Safety of SGLT2 inhibitors, DPP-4 inhibitors, and GLP-1 receptor agonists in US veterans with and without chronic kidney disease: a population-based study.

Background: We examined the real-world comparative safety of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) vs. other newer anti-glycemic medications (dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors [DPP4i], glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists [GLP1a]) in patients with and without chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods: Among US Veterans with diabetes receiving care from the Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system over 2004-19, we identified incident users of SGLT2i vs. DPP4i vs. GLP1a monotherapy. In analyses stratified by CKD status, defined by estimated glomerular filtration rate and albuminuria, we examined associations of SGLT2i vs. DPP4i vs. GLP1a use with risk of infection-related (primary outcome) and genitourinary infection hospitalizations (secondary outcome) using multivariable Cox models. Findings: Among 92,269 patients who met eligibility criteria, 52% did not have CKD, whereas 48% had CKD. In the overall and non-CKD cohorts, compared to DPP4i use, SGLT2i use was associated with lower infection-related hospitalization risk (HRs [95% CIs] 0.74 [0.67-0.81] and 0.77 [0.67, 0.88], respectively), whereas GLP1a use demonstrated comparable risk. However, in the CKD cohort SGLT2i and GLP1a use were each associated with lower risk (HRs [95% CIs] 0.70 [0.61, 0.81] and 0.91 [0.84, 0.99], respectively). Propensity score-matched analyses showed similar findings in the non-CKD and CKD cohorts. In the overall, non-CKD, and CKD cohorts, SGLT2i use was associated with lower genitourinary infection hospitalization risk whereas GLP1a use showed comparable risk vs. DPP4i use. Interpretation: In a national cohort of Veterans with diabetes, compared with DPP4i use, SGLT2i use was associated with lower infection-related and genitourinary infection hospitalization risk. Funding: VA Health Services Research and Development, USA.

Personalized nutritional management in the transition from non-dialysis dependent chronic kidney disease to dialysis.

Dialysis has been the dominant treatment regimen in end-stage kidney disease as a means to remove uremic waste products and to maintain electrolyte, acid base, and fluid balance. However, given that dialysis may not always provide a survival benefit nor improved quality of life in certain subpopulations, there is growing recognition of the need for conservative and preservative management as an alternative treatment strategy for advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD). Personalized nutritional management tailored to patient's sociodemographics, social needs, psychological status, health literacy level, and preferences is a key component of conservative and preservative care, as well as in the management of patients transitioning from non-dialysis dependent CKD to dialysis. In this review, we discuss the nutritional and metabolic alterations that ensue in CKD; the rationale for low-protein diets in the conservative and preservative management of advanced CKD; the role of plant-based diets in kidney health; emerging data on dietary potassium and sodium intake on CKD outcomes; and the practical implementation of dietary interventions in advanced kidney disease.

Impact of Thyroid Status on Incident Kidney Dysfunction and Chronic Kidney Disease Progression in a Nationally Representative Cohort.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between thyroid status and incident kidney dysfunction/chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We examined incident thyroid status, ascertained by serum thyrotropin (TSH) levels measured from January 1, 2007, through December 31, 2018, among 4,152,830 patients from the Optum Labs Data Warehouse, containing deidentified retrospective administrative claims data from a large national health insurance plan and electronic health record data from a nationwide network of provider groups. Associations of thyroid status, categorized as hypothyroidism, euthyroidism, or hyperthyroidism (TSH levels >5.0, 0.5-5.0, and <0.5 mIU/L, respectively), with the composite end point of incident kidney dysfunction in patients without baseline kidney dysfunction and CKD progression in those with baseline CKD were examined using Cox models. RESULTS: Patients with hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism had higher risk of incident kidney dysfunction/CKD progression in expanded case-mix analyses (reference: euthyroidism): adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) (95% CIs) were 1.37 (1.34 to 1.40) and 1.42 (1.39 to 1.45), respectively. Incrementally higher TSH levels in the upper reference range and TSH ranges for subclinical, mild overt, and overt hypothyroidism (≥3.0-5.0, >5.0-10.0, >10.0-20.0, and >20.0 mIU/L, respectively) were associated with increasingly higher risk of the composite end point (reference: TSH level, 0.5 to <3.0 mIU/L): aHRs (95% CIs) were 1.10 (1.09 to 1.11), 1.37 (1.34 to 1.40), 1.70 (1.59 to 1.83), and 1.70 (1.50 to 1.93), respectively. Incrementally lower TSH levels in the subclinical (<0.5 mIU/L) and overt (<0.1 mIU/L) hyperthyroid ranges were also associated with the composite end point: aHRs (95% CIs) were 1.44 (1.41 to 1.47) and 1.48 (1.39 to 1.59), respectively. CONCLUSION: In a national cohort, TSH levels in the upper reference range or higher (≥3.0 mIU/L) and below the reference range (<0.5 mIU/L) were associated with incident kidney dysfunction/CKD progression.

