Chronic kidney disease-associated pruritus and patient-centred outcomes: a systematic review.

Background: Chronic kidney disease-associated pruritus (CKD-aP) is a debilitating symptom that can significantly impact patients' daily activities and quality of life. This systematic review aimed to assimilate the latest evidence on the relationship between CKD-associated pruritis and patient-centred outcomes.

Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted to identify relevant studies in PubMed, Medline and Embase via OVID, CINAHL, and Web of Science from 2000 to June 2024.

The Impact of Medication Regimen Complexity on Patient-Related and Clinical Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis.

Introduction: There is limited data on medication regimen complexity on outcomes in patients with kidney failure receiving hemodialysis (HD) in different settings. This study aims to quantify medication regimen complexity and assess its impact on patient-related and clinical outcomes in facility-based and home-based HD-treated patients.

Methods: This study targeted patients undergoing HD at a large metropolitan dialysis center in Australia.

The impact of medication regimen complexity on patient-related and clinical outcomes in kidney failure: a systematic review.

Introduction: Kidney failure is a life-limiting condition that profoundly impacts an individual's quality of life. The significant medication burden on patients required to manage the comorbidities and complications of kidney failure can have implications for patient-reported and clinical outcomes.

Methods: This work systematically reviewed methods used to assess medication regimen complexity amongst adults with kidney failure, the associated patient-reported and clinical outcomes, and the effectiveness of interventions to address regimen complexity.

Excipient induced allergies in oral medications: unravelling the covert threat - a systematic review.

Excipients have been identified as 'inert' substances that often enhance the non-pharmacological aspects of a medication. However, recent clinical evidence elucidates their potential in inducing anaphylaxis and indicates that they are often overlooked as potential allergens in routine clinical practice. The aim of the study was to assimilate published evidence on excipient-induced allergies associated with the use of oral medications and to underline their potential as potent allergens.

Medication Regimen Complexity and Patient-Centred Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Peritoneal Dialysis.

Background: Although patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD) typically have complex treatment needs, the effect of medication regimen complexity on patient outcomes has not been thoroughly evaluated. This study aims to quantify medication regimen complexity and evaluate patient-centred outcomes including medication adherence and its determinants in patients undergoing PD.

Methods: This study combined a retrospective audit of baseline data with a prospective evaluation of patient-related outcomes among patients undergoing PD at a large metropolitan dialysis centre in Australia.

Pericatheter Leak Associated With Earlier Peritoneal Dialysis Initiation Does Not Influence Long-Term Outcomes.

Introduction: Internationally, peritoneal dialysis (PD) is increasingly being commenced within 2 weeks of catheter insertion. Studies are warranted to evaluate outcomes of this strategy.

Methods: This study examines outcomes of early-start PD (ESPD) and conventional-start PD (CSPD), commencing at ≤14 days and >14 days after catheter insertion, respectively.

Usability Evaluation Methods Used in Electronic Discharge Summaries: Literature Review.

Background: With the widespread adoption of digital health records, including electronic discharge summaries (eDS), it is important to assess their usability in order to understand whether they meet the needs of the end users. While there are established approaches for evaluating the usability of electronic health records, there is a lack of knowledge regarding suitable evaluation methods specifically for eDS.

Objective: This literature review aims to identify the usability evaluation approaches used in eDS.

Long-term effect of increasing water intake on repeated self-assessed health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the long-term effect of increasing water intake in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) on longitudinal changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in the setting of a clinical trial.

Methods: Self-completed HRQoL (using the KDQoL-SF, v.1.

Drug-Related Problems and Recommendations Made during Home Medicines Reviews for Sick Day Medication Management in Australia.

: Using certain medications during an intercurrent illness can increase the risk of drug related problems (DRP) occurring such as acute kidney injury (AKI). Medications that increase this risk include sulfonylureas, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, diuretics, metformin, angiotensin receptor blockers, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories drugs, and sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SADMANS). Sick day medication guidance (SDMG) recommends withholding SADMANS medications during an intercurrent illness where adequate fluid intake cannot be maintained.

Lithium-Associated Kidney Failure: Predictors and Outcomes.

Introduction: Despite the widespread use of lithium for bipolar disorders and depression, little is known about the characteristics of patients with lithium-associated kidney failure receiving kidney replacement therapy (KRT).

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study using the Australian and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Registry (ANZDATA) to investigate the predictors and outcomes of patients with lithium-associated kidney failure receiving KRT.

Results: A total of 437 patients with lithium-associated kidney failure were compared to 1280 ANZDATA allocated controls of patients with kidney failure not associated with lithium.

Medication Adherence Among Patients With Kidney Disease: An Umbrella Review.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) imposes a significant medication burden on patients due to the necessity of multiple treatments to slow disease progression, manage coexisting conditions, and address complications. The complex medication regimen, in turn, has implications for clinical and patient-centered outcomes. This umbrella review provides comprehensive evidence on extent of medication nonadherence among adults with CKD, as well as associated risk factors, outcomes, and the effectiveness of interventions by synthesizing evidence from published systematic reviews and/or meta-analyses.

