Project description:BackgroundThe loss of a loved one to suicide can be a devastating experience that can have negative long-term effects on the social life and physical and mental health of the bereaved person. Worldwide, an estimated 237 million older adults have experienced suicide bereavement. As assumed in critical psychology, "the conduct of everyday life" reflects the social self-understanding by which people actively organize their lives based on their personal concerns, negotiation with co-participants in various action contexts, and their life interests. Bereaved people may change their social self-understanding as they adjust to their new roles and relationships in everyday life. The aim of this study was to investigate how older adults bereaved by suicide conducted their everyday life during the first 5 years after the loss of a loved one.MethodsThis was a semi-structured qualitative interview study carried out by a research team consisting of co-researchers (older adults aged ≥60 years and bereaved by suicide), professionals, and researchers. The team conducted 15 semi-structured interviews with 20 older adults bereaved by suicide. The interviews were audio-recorded and verbatim transcribed. The participants' mean age was 67.6 (range 61-79) years at the time of the loss. Data were thematically analyzed through a "conduct of everyday life" theoretical perspective.ResultsWe constructed a central theme, "the broken notion of late-life living" in that late-life would no longer be as the participants had imagined. They struggled with their understanding of themselves and other people in social communities when they pursued their concerns adjusting to their broken notions of late-life living. We construed three primary concerns: (1) seeking meaning in the suicide, (2) keeping the memory of the deceased alive, and (3) regaining life despite the loss.ConclusionThe participants' bereavement process was influenced by their stage in life. They perceived themselves as having reduced possibilities to restore their life project and limited time to re-orient their life. Age-related factors influenced their possibilities to pursue their concerns in order to adjust to their new life conditions.
Project description:IntroductionTreatment for people with HIV-1 and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) on haemodialysis (HD) has previously required complex dose-adjusted regimens, with limited data on the use of a single-tablet regimen in this population. Our aim was to assess the efficacy and safety of once-daily bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (B/F/TAF) and to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of bictegravir (BIC) in adults with HIV-1 and ESKD on HD.MethodsWe performed an open-label extension (OLE) of an open-label, multicentre, single-group phase 3b study (NCT02600819) of adults with ESKD on HD and HIV-1 with virological suppression. Participants switched to elvitegravir/cobicistat/F/TAF (E/C/F/TAF) 150/150/200/10 mg for 96 weeks, following which a subgroup of US participants entered an OLE phase in which they switched to B/F/TAF 50/200/25 mg for 48 weeks, returning for study visits at weeks 4 and 12, and every 12 weeks thereafter. Study assessments included virological response, safety and pharmacokinetic analysis of BIC.ResultsTen participants entered the OLE (median age, 55 years). Virological suppression (HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/mL) was maintained in all participants over 48 weeks of B/F/TAF treatment. B/F/TAF was well tolerated, with no treatment discontinuations. Mean BIC trough concentrations were lower than those previously reported for people with HIV-1 with normal kidney function, but remained four- to seven-fold higher than the established protein-adjusted 95% effective concentration against wild-type HIV-1.ConclusionThese findings support the use of the once-daily B/F/TAF single-tablet regimen for people with HIV-1 and ESKD on HD. This regimen offers a convenient treatment option for this population as it reduces the need for dose adjustment, eases pill burden and avoids potential drug-drug interactions associated with alternatives that may impact individuals on multiple medications or awaiting transplantation.
Project description:ContextOlder adults with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are a rapidly growing group of seriously ill patients. Yet, despite a mortality rate almost twice that of cancer, less is known about the impact of ESRD on patients' end-of-life experience.ObjectiveTo compare the end-of-life experience of older adults who died of ESRD vs. cancer.MethodsWe used data from the Health and Retirement Study, a nationally representative survey of older adults. Our sample included 1883 Health and Retirement Study participants who died of cancer or ESRD between 2000 and 2010 and their family respondents. We compared advance care planning, treatment intensity, and symptoms between the two groups and used propensity score weighting to adjust for differences by diagnosis.ResultsAmong propensity-weighted cohorts, older adults with ESRD, compared with similar patients with cancer, were less likely to have end-of-life instructions (adjusted proportions 38.5% vs. 49.7%; P = 0.005) and were more likely to die in the hospital (53.5% vs. 29.0%; P < 0.001) and to use the intensive care unit in the last two years of life (57.1% vs. 37.0%; P < 0.001). Decedents with ESRD and cancer had similarly high rates of moderate or severe pain (53.7% vs. 57.8%; P = 0.34) and all other symptoms.ConclusionOlder adults dying of ESRD had lower rates of advance care planning and higher treatment intensity near the end of life than similar patients dying of cancer; both groups had similarly high rates of symptoms. Efforts are needed to make treatment more supportive and alleviate suffering for older adults with ESRD and their families near the end of life.