Racial Disparities in End-Stage Kidney Disease Outcomes among Asians and Native Hawaiians and Other Pacific Islanders across Geographic Residence.

INTRODUCTION: While Asian and Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander (NHOPI) patients have a high prevalence of kidney disease risk factors, there are sparse data examining their end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) outcomes. As Hawaii has high representation of Asian and NHOPI individuals, we compared their ESKD outcomes based on residence in the mainland USA versus Hawaii/Pacific Islands (PIs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using United States Renal Data System data, we examined the impact of geographic residence in the mainland versus Hawaii/PIs on race-mortality associations among incident ESKD patients transitioning to dialysis over January 1, 2000-December 31, 2016 using Cox regression. We examined likelihood of post-dialysis kidney transplantation using Cox models and cumulative incidence curves. RESULTS: Compared with White patients in the mainland, Asian and NHOPI patients in the mainland had lower mortality: adjusted HRs (95% CIs) 0.67 (0.66-0.67) and 0.72 (0.70-0.73), respectively. When examining Asian and NHOPI patients in Hawaii/PIs, survival benefit was attenuated in Asian and diminished to the null in NHOPI patients (ref: mainland White patients). Cumulative incidence curves comparing Asian, NHOPI, and White patients showed Asian and NHOPI patients in the mainland had the highest likelihood of transplantation, whereas NHOPI and Asian patients in Hawaii/PIs had the lowest likelihood. CONCLUSION: In the mainland, Asian and NHOPI patients had lower mortality versus White patients, whereas in Hawaii/PIs, this survival benefit was diminished in Asian and mitigated in NHOPI patients. NHOPI and Asian patients in Hawaii/PIs had less transplantation versus those in the mainland. Further research is needed to uncover factors contributing to differential ESKD outcomes among Asian and NHOPI patients across geographic residence.

Management of traditional risk factors for the development and progression of chronic kidney disease.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its downstream complications (i.e. cardiovascular) are a major source of morbidity worldwide. Additionally, deaths due to CKD or CKD-attributable cardiovascular disease account for a sizeable proportion of global mortality. However, the advent of new pharmacotherapies, diagnostic tools, and global initiatives are directing greater attention to kidney health in the public health agenda, including the implementation of effective strategies that (i) prevent kidney disease, (ii) provide early CKD detection, and (iii) ameliorate CKD progression and its related complications. In this Review, we discuss major risk factors for incident CKD and CKD progression categorized across cardiovascular (i.e. hypertension, dyslipidemia, cardiorenal syndrome), endocrine (i.e. diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, testosterone), lifestyle (i.e. obesity, dietary factors, smoking), and genetic/environmental (i.e. CKDu/Mesoamerican nephropathy, APOL1, herbal nephropathy) domains, as well as scope, mechanistic underpinnings, and management.

Hypoglycemia and Mortality Risk in Incident Hemodialysis Patients.

