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Katherine E Mues,1 Alexander Liede,1 Jiannong Liu,2 James B Wetmore,2 Rebecca Zaha,1 Brian D Bradbury,1 Allan J Collins,2 David T Gilbertson2 1Center for Observational Research, Amgen Inc., Thousand Oaks and San Francisco, CA, 2Chronic Disease Research Group, Minneapolis, MN, USA Abstract: Medicare is the federal health insurance program for individuals in the US who are aged ≥65 years, select individuals with disabilities aged

BACKGROUND: Characteristics of patients with chronic kidney disease who survive to end-stage renal disease may change over time, affecting subsequent outcomes and costs. We examined trends in older incident hemodialysis patient characteristics and analyzed first-year post-dialysis therapy initiation medical costs. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: All US incident hemodialysis patients aged > or =67 years at dialysis therapy initiation from January 1, 1995, to December 31, 2005, with Medicare Part A and Part B in the prior 2 years. PREDICTOR: Year of dialysis therapy initiation. OUTCOMES: Changes in patient characteristics and first-year costs. MEASUREMENTS: Mean and median values for continuous variables and percentages of categorical variables; first-year total medical costs measured per person per year. Observed costs were adjusted using Medicare Price Indices and patient case-mix. RESULTS: Median age at dialysis therapy initiation increased from 74.9 to 77.0 years from 1995 (n = 19,044) to 2005 (n = 31,796; P < 0.001). Diabetes prevalence increased from 54.2% to 64.1% (P < 0.001). Median estimated glomerular filtration rate increased from 8.0 to 11.2 mL/min/1.73 m(2), and median hemoglobin level increased from 9.4 to 10.2 g/dL. Obesity increased from 8.9% to 22.9% (P < 0.001). First-year observed costs increased by 37.9%; however, inflation-adjusted and case-mix-inflation-adjusted costs were stable. Important adjusters for costs are inability to ambulate/transfer, baseline serum albumin level, primary end-stage renal disease cause, comorbid peripheral vascular disease, and baseline hospital days. LIMITATIONS: Population aged > or =67 years at dialysis therapy initiation and results may not generalize to the overall hemodialysis population. CONCLUSIONS: From 1995 to 2005, incident hemodialysis patients aged > or =67 years became older, sicker, and more obese with significantly increased estimated glomerular filtration rates and hemoglobin levels at dialysis therapy initiation. Increased first-year post-dialysis therapy initiation costs became stable over time after adjustment for price inflation; case-mix-inflation-adjusted costs remained constant, possibly because of mixed changes in patient characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hyperuricemia is prevalent in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD); however, data are limited about the relationship of uric acid levels with long-term outcomes in this patient population.Study Design: Cohort study.Setting& Participants: The Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) Study was a randomized controlled trial (N = 840) conducted from 1989 to 1993 to examine the effects of strict blood pressure control and dietary protein restriction on progression of stages 3 to 4 CKD. This analysis included 838 patients.Predictor: Uric acid level.Outcomes& Measurements: The study evaluated the association of baseline uric acid levels with all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality, and kidney failure.Results: Mean age was 52 +/- 12 (SD) years, glomerular filtration rate was 33 +/- 12 mL/min/1.73 m(2), and uric acid level was 7.63 +/- 1.66 mg/dL. During a median follow-up of 10 years, 208 (25%) participants died of any cause, 127 (15%) died of CVD, and 553 (66%) reached kidney failure. In multivariate models, the highest tertile of uric acid was associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 1.57; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07 to 2.32), a trend toward CVD mortality (HR, 1.47; 95% CI, 0.90 to 2.39), and no association with kidney failure (HR, 1.20; 95% CI, 0.95 to 1.51) compared with the lowest tertile. In continuous analyses, a 1-mg/dL greater uric acid level was associated with 17% increased risk of all-cause mortality (HR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.05 to 1.30) and 16% increased risk of CVD mortality (HR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.33), but was not associated with kidney failure (HR, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.97 to 1.07).Limitations: Primary analyses were based on a single measurement of uric acid. Results are generalizable primarily to relatively young white patients with predominantly nondiabetic CKD.Conclusions: In patients with stages 3 to 4 CKD, hyperuricemia