Jong Won Park

Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index as a prognostic factor in peritoneal dialysis patients.

♦ Background: The Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) might be a useful screening tool for malnutrition in dialysis patients. However, data concerning the GNRI as a prognostic factor in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients are scarce. ♦ Methods: We reviewed the medical records at Yeungnam University Hospital in Korea to identify all adults (>18 years) who received PD; 486 patients were enrolled in the study. ♦ Results: The initial low, middle, and high GNRI tertiles included 162, 166, and 158 patients respectively. Significant correlations were noted between the initial GNRI and body mass index, creatinine, albumin, arm circumference, fat mass index, and comorbidities. The cut-off value for the time-averaged GNRI over 1 year was 96.4, and the sensitivity and specificity for a diagnosis of a decline in lean mass were 77.1% and 40.0% respectively. A multivariate analysis adjusted for age, risk according to the Davies comorbidity index, and C-reactive protein showed that an low initial GNRI tertile was associated with mortality in PD patients. ♦ Conclusions: The GNRI is a simple method for predicting nutrition status and clinical outcome in PD patients.

Onodera's Prognostic Nutritional Index as a Risk Factor for Mortality in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical relevance and usefulness of the Onoderas prognostic nutritional index (OPNI) as a prognostic and nutritional indicator in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. Patients were divided into 3 groups based on the initial OPNI score: group A (n = 186, < 40), group B (n = 150, 40-45), and group C (n = 186, > 45). Group A was associated with a higher grade according to the Davies risk index than the other groups. Serum creatinine and albumin levels, total lymphocyte count, and fat mass increased with an increase in OPNI. According to the edema index, the correlation coefficient for OPNI was -0.284 and for serum albumin was -0.322. Similarly, according to the C-reactive protein (CRP), the correlation coefficient for OPNI was -0.117 and for serum albumin was -0.169. Multivariate analysis adjusted for age, Davies risk index, CRP, and edema index revealed that the hazard ratios for low OPNI, serum albumin, and CRP were 1.672 (P = 0.003), 1.308 (P = 0.130), and 1.349 (P = 0.083), respectively. Our results demonstrate that the OPNI is a simple method that can be used for predicting the nutritional status and clinical outcome in PD patients.

The association between metabolic syndrome or chronic kidney disease and hearing thresholds in Koreans: the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2009-2012.

Background The aim of this study was to determine whether metabolic syndrome (MetS) or chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with hearing thresholds in the general Korean population. Patients and Methods A total of 16,554 participants were included in this study. MetS was defined using the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines, and CKD was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 or a dipstick proteinuria result of ≥1+. The hearing thresholds were measured at 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 kHz. Low-frequency (Freq) was defined as pure-tone averages at 0.5 and 1 kHz, while Mid-Freq and High-Freq were defined as the average thresholds at mid-frequency (2 and 3 kHz) and high frequency (4 and 6 kHz), respectively. Results In men, the hearing thresholds were 15.1 ± 14.5 dB, 22.2 ± 21.3 dB, and 37.3 ± 26.5 dB for Low-, Mid-, and High-Freq, respectively. In women, the hearing thresholds were 14.9 ± 15.3 dB, 16.6 ± 18.0 dB, and 26.1 ± 21.5 dB for Low-, Mid-, and High-Freq, respectively. The hearing thresholds for men were significantly higher than the hearing thresholds for women in all 3 threshold categories. Male and female subjects with MetS or CKD had higher hearing thresholds than the subjects that did not have these disorders. In the multivariate analysis, MetS was associated with increased hearing thresholds in women, and CKD was associated with increased hearing thresholds in men and women. Conclusion MetS is associated with hearing thresholds in women, and CKD is associated with hearing thresholds in men and women. Therefore, patients with MetS or CKD should be closely monitored for hearing impairment.

Characteristics and clinical outcomes of hyponatraemia in peritoneal dialysis patients.

There are few reports on the incidence, aetiology, and mortality of peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients with hyponatraemia.

