COVID-19 infection in patients with end-stage kidney disease undergoing renal replacement therapies in Korea.

Background: The global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has placed patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) at heightened risk owing to their vulnerability to infections. Our study focused on patients with ESKD, examining COVID-19 incidence, hospitalization, and mortality in relation to their renal replacement therapy (RRT) type and identifying factors influencing COVID-19 hospitalization. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using health insurance claims data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service for patients with ESKD between July 2017 and June 2022. COVID-19 data for the general population were sourced from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. Results: Patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) constituted 90.7% of the cohort, followed by kidney transplantation (KT) recipients and peritoneal dialysis (PD). After adjusting for every 10,000 individuals, KT recipients exhibited the highest COVID-19 incidence, followed by those undergoing HD and PD, whereas the general population showed a higher infection rate of 43.64. Patients undergoing HD had the highest hospitalization rates, followed by KT recipients and those undergoing PD. The mortality rate per 10,000 individuals was highest in HD, followed by PD, the general population, and KT. Multivariate analysis indicated that age, RRT duration, residence in a nursing hospital, and comorbidities were associated with COVID-19 hospitalization. Conclusion: Among RRT modalities, KT recipients displayed the highest COVID-19 incidence, whereas those undergoing HD exhibited the highest hospitalization and mortality rates. This study contributes to our understanding of infectious diseases in patients on RRT and aids in preparedness for future infectious disease outbreaks.

Applicable Machine Learning Model for Predicting Contrast-induced Nephropathy Based on Pre-catheterization Variables.

Objective Contrast agents used for radiological examinations are an important cause of acute kidney injury (AKI). We developed and validated a machine learning and clinical scoring prediction model to stratify the risk of contrast-induced nephropathy, considering the limitations of current classical and machine learning models. Methods This retrospective study included 38,481 percutaneous coronary intervention cases from 23,703 patients in a tertiary hospital. We divided the cases into development and internal test sets (8:2). Using the development set, we trained a gradient boosting machine prediction model (complex model). We then developed a simple model using seven variables based on variable importance. We validated the performance of the models using an internal test set and tested them externally in two other hospitals. Results The complex model had the best area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve at 0.885 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.876-0.894] in the internal test set and 0.837 (95% CI 0.819-0.854) and 0.850 (95% CI 0.781-0.918) in two different external validation sets. The simple model showed an AUROC of 0.795 (95% CI 0.781-0.808) in the internal test set and 0.766 (95% CI 0.744-0.789) and 0.782 (95% CI 0.687-0.877) in the two different external validation sets. This was higher than the value in the well-known scoring system (Mehran criteria, AUROC=0.67). The seven precatheterization variables selected for the simple model were age, known chronic kidney disease, hematocrit, troponin I, blood urea nitrogen, base excess, and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide. The simple model is available at http://52.78.230.235:8081/Conclusions We developed an AKI prediction machine learning model with reliable performance. This can aid in bedside clinical decision making.

Antibody response in patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis post-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 vaccination: A prospective observational study.

Vaccination is important for patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection since they are more vulnerable. However, they exhibit a weak response to vaccines, underscoring the importance of understanding whether antibodies are sufficiently produced and their durability post-COVID-19 vaccination. This prospective observational study assessed the antibody response of Korean patients undergoing HD for 1 year. We compared the antibody responses of patients undergoing HD to the COVID-19 vaccine with those of healthy volunteers from 2021 to 2022. The patient and control groups received 2 doses of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 and mRNA-1273, respectively. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and neutralizing antibody levels were measured weeks or months apart after 2 doses for 1 year using enzyme-linked immunosorbent and fluorescence-based competitive severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 neutralizing assays, respectively. We analyzed the third dose's effect on the patient group by categorizing the group into patients who received the third dose and those who did not since it was initiated midway through the study. In the control group, we enrolled participants who had completed 3 doses of mRNA-1273 since almost all participants received the third dose. Thirty-two patients undergoing HD and 15 healthy participants who received 2 doses of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 and 3 of mRNA-1273, respectively, were enrolled. Although antibody production was weaker in the patient group than in the control group (P < .001), patients showed an increase in IgG levels (0.408 ± 0.517 optical density (OD) pre-vaccination, 2.175 ± 1.241 OD in patients with 2 doses, and 2.134 ± 1.157 OD in patients with 3 doses 1 year after the second dose) and neutralizing antibodies (23 ± 8% pre-vaccination, 87 ± 23% in patients with 2 doses, and 89 ± 18% in patients with 3 doses 1 year after the second dose) post-vaccination (P < .001). In the patient group, 19 patients received a third dose (BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273); however, it did not increase the antibody levels (P = 1.000). Furthermore, the antibodies produced by the vaccination did not wane until 1 year. Two doses of vaccination resulted in a significant antibody response in patients undergoing HD, and antibody levels did not wane until 1 year.

