-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Previous studies to determine the cost of haemodialysis (HD) in Spain have significant limitations: they are outdated or used indirect methods. There is also a lack of analysis performed simultaneously on Public centres (PC), with direct HD services, and partially state-subsidised centres (SC). This is an important issue since the two systems coexist in Spain.
To estimate the cost of HD replacement therapy for chronic renal failure in several centres.
This is a prospective and publicly-funded study, which estimates the costs for 2008 using a cost accounting system with specific allocation criteria. We collected demographic and comorbidity data for each centre.
Six centres participated, two PC and four SC. There were no significant differences between centres in terms of patient demographics, time on haemodialysis and the Charlson comorbidity index. The total cost per patient per year ranged between € 46, 254 and € 33,130. The cost per patient per year (excluding vascular access and hospital admission) for PC was € 42, 547 and € 39, 289 and for SC € 32 872, € 29, 786, € 35, 461 and € 35, 294 (23% more in PC than SC). Costs related to staff/patient/year and consumables/patient/year were 67% and 83% respectively, higher for PC than SC. The highest percentage cost was for staff (average 30.9%), which showed significant variability between centres, both in absolute numbers (staff cost per patient per year between € 18,151 and € 8504) and as a percentage (between 42.6 % and 25.4%).
Cost variability exists among different HD centres, and this can be attributed primarily to staff and consumables costs, which is higher for PC than SC.
Nefrologia: publicacion oficial de la Sociedad Espanola Nefrologia 05/2011; 31(3):299-307. · 1.00 Impact Factor
-
Nefrologia: publicacion oficial de la Sociedad Espanola Nefrologia 05/2011; 31(3):368-9. · 1.00 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Dispositional optimism is a personality trait significantly associated with the use of positive adaptive coping strategies as well as with perceived psychological and physical well-being, and it appears to be an important predictor of illness.
To analyse if dispositional optimism is significantly associated with the number of hospital admissions of our chronic haemodialysis patients, as well as its relationship with perceived state of health.
We studied 239 patients on chronic haemodialysis. Patients were categorised into two groups according to the variables: hospital admissions/no. of admissions in the last year and dispositional optimism (DO). We used the following variables and questionnaires: 1) Dispositional O/P using the Spanish-validated cross-cultural adaptation of the revised version of the Life Orientation Test (LOT-R) (Scheier, 1994): higher scores mean a higher degree of dispositional optimism. 2) Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) using the different aspects of the COOP/WONCA (CW) charts and its total score. In this case higher scores mean lower HRQoL. 3) Modified Charlson Comorbidity Index (mCCI). 4) Age, gender, and time on dialysis.
Mean age was 64.8 ± 14.3 years; median time on dialysis 2.9 years (range: 0-32); and median LOT-R 21 (range 6-30). Patients considered DO had a lower risk of hospital admissions than pessimists (DP) (OR: 0.55; IC 95%: 0.32-0.94; P<.05). PD Patients that were admitted in the last year showed a significantly lower score on LOT-R (they were more pessimistic) than those that had no hospital admissions (19.4 ± 5.7 vs 22.3 ± 4.6; P=.001). We found no significant differences between admitted and not admitted patients in age, gender, time on haemodialysis and comorbidity. Admitted patients showed worse HRQoL (higher scores in total CW) than those that were not (Total CW: 22.37 vs 19.42; P<.001). PD patients had significantly higher scores than OD patients in all COOP-WONCA aspects except in aspect 1 (physical fitness) and 5 (change in health).
Pessimistic personality trait is significantly associated with hospital admissions in chronic haemodialysis patients, regardless of age, gender and comorbidity. Optimistic patients perceived a better state of health.