OBJECTIVE: Hypoglycemia is a frequent occurrence in chronic kidney disease patients due to alterations in glucose and insulin metabolism. However, there are sparse data examining the predictors and clinical implications of hypoglycemia including mortality risk among incident hemodialysis patients. DESIGN AND METHODS: Among 58,304 incident hemodialysis patients receiving care from a large national dialysis organization over 2007-2011, we examined clinical characteristics associated with risk of hypoglycemia, defined as a blood glucose concentration <70 mg/dL, in the first year of dialysis using expanded case-mix + laboratory logistic regression models. We then examined the association between hypoglycemia during the first year of dialysis with all-cause mortality using expanded case-mix + laboratory Cox models. RESULTS: In the first year of dialysis, hypoglycemia was observed among 16.8% of diabetic and 6.9% of nondiabetic incident hemodialysis patients. In adjusted logistic regression models, clinical characteristics associated with hypoglycemia included younger age, female sex, African-American race, presence of a central venous catheter, lower residual renal function, and longer dialysis session length. In the overall cohort, patients who experienced hypoglycemia had a higher risk of all-cause mortality risk (reference: absence of hypoglycemia): adjusted hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) 1.08 (1.04, 1.13). In stratified analyses, hypoglycemia was also associated with higher mortality risk in the diabetic and nondiabetic subgroups: adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence interval's) 1.08 (1.04-1.13), and 1.17 (0.94-1.45), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Hypoglycemia was a frequent occurrence among both diabetic and nondiabetic hemodialysis patients and was associated with a higher mortality risk. Further studies are needed to identify approaches that reduce hypoglycemia risk in the hemodialysis population.

Nutritional and Dietary Management of Chronic Kidney Disease Under Conservative and Preservative Kidney Care Without Dialysis.

While dialysis has been the prevailing treatment paradigm for patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD), emphasis on conservative and preservative management in which dietary interventions are a major cornerstone have emerged. Based on high-quality evidence, international guidelines support the utilization of low-protein diets as an intervention to reduce CKD progression and mortality risk, although the precise thresholds (if any) for dietary protein intake vary across recommendations. There is also increasing evidence demonstrating that plant-dominant low-protein diets reduce the risk of developing incident CKD, CKD progression, and its related complications including cardiometabolic disease, metabolic acidosis, mineral and bone disorders, and uremic toxin generation. In this review, we discuss the premise for conservative and preservative dietary interventions, specific dietary approaches used in conservative and preservative care, potential benefits of a plant-dominant low-protein diet, and practical implementation of these nutritional strategies without dialysis.

Associations of interdialytic weight gain in the long intervals with mortality and residual kidney function decline.

INTRODUCTION: Interdialytic weight gain (IDWG) is crucial in the association between long interdialytic intervals and mortality in hemodialysis patients. The impact of IDWG on changes in residual kidney function (RKF) has not been evaluated thoroughly. This study examined the associations of IDWG in the long intervals (IDWGL) with mortality and rapid RKF decline. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included patients who initiated hemodialysis in the United States dialysis centers from 2007 to 2011. IDWGL was defined as IDWG in the two-day break between dialysis sessions. This study examined the associations of seven categories of IDWGL (0% to <1%, 1% to <2%, 2% to <3% [reference], 3% to <4%, 4% to <5%, 5% to <6%, and ≥6%) with mortality using Cox regression models and rapid decline of renal urea clearance (KRU) using logistic regression models. The continuous relationships between IDWGL and study outcomes were investigated using restricted cubic spline analyses. FINDINGS: Mortality and rapid RKF decline were assessed in 35,225 and 6425 patients, respectively. Higher IDWGL categories were linked to increased risk of adverse outcomes. The multivariate adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) of all-cause mortality for 3% to <4%, 4% to <5%, 5% to <6%, and ≥6% IDWGL were 1.09 (1.02-1.16), 1.14 (1.06-1.22), 1.16 (1.06-1.28), and 1.25 (1.13-1.37), respectively. The multivariate adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) of rapid decline of KRU for 3% to <4%, 4% to <5%, 5% to <6%, and ≥6% IDWGL were 1.03 (0.90-1.19), 1.29 (1.08-1.55), 1.17 (0.92-1.49), and 1.48 (1.13-1.95), respectively. When IDWGL exceeded 2%, the hazard ratios of mortality and the odds ratios of rapid KRU decline continuously increased. DISCUSSION: Higher IDWGL was incrementally associated with higher mortality risk and rapid KRU decline. IDWGL level over 2% was linked to higher risk of adverse outcomes. Therefore, IDWGL may be utilized as a risk parameter for mortality and RKF decline.