appears to be an independent risk factor for all-cause and CVD mortality, but not kidney failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Estimates of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the United States using the continuous National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data set 1999-2004 indicate that 13.1% of the population (26.3 million people based on the 2000 census) has CKD stages 1 to 4.Study Design: We performed sensitivity analyses to highlight assumptions underlying these estimates and illustrate their robustness to varying assumptions.Setting& Participants: NHANES 1999-2004 was a nationally representative cross-sectional continuous survey of the civilian noninstitutionalized US population. Our sample included participants 20 years and older.Reference Test: Estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) defined from the 4-variable Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) Study equation; albuminuria defined as persistence of urinary albumin-creatinine ratio greater than 30 mg/g.Index Tests: We compared prevalence estimates using the MDRD Study equation with 2 other GFR estimating equations (equation 5 by Rule et al from the Mayo Clinic Donors study; Cockcroft-Gault equation adjusted for body surface area and corrected for the bias in the MDRD Study sample), and sex-specific cutoff values to define albuminuria.Results: We found CKD stages 1 to 4 prevalence estimates ranging from 11.7% to 24.9%, a more than 2-fold difference resulting in population estimates of 25.8 million to 54.0 million people using 2006 population estimates. Considering only stages 3 and 4, which are not affected by the choice of cutoff values to define albuminuria, prevalence estimates ranged from 6.3% to 18.6%, resulting in population estimates of 13.7 million to 40.3 million people, a nearly 3-fold difference.Limitations: NHANES 1999-2004 is a cross-sectional survey and allows for GFR and albumin-creatinine ratio estimates at 1 point in time. NHANES does not account for seniors in long-term care facilities.Conclusions: Although CKD prevalence is high regardless of varying modeling assumptions, different assumptions yield large differences in prevalence estimates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The long-term effect of a very low-protein diet on the progression of kidney disease is unknown. We examined the effect of a very low-protein diet on the development of kidney failure and death during long-term follow-up of the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) Study. STUDY DESIGN: Long-term follow-up of study B of the MDRD Study (1989-1993). SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: The MDRD Study examined the effects of dietary protein restriction and blood pressure control on progression of kidney disease. This analysis includes 255 trial participants with predominantly stage 4 nondiabetic chronic kidney disease. INTERVENTION: A low-protein diet (0.58 g/kg/d) versus a very low-protein diet (0.28 g/kg/d) supplemented with a mixture of essential keto acids and amino acids (0.28 g/kg/d). OUTCOMES: Kidney failure (initiation of dialysis therapy or transplantation) and all-cause mortality until December 31, 2000. RESULTS: Kidney failure developed in 227 (89%) participants, 79 (30.9%) died, and 244 (95.7%) reached the composite outcome of either kidney failure or death. Median duration of follow-up until kidney failure, death, or administrative censoring was 3.2 years, and median time to death was 10.6 years. In the low-protein group, 117 (90.7%) participants developed kidney failure, 30 (23.3%) died, and 124 (96.1%) reached the composite outcome. In the very low-protein group, 110 (87.3%) participants developed kidney failure, 49 (38.9%) died, and 120 (95.2%) reached the composite outcome. After adjustment for a priori-specified covariates, hazard ratios were 0.83 (95% confidence interval, 0.62 to 1.12) for kidney failure, 1.92 (95% confidence interval, 1.15 to 3.20) for death, and 0.89 (95% confidence interval, 0.67 to 1.18) for the composite outcome in the very low-protein diet group compared with the low-protein diet group. LIMITATIONS: Lack of dietary protein measurements during follow-up. CONCLUSION: In long-term follow-up of the MDRD Study, assignment to a very low-protein diet did not delay progression to kidney failure, but appeared to increase the risk of death. Copyright © 2009 National Kidney Foundation, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Conventional thrice-weekly hemodialysis (HD) has limited the ability to generate further improvements in patient quality of life, morbidity, and mortality. Daily HD (DHD) offers the promise of providing clinical and economic benefits. The objectives of the Following Rehabilitation, Economics and Everyday-Dialysis Outcome Measurements Study are to evaluate outcomes of DHD (6 times/wk) with the NxStage System One (NxStage Medical Inc, Lawrence, MA) device. DESIGN: Cohort study with matched control group. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: The DHD group will include up to 500 participants at 70 clinical sites, enrolling for 3 years with a minimum of 1-year follow-up. Study candidates include adult patients (age >/= 18 years) with end-stage renal disease who are considered suitable candidates for DHD with the NxStage System One device by the treating physician and who have Medicare as their primary insurance payer. The control group will consist of a matched thrice-weekly in-center HD cohort derived from the US Renal Data System database using a 10:1 ratio, totaling 5,000 patients. PREDICTOR: Treatment with DHD and 'standard of care' thrice-weekly HD. OUTCOMES & MEASUREMENTS: The primary intent-to-treat analysis compares hospitalization days/patient-year between the DHD and thrice-weekly HD groups. Other outcomes recorded in both groups include non-treatment-related medical expenditures. In addition, in the DHD cohort, changes in quality-of-life measures (baseline, 4 and 12 months, and every 6 months thereafter); urea kinetics; parameters related to anemia, bone and mineral metabolism, and nutrition; vascular access interventions; and use of medications will be examined. CONCLUSIONS: This study has the potential to elucidate the health and economic benefits of DHD and complement results of current clinical trials. Copyright © 2009 National Kidney Foundation, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thromboembolic disease during pregnancy is an important cause of obstetric morbidity and mortality. Pregnant patients with venous thromboembolism are usually managed by conventional anticoagulation. However, this must be discontinued during vaginal or caesarian delivery to avoid haemorrhage and to reduce the risk of possible epidural haematoma. Retrievable inferior vena cava filters (IVCFs) offer protection against pulmonary embolism during this high-risk period, when anticoagulation is discontinued, while avoiding potential long-term sequelae of a permanent IVCF. Here we report two patients who presented in the third trimester of pregnancy with floating ileofemoral deep vein thrombosis. Both patients were initially treated with standard anticoagulation; however, shortly before delivery both patients had a retrievable IVCF placed in a suprarenal position. In both patients, retrieval failed at 28 days after insertion because of filter tilt. The timing and mechanism of filter tilt remains uncertain. We believe that a number of factors could have been involved, including change in the anatomic configuration with lateral displacement of the IVCF as a result of the gravid uterus as well as forceful uterine contractions during labour, which modified the shape and diameter of the IVC. We showed that failure to retrieve the IVCF has had considerable implications for the two young patients regarding long-term anticoagulation and have highlighted the need for further clinical trials regarding the safe use of retrievable IVCFs during pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Studies addressing patterns and trends in red blood cell transfusion use in US hemodialysis patients surprisingly have received little attention in the last decade. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: Point prevalent (as of January 1 of each calendar year 1992 to 2005) dialysis patients with Medicare Part A and Part B as primary insurance (n = 77,347 in 1992, n = 164,933 in 2005). The 6 months preceding January 1 of each year were used to assemble a comorbidity profile based on administrative claims data. PREDICTORS: Hemoglobin levels, patient characteristics, comorbid conditions. OUTCOMES: Blood transfusion events obtained from Part A and Part B files using code files for both whole and packed red blood cell transfusions and hemoglobin levels. MEASUREMENTS: Comorbid conditions were defined by the presence of 1 or more inpatient/outpatient institutional claims (inpatient hospitalization, skilled nursing facility, or home health agency), 2 or more outpatient or physician/supplier claims, or 1 or more outpatient and 1 or more physician/supplier claims for atherosclerotic heart disease, congestive heart failure, cerebrovascular accidents/transient ischemic attacks, peripheral vascular disease, other cardiovascular diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, gastrointestinal disorders, liver disease, arrhythmia, and diabetes mellitus. RESULTS: Raw transfusion rates decreased in both outpatient and inpatient settings from 535.33/1,000 patient-years for 1992 prevalent dialysis patients to 263.65/1,000 patient-years in 2005 (P for trend < 0.001, 1992 versus 1999 and 1999 versus 