Antibody response to COVID-19 vaccination in patients on chronic hemodialysis.

Purpose: Since patients on hemodialysis (HD) are known to be vulnerable to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), many studies were conducted regarding the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine in HD patients in Western countries. Here, we assessed antibody response of HD patients for 6 months post-vaccination to identify the duration and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine in the Asian population. Materials and Methods: We compared antibody response of the COVID-19 vaccine in HD patients with healthy volunteers. Patient and control groups had two doses of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 and mRNA-1273, respectively. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) was measured before vaccination, 2 weeks after the first dose, 2 and 4 weeks, 3 and 6 months after the second dose. Neutralizing antibody was measured before vaccination and at 2 weeks, 3 and 6 months after second dose. Since the third dose was started in the middle of the study, we analyzed the effect of the third dose as well. Results: Although antibody production was weaker than the control group (n=22), the patient group (n=39) showed an increase in IgG and neutralizing antibody after two doses. And, 21/39 patients and 14/22 participants had a third dose (BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273 in the patient group, mRNA-1273 in the control group), and it did not affect antibody response in both group. Trend analysis showed IgG and neutralizing antibody did not decrease over time. Age, sex, and HD vintage did not affect antibody production in HD patients. Patients with higher body mass index displayed better seroresponse, while those on immunosuppressants showed poor seroresponse. Conclusion: Two doses of vaccination led to significant antibody response in HD patients, and the antibody did not wane until 6 months.

Exploring the Impact of Appetite Alteration on Self-Management and Malnutrition in Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients: A Mixed Methods Research Using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) Framework.

Hemodialysis (HD) patients face a common problem of malnutrition due to poor appetite. This study aims to verify the appetite alteration model for malnutrition in HD patients through quantitative data and the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) framework. This study uses the Mixed Method-Grounded Theory (MM-GT) method to explore various factors and processes affecting malnutrition in HD patients, create a suitable treatment model, and validate it systematically by combining qualitative and quantitative data and procedures. The demographics and medical histories of 14 patients were collected. Based on the theory, the research design is based on expansion and confirmation sequence. The usefulness and cut-off points of the creatinine index (CI) guidelines for malnutrition in HD patients were linked to significant categories of GT and the domain of ICF. The retrospective CIs for 3 months revealed patients with 3 different levels of appetite status at nutrition assessment and 2 levels of uremic removal. In the same way, different levels of dry mouth, functional support, self-efficacy, and self-management were analyzed. Poor appetite, degree of dryness, and degree of taste change negatively affected CI, while self-management, uremic removal, functional support, and self-efficacy positively affected CI. This study identified and validated the essential components of appetite alteration in HD patients. These MM-GT methods can guide the selection of outcome measurements and facilitate the perspective of a holistic approach to self-management and intervention.

Self-care Through Dynamic Appetite Alteration: A Grounded Theory Study of Patient Experience on Maintenance Hemodialysis.