Development and Validation of a Prediction Model for Incident Hypothyroidism in a National Chronic Kidney Disease Cohort.

CONTEXT: Hypothyroidism is a common yet under-recognized condition in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), which may lead to end-organ complications if left untreated. OBJECTIVE: We developed a prediction tool to identify CKD patients at risk for incident hypothyroidism. METHODS: Among 15 642 patients with stages 4 to 5 CKD without evidence of pre-existing thyroid disease, we developed and validated a risk prediction tool for the development of incident hypothyroidism (defined as thyrotropin [TSH] > 5.0 mIU/L) using the Optum Labs Data Warehouse, which contains de-identified administrative claims, including medical and pharmacy claims and enrollment records for commercial and Medicare Advantage enrollees as well as electronic health record data. Patients were divided into a two-thirds development set and a one-third validation set. Prediction models were developed using Cox models to estimate probability of incident hypothyroidism. RESULTS: There were 1650 (11%) cases of incident hypothyroidism during a median follow-up of 3.4 years. Characteristics associated with hypothyroidism included older age, White race, higher body mass index, low serum albumin, higher baseline TSH, hypertension, congestive heart failure, exposure to iodinated contrast via angiogram or computed tomography scan, and amiodarone use. Model discrimination was good with similar C-statistics in the development and validation datasets: 0.77 (95% CI 0.75-0.78) and 0.76 (95% CI 0.74-0.78), respectively. Model goodness-of-fit tests showed adequate fit in the overall cohort (P = .47) as well as in a subcohort of patients with stage 5 CKD (P = .33). CONCLUSION: In a national cohort of CKD patients, we developed a clinical prediction tool identifying those at risk for incident hypothyroidism to inform prioritized screening, monitoring, and treatment in this population.

Racial and Ethnic Differences in Chronic Kidney Disease and Its Risk Factors among Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders in Hawaii.

BACKGROUND: Several studies suggest that Asian-American and Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander (NHOPI) racial/ethnic groups have a heightened risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD), but provide limited inference due to the aggregation of these groups into a single racial/ethnic category. We thus examined the association of granularly defined racial/ethnic groups with specific CKD indicators among a diverse group of participants from the National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii's Kidney Early Detection Screening (KEDS) Program. METHODS: Among 1,243 participants enrolled in 19 KEDS screening events over 2006-2009, we examined the association between Asian-American and NHOPI groups and specific CKD indicators, defined as self-reported CKD, microalbuminuria, and macroalbuminuria, using multivariable logistic regression. We then examined associations of race/ethnicity with various CKD risk factors. RESULTS: The most predominant racial/ethnic groups were White (22.0%), Multiracial (18.9%), Japanese (19.2%), Filipino (13.4%), NHOPI (8.4%), and Chinese (4.5%) participants. NHOPI and Chinese participants had a higher risk of microalbuminuria (adjusted ORs [aORs] [95% CIs] 2.48 [1.25-4.91] and 2.37 [1.07-5.27], respectively), while point estimates for all other minority groups suggested higher risk (reference: Whites). NHOPI participants also had a higher risk of macroalbuminuria and self-reported CKD. While most minorities had a higher risk of diabetes and hypertension, NHOPI and Multiracial participants had a higher risk of obesity, whereas the East Asian groups had a lower risk. CONCLUSIONS: In this community-based cohort, compared with Whites, Asian-Americans had a higher risk of early CKD indicators, whereas NHOPIs had a higher risk of more severe CKD indicators. Further studies are needed to elucidate the distinct pathways leading to CKD across diverse racial/ethnic groups in Hawaii.

Vegetarian Nutrition in Chronic Kidney Disease.

