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Intradialytic exercise improves physical function. However, malnutrition may be an essential factor affecting the effectiveness of exercise to improve physical function. Few studies of the relationship between malnutrition and the effectiveness of intradialytic exercise to improve physical function exist. Therefore, this study investigated malnutrition at the beginning of intradialytic exercise and how it affects the subsequent improvement in physical function.Patients who performed intradialytic exercise for 12 months were enrolled in this study. A Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index of 91.2 was defined as malnutrition. Patients were assigned to 2 groups using propensity score matching to adjust for confounding factors. Physical function outcomes were handgrip strength, isometric knee extension strength, short physical performance battery, and 10-m walking speed; these were compared at baseline, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months. The 2 groups were further divided into another 2 groups as per whether the nutritional status had improved after 12 months; therefore, a total of 4 groups were analyzed.After matching, the data of 154 patients in each group were analyzed. During the intragroup comparison, isometric knee extension strength, short physical performance battery, and 10-m walking speed improved significantly in both groups after intradialytic exercise was started compared with before intradialytic exercise was started. However, there was no significant improvement in handgrip strength in the malnutrition group. There were no significant differences in any of the physical function measurements or changes from the baseline values among the 4 groups divided as per subsequent recovery of the nutritional status.Malnutrition may not impact the effectiveness of intradialytic exercise to improve lower-leg physical function. Its effect on the improvement of handgrip strength requires further investigation.

Low physical function and malnutrition in elderly patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD) are important issues that may be associated with prognosis. We aimed to determine the association between physical function and nutritional status and survival in elderly patients undergoing PD.This single-center, prospective cohort study included 45 stable, ambulatory patients undergoing PD. Physical function was measured using the 6-min walk distance (6MWD) test, 10-m walk speed, handgrip strength, lower extremity muscle strength, and short physical performance battery. Nutritional status was assessed using albumin levels and the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI). Patients were divided into two groups according to adverse events. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to predict mortality. The relationships between all-cause mortality and physical function and nutritional status were studied using Kaplan-Meier analysis and the log-rank test.The mean patient age was 75.3 ± 6.5 years. The median follow-up time was 32 (interquartile range 18-51) months, during which 11 deaths occurred. Death during follow-up was significantly associated with lower 6MWD (237.4 ± 120.2 vs. 355.2 ± 105.9 m), lower GNRI (77.3 ± 16.3 vs. 89.3 ± 8.1), and lower albumin levels (2.8 ± 0.6 vs. 3.3 ± 0.4 mg/dL) at baseline (p 0.05). The cut-off values were 338 m, 83.3, and 2.95 g/dL for the 6MWD, GNRI, and albumin levels, respectively. The 6MWD test, GNRI, and albumin levels were significantly associated with all-cause mortality (p 0.05). Additionally, the group with combined exercise intolerance and malnutrition had a lower survival rate (p 0.05).Lower 6MWD and malnutrition are predictors of mortality in elderly patients undergoing PD.

This study investigated the effect of 1 year of intradialytic exercise on older hemodialysis patients with geriatric issues.Forty-six patients aged ≥ 70 years were non-randomly assigned to two groups (exercise group: 27, control group: 19). Intradialytic exercise consisted of 30 min of aerobic exercise using a cycle ergometer, and resistance training comprising four exercises using an elastic tube three times per week for 1 year. Handgrip strength, leg extremity muscle strength, 10-m walk speed, short physical performance battery, serum albumin, Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI), geriatric depression scale, frailty, and mobility were each assessed before and after the intervention.The control group exhibited a significant reduction in handgrip strength, 10-m walking speed, serum albumin, and GNRI after intervention compared to baseline (p 0.05). Conversely, no significant reductions were observed in the exercise group. The ΔGNRI (effect size, 0.69; 95% confidence interval [CI] - 5.21, - 0.1; p 0.05) and Δserum albumin (effect size, 0.72; 95% CI - 0.31, - 0.02; p 0.05) before and after the intervention declined significantly less in the exercise group than in the control group. Other between-group values were not significantly different. The number of frail patients and patients requiring walking assistance exhibited no significant intra-group or between-group differences before and after the intervention.Intradialytic exercise prevented the worsening of nutritional status and physical function in the exercise group compared to the control group. Exercise therapy during dialysis is an important aspect of patient care that helps prevent functional decline in older patients.