Hemodialysis (HD) patients can experience appetite alterations that affect meals and nutritional status. Few qualitative studies have assessed the chronic impact of HD on the everyday diet. This study aimed to characterise comprehensively the experiences of HD patients adapting to appetite alteration. Semi-structured, face-to-face interviews were conducted in a unit of a tertiary hospital to understand patient experiences with appetite alteration. An interview guide was used to consider adaptive processes developed after reviewing the literature and based on the researchers' clinical experiences. A single researcher conducted all interviews to maintain consistency in data collection. The interview content was analysed using Nvivo 11 based on grounded theory and constant comparison analysis. As a results, the mean age and HD vintage of 14 participants were 60 and 5.8 years, respectively. We developed a self-care model based on HD patient experiences with appetite alteration based on axial and selective coding. Differences in urea sensitivity, taste alteration, and social support could be explained by timing of transitions, life events, and responses to stress. Self-care processes are adapted through the processes of "self-registration" and "self-reconstruction," starting with "disruption." At the stage of adjustment, 4 self-management types were derived based on pattern of self-care: self-initiator, follower, realist, and pessimist. The results of this study provide unique qualitative insight into the lived experiences of HD patients experiencing appetite alteration and their self-care processes. By recognising dietary challenges, health teams can better support HD patients in the transition from dietary education to self-care.

The importance of muscle mass in predicting intradialytic hypotension in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing hemodialysis are susceptible to sarcopenia. As intracellular reservoirs of water, skeletal muscles are important contributors to intradialytic hypotension. This study was designed to determine the role of skeletal muscle mass in intradialytic hypotension. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, the body composition of 177 patients was measured immediately after hemodialysis using bioelectrical impedance analysis. The parameters measured were skeletal muscle mass, intracellular and extracellular water contents, total body water, and cell-membrane functionality (in phase angle at 50 kHz). Data from laboratory tests, chest radiography, measurements of handgrip strength and mid-arm circumference, and questionnaires were collected. The main outcome was intradialytic hypotension, defined as more than two episodes of hypotension (systolic blood pressure of <90 mmHg) with intervention over the 3 months following enrollment. Logistic regression models including each parameter related to sarcopenia were compared with a clinical model. RESULTS: Patients with a low ratio of skeletal muscle mass to dry body weight (SMM/WT) had a higher rate of intradialytic hypotension (40.7%). Most low-SMM/WT patients were female, obese, diabetic, and had a lower handgrip strength compared with the other patients. In the high-SMM/WT group, the risk of intradialytic hypotension was lower, with an odds ratio of 0.08 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.02-0.28) and adjusted odds ratio of 0.06 (95% CI, 0.01-0.29). CONCLUSION: Measurement and maintenance of skeletal muscle can help prevent intradialytic hypotension in frail patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Characteristics of fracture in patients who firstly starts kidney replacement therapy in Korea: a retrospective population-based study.

The incidence of fractures in patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) is high which is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Since fractures are preventable diseases to some extent, epidemiologic studies are needed a lot. The aim of this study is to explore the epidemiology of fractures by modality of kidney replacement therapy (KRT). We performed a retrospective analysis of 52,777 patients dependent on KRT from 2008 to 2017 using the National Health Insurance System of Republic Korea. Fractures were occurred in 8995 (17.04%) of 52,777 patients with ESKD. Hemodialysis and kidney transplant patients had the highest (57.4 per 1000 person-year) and the lowest (25.2 per 1000 person-year) incidence rate, respectively. The two most common fracture sites were the lower limb and upper limb, regardless of KRT modality. The first fractures were about 2.55 ± 2.07 years after KRT initiation, the earliest in Hemodialysis patients. Diabetes mellitus, cerebrovascular disease, chronic lung and liver disease were risk factors of fractures. The use of steroids, anti-osteoporosis medications, and some classes of psychotropics and opioids was associated with an elevated risk. The results of this study inform the understanding of fractures in KRT patients.