There is rising interest globally with respect to the health implications of vegetarian or plant-based diets. A growing body of evidence has demonstrated that higher consumption of plant-based foods and the nutrients found in vegetarian and plant-based diets are associated with numerous health benefits, including improved blood pressure, glycemic control, lipid levels, body mass index, and acid-base parameters. Furthermore, there has been increasing recognition that vegetarian and plant-based diets may have potential salutary benefits in preventing the development and progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). While increasing evidence shows that vegetarian and plant-based diets have nephroprotective effects, there remains some degree of uncertainty about their nutritional adequacy and safety in CKD (with respect to protein-energy wasting, hyperkalemia, etc.). In this review, we focus on the potential roles of and existing data on the efficacy/effectiveness and safety of various vegetarian and plant-based diets in CKD, as well as their practical application in CKD management.

Dysnatremia and risk of bloodstream infection in dialysis patients.

Background: Emerging data suggest that sodium disarrays including hyponatremia are potential risk factors for infection ensuing from impairments in host immunity, which may be exacerbated by coexisting conditions (i.e. mucosal membrane and cellular edema leading to breakdown of microbial barrier function). While dysnatremia and infection-related mortality are common in dialysis patients, little is known about the association between serum sodium levels and the risk of bloodstream infection in this population. Methods: Among 823 dialysis patients from the national Biospecimen Registry Grant Program who underwent serum sodium testing over the period January 2008-December 2014, we examined the relationship between baseline serum sodium levels and subsequent rate of bloodstream infection. Bloodstream infection events were directly ascertained using laboratory blood culture data. Associations between serum sodium level and the incidence of bloodstream infection were estimated using expanded case mix-adjusted Poisson regression models. Results: In the overall cohort, ∼10% of all patients experienced one or more bloodstream infection events during the follow-up period. Patients with both lower sodium levels <134 mEq/l and higher sodium levels ≥140 mEq/l had higher incident rate ratios (IRRs) of bloodstream infection in expanded case mix analyses (reference 136-<138 mEq/l), with adjusted IRRs of 2.30 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.19-4.44], 0.77 (95% CI 0.32-1.84), 1.39 (95% CI 0.78-2.47), 1.88 (95% CI 1.08-3.28) and 1.96 (95% CI 1.08-3.55) for sodium levels <134, 134-<136, 138-<140, 140-<142 and ≥142 Eq/l, respectively. Conclusions: Both lower and higher baseline serum sodium levels were associated with a higher rate of subsequent bloodstream infections in dialysis patients. Further studies are needed to determine whether correction of dysnatremia ameliorates infection risk in this population.

Dietary potassium intake, kidney function, and survival in a nationally representative cohort.

BACKGROUND: In healthy adults, higher dietary potassium intake is recommended given that potassium-rich foods are major sources of micronutrients, antioxidants, and fiber. Yet among patients with advanced kidney dysfunction, guidelines recommend dietary potassium restriction given concerns about hyperkalemia leading to malignant arrhythmias and mortality. OBJECTIVES: Given sparse data informing these recommendations, we examined associations of dietary potassium intake with mortality in a nationally representative cohort of adults from the NHANES. METHODS: We examined associations between daily dietary potassium intake scaled to energy intake (mg/1000 kcal), ascertained by 24-h dietary recall, and all-cause mortality among 37,893 continuous NHANES (1999-2014) participants stratified according to impaired and normal kidney function (estimated glomerular filtration rates <60 and ≥60 mL · min-1 · 1.73 m-2, respectively) using multivariable Cox models. We also examined the impact of the interplay between dietary potassium, source of potassium intake (animal- compared with plant-based sources), and coexisting macronutrient and mineral consumption upon mortality. RESULTS: Among participants with impaired and normal kidney function, the lowest tertile of dietary potassium scaled to energy intake was associated with higher mortality (ref: highest tertile) [adjusted HR (aHR): 1.18; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.38 and aHR: 1.17; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.28, respectively]. Compared with high potassium intake from plant-dominant sources, participants with low potassium intake from animal-dominant sources had higher mortality irrespective of kidney function. Among participants with impaired kidney function, pairings of low potassium intake with high protein, low fiber, or high phosphorus consumption were each associated with higher death risk. CONCLUSIONS: Lower dietary potassium scaled to energy intake was associated with higher mortality, irrespective of kidney function. There was also a synergistic relation of higher potassium intake, plant-based sources, and macronutrient/mineral consumption with survival. Further studies are needed to elucidate pathways linking potassium intake and coexisting dietary factors with survival in populations with and without chronic kidney disease.

