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Background: Conservative care (CC) is a viable treatment option for some patients with kidney failure. Choosing between dialysis and CC can be a complex decision in which involvement of patients is desirable. Gaining insight into the experiences and preferences of patients regarding this decision-making process is an important initial step to improve care. We aimed to identify what is known about the perspective of patients regarding decision-making when considering CC., Methods: PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane databases were systematically searched on 23 February 2023 for qualitative and quantitative studies on patient-reported experiences on decision-making about CC. Data were analysed thematically., Results: Twenty articles were included. We identified three major themes: creating awareness about disease and treatment choice, decision support and motivation to choose CC. Patients were often not aware of the option to choose CC. Patients felt supported by their loved ones during the decision-making process, although they perceived they made the final decision to choose CC themselves. Some patients felt pressured by their healthcare professional to choose dialysis. Reported reasons to choose CC were maintaining quality of life, treatment burden of dialysis, cost and the desire not to be a burden to others. In general, patients were satisfied with their decision for CC., Conclusions: By focussing on the perspective of patients, we identified a wide range of patient experiences and preferences regarding the decision-making process. These findings can help to improve the complex decision-making process between dialysis and CC and to provide patient-centred care., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the ERA.)

Background: Patients on haemodialysis (HD) generally experience poor health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and a broad range of physical and mental symptoms, but it is unknown whether this differs between younger and older patients. We aimed to describe the trajectories of HRQoL and symptom burden of patients <70 and ≥70 years old and to assess the impact of symptom burden on HRQoL., Methods: In incident Dutch HD patients, HRQoL and symptoms were measured with the 12-item Short Form Health Survey and Dialysis Symptom Index. We used linear mixed models for examining the trajectories of HRQoL and symptom burden during the first year of dialysis and linear regression for the impact of symptom burden on HRQoL., Results: In 774 patients, the trajectories of physical HRQoL, mental HRQoL and symptom burden were stable during the first year of dialysis. Compared with patients <70 years of age, patients ≥70 years reported similar physical HRQoL {mean difference -0.61 [95% confidence interval (CI) -1.86-0.63]}, better mental HRQoL [1.77 (95% CI 0.54-3.01)] and lower symptom burden [-2.38 (95% CI -5.08-0.32)]. With increasing symptom burden, physical HRQoL declined more in older than in younger patients (β = -0.287 versus -0.189, respectively; P-value for interaction = .007). For mental HRQoL, this decrease was similar in both age groups (β = -0.295 versus -0.288, P = .847)., Conclusion: Older HD patients generally experience a better mental HRQoL and a (non-statistically significant) lower symptom burden compared with younger patients. Their physical HRQoL declines more rapidly with increasing symptom burden., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the ERA.)

At a certain point, patients with kidney failure will need to decide whether or not to start kidney replacement therapy, i.e. dialysis or kidney transplantation. An increasing number of patients choose to forgo dialysis or transplantation and opt for conservative care. In part, this trend is explained by the ageing population of patients with kidney failure and a more limited survival benefit for dialysis in older patients. Conservative care is a holistic, patient-orientated treatment, aimed at quality of life, advance care planning, reducing symptom burden, and slowing the deterioration of kidney function. As such, conservative care is an active treatment and not merely forgoing kidney replacement therapy. This article will summarize the various aspects of the decision- and treatment phase of conservative care for patients with kidney failure for healthcare providers, both in hospital- and primary care.

Background: The prevalence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is increasing worldwide, with the majority of new ESRD cases diagnosed in patients >60 years of age. These older patients are at increased risk for impaired cognitive functioning, potentially through cerebral small vessel disease (SVD). Novel markers of vascular integrity may be of clinical value for identifying patients at high risk for cognitive impairment., Methods: We aimed to associate the levels of angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2), asymmetric dimethylarginine and a selection of eight circulating angiogenic microRNAs (miRNAs) with SVD and cognitive impairment in older patients reaching ESRD that did not yet initiate renal replacement therapy (n = 129; mean age 75.3 years, mean eGFR 16.4 mL/min). We assessed brain magnetic resonance imaging changes of SVD (white matter hyperintensity volume, microbleeds and the presence of lacunes) and measures of cognition in domains of memory, psychomotor speed and executive function in a neuropsychological test battery., Results: Older patients reaching ESRD showed an unfavourable angiogenic profile, as indicated by aberrant levels of Ang-2 and five angiogenic miRNAs (miR-27a, miR-126, miR-132, miR-223 and miR-326), compared with healthy persons and patients with diabetic nephropathy. Moreover, Ang-2 was associated with SVD and with the domains of psychomotor speed and executive function, while miR-223 and miR-29a were associated with memory function., Conclusions: Taken together, these novel angiogenic markers might serve to identify older patients with ESRD at risk of cognitive decline, as well as provide insights into the underlying (vascular) pathophysiology., (© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the ERA.)