Project description:IntroductionIn managing end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), older adults face a decision regarding whether to undergo dialysis or manage symptoms through kidney supportive care (KSC). This article describes the development of a patient decision aid (PDA) that is designed specifically for older adults with ESKD.MethodsThe decision context of the PDA was to choose a treatment between hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and KSC. The development process used insights obtained from qualitative interviews with patients, informal caregivers, and health care providers. The PDA was then developed in English and Mandarin and was pilot-tested with patients, caregivers, and health care providers. We finalized the PDA based on feedback from pilot testing and performed a preliminary evaluation based on the International Patient Decision Aid Standards (IPDASi v4.0) criteria.ResultsThe final PDA consists of 2 booklets and a video. During pilot testing, patients and caregivers reported high levels of ease of understanding and usefulness with ≥92.5% providing agree/strongly agree responses for the "Content"-related criteria, and ≥75% providing agree/strongly agree responses for the "Development Process and Effectiveness"-related criteria. The final PDA met 10 of 12 IPDASi v4.0 criteria.ConclusionsThis PDA was found useful during pilot-testing. It will be used during renal counseling in Singapore to help older adults with ESKD and their caregivers make informed decisions on which treatment option is best for the patients.
Project description:BackgroundEconomic evaluations of advance care planning (ACP) in people with chronic kidney disease are scarce. However, past studies suggest ACP may reduce healthcare costs in other settings. We aimed to examine hospital costs and outcomes of a nurse-led ACP intervention compared with usual care in the last 12 months of life for older people with end-stage kidney disease managed with haemodialysis.MethodsWe simulated the natural history of decedents on dialysis, using hospital data, and modelled the effect of nurse-led ACP on end-of-life care. Outcomes were assessed in terms of patients' end-of-life treatment preferences being met or not, and costs included all hospital-based care. Model inputs were obtained from a prospective ACP cohort study among dialysis patients; renal registries and the published literature. Cost-effectiveness of ACP was assessed by calculating an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER), expressed in dollars per additional case of end-of-life preferences being met. Robustness of model results was tested through sensitivity analyses.ResultsThe mean cost of ACP was AUD$519 per patient. The mean hospital costs of care in last 12 months of life were $100,579 for those who received ACP versus $87,282 for those who did not. The proportion of patients in the model who received end-of-life care according to their preferences was higher in the ACP group compared with usual care (68% vs. 24%). The incremental cost per additional case of end-of-life preferences being met was $28,421. The greatest influence on the cost-effectiveness of ACP was the probability of dying in hospital following dialysis withdrawal, and costs of acute care.ConclusionOur model suggests nurse-led ACP leads to receipt of patient preferences for end-of-life care, but at an increased cost.
Project description:BackgroundAs older adults approach the end-of-life (EOL), many are faced with complex decisions including whether to use medical advances to prolong life. Limited information exists on the priorities of older adults at the EOL.ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore patient and family experiences and identify factors deemed important to quality EOL care.MethodA descriptive qualitative study involving three focus group discussions (n = 18) and six in-depth interviews with older adults suffering from either a terminal condition and/or caregivers were conducted in NSW, Australia. Data were analysed thematically.ResultsSeven major themes were identified as follows: quality as a priority, sense of control, life on hold, need for health system support, being at home, talking about death and competent and caring health professionals. An underpinning priority throughout the seven themes was knowing and adhering to patient's wishes.ConclusionOur study highlights that to better adhere to EOL patient's wishes a reorganization of care needs is required. The readiness of the health system to cater for this expectation is questionable as real choices may not be available in acute hospital settings. With an ageing population, a reorganization of care which influences the way we manage terminal patients is required.