Systematic Review on Treatment and Outcomes of Tuberculous Peritonitis in Patients on Peritoneal Dialysis.

Introduction: Peritoneal dialysis (PD)-associated peritonitis due to tuberculosis (TB) is associated with poor outcomes and optimal treatment strategies for this condition remain unknown. Our study aimed to: (i) systematically review the published literature on peritonitis caused by in patients on PD and (ii) review cases of peritonitis due to in patients on PD reported in Australia and New Zealand to determine the epidemiology, management strategies, and outcomes of this condition.

Methods: A literature search of Medline, Scopus, Embase, ClinicalTrials.

Drug-Related Problems and Sick Day Management Considerations for Medications that Contribute to the Risk of Acute Kidney Injury.

Background: Medication use during acute illness increases the risk of experiencing drug related problems (DRPs), including acute kidney injuries. It is recommended that potentially nephrotoxic medications are withheld during acute illness, including sulfonylureas, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, diuretics, metformin, angiotensin receptor blockers, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories and sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SADMANS). It is unknown if Australian pharmacists currently provide sick day medication management advice regarding SADMANS medications.

Impact of a pharmacy-led screening and intervention in people at risk of or living with chronic kidney disease in a primary care setting: a cluster randomised trial protocol.

Introduction: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is increasingly recognised as a growing global public health problem. Early detection and management can significantly reduce the loss of kidney function. The proposed trial aims to evaluate the impact of a community pharmacy-led intervention combining CKD screening and medication review on CKD detection and quality use of medicines (QUM) for patients with CKD.

Participant Perceptions in a Long-term Clinical Trial of Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease.

Rationale & Objective: The development of new therapies for autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease requires clinical trials to be conducted efficiently. In this study, the factors affecting the recruitment and retention of participants enrolled in a 3-year randomized controlled trial in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease were investigated.

Study Design: Qualitative study.

Culture-directed antibiotics in peritoneal dialysis solutions: a systematic review focused on stability and compatibility.

Background: This systematic review summarises the stability of less commonly prescribed antibiotics in different peritoneal dialysis solutions that could be used for culture-directed therapy of peritonitis, which would be especially useful in regions with a high prevalence of multidrug antibiotic-resistant strains.

Methods: A literature search of Medline, Scopus, Embase and Google Scholar for articles published from inception to 25 January, 2023 was conducted. Only antibiotic stability studies conducted in vitro and not recently reviewed by So et al.

Efficacy of beetroot juice on reducing blood pressure in hypertensive adults with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (BEET-PKD): study protocol for a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: In autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) impaired nitric oxide (NO) synthesis, in part, contributes to early-onset hypertension. Beetroot juice (BRJ) reduces blood pressure (BP) by increasing NO-mediated vasodilation. The aim of this double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled study is to test the hypothesis that BRJ reduces systolic and diastolic clinic BP in hypertensive adults with ADPKD.

Associations of neutral pH, low-GDP peritoneal dialysis solutions with patient survival, transfer to haemodialysis and peritonitis.

Background: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) solutions containing low levels of glucose degradation products (GDPs) are associated with attenuation of peritoneal membrane injury and vascular complications. However, clinical benefits associated with neutral-pH, low-GDP (N-pH/L-GDP) solutions remain unclear.

Methods: Using data from the Australia and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Registry, we examined the associations between N-pH/L-GDP solutions and all-cause mortality, cause-specific mortality, transfer to haemodialysis (HD) for ≥30 days and PD peritonitis in adult incident PD patients in Australia and New Zealand between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2020 using adjusted Cox regression analyses.

Interventions to support decision-making, health literacy and self-management in ethnic-minority adults living with chronic kidney disease: a systematic review.

Optimal patient care is directed by clinical practice guidelines, with emphasis on shared decision-making. However, guidelines-and interventions to support their implementation-often do not reflect the needs of ethnic minorities, who experience inequities in chronic kidney disease (CKD) prevalence and outcomes. This review aims to describe what interventions exist to promote decision-making, self-management and/or health literacy for ethnic-minority people living with CKD, describe intervention development and/or adaptation processes, and explore the impact on patient outcomes.

A feasibility study of a best practice health literacy app for Australian adults with chronic kidney disease.

Objective: To investigate feasibility of the SUCCESS app; a cross-platform e-health innovation to improve health literacy, self-management and shared decision-making among culturally-diverse Australian haemodialysis patients.

Methods: Multi-site, pre-post, mixed-methods study. Haemodialysis patients ≥18 years used the app for 12 weeks.

Hospitalisation Due to Community-Acquired Acute Kidney Injury and the Role of Medications: A Retrospective Audit.

The aim of this study is to assess the use of high-risk medications in patients with community-acquired acute kidney injury (CA-AKI) and the differences in the characteristics and outcomes of CA-AKI based on the use of these medications. This is a retrospective audit of adults (≥35 years) with CA-AKI admitted to a large tertiary care hospital over a two-year period. We investigated the prevalence of SADMANS (sulfonylureas; angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors; diuretics; metformin; angiotensin receptor blockers; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; and sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors) medications use in people with CA-AKI prior to hospitalisation.