Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Glenn M Chertow

Publications and source records attributed to Glenn M Chertow.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Association of cystatin C with mortality, cardiovascular events, and incident heart failure among persons with coronary heart disease: data from the Heart and Soul Study.

BACKGROUND: Serum creatinine and related estimating equations predict cardiovascular events and mortality among persons with coronary heart disease (CHD). Cystatin C is a novel and sensitive endogenous marker of kidney function. Whether cystatin C concentrations are associated with adverse events among ambulatory persons with CHD is unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS: Nine hundred ninety ambulatory persons with CHD were categorized into quartiles of serum cystatin C at inception, with < or = 0.91 mg/L constituting the lowest quartile (I) and > or = 1.30 mg/L constituting the highest (IV). Cox proportional hazards models evaluated time to all-cause mortality, cardiovascular events (composite of CHD death, myocardial infarction, and stroke), and incident heart failure. After a median follow-up of 37 months, 132 participants (13%) died, 101 (10%) had cardiovascular events, and 57 (7%) had incident heart failure. Compared with participants in the lowest cystatin C quartile, those in the highest quartile were at increased risk of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio, 3.6; 95% CI, 1.8 to 7.0), cardiovascular events (hazard ratio, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.0 to 3.8), and incident heart failure (hazard ratio, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.0 to 6.9) in analyses adjusted for traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Cystatin C in the highest quartile predicted similar risk for these outcomes among participants with lower (< or = 60 mL/min per 1.73 m2) or higher estimated glomerular filtration rate and among participants with or without microalbuminuria. CONCLUSIONS: High cystatin C concentrations predict substantial increased risks of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular events, and incident heart failure among ambulatory persons with CHD. This risk is not completely captured by measures of kidney function routinely used in clinical practice.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Cystatin C and measures of physical function in elderly adults: the Health, Aging, and Body Composition (HABC) Study.

Most studies of the relation between kidney function and physical function have been conducted in persons with advanced kidney disease and have used creatinine-based measures of kidney function. Cystatin C concentration is a measure of kidney function that is independent of muscle mass, unlike creatinine. Using baseline data on 3,043 elderly adults from the Health, Aging, and Body Composition Study (Blacks and Whites recruited from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Memphis, Tennessee, in 1997-1998), the authors examined the cross-sectional association between cystatin C level and performance on several tests of physical function. After adjustment for demographic and lifestyle variables, chronic health conditions, and inflammation, each standard-deviation (0.34 mg/liter) increase in cystatin C concentration was associated with 1.32 odds (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.20, 1.46) of not completing a 400-m walk, a 10.9-second (95% CI: 8.1, 13.8) slower 400-m walk time, a 0.11-point (95% CI: 0.09, 0.13) reduction in lower extremity performance score, a 1.12-kg (95% CI: 0.83, 1.40) lower grip strength, and a 4.7-nm (95% CI: 3.5, 5.9) lower knee extension strength. In contrast, when kidney function was measured by estimated glomerular filtration rate, the association of kidney function with physical function was only evident below 60 ml/minute/1.73 m2. In these older adults, mild decrements in kidney function, as measured by cystatin C concentration, were associated with poorer physical function.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Survival by dialysis modality in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury.

Among critically ill patients, acute kidney injury (AKI) requiring dialysis is associated with mortality rates generally in excess of 50%. Continuous renal replacement therapies (CRRT) often are recommended and widely used, although data to support its superiority over intermittent hemodialysis (IHD) are lacking. Data from the Program to Improve Care in Acute Renal Disease (PICARD), a multicenter observational study of AKI, were analyzed. Among 398 patients who required dialysis, the risk for death within 60 d was examined by assigned initial dialysis modality (CRRT [n = 206] versus IHD [n = 192]) using standard Kaplan-Meier product limit estimates, proportional hazards ("Cox") regression methods, and a propensity score approach to account for selection effects. Crude survival rates were lower for patients who were treated with CRRT than IHD (survival at 30 d 45 versus 58%; P = 0.006). Adjusted for age, hepatic failure, sepsis, thrombocytopenia, blood urea nitrogen, and serum creatinine and stratified by site, the relative risk for death associated with CRRT was 1.82 (95% confidence interval 1.26 to 2.62). Further adjustment for the propensity score did not materially alter the association (relative risk 1.92; 95% confidence interval 1.28 to 2.89). Among critically ill patients with AKI, CRRT was associated with increased mortality. Although the results could reflect residual confounding by severity of illness, these data provide no evidence for a survival benefit afforded by CRRT. Larger, prospective, randomized clinical trials to compare CRRT and IHD in severe AKI are needed.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2006

Risks for end-stage renal disease, cardiovascular events, and death in Hispanic versus non-Hispanic white adults with chronic kidney disease.