[Purpose] In this study, we investigated the association between exertional dyspnea and length of the mobilization program in patients with acute decompensated heart failure. [Participants and Methods] We recruited all consecutive patients with heart failure who were hemodynamically stabilized after administration of intravenous medication and were able to walk10 m before admission. Exertional dyspnea was evaluated using the visual analog scale in all patients after the 10-m walk during each session of the mobilization program. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine the factors associated with length of the mobilization program. [Results] Our study included 52 patients. Multiple regression analysis showed that the length of the mobilization program was significantly associated with the visual analog scale on day 3 and the length before the start of the mobilization program; however, the length of the mobilization program showed no significant association with age and blood urea nitrogen levels. The standardized coefficients for the visual analog scale scores on day 3 and the length before the start of the mobilization program were 0.49 and 0.33, respectively. [Conclusion] Exertional dyspnea is a good predictor of the length of the mobilization program. Our findings highlight the importance of evaluation of exertional dyspnea.

BACKGROUND Nephrotic syndrome caused by minimal mesangial lupus nephritis is considered rare. Nephrotic syndrome can be caused by minimal mesangial lupus nephritis with diffuse epithelial foot-process effacement and lupus podocytopathy. CASE REPORT A 23-year-old Japanese woman diagnosed with mixed connective tissue disease was admitted because of weight gain and generalized edema for 2 weeks prior to admission. She had butterfly-shaped erythema on her cheeks, proteinuria, leukocytopenia with lymphocytopenia, and hypoalbuminemia. She was positive for antinuclear antibodies, and specific autoantibodies were only positive for the ribonucleoprotein (RNP) antigen. She was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus. Renal biopsy showed minor glomerular abnormalities, and immunofluorescence revealed peripheral deposits of IgM and complement C3c. Electron microscopy revealed diffuse podocyte foot-process effacement of80% of the capillary loop surfaces, with only a few subendothelial deposits. Consequently, we diagnosed minimal mesangial lupus nephritis with lupus podocytopathy. On hospital day 4, we administered 1000 mg/day of methylprednisolone for 3 days, followed by prednisolone 50 mg/day, but proteinuria persisted. On day 12, we administered tacrolimus (3 mg/day). Proteinuria improved and then disappeared on day 17. Prednisolone was gradually tapered and stopped after 3 years, although tacrolimus 3 mg/day was continued. No flare-up was observed 4 years after admission. CONCLUSIONS Tacrolimus showed good efficacy in this case of minimal mesangial lupus nephritis with lupus podocytopathy. Prospective and randomized controlled trials should be conducted to demonstrate the efficacy of tacrolimus for this indication.

Background Continuation of an intradialytic exercise program is necessary to improve and maintain physical function in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Factors associated with dropout must be identified to ensure program continuation. This study aimed to investigate the dropout rates from an intradialytic exercise program at 6 and 12 months in patients undergoing hemodialysis and to identify dropout predictors. Methods This was a multicenter, retrospective observational study. Overall, 980 patients were enrolled in this study. Grip strength, 10-m walking speed, physical function, demographics and blood sampling data were measured at baseline, and dropouts were observed. Patients were classified as either continued or dropped out of the program at 6 and 12 months. The dropout rate was calculated for each time point. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the predictors of dropout. Results The dropout rate was 26.4% (n = 259) after 6 months, 24.1% (n = 172) between 6 and 12 months, and 44.3% (n = 424) overall at 1 year. Significant predictors of dropout after 6 months were slower 10-m walking speed, older age and high C-reactive protein level. Predictors of dropout after 12 months were slower 10-m walking speed and lower standardized dialysis volume. Conclusions Walking capacity, age, inflammation and hemodialysis volume were determinants of dropout from the exercise program. Our findings provide new and important insights into the potential risk factors for dropout from long-term intradialytic exercise programs in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Background The risk of adverse events associated with peritoneal dialysis (PD) in elderly patients has not been thoroughly investigated. The purpose of this study was to assess the association between physical function and hospitalization in elderly PD patients. Methods This is a single-center prospective observational cohort study. Thirty-three aged patients (74.8 ± 5.9 years) participated in a 6-min walk distance, short physical performance battery (SPPB), lower extremity muscle strength, and 10-m walk speed. All subjects were followed until hospitalization to the end of the follow-up period. Results The 6-min walk distance was 332 ± 112.5 m; SPPB was 11 (8.3–12) points; the lower extremity muscle strength was 36.6 ± 9.6%; 10-m walk speed was 1.1± 0.2 m/s. During the follow-up, 19 patients (57.5%) were hospitalized. In the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and log-rank test, a lower 6-min walk distance and PD vintage were significantly associated with hospitalization (p Conclusion Lower exercise tolerance assessed by the 6-min walk distance was significantly associated with hospitalization in elderly PD patients. Our findings indicate that measurement and intervention of exercise intolerance are essential to predict the clinical outcomes of elderly PD patients. Trial registration This study was prospectively registered at inception in the UMIN Clinical Trials Registry under identification number UMIN000038405.

