Professor of Medicine (Nephrology)

Publications

  • Estimated Effect of Parathyroidectomy on Long-Term Kidney Function in Adults With Primary Hyperparathyroidism ANNALS OF INTERNAL MEDICINE Seib, C. D., Ganesan, C., Tamura, M. 2023; 176 (11): eL230279

    View details for DOI 10.7326/L23-0279

    View details for Web of Science ID 001155935800007

    View details for PubMedID 37983793

  • Conservative Care for Kidney Failure-The Other Side of the Coin. JAMA network open Liu, C. K., Kurella Tamura, M. 2022; 5 (3): e222252

    View details for DOI 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.2252

    View details for PubMedID 35285925

  • National Estimates of CKD Prevalence and Potential Impact of Estimating Glomerular Filtration Rate Without Race. Journal of the American Society of Nephrology : JASN Duggal, V., Thomas, I., Montez-Rath, M. E., Chertow, G. M., Kurella Tamura, M. 2021

    Abstract

    BACKGROUND: The implications of removing the adjustment for Black race in equations to eGFR on the prevalence of CKD and management strategies are incompletely understood.METHODS: We estimated changes in CKD prevalence and the potential effect on therapeutic drug prescriptions and prediction of kidney failure if race adjustment were removed from the CKD-EPI GFR estimating equation. We used cross-sectional and longitudinal data from adults aged ≥18 years in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2015 to 2016, and the Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Care System in 2015. In the VA cohort, we assessed use of common medications that require dose adjustment on the basis of kidney function, and compared the prognostic accuracy of the Kidney Failure Risk Equation with versus without race adjustment of eGFR.RESULTS: The prevalence of CKD among Black adults increased from 5.2% to 10.6% in NHANES, and from 12.4% to 21.6% in the VA cohort after eliminating race adjustment. Among Black veterans, 41.0% of gabapentin users, 33.5% of ciprofloxacin users, 24.0% of metformin users, 6.9% of atenolol users, 6.6% of rosuvastatin users, and 5.8% of tramadol users were reclassified to a lower eGFR for which dose adjustment or discontinuation is recommended. Without race adjustment of eGFR, discrimination of the Kidney Failure Risk Equation among Black adults remained high and calibration was marginally improved overall, with better calibration at higher levels of predicted risk.CONCLUSIONS: Removal of race adjustment from CKD-EPI eGFR would double the estimated prevalence of CKD among Black adults in the United States. Such a change is likely to affect a sizeable number of drug-dosing decisions. It may also improve the accuracy of kidney failure risk prediction among higher-risk Black adults.

    View details for DOI 10.1681/ASN.2020121780

    View details for PubMedID 33958490

  • Facility-Level Variation in Dialysis Use and Mortality Among Older Veterans With Incident Kidney Failure. JAMA network open Bradshaw, C. n., Thomas, I. C., Montez-Rath, M. E., Lorenz, K. A., Asch, S. M., Leppert, J. T., Wang, V. n., O'Hare, A. M., Kurella Tamura, M. n. 2021; 4 (1): e2034084

    Abstract

    Current guidelines lack consensus regarding the treatment of patients who may not benefit from dialysis; this lack of consensus may be associated with the substantial variation in dialysis use and outcomes across health care facilities.To assess the degree to which variation in dialysis use and mortality was associated with patient rather than facility characteristics and to distinguish which features identified the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities with high rates of dialysis use.This cohort study analyzed data of veterans with stage 3 or 4 chronic kidney disease that progressed to kidney failure between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2014. These patients received care from VA facilities across the US. Data sources included laboratory and administrative records from the VA, Medicare, and United States Renal Data System. Data analysis was conducted from August 1, 2019, to September 1, 2020.The primary exposure was the VA facility in which patients received most of their care before the onset of incident kidney failure defined as the first occurrence of either a sustained estimated glomerular filtration rate of less than 15 mL/min/1.73 m2 or the initiation of maintenance dialysis.The primary outcomes were dialysis use and mortality within 2 years of incident kidney failure. Median rate ratio was used to quantify facility-level variation, and variance partition coefficient was used to quantify the sources of unexplained variation.The cohort included 8695 older veterans with a mean (SD) age of 78.8 (7.5) years who were predominantly male (8573 [99%]) and White (6102 [70%]) individuals treated at 108 VA facilities. The observed frequency of dialysis use across facilities ranged from 25.0% to 81.4%, with a median (interquartile range [IQR]) rate of 51.7% (48.4%-60.0%). The observed frequency of mortality across facilities ranged from 27.2% to 60.0%, with a median (IQR) rate of 45.2% (41.2%-48.6%). The median rate ratio (adjusted for multiple patient and facility characteristics) was 1.40 for dialysis use and 1.08 for mortality. The unexplained variation in both outcomes mainly derived from patient characteristics rather than facility characteristics. No correlation was found between dialysis use and mortality at the facility level (correlation coefficient = 0.03).This study found sizable variation in dialysis use for older adults that was poorly correlated with facility-level mortality rates and was not accounted for by differences in measured patient and facility characteristics. These findings suggest opportunities to improve the degree to which dialysis use practices align with the values, goals, and preferences of older adults with kidney failure.

    View details for DOI 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.34084

    View details for PubMedID 33449098

  • Kidney Disease, Intensive Hypertension Treatment, and Risk for Dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment: The Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF NEPHROLOGY Kurella Tamura, M., Gaussoin, S. A., Pajewski, N. M., Chelune, G. J., Freedman, B. I., Gure, T. R., Haley, W. E., Killeen, A. A., Oparil, S., Rapp, S. R., Rifkin, D. E., Supiano, M., Williamson, J. D., Weiner, D. E. 2020; 31 (9): 2122-2132

    Abstract

    Intensively treating hypertension may benefit cardiovascular disease and cognitive function, but at the short-term expense of reduced kidney function.We investigated markers of kidney function and the effect of intensive hypertension treatment on incidence of dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in 9361 participants in the randomized Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial, which compared intensive versus standard systolic BP lowering (targeting <120 mm Hg versus <140 mm Hg, respectively). We categorized participants according to baseline and longitudinal changes in eGFR and urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio. Primary outcomes were occurrence of adjudicated probable dementia and MCI.Among 8563 participants who completed at least one cognitive assessment during follow-up (median 5.1 years), probable dementia occurred in 325 (3.8%) and MCI in 640 (7.6%) participants. In multivariable adjusted analyses, there was no significant association between baseline eGFR <60 ml/min per 1.73 m2 and risk for dementia or MCI. In time-varying analyses, eGFR decline ≥30% was associated with a higher risk for probable dementia. Incident eGFR <60 ml/min per 1.73 m2 was associated with a higher risk for MCI and a composite of dementia or MCI. Although these kidney events occurred more frequently in the intensive treatment group, there was no evidence that they modified or attenuated the effect of intensive treatment on dementia and MCI incidence. Baseline and incident urinary ACR ≥30 mg/g were not associated with probable dementia or MCI, nor did the urinary ACR modify the effect of intensive treatment on cognitive outcomes.Among hypertensive adults, declining kidney function measured by eGFR is associated with increased risk for probable dementia and MCI, independent of the intensity of hypertension treatment.

