Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Joshua R. Lakin, Kate Sciacca, Richard Leiter, Kelsey Killeen, Samantha Gelfand, James A. Tulsky, Shelly Anderson, Sophia N. Zupanc, Trey Williams, Ernest I. Mandel
Summary: This study describes the development and implementation of a specialty-aligned interprofessional palliative care service called KidneyPal for patients with kidney disease. The study found that KidneyPal had positive outcomes in improving the delivery of palliative care to these patients, with high rates of support and interventions.
JOURNAL OF PAIN AND SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Urology & Nephrology
Esther N. M. de Rooij, Yvette Meuleman, Johan W. W. de Fijter, Kitty J. J. Jager, Nicholas C. C. Chesnaye, Marie Evans, Fergus J. J. Caskey, Claudia Torino, Gaetana Porto, Maciej Szymczak, Christiane Drechsler, Christoph Wanner, Friedo W. W. Dekker, Ellen K. K. Hoogeveen
Summary: For older patients with kidney failure, symptom burden worsened considerably before and stabilized after dialysis initiation. Fatigue, decreased interest in sex, and difficulty becoming sexually aroused were considered most burdensome, of which only fatigue somewhat improved after dialysis initiation.
CLINICAL JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF NEPHROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Gesine Weckmann, Janine Wirkner, Elisa Kasbohm, Carolin Zimak, Annekathrin Haase, Jean-Francois Chenot, Carsten Oliver Schmidt, Sylvia Stracke
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the management and quality of care for chronic kidney disease (CKD) in ambulatory care. The results showed that patient diagnosis awareness was low, monitoring frequency did not fully meet recommendations, and adherence to referral criteria varied.
BMC HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Sarah Cook, Niklas Schmedt, Julie Broughton, Philip A. Kalra, Laurie A. Tomlinson, Jennifer K. Quint
Summary: This study investigated the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD), demographic and clinical characteristics, treatment patterns, and rates of cardiovascular and renal complications in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) treated in routine clinical care. The results showed that the prevalence of CKD remained stable at approximately 30% in T2D patients, and CKD was associated with significantly increased rates of complications, especially in those with comorbid heart failure.
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Susan P. Y. Wong, Mary Beth Foglia, Jennifer Cohen, Taryn Oestreich, Ann M. O'Hare
Summary: In this study, researchers analyzed the documentation of patients' preferences for life-sustaining treatments (LST) in the medical records of individuals with advanced kidney disease. The findings revealed that LST notes were often completed as a reactive response to medical crises and focused on short-term goals and preferences. Additionally, the study highlighted the practitioner-driven nature of these conversations and the challenges in communication with patients and surrogates.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY
(2022)
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Ramy M. Hanna, Elani Streja, Kamyar Kalantar-Zadeh
Summary: Anemia is a common comorbidity of CKD, associated with decreased quality of life and increased healthcare resource utilization. Current standard treatments include iron supplementation, erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, and red blood cell transfusion, but each has its own set of issues such as increased risk of cardiovascular disease, thrombosis, and mortality.
ADVANCES IN THERAPY
(2021)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Jojo Yan Yan Kwok, Tsai-Wei Huang, Jarugool Tretriluxana, Man Auyeung, Pui Hing Chau, Chia-Chin Lin, Helen Yue Lai Chan
Summary: This study assessed the symptom burden and unmet support care needs in patients with Parkinson's disease, finding that there is a moderate level of unmet support needs among patients. Patients' prioritized support needs varied across different cultural backgrounds, highlighting the importance of providing culturally-sensitive care.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Jeannette Vogt, Franziska Beyer, Jochen Sistermanns, Jonas Kuon, Christoph Kahl, Bernd Alt-Epping, Susanne Stevens, Miriam Ahlborn, Christian George, Andrea Heider, Maria Tienken, Carmen Loquai, Kerstin Stahlhut, Anne Ruellan, Thomas Kubin, Andreas Dietz, Karin Oechsle, Anja Mehnert-Theuerkauf, Birgitt van Oorschot, Michael Thomas, Olaf Ortmann, Christoph Engel, Florian Lordick
Summary: The study revealed that patients diagnosed with incurable cancer experience high levels of distress, symptom burden, and supportive care needs, which vary over time. Early screening using standardized tools and early palliative care are crucial in improving the quality of palliative care services for these patients.