Mental illness in patients with end-stage kidney disease in South Korea: a nationwide cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The limited literature on mental illness in end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients suggests that this disease is common and burdensome but underrecognized in clinical practice. This study aimed to analyze the prevalence of mental illness in ESKD patients. METHODS: We assessed the prevalence and patterns of mental illnesses in a nationwide cohort of patients diagnosed with ESKD between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2017. The risk of mental illness was evaluated using a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: A total of 70,079 patients met all study inclusion criteria. A total of 28.3% of patients had mental illness, and the specific distribution was as follows: depression, 16.8%; anxiety, 20.0%; somatoform/conversion disorder, 0.9%; stress reaction/adjustment disorder, 2.5%; and substance abuse disorder, 0.6%. The frequency of mental illness was highest in patients on hemodialysis (HD), followed by patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD) and kidney transplant (KT) patients. The peak rate of mental illness in HD and PD patients was reached 1 to 2 years after renal replacement therapy initiation, but the peak rate of most mental illnesses in KT patients occurred before surgery. The prevalence of depression was 2.19 times higher in HD patients and 1.97 times higher in PD patients than in KT patients. CONCLUSION: ESKD patients are at high risk of mental illness, and the prevalence of mental illness is highest in HD patients. Since the onset of mental illness occurs around the initiation of renal replacement therapy, clinicians need to pay attention to mental illness when treating ESKD patients.

Characterization of Medication Trends for Chronic Kidney Disease: Mineral and Bone Disorder Treatment Using Electronic Health Record-Based Common Data Model.

Chronic kidney disease-mineral bone disorder (CKD-MBD) is the most common complication in CKD patients. Although there is a consensus on treatment guidelines for CKD-MBD, it remains uncertain whether these treatment recommendations reflect actual practice. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the CKD-MBD medication trend in real-world practice. This was a retrospective and observational study using a 12-year period database transformed into a common data model from three tertiary university hospitals. Study populations were subjects initially diagnosed as CKD. The date of diagnosis was designated as the index date. New patients were categorized year to year from 2008 to 2019 with a fixed observation period of 365 days to check the prescription of CKD-MBD medications including calcium-containing phosphate binder, noncalcium-containing phosphate binder, aluminium hydroxide, vitamin D receptor activator (VDRA), and cinacalcet. The numbers of CKD patients in the three hospitals were 7555, 2424, and 5351, respectively. The proportion for patients with CKD-MBD medication prescription decreased yearly regardless of hospital and CKD stage (p for trend < 0.05). The use of aluminium hydroxide disappeared steadily while the use of VDRA increased annually in all settings. Despite these changes in prescription patterns, the mean value for CKD-MBD-related serologic markers was almost within target range. The proportion of the population within the target value was not significantly changed. Irrespective of hospital and CKD stage, similar trends of prescription for CKD-MBD medications were observed in real-world practice. Further research with a distributed network study may be helpful to understand medication trends in CKD-MBD treatment.

Preexisting comorbidities are associated with the mortality rate as well as the predialysis adverse events in incident dialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Optimal estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) to start maintenance dialysis is controversial. Observational studies have reported that initiation of dialysis at high eGFRs is associated with worse postdialysis survival. METHODS: We retrospectively investigated 1,038 incident dialysis patients who started maintenance dialysis during 2010-2015. Patients were assessed for comorbidities and adverse events during the transitional period of dialysis initiation. Patients were classified as planned dialysis (PD) vs. unplanned dialysis (UD) according to indications for dialysis initiation. RESULTS: UD group comprised 352 patients (33.9%). Mean eGFR at dialysis initiation was higher in UD patients than PD patients (7.9 ± 5.1 vs. 5.9 ± 3.4 mL/min/1.73 m2, p < 0.001). Mean Davies comorbidity index in the UD group was higher (vs. PD group, 1.3 ± 1.0 vs. 0.9 ± 1.0, p < 0.001). Patients with more comorbidities experienced more ischemic heart disease (hazard ratio [HR], 4.36; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.71-11.14) in the medium-risk group and HR of 8.84 (95% CI, 3.06-25.55) in the high-risk group (vs. low-risk group, p < 0.001)) during the predialysis period. High-risk group had increased postdialysis mortality (HR, 2.48; 95% CI, 1.46-4.20; p = 0.001). Adjusted HR of mortality was higher in the medium-risk group of UD patients (HR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.16-2.56; p = 0.007). CONCLUSION: Patients with more comorbidities were at increased risk of predialysis ischemic heart disease and postdialysis mortality. UD patients in the medium-risk population had increased risk of postdialysis mortality. Dialysis start should be individualized by considering comorbidities.