    View details for DOI 10.1681/ASN.2020010038

    View details for Web of Science ID 000571810200015

    View details for PubMedID 32591439

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC7461687

  • Dialysis Initiation and Mortality Among Older Veterans With Kidney Failure Treated in Medicare vs the Department of Veterans Affairs JAMA INTERNAL MEDICINE Tamura, M., Thomas, I., Montez-Rath, M. E., Kapphahn, K., Desai, M., Gale, R. C., Asch, S. M. 2018; 178 (5): 657–64

    Abstract

    The benefits of maintenance dialysis for older adults with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are uncertain. Whether the setting of pre-ESRD nephrology care influences initiation of dialysis and mortality is not known.To compare initiation of dialysis and mortality among older veterans with incident kidney failure who received pre-ESRD nephrology care in fee-for-service Medicare vs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).Retrospective cohort study of patients from the US Medicare and VA health care systems evaluated 11 215 veterans aged 67 years or older with incident kidney failure between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2011. Data analysis was performed March 15, 2016, through September 20, 2017.Pre-ESRD nephrology care in Medicare vs VA health care systems.Dialysis treatment and death within 2 years.Of the 11 215 patients included in the study, 11 085 (98.8%) were men; mean (SD) age was 79.1 (6.9) years. Within 2 years of incident kidney failure, 7071 (63.0%) of the patients started dialysis and 5280 (47.1%) died. Patients who received pre-ESRD nephrology care in Medicare were more likely to undergo dialysis compared with patients who received pre-ESRD nephrology care in VA (82% vs 53%; adjusted risk difference, 28 percentage points; 95% CI, 26-30 percentage points). Differences in dialysis initiation between Medicare and VA were more pronounced among patients aged 80 years or older and patients with dementia or metastatic cancer, and less pronounced among patients with paralysis (P < .05 for interaction). Two-year mortality was higher for patients who received pre-ESRD care in Medicare compared with VA (53% vs 44%; adjusted risk difference, 5 percentage points; 95% CI, 3-7 percentage points). The findings were similar in a propensity-matched analysis.Veterans who receive pre-ESRD nephrology care in Medicare receive dialysis more often yet are also more likely to die within 2 years compared with those in VA. The VA's integrated health care system and financing appear to favor lower-intensity treatment for kidney failure in older patients without a concomitant increase in mortality.

    View details for PubMedID 29630695

  • Optimizing renal replacement therapy in older adults: a framework for making individualized decisions KIDNEY INTERNATIONAL Tamura, M. K., Tan, J. C., O'Hare, A. M. 2012; 82 (3): 261-269

    Abstract

    It is often difficult to synthesize information about the risks and benefits of recommended management strategies in older patients with end-stage renal disease since they may have more comorbidity and lower life expectancy than patients described in clinical trials or practice guidelines. In this review, we outline a framework for individualizing end-stage renal disease management decisions in older patients. The framework considers three factors: life expectancy, the risks and benefits of competing treatment strategies, and patient preferences. We illustrate the use of this framework by applying it to three key end-stage renal disease decisions in older patients with varying life expectancy: choice of dialysis modality, choice of vascular access for hemodialysis, and referral for kidney transplantation. In several instances, this approach might provide support for treatment decisions that directly contradict available practice guidelines, illustrating circumstances when strict application of guidelines may be inappropriate for certain patients. By combining quantitative estimates of benefits and harms with qualitative assessments of patient preferences, clinicians may be better able to tailor treatment recommendations to individual older patients, thereby improving the overall quality of end-stage renal disease care.

    View details for DOI 10.1038/ki.2011.384

    View details for Web of Science ID 000306370500005

    View details for PubMedID 22089945

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC3396777

  • Regional Variation in Health Care Intensity and Treatment Practices for End-stage Renal Disease in Older Adults JAMA-JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION O'Hare, A. M., Rodriguez, R. A., Hailpern, S. M., Larson, E. B., Tamura, M. K. 2010; 304 (2): 180-186

    Abstract

    An increasing number of older adults are being treated for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) with long-term dialysis.To determine how ESRD treatment practices for older adults vary across regions with differing end-of-life intensity of care.Retrospective observational study using a national ESRD registry to identify a cohort of 41,420 adults (of white or black race), aged 65 years or older, who started long-term dialysis or received a kidney transplant between June 1, 2005, and May 31, 2006. Regional end-of-life intensity of care was defined using an index from the Dartmouth Atlas of Healthcare.Incidence of treated ESRD (dialysis or transplant), preparedness for ESRD (under the care of a nephrologist, having a fistula [vs graft or catheter] at time of hemodialysis initiation), and end-of-life care practices.Among whites, the incidence of ESRD was progressively higher in regions with greater intensity of care and this trend was most pronounced at older ages. Among blacks, a similar relationship was present only at advanced ages (men aged > or = 80 years and women aged > or = 85 years). Patients living in regions in the highest compared with lowest quintile of end-of-life intensity of care were less likely to be under the care of a nephrologist before the onset of ESRD (62.3% [95% confidence interval {CI}, 61.3%-63.3%] vs 71.1% [95% CI, 69.9%-72.2%], respectively) and less likely to have a fistula (vs graft or catheter) at the time of hemodialysis initiation (11.2% [95% CI, 10.6%-11.8%] vs 16.9% [95% CI, 15.9%-17.8%]). Among patients who died within 2 years of ESRD onset (n = 21,190), those living in regions in the highest compared with lowest quintile of end-of-life intensity of care were less likely to have discontinued dialysis before death (22.2% [95% CI, 21.1%-23.4%] vs 44.3% [95% CI, 42.5%-46.1%], respectively), less likely to have received hospice care (20.7% [95% CI, 19.5%-21.9%] vs 33.5% [95% CI, 31.7%-35.4%]), and more likely to have died in the hospital (67.8% [95% CI, 66.5%-69.1%] vs 50.3% [95% CI, 48.5%-52.1%]). These differences persisted in adjusted analyses.There are pronounced regional differences in treatment practices for ESRD in older adults that are not explained by differences in patient characteristics.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000279811000024

    View details for PubMedID 20628131

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC3477643

  • Functional Status of Elderly Adults before and after Initiation of Dialysis NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE Tamura, M. K., Covinsky, K. E., Chertow, G. M., Yaffe, K., Landefeld, C. S., McCulloch, C. E. 2009; 361 (16): 1539-1547

    Abstract

    It is unclear whether functional status before dialysis is maintained after the initiation of this therapy in elderly patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD).Using a national registry of patients undergoing dialysis, which was linked to a national registry of nursing home residents, we identified all 3702 nursing home residents in the United States who were starting treatment with dialysis between June 1998 and October 2000 and for whom at least one measurement of functional status was available before the initiation of dialysis. Functional status was measured by assessing the degree of dependence in seven activities of daily living (on the Minimum Data Set-Activities of Daily Living [MDS-ADL] scale of 0 to 28 points, with higher scores indicating greater functional difficulty).The median MDS-ADL score increased from 12 during the 3 months before the initiation of dialysis to 16 during the 3 months after the initiation of dialysis. Three months after the initiation of dialysis, functional status had been maintained in 39% of nursing home residents, but by 12 months after the initiation of dialysis, 58% had died and predialysis functional status had been maintained in only 13%. In a random-effects model, the initiation of dialysis was associated with a sharp decline in functional status, indicated by an increase of 2.8 points in the MDS-ADL score (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.5 to 3.0); this decline was independent of age, sex, race, and functional-status trajectory before the initiation of dialysis. The decline in functional status associated with the initiation of dialysis remained substantial (1.7 points; 95% CI, 1.4 to 2.1), even after adjustment for the presence or absence of an accelerated functional decline during the 3-month period before the initiation of dialysis.Among nursing home residents with ESRD, the initiation of dialysis is associated with a substantial and sustained decline in functional status.