Nefrologia: publicacion oficial de la Sociedad Espanola Nefrologia 03/2011; 31(2):199-205. · 1.00 Impact Factor
-
Nefrologia: publicacion oficial de la Sociedad Espanola Nefrologia 03/2011; 31(2):234-6. · 1.00 Impact Factor
-
M A Bajo,
R Selgas,
C Remón,
J Arrieta, F Alvarez-Ude,
M D Arenas,
M Borrás,
F Coronel,
R García-Ramón,
I Minguela,
V Pérez-Bañasco,
J Pérez-Contreras,
M Pérez Fontán,
J Teixidó,
F Tornero,
N Vega
Nefrologia: publicacion oficial de la Sociedad Espanola Nefrologia 01/2010; 30(1):28-45. · 1.00 Impact Factor
-
Nefrologia: publicacion oficial de la Sociedad Espanola Nefrologia 10/2009; 29(5):494-6. · 1.00 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Low serum free triiodothyronine (FT3) levels have been reported in a high percentage of chronic renal failure (CRF) patients and have been considered as independent predictors of mortality in both hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD). A reduction in thyroid function in dialysis patients could be a marker of malnutrition and/or inflammation.
Our aim has been to evaluate the incidence of low T3 syndrome in a group of dialysis patients and analyze its relationship with different parameters of malnutrition and inflammation. PATIENTS AND METHODS We included 32 stable dialysis patients (24 HD and 8 DP); mean age +/- SD 71.2 +/- 11.7 years; 46.9% males; 15.6% diabetics; mean time on dialysis 47 +/- 43 months. The following parameters were measured in every patient: thyrothropin (TSH), Free T4 (FT4) and Free T3 (FT3); biochemical data related to nutritional status; anthropometric measurements, bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA), and dietary survey of three consecutive days. Statistical analysis was performed by using SPSS 11.0.
Mean hormonal values of thyroid function were: TSH 2,2 +/- 1.5 U/ml (range: 0,4-5.0); FT4 14.7 +/- 2.3 pmol/l (range: 11.0-23.0) and FT3 4,0 +/- 0.71 pmol/l (range: 3.95-6.80). Only 2 patients (6.3%) showed low FT4 levels and another 2 patients increased TSH levels, whereas 17 patients (53.1%) presented with low FT3 levels. We did not found any correlation between serum FT3, FT4 and TSH levels. We found a correlation between FT3 and inflammation/nutritional parameters: prealbumin (r = 0,36; p = 0,04); transferrin (r = 0,40; p = 0,025); PCR (r = -0.38; p = 0,039); and IGF-I (r = 0,38; p = 0,03); body mass index (BMI) (r = 0,51; p = 0,002); arm circumference (AC) (r = 0,65; p = 0,000), and arm muscle circumference (AMC) (r = 0,72; p = 0,000). FT3 levels were also correlated with BIVA parameters: phase angle (r = 0,54; p = 0,002); muscle mass percentage (r = 0,49; p = 0,005); and cell mass percentage (r = 0,53; p = 0,02), but not with any data of fat mass. AMC was the only variable that independently correlated with FT3 levels in the multivariate regression analysis (r = 0,69; r2: 0,48; p = 0,000)
Half of our dialysis patients have decreased levels of serum FT3 without alteration on FT4 or TSH. Low FT3 levels are correlated bioquimical and anthropometric parameters indicators of malnutrition and inflammation. Periodical measurement of FT3 levels could be used by clinicians as an accesible and reproducible method to detect such states.
