Occurrence of acute kidney injury in adult patients hospitalized with COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The knowledge about the acute kidney injury (AKI) incidence in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can help health teams to carry out a targeted care plan. This study aimed to determine the AKI incidence in patients hospitalized with COVID-19. METHODS: The electronic search covered research published until June 20, 2020, and included five databases, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and Lilacs (Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Library). Eligible studies were those including data from AKI occurrence in adult patients hospitalized with COVID-19. The primary outcome was AKI incidence, and the secondary outcome assessed was the AKI mortality. Additionally, the estimated incidence of renal replacement therapy (RRT) need also was verified. Using a standardized form prepared in Microsoft Excel, data were extracted by two independents authors, regarding the description of studies, characteristics of patients and clinical data on the AKI occurrence. RESULTS: We included 30 studies in this systematic review, of which 28 were included in the meta-analysis. Data were assessed from 18.043 adult patients with COVID-19. The AKI estimate incidence overall and at the ICU was 9.2% (4.6-13.9) and 32.6% (8.5-56.6), respectively. AKI estimate incidence in the elderly patients and those with acute respiratory disease syndrome was 22.9% (-4.0-49.7) and 4.3% (1.8-6.8), respectively. Patients with secondary infection, AKI estimate incidence was 31.6% (12.3-51.0). The estimate incidence of patients that required RRT was 3.2% (1.1-5.4) and estimate AKI mortality was 50.4% (17.0-83.9). CONCLUSION: The occurrence of AKI is frequent among adult patients hospitalized with COVID-19, and affects on average, up to 13.9% of these patients. It is believed that AKI occurs early and in parallel with lung injury.

Transitions in an integrated model of renal replacement therapy in a regional health system.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The choice of renal replacement therapy (RRT) is an important decision that determines the quality of life and survival. Most patients change from one RRT modality to another to adapt RRT to clinical and psychosocial needs. This has been called «integrated model of RRT¼ that implies new questions about the best sequence of techniques. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study describes the impact of transitions between RRT modalities on survival using the Madrid Registry of Renal Patients (2008-2018). This study used the proportional hazards models and competitive risk models to perform an intention-to-treat (ITT), according to their 1st RRT modality and as-treated (AT) analysis, that consider also their 1st transition. RESULTS: A total of 8971 patients started RRT during this period in Madrid (6.6 Million population): 7207 (80.3%) on hemodialysis (HD), 1401 (15.6%) on peritoneal dialysis (PD) and 363 (4.2%) received a pre-emptive kidney transplantation (KT). Incident HD-patients were older (HD group 65.3 years (SD 15.3) vs PD group 58.1 years (SD 14.8) vs KTX group 52 years (SD 17.2); p < 0.001) and had more comorbidities. They presented higher mortality (HD group 40.9% vs PD group 22.8% vs KTX group 8.3%, p < 0.001) and less access to a transplant (HD group 30.4% vs PD group 51.6%; p < 0.001). Transitions between dialysis techniques define different groups of patients with different clinical outcomes. Those who change from HD to PD do it earlier (HD â†’ PD: 0.7 years (SD 1.1) vs PD â†’ HD: 1.5 years (SD 1.4) p < 0.001), are younger (HD â†’ PD: 53.5 years (SD 16.7) vs PD â†’ HD: 61.6 years (SD 14.6); p < 0.001), presented less mortality (HD â†’ PD: 24.5% vs PD â†’ HD: 32.0%; p < 0.001) and higher access to a transplant (HD â†’ PD: 49.4% vs PD â†’ HD: 31.7%; p < 0.001). Survival analysis by competitive risks is essential for integrated RRT models, especially in groups such as PD patients, where 51.6% of the patients were considered as lost follow-up (received a KTX after during the first 2.5 years on PD). In this analysis, survival of patients who change from one technique to another, is more similar to the destination modality than the origin one. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that transitions between RRT-techniques describes different patients, who associate different risks, and could be analyzed in an integrated manner to define improvement actions. This approach should be incorporated into the analysis and reports of renal registries.

Tratamiento renal sustitutivo con diálisis en el paciente diabético / Renal replacement therapy with dialysis in diabetic patients