2005). Adjusted rates decreased similarly. This phenomenon could not be explained by changes in case mix. LIMITATIONS: Cause, effect, and confounding cannot be separated in this observational study. The accuracy of blood transfusion billing data is unknown. Temporal trends may be related to factors other than erythropoiesis-stimulating agent use. CONCLUSION: Transfusion events in hemodialysis patients decreased more than 2-fold from 1992 to 2005; most of the decrease occurred in the first 5 years after erythropoietin was introduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The prevalence of earlier stage chronic kidney disease is lower for African Americans than whites in the United States. This is counterintuitive given the known 4-fold greater incidence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in African Americans. We describe racial differences in the rate of progression to ESRD and address the competing risk of mortality.Study Design: Retrospective analysis of Cooperative Cardiovascular Project data.Setting& Participants: 127,736 Medicare beneficiaries 65 years and older admitted to 4,545 hospitals with acute myocardial infarction between February 1994 and June 1995, with follow-up data for ESRD and mortality through June 2004.Predictors: African American versus white race, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and their interaction; other characteristics at hospital admission.Outcomes& Measurements: Time to ESRD using Cox proportional hazards models.Results: Mean age was 77.1 years, with 8,278 African Americans (6.5%) and 49.9% women. Mean baseline eGFRs were 61.4 +/- 31.4 and 57.0 +/- 25.6 mL/min/1.73 m(2) (P < 0.001) for African Americans and whites, respectively. Of 2,161 patients (1.7%) progressing to ESRD (incidence, 3.75/1,000 person-years), 14.9% were African American. The adjusted hazard ratio for ESRD (African Americans versus whites) was 1.90 (95% confidence interval, 1.78 to 2.03); African Americans were at significantly increased risk of incident ESRD at each baseline eGFR stage (P for interaction < 0.001). Racial differences in incident ESRD were not accounted for by differences in mortality.Limitations: Retrospective analysis, residual bias from unmeasured factors, baseline eGFR determined from serum creatinine levels at the time of acute hospitalization.Conclusions: Within a nationally representative sample of Medicare patients with acute myocardial infarction, African Americans had an increased 10-year risk of ESRD regardless of baseline kidney function that was not accounted for by differences in pre-ESRD mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Levocarnitine deficiency in hemodialysis patients is common. Although the effect of intravenous levocarnitine therapy was studied in small trials, the effect on global outcomes in larger populations is unclear. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective observational study. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services data; prevalent hemodialysis patients, 1998 to 2003. PREDICTOR: Intravenous levocarnitine use, clinical characteristics, comorbid conditions. OUTCOMES & MEASUREMENTS: Effect of 1 g or greater per dialysis session of levocarnitine for 10 or more sessions during a month on subsequent hospitalization days. Repeated-measures and marginal structural models were fit, the latter to account for time-dependent confounding. RESULTS: Of the study population, 3% to 7% received levocarnitine for 1 month per year or more. Treated patients were older with more severe comorbidity and larger erythropoietin doses than untreated patients. In repeated-measures model analysis adjusted for demographic characteristics and disease severity, 1 g or greater per dialysis session of levocarnitine for 10 or more sessions during a month was associated with a 10.8% (95% confidence interval, 9.7 to 11.9; P < 0.01) subsequent-month decrease in hospitalization days. In marginal structural model analysis, levocarnitine therapy was associated with a 21.7% (95% confidence interval, 18.4 to 24.9; P < 0.01) decrease in hospitalization days. LIMITATIONS: Algorithm for identifying comorbid conditions from claims validated only for diabetes; biochemical marker levels unavailable in Medicare claims; levocarnitine therapy quantified only while patients were not hospitalized. CONCLUSION: Because hemodialysis patients are hospitalized about 15 days yearly, the association of monthly levocarnitine regimen with lower hospitalization rate is clinically significant. The causality of this association must be confirmed by randomized clinical trials. Copyright © 2007 by Elsevier Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Greater body mass index (BMI) is associated with worse survival in the general population, but appears to confer a survival advantage in