    View details for PubMedID 19828531

  • Octogenarians and nonagenarians starting dialysis in the United States ANNALS OF INTERNAL MEDICINE Kurella, M., Covinsky, K. E., Collins, A. J., Chertow, G. M. 2007; 146 (3): 177-183

    Abstract

    The elderly constitute the fastest-growing segment of the end-stage renal disease (ESRD) population, but the epidemiology and outcomes of dialysis among the very elderly, that is, those 80 years of age and older, have not been previously examined at a national level.To describe recent trends in the incidence and outcomes of octogenarians and nonagenarians starting dialysis.Observational study.U.S. Renal Data System, a comprehensive, national registry of patients with ESRD.Octogenarians and nonagenarians initiating dialysis between 1996 and 2003.Rates of dialysis initiation and survival.The number of octogenarians and nonagenarians starting dialysis increased from 7054 persons in 1996 to 13,577 persons in 2003, corresponding to an average annual increase in dialysis initiation of 9.8%. After we accounted for population growth, the rate of dialysis initiation increased by 57% (rate ratio, 1.57 [95% CI, 1.53 to 1.62]) between 1996 and 2003. One-year mortality for octogenarians and nonagenarians after dialysis initiation was 46%. Compared with octogenarians and nonagenarians initiating dialysis in 1996, those starting dialysis in 2003 had a higher glomerular filtration rate and less morbidity related to chronic kidney disease but no difference in 1-year survival. Clinical characteristics strongly associated with death were older age, nonambulatory status, and more comorbid conditions.Survival of patients with incident ESRD who did not begin dialysis could not be assessed.The number of octogenarians and nonagenarians initiating dialysis has increased considerably over the past decade, while overall survival for patients on dialysis remains modest. Estimates of prognosis based on patient characteristics, when considered in conjunction with individual values and preferences, may aid in dialysis decision making for the very elderly.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000243957400003

    View details for PubMedID 17283348

  • Building the Evidence for Advance Care Planning for Patients Receiving Dialysis. JAMA network open Kurella Tamura, M., Holdsworth, L. M. 2024; 7 (1): e2352415

    View details for DOI 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.52415

    View details for PubMedID 38289607

  • "Diving in the deep-end and swimming": a mixed methods study using normalization process theory to evaluate a learning collaborative approach for the implementation of palliative care practices in hemodialysis centers. BMC health services research Holdsworth, L. M., Stedman, M., Gustafsson, E. S., Han, J., Asch, S. M., Harbert, G., Lorenz, K. A., Lupu, D. E., Malcolm, E., Moss, A. H., Nicklas, A., Tamura, M. K. 2023; 23 (1): 1384

    Abstract

    Normalization Process Theory (NPT) is an implementation theory that can be used to explain how and why implementation strategies work or not in particular circumstances. We used it to understand the mechanisms that lead to the adoption and routinization of palliative care within hemodialysis centers.We employed a longitudinal, mixed methods approach to comprehensively evaluate the implementation of palliative care practices among ten hemodialysis centers participating in an Institute for Healthcare Improvement Breakthrough- Series learning collaborative. Qualitative methods included longitudinal observations of collaborative activities, and interviews with implementers at the end of the study. We used an inductive and deductive approach to thematic analysis informed by NPT constructs (coherence, cognitive participation, collective action, reflexive monitoring) and implementation outcomes. The NoMAD survey, which measures NPT constructs, was completed by implementers at each hemodialysis center during early and late implementation.The four mechanisms posited in NPT had a dynamic and layered relationship during the implementation process. Collaborative participants participated because they believed in the value and legitimacy of palliative care for patients receiving hemodialysis and thus had high levels of cognitive participation at the start. Didactic Learning Sessions were important for building practice coherence, and sense-making was solidified through testing new skills in practice and first-hand observation during coaching visits by an expert. Collective action was hampered by limited time among team members and practical issues such as arranging meetings with patients. Reflexive monitoring of the positive benefit to patient and family experiences was key in shifting mindsets from disease-centric towards a patient-centered model of care. NoMAD survey scores showed modest improvement over time, with collective action having the lowest scores.NPT was a useful framework for understanding the implementation of palliative care practices within hemodialysis centers. We found a nonlinear relationship among the mechanisms which is reflected in our model of implementation of palliative care practices through a learning collaborative. These findings suggest that the implementation of complex practices such as palliative care may be more successful through iterative learning and practice opportunities as the mechanisms for change are layered and mutually reinforcing.ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04125537 . Registered 14 October 2019 - Retrospectively registered.

    View details for DOI 10.1186/s12913-023-10360-7

    View details for PubMedID 38082293

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC10712060

  • Heterogeneous Treatment Effects of Intensive Glycemic Control on Kidney Microvascular Outcomes and Mortality in ACCORD. Journal of the American Society of Nephrology : JASN Charu, V., Liang, J. W., Chertow, G. M., Li, J., Montez-Rath, M. E., Geldsetzer, P., de Boer, I. H., Tian, L., Tamura, M. K. 2023

    Abstract

    Clear criteria to individualize glycemic targets in patients with type II diabetes are lacking. In this post-hoc analysis of the Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes trial (ACCORD), we evaluate whether the kidney failure risk equation (KFRE) can identify patients for whom intensive glycemic control confers more benefit in preventing kidney microvascular outcomes.We divided the ACCORD trial population into quartiles based on 5-year kidney failure risk using the KFRE. We estimated conditional treatment effects within each quartile and compared them to the average treatment effect in the trial. The treatment effects of interest were the 7-year restricted-mean-survival-time (RMST) differences between intensive and standard glycemic control arms on (1) time-to-first development of severely elevated albuminuria or kidney failure and (2) all-cause mortality.We found evidence that the effect of intensive glycemic control on kidney microvascular outcomes and all-cause mortality varies with baseline risk of kidney failure. Patients with elevated baseline risk of kidney failure derived the most from intensive glycemic control in reducing kidney microvascular outcomes (7-year RMST difference of 114.8 (95% CI 58.1, 176.4)v. 48.4 (25.3, 69.6) days in the entire trial population) However, this same patient group also experienced a shorter time to death (7-year RMST difference of -56.7 (-100.2, -17.5) v. -23.6 (-42.2, -6.6)days).We found evidence of heterogenous treatment effects of intensive glycemic control on kidney microvascular outcomes in ACCORD as a function of predicted baseline risk of kidney failure. Patients with higher kidney failure risk experienced the most pronounced reduction in kidney microvascular outcomes but also experienced the highest risk of all-cause mortality.

    View details for DOI 10.1681/ASN.0000000000000272

    View details for PubMedID 38073026

  • Estimated Effect of Parathyroidectomy on Long-Term Kidney Function in Adults With Primary Hyperparathyroidism. Annals of internal medicine Seib, C. D., Ganesan, C., Tamura, M. K. 2023; 176 (11): eL230280

    View details for DOI 10.7326/L23-0280

    View details for PubMedID 37983791

  • Treatment and Control of Hypertension Among Adults With Chronic Kidney Disease, 2011 to 2019. Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. : 1979) Martinez, J. D., Thomas, I. C., Montez-Rath, M. E., Pao, A. C., Fung, E., Charu, V., Sim, J. J., An, J., Odden, M. C., Kurella Tamura, M. 2023

    Abstract

    Hypertension frequently accompanies chronic kidney disease (CKD) as etiology and sequela. We examined contemporary trends in hypertension treatment and control in a national sample of adults with CKD.We evaluated 5% cross-sectional samples of adults with CKD between 2011 and 2019 in the Veterans Health Administration. We defined CKD as a sustained estimated glomerular filtration rate value <60 mL/min per 1.73 m2 or a urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio ≥30 mg/g. The main outcomes were blood pressure (BP) control, defined as a systolic BP <140 mm Hg and a diastolic BP <90 mm Hg based on the mean of monthly BP measurements, and prescriptions for antihypertensive medications.The annual samples ranged between n=22 110 and n=33 039 individuals, with a mean age of 72 years, 96% of whom were male. Between 2011 and 2014, the age-adjusted proportion of adults with controlled BP declined from 78.0% to 72.2% (P value for linear trend, <0.001), reached a nadir of 71.0% in 2015, and then increased to 72.9% by 2019 (P value for linear trend, <0.001). Among adults with BP above goal, the age-adjusted proportion who did not receive antihypertensive treatment increased throughout the decade from 18.8% to 21.6%, and the age-adjusted proportion who received ≥3 antihypertensive medications decreased from 41.8% to 36.3%. Prescriptions for first-line antihypertensive agents also decreased.Among adults with CKD treated in the Veterans Health Administration, the proportion with controlled BP declined between 2011 and 2015 followed by a modest increase, coinciding with fewer prescriptions for antihypertensive medications.

