Cinacalcet use patterns and effect on laboratory values and other medications in a large dialysis organization, 2004 through 2006.

Background And Objectives: Cinacalcet was introduced in mid-2004 to treat secondary hyperparathyroidism in dialysis patients. We aimed to characterize adult patients who received cinacalcet prescriptions and to determine (1) dosage titration and effects on laboratory values, active intravenous vitamin D use, and phosphate binder prescriptions and (2) percentage who achieved National Kidney Foundation Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative targets for serum parathyroid hormone, calcium, and phosphorus and experienced biochemical adverse effects.

Design, Setting, Participants, & Measurements: This observational study evaluated 45,487 prevalent patients from a dialysis organization database linked with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services End-Stage Renal Disease database.

Clinical characteristics of dialysis patients with acute myocardial infarction in the United States: a collaborative project of the United States Renal Data System and the National Registry of Myocardial Infarction.

Background: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is catastrophic for dialysis patients. This study set out to determine the clinical characteristics of dialysis patients hospitalized for AMI in the United States.

Methods And Results: This retrospective cohort study used data from the US Renal Data System (USRDS) database (n=1,285,177) and the third National Registry of Myocardial Infarction (NRMI 3) (n=537,444).

Use of hospice in the United States dialysis population.

Hospice is recognized for providing excellent end-of-life care but may be underused by dialysis patients. Hospice use and related outcomes were measured among dialysis patients, and factors that were associated with hospice use were identified. The 2-yr US Renal Data System dialysis patients who died between January 1, 2001, and December 31, 2002, and hospice claims from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services were examined to measure prevalence, factors, and costs that were associated with dialysis withdrawal and hospice use.