Epidemiological characteristics of cancers in patients with end-stage kidney disease: a Korean nationwide study.

Patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) have been reported to have an increased risk of cancer. However, the epidemiological characteristics of cancer in ESKD patients remain unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the epidemiological characteristics of cancer in ESKD patients and the differences based on the renal replacement therapy provided. Data on ESKD patients were obtained from the South Korean nationwide cohort Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service database. This study included 58,831 eligible patients of the total 813,907 patients diagnosed with ESKD between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2017. Of the 58,831 ESKD patients, 3292 (5.6%) were newly diagnosed with cancer. The average duration between the diagnosis of ESKD and cancer was 3.3 ± 1.9 years (mean ± standard deviation), with no differences between hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and kidney transplant groups. The most commonly observed cancer sites in ESKD patients were the colorectum, lung, and liver. The incidence of cancer increased progressively among patients undergoing kidney transplant, peritoneal dialysis, and hemodialysis in that order. Hemodialysis patients were found to have an increased risk of digestive tract cancer compared with kidney transplant patients (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.9; 95% confidence interval: 1.31-2.81; P < 0.001). The study findings may be a useful reference for cancer-screening guidelines.

Risk of fracture according to glucocorticoid use after renal biopsy: a nationwide population-based study.

Few data are available regarding fracture risk in patients treated with glucocorticoids, including patients with kidney disease. A population-based retrospective cohort study was performed using Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service database, a South Korean nationwide cohort set. This study identified 44,702 patients with diagnosis code of kidney diseases who received a renal biopsy between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2017. A total of 8,624 patients met all study inclusion criteria. A total of 1,406 fractures of any site were observed in the study period. The glucocorticoid-exposed group had more fractures than the unexposed (14.4% vs 8.8%, P < 0.0001). Vertebral fractures were the most common, followed by upper limb, and lower limb fractures. The exposed group showed a remarkably higher hazard ratio of fracture risk (HR 6.0, 95% CI 5.01-7.23) than the unexposed group, indicating systemic glucocorticoid exposure was highly associated with fracture risk. Although HR increased at doses even less than 5 mg/day, it was independent of dose. Older age showed a significant effect on fracture risk (HR 1.2, 95% CI 1.05-1.44), even after adjusting for systemic glucocorticoid exposure. Glucocorticoids was associated with higher risk of fracture even at a low daily dose and short term exposure.