Background: Dialysis withdrawal is a common cause of death in dialysis-dependent patients. This study aims to describe dialysis withdrawal practice in The Netherlands, focussing on time trends, risk factors and centre variation., Methods: Data were retrieved from the Dutch registry of kidney replacement therapy patients. All patients who started maintenance dialysis and died in the period 2000-2019 were included. The main outcome was death after dialysis withdrawal; all other causes of death were used for comparison. Time trends were analysed as unadjusted data (proportion per year) and the year of death was included in a multivariable logistic model. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to identify factors associated with withdrawal. Centre variation was compared using funnel plots., Results: A total of 34 692 patients started dialysis and 18 412 patients died while on dialysis. Dialysis withdrawal was an increasingly common cause of death, increasing from 18.3% in 2000-2004 to 26.8% in 2015-2019. Of all patients withdrawing, 26.1% discontinued treatment within their first year. In multivariable analysis, increasing age, female sex, haemodialysis as a treatment modality and year of death were independent factors associated with death after dialysis withdrawal. Centre variation was large (80.7 and 57.4% within 95% control limits of the funnel plots for 2000-2009 and 2010-2019, respectively), even after adjustment for confounding factors., Conclusions: Treatment withdrawal has become the main cause of death among dialysis-dependent patients in The Netherlands, with large variations between centres. These findings emphasize the need for timely advance care planning and improving the shared decision-making process on choosing dialysis or conservative care., (© The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of ERA-EDTA.)

Background: Non-dialytic conservative care (CC) has been proposed as a viable alternative to maintenance dialysis for selected older patients to treat end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). This systematic review compares both treatment pathways on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and symptoms, which are major outcomes for patients and clinicians when deciding on preferred treatment., Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) Plus and PsycINFO from inception to 1 October 2019 for studies comparing patient-reported HRQoL outcomes or symptoms between patients who chose either CC or dialysis for ESKD., Results: Eleven observational cohort studies were identified comprising 1718 patients overall. There were no randomized controlled trials. Studies were susceptible to selection bias and confounding. In most studies, patients who chose CC were older and had more comorbidities and worse functional status than patients who chose dialysis. Results were broadly consistent across studies, despite considerable clinical and methodological heterogeneity. Patient-reported physical health outcomes and symptoms appeared to be worse in patients who chose CC compared with patients who chose dialysis but had not yet started, but similar compared with patients on dialysis. Mental health outcomes were similar between patients who chose CC or dialysis, including before and after dialysis start. In patients who chose dialysis, the burden of kidney disease and impact on daily life increased after dialysis start., Conclusions: The available data, while heterogeneous, suggest that in selected older patients, CC has the potential to achieve similar HRQoL and symptoms compared with a dialysis pathway. High-quality prospective studies are needed to confirm these provisional findings., (© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of ERA-EDTA. All rights reserved.)

