On Small Solute Clearance and Patient Outcomes: Evidential Practice or Observational Trepidation?

2009 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 623-629 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward Vonesh

Recent guidelines on peritoneal dialysis adequacy set a minimum target for small solute clearance at Kt/V urea 1.70. While evidence from both observational studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) supports such a minimum target, there continues to be debate over what role small solute clearance plays in determining patient outcome. Current ANZDATA Registry results from Australia and New Zealand add fuel to this debate by demonstrating a significant nonlinear U-shaped relationship between peritoneal small solute clearance and patient survival. The ANZDATA results indicate that patients with too low or too high peritoneal Kt/V urea may be at significant risk of death compared to those with a peritoneal Kt/V urea between 1.70 and 2.00. As these results are somewhat at odds with results from published RCTs, we will examine the level of evidence from the observational setting that is the ANZDATA Registry and contrast it against the level of evidence from RCTs, particularly the ADEMEX trial. New results from the ADEMEX study are presented as a possible explanation for the paradoxical U-shaped results seen in the ANZDATA study.

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 151-157
Author(s):  
Anna Lima ◽  
Joana Tavares ◽  
Nicole Pestana ◽  
Maria João Carvalho ◽  
António Cabrita ◽  
...  

In peritoneal dialysis (PD) (as well as in hemodialysis) small solute clearance measured as Kt/v urea has long been used as a surrogate of dialysis adequacy. A better urea clearance was initially thought to increase survival in dialysis patients (as shown in the CANUSA trial)(1), but  reanalysis of the data showed a superior contribution of residual renal function as a predictor of patient survival. Two randomized controlled trials (RCT)(2, 3)  supported this observation, demonstrating no survival benefit in patients with higher achieved Kt/v. Then guidelines were revised and a minimum Kt/v of 1,7/week was recommended but little emphasis was given to additional parameters of dialysis adequacy. As such, volume overload and sodium removal have gained major attention, since their optimization has been associated with decreased mortality in PD patients(4, 5). Inadequate sodium removal is associated with fluid overload which leads to ventricular hypertrophy and increased cardiovascular mortality(6). Individualized prescription is key for optimal sodium removal as there are differences between PD techniques (CAPD versus APD) and new strategies for sodium removal have emerged (low sodium solutions and adapted PD). In conclusion, future guidelines should address parameters associated with increased survival outcomes (sodium removal playing an important role) and abandon the current one fit all prescription model.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 232596712092832
Author(s):  
Shanshan Li ◽  
Qianjin Wu ◽  
Zichao Chen

Background: Studies have shown that preventive psychological interventions can reduce the occurrence of sports injuries. Purpose: To systematically evaluate the published literature on the effects of psychological interventions on rates of sports injuries and propose a set of psychological interventions to reduce such injuries. Study Design: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 1. Methods: A total of 11 randomized controlled trials and intervention control trials involving 1287 participants were included. A random-effects model was used to analyze the data. Pooled results were expressed as effect sizes and 95% CIs. Bias and heterogeneity among the studies were assessed, and sensitivity and subgroup analyses were performed. Results: Meta-analysis suggested that preventive psychological interventions effectively prevented the occurrence of sports injuries (effect size = –0.55; P < .001), although the studies showed substantial heterogeneity ( I 2 = 94.2%; P < .001), which could not be attributed to specific variables. Nevertheless, sensitivity analysis suggested that overall results were reliable. No significant risk of publication bias was found. Conclusion: Preventive psychological interventions moderately reduced the risk of sports injuries. Risk screening also significantly reduced the risk of sports injuries. These interventions should focus on cognitive behavior and be administered in 1 to 6 sessions over 7 to 12 weeks for 60 minutes per session.


2020 ◽  
pp. 089686082091152
Author(s):  
Arunraj Navaratnarajah ◽  
Michelle Clemenger ◽  
Jacqueline McGrory ◽  
Nora Hisole ◽  
Titus Chelapurath ◽  
...  