Introducción: La nefropatía diabética es una de las complicaciones más importantes de la diabetes. Su desarrollo va desde estadios iniciales, hasta insuficiencia renal crónica terminal, requiriendo la entrada en un programa de tratamiento renal sustitutivo.Objetivos: Conocer y sintetizar la evidencia científica sobre el tratamiento renal sustitutivo con diálisis en el paciente diabético.Metodología: Se llevó a cabo una revisión integrativa siguiendo las recomendaciones de la declaración PRISMA, en las bases de datos PubMed y Scielo. La estrategia de búsqueda se estableció con los siguientes términos MeSH: ‘’Diabetes Mellitus’’, ‘’Renal Dialysis’’, ‘’Hemodialysis’’, ‘’Kidney diseases’’, ‘’Renal replacement therapy’’, ‘’Kidney treatment’’, ‘’Diabetic foot’’.Resultados: Se seleccionaron 22 artículos. De ellos, 17 fueron revisiones sistemáticas, 1 guía de práctica clínica, 1 estudio descriptivo transversal, 1 estudio observacional analítico, y 2 capítulos de libro. De la revisión emergieron las siguientes variables: tipo de diabetes, edad, evolución, tipo de tratamiento renal sustitutivo, pie diabético y prevención.Conclusiones: Se observa una gran heterogeneidad en la evolución de la nefropatía diabética. Por lo tanto, determinar el tratamiento renal sustitutivo para el paciente diabético se convierte en un desafío. El manejo del pie diabético, como principal complicación de estos pacientes, se centra en la prevención, apoyada por una buena educación. La prevalencia de la nefropatía diabética va en aumento, por lo que una mejora en la estrategia de prevención de la enfermedad podría cambiar el curso de la misma. (AU)

ntroduction: Diabetic nephropathy is among the most important complications of diabetes. Development ranges from early stages to end-stage chronic renal failure, requiring entrance into a renal replacement therapy program.Objectives: To identify and synthesise the scientific evidence on renal replacement therapy in diabetic patients.Methodology: An integrative review was carried out following the PRISMA guidelines in the PubMed and Scielo databases. The search strategy was established with the following MeSH terms: ‘’Diabetes Mellitus’’, ‘’Renal Dialysis’’, ‘’Hemodialysis’’, ‘’Kidney diseases’’, ‘’Renal replacement therapy’’, ‘’Kidney treatment’’, ‘’Diabetic foot’’. Results: Twenty-two articles were selected. Among which 17 were systematic reviews, 1 clinical practice guideline, 1 cross-sectional descriptive study, 1 analytical observational study, and 2 book chapters. The following variables emerged from the review: type of diabetes, age, evolution, type of renal replacement therapy, diabetic foot and prevention. Conclusions: A great heterogeneity in the evolution of diabetic nephropathy is observed. Determining renal replacement therapy for diabetic patients is therefore a challenge. Management of the diabetic foot, as the main complication in such patients, focuses on prevention, supported by good education. The prevalence of diabetic nephropathy is increasing, thus an improvement in the disease prevention strategy could change the progression of the disease. (AU)

Occurrence of acute kidney injury in adult patients hospitalized with COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis / Ocurrencia de lesión renal aguda en pacientes adultos hospitalizados con COVID-19: revisión sistemática y metanálisis

Background and aimThe knowledge about the acute kidney injury (AKI) incidence in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can help health teams to carry out a targeted care plan. This study aimed to determine the AKI incidence in patients hospitalized with COVID-19.MethodsThe electronic search covered research published until June 20, 2020, and included five databases, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and Lilacs (Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Library). Eligible studies were those including data from AKI occurrence in adult patients hospitalized with COVID-19. The primary outcome was AKI incidence, and the secondary outcome assessed was the AKI mortality. Additionally, the estimated incidence of renal replacement therapy (RRT) need also was verified. Using a standardized form prepared in Microsoft Excel, data were extracted by two independents authors, regarding the description of studies, characteristics of patients and clinical data on the AKI occurrence.ResultsWe included 30 studies in this systematic review, of which 28 were included in the meta-analysis. Data were assessed from 18.043 adult patients with COVID-19. The AKI estimate incidence overall and at the ICU was 9.2% (4.6–13.9) and 32.6% (8.5–56.6), respectively. AKI estimate incidence in the elderly patients and those with acute respiratory disease syndrome was 22.9% (−4.0–49.7) and 4.3% (1.8–6.8), respectively. Patients with secondary infection, AKI estimate incidence was 31.6% (12.3–51.0). The estimate incidence of patients that required RRT was 3.2% (1.1–5.4) and estimate AKI mortality was 50.4% (17.0–83.9).ConclusionThe occurrence of AKI is frequent among adult patients hospitalized with COVID-19, and affects on average, up to 13.9% of these patients. It is believed that AKI occurs early and in parallel with lung injury. (AU)