The Interplay between Dietary Phosphorous, Protein Intake, and Mortality in a Prospective Hemodialysis Cohort.

(1) Background: Current dietary recommendations for dialysis patients suggest that high phosphorus diets may be associated with adverse outcomes such as hyperphosphatemia and death. However, there has been concern that excess dietary phosphorus restriction may occur at the expense of adequate dietary protein intake in this population. We hypothesized that higher dietary phosphorus intake is associated with higher mortality risk among a diverse cohort of hemodialysis patients. (2) Methods: Among 415 patients from the multi-center prospective Malnutrition, Diet, and Racial Disparities in Kidney Disease Study, we examined the associations of absolute dietary phosphorus intake (mg/day), ascertained by food frequency questionnaires, with all-cause mortality using multivariable Cox models. In the secondary analyses, we also examined the relationship between dietary phosphorus scaled to 1000 kcal of energy intake (mg/kcal) and dietary phosphorus-to-protein ratio (mg/g) with survival. (3) Results: In expanded case-mix + laboratory + nutrition adjusted analyses, the lowest tertile of dietary phosphorus intake was associated with higher mortality risk (ref: highest tertile): adjusted HR (aHR) (95% CI) 3.33 (1.75-6.33). In the analyses of dietary phosphorus scaled to 1000 kcal of energy intake, the lowest tertile of intake was associated with higher mortality risk compared to the highest tertile: aHR (95% CI) 1.74 (1.08, 2.80). Similarly, in analyses examining the association between dietary phosphorus-to-protein ratio, the lowest tertile of intake was associated with higher mortality risk compared to the highest tertile: aHR (95% CI) 1.67 (1.02-2.74). (4) Conclusions: A lower intake of dietary phosphorus was associated with higher mortality risk in a prospective hemodialysis cohort. Further studies are needed to clarify the relationship between specific sources of dietary phosphorus intake and mortality in this population.

Dialysis symptom index burden and symptom clusters in a prospective cohort of dialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Dialysis patients experience a high symptom burden, which may adversely impact their quality of life. Whereas other specialties emphasize routine symptom assessment, symptom burden is not well-characterized in dialysis patients. We sought to examine the prevalence and severity of unpleasant symptoms in a prospective hemodialysis cohort. METHODS: Among 122 hemodialysis patients from the prospective Malnutrition, Diet, and Racial Disparities in Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) study, CKD-associated symptoms were ascertained by the Dialysis Symptom Index, a validated survey assessing symptom burden/severity (with higher scores indicating greater symptom severity), over 6/2020-10/2020. We examined the presence of (1) individual symptoms and symptom severity scores, and (2) symptom clusters (defined as ≥ 2 related concurrent symptoms), as well as correlations with clinical characteristics. RESULTS: Symptom severity scores were higher among non-Hispanic White and Hispanic patients, whereas scores were lower in Black and Asian/Pacific Islander patients. In the overall cohort, the most common individual symptoms included feeling tired/lack of energy (71.3%), dry skin (61.5%), trouble falling asleep (44.3%), muscle cramps (42.6%), and itching (42.6%), with similar patterns observed across racial/ethnic groups. The most prevalent symptom clusters included feeling tired/lack of energy + trouble falling asleep (37.7%); trouble falling asleep + trouble staying asleep (34.4%); and feeling tired/lack of energy + trouble staying asleep (32.0%). Lower hemoglobin, iron stores, and dialysis adequacy correlated with higher individual and overall symptom severity scores. CONCLUSION: We observed a high prevalence of unpleasant symptoms and symptom clusters in a diverse hemodialysis cohort. Further studies are needed to identify targeted therapies that ameliorate symptom burden in CKD.

Continuous glucose monitoring in an end-stage renal disease patient with diabetes receiving hemodialysis.