    View details for DOI 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.123.21523

    View details for PubMedID 37706307

  • Using Restricted Mean Survival Time to Improve Interpretability of Time-to-Event Data Analysis. Clinical journal of the American Society of Nephrology : CJASN Charu, V., Tian, L., Kurella-Tamura, M., Montez-Rath, M. E. 2023

    View details for DOI 10.2215/CJN.0000000000000323

    View details for PubMedID 37707829

  • Using Relative Survival to Estimate the Burden of Kidney Failure. American journal of kidney diseases : the official journal of the National Kidney Foundation Stedman, M. R., Tamura, M. K., Chertow, G. M. 2023

    Abstract

    Estimates of mortality from kidney failure are misleading because the mortality from kidney failure is inseparable from the mortality attributed to comorbid conditions. We sought to develop an alternative method to reduce the bias in estimating mortality due to kidney failure using life table methods.Longitudinal cohort study.Using data from the United States Renal Data System and the Medicare 5% sample, we identified an incident cohort of patients, age 66+, who first had kidney failure in 2009 and a similar general population cohort without kidney failure.Kidney failure.Death.We created comorbidity, age, sex, race, and year-specific life tables to estimate relative survival of patients with incident kidney failure and to attain an estimate of excess kidney failure-related deaths. Estimates were compared with those based on standard life tables (not adjusted for comorbidity).The analysis included 31,944 adults with kidney failure with a mean age of 77 +/- 7 years. 5-year relative survival was 31% using standard life tables (adjusted for age, sex, race, and year) versus 36% using life tables also adjusted for comorbidities. Compared with other chronic diseases, patients with kidney failure have among the lowest relative survival. Patients with incident kidney failure ages 66-70 and 76-80 have a survival comparable to adults without kidney failure roughly 86-90 and 91-95 years old, respectively.Relative survival estimates can be improved by narrowing the specificity of the covariates collected, (e.g. disease severity and ethnicity).Estimates of survival relative to a matched general population partition the mortality due to kidney failure from other causes of death. Results highlight the immense burden of kidney failure on mortality and the importance of disease prevention efforts among older adults.

    View details for DOI 10.1053/j.ajkd.2023.05.015

    View details for PubMedID 37678740

  • INAPPROPRIATE OPIOID PRESCRIBING AMONG VETERANS WITH KIDNEY DISEASE Ma, J., Garcia, A., Black, A. C., Giannitrapani, K., Boothroyd, D., Tamura, M. K., Thomas, I., Midboe, A., Troszak, L. K., Zhang, S., Bozkurt, S., Check, D., Merlin, J. S., Bowling, B., Becker, W., Karl, L. SPRINGER. 2023: S343
  • Addressing Racial Injustice, Developing Cultural Humility, and Fostering Rapport-Building Communication Skills to Improve Disparities in End-of-Life Planning. Journal of pain and symptom management Saeed, F., Eneanya, A., Allen, R. J., Tamura, M. K., Fiscella, K. A. 2023

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2023.05.019

    View details for PubMedID 37355055

  • Heterogeneous treatment effects of intensive glycemic control on kidney microvascular outcomes in ACCORD. medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences Charu, V., Liang, J. W., Chertow, G. M., Li, Z. J., Montez-Rath, M. E., Geldsetzer, P., de Boer, I. H., Tian, L., Tamura, M. K. 2023

    Abstract

    Objective: Clear criteria to individualize glycemic targets are lacking. In this post-hoc analysis of the Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes trial (ACCORD), we evaluate whether the kidney failure risk equation (KFRE) can identify patients who disproportionately benefit from intensive glycemic control on kidney microvascular outcomes.Research design and methods: We divided the ACCORD trial population in quartiles based on 5-year kidney failure risk using the KFRE. We estimated conditional treatment effects within each quartile and compared them to the average treatment effect in the trial. The treatment effects of interest were the 7-year restricted-mean-survival-time (RMST) differences between intensive and standard glycemic control arms on (1) time-to-first development of severely elevated albuminuria or kidney failure and (2) all-cause mortality.Results: We found evidence that the effect of intensive glycemic control on kidney microvascular outcomes and all-cause mortality varies with baseline risk of kidney failure. Patients with elevated baseline risk of kidney failure benefitted the most from intensive glycemic control on kidney microvascular outcomes (7-year RMST difference of 115 v. 48 days in the entire trial population) However, this same patient group also experienced shorter times to death (7-year RMST difference of -57 v. -24 days).Conclusions: We found evidence of heterogenous treatment effects of intensive glycemic control on kidney microvascular outcomes in ACCORD as a function of predicted baseline risk of kidney failure. Patients with higher kidney failure risk experienced the most pronounced benefits of treatment on kidney microvascular outcomes but also experienced the highest risk of all-cause mortality.

    View details for DOI 10.1101/2023.06.14.23291396

    View details for PubMedID 37398349

  • Blood Pressure, Incident Cognitive Impairment, and Severity of CKD: Findings From the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) Study. American journal of kidney diseases : the official journal of the National Kidney Foundation Babroudi, S., Tighiouart, H., Schrauben, S. J., Cohen, J. B., Fischer, M. J., Rahman, M., Hsu, C. Y., Sozio, S. M., Weir, M., Sarnak, M., Yaffe, K., Tamura, M. K., Drew, D. 2023

    Abstract

    Hypertension is a known risk factor for dementia and cognitive impairment. There are limited data on the relation of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) with incident cognitive impairment in adults with chronic kidney disease. We sought to identify and characterize the relationship among blood pressure, cognitive impairment, and severity of decreased kidney function in adults with chronic kidney disease.Longitudinal Cohort study.3,768 participants in the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) Study.Baseline SBP and DBP were examined as exposure variables, using continuous (linear, per 10-mm Hg higher), categorical (SBP <120 (reference), 120 to 140, >140 mm Hg; DBP <70 (reference), 70 to 80, >80 mm Hg) and non-linear terms (splines).Incident cognitive impairment defined as a decline in modified mini-mental state exam (3MS) score to greater than 1 standard deviation (SD) below the cohort mean.Cox proportional hazard models adjusted for demographics as well as kidney disease and cardiovascular disease risk factors.The mean (SD) age of participants was 58 (11) years, eGFR was 44 mL/min/1.73m2 (15) and the median (IQR) follow-up time was 11 (7, 13) years. In 3,048 participants without cognitive impairment at baseline and with at least one follow-up 3MS test, higher baseline SBP was significantly associated with incident cognitive impairment only in the eGFR >45 mL/min/1.73m2 subgroup [adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) 1.13, 95% CI 1.05-1.22 per 10-mm Hg higher SBP]. Spline analyses, aimed at exploring non-linearity, showed that the relationship between baseline SBP and incident cognitive impairment was J-shaped and significant only in the eGFR >45 mL/min/1.73m2 subgroup (p=0.02). Baseline DBP was not associated with incident cognitive impairment in any analyses.3MS test as the primary measure of cognitive function.Among patients with chronic kidney disease, higher baseline SBP was associated with higher risk of incident cognitive impairment specifically in those individuals with eGFR >45 ml/min/1.73m2.