Antecedentes y objetivoEl conocimiento de la incidencia de lesión renal aguda (LRA) en pacientes con enfermedad por coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) puede ayudar a los equipos de atención médica a llevar a cabo un plan de atención específico. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo determinar la incidencia de LRA en pacientes hospitalizados con COVID-19.MétodosLa búsqueda electrónica cubrió la investigación publicada hasta el 20 de junio del 2020 e incluyó 5 bases de datos: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus y Lilacs (Biblioteca de Ciencias de la Salud de América Latina y el Caribe). Los estudios elegibles fueron aquellos que incluyeron datos sobre la aparición de LRA en pacientes adultos hospitalizados con COVID-19. El resultado primario fue la incidencia de LRA y el resultado secundario evaluado fue la mortalidad por LRA. Además, también se verificó la incidencia estimada de necesidad de terapia de reemplazo renal (TRR). Mediante un formulario estandarizado elaborado en Microsoft Excel, los datos fueron extraídos por 2 autores independientes, haciendo referencia a la descripción de los estudios, las características de los pacientes y los datos clínicos sobre la ocurrencia de LRA.ResultadosEn esta revisión sistemática se incluyeron 30 estudios, de los cuales 28 se incluyeron en el metaanálisis. Se evaluaron los datos de 18.043 pacientes adultos con COVID-19. La incidencia estimada de LRA en general y en la UCI fue del 9,2% (4,6-13,9) y del 32,6% (8,5-56,6), respectivamente. La incidencia estimada de LRA en pacientes ancianos y pacientes con síndrome de enfermedad respiratoria aguda fue del 22,9% (–4,0-49,7) y del 4,3% (1,8-6,8), respectivamente. En pacientes con infección secundaria, la incidencia estimada de LRA fue del 31,6% (12,3-51,0). La incidencia estimada de pacientes que requirieron TRR fue del 3,2% (1,1-5,4) y la mortalidad estimada por LRA fue del 50,4% (17,0-83,9). ... (AU)

Análisis de las transiciones en el modelo integrado de tratamiento sustitutivo renal en un sistema regional de salud / Transitions in an integrated model of renal replacement therapy in a regional health system

Introducción y objetivos : La elección del tratamiento sustitutivo renal (TSR) es una decisión importante que determina la calidad de vida y la supervivencia. La mayoría de los pacientes cambiará de una modalidad de TSR a otra para adaptarla a sus necesidades dentro de lo que se conoce como modelo de TSR integrado. En estas circunstancias surgen nuevas preguntas sobre la mejor secuencia de técnicas o las consecuencias de las transiciones.Material y métodosDescribimos las transiciones entre técnicas de TSR y su impacto en la supervivencia a partir del Registro Madrileño de Enfermos Renales (REMER), durante un periodo de 11 años. Se utilizaron los modelos de riesgos proporcionales y de riesgos competitivos para realizar un análisis por intención de tratar (ITT) según su 1.er tratamiento y como tratado (AT) considerando la 1.ª transición.ResultadosUn total de 8.971 pacientes iniciaron su primer TSR durante este periodo en Madrid (6,6 millones habitantes): 7.207 (80,3%) en hemodiálisis (HD), 1.401 (15,6%) en diálisis peritoneal (DP) y 363 (4,1%) recibieron un trasplante renal anticipado (TXR). En el análisis ITT, los pacientes incidentes en HD eran mayores (HD 65,3 años (DE 15,3) vs. DP 58,1 años [DE 14,8] vs. TXR 52,0 años (DE 17,2); p<0,001) y tenían más comorbilidades. Presentaron mayor mortalidad (HD 40,9% vs. DP 22,8% vs. TXR 8,3%, p<0,001) y menor acceso a trasplante (HD 30,4% vs. DP 51,6%; p<0,001). Las transiciones entre las técnicas de diálisis identifican diferentes fenotipos de pacientes con diferentes resultados clínicos en el análisis AT. Los pacientes que cambiaban de HD a DP lo hacían más precozmente (HD→DP: 0,7 años (DE 1,1) vs. DP→HD: 1,5 años [(DE 1,4); p<0,001), eran más jóvenes (HD→DP: 53,5 años (DE 16,7) vs. DP→HD: 61,6 años, (DE 14,6) p<0,001), sufrían menor mortalidad (HD→DP: 24,5% vs. DP→HD: 32%, p<0,001) y tenían mayor acceso al TXR (HD→DP: 49,4% vs. DP→HD: 31,7%, p<0,001). ... (AU)

Introduction and objectives : The choice of renal replacement therapy (RRT) is an important decision that determines the quality of life and survival. Most patients change from one RRT modality to another to adapt RRT to clinical and psychosocial needs. This has been called «integrated model of RRT» that implies new questions about the best sequence of techniques.Material and methodsThe study describes the impact of transitions between RRT modalities on survival using the Madrid Registry of Renal Patients (2008–2018). This study used the proportional hazards models and competitive risk models to perform an intention-to-treat (ITT), according to their 1st RRT modality and as-treated (AT) analysis, that consider also their 1st transition.ResultsA total of 8971 patients started RRT during this period in Madrid (6.6 Million population): 7207 (80.3%) on hemodialysis (HD), 1401 (15.6%) on peritoneal dialysis (PD) and 363 (4.2%) received a pre-emptive kidney transplantation (KTX). Incident HD-patients were older (HD group 65.3 years (SD 15.3) vs PD group 58.1 years (SD 14.8) vs KTX group 52 years (SD 17.2); p<0.001) and had more comorbidities. They presented higher mortality (HD group 40.9% vs PD group 22.8% vs 8.3% KTX group, p<0.001) and less access to a transplant (HD group 30.4% vs DP group 51.6%; p<0.001). Transitions between dialysis techniques define different groups of patients with different clinical outcomes. Those who change from HD to PD do it earlier (HD→PD: 0.7 years (SD 1.1) vs PD→HD: 1.5 years (SD 1.4) p<0.001), are younger (HD→PD: 53.5 years (SD 16.7) vs PD→HD: 61.6 years (SD 14.6); p<0.001), presented less mortality (HD→PD: 24.5% vs PD→HD: 32.0%; p<0.001) and higher access to a transplant (HD→PD: 49.4% vs PD→HD: 31.7%; p<0.001). ... (AU)

Transitions in an integrated model of renal replacement therapy in a regional health system. / Análisis de las transiciones en el modelo integrado de tratamiento sustitutivo renal en un sistema regional de salud.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The choice of renal replacement therapy (RRT) is an important decision that determines the quality of life and survival. Most patients change from one RRT modality to another to adapt RRT to clinical and psychosocial needs. This has been called «integrated model of RRT¼ that implies new questions about the best sequence of techniques. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study describes the impact of transitions between RRT modalities on survival using the Madrid Registry of Renal Patients (2008-2018). This study used the proportional hazards models and competitive risk models to perform an intention-to-treat (ITT), according to their 1st RRT modality and as-treated (AT) analysis, that consider also their 1st transition. RESULTS: A total of 8971 patients started RRT during this period in Madrid (6.6 Million population): 7207 (80.3%) on hemodialysis (HD), 1401 (15.6%) on peritoneal dialysis (PD) and 363 (4.2%) received a pre-emptive kidney transplantation (KTX). Incident HD-patients were older (HD group 65.3 years (SD 15.3) vs PD group 58.1 years (SD 14.8) vs KTX group 52 years (SD 17.2); p<0.001) and had more comorbidities. They presented higher mortality (HD group 40.9% vs PD group 22.8% vs 8.3% KTX group, p<0.001) and less access to a transplant (HD group 30.4% vs DP group 51.6%; p<0.001). Transitions between dialysis techniques define different groups of patients with different clinical outcomes. Those who change from HD to PD do it earlier (HD→PD: 0.7 years (SD 1.1) vs PD→HD: 1.5 years (SD 1.4) p<0.001), are younger (HD→PD: 53.5 years (SD 16.7) vs PD→HD: 61.6 years (SD 14.6); p<0.001), presented less mortality (HD→PD: 24.5% vs PD→HD: 32.0%; p<0.001) and higher access to a transplant (HD→PD: 49.4% vs PD→HD: 31.7%; p<0.001). Survival analysis by competitive risks is essential for integrated RRT models, especially in groups such as PD patients, where 51.6% of the patients were considered as lost follow-up (received a KTX after during the first 2.5 years on PD). In this analysis, survival of patients who change from one technique to another, is more similar to the destination modality than the origin one. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that transitions between RRT-techniques describes different patients, who associate different risks, and could be analyzed in an integrated manner to define improvement actions. This approach should be incorporated into the analysis and reports of renal registries.

Factores asociados a la fragilidad en el paciente en tratamiento renal sustitutivo con diálisis. Una revisión sistemática / Factors associated with frailty in patients on renal replacement therapy with dialysis. A systematic review

Introducción: La fragilidad es un síndrome multidimensional caracterizado por una disminución de reservas fisiológicas, de masa corporal magra, debilidad y disminución de resistencia al ejercicio físico. Sitúa a la persona en una situación de mayor vulnerabilidad ante factores externos, además existe una estrecha relación entre la fragilidad y las enfermedades crónicas, como es el caso de la enfermedad renal crónica.Objetivo:El objetivo principal de esta revisión fue sintetizar y conocer la evidencia científica sobre los factores asociados a la fragilidad de los pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica en tratamiento renal sustitutivo en diálisis.Material y Método:Se llevó a cabo una revisión sistemática a través de las bases de datos de Pubmed y Proquest. Se incluyeron artículos originales en inglés y español publicados entre 2015 y 2020, y se analizaron los artículos que trataban sobre fragilidad en el paciente con enfermedad renal en tratamiento sustitutivo. Se excluyeron aquellos artículos que no presentaron resultados.Resultados:Se incluyeron 26 artículos de diseño observacional. Los hallazgos se enfocan a la prevalencia, mortalidad, tasa de hospitalización, discapacidad, deterioro cognitivo, síntomas depresivos, obesidad, comorbilidades, caídas o fracturas y actividad y rendimiento físico.Conclusiones:Se ha encontrado una elevada prevalencia de fragilidad en el enfermo renal crónico en tratamiento renal sustitutivo con diálisis, sin diferencias entre diálisis peritoneal y hemodiálisis. La fragilidad en estos pacientes está asociada a mayor mortalidad, tasa de hospitalización, discapacidad, deterioro cognitivo, síntomas depresivos y comorbilidades. La actividad y rendimiento físico, parecen ser factores que disminuyen la fragilidad. (AU)

Introduction: Frailty is a multidimensional syndrome characterized by a decrease in physiological reserves, lean body mass, weakness and decreased resistance to physical exercise. It places the person in a situation of greater vulnerability to external factors, in addition there is a close relationship between frailty and chronic diseases, such as renal insufficiency chronic.Objective:The main objective of this review was to synthesize and know the scientific evidence on the factors associated with the frailty of patients with renal insufficiency chronic in renal replacement therapy with dialysis.Material and Method:A systematic review was carried out using the PubMed and ProQuest databases. Original articles in English and Spanish published between 2015 and 2020 were included, and articles dealing with frailty in patients with renal disease on renal replacement therapy were analysed. Articles that did not present results were excluded.Results:27 observational design articles were included. The findings focus on prevalence, mortality, hospitalization rate, disability, cognitive decline, depressive symptoms, obesity, comorbidities, falls or fractures, and physical activity.Conclusions:A high prevalence of frailty has been found in the chronic renal patient in replacement therapy with dialysis, without differences between peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis. Frailty in these patients is associated with higher mortality, hospitalization rate, disability, cognitive decline, depressive symptoms and comorbidities. Physical activity and performance appear to be factors that decrease frailty. (AU)

Acute kidney failure in patients admitted due to COVID-19.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: In December 2019, a coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, caused by SARS-CoV-2, took place in Wuhan and was declared a global pandemic in March 2020 by the World Health Organization (WHO). It is a prominently respiratory infection, with potential cardiological, hematological, gastrointestinal and renal complications. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is found in 0.5%-25% of hospitalized COVID-19 patients and constitutes a negative prognostic factor. Renal damage mechanisms are not completely clear. We report the clinical evolution of hospitalized COVID-19 patients who presented with AKI requiring attention from the Nephrology team in a tertiary hospital in Madrid, Spain. METHODS: This is an observational prospective study including all COVID-19 cases that required hospitalization and Nephrology management from March 6th to May 12th. We collected clinical and analytical data of baseline characteristics, COVID-19 and AKI evolutions. RESULTS: We analyzed 41 patients with a mean age of 66.8 years (SD 2.1), 90.2% males, and with a history of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in 36.6%. 56.1% of patients presented with sever pneumonia or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and 31.7% required intensive care. AKI etiology was prerenal in 61%, acute tubular necrosis in the context of sepsis in 24.4%, glomerular in 7.3% and tubular toxicity in 7.3% of the cases. We reported proteinuria in 88.9% and hematuria in 79.4% of patients. 48.8% of patients required renal replacement therapy (RRT). Median length of stay was 12 days (interquartilic range 9-23) and 22% of the population died. Patients who developed AKI during hospital stay presented with higher C-reactive protein, Lactate dehydrogenase-LDH and d-dimer values, more severe pulmonary damage, more frequent intensive care unit-ICU admission, treatment with lopinavir/ritonavir and biological drugs and RRT requirement. CONCLUSIONS: Hypovolemia and dehydration are a frequent cause of AKI among COVID-19 patients. Those who develop AKI during hospitalization display worse prognostic factors in terms of pulmonary damage, renal damage, and analytical findings. We believe that monitorization of renal markers as well as individualized fluid management can play a key role in AKI prevention.

[Acute kidney failure in patients admitted due to COVID-19]. / Fracaso renal agudo en pacientes hospitalizados por COVID-19.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: In December 2019, a coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, caused by SARS-CoV-2, took place in Wuhan, China, and was declared a global pandemic in March 2020 by the World Health Organization. It is a prominently respiratory infection, with potential cardiological, hematological, gastrointestinal and renal complications. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is found in 0.5-25% of hospitalized COVID-19 patients and constitutes a negative prognostic factor. Renal damage mechanisms are not completely clear. We report the clinical evolution of hospitalized COVID-19 patients who presented with AKI requiring attention from the Nephrology team in a tertiary hospital in Madrid, Spain. METHODS: This is an observational prospective study including all COVID-19 cases that required hospitalization and Nephrology management from March 6th to May 12th 2020. We collected clinical and analytical data of baseline characteristics, COVID-19 and AKI evolutions. RESULTS: We analyzed 41 patients with a mean age of 66.8 years (SD 2.1), 90.2% males, and with a history of chronic kidney disease in 36.6%. A percentage of 56.1 presented with severe pneumonia or acute respiratory distress syndrome, and 31.7% required intensive care. AKI etiology was prerenal in 61%, acute tubular necrosis in the context of sepsis in 24.4%, glomerular in 7.3% and tubular toxicity in 7.3% of the cases. We reported proteinuria in 88.9% and hematuria in 79.4% of patients. A percentage of 48.8 required renal replacement therapy. Median length of stay was 12 days (IQR 9-23) and 22% of the population died. Patients who developed AKI during hospital stay presented with higher C-reactive protein, LDH and D-dimer values, more severe pulmonary damage, more frequent ICU admission, treatment with lopinavir/ritonavir and biological drugs and renal replacement therapy requirement. CONCLUSIONS: Hypovolemia and dehydration are a frequent cause of AKI among COVID-19 patients. Those who develop AKI during hospitalization display worse prognostic factors in terms of pulmonary damage, renal damage, and analytical findings. We believe that monitorization of renal markers, as well as individualized fluid management, can play a key role in AKI prevention.

Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease Units in Spain: a national survey on standards of structure, resources, results and patient safety. / Unidades de Enfermedad Renal Crónica Avanzada en España: una encuesta nacional sobre los estándares de estructura, recursos, resultados y seguridad del paciente.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Recently, the Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease Units (UERCA, in Spanish) have been developed in Spain to offer a better quality of life to patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (ACKD), improving their survival and reducing morbidity in this phase of the disease. Nowadays, there is not much evidence in the Spanish and international literature regarding the structure and how to achieve these objectives in the UERCA. From the ERCA working group of the Spanish Society of Nephrology (SEN), this project is promoted to improve care for ERCA patients through the definition of quality standards for the operation of the UERCA. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An initial proposal for quality standards concerning the operation of the UERCA was configured through consultation with the main sources of references and the advice of an expert working group through face-to-face and telematic meetings. Base on this initial proposal of standards, a survey was conducted and sent it via email to 121 nephrology specialist and nursing professionals with experience in Spanish UERCA to find out, among others, the suitability of each standards, that is, its mandatory nature or recommendation as standards. The access to the survey was allowed between July 16th, 2018, until September 26th, 2018. RESULTS: A total of 95 (78.5%) professionals participated out of the 121 who were invited to participate. Of these, 80 of the participants were nephrology specialists and 15 nursing professionals, obtaining a varied representation of professionals from the Spanish geography. After analyzing the opinions of these participants, the standards were defined to a total of 68, 37 of them (54.4%) mandatory and 31 of them (45.5%) recommended. Besides, it was observed that the volume of patients attended in the UERCA is usually above 100 patients, and the referral criteria is generally below 25-29 mL/min/1.73 m2 of glomerular filtration. CONCLUSIONS: This work constitutes a first proposal of quality standards for the operation of UERCA in Spain. The definition of these standards has made it possible to establish the bases for the standardization of the organization of UERCA, and to subsequently work on the configuration of a standards manual for the accreditation of ERCA Units.

[SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients on renal replacement therapy. Report of the COVID-19 Registry of the Spanish Society of Nephrology (SEN)]. / Situación de la infección por SARS-CoV-2 en pacientes en tratamiento renal sustitutivo. Informe del Registro COVID-19 de la Sociedad Española de Nefrología (SEN).

INTRODUCTION: The recent appearance of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic has had a significant impact on the general population. Patients on renal replacement therapy (RRT) have not been unaware of this situation and due to their characteristics they are especially vulnerable. We present the results of the analysis of the COVID-19 Registry of the Spanish Society of Nephrology. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The Registry began operating on March 18th, 2020. It collects epidemiological variables, contagion and diagnosis data, signs and symptoms, treatments and outcomes. It is an online registry. Patients were diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection based on the results of the PCR of the virus, carried out both in patients who had manifested compatible symptoms or had suspicious signs, as well as in those who had undergone screening after some contact acquainted with another patient. RESULTS: As of April 11, the Registry had data on 868 patients, from all the Autonomous Communities. The most represented form of RRT is in-center hemodialysis (ICH) followed by transplant patients. Symptoms are similar to the general population. A very high percentage (85%) required hospital admission, 8% in intensive care units. The most used treatments were hydroxychloroquine, lopinavir-ritonavir, and steroids. Mortality is high and reaches 23%; deceased patients were more frequently on ICH, developed pneumonia more frequently, and received less frequently lopinavir-ritonavir and steroids. Age and pneumonia were independently associated with the risk of death. CONCLUSIONS: SARS-CoV-2 infection already affects a significant number of Spanish patients on RRT, mainly those on ICH, hospitalization rates are very high and mortality is high; age and the development of pneumonia are factors associated with mortality.

Advanced chronic renal failure (ACRF) study. Baseline characteristics, evaluation of the application of the structured information for the election of renal replacement therapy and one-year evolution of the incident patients in the ACRF medical office. / Estudio ERCA. Características basales, evaluación de la aplicación de la información estructurada para la elección de tratamiento renal sustitutivo y evolución a un año de los pacientes incidentes en la consulta ERCA.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Analyze evolution Renal Chronic Failure stage 4-5 (ACRF) patients and influence information they receive (educational process, EP) in modality Renal Replacement Therapy (RRT) or conservative treatment (CT) in multidisciplinar ACRF Office. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective, multicenter study (3 centers). Inclusion: from June-01-2014 to October-01-2015; observation: 12 months or until start RRT or death if they occur before 12 months; ends October-01-2016. RESULTS: 336 patients were included (60% males), median and intercuartile rank 71.5 (17), 55% ≥ 70 years; Follow up initiation eGFR CKD-EPI: 21 (9) ml / min / 1.73m2; Charlson Index (ChI) with / without age 8 (3) / 4 (2); Diabetic patients: 52,4%. The EP was carried out in 168, eGFR 15 (10) ml / min / 1.73m2. The initial treatment election: 26% peritoneal dialysis (PD), 45% hemodyalisis (HD), 26% CT, kidney trasplant 3%; 60 patients started RRT: 3.3% kidney traspant; 30% PD, 66% HD; 104 admissions in 73 patients, the most frequent cause: cardiovascular disease (42%). Fallecimiento: 23 patients (6.8%). Age was higher (78.4 (6) vs. 67.8 (13.4), P<.001), higher ChI 9.8 (2.1) vs. 7.4 (2.5), P<.001). All deceased who received EP had chosen CT; 61% of deceased had at least one hospital admission vs. 39% alive (P<0.001). Cox regression: age and Charlson index were the predictive mortality variables. CONCLUSIONS: The population of ACRF patients is elder, comorbid, with high rate hospitalizations rate. The PD election is higher than usual. The EP has been very useful tool and has favored the PD choice.

Shared decision-making in advanced chronic kidney disease in the elderly. / Toma de decisiones compartida en la enfermedad renal crónica avanzada del anciano.

Chronic kidney disease is common in people >65years of age. The development and improvement of dialysis techniques has allowed its generalisation to the entire population, when there is a situation of terminal nephropathy, without limit of use due to chronological age. Decision making in elderly patients with advanced chronic kidney disease is complex: in addition to renal parameters, both comorbidity and the presence of geriatric syndromes must be considered. This review addresses the management of information, the decision making of different treatment modalities that can be offered to these patients, and the time of initiation and/or withdrawal of dialysis.

Analysis of emergency Department Frequentation among patients with advanced CKD (chronic kidney disease): Lessons to optimise scheduled renal replacement therapy initiation. / Análisis de la frecuentación de Urgencias en consulta ERCA (enfermedad renal crónica avanzada): enseñanzas para optimizar el inicio programado en tratamiento renal sustitutivo.

The decision to initiate renal replacement therapy (RRT) implies a wide margin of uncertainty. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) tells us the magnitude of renal damage. Proteinuria indicates the speed of progression. However, nowadays more than 50% of patients are still initiating RRT hastily, and it is life threatening. HYPOTHESIS: By analysing Emergency Department (ED) frequentation and causes of a hurried initiation, we can better schedule the timing of the start of RRT. METHOD: Retrospective and observational study of all CKD patients in our outpatient clinic. ED frequentation and hospitalisation (Hos) time were reviewed during a 12-month period. We analysed: 1) time at risk, purpose (modality of RRT), previous comorbidity; 2) causes of ED frequentation and Hos; 3) type of initiation: «scheduled¼ vs. «non-scheduled¼, and within these «non-planned¼ vs. «potentially planned¼. RESULTS: Of a total of 267 patients (time at risk 63.987 days, 70±13 years, 67% males, 38% diabetics), 68 (25%) patients came to hospital on 97 occasions: 39 only ED, 46 ED+Hos and 12 only Hos. ED frequentation was one patient every 4.3 days, and bed occupation was almost 3 per day. Main causes: 47% cardiopulmonary (1/3 heart failure), 11% vascular peripheral+cerebral, 11% gastrointestinal: 8/11 due to bleeding (all with anticoagulants/antiplatelet agents). Thirty-one (12%) patients initiated RRT: of these, 14 (45%) were scheduled (6 PD, 6 HD, and 2 living donor RTx), and 17 (55%) were not scheduled or were rushed, all with venous central catheter. Following the objectives of this study, the non-scheduled group were itemised into 2 groups: 9 non-planned (initial indication of conservative management or patient's refusal to undergo dialysis, and diverse social circumstances not controllable by the nephrologist) and 8 were considered potentially planned (6 heart failure, one gastrointestinal bleeding and one peripheral vascular complication). This last group (potentially planned), when compared with the 14 patients who started treatment in a scheduled manner, had significant differences in that they were older, with more previous cardiac events, and GFR almost double that of the other group. All of them started treatment in the ED. CONCLUSION: This analysis provides us with knowledge on those patients who may benefit from an earlier preparation in RRT. We suggest that patients with previous cardiac events, especially with a risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, should start the preparation for RRT even with GFR rates of 20-25ml/min. In spite of the retrospective nature of this study, and taking into account the difficulties of carrying out clinical trials in this population, we propose this suggestion as complementary to the current recommendations for a scheduled start using this technique.

