PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J A Beto

Publications and source records attributed to J A Beto.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Hemodialysis prognostic nutrition index as a predictor for morbidity and mortality in hemodialysis patients and its correlation to adequacy of dialysis. Council on Renal Nutrition National Research Question Collaborative Study Group.

OBJECTIVE: Prospectively examine the use of a hemodialysis prognostic nutrition index (HD-PNI) as a predictor for morbidity and mortality in hemodialysis patients and its correlation to adequacy of dialysis. DESIGN: Prospective randomized collaborative study group. SETTING: There were 211 chronic hemodialysis centers; 202 from 43 United States, 9 from Canada. PATIENTS: There were 1527 hemodialysis patients undergoing treatment a minimum of 3 months and at least 18 years of age. Sample mirrored United States Renal Data System data for age, sex, race, and etiology of renal failure. INTERVENTIONS: None; routinely collected demographic, biochemical, and clinical data for 8-month baseline and 3-month predictive phases. METHODS: HD-PNI calculated from baseline data as linear mathematical equation using level of serum albumin, level of serum creatinine, and number of days and times hospitalized; HD-PNI risk defined as >/=0.8. Adequacy of dialysis calculated as urea reduction ratio (URR) from baseline data; adequacy risk defined as URR of </=65%. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Number of times and days hospitalized, mortality. RESULTS: For this research, 1167 patients completed the study (76%) with 360 (24%) dropped due to death, incomplete data, transfer, or change in modality. Patients completing study with HD-PNI risk (n = 208, 18%) compared with patients who had no HD-PNI risk (n = 959, 82%) were hospitalized more often (57.2% v 28.5%, P <. 01), hospitalized with infection more often (14.6% v 4.6%, P <.01), and had greater mortality (7.7% v 2.5%, P <.01). Stratification of HD-PNI risk by URR of >/=65% did not significantly improve prediction. CONCLUSIONS: Use of HD-PNI is an effective screening tool to identify hemodialysis patients at risk for morbidity and mortality. No correlation was found between URR and HD-PNI.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

The effect of blood draw methodology on selected nutritional parameters in chronic renal failure.

The reliability and validity of any clinical laboratory test is directly affected by the integrity of the blood specimen obtained for analysis. Renal failure patients undergo a high number of laboratory tests, primarily to monitor the quality of care. Subsequent tests to confirm laboratory abnormalities are costly and place the patient at unnecessary risk for additional blood loss. Three of the four Health Care Financing Administration core clinical outcome indicators have nutritional implications and use laboratory values as part of review criteria: adequacy of dialysis, albumin, and anemia. National Kidney Foundation-Dialysis Outcomes Quality Initiative (DOQI) Clinical Practice Guidelines have recommended standardized predialysis and postdialysis blood draw procedures to increase accuracy for adequacy of dialysis. The National Committee on Clinical Laboratory Standards publishes peer-reviewed guidelines for venipuncture. Together, the adoption of these standards would minimize preanalytical variation and improve the data used to monitor the quality of care in renal patients.

Blood Specimen Collection↗
PubMed1998

Using the hemodialysis prognostic nutrition index and urea reduction ratio to predict morbidity and mortality: a pilot study of the 1995 council on renal nutrition national research question.

OBJECTIVE: To validate the use of the hemodialysis prognostic nutrition index (HPNI) in an alternate hemodialysis population and to determine if use of urea reduction ratio would improve use in outcome prediction for morbidity and mortality. DESIGN: Prospective random cohort. SETTING: Hospital based non-for-profit outpatient dialysis unit. PATIENTS: Forty chronic hemodialysis patients, 50% men, 50% black, 16% diabetic, 67.2 mean months on hemodialysis, mean age 54.5 years. INTERVENTIONS: None; observational; tracking of routinely collected demographic, biochemical, and clinical data. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Number of times and days hospitalized, mortality RESULTS: Plotting of HPNI against urea reduction ratio produced risk quadrants for hospitalization that were more predictive than HPNI alone. CONCLUSION: Application continues as a multicenter collaborative Council on Renal Nutrition National Research Question.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Variation in blood sample collection for determination of hemodialysis adequacy. Council on Renal Nutrition National Research Question Collaborative Study Group.

