Premature mortality and disparities in kidney healthcare for people with chronic kidney disease and severe mental health difficulties.

Background: People with severe mental health difficulties, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and psychosis, have higher risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Little was known regarding clinical outcomes and utilisation of kidney care for people with CKD and severe mental health difficulties.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of individuals with CKD attending a tertiary renal unit in London, between 2006 and 2019.

Outcome and effect of vaccination in SARS-CoV-2 Omicron infection in hemodialysis patients: a cohort study.

Background: Hemodialysis patients are at high risk of Covid-19, though vaccination has significant efficacy in preventing and reducing the severity of infection. Little information is available on disease severity and vaccine efficacy since the dissemination of the Omicron variant.

Methods: In a multi-center study, during a period of the epidemic driven by the Omicron variant, all hemodialysis patients positive for SARS-CoV-2 were identified.

Severity of COVID-19 after Vaccination among Hemodialysis Patients: An Observational Cohort Study.

Background And Objectives: Patients receiving hemodialysis are at high risk from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and demonstrate impaired immune responses to vaccines. There have been several descriptions of their immunologic responses to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination, but few studies have described the clinical efficacy of vaccination in patients on hemodialysis.

Design, Setting, Participants, & Measurements: In a multicenter observational study of the London hemodialysis population undergoing surveillance PCR testing during the period of vaccine rollout with BNT162b2 and AZD1222, all of those positive for SARS-CoV-2 were identified.

Estimated glomerular filtration rate equations in people of self-reported black ethnicity in the United Kingdom: Inappropriate adjustment for ethnicity may lead to reduced access to care.

Assessment in African populations suggest adjustment for ethnicity in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) equations derived from African Americans lead to overestimation of GFR and failure to determine severity in chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, studies in African Europeans are limited. We aimed to assess accuracy of eGFR equations, with and without ethnicity adjustment compared with measured GFR in people of Black ethnicity in the United Kingdom.

The Characteristics, Dynamics, and the Risk of Death in COVID-19 Positive Dialysis Patients in London, UK.

Background: Patients on dialysis with frequent comorbidities, advanced age, and frailty, who visit treatment facilities frequently, are perhaps more prone to SARS-CoV-2 infection and related death-the risk factors and dynamics of which are unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the hospital outcomes in patients on dialysis infected with SARS-CoV-2.

Methods: Data on 224 patients on hemodialysis between February 29, 2020 and May 15, 2020 with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 were analyzed for outcomes and potential risk factors for death, using a competing risk-regression model assessed by subdistribution hazards ratio (SHR).

Exit-Site Relocation: A Novel, Straightforward Technique for Exit-Site Infections.

Exit-site infection (ESI) and tunnel infection (TI) of the peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter are significant causes of catheter or even method loss as well as patient morbidity. Among the methods that have been in use thus far, the removal and replacement of the catheter often needs to be followed by switching temporarily to hemodialysis, whereas catheter splicing or unroofing of the tunnel tract and shaving/removal of the superficial catheter cuff have not gained universal acceptance thus far.We treat chronic ESI with exit-site relocation under local anesthetic with removal of the external cuff.

Effect of exercise training on estimated GFR, vascular health, and cardiorespiratory fitness in patients with CKD: a pilot randomized controlled trial.

Background: Exercise capacity, which is predictive of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease risk, is reduced significantly in patients with non-dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease. This pilot study examined the effect of moderate-intensity exercise training on kidney function and indexes of cardiovascular risk in patients with progressive chronic kidney disease stages 3 to 4.

Study Design: Single-blind, randomized, controlled, parallel trial.

Black ethnicity predicts better survival on dialysis despite greater deprivation and co-morbidity: a UK study.

Background: Observational studies from the United States have identified black race as conferring a survival advantage on dialysis. This study represents the first large single-center study from a UK dialysis unit examining the outcome of ethnic minorities on renal replacement therapy (RRT).

Methods: A retrospective analysis of all patients of white or black race initiating RRT at King's College Hospital Renal Unit, London, between 1996 and 2008 was performed.

International variation in classification of dialysis withdrawal: a systematic review.

Background And Objectives: In patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), the rate of deaths preceded by dialysis withdrawal is high. However, rates vary across studies and national renal registries. This study aimed to (i) determine how dialysis withdrawal mortality is defined in the literature and (ii) whether mortality rates preceded by dialysis withdrawal change over time.

