Background International variation in anemia assessment and management practices in chronic kidney disease (CKD) is poorly understood. Methods We performed a cross-sectional analysis of anemia laboratory monitoring, prevalence and management in the prospective Chronic Kidney Disease Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (CKDopps). A total of 6766 participants with CKD Stages 3a–5ND from nephrology clinics in Brazil, France, Germany and the USA were included. Results Among patients with anemia (hemoglobin <12 g/dL), 36–58% in Brazil, the USA and Germany had repeat hemoglobin measured and 40–61% had iron indices measured within 3 months of the index hemoglobin measurement. Anemia was more common in the USA and Brazil than in France and Germany across CKD stages. Higher ferritin and lower iron saturation (TSAT) levels were observed with lower hemoglobin levels, and higher ferritin with more advanced CKD. The proportion of anemic patients with ferritin <100 ng/mL or TSAT <20% ranged from 42% in Brazil to 53% in France and Germany, and of these patients, over 40% in Brazil, Germany and the USA, compared with 27% in France, were treated with oral or intravenous iron within 3 months after hemoglobin measurement. The proportion of patients with hemoglobin <10 g/dL treated with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents ranged from 28% in the USA to 57% in Germany. Conclusions Hemoglobin and iron stores are measured less frequently than per guidelines. Among all regions, there was a substantial proportion of anemic patients with iron deficiency who were not treated with iron, highlighting an area for practice improvement in CKD care.

Background and objectivesAmong patients on hemodialysis, pruritus has been associated with poorer mental and physical quality of life, sleep quality, depression, and mortality. We evaluated patients with nondialysis CKD to describe the prevalence of pruritus, identify associated factors, and investigate associations with patient-reported outcomes.Design, setting, participants, & measurementsUsing cross-sectional data from patient questionnaires in the CKD Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (CKDopps), we asked patients with CKD stages 3–5 (nondialysis) from the United States, Brazil, and France to identify how much they were bothered by pruritus. Response options ranged from “not at all” to “extremely.” Log-Poisson regression, yielding prevalence ratios, was used to evaluate associations of moderate-to-extreme pruritus with patient characteristics, CKD stage, self-reported depression symptoms, and restless sleep. Mixed linear regression was used to examine associations between pruritus and physical and mental component summary scores, with lower scores indicating poorer quality of life.ResultsOf the 5658 CKDopps patients enrolled in the United States, Brazil, and France, 3780 (67%) answered the pruritus question. The prevalence of moderate-to-extreme pruritus was 24%, and more likely in older patients, women, and those with stage 5 CKD, lung disease, diabetes, and physician-diagnosed depression. In adjusted models, patients with moderate pruritus had physical and mental component summary scores 3.5 (95% confidence interval [95% CI], −4.6 to −2.3) and 2.3 (95% CI, −3.2 to −1.5) points lower, respectively, than patients without pruritus, and they also had a higher adjusted prevalence of patient-reported depression (prevalence ratio, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.58 to 2.11) and restless sleep (prevalence ratio, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.49 to 1.91) compared with patients without pruritus. These patient-reported outcomes were progressively worse with increasing severity of pruritus.ConclusionsOur findings demonstrate high prevalence of pruritus in nondialysis CKD, as well as strong associations of pruritus with poor health-related quality of life, self-reported depression symptoms, and self-reported poor sleep.

Renin‐angiotensin‐aldosterone system inhibitors (RAASi) are recommended for chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. In this study, we describe RAASi prescription patterns in the Chronic Kidney Disease Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (CKDopps) in Brazil, Germany, France, and the United States (US). 5870 patients (mean age 66‐72 years; congestive heart failure [CHF] in 11%‐19%; diabetes in 43%‐54%; serum potassium ≥5 in 20%‐35%) were included. RAASi prescription was more common in Germany (80%) and France (77%) than Brazil (66%) and the United States (52%), where the prevalence of prescription decreases particularly in patients with CKD stage 5. In the multivariable regression model, RAASi prescription was least common in the United States and more common in patients who were younger, had diabetes, hypertension, or less advanced CKD. In conclusion, RAASi prescription patterns vary by country, and by demographic and clinical characteristics. RAASi appear to be underused, even among patients with strong class‐specific recommendations. Although the reasons for this variation could not be fully identified in this cross‐sectional observation, our data indicate that the risk of hyperkalemia may contribute to the underuse of this class of agents in moderate to advanced CKD.

Introduction The uptake of the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) 2012 chronic kidney disease (CKD) Guideline is not fully described in real-world nephrology practice across the world. Methods We used baseline data from the CKD Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (2013–2017), a 4-country cohort of patients with estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 ml/min per 1.73 m 2 recruited from national samples of nephrology clinics, to describe adherence to measures for monitoring and delaying CKD progression. Data were collected as in clinical practice, except laboratory measures per protocol in France. Results The mean age ranged from 65 years in Brazil to 72 years in Germany. Albuminuria (mostly proteinuria) was measured routinely in 36% to 43% of patients in Brazil, Germany, and the United States. Blood pressure control (≤140/90 mm Hg) ranged from 49% in France to 76% in Brazil; <40% of patients had blood pressure ≤130/80 mm Hg everywhere but Brazil (52%). More than 40% of nephrologists in Brazil reported a systolic blood pressure target ≤130 mm Hg for nondiabetic patients without proteinuria, but only 19% to 24% elsewhere. Prescription of renin-angiotensin aldosterone system inhibitors ranged from 52% in the United States to 81% in Germany. Dietary advice was more frequent for salt than protein intake; dietitian visits were uncommon. In nondiabetic patients, achievement of all 3 targets including blood pressure ≤130/80 mm Hg, renin-angiotensin aldosterone system inhibition, and dietary advice, ranged from 10% in the United States to 32% in Brazil; in treated diabetic patients, this ranged from 6% to 11% after including hemoglobin A1c target. Conclusion Adherence to recommendations to slow CKD progression is low in typical practice settings, and substantial variation among countries for some indicates opportunities for improvement.

Background Chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression among German patients in a representative setting has not been described previously. The Verband Deutsche Nierenzentren and Chronic Kidney Disease Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study established a longitudinal observational cohort among German CKD patients to research variations in patient care and outcomes in real-world nephrology practices. Methods A cohort of CKD Stages 3 (25%) and 4 (75%) patients was established from German nephrologist-run CKD clinics in 2013–16. Linear models were used to determine the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) slope during follow-up and Cox models were used to assess outcomes of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) and death. Results A total of 1834 patients (median age 75 years, 58% male, 42% diabetics, median baseline eGFR 25 mL/min/1.73 m2) were followed for a median of 29 months. More than 50% had slow or no decline and 17% declined ≥5 mL/min/1.73 m2/year. After 4.5 years, the incidence of ESKD was 8% and of deaths without ESKD 16% among patients with eGFR ≥30 mL/min/1.73 m2 and 37% and 19% for eGFR &lt;30 mL/min/1.73 m2. Adjusted models showed higher risks of ESKD or death for patients with worse kidney function at baseline, male sex, diabetes and higher blood pressure; a higher risk of ESKD with higher albuminuria; and a higher risk of death with older age or cardiovascular comorbidity. Conclusions Routine nephrology care of patients in Germany comprises mostly elderly patients, many with slow CKD progression. Identification of risk factors for CKD progression and mortality may help guide resources by closer follow-up of high-risk patients.