Background: The incidence and prevalence of older patients with kidney failure who are dependent on dialysis is increasing. However, observational studies showed limited or no benefit of dialysis on mortality in subgroups of these patients when compared to conservative care. As the focus is shifting towards health-related quality of life (HRQoL), current evidence of effects of conservative care or dialysis on HRQoL in older patients is both limited and biased. Dialysis comes with both high treatment burden for patients and high costs for society; better identification of patients who might not benefit from dialysis could result in significant cost savings. The aim of this prospective study is to compare HRQoL, clinical outcomes, and costs between conservative care and dialysis in older patients., Methods: The DIALysis or not: Outcomes in older kidney patients with GerIatriC Assessment (DIALOGICA) study is a prospective, observational cohort study that started in February 2020. It aims to include 1500 patients from 25 Dutch and Belgian centres. Patients aged ≥70 years with an eGFR of 10-15 mL/min/1.73m 2 are enrolled in the first stage of the study. When dialysis is initiated or eGFR drops to 10 mL/min/1.73m 2 or lower, the second stage of the study commences. In both stages nephrogeriatric assessments will be performed annually, consisting of questionnaires and tests to assess most common geriatric domains, i.e. functional, psychological, somatic, and social status. The primary outcome is HRQoL, measured with the Twelve-item Short-Form Health Survey. Secondary outcomes are clinical outcomes (mortality, hospitalisation, functional status, cognitive functioning, frailty), cost-effectiveness, and decisional regret. All outcomes are (repeated) measures during the first year of the second stage. The total follow-up will be a maximum of 4 years with a minimum of 1 year in the second stage., Discussion: By generating more insight in the effects of conservative care and dialysis on HRQoL, clinical outcomes, and costs, findings of this study will help patients and physicians make a shared decision on the best individual treatment option for kidney failure., Trial Registration: The study was registered in the Netherlands Trial Register ( NL-8352 ) on 5 February 2020.

Background: Older patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) often live with unidentified frailty and multimorbidity. Despite guideline recommendations, geriatric assessment is not part of standard clinical care, resulting in a missed opportunity to enhance (clinical) outcomes including quality of life in these patients. To develop routine geriatric assessment programs for patients approaching ESKD, it is crucial to understand patients' and professionals' experiences with and perspectives about the benefits, facilitators and barriers for geriatric assessment., Methods: In this qualitative study, semi-structured focus group discussions were conducted with ESKD patients, caregivers and professionals. Participants were purposively sampled from three Dutch hospital-based study- and routine care initiatives involving geriatric assessment for (pre-)ESKD care. Transcripts were analysed inductively using thematic analysis., Results: In six focus-groups, participants (n = 47) demonstrated four major themes: (1) Perceived characteristics of the older (pre)ESKD patient group. Patients and professionals recognized increased vulnerability and (cognitive) comorbidity, which is often unrelated to calendar age. Both believed that often patients are in need of additional support in various geriatric domains. (2) Experiences with geriatric assessment. Patients regarded the content and the time spent on the geriatric assessment predominantly positive. Professionals emphasized that assessment creates awareness among the whole treatment team for cognitive and social problems, shifting the focus from mainly somatic to multidimensional problems. Outcomes of geriatric assessment were observed to enhance a dialogue on suitability of treatment options, (re)adjust treatment and provide/seek additional (social) support. (3) Barriers and facilitators for implementation of geriatric assessment in routine care. Discussed barriers included lack of communication about goals and interpretation of geriatric assessment, burden for patients, illiteracy, and organizational aspects. Major facilitators are good multidisciplinary cooperation, involvement of geriatrics and multidisciplinary team meetings. (4) Desired characteristics of a suitable geriatric assessment concerned the scope and use of tests and timing of assessment., Conclusions: Patients and professionals were positive about using geriatric assessment in routine nephrology care. Implementation seems achievable, once barriers are overcome and facilitators are endorsed. Geriatric assessment in routine care appears promising to improve (clinical) outcomes in patients approaching ESKD.