Trabecular bone score may indicate chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD) phenotypes in hemodialysis patients: a prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: In the general population, the trabecular bone score (TBS) represents the bone microarchitecture and predicts fracture risk independent of bone mineral density (BMD). A few studies reported that TBS is significantly reduced in dialysis patients. Chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD) are accompanied by increased fracture risk, cardiovascular morbidity, and mortality. We investigated whether TBS is associated with comorbidity related to CKD-MBD or frailty in hemodialysis patients. METHODS: In this prospective observational study, TBS was obtained using the TBS iNsight software program (Med-Imaps) with BMD dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) images (L1-L4) from prevalent hemodialysis patients. A Tilburg frailty indicator was used to evaluate frailty, and hand grip strength and bio-impedance (InBody) were measured. A patient-generated subjective global assessment (PG-SGA) was used for nutritional assessment. The history of cardiovascular events (CVE) and demographic, clinical, laboratory, and biomarker data were collated. We then followed up patients for the occurrence of CKD-MBD related complications. RESULTS: We enrolled 57 patients in total. The mean age was 56.8 ± 15.9 years (50.9% female). Prevalence of Diabetes mellitus (DM) was 40.4% and CVE was 36.8%. Mean TBS was 1.44 ± 0.10. TBS significantly reduced in the CVE group (1.38 ± 0.08 vs. 1.48 ± 0.10, p <  0.001). Multivariable regression analysis was conducted adjusting for age, sex, dialysis vintage, DM, CVE, albumin, intact parathyroid hormone, fibroblast growth factor 23, handgrip strength, and phosphate binder dose. Age (ß = - 0.030; p = 0.001) and CVE (ß = - 0.055; p = 0.024) were significant predictors of TBS. During the follow up period after TBS measurements (about 20 months), four deaths, seven incident fractures, and six new onset CVE were recorded. Lower TBS was associated with mortality (p = 0.049) or new onset fracture (p = 0.007, by log-rank test). CONCLUSION: Lower TBS was independently associated with increased age and CVE prevalence in hemodialysis patients. Mortality and fracture incidence were significantly higher in patients with lower TBS values. These findings suggest that TBS may indicate a phenotype of frailty and also a CKD-MBD phenotype reciprocal to CVE.

Trends in the Incidence, Prevalence, and Mortality of End-Stage Kidney Disease in South Korea.

Knowledge of the epidemiologic characteristics of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients is essential. The trends in the prevalence, incidence, and mortality rates of ESKD were analyzed retrospectively using the Korean National Health Insurance ServiceNational Sample Cohort database between 2006 and 2015. From 2006 to 2015, the incidence of ESKD decreased from 28.6 to 24.0 per 100,000 people and showed a decreasing pattern with or without diabetes mellitus. However, the incidence of those aged ≥75 years increased, as did the mean age at the onset of ESKD. From 2007 to 2015, the prevalence of ESKD increased in all age groups, but particularly in those aged ≥75 years. The prevalence of ESKD differed by sex and diabetes mellitus status and this gap widened over time. Mortality rates in ESKD patients remained relatively constant throughout the study period. However, mortality rates in ESKD without diabetes decreased over the same period.

Intakes of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and non-fried fish in relation to incidence of chronic kidney disease in young adults: a 25-year follow-up.

PURPOSE: The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is increasing rapidly in many countries and has become a major public health concern. Although intakes of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCω3PUFA) and its food source-fish-may have renal protective effects, little is known about the longitudinal association between these dietary factors and CKD incidence. METHODS: A total of 4133 healthy individuals of black and white race aged 18-30 at baseline (1985-1986) from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults study were enrolled and followed up over 25 years. LCω3PUFA and fish intake were assessed by an interview-based dietary history questionnaire at baseline, year 7 (1992-1993) and 20 (2005-2006). RESULTS: Four hundred and eighty-nine incident cases of CKD were identified. After adjustment for potential confounders, LCω3PUFA intake was inversely associated with CKD incidence [HR = 0.73 (95% CI 0.60-0.89), P = 0.002, with one standard division (0.19 g/day) increment in LCω3PUFA]. This inverse association was persisted among females [0.64 (95% CI 0.48, 0.84; P = 0.002], but not males (Pinteraction = 0.070). A marginal significant inverse association was also found between non-fried fish consumption and CKD incidence (HR = 0.86, 95% CI 0.73, 1.01; P = 0.073). CONCLUSIONS: Dietary LCω3PUFA intake was inversely associated with incidence of CKD among American young adults over 25 years of follow-up. The suggestive evidence of the inverse association between non-fried fish consumption with CKD incidence needs further confirmation.