patients with kidney failure treated by hemodialysis. Data are limited on the relationship of BMI with mortality in patients in the earlier stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD). STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: The Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) Study examined the effects of dietary protein restriction and blood pressure control on progression of kidney disease. This analysis includes 1,759 subjects. PREDICTOR: BMI. OUTCOMES & MEASUREMENTS: Cox models were used to evaluate the relationship of quartiles of BMI with all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality. RESULTS: Mean GFR and BMI were 39 +/- 21 (SD) mL/min/1.73 m(2) and 27.1 +/- 4.7 kg/m(2), respectively. During a mean follow-up of 10 years, there were 453 deaths (26%), including 272 deaths (16%) from CVD. In unadjusted Cox models, quartiles 3 (hazard ratio [HR], 1.45; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11 to 1.90) and 4 (HR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.21 to 2.06) were associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality compared with quartile 1. Adjustment for demographic, CVD, and kidney disease risk factors and randomization status attenuated this relationship for quartiles 3 (HR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.60 to 1.09) and 4 (HR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.61 to 1.20). In unadjusted Cox models, quartiles 3 (HR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.17 to 2.36) and 4 (HR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.15 to 2.33) were associated with increased risk of CVD mortality. Multivariable adjustment attenuated this relationship for quartiles 3 (HR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.63 to 1.36) and 4 (HR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.57 to 1.27). LIMITATIONS: Primary analyses were based on single measurement of BMI. Because the MDRD Study cohort included relatively young white subjects with predominantly nondiabetic CKD, results may not be generalizable to all patients with CKD. CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort of subjects with predominantly nondiabetic CKD, BMI does not appear to be an independent predictor of all-cause or CVD mortality.Copyright © 2007 by National Kidney Foundation, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Although cognitive function in hemodialysis patients is believed to be best 24 hours after the dialysis session, the extent of variation during the dialysis cycle is unknown. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study with repeated measures. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: Hemodialysis centers; patients aged 55 years or older. PREDICTOR: Time of assessment related to the dialysis session. Time 1 (T1) occurred approximately 1 hour before the dialysis session; T2, 1 hour into the session; T3, 1 hour after; and T4, the next day. OUTCOMES: Measures of cognitive function using a 45-minute cognitive battery. An average composite score was calculated to measure global cognitive function, equal to the average of subjects' standardized scores on all tests given at each test time. Times were classified as best and worst according to composite scores. MEASUREMENTS: Testing was conducted on average over 2 dialysis sessions to avoid test fatigue. The cognitive battery included tests of verbal fluency, immediate and delayed verbal and visual memory, and executive function, administered at 4 times. RESULTS: In the 28 subjects who completed testing at 3 or 4 testing times, mean age was 66.7 +/- 9.5 years and mean dialysis vintage was 44.7 +/- 33.3 months. Using a general linear model for correlated data, the composite score was significantly lower (poorer) during dialysis (T2) than shortly before the session (T1) or on the next day (T4; P < 0.001 for both). LIMITATIONS: Relatively small sample size, testing delays, results may not be generalizable. CONCLUSION: Global cognitive function varies significantly during the dialysis cycle, being worst during dialysis and best shortly before the session or on the day after. Clinician visits may be most effective at these times.Copyright © 2007 by National Kidney Foundation, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1 Three intra-articular prednisolone analogues have been studied in a group of forty-six rheumatoid arthritic subjects. Each compound was tested at 50 mg and 100 mg dose over 3 weeks. 2 The anti-inflammatory effect was assessed by quantitative thermography. Systemic escape of the drug was monitored by plasma prednisolone and cortisol levels. 3 Both the systemic escape from the joint and the duration of effect on injected and uninjected knees were related to drug solubility. 