Article
Urology & Nephrology
Caroline E. Stigant, Katherine A. Barraclough, Mark Harber, Nigel S. Kanagasundaram, Charu Malik, Vivekanand Jha, Raymond C. Vanholder
Summary: In response to the climate crisis, an international group of nephrologists calls for united and aligned kidney care based on the principles of the UN Conference of the Parties. They announce the GREEN-K initiative, aiming to promote environmentally sustainable and resilient kidney care globally through advocacy, education, and collaboration. The initiative focuses on education, sustainable clinical care, and innovations for environmentally sustainable kidney therapies.
KIDNEY INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Review
Biology
Stephanie Difiglia, Lara Dhingra, Anna M. Georgiopoulos, Katherine Papia, Erin Sullivan, Amy Plachta, Courtney Boccio, Russell Portenoy, Melissa Basile
Summary: Among people with cystic fibrosis (CF), illness burden is multifaceted, and symptoms may fluctuate in intensity across a lifespan. Caregivers of people with CF may also experience distressing symptoms. Recent developments in CF care, including the availability of highly effective modulator therapies (HEMTs) and new palliative care guidelines promoting palliative care screening may help alleviate symptoms.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Muhammad Haisum Maqsood, Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, Haider J. Warraich
Summary: The study found that palliative care is more effective for patients with heart failure compared to other noncancer illnesses, reducing potentially unwanted hospital admissions and promoting advance care planning. Additionally, there was an improvement in symptom burden after palliative care intervention.
JOURNAL OF PAIN AND SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Adrian Cordido, Marta Vizoso-Gonzalez, Miguel A. Garcia-Gonzalez
Summary: ARPKD is a rare disorder linked to the PKHD1 and DZIP1L genes, with research elucidating molecular pathways involved in disease progression. However, understanding of the function of ARPKD proteins and the disease's molecular mechanism remains incomplete.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Mary-Joanne Verhoef, Boudewijn Sweep, Ellen J. M. de Nijs, Anne C. Valkenburg, Nanda Horeweg, Arwen H. Pieterse, Jenny T. van der Steen, Yvette M. van der Linden
Summary: The objective of this study is to explore the relationship between patient-reported symptom burden and information needs in hospital-based palliative care, as well as the differences in patient-reported needs during the disease trajectory. The results show that symptom burden and information needs are related, and patients often want information about non-prioritized symptoms and other palliative care domains. Tailored information provision is crucial in addressing patient needs.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CANCER CARE
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Natalie C. Ernecoff, Lindsay F. Bell, Robert M. Arnold, Christopher M. Shea, Galen E. Switzer, Manisha Jhamb, Jane O. Schell, Dio Kavalieratos
Summary: This study describes the palliative care needs of patients with chronic kidney disease and discusses the limitations and potential interventions to meet those needs. Clinicians advocate for primary palliative care and propose improvement measures such as building collaborative care models and identifying appropriate patients for palliative care.
JOURNAL OF PAIN AND SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Iacopo Lanini, Sara Samoni, Faeq Husain-Syed, Sergio Fabbri, Filippo Canzani, Andrea Messeri, Rocco Domenico Mediati, Zaccaria Ricci, Stefano Romagnoli, Gianluca Villa
Summary: Interest in palliative care has been growing recently, especially in its multidisciplinary approach to meet the needs of patients with life-threatening diseases and their families. Palliative care can benefit patients with acute or chronic kidney disease, and requires collaboration among healthcare providers, patients, and families. Various approaches can be tried to address the physical, social, psychological, and spiritual needs of patients, and individualized goal setting is important in extracorporeal palliative dialysis. However, there is limited evidence on palliative care for acute kidney injury patients.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Nursing
Komal P. Murali, Gary Yu, John D. Merriman, Allison Vorderstrasse, Amy S. Kelley, Abraham A. Brody
Summary: This study used latent class analysis to identify subgroups of seriously ill older adults receiving palliative care based on comorbidity burden and mortality risk. The findings showed distinct subgroups with different combinations of chronic conditions.