Rates of ESRD are rising faster in Hispanic than non-Hispanic white individuals, but reasons for this are unclear. Whether rates of cardiovascular events and mortality differ among Hispanic and non-Hispanic white patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) also is not well understood. Therefore, this study examined the associations between Hispanic ethnicity and risks for ESRD, cardiovascular events, and death in patients with CKD. A total of 39,550 patients with stages 3 to 4 CKD from Kaiser Permanente of Northern California were included. Hispanic ethnicity was obtained from self-report supplemented by surname matching. GFR was estimated from the abbreviated Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation, and clinical outcomes, patient characteristics, and longitudinal medication use were ascertained from health plan databases and state mortality files. After adjustment for sociodemographic characteristics, Hispanic ethnicity was associated with an increased risk for ESRD (hazard ratio [HR] 1.93; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.72 to 2.17) when compared with non-Hispanic white patients, which was attenuated after controlling for diabetes and insulin use (HR 1.50; 95% CI 1.33 to 1.69). After further adjustment for potential confounders, Hispanic ethnicity remained independently associated with an increased risk for ESRD (HR 1.33; 95% CI 1.17 to 1.52) as well as a lower risk for cardiovascular events (HR 0.82; 95% CI 0.76 to 0.88) and death (HR 0.72; 95% CI 0.66 to 0.79). Among a large cohort of patients with CKD, Hispanic ethnicity was associated with lower rates of death and cardiovascular events and a higher rate of progression to ESRD. The higher prevalence of diabetes among Hispanic patients only partially explained the increased risk for ESRD. Further studies are required to elucidate the cause(s) of ethnic disparities in CKD-associated outcomes.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Renal function and heart failure risk in older black and white individuals: the Health, Aging, and Body Composition Study.

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease is a risk factor for heart failure, an association that may be particularly important in blacks who are disproportionately affected by both processes. Our objective was to determine whether the association of chronic kidney disease with incident heart failure differs between blacks and whites. METHODS: The study population comprised participants in the Health, Aging, and Body Composition Study without a diagnosis of heart failure (1124 black and 1676 white community-dwelling older persons). The main predictors were quintiles of cystatin C and creatinine concentrations and estimated glomerular filtration rate. The main outcome measure was incident heart failure. RESULTS: Over a mean 5.7 years, 200 participants developed heart failure. High concentrations of cystatin C and low estimated glomerular filtration rate were each associated with heart failure, but the magnitude was greater for blacks than for whites (cystatin C concentration: adjusted hazard ratio for quintile 5 [> or =1.18 mg/dL] vs quintile 1 [<0.84 mg/dL] was 3.0 [95% confidence interval 1.4-6.5] in blacks and 1.4 [95% confidence interval, 0.8-2.5] in whites; estimated glomerular filtration rate: adjusted hazard ratio for quintile 5 (<59.2 mL/min) vs quintile 1 (>86.7 mL/min) was 2.7 [95% confidence interval, 1.4-4.9] in blacks and 1.8 [95% confidence interval, 0.9-3.6] in whites). For cystatin C, this association was observed at more modest decrements in kidney function among blacks as well. The population attributable risk of heart failure was 47% for blacks with moderate or high concentrations of cystatin C (> or =0.94 mg/dL) (56% prevalence) but only 5% among whites (64% prevalence). CONCLUSION: The association of kidney dysfunction with heart failure appears stronger in blacks than for whites, particularly when cystatin C is used to measure kidney function.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Lessons for Medicare Part D in the hemodialysis community.