Background: The prevalence of impaired cognitive functioning in older patients with end stage kidney disease (ESKD) is high. We aim to describe patterns of memory, executive function or psychomotor speed and to identify nephrologic, geriatric and neuroradiologic characteristics associated with cognitive impairment in older patients approaching ESKD who have not yet started with renal replacement therapy (RRT)., Methods: The COPE-study (Cognitive Decline in Older Patients with ESRD) is a prospective cohort study including 157 participants aged 65 years and older approaching ESKD (eGFR ≤20 ml/min/1.73 m 2 ) prior to starting with RRT. In addition to routinely collected clinical parameters related to ESKD, such as vascular disease burden and parameters of metabolic disturbance, patients received a full geriatric assessment, including extensive neuropsychological testing. In a subgroup of patients (n = 93) a brain MRI was performed., Results: The median age was 75.3 years. Compared to the normative data of neuropsychological testing participants memory performance was in the 24th percentile, executive function in the 18th percentile and psychomotor speed in the 20th percentile. Independent associated characteristics of impairment in memory, executive and psychomotor speed were high age, low educational level and low functional status (all p-values < 0.003). A history of vascular disease (p = 0.007) and more white matter hyperintensities on brain MRI (p = 0.013) were associated with a lower psychomotor speed., Conclusion: Older patients approaching ESKD have a high prevalence of impaired memory, executive function and psychomotor speed. The patterns of cognitive impairment and brain changes on MRI are suggestive of vascular cognitive impairment. These findings could be of potentially added value in the decision-making process concerning patients with ESKD.

The Dutch prospective multicenter cohort study COPE (Cognitive decline in Older Patients with End stage renal disease) aimed to investigate the association of cardiovascular structure and function with cerebrovascular changes and cognitive function in 85 older patients with chronic kidney disease stage 4 and 5, awaiting either dialysis or conservative care. MRI was performed measuring aortic stiffness (pulse wave velocity [PWV]) and cardiac systolic function (ejection fraction and cardiac index). Outcomes were MRI-derived cerebrovascular changes (microbleeds, lacunes and white matter hyperintensities) and cognitive function (memory, executive function and psychomotor speed). Mean age was 76 years and 66% were male. No statistically significant associations were observed between cardiovascular parameters and cerebrovascular changes. Cognitive function was worse in patients with high compared to low PWV in all three cognitive domains. Although there were clinically relevant associations of high PWV with poor cognition in all domains, after adjustment for age, sex and education only the Trail Making Test A remained statistically significant (p=0.030). In conclusion, this study suggests that a higher PWV might be associated with lower cognitive function, suggesting that arterial stiffness may be an underlying mechanism of development of cognitive impairment in older patients with ESRD. Larger studies should replicate and extend these findings.

Background: Older patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) are at increased risk for cognitive decline, but detailed studies of the magnitude of cognitive decline on dialysis or comprehensive conservative management (CCM) are lacking and the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms have poorly been studied., Objectives: To describe the rationale and design of the COPE study. Study objectives are as follows. Firstly, to examine the severity of cognitive impairment in older patients reaching ESRD before dialysis and the rate of decline after dialysis or CCM initiation. Secondly, to study the association of blood biomarkers for microvascular damage and MRI derived measurements of small vessel disease with the rate of cognitive decline. Thirdly, to examine to what extent cardiac function is related to brain structure and perfusion in patients reaching ESRD. Finally, to study the association of cognitive and functional capacity with quality of life in pre-dialysis patients, as well as after dialysis or CCM initiation., Study Design and Methods: The COPE study is a prospective, multicenter cohort study in the Netherlands, including prevalent and incident pre-dialysis patients ≥65 years old with eGFR ≤20 ml/min/1.73 m 2 , awaiting either dialysis or CCM initiation. At baseline extensive data is collected including a comprehensive geriatric assessment and laboratory tests. Brain and cardiac MRI for analysis of structural and functional abnormalities are performed at baseline and repeated following therapy change. All other measurements are repeated annually during four years of follow up, including an extra evaluation six months after initiation of dialysis., Conclusions: Knowledge of the magnitude of cognitive decline and its underlying pathophysiological mechanism, as well as its impact on functionality and quality of life can eventually help to postulate an algorithm for well balanced decision making in treatment strategies in older patients reaching ESRD., Clinical Trial Registration: The COPE study is registered on www.ccmo.nl (number: NL46389.058.13).