4 Depression of plasma cortisol occurred with all three preparations and was most prolonged with the long-acting preparation. 5 Increasing the dose from 50 mg to 100 mg increased the antiflammatory effect only with the soluble acetate preparation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Diabetes contributes to increased morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We sought to describe CKD awareness and identify factors associated with optimal glycemic control in diabetic and nondiabetic individuals both aware and unaware of CKD. METHODS: This cross-sectional analysis compared Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP) and National Health and Nutrition and Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999 to 2006 participants with diabetes and CKD. CKD was defined and staged using glomerular filtration rate (estimated by using the 4-variable Modification of Diet in Renal Disease Study equation) and urine albumin-creatinine ratio. NHANES defined diabetes as self-reported diabetes or fasting plasma blood glucose level of 126 mg/dL or greater, and KEEP as self-reported diabetes or diabetic retinopathy, use of diabetes medications, fasting blood glucose level of 126 mg/dL or greater, or nonfasting glucose level of 200 mg/dL or greater. RESULTS: Of 77,077 KEEP participants, 20,200 (26.2%) were identified with CKD and 23,082 (29.9%) were identified with diabetes. Of 9,536 NHANES participants, 1,743 (18.3%) were identified with CKD and 1,127 (11.8%) were identified with diabetes. Of KEEP participants with diabetes and CKD (n = 7,853), 736 (9.4%) were aware of CKD. Trends in lack of CKD awareness were similar for KEEP participants with and without diabetes. Unaware participants with and without diabetes identified with stages 1 and 2 CKD were less likely to reach target glucose levels, defined as fasting glucose level less than 126 mg/dL or nonfasting glucose level less than 140 mg/dL, than those with stages 3 to 5 (odds ratio, 0.69; 95% confidence interval, 0.62 to 0.78; odds ratio, 0.69; 95% confidence interval, 0.58 to 0.81; P < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our data support that KEEP, as a targeted screening program, is a more enriched population with CKD and comorbid diabetes than NHANES. In addition, our findings highlight the relationship between dysglycemia and early stages of unidentified CKD. Copyright © 2009 National Kidney Foundation, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To address the highly complex interrelated nature of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease, we examined CKD prevalence by the predictive effect of demographic factors, comorbid conditions, and CKD risk factors by using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2004 data. NHANES is a nationally representative cross-sectional series of surveys with a complex stratified multistage sampling design. NHANES 1999-2004 participants (n = 15,332; age > or = 20 years) were interviewed in their homes and asked to participate in standardized medical examinations in mobile centers and provide samples for laboratory tests. Weighted logistic regression modeling was used to assess the importance of individual CKD risk factors. Multiple logistic regressions were performed on patient cohorts, with increasing levels of CKD severity defined by means of estimated glomerular filtration rate. A branching diagram was constructed to address the distribution of CKD grouped by diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease status. CKD prevalence increases with age (39.2% for age > or = 60 years). For ages 20 to 59 years, CKD prevalence was greater for participants with diabetes (33.8%) than for those without diabetes (8.2%) and for participants with both diabetes and hypertension (43%) than for diabetic participants without hypertension (25.5%) or nondiabetic participants with hypertension (15.2%). The prevalence was 6.8% for nondiabetic participants without hypertension. Effects of cardiovascular disease are less dramatic when hypertension and diabetes are considered. A CKD screening approach targeting individuals 60 years and older or those with diabetes or hypertension likely would be useful from a public health standpoint. Copyright © 2009 National Kidney Foundation, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The epidemiological characteristics of the US end-stage renal disease population growth and increased costs in the late 1980s framed the public health agenda for the development of a community-based chronic kidney disease (CKD) screening program. Development of the National Kidney Foundation Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP) included 2 preliminary screening programs, the Computerized Assessment of Risk and Education and the KEEP pilot, which was organized around the African American Study of Kidney Diseases clinical