    View details for DOI 10.1053/j.ajkd.2023.03.012

    View details for PubMedID 37245689

  • Intensive Blood Pressure Management Preserves Functional Connectivity in Patients with Hypertension from the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Randomized Trial. AJNR. American journal of neuroradiology Shah, C., Srinivasan, D., Erus, G., Kurella Tamura, M., Habes, M., Detre, J. A., Haley, W. E., Lerner, A. J., Wright, C. B., Wright, J. T., Oparil, S., Kritchevsky, S. B., Punzi, H. A., Rastogi, A., Malhotra, R., Still, C. H., Williamson, J. D., Bryan, R. N., Fan, Y., Nasrallah, I. M. 2023

    Abstract

    The Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention (SPRINT) randomized trial demonstrated that intensive blood pressure management resulted in slower progression of cerebral white matter hyperintensities, compared with standard therapy. We assessed longitudinal changes in brain functional connectivity to determine whether intensive treatment results in less decline in functional connectivity and how changes in brain functional connectivity relate to changes in brain structure.Five hundred forty-eight participants completed longitudinal brain MR imaging, including resting-state fMRI, during a median follow-up of 3.84 years. Functional brain networks were identified using independent component analysis, and a mean connectivity score was calculated for each network. Longitudinal changes in mean connectivity score were compared between treatment groups using a 2-sample t test, followed by a voxelwise t test. In the full cohort, adjusted linear regression analysis was performed between changes in the mean connectivity score and changes in structural MR imaging metrics.Four hundred six participants had longitudinal imaging that passed quality control. The auditory-salience-language network demonstrated a significantly larger decline in the mean connectivity score in the standard treatment group relative to the intensive treatment group (P = .014), with regions of significant difference between treatment groups in the cingulate and right temporal/insular regions. There was no treatment group difference in other networks. Longitudinal changes in mean connectivity score of the default mode network but not the auditory-salience-language network demonstrated a significant correlation with longitudinal changes in white matter hyperintensities (P = .013).Intensive treatment was associated with preservation of functional connectivity of the auditory-salience-language network, while mean network connectivity in other networks was not significantly different between intensive and standard therapy. A longitudinal increase in the white matter hyperintensity burden is associated with a decline in mean connectivity of the default mode network.

    View details for DOI 10.3174/ajnr.A7852

    View details for PubMedID 37105682

  • Estimated Effect of Parathyroidectomy on Long-Term Kidney Function in Adults With Primary Hyperparathyroidism. Annals of internal medicine Seib, C. D., Ganesan, C., Furst, A., Pao, A. C., Chertow, G. M., Leppert, J. T., Suh, I., Montez-Rath, M. E., Harris, A. H., Trickey, A. W., Kebebew, E., Tamura, M. K. 2023

    Abstract

    BACKGROUND: Multidisciplinary guidelines recommend parathyroidectomy to slow the progression of chronic kidney disease in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) and an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) less than 60mL/min/1.73 m2. Limited data address the effect of parathyroidectomy on long-term kidney function.OBJECTIVE: To compare the incidence of a sustained decline in eGFR of at least 50% among patients with PHPT treated with parathyroidectomy versus nonoperative management.DESIGN: Target trial emulation was done using observational data from adults with PHPT, using an extended Cox model with time-varying inverse probability weighting.SETTING: Veterans Health Administration.PATIENTS: Patients with a new biochemical diagnosis of PHPT in 2000 to 2019.MEASUREMENTS: Sustained decline of at least 50% from pretreatment eGFR.RESULTS: Among 43697 patients with PHPT (mean age, 66.8years), 2928 (6.7%) had a decline of at least 50% in eGFR over a median follow-up of 4.9years. The weighted cumulative incidence of eGFR decline was 5.1% at 5years and 10.8% at 10 years in patients managed with parathyroidectomy, compared with 5.1% and 12.0%, respectively, in those managed nonoperatively. The adjusted hazard of eGFR decline did not differ between parathyroidectomy and nonoperative management (hazard ratio [HR], 0.98 [95% CI, 0.82 to 1.16]). Subgroup analyses found no heterogeneity of treatment effect based on pretreatment kidney function. Parathyroidectomy was associated with a reduced hazard of the primary outcome among patients younger than 60years (HR, 0.75 [CI, 0.59 to 0.93]) that was not evident among those aged 60years or older (HR, 1.08 [CI, 0.87 to 1.34]).LIMITATION: Analyses were done in a predominantly male cohort using observational data.CONCLUSION: Parathyroidectomy had no effect on long-term kidney function in older adults with PHPT. Potential benefits related to kidney function should not be the primary consideration for PHPT treatment decisions.PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: National Institute on Aging.

    View details for DOI 10.7326/M22-2222

    View details for PubMedID 37037034

  • Value Placed on Comfort vs Life Prolongation Among Patients Treated With Maintenance Dialysis. JAMA internal medicine Wong, S. P., Prince, D. K., Kurella Tamura, M., Hall, Y. N., Butler, C. R., Engelberg, R. A., Vig, E. K., Curtis, J. R., O'Hare, A. M. 2023

    Abstract

    Patients receiving maintenance dialysis experience intensive patterns of end-of-life care that might not be consistent with their values.To evaluate the association of patients' health care values with engagement in advance care planning and end-of-life care.Survey study of patients who received maintenance dialysis between 2015 and 2018 at dialysis centers in the greater metropolitan areas of Seattle, Washington, and Nashville, Tennessee, with longitudinal follow-up of decedents. Logistic regression models were used to estimate probabilities. Data analysis was conducted between May and October 2022.A survey question about the value that the participant would place on longevity-focused vs comfort-focused care if they were to become seriously ill.Self-reported engagement in advance care planning and care received near the end of life through 2020 using linked kidney registry data and Medicare claims.Of 933 patients (mean [SD] age, 62.6 [14.0] years; 525 male patients [56.3%]; 254 [27.2%] identified as Black) who responded to the question about values and could be linked to registry data (65.2% response rate [933 of 1431 eligible patients]), 452 (48.4%) indicated that they would value comfort-focused care, 179 (19.2%) that they would value longevity-focused care, and 302 (32.4%) that they were unsure about the intensity of care they would value. Many had not completed an advance directive (estimated probability, 47.5% [95% CI, 42.9%-52.1%] of those who would value comfort-focused care vs 28.1% [95% CI, 24.0%-32.3%] of those who would value longevity-focused care or were unsure; P < .001), had not discussed hospice (estimated probability, 28.6% [95% CI, 24.6%-32.9%] comfort focused vs 18.2% [95% CI, 14.7%-21.7%] longevity focused or unsure; P < .001), or had not discussed stopping dialysis (estimated probability, 33.3% [95% CI, 29.0%-37.7%] comfort focused vs 21.9% [95% CI, 18.2%-25.8%] longevity focused or unsure; P < .001). Most respondents wanted to receive cardiopulmonary resuscitation (estimated probability, 78.0% [95% CI, 74.2%-81.7%] comfort focused vs 93.9% [95% CI, 91.4%-96.1%] longevity focused or unsure; P < .001) and mechanical ventilation (estimated probability, 52.0% [95% CI, 47.4%-56.6%] comfort focused vs 77.9% [95% CI, 74.0%-81.7%] longevity focused or unsure; P < .001). Among decedents, the percentages of participants who received an intensive procedure during the final month of life (estimated probability, 23.5% [95% CI, 16.5%-31.0%] comfort focused vs 26.1% [95% CI, 18.0%-34.5%] longevity focused or unsure; P = .64), discontinued dialysis (estimated probability, 38.3% [95% CI, 32.0%-44.8%] comfort focused vs 30.2% [95% CI, 23.0%-37.8%] longevity focused or unsure; P = .09), and enrolled in hospice (estimated probability, 32.2% [95% CI, 25.7%-38.7%] comfort focused vs 23.3% [95% CI, 16.4%-30.5%] longevity focused or unsure; P = .07) were not statistically different.This survey study found that there appeared to be a disconnect between patients' expressed values, which were largely comfort focused, and their engagement in advance care planning and end-of-life care, which reflected a focus on longevity. These findings suggest important opportunities to improve the quality of care for patients receiving dialysis.