A 128-Gb 1-bit/cell 3-D flash memory chip has been developed with 96-word-line-layer technology. A novel chip floorplan architecture with less time constants of wordline and bitline realizes fast read access time. A newly introduced program sequence achieves for higher reliability with less read-retry even after write/erase cycles. External VPP supply (12 V), current mode reference distribution, and auto temperature code refresh are also adopted to boost the performance of the chip. A new duty cycle corrector succeeds in obtaining wider unit interval of the DQS. Consequently, the proposed chip has a read access latency of $4~\mu \text{s}$ and a program time of 75 $\mu \text{s}$ , which is 12–13 and 4–5 times faster than conventional 3-D flash memory with the same technology [Maejima et al. , (2018)]. The random read latency (tRRL) is estimated to be less than 50 $\mu \text{s}$ , which enables in the reduction of total read access time of solid state drive (SSD) system.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Older hemodialysis patients with low physical function who sustain a fall demonstrate reduced activities of daily living and quality of life. Therefore, it is desirable to examine how improving physical function with exercise therapy affects fall prevention. Several recent studies have shown that intradialytic exercise is effective in improving physical function. However, the effect of intradialytic exercise on falls has not been thoroughly investigated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a 3-year, intradialytic exercise program on falls in elderly dialysis patients in a non-randomized, prospective intervention. METHOD In this single-center, prospective, non-randomized, controlled trial, the patients were assigned to either the exercise or control groups. Patients were assigned to the exercise group based on their spontaneous preference for initiation of intradialytic exercise. The inclusion criteria were age ≥70 years, ability to ambulate without assistance. The exercise group was offered 3 years of intradialytic exercise training three times a week. The training program involved both resistance and aerobic training exercises. Four types of resistance exercises were performed using an elastic tube. The aerobic exercise program consisted of 20 min of ergometer cycling. The grip strength (GS), leg extremity muscle strength (LES), short physical performance battery (SPPB) score and 10-min walk speed at baseline were evaluated in both groups. These physical functions were re-evaluated each year in the exercise group only. Falls were monitored during each dialysis treatment. All subjects were followed until the first fall, or until the end of the follow-up period (31 December 2020). The ethical institution at Seirei Christopher University approved all the procedures performed in this study; informed consent was obtained from all the patients. Baseline characteristics and physical function were compared using an unpaired t-test or Mann–Whitney U test. In the exercise group, measurements of physical functioning at the initial 1-, 2- and 3-year time points were conducted using multiple comparison tests. The relationship between exercise intervention and falls was studied using the Kaplan–Meier analysis and the log-rank test. All tests were performed at a statistical significance level of P RESULTS Of the 85 patients, 31 were assigned to exercise groups and 40 to control groups, with the exception of 14 patients who needed walking assistance. In the control group, six patients started to exercise and were excluded from the analysis. Therefore, 65 patients (79.3 ± 6.7 years) were included in this study. There were no significant differences in age, GS, LES, 10-min walking speed, SPPB score, or other laboratory values between the exercise and control groups at baseline. In the exercise groups, 19 patients (61.2%) continued to exercise for over three years; the median duration of exercise was 3 years (interquartile range: 1.25–3 years). The median follow-up time for all subjects was 35 months (interquartile range: 22–35 months), during which 8 (9.4%, 1 of exercise, and 7 of control group) falls were observed; one of the cases had a fracture. The exercise group showed no significant differences in any physical functioning between each measurement time point. However, the exercise intervention was significantly associated with a reduction in falls in the Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and log-rank test. CONCLUSION To our knowledge, this is the first study to show the effect of intradialytic exercise on falls in older adults on HD. This study revealed that physical function did not improve significantly in 3-year intradialytic exercise intervention, contrary to previous studies. However, the effect of exercise on fall prevention in this study supports the results of a previous study in nondialysis patients. This study could provide evidence for the clinical care of older patients undergoing dialysis.