BACKGROUND: Medicare beneficiaries without prescription drug coverage consistently fill fewer prescriptions than beneficiaries with some form of drug coverage due to cost. ESRD patients, who are disproportionately poor and typically use multiple oral medications, would likely benefit substantially from any form of prescription drug coverage. Because most hemodialysis patients are Medicare-eligible, they as well as their providers would be expected to be well informed of changes in Medicare prescription drug coverage. By examining the level of understanding and use of the temporary Medicare Prescription Drug Discount Card Program in the hemodialysis population, we can gain a better understanding of the potential long-term utilization for Medicare Part D. METHODS: We surveyed English-speaking adult hemodialysis patients with Medicare coverage from two urban hemodialysis centers affiliated with the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) during July and August 2005 (n = 70). We also surveyed University- and community-based nephrologists and non-physician dialysis health care professionals over the same time frame (n = 70). RESULTS: Fifty-nine percent of patients received prescription drug coverage through Medi-Cal, 20% through another insurance program, and 21% had no prescription drug coverage. Forty percent of patients with no prescription drug coverage reported "sometimes" or "rarely" being able to obtain medications vs. 22% of patients with some form of drug coverage. None of the patients surveyed actually had a Medicare-approved prescription drug card, and of those who intended to apply, only 10% reported knowing how to do so. Only 11% health care professionals knew the eligibility requirements of the drug discount cards. CONCLUSION: Despite a significant need, hemodialysis patients and providers were poorly educated about the Medicare Prescription Drug Discount Cards. This has broad implications for the dissemination of information about Medicare Part D.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Correlates and outcomes of dementia among dialysis patients: the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies suggest a high prevalence of cognitive impairment and dementia in persons with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), yet risk factors for dementia and its prognostic significance in persons with ESRD remain unclear. The goals of this study were to determine the prevalence, correlates and dialysis-related outcomes of dementia in an international sample of haemodialysis patients. METHODS: We analysed data collected from a cohort of 16 694 patients in the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study. Dementia was defined as a diagnosis of dementia documented in the medical record. We used logistic regression to determine the baseline correlates of dementia and Cox proportional hazards models to determine the relative risk (RR) of death and dialysis withdrawal for patients with dementia, while adjusting for a number of confounding factors. RESULTS: Overall, 4% of the cohort had a recorded diagnosis of dementia. In the cross-sectional analyses, risk factors for dementia in the general population including age, black race, low educational attainment, cerebrovascular disease and diabetes, as well as modifiable uraemia-related factors, including markers of malnutrition and anaemia, were independently associated with dementia. After adjustment for a number of confounding factors, dementia was associated with an increased risk of death [RR 1.48, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.32-1.66] and dialysis withdrawal (RR 2.01, 95% CI 1.57-2.57). CONCLUSIONS: Dementia is associated with adverse outcomes among ESRD patients. Dialysis providers should consider instituting routine screening for cognitive impairment among elderly patients in order to identify those at risk for associated adverse outcomes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Fetuin-A and kidney function in persons with coronary artery disease--data from the Heart and Soul Study.

BACKGROUND: Fetuin-A is a serum protein that inhibits ectopic vascular calcification and is present in lower concentrations in end-stage renal disease than in healthy controls. Whether fetuin-A concentrations are also lower in the setting of mild-to-moderate chronic kidney disease (CKD) is unknown. METHODS: We evaluated the associations of several parameters of kidney function including measured 24 h urinary creatinine clearance (CrCl), estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) by the Mayo Clinic quadratic GFR equation (qGFR), serum cystatin-C concentrations, and urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio with serum fetuin-A concentrations in 970 outpatients with coronary artery disease. We used general linear models to determine the adjusted mean fetuin-A concentrations within each kidney function category. RESULTS: The mean age of the study sample was 67 years, 82% were male, 71% had hypertension and 26% had diabetes mellitus. In adjusted analysis, we observed no significant differences in mean fetuin-A concentrations across groups defined by CrCl, qGFR, or albumin-to-creatinine ratio groups. For example, adjusted mean fetuin-A concentrations were 0.66 g/l in participants with CrCl > 90, 60-90 and 45-60 ml/min/1.73 m(2), and 0.65 g/l in participants with CrCl < 45 ml/min/1.73 m(2). Higher serum cystatin-C (indicating worse kidney function) was associated with higher adjusted mean serum fetuin-A concentrations (lowest quartile 0.62 g/l, highest quartile 0.68 g/l; P for trend <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Among ambulatory patients with coronary artery disease, there is no evidence that mild-to-moderate CKD is associated with lower concentrations of serum fetuin-A compared with persons with normal renal function. The mechanisms explaining the association between CKD and vascular calcification remain elusive.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Validity of International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification Codes for Acute Renal Failure.