Background: Patient burnout is a major cause of technique failure on peritoneal dialysis (PD). Reducing the PD prescription on an individual basis, dependent upon residual kidney function (RKF), may have a role in prolonging time on PD by reducing dialysis burden. This retrospective study aimed to determine the safety and impact of flexible PD prescribing on technique and patient survival. Methods: All patients (186) from our centre starting PD from 1st January 2012 to 31st December 2016 were included. Data on dialysis prescription were collected for each patient from the time they had started PD, and dialysis adequacy measured regularly (3–6 monthly) using PD Adequest. Results: Median age at start of dialysis was 61 years. Only 49% started on PD 7 days a week and this dropped to 27% at 3 months following the first clearance test. Over 90% achieved creatinine clearance > 50 L/week/1.73 m2 up to 2 years of follow-up, with 87% achieving this standard at 3 years. Patient and technique survival at 1, 2 and 3 years were 91%, 81%, and 72%, and 89%, 87% and 78% respectively. Factors on univariate analysis affecting technique survival included increasing age (HR 0.98, p = 0.04, 95% CI (0.96–0.999)), two or more episodes of PD-associated peritonitis (HR 4.52, p = 0.00, 95% CI (1.87–10.91)) and increasing PD intensity (HR 3.30, p = 0.02, 95% CI (1.22–8.93)). After multivariate adjustment which included baseline kidney function, low PD intensity continued to be associated with better technique survival (HR 0.17, p = 0.03, 95% CI (0.03–0.85)). Conclusion: Tailoring the PD prescription to RKF enables days off dialysis while still maintaining recommended levels of small solute clearance. This approach reduces dialysis burden and is associated with higher technique survival.


VASA ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin Li ◽  
Giuseppe D’Amico ◽  
Cristiano Quintini ◽  
Teresa Diago Uso ◽  
Sameer Gadani ◽  
...  

Summary: Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) has been used extensively in coronary applications. Its use in venous applications has increased as endovascular therapy has increasingly become the mainstay therapy for central venous diseases. IVUS has been used for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in managing venous stenotic disease, venous occlusive disease, and IVC filter placement and removal. IVUS has been proven to be effective in providing detailed measurement of the venous anatomy, which aid in determining the appropriate size and the approach for venous stent placement. In IVC filter placement, IVUS can provide detailed measurement and guide IVC filter placement in emergent and critical care settings. It also has certain utility in filter removal. At any rate, to date there are only a few studies examining its impact on patient outcomes. Prospective randomized controlled trials are warranted in the future.


Author(s):  
William J. Jenner ◽  
Diana A. Gorog

AbstractA high incidence of thrombosis in hospitalised patients with COVID-19 was identified early during the pandemic. Accurately quantifying thrombotic risk may assist prognosis and guide appropriate thromboprophylaxis. Observational studies have estimated the rate of thrombosis in both hospitalised and non-hospitalised patients with COVID-19, and how this corresponds to the severity of illness. In this review, we provide an overview of the incidence and prevalence of arterial and venous thrombotic events in patients with COVID-19 and highlight the limitations in the studies to date. Asymptomatic individuals with COVID-19 and those with mild symptoms are at very low risk of thrombotic complications. However, rates of thrombosis are substantially increased in hospitalised patients, and are strikingly high in those patients who are critically-ill requiring treatment on the intensive care unit and especially those requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Clinicians managing such patients need to be aware of these risks and take appropriate steps with respect to thromboprophylaxis and heightened clinical vigilance. Large prospective observational studies will more accurately quantify thrombotic rate, and randomized controlled trials are currently investigating optimal thromboprophylactic strategies.


Author(s):  
Mei L. Law ◽  
Jatinder Singh ◽  
Mathilde Mastroianni ◽  
Paramala Santosh

AbstractProdromal symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have been detected within the first year of life. This review evaluated evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of parent-mediated interventions for infants under 24 months who are at risk for ASD. Electronic databases, including grey literature, were searched up till November 2019. Seven RCTs were identified. There was substantial heterogeneity in recruitment, outcome measures and effect size calculations. Interventions did not reduce the risk of later ASD diagnosis and post-intervention effects on infant outcomes were inconsistent, with five studies reporting significant improvements across both treatment and control groups. Moderate level of evidence of intervention effects on parental interaction skills and the small number of RCTs, and significant limitations restrict generalizability across studies.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Torsten Schlosshauer ◽  
Marcus Kiehlmann ◽  
Diana Jung ◽  
Robert Sader ◽  
Ulrich M Rieger