Nefrologia: publicacion oficial de la Sociedad Espanola Nefrologia 09/2009; 29(4):304-10. · 1.00 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION: Introduction In an attempt to reduce unnecessary central venous catheters (CVC) dependence in prevalent population, a "CVC removal" programme was initiated in our unit. The objective was to diminish the number of CVC and to analyze the causes of their insertion and maintenance. On 09/01/07, 38 out of 173 prevalent patients on hemodialysis. Methods were CVC dependant (21.9%): 16 incident patients (42,1%) and 22 (57,8%) prevalent patients. All of them were re-evaluated for permanent vascular access utilization, included those previously rejected for surgery. Physical, psychical and vascular aspects regarding each patient were taken into consideration. The following variables were age, Body mass index, time on hemodialysis, Charlson analyzed comorbidity index, DM or vascular comorbidities and number of vascular accesses created prior to CVC placement. In those patients in whom AVF creation was feasible, the following were registered after 18 months of 1.Primary failure rate. 2. Related complications. 3. up follow Percentage of usable AVF or AVG. 4. Percentage of removed CVC. 5. Mortality and hospitalization. The decision of no realization of a new vascular access and? Results maintenance of TVC was performed in 21 patients (55.2%). In 9 of them was decision of the nephrologists and the family. In 11 patients was decision of vascular surgeon due to vascular bed exhaustion. A permanent VA was achieved in 17 patients (44.7%), 50% of them was incident patients and 45% prevalent patients. The primary failure rate was 0%. The TVC was withdrawn in 11/17 (64.7%). Only 4 patients remain without TVC after 18 months of follow-up: 5 patients died (4 with a AVF functioning and 1 VA closure due to steal syndrome) and in 8 patients was mandatory to reintroduce the TVC again. Immediate complications after the surgery were: 1 severe haematoma, 2 infections and 2 severe sequestrations. 3 patients required hospital admission following complications directly related to VA. Mean time of free of TVC was 5.2 months (range: 0.7- 14.3 months). The mortality was 29,4% (5/17) in the group of patients with a new VA and 9,5% (2/21) in the other group(RR 3,19; IC 95%: 0,68-13,98; p: 0,11). No significant differences were observed between patients who transitioned to a permanent vascular access and those who remained TVC dependant in regards to age, gender, BMI, time on dialysis, DM, comorbidity or number of previous VA, Transition from CVC use to hospitalizations or mortality. Conclusions permanent vascular access is possible in prevalent patients in dialysis. Improvement was achieved by a modest amount, and after a prolonged process with gravel complications, some of which proved severe. Need for CVC dependence is confirmed in a high percentage of prevalent patients on dialysis. Comorbidity might have influenced the results. The quality standard should be adequate to reality of current population on hemodialysis.
Nefrologia: publicacion oficial de la Sociedad Espanola Nefrologia 09/2009; 29(4):318-26. · 1.00 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Systematic application of mathematical formulae to estimate the glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of the general population, according to KDOQI classification of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), has permitted to calculate its high prevalence, so as to be considered as a public health problem. Many patients with CKD according to this classification (at least stage 3) are elderly with a low GFR and without any other typical manifestations of renal damage, which is generating a worry between nephrologists due to a significant increment in non justified referrals to their clinics. Our aim in this study is to follow-up during twenty-four months a group of elderly with a low eGFR.
80 clinically stable patients, with a mediane age of 83 years (range 69-97), recruited alleatory in a consultation of Geriatric and Nephrology General, within January and April 2006, were followed up during twenty-four months. We separated them in two groups based in serum creatinine: Group 1: 38 patients with serum creatinine >_ 1,1 mg/dl (range 0,7-1,1), and Group 2: 42 patients with serum creatinine >1.1 mg/dl (range 1,2-3). Clinically we registered morbimortality and treatments received, and biochemically we measured in serum: creatinine and calculated eGFR at the time of recruitment and after twenty-four months of follow-up using two equations: Cockroft and abreviated MDRD. In urine we determinated basic urinalysis in all patients, protein/creatinine in group 1 and determinated protein in collection urine 24 hours group 2. Statistical comparisons were made using repeated measures, chisquare, and logistic regression of the SPSS 11.0 program.
22,5% of the patients died during the follow up. Heart and infectious problems were the kind of morbidity more frequently found. Only a small proportion (23,3%) of group 2 patients were receiving erithropoietin treatment. Estimated GFR and proteinuria remained stable at the end of twenty-four months independently of basal eGFR. We found no significant differences between both groups in the rest of analytical parameters studied except a significant decrease of hematocrit in the elderly of group 2. Only a small proportion (23,3%) of group 2 patients were receiving erithropoietin treatment.
In old patients without proteinuria, the stability of its renal function along the time allows us to give a soothing message at the moment of facing the so called CKD "epidemic" in this population.
Nefrologia: publicacion oficial de la Sociedad Espanola Nefrologia 09/2009; 29(4):343-9. · 1.00 Impact Factor
-
Nefrologia: publicacion oficial de la Sociedad Espanola Nefrologia 09/2009; 29(4):373-5. · 1.00 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: We present a case of nephrotic syndrome secondary to a membranous glomerulonephritis (MG), in a nonsmoking female with a solitary pulmonary nodule, which did not show growth during 2 years of followup. A biopsy by videothoracoscopy showed a granulomatous non-neoplastic process with giant multinucleated cells. The appearance of a nephrotic syndrome and its interpretation as paraneoplastic revealed the existence of a primary pulmonary lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (LELC), a very rare pulmonary tumor. After resection of tumor there was a complete recovery from the nephrotic syndrome. This case highlights how the investigation of paraneoplastic syndromes can help in the early diagnosis of some malignancies.