Administrative and claims databases may be useful for the study of acute renal failure (ARF) and ARF that requires dialysis (ARF-D), but the validity of the corresponding diagnosis and procedure codes is unknown. The performance characteristics of International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes for ARF were assessed against serum creatinine-based definitions of ARF in 97,705 adult discharges from three Boston hospitals in 2004. For ARF-D, ICD-9-CM codes were compared with review of medical records in 150 patients with ARF-D and 150 control patients. As compared with a diagnostic standard of a 100% change in serum creatinine, ICD-9-CM codes for ARF had a sensitivity of 35.4%, specificity of 97.7%, positive predictive value of 47.9%, and negative predictive value of 96.1%. As compared with review of medical records, ICD-9-CM codes for ARF-D had positive predictive value of 94.0% and negative predictive value of 90.0%. It is concluded that administrative databases may be a powerful tool for the study of ARF, although the low sensitivity of ARF codes is an important caveat. The excellent performance characteristics of ICD-9-CM codes for ARF-D suggest that administrative data sets may be particularly well suited for research endeavors that involve patients with ARF-D.

Acute Kidney Injury↗
PubMed2006

Declining mortality in patients with acute renal failure, 1988 to 2002.

Despite improvements in intensive care and dialysis, some experts have concluded that outcomes associated with acute renal failure (ARF) have not improved significantly over time. ARF was studied in hospitalized patients between 1988 and 2002 using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample, a nationally representative sample of discharges from acute-care, nonfederal hospitals. During a 15-yr period, 5,563,381 discharges with ARF and 598,768 with ARF that required dialysis (ARF-D) were identified. Between 1988 and 2002, the incidence of ARF rose from 61 to 288 per 100,000 population; the incidence of ARF-D increased from 4 to 27 per 100,000 population. Between 1988 and 2002, in-hospital mortality declined steadily in patients with ARF (40.4 to 20.3%; P < 0.001) and in those with ARF-D (41.3 to 28.1%; P < 0.001). Compared with 1988 to 1992, the multivariable-adjusted odds ratio (OR) of death was lower in 1993 to 1997 (ARF: OR 0.62, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.61 to 0.64; ARF-D: OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.59 to 0.66) and 1998 to 2002 (ARF: OR 0.40, 95% CI 0.39 to 0.41; ARF-D: OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.45 to 0.50). The percentage of patients who had ARF with a Deyo-Charlson comorbidity index of 3 or more increased from 16.4% in 1988 to 26.6% in 2002 (P < 0.001). This study provides evidence from an administrative database that the incidence of ARF and ARF-D is rising. Despite an increase in the degree of comorbidity, in-hospital mortality has declined.

Acute Kidney Injury↗
PubMed2006

Cystatin C, left ventricular hypertrophy, and diastolic dysfunction: data from the Heart and Soul Study.

BACKGROUND: Impaired kidney function, as measured by serum cystatin C, is associated with risk of incident heart failure. Whether cystatin C is associated with preclinical cardiac structural abnormalities is unknown. We evaluate whether cystatin C is associated with left ventricular hypertrophy, diastolic dysfunction, and systolic dysfunction among 818 outpatients with coronary artery disease who were free of clinical heart failure. METHODS AND RESULTS: The 818 study participants were categorized into quartiles based on serum cystatin C concentrations, with < or =0.91 mg/L constituting the lowest quartile (I) and > or =1.28 mg/L constituting the highest (IV). Left ventricular hypertrophy (left ventricular mass index >90 g/m(2) by truncated ellipsoid method), diastolic dysfunction (impaired relaxation, pseudo-normal, or restrictive filling patterns) and systolic dysfunction (left ventricular ejection fraction < or =50%) were determined by echocardiography. Left ventricular hypertrophy was present in 68% of participants in quartile IV, compared with 44% of those in quartile I (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.17; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.34 to 3.52; P = .002). Diastolic dysfunction was present in 52% of participants in quartile IV, compared with 24% of those in quartile I (adjusted OR 1.79; 95% CI 1.04 to 3.11; P = .04). Systolic dysfunction was present in 12% of those in quartile IV, compared with 6% of those in quartile I (adjusted OR 1.83; 95% CI 0.75 to 4.46; P = .15). CONCLUSION: Higher cystatin C concentrations are strongly associated with left ventricular hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction in outpatients with coronary artery disease and without heart failure.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Acute renal failure after endovascular vs open repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm.