centers. The current KEEP program, launched in August 2000, targets individuals with diabetes, hypertension, or a family history of diabetes or hypertension or CKD. The screening includes informed consent, health screening questionnaire, diagnostic panel, and physician consultation. Participants are followed up by telephone and mail. Of 100,000 KEEP participants screened, 28.7% have CKD and 6.7% self-reported CKD stages 1 to 5. Conversely, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2002 results show 13.1% CKD prevalence; 2.9% of women and 17.9% of men with an estimated glomerular filtration rate less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) self-report CKD. CKD prevalences in KEEP by stage are 3.1% for stage 1; 4.8%, stage 2; 19.7%, stage 3; and 1.1%, stages 4 and 5, confirming the ability of this targeted screening program to detect CKD early. In addition to identifying individuals at increased risk of kidney disease, KEEP's structured data collection provides an opportunity to advance knowledge about kidney disease and advance the CKD public health agenda. Copyright © 2009 National Kidney Foundation, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Early identification of anemia of chronic kidney disease may be important for the development of preventive strategies. We compared anemia prevalence and characteristics in the National Kidney Foundation Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP) and National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2004 populations. METHODS: Clinical, demographic, and laboratory data were collected from August 2000 to December 31, 2006, from participants in KEEP, a community-based health-screening program targeting individuals 18 years and older with diabetes, hypertension, or family history of kidney disease, diabetes, or hypertension. Anemia was defined as hemoglobin level less than 13.5 g/dL for men and less than 12.0 g/dL for women (Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative [KDOQI] 2006) or less than 13.0 g/dL for men and less than 12.0 g/dL for women (World Health Organization [WHO]). RESULTS: In KEEP (n = 70,069), 68.3% of participants, and in NHANES (n = 17,061), 52% of participants, were women. African Americans represented 33.9% of the KEEP and 11.2% of the NHANES cohorts, and Hispanics comprised 12.4% of KEEP and 13.2% of NHANES. Using the KDOQI classification, anemia was present in 13.9% and 6.3% of KEEP and NHANES participants, whereas using the WHO classification, anemia was present in 11.8% and 5.3%, respectively. In adjusted analysis of KEEP data, KDOQI-defined anemia was significantly more likely in men (odds ratio [OR], 1.30; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.23 to 1.37); this pattern was reversed when using WHO-defined anemia (OR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.64 to 0.72). Adjusted odds of anemia were greater for African American than white KEEP participants (OR, 2.98; 95% CI, 2.80 to 3.16; OR, 3.00; 95% CI, 2.81 to 3.20 for KDOQI- and WHO-defined anemia, respectively). CONCLUSION: Anemia was twice as common in the targeted KEEP chronic kidney disease screening program cohort than in the NHANES sample population. African Americans had a 3-fold increased likelihood of anemia compared with whites. Targeted screening can identify anemia in a high-risk population. Copyright © 2008 National Kidney Foundation, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with mineral metabolism dysregulation, cardiovascular disease, and premature mortality. No study specifically examined mineral metabolism trends in a generalizable sample of patients at increased CKD risk. METHODS: This cross-sectional analysis from November 1, 2005, to December 31, 2006, of calcium, phosphorus, and parathyroid hormone (PTH) includes 2,646 individuals with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) in the National Kidney Foundation Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP), a community-based health-screening program targeting individuals 18 years and older with diabetes, hypertension, or family history of kidney disease, diabetes, or hypertension. A parallel analysis of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2004 data was performed. RESULTS: In KEEP, as eGFR decreased from 55 to less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) to less than 30 mL/min/1.73 m(2), calcium level decreased (9.55 +/- 0.47 to 9.34 +/- 0.62 mg/dL; P < 0.001), phosphorus level increased (3.70 +/- 0.59 to 4.15 +/- 0.80 mg/dL; P < 0.001), and PTH level increased (66.3 +/- 36.3 to 164 +/- 109 pg/mL; mean, 80.8 +/- 57.0 pg/mL; P < 0.001). NHANES 1999-2004 showed similar trends, with PTH values not as high. Individuals within opinion-based Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiatives targets from the highest to the lowest eGFR