Death and Dialysis Following Discharge From Chronic Kidney Disease Clinic: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background: Multidisciplinary care is recommended for patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD). A formalized, risk-based approach to CKD management is being adopted in some jurisdictions. In Ontario, Canada, the eligibility criteria for multidisciplinary CKD care funding were revised betw...

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Main Authors: Michael Che, Eduard Iliescu, Susan Thanabalasingam, Andrew G Day, Christine A White
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2022-08-01
Series:Canadian Journal of Kidney Health and Disease
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/20543581221118434
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author Michael Che
Eduard Iliescu
Susan Thanabalasingam
Andrew G Day
Christine A White
author_facet Michael Che
Eduard Iliescu
Susan Thanabalasingam
Andrew G Day
Christine A White
author_sort Michael Che
collection DOAJ
description Background: Multidisciplinary care is recommended for patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD). A formalized, risk-based approach to CKD management is being adopted in some jurisdictions. In Ontario, Canada, the eligibility criteria for multidisciplinary CKD care funding were revised between 2016 and 2018 to a 2 year risk of kidney replacement therapy (KRT) greater than 10% calculated by the 4-variable Kidney Failure Risk Equation (KFRE). Implementation of the risk-based approach has led to the discharge of prevalent CKD patients. Objective: The primary objective of this study was to determine the frequency of occurrence of death and KRT initiation in patients discharged from CKD clinic. Design: Retrospective cohort study Setting: Single center multidisciplinary CKD clinic in Ontario, Canada Patients: Four hundred and twenty five patients seen at least once in 2013 at the multidisciplinary CKD clinic Measurements: Outcomes included discharge status, death, re-referral and KRT initiation. Reasons for discharge were recorded. Methods: Outcomes were extracted from available electronic medical records and the provincial death registry between the patient’s initial clinic visit in 2013 and January 1, 2020. KFRE-2 scores were calculated using the 4-variable KFRE equation. The hazard rates of death and KRT after discharge due to stable eGFR/low KFRE were compared to patients who remained in the clinic. Results: Of the 425 CKD patients, 69 (16%) and 19 (4%) were discharged to primary care and general nephrology, respectively. Of those discharged, 7 (8%) were re-referred to nephrology or CKD clinic, while only 2 (2%) discharged patients required subsequent KRT. The hazard of mortality was reduced after discharge from the clinic due to stable eGFR/low KFRE (adjusted HR = 0.45 [95% CI, 0.25-0.78, P = .005]). Limitations: Single center, observational retrospective study design and unknown kidney function over time post discharge for most patients Conclusions: Discharge of low risk patients from multidisciplinary CKD clinic appears feasible and safe, with fewer than 1 in 40 discharged patients subsequently initiated on KRT over the following 7 years.
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spelling doaj.art-8a836c278efa4bb88c6cb53ec5493e152022-12-22T04:00:57ZengSAGE PublishingCanadian Journal of Kidney Health and Disease2054-35812022-08-01910.1177/20543581221118434Death and Dialysis Following Discharge From Chronic Kidney Disease Clinic: A Retrospective Cohort StudyMichael Che0Eduard Iliescu1Susan Thanabalasingam2Andrew G Day3Christine A White4Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, CanadaDivision of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, CanadaDivision of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, CanadaKingston General Health Research Institute, Kingston Health Sciences Center, Kingston, ON, CanadaDivision of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, CanadaBackground: Multidisciplinary care is recommended for patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD). A formalized, risk-based approach to CKD management is being adopted in some jurisdictions. In Ontario, Canada, the eligibility criteria for multidisciplinary CKD care funding were revised between 2016 and 2018 to a 2 year risk of kidney replacement therapy (KRT) greater than 10% calculated by the 4-variable Kidney Failure Risk Equation (KFRE). Implementation of the risk-based approach has led to the discharge of prevalent CKD patients. Objective: The primary objective of this study was to determine the frequency of occurrence of death and KRT initiation in patients discharged from CKD clinic. Design: Retrospective cohort study Setting: Single center multidisciplinary CKD clinic in Ontario, Canada Patients: Four hundred and twenty five patients seen at least once in 2013 at the multidisciplinary CKD clinic Measurements: Outcomes included discharge status, death, re-referral and KRT initiation. Reasons for discharge were recorded. Methods: Outcomes were extracted from available electronic medical records and the provincial death registry between the patient’s initial clinic visit in 2013 and January 1, 2020. KFRE-2 scores were calculated using the 4-variable KFRE equation. The hazard rates of death and KRT after discharge due to stable eGFR/low KFRE were compared to patients who remained in the clinic. Results: Of the 425 CKD patients, 69 (16%) and 19 (4%) were discharged to primary care and general nephrology, respectively. Of those discharged, 7 (8%) were re-referred to nephrology or CKD clinic, while only 2 (2%) discharged patients required subsequent KRT. The hazard of mortality was reduced after discharge from the clinic due to stable eGFR/low KFRE (adjusted HR = 0.45 [95% CI, 0.25-0.78, P = .005]). Limitations: Single center, observational retrospective study design and unknown kidney function over time post discharge for most patients Conclusions: Discharge of low risk patients from multidisciplinary CKD clinic appears feasible and safe, with fewer than 1 in 40 discharged patients subsequently initiated on KRT over the following 7 years.https://doi.org/10.1177/20543581221118434
spellingShingle Michael Che
Eduard Iliescu
Susan Thanabalasingam
Andrew G Day
Christine A White
Death and Dialysis Following Discharge From Chronic Kidney Disease Clinic: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Canadian Journal of Kidney Health and Disease
title Death and Dialysis Following Discharge From Chronic Kidney Disease Clinic: A Retrospective Cohort Study
title_full Death and Dialysis Following Discharge From Chronic Kidney Disease Clinic: A Retrospective Cohort Study
title_fullStr Death and Dialysis Following Discharge From Chronic Kidney Disease Clinic: A Retrospective Cohort Study
title_full_unstemmed Death and Dialysis Following Discharge From Chronic Kidney Disease Clinic: A Retrospective Cohort Study
title_short Death and Dialysis Following Discharge From Chronic Kidney Disease Clinic: A Retrospective Cohort Study
title_sort death and dialysis following discharge from chronic kidney disease clinic a retrospective cohort study
url https://doi.org/10.1177/20543581221118434
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