Inadequate dialysis has been associated with high morbidity and mortality in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis. The accurate estimation of dialysis adequacy, measured either as a calculated urea kinetics (Kt/V) or a simple urea reduction ratio (URR) is dependent on the proper collection of blood samples for predialysis and postdialysis blood urea nitrogen (BUN) determination. Because no established protocol exists for blood sampling, we surveyed the study cohort of dialysis centers participating in the National Kidney Foundation Council on Renal Nutrition National Research Question Collaborative Study to determine the comparability of BUN data that were collected to calculate URR to determine adequacy of dialysis. Surveys were completed by 100% of the 202 units participating: 195 in the United States (from 43 states) and seven from Canada, treating approximately 15,000 hemodialysis patients in total. The distribution of the sample by the type of facility mirrored that of 1996 United States Renal Data System (USRDS) Annual Report facilities data. Results showed a 5.0% error in predialysis blood draw and an 8.4% to 41.6% error in the postdialysis counterpart. There was a large variability in the observed postdialysis methods in general. Dilution of predialysis sample with either heparin or saline will falsely underestimate Kt/V and URR. The presence of access-derived, recirculated blood in the postdialysis sample will falsely overestimate Kt/V and URR. Excessive delay in drawing postdialysis sample will reduce Kt/V and URR because of urea rebound. Adoption by all dialysis providers of a uniform blood sample draw procedure will result in a consistency necessary to allow reliable and valid comparison of adequacy of dialysis parameters within and between ESRD patients, units, and clinical trials.

Ambulatory Care Facilities↗
PubMed1997

Treatment of lupus nephritis: a meta-analysis of clinical trials.

The best therapeutic choice in lupus nephritis remains shrouded in a body of controversial literature. The purpose of this review was to assess and compare by meta-analysis the efficacy of therapeutic agents used in the treatment of lupus nephritis using outcomes of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and total mortality. An exhaustive search was performed using MEDLINE (1970 to 1995) and manual search of bibliographic notations and nonindexed sources. Twenty prospective controlled trials with treatment allocation by random assignment or consecutive enrollment were identified using diagnostic evidence of systemic lupus erythematosus based on American Rheumatism Association (ARA) criteria and clinical/biopsy evidence of lupus nephritis. One trial was excluded, resulting in 19 trials (n = 440) using treatment groups of oral prednisone alone, azathioprine with and without concomitant prednisone, oral cyclophosphamide with prednisone, azathioprine and oral cyclophosphamide with prednisone, and intravenous cyclophosphamide with prednisone. Crude risk data was pooled. An adjusted pooled risk was calculated using the random effects model of DerSimonian and Laird. Two measures of clinical effectiveness were used to compare treatments: absolute risk differences and number needed to treat. Analysis was completed between treatment groups as follows: oral prednisone compared with all immunosuppressive agents with prednisone and all treatment groups compared with one another. When compared with oral prednisone alone, immunosuppressive agents used in conjunction with oral prednisone were found to be statistically more effective for both total mortality and ESRD (absolute risk differences, 13.2% and 12.9%, respectively). When treatment groups were compared, intravenous cyclophosphamide in conjunction with oral prednisone was found to be statistically more effective than oral prednisone alone for both total mortality and ESRD (absolute risk differences, 19.9% and 16.2%, respectively). The simultaneous use of azathioprine and oral cyclophosphamide concomitant with oral prednisone was found to be 16.9% more effective than oral prednisone alone in reducing incidence of ESRD. No difference was seen in total mortality and data represented only two studies (n = 30). No immunosuppressive agent was found to be statistically more effective than another for either total mortality or ESRD. Future prospective studies are needed to control for numerous variables and renal function changes to provide more definitive answers.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Use of pharmacy computer prescription database to access hypertensive patients for mailed survey research.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of a pharmacy computer prescription database (PCPD) to identify and sample hypertensive patients outside of their treatment setting for mailed, self-administered survey research comparing the presence and lack of participation incentives and mailed follow-up reminders. SETTING: Two independent, privately owned, free-standing community pharmacies. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 735 individuals identified from a PCPD search who had been prescribed at least 1 of 130 PCPD medications potentially used in hypertensive therapy. METHODS: PCPD was searched by the pharmacist/owner per protocol; participants were sent an individually addressed cover letter on pharmacy letterhead signed by the pharmacist that requested voluntary anonymous completion of an enclosed self-administered, quality-of-life opinion survey; the first search used no incentive or follow-up; the second search used an incentive and mailed a follow-up reminder. Research protocol followed published ethics guidelines. RESULTS: There was a mean 84% return with incentive and follow-up strategies compared with a mean 25% return without strategies (p < 0.01) for all drug groups between searches; no statistical difference in response was shown between the same drug groups (alpha 1-blockers, calcium-channel blockers, and centrally acting alpha 2-agonists) within searches. CONCLUSIONS: Acceptable response rates (74-93% return) can be obtained with traditional follow-up mailed incentives, prescription issuance within 6 months, incentives to both hypertensive and nonhypertensive responders, and sampling strategies within potential drug groups. Methodology can be adapted to other populations by alternative drug sampling strategies.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Which diet for which renal failure: making sense of the options.