Exercising requires continuing training and maintenance of motivation. Support for exercise continuation by setting sex-appropriate goals is needed. However, this has not been investigated in patients undergoing hemodialysis. This study aimed to investigate sex differences in exercise motivation by analyzing an open-ended questionnaire of patients undergoing hemodialysis.This multicenter, cross-sectional study was conducted among participants undergoing outpatient hemodialysis at 21 dialysis clinics. Before the intradialytic exercise program, a self-reported questionnaire was used to assess exercise purpose using open-label questions. Exercise purpose was analyzed between sexes by quantitative analysis of text, extracting frequently occurring words, creating a co-occurrence network, and constructing concepts. The basic attributes of the two groups were compared using the chi-squared and independent t tests.The analysis of 669 participants who attended an exercise program showed that the common words for exercise purpose in both sexes were strength, maintenance, walking, exercise, and muscle strength. Significant differences were observed in exercise purpose. Concepts related to the purpose of exercise were categorized into (1) physical function and condition, (2) addressing limitations, and (3) maintaining daily life activities. Physical appearance was important in both sexes. The main purpose of exercise for men was to increase physical fitness and muscle strength, while that for women was to maintain or improve their current functional status and prevent limb weakness. Women had significantly weaker muscle strength and poorer exercise habits than men and had more difficulty in daily life, suggesting that their purpose for exercise was to reduce difficulties in daily life and the burden on family. Women had significantly weaker muscle strength and poorer exercise habits than men and had more difficulty in daily life, suggesting that their purpose for exercise was to reduce difficulties in daily life and the burden on family. Furthermore, fear of falls was higher in women and prevention of falls may be a key for motivation.Exercise purpose in patients undergoing hemodialysis was summarized into the categories of physical function and condition, exercise, and daily life. Men aimed to maintain and increase their current physical status, and women aimed to reduce anxiety regarding their lower limbs and lack of exercise. It is necessary to consider sex differences in exercise purpose when designing exercise regimens and motivating participants.

Adult‐onset Still's disease may cause intestinal pseudo‐obstruction via a cytokine storm. Early diagnosis and treatment are the key for patient survival before the development of serious complications such as macrophage activation syndrome.

A 71-year-old woman with dermatomyositis (DM) received glucocorticoid steroid (GCS) and tacrolimus treatment. Relapse of skin symptoms was observed after tapering the GCS dose, and the patient tested positive for anti-transcriptional intermediary factor-1 gamma (TIF1-γ) antibody. Examinations for malignancy were repeatedly performed. However, no obvious findings indicative of a tumour were observed. Two years after, a retroperitoneal tumour was detected and pathologically diagnosed as poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. The patient developed intestinal and biliary obstruction and eventually died of sepsis. Herein, we report the presence of anti-TIF1-γ antibodies in a DM patient with cancer of unknown primary site.

Background This study investigated the association between the blood pressure response during hemodialysis (HD) and exercise tolerance or heart rate recovery (HRR) measured with cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX). Methods The study enrolled 23 patients who had been undergoing 4-h regular maintenance HD. The maximum workload (Loadpeak), peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), workload and oxygen uptake at the anaerobic threshold (LoadAT and VO2AT, respectively), and HRR were measured with CPX. The average systolic blood pressure during HD (SBPav) was measured, and the number of times the SBP was less than 100 mmHg was determined in the 2-week period after CPX. Results The SBPav showed a significant correlation with LoadAT (r = 0.46) and Loadpeak (r = 0.43, p < 0.05). The number of times the SBP was less than 100 mmHg showed a significant correlation with the HRR (r = − 0.44, p < 0.05). Conclusion Exercise intolerance and HRR in HD patients may be associated with blood pressure instability during HD.

