with stages 3, 4, or 5 CKD, not on dialysis. Clinical, demographic, and biochemical data were collected from charts and included uric acid, parathyroid hormone (PTH), 25(OH)-vitamin D, calcium, phosphate, renal function (estimated glomerular filtration rate-eGFR), and medications such as allopurinol, furosemide, and cholecalciferol. SHPT was defined as PTH > 65 pg/ml. RESULTS: Our patients were mostly Caucasian women, with a mean age of 64 ± 16 years. SHPT and hyperuricemia were observed in 70% and 62.4% of patients, respectively. Patients with SHPT presented higher levels of uric acid (7.2 ± 1.8 vs. 6.6 ± 1.7 mg/dL, p = 0.0001) and a higher frequency of hyperuricemia (66% vs. 33%, p = 0.0001). Patients with hyperuricemia were mostly female, with lower eGFR, higher phosphate, and higher PTH. The risk of hypovitaminosis D was higher among patients with SHPT (69.7% vs. 53.1%, p = 0.0001). Hyperuricemia remained independently associated with hyperparathyroidism, (p = 0.033) even after adjustments for eGFR, calcium, phosphate, hypovitaminosis D, and use of allopurinol, calcitriol, furosemide, and cholecalciferol. CONCLUSION: Hyperuricemia seems to be a contributing factor for SHPT in patients with CKD. The mechanisms behind this finding have yet to be elucidated.

Use of icodextrin solution to evaluate peritoneal transport capacity.

Peritoneal equilibration test (PET) is the gold standard for evaluating peritoneal transport, and measurement of the drain volume after 4-h dwell time with glucose 4.25% is a simple means of evaluating failure of ultrafiltration. The study objective was to verify if the measurement of the volume drained after 4 h dwell of icodextrin at 7.5% (ICO), has a better correlation with the parameters of PET. Patients in a peritoneal dialysis program (N = 35) underwent three procedures: PET; determination of the drain volume after a 4-h dwell with glucose 4.25%; and determination of the drain volume after a 4-h dwell with ICO. Among patients who were classified as high transporters, the ultrafiltration volume was greater after ICO use. The ICO ultrafiltration volume correlated negatively with the ratio between the 4- and 0-h dialysate glucose concentrations (D4/D0 ratio, r = -0.579; P = 0.002), correlating positively with the dialysate-to-plasma ratio for creatinine (D/PCr ratio, r = 0.474; P = 0.002). For ICO, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.867 and 0.792 for the D/PCr and D4/D0 ratios (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.004, respectively), compared with 0.738 and 0.710 for glucose 4.25% (P = 0.020 and P = 0.041, respectively). A cut-off volume of 141 mL discriminated high/high-average transporters from low/low-average transporters. Volume drained after ICO use better predicts peritoneal transport patterns than does that drained after the use of glucose 4.25%.

Returning to PD after kidney transplant failure is a valuable option.

PURPOSE: There is a paucity of data on the prognosis for patients returning to peritoneal dialysis (PD) after a failed transplant. PD has an advantage over hemodialysis in preserving residual renal function, which is associated with better outcomes. METHODS: We have reviewed the electronic charts of patients on PD in a tertiary academic hospital for the last 8 years. We have compared technique survival, peritonitis-free survival, and residual diuresis in two groups: patients with graft failure which returned to PD (PD-KTx, N = 18) and patients starting PD for other causes (PD-not KTx, N = 163). RESULTS: The median follow-up was similar between groups [42(16,71) in PD-not KTx vs. 48(22,90) months in PD-KTx, p = 0.293]. Kaplan-Meier survival comparing PD-KTx and PD-not KTx showed no difference in technique survival (p = 0.196), and peritonitis-free survival (log-rank 0.238), which were confirmed in a fully adjusted Cox regression. Diuresis at baseline and at the end of the first year was similar between groups (p = 0.799 and p = 0.354, respectively). Six out of 18 patients from the PD-KTx group had the immunosuppression maintained and none of those had peritonitis. The reduction of diuresis across the first year of PD was significant for all patients, except for those on continued immunosuppressive therapy. CONCLUSION: PD is a worthy dialysis alternative after a failed kidney transplant, providing similar outcomes when compared to patients who started PD for other reasons.