OBJECTIVE: Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is an increasingly used alternative to open surgical repair of unruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). The effect of EVAR on postprocedure acute renal failure has not been determined. We hypothesized that EVAR would be associated with a lower risk of acute renal failure and acute renal failure requiring hemodialysis. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted of the 2002 Nationwide Inpatient Sample, the largest all-payer inpatient care database in the United States, reflecting discharges from a representative sample of United States hospitals. We identified 6614 discharges with a primary diagnosis of unruptured AAA and a primary procedure code for open AAA repair or EVAR. We excluded 56 patients with end-stage renal disease and 42 patients who underwent concomitant aortorenal bypass. We compared EVAR vs open repair in this cohort. The main outcome measures were acute renal failure and acute renal failure requiring dialysis. RESULTS: A total of 6516 patient discharges met the inclusion criteria for the study, and postprocedure acute renal failure developed in 439 (6.7%). EVAR was associated with lower odds of acute renal failure (adjusted odds ratio, 0.42; 95% confidence interval, 0.33 to 0.53) and acute renal failure requiring dialysis (adjusted odds ratio, 0.30, 95% confidence interval, 0.15 to 0.63). Results were similar when EVAR and open AAA repair were compared within quintiles of the propensity score for the receipt of EVAR. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with open AAA repair, EVAR is associated with a lower risk of postprocedure acute renal failure.

Acute Kidney Injury↗
PubMed2006

Less-than-subtotal parathyroidectomy increases the risk of persistent/recurrent hyperparathyroidism after parathyroidectomy in tertiary hyperparathyroidism after renal transplantation.

BACKGROUND: The optimal surgical approach for tertiary hyperparathyroidism (HPT) after kidney transplantation is unknown. Existing studies are limited by small sample size, lack of adjustment for kidney function, and no long-term follow-up. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 74 patients with tertiary HPT who underwent parathyroidectomy at two centers since 1978. Persistent HPT was defined as parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations in excess of the K/DOQI target range for the corresponding estimated creatinine clearance (eCrCl). RESULTS: Seventy-four patients had 83 operations (72 subtotal and 11 less-than-subtotal parathyroidectomies). Mean follow-up time was 5.4 +/- 4.7 years. Calcium concentrations decreased significantly after parathyroidectomy (2.83 vs 2.28 mmol/L, P < 0.001), as did eCrCl (54.5 vs 44.9 mL/min, P < 0.001) and PTH (382 vs 132 pg/mL, P < 0.001). In the multivariable regression analysis, only the type of operation and postoperative eCrCl were significantly correlated with PTH at follow-up. A limited parathyroidectomy was associated with a fivefold increase in risk of persistent or recurrent hyperparathyroidism. CONCLUSIONS: The use of limited parathyroidectomy for tertiary HPT after kidney transplantation has a higher risk of persistent/recurrent HPT. Subtotal parathyroidectomy is recommended for patients with tertiary HPT.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Guidelines for disorders of mineral metabolism and secondary hyperparathyroidism should not yet be modified.

This brief article is a response to the article by Monge et al. on page 326 entitled Reappraisal of 2003 NKF-K/DOQI guidelines for management of hyperparathyroidism in chronic kidney disease patients. We contend that there is insufficient evidence to support the changes to clinical practice and clinical practice guidelines proposed by Monge and colleagues. We recommend that clinical trials be conducted to resolve these points of contention and other critical issues in the management of disorders of mineral metabolism in chronic kidney disease, including secondary hyperparathyroidism. The focus should be on evaluating the effects of alternative strategies on survival, as well as clinical manifestations of cardiovascular and bone disease.

Bone Diseases↗
PubMed2006

Challenging the validity of the EPO index.