The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in the relative blood volume because of intradialytic exercise. Twenty patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) were assigned randomly to exercise or control sessions as a first test by simple randomization. All participants were crossed over and participated in both tests. In the exercise test, each patient underwent 30 minutes of exercise using a cycle ergometer from the initiation of HD. The control session consisted of routine HD without exercise. The blood volume (ΔBV) reduction in both types of sessions was calculated from the area under the curve of the ΔBV (ΔBVAUC) from the initiation of HD to the end of exercise (During Ex), from the end of exercise to the end of HD (Post Ex), and during the entire HD session (Whole HD). The ΔBVAUC of Post Ex in the exercise test (44.9 ± 14.3%h) was significantly smaller than that in the control test (50.3 ± 14.3%h) (p 0.05), although other parameters such as ΔBVAUC either in the entire HD session or during exercise training did not differ significantly between two groups. This result suggests that intradialytic exercise at the beginning of the HD sessions may be altered the ΔBV in the latter part of the session.

Background The first objective of this study was to determine the relationship between muscle strength or physical performance and mortality, and the second objective was to show the relationship of Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) to muscle strength and physical performance decline. Methods We examined handgrip, the 5-times chair stand test, and GNRI in 635 maintenance hemodialysis patients and followed up for 72 months. Predictors for all-cause death were examined using Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional analysis. The relationship between possible sarcopenia and nutritional disorder (GNRI) was constructed receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. We used the Youden index to determine the optimal cutoff points for GNRI. Results The multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis revealed that the GNRI did not show any significance, although handgrip (HR 3.61, 95% CI 1.70–7.68, p p = 0.045) were significant predictors for mortality. On the evaluation of possible sarcopenia by handgrip strength, the area under curve (AUC) on ROC curve analysis were 0.68 (95% CI 0.64–0.72), and 5-chair stand, the AUC on ROC were 0.55 (95% CI 0.51–0.60). The cut-off value for the GNRI discriminating those at possible sarcopenia by handgrip strength based on the Youden index was 91.5. Conclusions Our study suggests that the handgrip strength test of the AWGS 2019 sarcopenia consensus was a simple and useful tool to predict mortality in chronic hemodialysis patients. Furthermore, GNRI assessment can be a useful tool for screening before assessing possible sarcopenia when it is difficult to perform SARC-F to all patients.

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) assessment is important for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, few studies have examined factors related to HRQoL, such as physical function, in older patients with predialysis CKD. This study evaluated the relationship between physical function, renal function, and nutritional status on the HRQoL in this patient group.This cross-sectional study included 61 patients aged ≥ 65 years with stages 3-5 predialysis CKD who were admitted for CKD education purposes. Using the EuroQoL 5-dimension 5-level (EQ-5D-5L) health status measure, the percentages of each EQ-5D-5L item were investigated. Physical function was measured using the short physical performance battery (SPPB) and grip strength, and characteristics, such as age, sex, diabetes mellitus, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and Geriatric Nutrition Risk Index, were investigated. Factors associated with EQ-5D-5L were identified using multiple regression analysis.More than half of respondents (34/61, 55.7%) selected the second or higher level "have a problem" for the pain/discomfort section. The EQ-5D-5L score was significantly correlated with grip strength (r = 0.34, p = 0.01) and SPPB (r = 0.59, p = 0.00) in a single correlation analysis. Only SPPB (β = 0.67, p = 0.00) remained a significant factor after adjustment for grip strength, SPPB, age, sex, diabetes mellitus, and estimated glomerular filtration rate.Physical function may be an important factor influencing HRQoL in older patients with predialysis CKD.