Abstract Background Post-bariatric patients present a surgical challenge within abdominoplasty because of residual obesity and major comorbidities. In this study, we analyzed complications following abdominoplasty in post-bariatric patients and evaluated potential risk factors associated with these complications. Objectives The authors sought to determine the complications and risk factors following abdominoplasty in post-bariatric patients. Methods A retrospective study of patients who underwent abdominoplasty was performed from January 2009 to December 2018 at our institution. Variables analyzed were sex, age, body mass index (BMI), smoking, surgical technique, operative time, resection weight, drain output, and complications. Results A total of 406 patients were included in this study (320 female and 86 male) with a mean age of 44.4 years and a BMI of 30.6 kg/m2. Abdominoplasty techniques consisted of traditional (64.3%), fleur-de-lis technique (27.3%), and panniculectomy without umbilical displacement (8.4%). Overall complications recorded were 41.9%, the majority of these being wound-healing problems (32%). Minor and major complications were found in 29.1% and 12.8% of patients, respectively. A BMI value of ≥30 kg/m2 was associated with an increased risk for wound-healing problems (P = 0.001). The frequency of total complications was significantly related to age (P = 0.007), BMI (P = 0.004), and resection weight (P = 0.001). Abdominoplasty technique tended to influence total complications. Conclusions This study demonstrates in a fairly large sample of post-bariatric patients (n = 406) that abdominoplasty alone can be performed safely, with an acceptable complication rate. Age, BMI, and resection weight are shown to be significant risk factors for total complications. The role of surgical technique needs to be evaluated further. Level of Evidence: 4


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 232596712198972
Author(s):  
Anis Jellad ◽  
Amine Kalai ◽  
Mohamed Guedria ◽  
Mahbouba Jguirim ◽  
Sana Elmhamdi ◽  
...  

Background: Active rehabilitation has an important role in the management of patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). Although some studies have shown the benefit of hip-muscle strengthening, the effect of combining hip-muscle stretching with strengthening has not yet been defined. Purpose: To evaluate the effect of combined strengthening of the hip external rotators and abductors and stretching of the hip internal rotators on pain and function in patients with PFPS. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: A total of 109 patients with PFPS (75 female and 34 male; mean age, 31.6 ± 10.8 years) were first randomly assigned to protocol A (n = 67) of the A-B arm (AB group; standard rehabilitation) or protocol B (n = 42) of the B-A arm (BA group; standard rehabilitation with strengthening of the hip external rotators and abductors and stretching of the hip internal rotators). Each protocol consisted of 3 sessions a week for 4 weeks. After a washout period, corresponding to a symptom-free period, rehabilitation programs were crossed over. A visual analog scale (VAS) evaluating perceived pain, the Functional Index Questionnaire (FIQ), and the Kujala score were administered at baseline, the end of each rehabilitation protocol, and 12 weeks after the completion of the second protocol for each group. Results: Until the final follow-up, VAS, FIQ, and Kujala scores were significantly improved in both the A-B and B-A arms ( P < .05 for all). Compared with protocol A, protocol B provided significant improvement in terms of pain and function in both the BA (VAS and Kujala; P < .001) and AB (VAS and Kujala; P < .001) groups. Conclusion: Combined strengthening of the hip abductors and external rotators with stretching of the hip internal rotators provided better outcomes, which were maintained for at least 12 weeks, in terms of pain and function in patients with PFPS.


2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (6_suppl) ◽  
pp. S39-S45
Author(s):  
Ram Pratap Beniwal ◽  
Priya Sreedaran ◽  
Uttara Chari ◽  
Ashok MV ◽  
Triptish Bhatia

Background: Persons with previous history of a suicide attempt are at increased future risk of death by suicide. These vulnerable individuals, however, do not seek receive or seek help from mental health services. Telephone-based psychosocial interventions are potential strategies in augmenting mental health care in such persons. Methods: We aim to compare the efficacy of telephone-based psychosocial interventions (TBPI) with routine telephone reminders in persons with recent suicide attempts using a multi-site, parallel group, rater-blind, two-arm randomized controlled trial design in 362 participants. In the first group, participants will receive three sessions of TBPI comprising of brief supportive interventions, problem-solving strategies, and reminders for adherence to prescribed mental health treatment at weekly intervals. In the second group, participants will receive three telephone reminders for adherence to prescribed mental health treatment at weekly intervals. We will follow up participants for 6 months. Primary outcomes are suicidal ideation scores on Beck’s Scale for Suicide Ideation and number of repeat suicide attempts. Secondary outcomes are scores on Beck’s Hopelessness Scale, Beck’s Depression Inventory, Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale and Visual Analogue Rating Scales for acceptability of interventions. Outcomes will be assessed at 1, 3, and 6 months after receiving telephone interventions or reminders. Results: The trial is currently underway after prospective registration under Clinical Trials Registry of India and has recruited 260 participants till August 15, 2020. Conclusion: This study has potential to generate evidence on additional strategies for use along with standard mental health treatments in management of high-risk suicide behaviors.


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