    View details for DOI 10.1001/jamainternmed.2023.0265

    View details for PubMedID 36972031

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC10043804

  • Racial Disparities in Health Beliefs and Advance Care Planning Among Patients Receiving Maintenance Dialysis. Journal of pain and symptom management Saeed, F., Ladwig, S., Allen, R. J., Eneanya, N. D., Tamura, M. K., Fiscella, K. A. 2022

    Abstract

    INTRODUCTION: Among people receiving maintenance dialysis, little is known about racial disparities in the occurrence of prognostic discussions, beliefs about future health, and completion of advance care planning (ACP) documents. We examined whether Black patients receiving maintenance dialysis differ from White patients in prognostic discussions, beliefs about future health, and completion of ACP-related documents.METHODS: We surveyed adult patients receiving maintenance dialysis from seven dialysis units in Cleveland, Ohio, and hospitalized patients at a tertiary care hospital in Cleveland. Of the 450 patients who were asked to participate in the study, 423 (94%) agreed. We restricted the current secondary analyses to include only Black (n=285) and White (n=114) patients. The survey assessed patients' knowledge of their kidney disease, attitudes toward chronic kidney disease (CKD) treatment, preferences for end-of-life (EoL) care, the patient-reported occurrence of prognostic discussions, experiences with kidney therapy decision making, sentiments of dialysis regret, beliefs about health over the next 12 months, and advance care planning. We used stepwise logistic regression to determine if race was associated with the occurrence of prognostic discussions, beliefs about future health, and completion of an ACP-related document, while controlling for potential confounders.RESULTS: We found no significant difference in the frequency of prognostic discussions between Black (11.9%) versus White patients (7%) (P=0.15). However, Black patients (19%) had lower odds of believing that their health would worsen over the next 12 months (OR 0.22, CI 0.12, 0.44) and reporting completion of any ACP-related document (OR 0.5, CI 0.32, 0.81) compared to White patients CONCLUSIONS: Racial differences exist in beliefs about future health and completion of ACP-related documents. Systemic efforts to investigate differences in health beliefs and address racial disparities in the completion of ACP-related documents are needed.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2022.12.002

    View details for PubMedID 36521766

  • Risk of permanent hypoparathyroidism requiring calcitriol therapy in a population-based cohort of adults older than 65 undergoing total thyroidectomy for Graves' disease. Thyroid : official journal of the American Thyroid Association Seib, C. D., Meng, T., Cisco, R. M., Lin, D. T., McAninch, E. A., Chen, J., Tamura, M. K., Trickey, A. W., Kebebew, E. 2022

    Abstract

    Total thyroidectomy for Graves' disease (GD) is associated with rapid treatment of hyperthyroidism and low recurrence rates. However, it carries the risk of surgical complications including permanent hypoparathyroidism, which contribute to long-term impaired quality of life. The objective of this study was to determine the incidence of permanent hypoparathyroidism requiring calcitriol therapy among a population-based cohort of older adults undergoing total thyroidectomy for GD in the U.S.We performed a population-based cohort study using 100% Medicare claims from beneficiaries older than 65 with GD who underwent total thyroidectomy from 2007 to 2017. We required continuous enrollment in Medicare Parts A, B, and D for 12 months before and after surgery to ensure access to comprehensive claims data. Patients were excluded if they had a preoperative diagnosis of thyroid cancer or were on long-term preoperative calcitriol. Our primary outcome was permanent hypoparathyroidism, which was identified based on persistent use of calcitriol between 6-12 months following thyroidectomy. We used multivariable logistic regression to identify characteristics associated with permanent hypoparathyroidism, including patient age, sex, race/ethnicity, neighborhood disadvantage, Charlson-Deyo Comorbidity Index, urban or rural residence, and frailty.We identified 4,650 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy for GD during the study period and met inclusion criteria (mean age 72.8 years [SD 5.5], 86% female, and 79% white). Among this surgical cohort, 104 (2.2%, 95% CI: 1.8-2.7%) patients developed permanent hypoparathyroidism requiring calcitriol therapy. Patients who developed permanent hypoparathyroidism were on average older (mean age 74.1 vs. 72.8 years) than those who did not develop permanent hypoparathyroidism (p=0.04). On multivariable regression, older age was the only patient characteristic associated with permanent hypoparathyroidism (odds ratio [OR] age ≥ 76 years 1.68 [95% CI 1.13-2.51] compared to age 66-75 years).The risk of permanent hypoparathyroidism requiring calcitriol therapy among this national, U.S. population-based cohort of older adults with GD treated with total thyroidectomy was low, even when considering operations performed by a heterogeneous group of surgeons. These findings suggest the risk of hypoparathyroidism should not be a deterrent to operative management for GD in older adults who are appropriate surgical candidates.

    View details for DOI 10.1089/thy.2022.0140

    View details for PubMedID 36416252

  • Prevalence of Apparent Treatment-Resistant Hypertension in Chronic Kidney Disease in Two Large US Health Care Systems CLINICAL JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF NEPHROLOGY An, J., Kurella Tamura, M., Odden, M. C., Ni, L., Thomas, I., Montez-Rath, M. E., Sim, J. J. 2022; 17 (10): 1457-1466
  • Prevalence of Apparent Treatment-Resistant Hypertension in Chronic Kidney Disease in Two Large US Health Care Systems. Clinical journal of the American Society of Nephrology : CJASN An, J., Kurella Tamura, M., Odden, M. C., Ni, L., Thomas, I. C., Montez-Rath, M. E., Sim, J. J. 2022; 17 (10): 1457-1466

    Abstract

    More intensive BP goals have been recommended for patients with CKD. We estimated the prevalence of apparent treatment-resistant hypertension among patients with CKD according to the 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA; BP goal <130/80 mm Hg) and 2021 Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO; systolic BP <120 mm Hg) guidelines in two US health care systems.We included adults with CKD (an eGFR <60 ml/min per 1.73 m2) and treated hypertension from Kaiser Permanente Southern California and the Veterans Health Administration. Using electronic health records, we identified apparent treatment-resistant hypertension on the basis of (1) BP above the goal while prescribed three or more classes of antihypertensive medications or (2) prescribed four or more classes of antihypertensive medications regardless of BP. In a sensitivity analysis, we required diuretic use to be classified as apparent treatment-resistant hypertension. We estimated the prevalence of apparent treatment-resistant hypertension per clinical guideline and by CKD stage.Among 44,543 Kaiser Permanente Southern California and 241,465 Veterans Health Administration patients with CKD and treated hypertension, the prevalence rates of apparent treatment-resistant hypertension were 39% (Kaiser Permanente Southern California) and 35% (Veterans Health Administration) per the 2017 ACC/AHA guideline and 48% (Kaiser Permanente Southern California) and 55% (Veterans Health Administration) per the 2021 KDIGO guideline. By requiring a diuretic as a criterion for apparent treatment-resistant hypertension, the prevalence rates of apparent treatment-resistant hypertension were lowered to 31% (Kaiser Permanente Southern California) and 23% (Veterans Health Administration) per the 2017 ACC/AHA guideline. The prevalence rates of apparent treatment-resistant hypertension were progressively higher at more advanced stages of CKD (34%/33%, 42%/36%, 52%/41%, and 60%/37% for Kaiser Permanente Southern California/Veterans Health Administration eGFR 45-59, 30-44, 15-29, and <15 ml/min per 1.73 m2, respectively) per the 2017 ACC/AHA guideline.Depending on the CKD stage, up to a half of patients with CKD met apparent treatment-resistant hypertension criteria.