Background: More older patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are starting dialysis. Elderly patients often prefer treatments that focus on quality of life rather than primarily extending life and a substantial group of elderly dialysis patients might regret their decision to start dialysis. Healthcare provider and patient-related factors may be involved. Our objective was to measure the percentage of patients in the Netherlands who regretted their decision to start dialysis., Methods: Cross-sectional Dutch national survey of dialysis patients. A short questionnaire about age, satisfaction with pre-dialysis education, present treatment, dialysis initiation, regret about decision to start dialysis and key figures in decision-making was developed., Results: A total of 1371 questionnaires were returned for analysis from 28 dialysis units. Of the patients 7.4% regretted their decision to start dialysis, 50.5% reported the nephrologist's opinion to be crucial in decision-making and these patients experienced more regret than those who made the decision themselves (odds ratio, OR: 1.81). When family influenced decision-making more regret was experienced compared with those who decided themselves (OR: 2.73). Older age was associated with less regret (p = 0.02) and higher treatment satisfaction (p < 0.001); 52.8% of participants described dialysis initiation as being sudden., Conclusion: The majority of patients did not regret their decision to start dialysis. Older patients were more satisfied with their treatment and felt less regret. The nephrologist's and the family's opinion were directional in decision-making on ESRD treatment options and were associated with more regret, especially in younger patients.

Background: Monitoring of renal function is important in patients with chronic kidney disease progressing towards end-stage renal failure, both for timing the start of renal replacement therapy and for determining the prognosis on dialysis. Thus far, studies on associations between estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) measurements in the pre-dialysis stage and mortality on dialysis have shown no or even inverse relations, which may result from the poor validity of serum creatinine-based estimation equations for renal function in pre-dialysis patients. As decline in renal function may be better reflected by the mean of the measured creatinine and urea clearance based on 24-h urine collections (mGFR by C Cr-U ), we hypothesize that in patients with low kidney function, a fast mGFR decline is a risk factor for mortality on dialysis, in contrast to a fast eGFR decline., Methods: For 197 individuals, included from the multicentre NECOSAD cohort, pre-dialysis annual decline of mGFR and eGFR was estimated with linear regression, and classified according to KDOQI as fast (>4 mL/min/1.73 m 2 /year) or slow (≤4 mL/min/1.73 m 2 /year). Cox regression was used to adjust for potential confounders., Results: Patients with a fast mGFR decline had an increased risk of mortality on dialysis: crude hazard ratio (HR) 1.84 (95% confidence interval: 1.13-2.98), adjusted HR 1.94 (1.11-3.36). In contrast, no association was found between a fast eGFR decline in the pre-dialysis phase and mortality on dialysis: crude HR 1.20 (0.75-1.89), adjusted HR 1.14 (0.67-1.94)., Conclusions: This study demonstrates the importance of mGFR decline (by C Cr-U ) as opposed to eGFR decline in patients with low kidney function, and gives incentive for repeated mGFR measurements in patients on pre-dialysis care., (© The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of ERA-EDTA. All rights reserved.)

Background and Objectives: Older patients reaching ESRD have a higher risk of adverse health outcomes. We aimed to determine the association of functional and cognitive impairment and frailty with adverse health outcomes in patients reaching ESRD. Understanding these associations could ultimately lead to prediction models to guide tailored treatment decisions or preventive interventions., Design, Setting, Participants, & Measurements: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, CENTRAL, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and COCHRANE for original studies published until February 8, 2016 reporting on the association of functional or cognitive impairment or frailty with adverse health outcome after follow-up in patients reaching ESRD either with or without RRT., Results: Of 7451 identified citations, we included 30 articles that reported on 35 associations. Mean age was >60 years old in 73% of the studies, and geriatric conditions were highly prevalent. Twenty-four studies (80%) reported on functional impairment, seven (23%) reported on cognitive impairment, and four (13%) reported on frailty. Mortality was the main outcome measure in 29 studies (97%), and one study assessed functional status trajectory. In 34 of 35 (97%) associations reported, functional or cognitive impairment or frailty was significantly and independently associated with adverse health outcomes. The majority of studies (83%) were conducted in selected patient populations, mainly patients on incident dialysis., Conclusions: Functional and cognitive impairment and frailty in patients reaching ESRD are highly prevalent and strongly and independently associated with adverse health outcomes, and they may, therefore, be useful for risk stratification. More research into their prognostic value is needed., (Copyright © 2016 by the American Society of Nephrology.)

