Browsing by Author "Wiebe, Natasha"

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    A comparison of temporal artery thermometers with internal blood monitors to measure body temperature during hemodialysis
    (2018-06-14) Lunney, Meaghan; Tonelli, Bronwyn; Lewis, Rachel; Wiebe, Natasha; Thomas, Chandra; MacRae, Jennifer; Tonelli, Marcello
    Abstract Background Thermometers that measure core (internal) body temperature are the gold standard for monitoring temperature. Despite that most modern hemodialysis machines are equipped with an internal blood monitor that measures core body temperature, current practice is to use peripheral thermometers. A better understanding of how peripheral thermometers compare with the dialysis machine thermometer may help guide practice. Methods The study followed a prospective cross-sectional design. Hemodialysis patients were recruited from 2 sites in Calgary, Alberta (April – June 2017). Body temperatures were obtained from peripheral (temporal artery) and dialysis machine thermometers concurrently. Paired t-tests, Bland-Altman plots, and quantile-quantile plots were used to compare measurements from the two devices and to explore potential factors affecting temperature in hemodialysis patients. Results The mean body temperature of 94 hemodialysis patients measured using the temporal artery thermometer (36.7 °C) was significantly different than the dialysis machine thermometer (36.4 °C); p < 0.001. The mean difference (0.27 °C) appeared to be consistent across average temperature (range: 35.8–37.3 °C). Conclusions Temperature measured by the temporal artery thermometer was statistically and clinically higher than that measured by the dialysis machine thermometer. Using the dialysis machine to monitor body temperature may result in more accurate readings and is likely to reduce the purchasing and maintenance costs associated with manual temperature readings, as well as easing the workload for dialysis staff.
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    Catheter-related blood stream infections in hemodialysis patients: a prospective cohort study
    (2017-12-08) Thompson, Stephanie; Wiebe, Natasha; Klarenbach, Scott; Pelletier, Rick; Hemmelgarn, Brenda R; Gill, John S; Manns, Braden J; Tonelli, Marcello
    Abstract Background For people requiring hemodialysis, infectious mortality is independently associated with geographic distance from a nephrologist. We aimed to determine if differential management of catheter-related blood stream infections (CRBSIs) could explain poorer outcomes. Methods We prospectively collected data from adults initiating hemodialysis with a central venous catheter between 2005 and 2015 in Alberta, Canada. We collected indicators of CRBSI management (timely catheter removal, relapsing bacteremia); frequency of CRBSIs; hospitalizations; predictors of CRBSIs, and bacteremia. We evaluated indicators and infectious episodes as a function of the shortest distance by road to the closest nephrologist’s practice: <50 (referent); 50–99; and ≥100 km. Results One thousand one hundred thirty-one participants were followed for a median of 755 days (interquartile range (IQR) 219, 1465) and used dialysis catheters for a median of 565 days (IQR 176, 1288). Compared to the referent group, there was no significant difference in the rate ratio (RR) of CRBSI in the 50–100 and >100 km distance categories: RR 1.63; 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.91, 2.91); RR 0.84 (95% CI 0.44, 1.58); p = 0.87, respectively or in bacteremia: RR 1.42; (95% CI 0.83, 2.45); RR 0.79 (95% CI 0.45,1.39) p = 0.74, respectively. There were no differences in indicators of appropriate CRBSI management or hospitalizations according to distance. The overall incidence of CRBSIs was low (0.19 per 1000 catheter days) as was the frequency of relapse. Only liver disease was independently associated with CRBSI (RR 2.11; 95% CI 1.15, 3.86). Conclusions The frequency and management of CRBSIs did not differ by location; however, event rates were low.