Project description:BackgroundAppropriate dialysis prescription in the transitional setting from chronic kidney disease to end-stage kidney disease is still challenging. Conventional thrice-weekly haemodialysis (HD) might be associated with rapid loss of residual kidney function (RKF) and high mortality. The benefits and risks of incremental HD compared with conventional HD were explored in this systematic review and meta-analysis.MethodsWe searched MEDLINE, Scopus and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials up to April 2023 for studies that compared the impacts of incremental (once- or twice-weekly HD) and conventional thrice-weekly HD on cardiovascular events, RKF, vascular access complications, quality of life, hospitalization and mortality.ResultsA total of 36 articles (138 939 participants) were included in this meta-analysis. The mortality rate and cardiovascular events were similar between incremental and conventional HD {odds ratio [OR] 0.87 [95% confidence interval (CI)] 0.72-1.04 and OR 0.67 [95% CI 0.43-1.05], respectively}. However, hospitalization and loss of RKF were significantly lower in patients treated with incremental HD [OR 0.44 (95% CI 0.27-0.72) and OR 0.31 (95% CI 0.25-0.39), respectively]. In a sensitivity analysis that included studies restricted to those with RKF or urine output criteria, incremental HD had significantly lower cardiovascular events [OR 0.22 (95% CI 0.08-0.63)] and mortality [OR 0.54 (95% CI 0.37-0.79)]. Vascular access complications, hyperkalaemia and volume overload were not statistically different between groups.ConclusionsIncremental HD has been shown to be safe and may provide superior benefits in clinical outcomes, particularly in appropriately selected patients. Large-scale randomized controlled trials are required to confirm these potential advantages.
Project description:BackgroundSignificant gaps in scholarship on the cost-benefit analysis of haemodialysis exist in low-middle-income countries, including Nigeria. The study, therefore, assessed the cost-benefit of haemodialysis compared with comprehensive conservative care (CCC) to determine if haemodialysis is socially worthwhile and justifies public funding in Nigeria.MethodsThe study setting is Abuja, Nigeria. The study used a mixed-method design involving primary data collection and analysis of secondary data from previous studies. We adopted an ingredient-based costing approach. The mean costs and benefits of haemodialysis were derived from previous studies. The mean costs and benefits of CCC were obtained from a primary cross-sectional survey. We estimated the benefit-cost ratios (BCR) and net benefits to determine the social value of the two interventions.ResultsThe net benefit of haemodialysis (2,251.30) was positive, while that of CCC was negative (-1,197.19). The benefit-cost ratio of haemodialysis was 1.09, while that of CCC was 0.66. The probabilistic and one-way sensitivity analyses results demonstrate that haemodialysis was more cost-beneficial than CCC, and the BCRs of haemodialysis remained above one in most scenarios, unlike CCC's BCR.ConclusionThe benefit of haemodialysis outweighs its cost, making it cost-beneficial to society and justifying public funding. However, the National Health Insurance Authority requires additional studies, such as budget impact analysis, to establish the affordability of full coverage of haemodialysis.
Project description:Patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) are often sedentary and decreased functional capacity associates with mortality. The relationship between cardiovascular disease (CVD) and physical function has not been fully explored. Understanding the relationships between prognostically relevant measures of CVD and physical function may offer insight into how exercise interventions might target specific elements of CVD. 130 patients on haemodialysis (mean age 57 ± 15 years, 73% male, dialysis vintage 1.3 years (0.5, 3.4), recruited to the CYCLE-HD trial (ISRCTN11299707), underwent cardiovascular phenotyping with cardiac MRI (left ventricular (LV) structure and function, pulse wave velocity (PWV) and native T1 mapping) and cardiac biomarker assessment. Participants completed the incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT) and sit-to-stand 60 (STS60) as field-tests of physical function. Linear regression models identified CV determinants of physical function measures, adjusted for age, gender, BMI, diabetes, ethnicity and systolic blood pressure. Troponin I, PWV and global native T1 were univariate determinants of ISWT and STS60 performance. NT pro-BNP was a univariate determinant of ISWT performance. In multivariate models, NT pro-BNP and global native T1 were independent determinants of ISWT and STS60 performance. LV ejection fraction was an independent determinant of ISWT distance. However, age and diabetes had the strongest relationships with physical function. In conclusion, NT pro-BNP, global native T1 and LV ejection fraction were independent CV determinants of physical function. However, age and diabetes had the greatest independent influence. Targeting diabetic care may ameliorate deconditioning in these patients and a multimorbidity approach should be considered when developing exercise interventions.
Project description:Decreased renal function, elevated circulating levels of urea, intestinal levels of urea-degrading bacteria, and gut-derived uremic metabolites are present in end-stage renal disease (ESRD), a cohort that has reduced muscle mass and physical function, and poor muscle composition. This phenotype, defined as the kidney-gut-muscle axis, is similarly represented in older adults that do not have ESRD. The purpose of this short communication is to illuminate these findings, and to propose a strategy that can positively impact the kidney-gut-muscle axis. For example, dietary fiber is fermented by intestinal bacteria, thereby producing the short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) acetate, propionate, and butyrate, which affect each component of the kidney-gut-muscle axis. Accordingly, a high-fiber diet may be an important approach for improving the kidney-gut-muscle axis in ESRD and in older adults that do not have ESRD.