Changes in Medical Students' Self-Assessments of Clinical Communication Skills after Clinical Practice and Standardized Patient Feedback.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, the authors aimed to analyze the effects of clinical practice and Standardized Patient (SP) feedback on medical students' self-assessments of their clinical communication skills (CCS). METHODS: The authors analyzed questionnaire responses from 43 fifth-year medical students enrolled in the Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea, in 2019, and used the Communication Assessment Tool (CAT) scale to measure the study's variables. A descriptive statistical analysis and paired t test focused on the distribution of and changes in CCS before and after clinical practice and after receiving SP feedback. RESULTS: After clinical practice, the students' perceptions of their own CCS were positively increased, but after the receipt of SP feedback, they significantly decreased. Scores for the item on interpersonal relationships with the patient from the perspective of the patient were significantly lower after the SP feedback was obtained. CONCLUSIONS: SP feedback emerged as an important educational method, allowing students to assess their CCS more objectively and view their CCS as physicians from the patient's perspective. SP feedback is necessary, as is providing students with the experience of receiving direct SP feedback, on clinical performance to increase patient-centered care competencies.

Effects of sarpogrelate on microvascular complications with type 2 diabetes.

Background Diabetes is a major cause of microvascular complications. Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone blockers have been known to have the benefits of delaying onset and progression of diabetic complications including nephropathy. Objective To evaluate the effect of sarpogrelate, an antiplatelet agent, on the new onset diabetic complications in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Setting A 1108-bed tertiary university hospital in Korea. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted using electronic medical records between 2010 and 2015 in Korea. The study cohort of the propensity score matched patients with or without sarpogrelate was evaluated for the diabetic complications identified with the diagnosis codes in T2DM patients on the metformin based antidiabetic therapy. Nephropathy was further evaluated for progression of kidney function. Main outcome measure The incidence of composite microvascular complications included nephropathy, neuropathy, and retinopathy. Results The 1:2 propensity score matched 478 out of 14,440 patients were included in the final analysis with or without sarpogrelate (162 vs. 316 patients). The incidence of nephropathy, neuropathy, and retinopathy was 1.23% versus 5.38% (HR 0.21, 95% CI 0.05-0.92), 1.23% versus 4.43% (HR 0.26, 95% CI 0.06-1.14), and 6.17% versus 6.33% (HR 0.93, 95% CI 0.43-1.97) with sarpogrelate and without sarpogrelate, respectively. Changes in the estimated glomerular filtration rate and urine albumin creatinine ratio were not significantly different between the groups. Conclusion In Korean patients, sarpogrelate, an antiplatelet agent, was associated with reducing the incidence and progression of nephropathyin type 2 diabetes, but not associated with the composite endpoints including neuropathy and retinopathy.

High variability of teicoplanin concentration in patients with continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration.

INTRODUCTION: Continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF) may alter teicoplanin pharmacokinetics and increase the risk of incorrect dosing. The objective of this prospective observational study was to assess the effect of CVVHDF on the pharmacokinetics of teicoplanin as maintenance therapy. METHODS: Blood, urine, and dialysate samples were collected to measure teicoplanin levels. CVVHDF clearance (CLCVVHDF ), total clearance (CLTOTAL ), and volume of distribution (Vd) were calculated by simplex-linear modeling. The influence of CVVHDF dose on teicoplanin pharmacokinetics was assessed. FINDINGS: Ten samples from eight patients were studied. Creatinine clearance was 3.4 ± 5.1 ml/min/1.73 m2 . Three patients were anuria. The dose for CVVHDF was 32.1 ± 7.0 mL/kg/h. Vd was 1.6 ± 0.7 L/kg. T1/2 was 100.1 ± 42.7 hours. CLTOTAL of teicoplanin was 11.9 ± 5.4 mL/min and CLCVVHDF was 5.8 ± 4.2 mL/min. Contribution of CLCVVHDF to CLTOTAL was 51.2% ± 23.6%. CLCVVHDF of individual teicoplanin varied widely. Large intra-occasion differences were also observed. Dose of CLCVVHDF did not influence overall CLTOTAL , Vd, or half-life. The proportion of CLTOTAL due to CLCVVHDF varied widely. It was high in some cases. DISCUSSION: In patients receiving CVVHDF, there is great variability in teicoplanin pharmacokinetics which complicates empiric approach to dosing, suggesting the need for therapeutic drug monitoring.