WESTERN JOURNAL OF NURSING RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Julia L. Frydman, Lindsay Dow, Cardinale Smith, Amy Kelley, Elizabeth Lindenberger, Laura Gelfman
Summary: This study aimed to explore the application of serious illness communication skills by clinical fellows after participating in an intensive virtual communication skills training. The results showed that the virtual course exhibited equivalent or better use of communication skills compared to the prior in-person course. This suggests that virtual communication skills training is associated with the use of serious illness communication skills by learners in the clinical setting.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE MEDICINE
(2023)
Letter
Health Care Sciences & Services
Julia L. Frydman, Robert M. Arnold, Laura P. Gelfman, Cardinale B. Smith
JOURNAL OF PAIN AND SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Editorial Material
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Abraham A. Brody, Eve Dorfman, Christopher G. Caspers, Tina R. Sadarangani
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Alex D. Federman, Abraham Brody, Christine S. Ritchie, Natalia Egorova, Arushi Arora, Sara Lubetsky, Ruchir Goswami, Maria Peralta, Jenny M. Reckrey, Kenneth Boockvar, Shivani Shah, Katherine A. Ornstein, Bruce Leff, Linda DeCherrie, Albert L. Siu
Summary: This study compared home-based primary care (HBPC) with office-based primary care in a randomized controlled trial for homebound older adults. The results showed that HBPC was associated with higher satisfaction with care and lower hospitalization rates, but also higher death rates compared to office-based primary care.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Gerontology
Jonelle Boafo, Daniel David, Bei Wu, Abraham A. Brody, Tina Sadarangani
Summary: This study aims to identify person-centered care strategies used by center staff to manage behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). The results demonstrate that staff incorporate evidence-based person-centered approaches to AD/ADRD care, individualizing their approach to each individual within a group setting.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED GERONTOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Maggie Rogers, Rachael Heitner, Julia L. Frydman, Brynn Bowman, Diane E. Meier, Melissa Aldridge, Emily Franzosa
Summary: The financial impact and operational challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic have raised concerns about the future viability of palliative care programs. Survey results from program leaders highlight the importance of organizational recognition, adequate staffing, the accelerated need for palliative care during the pandemic, and financial concerns perpetuated by the crisis.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Elizabeth R. R. Stevens, Abraham A. A. Brody, Fayron Epps, Danetta H. H. Sloan, Scott E. E. Sherman
Summary: Fostering diverse, equitable, and inclusive collaborative research networks is crucial for advancing aging research. However, current strategies have shown only moderate progress in diversifying the research workforce. To improve upon current efforts, using meta-research to rigorously evaluate and identify effective strategies for promoting diversity and collaboration is important. This study aims to describe the principles of meta-research and how they can be applied to achieve the collaboration and diversity goals in the aging research community.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Claire K. Ankuda, Katherine A. Ornstein, Bruce Leff, Subashini Rajagopalan, Bruce Kinosian, Abraham A. Brody, Christine S. Ritchie
Summary: As more Americans age in place, it is critical to understand care delivery in the home. However, data on the range of home-based services provided by Medicare is limited. This study analyzed Medicare claims data to define a taxonomy of home-based clinical care and identify the receipt of these services. The findings show that approximately 20% of FFS Medicare beneficiaries received Medicare-funded home-based clinical care.
BMC HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
(2023)
Editorial Material
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Daniel David, Abraham A. Brody
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Rebecca Liddicoat Yamarik, Laraine Ann Chiu, Mara Flannery, Kaitlyn Van Allen, Oluwaseun M. Adeyemi, Allison A. Cuthel, Abraham S. Brody, Keith Goldfeld, Deborah R. Schrag, Corita Grudzen
Summary: We conducted a 6-month telephone nursing program for persons living with advanced cancer to help them manage symptoms, coordinate care, and plan for future care. Half of the subjects completed the program, a quarter died or enrolled in hospice, 19% were lost to follow-up, and 9% withdrew from the program. White patients and those with fewer symptoms were more likely to withdraw. 83% of all patients completed some advance care planning, and 80% of patients received hospice care prior to death.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Katherine F. Guttmann, Malorie Meshkati, Julia Frydman, Cardinale B. Smith, Lindsay Dow, Andrea S. Weintraub
Summary: Despite the proven benefit, pediatric subspecialists lack formal serious illness communication skills training. A communication skills course based on the VitalTalk framework was developed for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) clinicians. The course improved provider comfort with key communication skills but did not increase skill application 2 months post-course, suggesting the need for additional exposure to build new communication habits. The course also highlighted differences between conversations about seriously ill infants and adults.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Rebecca K. F. Lassell, Shih-Yin Lin, Kimberly Convery, Jason Fletcher, Tracy Chippendale, Tessa Jones, Aditi Durga, James E. Galvin, Randall W. Rupper, Abraham A. Brody
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) among people living with dementia from diverse racial and ethnic groups. NPS were found to be more prevalent and severe in individuals with higher dementia severity, and there were some differences in symptom prevalence among different racial and ethnic sub-groups.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Urology & Nephrology
Jennifer S. Scherer, Megan E. Rau, Anna Krieger, Yuhe Xia, Hua Zhong, