Assessment of environmental sustainability in renal healthcare.

The health effects of climate change are becoming increasingly important; there are direct effects from heatwaves and floods, and indirect effects from the altered distribution of infectious diseases and changes in crop yield. Ironically, the healthcare system itself carries an environmental burden, contributing to environmental health impacts. Life cycle assessment is a widely accepted and well-established method that quantitatively evaluates environmental impact. Given that monetary evaluations have the potential to motivate private companies and societies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions using market mechanisms, instead of assessing the carbon footprint alone, we previously developed a life cycle impact assessment method based on an endpoint that integrates comprehensive environmental burdens into a single index-the monetary cost. Previous investigations estimated that therapy for chronic kidney disease had a significant carbon footprint in the healthcare sector. We have been aiming to investigate on the environmental impact of chronic kidney disease based on field surveys from the renal department in a hospital and several health clinics in Japan. To live sustainably, it is necessary to establish cultures, practices, and research that aims to conserve resources to provide environmentally friendly healthcare in Japan.

Green nephrology.

Clear evidence indicates that the health of the natural world is declining globally at rates that are unprecedented in human history. This decline represents a major threat to the health and wellbeing of human populations worldwide. Environmental change, particularly climate change, is already having and will increasingly have an impact on the incidence and distribution of kidney diseases. Increases in extreme weather events owing to climate change are likely to have a destabilizing effect on the provision of care to patients with kidney disease. Ironically, health care is part of the problem, contributing substantially to resource depletion and greenhouse gas emissions. Among medical therapies, the environmental impact of dialysis seems to be particularly high, suggesting that the nephrology community has an important role to play in exploring environmentally responsible health-care practices. There is a need for increased monitoring of resource usage and waste generation by kidney care facilities. Opportunities to reduce the environmental impact of haemodialysis include capturing and reusing reverse osmosis reject water, utilizing renewable energy, improving waste management and potentially reducing dialysate flow rates. In peritoneal dialysis, consideration should be given to improving packaging materials and point-of-care dialysate generation.

Effect of centre- and patient-related factors on uptake of haemodiafiltration in Australia and New Zealand: A cohort study using ANZDATA.

BACKGROUND: The use of haemodiafiltration (HDF) for the management of patients with end-stage kidney failure is increasing worldwide. Factors associated with HDF use have not been studied and may vary in different countries and jurisdictions. The aim of this study was to document the pattern of increase and variability in uptake of HDF in Australia and New Zealand, and to describe patient- and centre-related factors associated with its use. METHODS: Using the Australian and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Registry, all incident patients commencing haemodialysis (HD) between 2000 and 2014 were included. The primary outcome was HDF commencement over time, which was evaluated using multivariable logistic regression stratified by country. RESULTS: Of 27 433 patients starting HD, 3339 (14.4%) of 23 194 patients in Australia and 810 (19.1%) of 4239 in New Zealand received HDF. HDF uptake increased over time in both countries but was more rapid in New Zealand than Australia. In Australia, HDF use was more likely in males (odds ratio (OR) 1.13, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.03-1.24, P = 0.009) and less likely with older age (reference <40 years; 40-54 years OR = 0.85; 95% CI = 0.72-0.99; 55-69 years OR = 0.79; 95% CI = 0.67-0.91; >70 years OR = 0.48; 95% CI = 0.41-0.56); higher body mass index (body mass index (BMI) < 18.5 kg/m2 OR = 0.62; 95% CI = 0.46-0.84; 18.5-29.9 kg/m2 reference; >30 kg/m2 OR = 1.46; 95% CI = 1.33-1.61), chronic lung disease (OR = 0.84; 95% CI = 0.76-0.94; P < 0.001), cerebrovascular disease (OR = 0.76; 95% CI = 0.67-0.85; P < 0.001) and peripheral vascular disease (OR = 0.77; 95% CI = 0.70-0.85; P < 0.001). No association was identified with race. In New Zealand, HDF use was more likely in Maori and Pacific Islanders (OR = 1.32; 95% CI = 1.05-1.66) and Asians (OR = 1.75; 95% CI = 1.15-2.68) compared to Caucasians, and less likely in males (OR = 0.76; 95% CI = 0.62-0.94; P = 0.01). No association was identified with BMI or co-morbidities. In both countries, centres with a higher ratio of HD to peritoneal dialysis (PD) were more likely to prescribe HDF. Larger Australian centres were more likely to prescribe HDF (36-147 new patients/year OR = 26.75, 95% CI = 18.54-38.59; 17-35/year OR = 7.51, 95% CI = 5.35-10.55; 7-16/year OR = 3.00; 95% CI = 2.19-4.13; ≤6/year reference). CONCLUSION: Haemodiafiltration uptake is increasing, variable and associated with both patient and centre characteristics. Centre characteristics not explicitly captured elsewhere explained 36% of variability in HDF uptake in Australia and 48% in New Zealand.

A call-to-action for sustainability in dialysis in Brazil / Um apelo pela sustentabilidade na diálise no Brasil

ABSTRACT Human-induced climate change has been an increasing concern in recent years. Nephrology, especially in the dialysis setting, has significant negative environmental impact worldwide, as it uses large amounts of water and energy and generates thousands of tons of waste. While our activities make us responsible agents, there are also several opportunities to change the game, both individually and as a society. This call-to-action intends to raise awareness about environmentally sustainable practices in dialysis and encourages this important discussion in Brazil.

RESUMO A mudança climática induzida pela atividade humana tem sido foco de preocupações crescentes nos últimos anos. A nefrologia, particularmente a diálise, produz significativos impactos ambientais em todo o mundo em virtude da grande utilização de água e energia e da geração de milhares de toneladas de resíduos. Embora nossas atividades nos tornem agentes responsáveis, há várias oportunidades para mudar esse cenário, tanto individualmente como em sociedade. O presente artigo pretende ampliar a conscientização sobre práticas ambientalmente sustentáveis em diálise e estimular essa importante discussão no Brasil.

A call-to-action for sustainability in dialysis in Brazil.

Human-induced climate change has been an increasing concern in recent years. Nephrology, especially in the dialysis setting, has significant negative environmental impact worldwide, as it uses large amounts of water and energy and generates thousands of tons of waste. While our activities make us responsible agents, there are also several opportunities to change the game, both individually and as a society. This call-to-action intends to raise awareness about environmentally sustainable practices in dialysis and encourages this important discussion in Brazil.

Patient survival on haemodiafiltration and haemodialysis: a cohort study using the Australia and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Registry.

Background: It is unclear if haemodiafiltration improves patient survival compared with standard haemodialysis. Observational studies have tended to show benefit with haemodiafiltration, while meta-analyses have not provided definitive proof of superiority. Methods: Using data from the Australia and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Registry, this binational inception cohort study compared all adult patients who commenced haemodialysis in Australia and New Zealand between 2000 and 2014. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Cardiovascular mortality was the secondary outcome. Outcomes were measured from the first haemodialysis treatment and were examined using multivariable Cox regression analyses. Patients were censored at permanent discontinuation of haemodialysis or at 31 December 2014. Analyses were stratified by country. Results: The study included 26 961 patients (4110 haemodiafiltration, 22 851 standard haemodialysis; 22 774 Australia, 4187 New Zealand) with a median follow-up of 5.31 (interquartile range 2.87-8.36) years. Median age was 62 years, 61% were male, 71% were Caucasian. Compared with standard haemodialysis, haemodiafiltration was associated with a significantly lower risk of all-cause mortality [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for Australia 0.79, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.72-0.87; adjusted HR for New Zealand 0.88, 95% CI 0.78-1.00]. In Australian patients, there was also an association between haemodiafiltration and reduced cardiovascular mortality (adjusted HR 0.78, 95% CI 0.64-0.95). Conclusion: Haemodiafiltration was associated with superior survival across patient subgroups of age, sex and comorbidity.

Can economic incentives increase the use of home dialysis?

There are advantages to home dialysis for patients, and kidney care programs, but use remains low in most countries. Health-care policy-makers have many levers to increase use of home dialysis, one of them being economic incentives. These include how health-care funding is provided to kidney care programs and dialysis facilities; how physicians are remunerated for care of home dialysis patients; and financial incentives-or removal of disincentives-for home dialysis patients. This report is based on a comprehensive literature review summarizing the impact of economic incentives for home dialysis and a workshop that brought together an international group of policy-makers, health economists and home dialysis experts to discuss how economic incentives (or removal of economic disincentives) might be used to increase the use of home dialysis. The results of the literature review and the consensus of workshop participants were that financial incentives to dialysis facilities for home dialysis (for instance, through activity-based funding), particularly in for-profit systems, could lead to a small increase in use of home dialysis. The evidence was less clear on the impact of economic incentives for nephrologists, and participants felt this was less important than a nephrologist workforce in support of home dialysis. Workshop participants felt that patient-borne costs experienced by home dialysis patients were unjust and inequitable, though participants noted that there was no evidence that decreasing patient-borne costs would increase use of home dialysis, even among low-income patients. The use of financial incentives for home dialysis-whether directed at dialysis facilities, nephrologists or patients-is only one part of a high-performing system that seeks to increase use of home dialysis.

Nocturnal home haemodialysis: The 17 years experience of a single Australian dialysis service.

AIM: The Barwon Health nocturnal home haemodialysis (NHHD) program was established in 2000 as the first formal NHHD program in Australia. We aimed to assess reasons for and factors associated with program exit, and technique and patient survival rates. METHODS: This retrospective audit included all patients enrolled in the NHHD program from 1st September 2000 to 31st July 2017. The primary outcome was technique failure, defined as transfer to satellite haemodialysis (HD) or to peritoneal dialysis (PD) for greater than or equal to 60 days, or death. Predictors of technique failure were identified by competing risk regression analyses. Patient and technique survival were estimated by Kaplan-Meier methods. RESULTS: A total of 109 patients underwent 112 periods of NHHD during the study period. Technique failure occurred in 33 patients (30%), of whom 16 were transferred to satellite HD for medical reasons, 16 died, and 1 transferred to PD due to a lack of vascular access. Median technique survival was 7.8 years (interquartile range 4.1, 11.1) and median patient survival 14.6 years (interquartile range 6.2,-). Average NHHD duration for those who transferred to satellite HD was 5.2 ± 3.6 years, and for those who died was 4.7 ± 3.8 years. Older age and diabetes were associated with technique failure. However, due to a small number of events the risk of confounding in this study was high. CONCLUSION: Nocturnal home haemodialysis has excellent long-term technique and patient outcomes. Clinicians should be aware of factors associated with poorer outcomes, to ensure that additional support can be provided to patients at greatest risk.

Personal viewpoint: Limiting maximum ultrafiltration rate as a potential new measure of dialysis adequacy.

While the solute clearance marker (Kt/Vurea ) is widely used, no effective marker for volume management exists. Two principles apply to acute volume change in hemodialysis: (1) the plasma refill rate, the maximum rate the extracellular fluid can replace a contracting intravascular volume (±5 mL/kg/hour) and (2) the rate of intravascular volume contraction where coronary hypoperfusion, myocardial stun, and vascular risk escalates (observed at ≥10 mL/kg/hour). In extended hour and higher frequency hemodialysis, intravascular contraction rates are usually equilibrated by the plasma refill rate, but in "conventional" in-center hemodialysis, volume contraction rates commonly exceed the capabilities of the plasma refill rate, resulting in inevitable hypovolemia. To minimize cardiovascular risk, fluid removal rates should ideally be ≤10 mL/kg/hour, acknowledging that this may be challenging in the in-center setting. Two options exist to limit volume removal to >10 mL/kg/hour: restricting interdialytic weight gain (always conflict-fraught, often unachievable) or extending sessional duration to allow additional removal time. Just as Kt/Vurea quantifies solute removal, a simple-to-apply rate variable should also apply for volume removal. As predialysis and target postdialysis weights are both known, a simple measure--a maximum rate for ultrafiltration (UFRmax )--would advise the sessional duration (T) required to minimize organ stun by removing the required fluid load (V) from any patient of predialysis weight (W). This would ensure a removal rate no greater than 10 mL/kg/hour-T (hours) = V (mL)/10 × W (kg). Used together, Kt/Vurea and UFRmax would form a solute and volume composite, each dialysis treatment continuing until both solute and volume requirements are fulfilled.

Intensive Hemodialysis and Mortality Risk in Australian and New Zealand Populations.

BACKGROUND: Intensive hemodialysis (HD) is characterized by increased frequency and/or session length compared to conventional HD. Previous analyses from Australia and New Zealand did not suggest benefit with intensive HD, although recent research suggests that relationships have changed. We present updated analyses. STUDY DESIGN: Observational cohort study using marginal structural modeling to adjust for changes in renal replacement modality and time-varying medical comorbid conditions. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: Adults initiating renal replacement therapy since March 31, 1996, followed up through December 31, 2012; this analysis included 40,842 patients over 2,187,689 patient-months. PREDICTOR: Time-varying renal replacement modality: conventional facility HD (≤3 times per week, ≤6 hours per session), quasi-intensive facility HD (between conventional and intensive), intensive facility HD (≥5 times per week, any hours per session), conventional home HD, quasi-intensive home HD, intensive home HD, peritoneal dialysis, deceased donor kidney transplantation, and living donor kidney transplantation. OUTCOMES: Patient mortality, with a 3-month lag in primary analyses and 6- and 12-month lags in sensitivity analyses. RESULTS: Conventional facility HD was the reference group. Conventional home HD had a similar mortality risk. For quasi-intensive home HD, mortality risk was lower (HR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.44-0.73). For intensive home HD, mortality risk was nonsignificantly lower in primary analyses and significantly lower using a 6-month lag (HR, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.20-0.85), but not using a 12-month lag. For quasi-intensive facility HD, mortality risk was nonsignificantly lower in primary analyses, although significantly lower using 6- (HR, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.20-0.85) and 12-month lags (HR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.44-0.80). Mortality risk was similar between intensive and conventional facility HD. For peritoneal dialysis, mortality risk was greater than for conventional facility HD (HR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.03-1.12). Kidney transplantation had the lowest mortality risk. LIMITATIONS: Potential residual confounding from limited collection of comorbid condition, socioeconomic, and medication data. CONCLUSIONS: There is an emerging HD dose-effect in Australia and New Zealand, with lower mortality risks associated with some of the more intensive HD regimens in these countries.