Clinical nephrology 09/2009; 72(3):206-10. · 1.17 Impact Factor
-
Nefrologia: publicacion oficial de la Sociedad Espanola Nefrologia 01/2009; 29(6):612. · 1.00 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Calcific uremic arteriolopathy (CUA) is a rare but serious complication of end-stage renal disease presenting as painful cutaneous lesions and progressing to non-healing ulcers and gangrene. This syndrome is associated with calcium and phosphorus deposits within small arteries of the skin. The pathognomonic lesion is vascular calcification with intimal arterial hypertrophy and superimposed small-vessel thrombosis. The condition is being increasingly recognized and reported as a contributing factor to death in dialysis patients, with secondary infection and sepsis as the major cause of mortality. No standard treatment has been established for this syndrome. We present the therapeutic approach employed in two patients, which successfully resulted in healing of the lesions, using a combination of measures to control the factors potentially related to development of CUA and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Clinical nephrology 10/2008; 70(3):261-4. · 1.17 Impact Factor
-
Nefrologia: publicacion oficial de la Sociedad Espanola Nefrologia 02/2008; 28(4):361-4. · 1.00 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: To diminish inter centres variability in applied medical treatments, as well as in the results obtained with them, is one of the main challenges that Nephrology faces now a days. The systematic and planned use of Clinical Performance Measures (CPMs), Feedback and Benchmarking are tools that can help clinicians to reach such an objective. In this study we evaluate the consequences of applying those techniques in the results obtained in three haemodialysis units.
we analyzed the results obtained in 311 patients dialyzed in the three units during the period 2006-2007. Established and evaluated objectives were as follows: 1.- To increase the percentage of patients with a serum calcium below 9,5 mg/dl over 70%; 2.- To increase the percentage of patients with a serum phosphorus under 5,5 mg/dl over 80%; 3.- To increase the percentage of patients with a serum PTH in between 150-300 pg/ml over 40%; 4.- To diminish the percentage of patients with a serum ferritine below 100 ng/ml under 10%, in one of the units that at the beginning of the study was not accomplishing that objective. Every three months each unit received their own results as well as the results of the two other units.
the percentage of patients with serum calcium below 9,5 mg/dl increased significantly in the three units (54,6%, 56,1% and 55,6% at the beginning; 87,7%, 82.9% and 75,1% at the end of the study, respectively; p<0,001). The same was observed for the percentage of patients with a serum phosphorus below 5,5 mg/dl (77,9%, 73,6% and 66,0% at the beginning; 81,7%, 78,0% and 85.9% at the end, respectively; p: not significant), and for the percentage of patients with PTH between 150-300 pg/ml (32,9%, 43,1% and 26,4% versus 47,5%, 41,4% and 39.5%, respectively; p: not significant). The percentage of patients with a serum ferritin below 100 ng/ml in unit B diminished from 30% to 5,3% (p<0,001), reaching results similar the the two other units. Mean erythropoietin (EPO) consumption during the year 2005 was 145,5+/-13,2 U/kg/week in unit A; 226,2+/-39,8 U/kg/week in unit B, and 175,5+/-13,9 U/kg/week in unit C. At the end of year 2007, mean EPO consumption was significantly lower in unit B (144,2+/-15 U/kg/week), and similar to the other two units (140+/-14,2 in unit A and 135,1+/-13,8 in unit C).
The results of this study permit to conclude that the use of QPM's and quality targets, combined with feedback and benchmarking, allows for the improvement of clinical results. Each centre should establish their own objectives, independently of the defined quality standards, so as to reach such standards or even to improve them. In this study, the three units showed a general improvement in their results, tending towards similar outcomes for the same clinical processes.