    View details for DOI 10.2215/CJN.04110422

    View details for PubMedID 36400564

  • Implementation and Effectiveness of a Learning Collaborative to Improve Palliative Care for Seriously Ill Hemodialysis Patients. Clinical journal of the American Society of Nephrology : CJASN Kurella Tamura, M., Holdsworth, L., Stedman, M., Aldous, A., Asch, S. M., Han, J., Harbert, G., Lorenz, K. A., Malcolm, E., Nicklas, A., Moss, A. H., Lupu, D. E. 2022

    Abstract

    BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Limited implementation of palliative care practices in hemodialysis may contribute to end-of-life care that is intensive and not patient centered. We determined whether a learning collaborative for hemodialysis center providers improved delivery of palliative care best practices.DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS: Ten US hemodialysis centers participated in a pre-post study targeting seriously ill patients between April 2019 and September 2020. Three practices were prioritized: screening for serious illness, goals of care discussions, and use of a palliative dialysis care pathway. The collaborative educational bundle consisted of learning sessions, communication skills training, and implementation support. The primary outcome was change in the probability of complete advance care planning documentation among seriously ill patients. Health care utilization was a secondary outcome, and implementation outcomes of acceptability, adoption, feasibility, and penetration were assessed using mixed methods.RESULTS: One center dropped out due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Among the remaining nine centers, 20% (273 of 1395) of patients were identified as seriously ill preimplementation, and 16% (203 of 1254) were identified as seriously ill postimplementation. From the preimplementation to postimplementation period, the adjusted probability of complete advance care planning documentation among seriously ill patients increased by 34.5 percentage points (95% confidence interval, 4.4 to 68.5). There was no difference in mortality or in utilization of palliative hemodialysis, hospice referral, or hemodialysis discontinuation. Screening for serious illness was widely adopted, and goals of care discussions were adopted with incomplete integration. There was limited adoption of a palliative dialysis care pathway.CONCLUSIONS: A learning collaborative for hemodialysis centers spanning the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic was associated with adoption of serious illness screening and goals of care discussions as well as improved documentation of advance care planning for seriously ill patients.CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY NAME AND REGISTRATION NUMBER: Pathways Project: Kidney Supportive Care, NCT04125537.

    View details for DOI 10.2215/CJN.00090122

    View details for PubMedID 36104084

  • Adverse Cardiovascular Outcomes Among Older Adults with Primary Hyperparathyroidism Treated with Parathyroidectomy vs. non-operative Management. Annals of surgery Seib, C. D., Meng, T., Cisco, R. M., Suh, I., Lin, D. T., Harris, A. H., Trickey, A. W., Tamura, M. K., Kebebew, E. 2022

    Abstract

    We sought to compare the incidence of adverse cardiovascular events in older adults with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) treated with parathyroidectomy versus non-operative management.PHPT is a common endocrine disorder that is associated with increased cardiovascular mortality, but it is not known whether parathyroidectomy reduces the incidence of adverse cardiovascular events.We conducted a population-based, longitudinal cohort study of Medicare beneficiaries diagnosed with PHPT (2006-2017). Multivariable, inverse probability weighted Cox proportional hazards regression was used to determine the associations of parathyroidectomy with major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), cardiovascular disease-related hospitalization, and cardiovascular hospitalization-associated mortality.We identified 210,206 beneficiaries diagnosed with PHPT from 2006-2017. Among 63,136 (30.0%) treated with parathyroidectomy and 147,070 (70.0%) managed non-operatively within one year of diagnosis, the unadjusted incidence of MACE was 10.0% (mean follow-up 59.1 [SD 35.6] months) and 11.5% (mean follow-up 54.1 [SD 34.0] months), respectively. In multivariable analysis, parathyroidectomy was associated with a lower incidence of MACE (HR 0.92 [95%CI 0.90-0.94]), cardiovascular disease-related hospitalization (HR 0.89 [95%CI 0.87-0.91]), and cardiovascular hospitalization-associated mortality (HR 0.76 [95%CI 0.71-0.81]) compared to non-operative management. At 10 years, parathyroidectomy was associated with adjusted absolute risk reduction for MACE of 1.7% (95%CI 1.3%-2.1%), for cardiovascular disease-related hospitalization of 2.5% (95%CI 2.1%-2.9%), and for cardiovascular hospitalization-associated mortality of 1.4% (95%CI 1.2%-1.6%).In this large, population-based cohort study, parathyroidectomy was associated with a lower long-term incidence of adverse cardiovascular outcomes when compared with non-operative management for older adults with PHPT, which is relevant to surgical decision-making for patients with a long life expectancy.

    View details for DOI 10.1097/SLA.0000000000005691

    View details for PubMedID 36005546

  • Vitamin K Status and Cognitive Function in Adults with Chronic Kidney Disease: The Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort. Current developments in nutrition Shea, M. K., Wang, J., Barger, K., Weiner, D. E., Booth, S. L., Seliger, S. L., Anderson, A. H., Deo, R., Feldman, H. I., Go, A. S., He, J., Ricardo, A. C., Tamura, M. K. 2022; 6 (8): nzac111

    Abstract

    Vitamin K is linked to cognitive function, but studies in individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD), who are at risk for vitamin K insufficiency and cognitive impairment, are lacking. The cross-sectional association of vitamin K status biomarkers with cognitive performance was evaluated in ≥55-y-old adults with CKD (N = 714, 49% female, 44% black). A composite score of a cognitive performance test battery, calculated by averaging the z scores of the individual tests, was the primary outcome. Vitamin K status was measured using plasma phylloquinone and dephospho-uncarboxylated matrix Gla protein [(dp)ucMGP]. Participants with low plasma (dp)ucMGP, reflecting higher vitamin K status, had better cognitive performance than those in the two higher (dp)ucMGP categories based on the composite outcome (P = 0.03), whereas it did not significantly differ according to plasma phylloquinone categories (P = 0.08). Neither biomarker was significantly associated with performance on individual tests (all P > 0.05). The importance of vitamin K to cognitive performance in adults with CKD remains to be clarified.