Diabetes is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and contributes to heightened morbidity and mortality in dialysis patients. Given that ESRD patients are susceptible to hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia via multiple pathways, adequate glycemic monitoring and control is a cornerstone in diabetic kidney disease management. In ESRD, existing glycemic metrics such as glycated hemoglobin, self-monitored blood glucose, fructosamine, and glycated albumin have limitations in accuracy, convenience, and accessibility. In contrast, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) provides automated, less invasive glucose measurements and more comprehensive glycemic data versus conventional metrics. Here, we report a 48-year-old male with ESRD due to diabetes receiving thrice-weekly hemodialysis who experienced decreased patient-burden, greater glucose monitoring adherence, improved glycemic parameters, and reduction in hypoglycemia after transitioning to CGM. Through this case, we discuss how CGM is a practical, convenient patient-centered tool that may improve metabolic outcomes and quality of life in ESRD patients with diabetes.

The Interplay Between Thyroid Dysfunction and Kidney Disease.

Hypothyroidism is a highly prevalent endocrine complication in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. A large body of evidence has shown that there is a bidirectional relationship between thyroid dysfunction and kidney disease, yet there are many remaining gaps in knowledge in regards to the clinical management of CKD patients with hypothyroidism, including those receiving hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Given that hypothyroidism has been associated with many deleterious outcomes including a higher risk of (1) mortality, (2) cardiovascular disease, (3) impaired health-related quality of life, and (4) altered body composition in both non-CKD and CKD patients, future research is needed to establish the appropriate screening, diagnosis, and treatment approaches in these populations.

Intradialytic hypotension: is timing everything?

Intradialytic hypotension (IDH) is a major complication of hemodialysis, leading to myocardial stunning, cerebral hypoperfusion, gut ischemia, loss of residual kidney function, high symptom burden, and death. This study by Keane et al. provides new data on the incidence of IDH over well-defined time intervals during the hemodialysis treatment session, clinical parameters associated with the timing of IDH onset, and whether timing of IDH impacts survival in a nationally representative hemodialysis cohort.

Dietary protein intake, kidney function, and survival in a nationally representative cohort.

BACKGROUND: High-protein diets (e.g., Paleo, Atkins, South Beach, ketogenic) have gained popularity as a means to promote weight loss and avoid excess carbohydrate consumption. Yet in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, evidence suggests low dietary protein intake (DPI) leads to attenuation of kidney function decline, although concerns remain for risk of protein-energy wasting. OBJECTIVES: To examine associations of DPI with mortality in a nationally representative cohort of US adults, stratified by kidney function. METHODS: We examined the association between daily DPI scaled to actual body weight (ABW), ascertained by 24-h dietary recall, with all-cause mortality among 27,604 continuous NHANES adult participants (1999-2010), stratified according to impaired versus normal kidney function (estimated glomerular filtration rates <60 compared with ≥60 ml/min/1.72 m2, respectively), using multivariable Cox models. We also examined the relation between high biological value (HBV) protein consumption with mortality. RESULTS: In participants with impaired kidney function, a high DPI of ≥1.4 g/kg ABW/day was associated with higher mortality, while lower DPI levels were not associated with mortality (reference, 0.6 to <1.0 g/kg ABW/day): the adjusted HRs (aHRs) were 1.09 (95% CI: 0.90, 1.32), 1.03 (95% CI: 0.82, 1.29), and 1.37 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.85) for DPI <0.6, 1.0 to <1.4, and ≥1.4 g/kg ABW/day, respectively. Yet in participants with normal kidney function, a low DPI of <0.6 g/kg ABW/day was associated with higher mortality, whereas higher DPI levels were not associated with death: the aHRs were 1.18 (95% CI: 1.04, 1.34), 0.92 (95% CI: 0.81, 1.04), and 0.99 (95% CI: 0.85, 1.16) for DPI <0.6, 1.0 to <1.4, and ≥1.4 g/kg ABW/day, respectively. The highest 2 tertiles of HBV consumption were associated with higher mortality in participants with impaired kidney function. CONCLUSIONS: Among participants with impaired kidney function, a higher DPI and greater HBV consumption were associated with higher mortality, whereas a lower DPI was associated with higher mortality in those with normal kidney function. Further studies are needed to elucidate the specific pathways between higher DPI and mortality in CKD.