We aimed to investigate the factors associated with dropout from a physical function assessment program among participants receiving outpatient hemodialysis (HD). The participants were divided into continuation and dropout groups and followed up for 3 years after the initial physical function assessment. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the dropout group to determine the factors associated with dropout from the physical function assessment program. The continuation and dropout groups included 43 and 58 participants, respectively. The continuation group had a significantly higher self-efficacy (SE) and age than the dropout group (p = 0.001, p = 0.047). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that only SE (OR: 1.202, 95% CI: 1.082-1.334) remained a significant predictor after adjustment (p

There are few reports on the rehabilitation of elderly patients with minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS). The purpose of this case study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of rehabilitation for an elderly patient with MCNS in remission. The patient was an 86-year-old woman. She was admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of MCNS, and steroid treatment was initiated. She was weaned from dialysis 2 weeks later; however, her activities of daily living (ADL) decreased, and she developed disuse syndrome. After rehabilitation, the patient’s ADL, maximum hand grip strength, and gait function improved. There was no recurrence of weight gain or increased proteinuria during rehabilitation, but the estimated glomerular filtration rate decreased. This case suggests that rehabilitation for elderly patients with MCNS in remission can be effective for physical and ADL functions without relapse of MCNS. The effect of exercise therapy on the relationship between exercise therapy and renal function needs to be further investigated by collecting more cases.

Elderly peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients required assistance for a variety of PD-related tasks. The usefulness of assisted PD in reducing the peritonitis risk has been reported; however, there is little evidence on the effectiveness of assisted PD in preventing exit-site infections in older patients.This was a single-center, prospective cohort study. Thirty-three patients (mean age: 74.8 ± 5.9 years) on PD were evaluated for cognitive impairment (CI) using the Japanese version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. They were also evaluated to determine whether they performed the exit-site care procedure alone or with assistance. Patients were categorized into four groups based on the presence or absence of CI and the presence or absence of exit-site care assistance. They were followed up until the occurrence of peritonitis and exit-site infection at the end of the follow-up.Altogether, 8, 8, and 17 patients were assigned to the "without CI and without assistance", "without CI and with assistance", and "with CI and with assistance groups", respectively; no patients were assigned to the "with CI and without assistance group". Six and 16 patients experienced peritonitis and exit-site infection during follow-up, respectively. Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank tests revealed that the "without CI and without assistance group" was significantly associated with exit-site infection (log-rank 0.05).Patients who did not receive assistance for exit-site care were at a higher risk of exit-site infections, even in the absence of CI. Caregiver assistance is important for preventing exit-site infections in older patients on PD.

Background and Aims Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is beneficial for older adults with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) because it allows for dialysis treatment in their own homes. The risk factors associated with specific prognoses in elderly PD patients need to be explored to continue stably without adverse events. However, the risk of adverse events specific to older adults on PD has not been thoroughly investigated. The critical risk factor for ESRD and aging is decreased physical function. The purpose of this study was to assess the association between physical function and outcomes in older adults on PD. Methods This was a single-center, prospective observational cohort study. Stable, ambulatory patients undergoing PD between April 1, 2014, and September 31, 2016, were enrolled. Six-minute walk distance (6MWD), short physical performance battery (SPPB), lower extremity muscle strength (LES), and 10-meter walk speed were measured for each patient. Laboratory data were also collected. All subjects were followed up until death or the end of the follow-up period (December 31, 2019). This ethical institution at the Seire Christopher University approved all procedures performed in this study. Informed consent was obtained from all the patients. Baseline patient characteristics and physical function were compared using an unpaired t-test or Mann-Whitney U test. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis on mortality prediction was performed to calculate the area under the curve in the significant value of the unpaired t-test or Mann-Whitney U test. We used the Youden index to determine the optimal cut-off point, and patients were categorized into 2 groups by each cut-off value. The relationship between all-cause mortality and each variable was studied using Kaplan-Meier analysis and the log-rank test. All tests were assessed at a statistical significance of p Results Thirty-seven patients were enrolled. Three patients refused to participate in the study, and one patient was excluded because they had a medical reason. Therefore, 33 patients (age: 74.8 ± 5.9 years) were finally included in the present study. The median follow-up time was 39 months (interquartile range: 28–49 months), during which 19 (57.6%) deaths occurred. Death during follow-up was significantly associated with lower 6MWD (234.6.9±115.8 vs. 351.9±105.8 m), lower serum albumin (Alb, 2.7±0.6 vs. 3.2±0.4 mg/dL), and lower Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI, 79.7±9.9 vs. 88.5±7.1) than those who did not die (died vs. not died group, respectively). No other variables were significantly different between the groups. The cut-off value, discriminating those at high risk of mortality, for the 6MWD was 338m, Alb was 3.0 ml/dL, and GNRI was 83.7. In the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and log-rank test, 6MWD, Alb, and GNRI were significantly associated with all-cause mortality. Conclusion This is the first study, to our knowledge, to show that lower 6MWD scores were associated with all-cause mortality in older adults on PD, suggesting that objective exercise tolerance measures may be useful for the risk stratification of older adults undergoing PD. Although the results were obtained from a small sample size, this study has clinical significance because older adults on PD are rare. The 6MWD is a useful measurement that reflects exercise tolerance, has good reliability, has low cost, and is easily applicable. The results of this study support those of previous studies in other groups showing that 6MWD and nutritional status significantly predicted prognosis. Therefore, low exercise tolerance and malnutrition may represent an important therapeutic target in this population.