Nefrologia: publicacion oficial de la Sociedad Espanola Nefrologia 02/2008; 28(4):397-406. · 1.00 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Aluminium binder has been ill-advised, but his use remain applicable in the clinique practice in very seleccionated and particular patients. The repercussion of prolonged treatment with low doses of aluminium phosphate-binders in haemodialysis was studied. The haemodialysis unit had a double osmosis inverse and the aluminium levels in haemodialysis liquid was less than 2 micrograms/liter.
41 patients of the 295 on haemodialysis received aluminium phosphate-binders since the 2005 January to the 2007 November. The mean time of treatment was 17.8 months, and the doses was 3.9 tablets day (mean of 463 grams in the studied period). The association of low doses of aluminium phosphate-binders permitted a better control of phosphorus (6.8 to 4.8 mg/dl; p<0.0001), with a reduction of the others phosphate-binders: sevelamer (10.4 a 8 tablets/day; p<0.0001) and calcium phosphate-binders (4.6 to 3.1 tablets/day; p<0.0001). The serum aluminium increased after the aluminium treatment (6.8 to 13.8 mcg/l; p<0.0001), and no toxicity indirect signs were observed on CMV, haemoglobin, none PTH. Five patients (12.1%) reached aluminium serum levels higher 20 mcg/l, and none reached the 40 mcg/l.
The aluminium phosphate-binders were effective, economical and, now, with an apparent better security profile than in a previous time, but it is very important to be careful with this use and to follow a vigilance strict on patients and haemodialysis liquid.
Nefrologia: publicacion oficial de la Sociedad Espanola Nefrologia 01/2008; 28(2):168-73. · 1.00 Impact Factor
-
K López Revuelta,
G Barril,
C Caramelo,
R Delgado,
F García López,
J García Valdecasas,
E Gruss,
P Jiménez Almonacid,
A Martínez Castelao,
J Luis Miguel, [......],
M D Del Pino Y Pino,
J M Portolés,
C Prados,
P Sanz,
A Tato, F Alvarez Ude,
M Angoso,
J Aranaz,
M D Arenas,
S Lorenzo
Nefrologia: publicacion oficial de la Sociedad Espanola Nefrologia 02/2007; 27(5):542-59. · 1.00 Impact Factor
-
Nefrologia: publicacion oficial de la Sociedad Espanola Nefrologia 02/2006; 26 Suppl 8:73-87. · 1.00 Impact Factor
-
Nefrologia: publicacion oficial de la Sociedad Espanola Nefrologia 02/2006; 26(3):403-4. · 1.00 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to evaluate and analyze the implementation of a Quality Management Systems (QMS) and the use of Clinical Performance measures by the Nephrology Services and Hemodialysis Units in Spain.
The Quality Management Work Group of the Spanish Society of Nephrology (SEN) realized a survey that was directed to all the Spanish Nephrology Services and Hemodialysis Units. No exclusion criteria were defined for the study. The survey was based on a multichotomous self completing "Ad Hoc" questionnaire.
The survey was answered by 46.7% of the polled centers (44.5% were public hospitals and 55.5% private centers). Of those replying the survey 70 % had a QMS, with a higher implementation in the area of Hemodialysis (HD). The ISO 9001-2000 was the prefer QMS model chosen by 76.4% of the centers. 68.6% of the centers with a QMS were certified by an external Auditing Group. 91.7% of the Nephrology Services and Hemodialysis units were using some clinical practice guideline. A high percentage of the centers had medical protocols and nursing plans (> 90%). A significantly higher implementation of QMS was observed in Private Hospitals and Hemodialysis Units (88.8 %) when compared to public Hospitals (46.1%) (X2: 31.5; p < 0.001). The ISO 9000 Standard certification was selected by 78,3% of the private centers and by 21,7% of the public centers (X2: 37.3; p < 0.001). The certification or accreditation were done by an external auditing group in 68. 1% of the private centers compared to 31.9% for the public Hospitals (X2: 24.8; p < 0.001). Although the rate of answers prevents from extracting definitive conclusions, the result seems to indicate that in the Spanish Nephrology Community a clear trend exists towards the use QMS. This tendency suggests, that in the near future, there will be a progressive implementation and routine use of QMS in the Nephrology Community in Spain.
Nefrologia: publicacion oficial de la Sociedad Espanola Nefrologia 02/2006; 26(2):234-45. · 1.00 Impact Factor