Background: Serum troponin assays, widely used to detect acute cardiac ischemia, might be useful biomarkers to detect chronic cardiovascular disease (CVD). Cardiac-specific troponin-I (cTnI) and troponin-T (cTnT) generally detect myocardial necrosis equally well. In dialysis patients however, serum cTnT levels are often elevated, unlike cTnI levels. The present study aims to elucidate the associations of cTnI and cTnT with CVD in clinically stable dialysis patients., Methods: Troponin levels were measured using 5th generation hs-cTnT assays (Roche) and STAT hs-cTnI assays (Abbott) in a cohort of dialysis patients. Serum troponin levels were divided into tertiles with the lowest tertile as a reference value. Serum troponins were associated with indicators of CVD such as left ventricular mass index (LVMI), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and the presence of coronary artery disease (CAD). Associations were explored using regression analysis., Results: We included 154 consecutive patients, 68±7 years old, 77% male, 70% hemodialysis. Median serum cTnT was 51ng/L (exceeding the 99th percentile of the healthy population in 98%) and median serum cTnI was 13ng/L (elevated in 20%). A high cTnI (T3) was significantly associated with a higher LVMI (Beta 31.60; p=0.001) and LVEF (Beta -4.78; p=0.005) after adjusting for confounders whereas a high serum cTnT was not. CAD was significantly associated with a high cTnT (OR 4.70 p=0.02) but not with a high cTnI. Unlike cTnI, cTnT was associated with residual renal function (Beta:-0.09; p=0.006)., Conclusion: In the present cohort, serum cTnI levels showed a stronger association with LVMI and LVEF than cTnT. However, cTnT was significantly associated with CAD and residual renal function, unlike cTnI. Therefore, cTnI seems to be superior to cTnT as a marker of left ventricular dysfunction in asymptomatic dialysis patients, while cTnT might be better suited to detect CAD in these patients.

Background: Hydration to prevent contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) induces a diagnostic delay when performing computed tomography-pulmonary angiography (CTPA) in patients suspected of having acute pulmonary embolism., Aim: To analyze whether withholding hydration is non-inferior to sodium bicarbonate hydration before CTPA in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD)., Methods: We performed an open-label multicenter randomized trial between 2009 and 2013. One hundred thirty-nine CKD patients were randomized, of whom 138 were included in the intention-to-treat population: 67 were randomized to withholding hydration and 71 were randomized to 1-h 250 mL 1.4% sodium bicarbonate hydration before CTPA. Primary outcome was the increase in serum creatinine 48-96 h after CTPA. Secondary outcomes were the incidence of CI-AKI (creatinine increase > 25%/> 0.5 mg dL(-1) ), recovery of renal function, and the need for dialysis within 2 months after CTPA. Withholding hydration was considered non-inferior if the mean relative creatinine increase was ≤ 15% compared with sodium bicarbonate., Results: Mean relative creatinine increase was -0.14% (interquartile range -15.1% to 12.0%) for withholding hydration and -0.32% (interquartile range -9.7% to 10.1%) for sodium bicarbonate (mean difference 0.19%, 95% confidence interval -5.88% to 6.25%, P-value non-inferiority < 0.001). CI-AKI occurred in 11 patients (8.1%): 6 (9.2%) were randomized to withholding hydration and 5 (7.1%) to sodium bicarbonate (relative risk 1.29, 95% confidence interval 0.41-4.03). Renal function recovered in 80.0% of CI-AKI patients within each group (relative risk 1.00, 95% confidence interval 0.54-1.86). None of the CI-AKI patients developed a need for dialysis., Conclusion: Our results suggest that preventive hydration could be safely withheld in CKD patients undergoing CTPA for suspected acute pulmonary embolism. This will facilitate management of these patients and prevents delay in diagnosis as well as unnecessary start of anticoagulant treatment while receiving volume expansion., (© 2014 International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis.)