Previous reports have shown the benefits of intradialytic exercise to patients undergoing hemodialysis. However, most of those studies assessed the effects of exercise in middle-aged patients and little is known about advanced-age patients undergoing hemodialysis. Therefore, the present randomized controlled trial was performed to determine the effectiveness of exercise therapy in advanced-age patients undergoing hemodialysis. This non-blinded, randomized controlled parallel trial enrolled a total of 101 patients who were randomly assigned to intradialytic exercise (n = 51) or usual care (n = 50) groups. The training program included both resistance and aerobic exercises and was performed three times per week for 6 months. The aerobic exercise intensity was adjusted to a target Borg score of 13 for 20 minutes. Four types of resistance exercises were performed using elastic tubing, with three sets of 10 exercises performed at moderate intensity (13/20 on the Borg scale). The usual care group received standard care. Lower extremity muscle strength, Short Physical Performance Battery score, and 10-m walking speed were the outcomes and were evaluated before the hemodialysis session and after 6 months of training. There were statistically significant improvements in Short Physical Performance Battery score (effect size, 0.57; 95% confidence interval, 0.15‒1.95) in the exercise group relative to the control group. There were no statistically significant differences in lower extremity muscle strength or in the 10-m walking speed between the two groups. These findings suggest that 6 months of intradialytic training could improve physical function in older patients undergoing hemodialysis.

The aim of this study was to evaluate constants of the Karvonen (k) and heart rate reserve (HRR) (α) formulas that correspond to the anaerobic threshold (AT) to conveniently estimate the intensity of exercise therapy in nonbeta-blocked patients undergoing hemodialysis. Twenty-three patients undergoing hemodialysis performed cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX) and their HR at AT was measured. The predictor coefficients for a target HR corresponding to AT were calculated for each patient based on CPX. Interclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and Bland-Altman analysis were used to evaluate the reliability of the formulas. Mean values of coefficient k of the Karvonen formula and α of the HRR formula were 0.24 ± 0.11 and 17.4 ± 8, respectively. The target HR calculated with k = 0.24 and α = 17 had significant ICC between HR at AT (0.74 and 0.77, respectively; P

The present study investigated the sustained effect of exercise therapy discontinuation in patients under hemodialysis with low physical function. Seven subjects in the exercise group and eight in the control group who had low physical function (short physical performance battery; SPPB ≤ 9 points) were included in the study. The exercise group received 6 months of intradialytic exercise, followed by 6 months of observation. We assessed SPPB, grip strength, self-efficacy (SE), and exercise habits in both the groups before and after 12 months. There were statistically significant improvements in SPPB (effect size, 0.58; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.13-3.55) and SE (effect size, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.25-7.57) in the exercise group relative to the control group. The exercise group displayed more exercise habits than the control group at 12 months. A 6-month period of intradialytic exercise may contribute to the continuation of SPPB and SE after exercise discontinuation.