group were as follows: calcium, 93.0% to 92.3% (KEEP) and 97.4% to 89.6% (NHANES); phosphorus, 90.4% to 90.3% (KEEP) and 91.6% to 87.1% (NHANES); and PTH, 46.1% to 31.2% (KEEP) and 56.4% to 36.1% (NHANES). CONCLUSIONS: In a community-based CKD screening population, increased PTH level occurs early in patients with stage 3, typically with normal calcium and phosphorus levels. These findings support the importance of including PTH with calcium and phosphorus monitoring for individuals with eGFR less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2). Copyright © 2008 National Kidney Foundation, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is increasing in the United States, caused in part by older age and increasing prevalences of hypertension and type 2 diabetes. CKD is silent and undetected until advanced stages. The study of populations with earlier stages of kidney disease may improve outcomes of CKD. METHODS: The Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP), a National Kidney Foundation program, is a targeted community-based health-screening program enrolling individuals 18 years and older with diabetes, hypertension, or family history of kidney disease, diabetes, or hypertension. Participants who had received transplants or were on regular dialysis treatment were excluded from this analysis. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2004 was a nationally representative cross-sectional survey; participants were interviewed in their homes and/or received standardized medical examinations in mobile examination centers. RESULTS: Of the 61,675 KEEP participants, 16,689 (27.1%) were found to have CKD. In the NHANES sample of 14,632 participants, 2,734 (15.3%) had CKD. Older age, smoking, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease were associated significantly with CKD in both KEEP and NHANES (P < 0.05 for all). Of note, the likelihood for CKD in African Americans differed between KEEP (odds ratio, 0.81; P < 0.001) and NHANES (odds ratio, 1.10; P = 0.2). CONCLUSION: A greater prevalence of CKD was detected in the KEEP screening than in the NHANES data. KEEP has the limitations common to population-screening studies and conclusions for population-attributable risk may be limited. The targeted nature of the KEEP screening program and the large sample size with clinical characteristics comparable to NHANES validates KEEP as a valuable cohort to explore health associations for the CKD and at-risk-for-CKD populations in the United States. Copyright © 2008 National Kidney Foundation, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Diabetes mellitus is the leading cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and contributes to increased morbidity and mortality in the CKD population. Early diabetes identification through targeted screening programs is important for the development of preventive strategies.Methods: This is a cross-sectional analysis of the National Kidney Foundation Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP) data and National Health and Nutrition and Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2004 data. KEEP is a community-based health-screening program enrolling individuals 18 years or older with diabetes, hypertension, or family history of kidney disease, diabetes, or hypertension. Study participants were those identified as meeting these inclusion criteria. Participants who had received kidney transplants or were currently receiving dialysis therapy were excluded.Results: Of 73,460 KEEP participants, 20,562 (28.0%) had diabetes compared with 1,545 of 17,049 (6.7%) NHANES participants. Age, obesity, high cholesterol level, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease distributions were similar for patients with diabetes in both populations, whereas women and African Americans were overrepresented in KEEP. The prevalence of diabetes in KEEP progressively increased with increasing stage of CKD, and this relationship persisted in subgroup analyses of older participants (age > 46 years), as well as in analyses stratified by sex, race, and other CKD risk factors: current tobacco use, obesity, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and increased cholesterol level. KEEP participants with CKD who reported having diabetes were unlikely to have met target blood glucose levels (odds ratio, 0.71; 95% confidence interval, 0.66 to 0.77; P < 0.001). Reporting not having diabetes was associated with the likelihood of increased blood glucose levels (odds ratio, 1.28; 95% confidence interval, 1.16 to 1.41; P < 0.001).Conclusion: KEEP is congruent with NHANES regarding a greater prevalence of diabetes in patients with CKD. As a targeted screening program, KEEP may represent a higher risk and more motivated patient population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]