AIMS AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess systematically the characteristics of patients and risk factors associated with nosocomial infections among ESRD patients undergoing hemodialysis.
METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed to identify eligible studies published during the period from inception to December 2018 pertaining to risk factors associated with nosocomial infections among hemodialysis patients. The relevant studies were generated through a computerized search on five databases (PubMed, EBSCOhost, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect and Scopus) using the Mesh Words: nosocomial infections, hospital acquired infections, healthcare associated infections, end stage renal disease, end stage renal failure, hemodialysis, and risk factors. The complete protocol has been registered under PROSPERO (CRD42019124099).
RESULTS: Initially, 1411 articles were retrieved. Out of these, 24 were duplicates and hence were removed. Out of 1387 remaining articles, 1337 were removed based on irrelevant titles and/or abstracts. Subsequently, the full texts of 50 articles were reviewed and 41 studies were excluded at this stage due to lack of relevant information. Finally, nine articles were selected for this review. Longer hospital stay, longer duration on hemodialysis, multiple catheter sites, longer catheterization, age group, lower white blood cell count, history of blood transfusion, and diabetes were identified as the major risk factors for nosocomial infections among hemodialysis patients.
CONCLUSION: The results of this review indicate an information gap and potential benefits of additional preventive measures to further reduce the risk of infections in hemodialysis population. Moreover, several patient-related and facility-related risk factors were consistently observed in the studies included in this review, which require optimal control measures.
METHODS: Data on demographics, comorbidities, and treatments received, as well as mortality for HD patients admitted to hospitals for COVID-19, from 1/March to 31/July 2020, prospectively collected and analyzed.
RESULTS: A total of 141 infected HD patients were admitted (Mean age 58 ± 16.1; Males 56%), representing 7% of the total HD population and 0.2% of all COVID-19 cases during the study period. Of those 141 infected HD patients, 27 (19%) died, and this represents 6% of total COVID-19-related mortality and 27% of the total HD mortality. In contrast, total covid-19-related mortality of all positive cases was only 0.7%, and total HD mortality during the study period was only 5%. COVID-19-positive HD patients who died were older and 59% were males. However, the differences were not statistically significant. Of the 61 infected HD patients who needed to be switched to continuous kidney replacement therapy (CKRT), 34% died, and of the 29 infected HD patients who needed admission to intensive care, 65% died.
CONCLUSION: HD population represents a small fraction of the total population; however, positive HD COVID-19 cases represent a sizable proportion of COVID-19 cases and a significant percentage of total COVID-19-related mortality, and total HD mortality.
STUDY DESIGN: Prospective observational cohort study.
SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: 552 children and adolescents from 27 countries on maintenance HD followed up prospectively by the International Pediatric HD Network (IPHN) Registry between 2012 and 2017.
PREDICTOR: Type of vascular access: AVF, central venous catheter (CVC), or arteriovenous graft.
OUTCOME: Infectious and noninfectious vascular access complication rates, dialysis performance, biochemical and hematologic parameters, and clinical outcomes.
ANALYTICAL APPROACH: Univariate and multivariable linear mixed models, generalized linear mixed models, and proportional hazards models; cumulative incidence functions.
RESULTS: During 314 cumulative patient-years, 628 CVCs, 225 AVFs, and 17 arteriovenous grafts were placed. One-third of the children with an AVF required a temporary CVC until fistula maturation. Vascular access choice was associated with age and expectations for early transplantation. There was a 3-fold higher living related transplantation rate and lower median time to transplantation of 14 (IQR, 6-23) versus 20 (IQR, 14-36) months with CVCs compared with AVFs. Higher blood flow rates and Kt/Vurea were achieved with AVFs than with CVCs. Infectious complications were reported only with CVCs (1.3/1,000 catheter-days) and required vascular access replacement in 47%. CVC dysfunction rates were 2.5/1,000 catheter-days compared to 1.2/1,000 fistula-days. CVCs required 82% more revisions and almost 3-fold more vascular access replacements to a different site than AVFs (P<0.001).
LIMITATIONS: Clinical rather than population-based data.
CONCLUSIONS: CVCs are the predominant vascular access choice in children receiving HD within the IPHN. Age-related anatomical limitations and expected early living related transplantation were associated with CVC use. CVCs were associated with poorer dialysis efficacy, higher complication rates, and more frequent need for vascular access replacement. Such findings call for a re-evaluation of pediatric CVC use and practices.
BACKGROUND: Depression rates are particularly high in those with end-stage renal disease; however, there is limited insight into the range of stressors associated with haemodialysis treatment within the National Health Service contributing to such high rates, particularly those of a cognitive or psychological nature.
DESIGN: A qualitative approach was used to obtain rich, patient-focused data; one-to-one semi-structured interviews were conducted with twenty end-stage renal disease at a UK National Health Service centre.
METHODS: Patients were interviewed during a typical haemodialysis session. Thematic analysis was used to systematically interpret the data. Codes were created in an inductive and cyclical process using a constant comparative approach.
RESULTS: Three themes emerged from the data: (i) fluctuations in cognitive/physical well-being across the haemodialysis cycle, (ii) restrictions arising from the haemodialysis treatment schedule, (iii) emotional impact of haemodialysis on the self and others. The findings are limited to predominantly white, older patients (median = 74 years) within a National Health Service setting.
CONCLUSIONS: Several of the experiences reported by patients as challenging and distressing have so far been overlooked in the literature. A holistic-based approach to treatment, acknowledging all aspects of a patient's well-being, is essential if optimal quality of life is to be achieved by healthcare providers.
RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The findings can be used to inform future interventions and guidelines aimed at improving patients' treatment adherence and outcomes, for example, improved reliable access to mental health specialists.
METHOD: This is a clinical audit of cases of STR and fracture with 5504 patient-year dialysis vintage over 10 years. In order to verify the risk factor, comparison of cases of tendon rupture, the gender, and dialysis vintage matched patients without tendon rupture were done, followed by comparison with post-parathyroidectomy patients.
RESULT: Six cases of STR involving eight tendons were identified, including a case of concurrent tendon rupture and bony fracture. These include two cases of double tendons ruptures. During this time, there were 15 cases of bony fracture without tendon rupture. The overall incidence rate for STR and fracture was of 0.0011 and 0.0029 incidence per year of dialysis vintage or one case per 917 and 344 patient-year dialysis vintage, respectively. For patients with PTH ≥ 600 pg/mL, the incidence rate of tendon rupture and fracture was 0.0199 and 0.0430 incidence per person-years or one case per 50 and 23 person-years, respectively. For patients with PTH 5202 and 1734 person-years. There was significant difference for incidence rates of tendon rupture and fracture between these two groups, with six incidences of tendon rupture per 302 patient-dialysis-years of PTH ≥ 600 pg/mL versus 0 incidence per 5202 patient-year dialysis vintage of PTH renal failure patients on dialysis with PTH > 600 pg/mL had high risk of tendon rupture and bony fracture. Parathyroidectomy might reduce the risk of tendon rupture and fracture with lowering ALP signifying reduction in bone turn over. Combined incidence rate of tendon rupture and fracture could be used to assess the control of hyperparathyroidism related issues in dialysis center.