This review describes categories of renal function (normal, renal insufficiency, end-stage renal failure), types of treatment modalities (renal insufficiency management, dialysis, transplantation), and corresponding dietary parameters (protein, energy, fiber, sodium, fluid, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, vitamins, minerals). The focus is directed toward general and nonrenal specialty practitioners, who are encountering a growing number of geriatric patients and patients who have undergone renal transplantation or are in early renal failure. The findings indicate that early intervention may delay or prevent rapid progression of renal disease in some patients, that treatment modalities continue to need individualized dietary support to maintain nutritional status, and that transplant goals should include control of obesity and hyperlipidemia to reduce cardiovascular mortality.

Humans↗
PubMed1992

Quality of life in treatment of hypertension. A metaanalysis of clinical trials.

A metaanalysis was performed to determine the effects on quality of life (QL) in hypertension as reported in published clinical trials of antihypertensive drug therapy. All studies included compared active treatment to baseline (placebo or no treatment) with the patients as their own control and used blinded, randomized trials. Change was measured by self and/or interviewer-assisted evaluation, standardized psychomotor/cognitive tests, or sleep laboratory observations. After an exhaustive literature search (1970 to 1990), nine published trials of 27 population groups (n = 1620) using 14 drugs from six pharmacological groups met selection criteria and were analyzed for five QL constructs: sexual function, sleep, psychomotor, general well-being, and mood. Small positive effect size (d) improvement with treatment was seen for sleep (d = 0.106), psychomotor (d = 0.283), general well-being (d = 0.139), and mood (d = 0.167) while no effect could be determined for sexual function (d = -0.030) based on 95% confidence intervals. Either a comparably small improvement with treatment or no effect was seen among various pharmacological drug groups; no negative effect with treatment was identified. A larger positive effect could be postulated if the drug choice was individualized to the patient rather than randomized as in clinical trial methodology. Although none of the drug groups had a clearly superior effect, a more frequent positive effect with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and beta-blockers was seen for all constructs. Narrower demographics and smaller sample sizes may have biased similar positive effects in calcium-channel blockers and diuretics.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed1992

Pharmacy computer prescription databases: methodologic issues of access and confidentiality.

OBJECTIVE: To examine methodologic issues of access and confidentiality regarding the use of pharmacy computer prescription databases (PCPDs) for participant selection to receive mailed, self-administered, hypertensive quality-of-life survey outside a primary-care setting. DESIGN: Two separate PCPD searches by pharmacist owners for patients prescribed at least one of 130 potential antihypertensive medications. The first PCPD used a nonrandom sample of all patients (n = 635); the second PCPD used a random sample (n = 100) of three specific antihypertensive drug groups. Research protocol was approved by the investigators' institutional review board. SETTING: Two independent, privately owned PCPDs. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Individuals prescribed at least 1 of 130 PCPD medications potentially used in antihypertensive treatment. INTERVENTIONS: Individually addressed cover letter on pharmacy letterhead signed by a pharmacist requesting voluntary completion of the enclosed, self-administered, opinion survey on quality of life. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Anonymous survey return to off-site post office box in envelope provided. RESULTS: Favorable or no opposition to PCPD methodology from pharmacist or participants. Ethical opposition was encountered when incorporating PCPD sampling technique into grant proposal. CONCLUSIONS: The American Pharmaceutical Association Code of Ethics is used as a basis to provide recommendations to examine and justify PCPD investigative use. Increasing availability of PCPD technology encourages more efficient and easier methods of research strategy. PCPD use, however, demands identical stringent guidelines used in traditional research and raises potential issues regarding pharmacist-patient confidentiality as well as the right of PCPD use by others.

Clinical Pharmacy Information Systems↗