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Here we evaluate whether strict implementation of guidelines aimed at multiple targets with the aid of nurse practitioners (NP) improves management in patients with CKD., Methods: MASTER PLAN is a randomised controlled clinical trial, performed in nine Dutch hospitals. Patients with CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) 20-70 ml÷min) were randomised to receive NP support (intervention group (IG)) or physician care (control group (CG)). Patients were followed for a median of five years. Presented data are an interim analysis on risk factor control at two-year follow-up., Results: We included 788 patients (532 M, 256 F), (393 CG, 395 IG), mean (±SD ) age 59 (±13) years, eGFR 38 (±15) ml÷min÷1.73m(2), blood pressure (BP) 138 (±21)÷80 (±11) mmHg. At two years 698 patients (352 IG, 346 CG) could be analysed. IG as compared with CG had lower systolic (133 vs 135 mmHg&semi; p= 0.04) and diastolic BP (77 vs 80 mmHg&semi; p=0.007), LDL cholesterol (2.30 vs 2.45 mmol(-l); p= 0.03), and increased use of ACE inhibitors, statins, aspirin and vitamin D. The intervention had no effect on smoking cessation, body weight, physical activity or sodium excretion., Conclusion: In both groups, risk factor management improved. However, changes in BP control, lipid management and medication use were more pronounced in IG than in CG. Lifestyle interventions were not effective. Coaching by NPs thus benefits everyday care of CKD patients. Whether these changes translate into improvement in clinical endpoints remains to be established.

Background: Blood pressure (BP) is the most important modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular (CV) disease and progression of kidney dysfunction in patients with chronic kidney disease. Despite extensive antihypertensive treatment possibilities, adequate control is notoriously hard to achieve. Several determinants have been identified which affect BP control. In the current analysis we evaluated differences in achieved BP and achievement of the BP goal between hospitals and explored possible explanations., Methods: At baseline, BP was measured in a supine position with an oscillometric device in 788 patients participating in the MASTER PLAN study. We also retrieved the last measured office BP from the patient records. Additional baseline characteristics were derived from the study database. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed with general linear modelling using hospital as a random factor., Results: In univariate analysis, hospital was a determinant of the level of systolic and diastolic BP at baseline. Adjustment for patient, kidney disease, treatment or hospital characteristics affected the relation. Yet, in a fully adjusted model, differences between centres persisted with a range of 15 mmHg for systolic BP and 11 mmHg for diastolic BP., Conclusion: Despite extensive adjustments, a clinically relevant, statistically significant difference between hospitals was found in standardised BP measurements at baseline of a randomised controlled study. We hypothesise that differences in the approach towards BP control exist at the physician level and that these explain the differences between hospitals.

Background: Self-regulation theory explains how patients' illness perceptions influence self-management behaviour (e.g. via adherence to treatment). Following these assumptions, we explored whether illness perceptions of ESRD-patients are related to mortality rates., Methods: Illness perceptions of 182 patients participating in the NECOSAD-2 study in the period between December 2004 and June 2005 were assessed. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate whether subsequent all-cause mortality could be attributed to illness perception dimensions., Results: One-third of the participants had died at the end of the follow-up. Mortality rates were higher among patients who believed that their treatment was less effective in controlling their disease (perceived treatment control; RR = 0.71, P = 0.028). This effect remained stable after adjusting for sociodemographic and clinical variables (RR = 0.65, P = 0.015)., Conclusions: If we consider risk factors for mortality, we tend to rely on clinical parameters rather than on patients' representations of their illness. Nevertheless, results from the current exploration may suggest that addressing patients' personal beliefs regarding the effectiveness of treatment can provide a powerful tool for predicting and perhaps even enhancing survival.

In three women on chronic haemodialysis because of end-stage renal disease who were 40, 59, and 73 years of age respectively, spontaneous renal bleeding was diagnosed. The first two patients presented with acute flank pain and signs of sudden blood loss, the third one had chronic abdominal pain and anaemia. A CT scan demonstrated perirenal bleeding in all three patients and expansion into the retroperitoneal space in the first and third patient. In the latter two patients, acquired renal cysts had been visible during earlier abdominal ultrasound. None of the patients had severe hypertension, but all of them had received medication enhancing bleeding tendency, such as nadroparin, which was administered during haemodialysis. The first and the last patient were treated conservatively and survived. The second patient was haemodynamically unstable and underwent embolisation to stop the bleeding. She died in hospital after fifteen days due to the complications of a cardiac arrest. Abdominal CT or ultrasound is the technique of choice to evaluate patients with end-stage renal disease with loin pain or bleeding. Most of the time, conservative treatment suffices.