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    Correction to: Methods for identifying 30 chronic conditions: application to administrative data
    (2019-09-04) Tonelli, Marcello; Wiebe, Natasha; Fortin, Martin; Guthrie, Bruce; Hemmelgarn, Brenda R; James, Matthew T; Klarenbach, Scott W; Lewanczuk, Richard; Manns, Braden J; Ronksley, Paul; Sargious, Peter; Straus, Sharon; Quan, Hude
    Following publication of the original manuscript [1], the authors noted several errors in Table 1. Details of the requested corrections are shown below:
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    Joint associations of obesity and estimated GFR with clinical outcomes: a population-based cohort study
    (2019-06-06) Tonelli, Marcello; Wiebe, Natasha; Kovesdy, Csaba P; James, Matthew T; Klarenbach, Scott W; Manns, Braden J; Hemmelgarn, Brenda R
    Abstract Background Despite the interrelationships between obesity, eGFR and albuminuria, few large studies examine how obesity modifies the association between these markers of kidney function and adverse clinical outcomes. Methods We examined the joint associations between obesity, eGFR and albuminuria on four clinical outcomes (death, end-stage renal disease [ESRD], myocardial infarction [MI], and placement in a long-term care facility) using a population-based cohort with procedures from Alberta. Obesity was defined by body mass index ≥35 kg/m2 as defined by a fee modifier applied to an eligible procedure. Results We studied 1,293,362 participants, of whom 171,650 (13.3%) had documented obesity (BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2 based on claims data) and 1,121,712 (86.7%) did not. The association between eGFR and death was J-shaped for participants with and without documented obesity. After full adjustment, obesity tended to be associated with slightly lower odds of mortality (OR range 0.71–1.02; p for interaction between obesity and eGFR 0.008). For participants with and without obesity, the adjusted odds of ESRD were lowest for participants with eGFR > 90 mL/min*1.73m2 and increased with lower eGFR, with no evidence of an interaction with obesity (p = 0.37). Although albuminuria and obesity were both associated with higher odds of ESRD, the excess risk associated with obesity was substantially attenuated at higher levels of albuminuria (p for interaction 0.0006). The excess risk of MI associated with obesity was observed at eGFR > 60 mL/min*1.73m2 but not at lower eGFR (p for interaction < 0.0001). Participants with obesity had a higher adjusted likelihood of placement in long-term care than those without, and the likelihood of such placement was higher at lower eGFR for those with and without obesity (p for interaction = 0.57). Conclusions We found significant interactions between obesity and eGFR and/or albuminuria on the likelihood of adverse outcomes including death and ESRD. Since obesity is common, risk prediction tools for people with CKD might be improved by adding information on BMI or other proxies for body size in addition to eGFR and albuminuria.
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    Overview of the Alberta Kidney Disease Network
    (BioMed Central, 2009-10-19) Hemmelgarn, Brenda; Clement, Fiona; Manns, Braden J.; Klarenbach, Scott; James, Matthew T.; Ravani, Pietro; Pannu, Neesh; Ahmed, Sofia B; MacRae, Jennifer; Scott-Douglas, Nairne; Jindal, Kailash; Quinn, Robert; Culleton, Bruce F.; Wiebe, Natasha; Krause, Richard; Thorlacius, Laurel; Tonelli, Marcello
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    Physical Activity In Renal Disease (PAIRED) and the effect on hypertension: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
    (2019-02-08) Thompson, Stephanie; Wiebe, Natasha; Gyenes, Gabor; Davies, Rachelle; Radhakrishnan, Jeyasundar; Graham, Michelle
    Abstract Background The prevalence of hypertension among people with chronic kidney disease is high with over 60% of people not attaining recommended targets despite taking multiple medications. Given the health and economic implications of hypertension, additional strategies are needed. Exercise is an effective strategy for reducing blood pressure in the general population; however, it is not known whether exercise would have a comparable benefit in people with moderate to advanced chronic kidney disease and hypertension. Methods This is a parallel-arm trial of adults with hypertension (systolic blood pressure greater than 130 mmHg) and an estimated glomerular filtration rate of 15–45 ml/min 1.73 m2. A total of 160 participants will be randomized, with stratification for estimated glomerular filtration rate, to a 24-week, aerobic-based exercise intervention or enhanced usual care. The primary outcome is the difference in 24-h ambulatory systolic blood pressure after 8 weeks of exercise training. Secondary outcomes at 8 and 24 weeks include: other measurements of blood pressure, aortic stiffness (pulse-wave velocity), change in the Defined Daily Dose of anti-hypertensive drugs, medication adherence, markers of cardiovascular risk, physical fitness (cardiopulmonary exercise testing), 7-day accelerometry, quality of life, and adverse events. The effect of exercise on renal function will be evaluated in an exploratory analysis. The intervention is a thrice-weekly, moderate-intensity aerobic exercise supplemented with isometric resistance exercise delivered in two phases. Phase 1: supervised, facility-based, weekly and home-based sessions (8 weeks). Phase 2: home-based sessions (16 weeks). Discussion To our knowledge, this study is the first trial designed to provide a precise estimate of the effect of exercise on blood pressure in people with moderate to severe CKD and hypertension. The findings from this study should address a significant knowledge gap in hypertension management in CKD and inform the design of a larger study on the effect of exercise on CKD progression. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, ID: NCT03551119 . Registered on 11 June 2018.