    View details for DOI 10.1093/cdn/nzac111

    View details for PubMedID 35957738

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC9362761

  • The Impact of Care Partners on the Mobility of Older Adults Receiving Hemodialysis. Kidney medicine Liu, C. K., Seo, J., Lee, D., Wright, K., Tamura, M. K., Moye, J., Weiner, D. E., Bean, J. F. 2022; 4 (6): 100473

    Abstract

    Rationale & Objective: Many older adults receiving hemodialysis have mobility limitations and rely on care partners, yet data are sparse regarding the support provided by care partners. Our aim was to examine how care partners support the mobility of an older adult receiving hemodialysis.Study Design: Qualitative study.Setting & Participants: Using purposive sampling, we recruited persons aged 60 years or more receiving maintenance hemodialysis and care partners aged 18 years or more who were providing support to an older adult receiving hemodialysis. We conducted in-person semi-structured interviews about mobility with each individual.Analytical Approach: We conducted descriptive and focused coding of interview transcripts and employed thematic analysis. Our outcome was to describe perceived mobility supports provided by care partners using qualitative themes.Results: We enrolled 31 older adults receiving hemodialysis (42% women, 68% Black) with a mean age of 73±8 years and a mean dialysis duration of 4.6±3.5 years. Of these, 87% of patients used assistive devices and 90% had care partners. We enrolled 12 care partners (75% women, 33% Black) with a mean age of 54±16 years. From our patient and care partner interviews, we found three themes: (1) what care partners see, (2) what care partners do, and (3) what care partners feel. Regarding what they see, care partners witness a decline in patient mobility. Regarding what they do, care partners guide and facilitate activities and manage others who also assist. Regarding what they feel, care partners respect the patient's autonomy but experience frustration and worry about the patient's future mobility.Limitations: Modest sample size; single geographic area.Conclusions: In older adults receiving hemodialysis, care partners observe a decline in mobility and provide support for mobility. They respect the patient's autonomy but worry about future mobility losses. Future research should incorporate care partners in interventions that address mobility in older adults receiving hemodialysis.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.xkme.2022.100473

    View details for PubMedID 35663231

  • Association of Proximal Tubular Secretory Clearance with Long-Term Decline in Cognitive Function. Journal of the American Society of Nephrology : JASN Lidgard, B., Bansal, N., Zelnick, L., Hoofnagle, A., Chen, J., Colaizzo, D., Dobre, M., Mills, K., Porter, A., Rosas, S., Sarnak, M., Seliger, S., Sondheimer, J., Kurella Tamura, M., Yaffe, K., Kestenbaum, B. 2022

    Abstract

    Background Persons with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at high risk for cognitive impairment and progressive cognitive decline. Retention of protein-bound organic solutes that are normally removed by tubular secretion is hypothesized to contribute to cognitive impairment in CKD. Methods We followed 2362 participants who were initially free of cognitive impairment and stroke in the prospective Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) Study. We estimated tubular secretory clearance by the 24-hour kidney clearances of eight endogenous solutes that are primarily eliminated by tubular secretion. CRIC study investigators assessed participants' cognitive function annually, using the Modified Mini-Mental State (3MS) Examination. Cognitive decline was defined as a sustained >5 point decrease in the 3MS score from baseline. Using Cox regression models adjusted for potential confounders, we analyzed associations between secretory solute clearances, serum solute concentrations, and cognitive decline. Results The median number of follow-up 3MS examinations was 6 per participant. There were 247 incident cognitive decline events over a median of 9.1 years of follow-up. Lower kidney clearances of five of the eight secretory solutes (cinnamoylglycine, isovalerylglycine, kynurenic acid, pyridoxic acid, and tiglylglycine) were associated with cognitive decline after adjustment for baseline eGFR, proteinuria, and other confounding variables. Effect sizes ranged from a 17% to 34% higher risk of cognitive decline per 50% lower clearance. In contrast, serum concentrations of the solutes were not associated with cognitive decline. Conclusions Lower kidney clearances of secreted solutes are associated with incident global cognitive decline in a prospective study of CKD, independent of eGFR. Further work is needed to determine the domains of cognition most affected by decreased secretory clearance and the mechanisms of these associations.

    View details for DOI 10.1681/ASN.2021111435

    View details for PubMedID 35444055

  • Video Images about Decisions for Ethical Outcomes in Kidney Disease (VIDEO-KD): the study protocol for a multi-centre randomised controlled trial. BMJ open Eneanya, N. D., Lakin, J. R., Paasche-Orlow, M. K., Lindvall, C., Moseley, E. T., Henault, L., Hanchate, A. D., Mandel, E. I., Wong, S. P., Zupanc, S. N., Davis, A. D., El-Jawahri, A., Quintiliani, L. M., Chang, Y., Waikar, S. S., Bansal, A. D., Schell, J. O., Lundquist, A. L., Tamura, M. K., Yu, M. K., Unruh, M. L., Argyropoulos, C., Germain, M. J., Volandes, A. 2022; 12 (4): e059313

    Abstract

    INTRODUCTION: Older patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) often are inadequately prepared to make informed decisions about treatments including dialysis and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Further, evidence shows that patients with advanced CKD do not commonly engage in advance care planning (ACP), may suffer from poor quality of life, and may be exposed to end-of-life care that is not concordant with their goals. We aim to study the effectiveness of a video intervention on ACP, treatment preferences and other patient-reported outcomes.METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The Video Images about Decisions for Ethical Outcomes in Kidney Disease trial is a multi-centre randomised controlled trial that will test the effectiveness of an intervention that includes a CKD-related video decision aid followed by recording personal video declarations about goals of care and treatment preferences in older adults with advancing CKD. We aim to enrol 600 patients over 5 years at 10 sites.ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Regulatory and ethical aspects of this trial include a single Institutional Review Board mechanism for approval, data use agreements among sites, and a Data Safety and Monitoring Board. We intend to disseminate findings at national meetings and publish our results.TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04347629.

    View details for DOI 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-059313

    View details for PubMedID 35396311

  • Kidney stone events following parathyroidectomy vs. non-operative management for primary hyperparathyroidism. The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism Seib, C. D., Ganesan, C., Arnow, K. D., Pao, A. C., Leppert, J. T., Barreto, N. B., Kebebew, E., Tamura, M. K. 2022

    Abstract

    CONTEXT: Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is associated with an increased risk of kidney stones. Few studies account for PHPT severity or stone risk when comparing stone events after parathyroidectomy vs. non-operative management.OBJECTIVE: Compare the incidence of kidney stone events in PHPT patients treated with parathyroidectomy vs. non-operative management.DESIGN: Longitudinal cohort study with propensity score inverse probability weighting and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression.SETTING: Veterans Health Administration integrated health care system.PATIENTS: 44,978 patients with >2 years follow-up after PHPT diagnosis (2000-2018). 5,244 patients (11.7%) were treated with parathyroidectomy.MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURE: Clinically significant kidney stone event.RESULTS: The cohort had a mean age of 66.0 years, was 87.8% male, 66.4% White. Patients treated with parathyroidectomy had higher mean serum calcium (11.2 vs. 10.8mg/dL) and were more likely to have a history of kidney stone events. Among patients with baseline history of kidney stones, the unadjusted incidence of ≥1 kidney stone event was 30.5% in patients managed with parathyroidectomy (mean follow-up 5.6 years) compared to 18.0% in those managed non-operatively (mean follow-up 5.0 years). Patients treated with parathyroidectomy had a higher adjusted hazard of recurrent kidney stone events (hazard ratio[HR] 1.98, 95%CI 1.56-2.51); however, this association declined over time (parathyroidectomy*time HR 0.80, 95%CI 0.73-0.87).CONCLUSION: In this predominantly male cohort with PHPT, patients treated with parathyroidectomy continued to be at higher risk of kidney stone events in the immediate years after treatment than patients managed non-operatively, although the adjusted risk of stone events declined with time, suggesting a benefit to surgical treatment.

    View details for DOI 10.1210/clinem/dgac193

    View details for PubMedID 35363858