Cost analysis of integrated renal replacement therapy program in the province of Toledo (2012-2013). / Análisis de costes del programa integrado de tratamiento renal sustitutivo en la provincia de Toledo (2012-2013).

BACKGROUND: Renal replacement therapy (RRT) is the object of constant analysis in the search for efficiency and sustainability. OBJECTIVE: To calculate the direct cost of healthcare for the prevalent RRT population in the province of Toledo (2012/2013). METHOD: a) Population: All prevalent patients at some point in RRT in 2012 (669) and in 2013 (682). b) Costs included (€): 1) dialysis procedure; 2) inpatient, outpatient and emergency care, dialysis and non-dialysis related; 3) drug consumption; 4) medical transport. c) Calculation and analysis: The aggregate localized or reconstructed cost of each item was calculated from the individual cost of each patient. Annual cost and cost per patient/year was calculated for the whole RRT and for its subprograms (€). RESULTS: a) Aggregate costs: The total cost of RRT amounted to 15.84 and 15.77 million euros (2012/2013). Dialysis procedures account for 40.2% of the total while the sum of hospital care and drug consumption represents 41.5%. Healthcare for patients on hospital haemodialysis (HHD) and combined haemodialysis (CHD), peritoneal dialysis (PD) and transplant (Tx) accounts for 70.0, 5.0 and 25.0% of the total respectively. b) Patient/year cost: From the number of patients/year provided by each subprogramme, the following values were obtained in 2012/2013: All RRT 26,130/25,379; HHD 49,167/53,289; CHD 44,657/44,971; PD 45,538/51,869 and Tx 10,909/10,984. CONCLUSIONS: Our results are consistent with others published, although our patient/year values are slightly higher, probably because they include elements such as outpatient pharmacy, hospital and medical transport cargo. The growing contribution of Tx to the survival of the whole RRT population contains the overall costs and reduces the patient/year cost, making RRT sustainable.

The Spanish Renal Registry: 2013 report and evolution from 2007-2013.

The purpose of the study is to show the evolution of renal replacement therapy (RRT) in Spain from 2007 to 2013. Aggregated data and individual patient records were used from participating regional renal disease registries and that National Transplant Organisation registry. The reference population was the official population on January 1st of each year studied. Data on incidence and prevalence were based on aggregated data, while the survival analysis was calculated from individual patient records. The study period was 2007 to 2013 for prevalence, incidence and transplantation, and survival was analysed for 2004-2012. The population covered by the registry was a minimum of 95.3% to 100% of the Spanish population for aggregated data. The EU27 age and gender distributions of the European population for 2005 were used to adjust incidence and prevalence for age and gender. Survival probabilities were calculated for incident patients between the years 2004 and 2013 using the Kaplan-Meier method to calculate unadjusted patient survival probability. The log rank test was applied to compare survival curves according to some risk factors. Cox proportional hazards model was created to study the potential predictors of survival. In 2013, the total number of patients in Spain that started RRT was 5,705 for 95.3% of the total Spanish population, with an unadjusted rate of 127.1pmp. The evolution from 2007 to 2013 showed a gradual decline from 127.4pmp in 2007 to 120.4pmp in 2012, with a small upturn to 127.1 in 2013. The adjusted incidence rate for the year 2013 was 121.5pmp for the total population, 158.7pmp for males and 83.1pmp for females. The most frequent cause of primary renal disease in incident was diabetes mellitus: 20.4% in 2007, which increased to 24.6% in 2013. The percentage of transplant as first RRT increased from 1.7% in 2007 to 4.2% in 2013. The total number of patients in RRT for 95.3% of the population in 2013 was 50,567, with an unadjusted prevalent rate of 1,125.7pmp. The adjusted prevalence rate for 2013 was 1,087.5 pmp (1,360.7 pmp for males and 809.8pmp for females). The percentage of diabetes mellitus in prevalent patients evolved from 13.9% in 2007 to 14.9% (168 pmp) in 2013. The percentage of transplanted prevalent patients with functioning grafts evolved from 49.3% in 2007 to 51.5% in 2013. The number of transplantations performed each year increased from 2,211 (48.9 pmp) in 2007 (6.2% living donor transplants) to 2,552 (54.2pmp) in 2013 (15.0% living donor transplants). 40,394 patients from 12 regions of Spain who began RRT between 2004 and 2012 were included in the survival analysis (87% Spanish population coverage). Unadjusted patient survival probabilities after one, 2 and 5 years were 91, 81 and 57%, respectively. In the univariate analysis, better survival was found for non-diabetic patients, women, age below 45, peritoneal dialysis as first RRT and patients who had received at least one transplant.