BACKGROUND: With use of recombinant erythropoietin (EPO) and intravenous iron, the majority of hemodialysis patients can achieve target hemoglobin concentrations. EPO resistance arises as a consequence of inflammation and other processes that can adversely affect survival. We hypothesized that the EPO dose-hematocrit (EPO/Hct) ratio, also known as the EPO index, may be a surrogate for inflammation and that greater EPO/Hct ratios would be associated with decreased survival. METHODS: We used proportional hazards regression models and time-varying logistic models to analyze the association between EPO index and survival in US hemodialysis patients initiating hemodialysis therapy between January 1, 1999, and December 31, 2000, and followed up for up to 3 years until December 31, 2001. RESULTS: We found an unexpected and consistent association between greater EPO index and survival in all models. The associations of EPO/Hct ratio were most prominent at intermediate Hct values and with longer dialysis vintage. Iron administration was associated with a lower risk for death independent of Hct. Conversely, greater average prior EPO dose was associated with a greater risk for death. CONCLUSION: EPO resistance may be reflected better by total cumulative EPO dose than the EPO/Hct ratio. The mechanism(s) responsible for the association between a greater EPO/Hct ratio and survival remains to be established, but may be a result of nonerythrogenic effects of EPO.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

PTH and the risks for hip, vertebral, and pelvic fractures among patients on dialysis.

BACKGROUND: Few investigations have described fracture risk and its relation to disorders in calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), and parathyroid hormone (PTH) metabolism in the end-stage renal disease population. METHODS: Laboratory values for Ca, P, and PTH were obtained from Dialysis Morbidity and Mortality Study (DMMS) Waves 1 to 4. Additional data available from the US Renal Data System were used to determine the incidence and associated costs of hip, vertebral, and pelvic fractures in 9,007 patients with nonmissing laboratory values and Medicare as primary payor. Cox proportional hazards and Poisson models were used to analyze time to first fracture and numbers of fractures, respectively. RESULTS: There was no association between Ca or P values and risk for fracture; risks for vertebral and hip fractures and PTH concentrations were U shaped and weakly significant using Poisson regression (P = 0.03). The age- and sex-adjusted mortality rate after fracture was 2.7 times greater (580/1,000 person-years) than for general dialysis patients from the DMMS (217/1,000 person-years). Mean total episodic costs of hip, vertebral, and pelvic fractures were 20,810 dollars +/- 16,743 dollars (SD), 17,063 dollars +/- 26,201 dollars, and 14,475 dollars +/- 19,209 dollars, respectively. CONCLUSION: Using data from the DMMS, there were no associations between Ca and P concentrations and risk for fracture. Risks for hip and vertebral fracture were associated weakly with PTH concentration, with the lowest risk observed around a PTH concentration of 300 pg/mL (ng/L). Fractures were associated with high subsequent mortality and costs. Prospective studies are needed to determine whether therapies that maintain PTH concentrations within or near the National Kidney Foundation-Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative range will result in fewer complications of disordered mineral metabolism.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Association of body size with health status in patients beginning dialysis.

BACKGROUND: Greater weight-for-height has been associated with prolonged survival in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) but not in the general population. The association between body size and health status has not been carefully evaluated. OBJECTIVES: We compared the self-reported health status of 2467 participants in the Dialysis Morbidity and Mortality Study Wave 2 by using body mass index (BMI; in kg/m2) to approximate body size and composition. DESIGN: BMI was categorized into 4 groups (<19, 19 to <25, 25 to <30, and > or = 30) corresponding to World Health Organization criteria for underweight, normal-weight, overweight, and obese status. We adjusted for demographic, clinical, and laboratory factors that may have confounded the association between body size and health status. RESULTS: Scores on the physical component summary and the physical functioning scale were significantly lower for obese subjects than for those with normal weight or moderately high BMI after adjustment for demographic factors, comorbidity, and laboratory markers of nutritional status. Mental component summary and symptom scores were unrelated to BMI. The underweight group scored lower on many Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form scales than did the normal-weight group. CONCLUSIONS: Whereas higher BMI has consistently been associated with enhanced dialysis-related survival, health status-particularly physical function-may be impaired by obesity. Additional longitudinal studies of body weight and composition are needed for a better understanding of the complex effects of obesity and undernutrition in persons with ESRD and advanced chronic kidney disease.

Body Composition↗