Limb/Trunk Lean Mass Ratio as a Risk Factor for Mortality in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients

BACKGROUNDnThis study was performed to determine the clinical relevance of limb/trunk lean mass ratio (LTLM) in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients.nnnMETHODSnThis retrospective cohort study included 534 CAPD patients. Body compositions were measured using a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry apparatus.nnnRESULTSnIn males, the sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of sarcopenia were 70.3% and 85.9%, respectively. Respective values in females were 62.3% and 83.8%. The initial low LTLM tertile was associated with mortality in male CAPD patients and in female CAPD patients. Among patients who maintained CAPD for a year, the maintenance of low LTLM tertile was associated with mortality.nnnCONCLUSIONSnLTLM is associated with other lean mass indices, nutritional status, and mortality in CAPD patients. Therefore, LTLM is a novel marker that is useful for the prediction of the nutritional status and mortality in patients with CAPD.

Comparison of waist to height ratio and body indices for prediction of metabolic disturbances in the Korean population: the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008-2011.

BackgroundThe aim of the present study of the general population was to identify the best predictor of metabolic risk among the body index variables evaluated with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) or anthropometric indices including the waist to height ratio (WHtR).Patients and MethodsData from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008–2011 were used for the analyses. As a result, 15,965 participants were included in this study. The body mass (BM) index was calculated as the body weight divided by the height squared. The WHtR was calculated as the waist circumference divided by height. Body composition indices such as lean mass (LM), fat mass (FM), trunk fat mass (TFM), and bone mineral content (BMC) were determined by using DEXA. Skeletal muscle mass (SM) was defined as the sum of the lean soft masses of both extremities. The LM, FM, BMC, TFM, and SM indices were calculated by dividing the total LM, total FM, total BMC, TFM, or SM by the height squared.ResultsThe WHtR had the highest area under the curve (AUC) and was the best predictor of metabolic syndrome for both sexes. In addition, the WHtR had the highest AUCs for components of metabolic syndrome (male: AUC 0.823, 95xa0% confidence interval [CI] 0.814–0.832; female: AUC 0.870, 95xa0% CI 0.863–0.877). There was a small statistically significant difference in AUC between WHtR and the other indices. Multivariate logistic regression showed that male participants in the second, third, and fourth quartiles had a 4.0 (95xa0% CI, 3.1–5.2), 9.6 (95xa0% CI, 7.5–12.3), and 36.1 (95xa0% CI, 28.0–46.4) times increased risk of metabolic syndrome compared with patients in the first quartile and female participants in the second, third, and fourth quartiles had a 4.3 (95xa0% CI, 3.1–6.0), 18.0 (95xa0% CI, 13.3–24.5), and 58.5 (95xa0% CI, 42.9–79.9) times increased risk of metabolic syndrome compared with patients in the first quartile.ConclusionAmong the BM, FM, LM, SM, TFM, and WHtR indices, WHtR is most useful to predict the presence of metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance in the Korean population.

HbA1c Levels Are Associated with Chronic Kidney Disease in a Non-Diabetic Adult Population: A Nationwide Survey (KNHANES 2011–2013)

Background Many studies have reported an association between glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in non-diabetes patients. Each component of MetS is in fact related to chronic kidney disease (CKD) incidence and progression. Therefore, HbA1c in non-diabetic mellitus (DM) may be intrinsically associated with the prevalence of CKD. The hypothesis of the present study was that high HbA1c in non-DM patients is associated with CKD. Patients and Methods The total number of participants in this study was 24,594. The participants were divided into three groups according to their HbA1c levels: a Low group (<5.7% or <39 mmol/mol), a Middle group (5.7–6.0% or 39–42 mmol/mol), and a High group (>6.0% or >42 mmol/mol). The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equation. Results The number of participants allocated to the Low, Middle, and High groups was 8,651, 4,634, and 1,387, respectively. Linear regression analyses were performed to evaluate the association between variables. Standardized β ± standard error was 0.25 ± 0.22 for waist circumference, 0.44 ± 0.20 for fasting glucose, –0.14 ± 0.30 for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, 0.15 ± 2.31 for triglyceride levels, 0.21 ± 0.00 for systolic blood pressure, 0.10 ± 0.00 for diastolic blood pressure, and –0.22 ± 0.42 for eGFR (P < 0.001 for all variables). eGFR in non-diabetes participants was inversely associated with the HbA1c level, where eGFR decreased as HbA1c levels increased. Standardized βs were –0.04 ± 0.42 in multivariable analysis (P < 0.001). The proportion of participants with only MetS, only CKD, or both MetS and CKD was higher in the High group than in the Low and Middle groups. Conclusion High HbA1c in non-DM patients may be associated with CKD. Renal function in patients with high HbA1c levels may need to be monitored.