Non-arteritic ischaemic optic neuropathy after first return to haemodialysis.

The authors present an interesting case of non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION) after 2 h of haemodialysis, in a 42-year-old Caucasian woman with anaemia (haemoglobin 7.1 g/dl) uraemia (56.3 mmol/l), spurious hypotension (42/26 mm Hg) and previous history of anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (AION) in the other eye.

Risk score predicting decline in renal function postliver transplant: role in patient selection for combined liver kidney transplantation.

Background: A combined liver and kidney transplantation (CLKT) is advocated for selected individuals with chronic kidney disease undergoing liver transplantation (LT). The aim was to develop a risk score to identify the patients whose estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) would decline during the year post-LT to aid future patient selection for CLKT.

Methods: A training dataset of LT recipients was identified retrospectively from a prospectively compiled database (2000-2007).

Renal biopsy in liver transplant recipients.

Background: Renal impairment post-liver transplant (LT) is often attributed to calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs). A renal biopsy can be a useful tool but may be complicated in LT recipients. We aimed to determine the clinical scenarios that prompted a decision to perform a renal biopsy in this patient population, to assess histological findings and evaluate patient management and survival and renal outcome.

The Pan-Thames EPS study: treatment and outcomes of encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis.

Background: Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) is a disease process that can occur as a complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD). The aim of this study was to make a general assessment of the clinical features, diagnosis, management and outcome of PD-related EPS cases from London and South-East England.

Methods: Questionnaires were sent to 11 PD units in March 2007; cases were identified retrospectively.

Transmission of hepatitis B virus (genotype E) in a haemodialysis unit.

Background: The Rosenheim report, published in 1972, was aimed at decreasing the transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in the renal unit. A review in 1996, revealed the non-compliance of some centres with the guidance to vaccinate individuals against HBV.

Objectives: To describe two events of acute hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection within 9 weeks in individuals attending the renal unit and the steps taken to prevent further transmission.

Psychological intervention in fluid management.

Background: Hemodialysis is a palliative treatment for patients with established renal failure (ERF), and volume overload is a common problem for hemodialysis patients with low urinary output. Volume overload is thought to be mostly attributable to interdialytic fluid intake by the patient and is associated with an increased symptom burden and the development of serious medical complications. Repeated episodes of volume overload may adversely affect staff-patient relationships and the perception of care in this patient population.

The second United Kingdom Heart and Renal Protection (UK-HARP-II) Study: a randomized controlled study of the biochemical safety and efficacy of adding ezetimibe to simvastatin as initial therapy among patients with CKD.

Background: Evaluating the effects of decreasing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels requires large randomized trials. In preparation for such a trial, we assessed the biochemical efficacy, safety, and tolerability of adding ezetimibe, 10 mg/d, to simvastatin, 20 mg/d, as initial therapy for such patients.

Methods: Two hundred three patients (152 predialysis patients with creatinine levels > or = 1.

First United Kingdom Heart and Renal Protection (UK-HARP-I) study: biochemical efficacy and safety of simvastatin and safety of low-dose aspirin in chronic kidney disease.

Background: Patients with chronic kidney disease are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease, but the efficacy and safety of simvastatin and aspirin are unknown in this patient group.

Methods: Patients were randomly assigned in a 2 x 2 factorial design to the administration of: (1) 20 mg of simvastatin daily versus matching placebo, and (2) 100 mg of modified-release aspirin daily versus matching placebo.

Results: Overall, 448 patients with chronic kidney disease were randomly assigned (242 predialysis patients with a creatinine level > or = 1.

The Renal National Service Framework: a step in the right direction.

Part one of the National Service Framework (NSF) for Renal Services was published early in 2004. The document covers the treatment of patients with end stage renal failure with dialysis and transplantation. Five standards to be achieved by 2014 are proposed.

Infective endocarditis in dialysis patients: new challenges and old.

Background: Since the 1960s chronic hemodialysis (HD) has been recognized as a risk factor for the development of infective endocarditis (IE). Historically, it has been particularly associated with vascular access via dual lumen catheters. We wished to examine the risk factors for, and consequences of, IE in the modern dialysis era.