Blind peritoneal catheter placement with a Tenckhoff trocar by nephrologists: a single-center experience.

Aim:u2003 Blind peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter instrumentation with a Tenckhoff trocar is performed without direct visualization of the peritoneum. This method requires the least equipment, it is safe and it can be performed mainly by nephrologists. We report here on our long‐term experience with this method as performed by nephrologists.

Clinical Significance of the Edema Index in Incident Peritoneal Dialysis Patients.

Background Proper monitoring for volume overload is important to improve prognosis in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. The association between volume status and residual renal function (RRF) remains an unresolved issue. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between the edema index and survival or RRF in incident PD patients. Patients and Methods We identified all adults who underwent PD. The edema index was defined as the ratio of extracellular fluid to total body fluid. Participants with available data regarding survivorship or non-survivorship during the first year after PD initiation were included in the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. The cutoff value of the edema index for 1-year mortality was >0.371 in men and >0.372 in women. Participants were divided into two groups according to the cutoff value of their baseline edema indices: High (>cutoff value) and Low (≤cutoff value). Survivors during the first year after PD initiation were divided into two groups according to the initial and 1-year edema index: Non-improvement (maintenance of criteria in the initial Low group during the year) and Other (all participants except those in the Non-improvement group). Results In total, 631 patients were enrolled in the present study. The cutoff value of the edema index for 1-year mortality was >0.371 in men and >0.372 in women. The respective mean initial RRF values (mL·min-1·1.73 m-2) in the Low and High groups, respectively, were 4.88 ± 4.09 and 4.21 ± 3.28 in men (P = 0.108), and 3.19 ± 2.57 and 2.98 ± 2.70 in women (P = 0.531). There were no significant differences between groups in either sex. The respective mean RRF values at 1 year after PD initiation in the Low and High groups, respectively, were 3.56 ± 4.35 and 2.73 ± 2.53 in men, and 2.80 ± 2.36 and 1.85 ± 1.51 in women. RRF at 1 year after PD initiation was higher in the Low group than in the High group (men: P = 0.027; women: P = 0.001). In men, the cumulative 5-year survival rates were 78.7% and 46.2% in the Low and High groups, respectively, whereas in women, rates were 77.2% and 58.8% in the Low and High groups, respectively. For survivors during the first year after PD initiation, the Non-improvement group was associated with a poor survival rate compared with the Other group for both sexes. Conclusion A high edema index was associated with mortality in incident PD patients at baseline and follow-up. The edema index may be used as a new marker for predicting mortality in PD patients.

Body composition measurements using bioimpedance analysis in peritoneal dialysis patients are affected by the presence of dialysate.

The presence of peritoneal dialysate when performing bioimpedance analysis may affect body composition measurements. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of dialysate on body composition measurements in Asians. Forty‐one patients undergoing maintenance peritoneal dialysis in our hospital peritoneal dialysis unit were included in this study. Dialysate was drained from the abdomen prior to measurement, and bioimpedance analysis was performed using multi‐frequency bioimpedance analysis, with each subject in a standing position (D‐). Dialysate was then administered and the measurement was repeated (D+). The presence of peritoneal dialysate led to an increase in intracellular water (ICW), extracellular water (ECW), and total body water (D‐: 20.33u2009±u20093.72u2009L for ICW and 13.53u2009±u20092.54u2009L for ECW; D+: 20.96u2009±u20093.78u2009L for ICW and 14.10u2009±u20092.59u2009L for ECW; Pu2009<u20090.001 for both variables). Total and trunk oedema indices were higher in the presence of peritoneal dialysate. In addition, the presence of peritoneal dialysate led to an overestimation of mineral content and free fat mass (FFM) for the total body; but led to an underestimation of body fat (D‐: 45.80u2009±u20098.26u2009kg for FFM and 19.30u2009±u20096.27u2009kg for body fat; D+: 47.51u2009±u20098.38u2009kg for FFM and 17.59u2009±u20096.47u2009kg for body fat; Pu2009<u20090.001 for both variables). Our results demonstrate that the presence of peritoneal dialysate leads to an overestimation of FFM and an underestimation of fat mass. An empty abdomen is recommended when evaluating body composition using bioimpedance analysis.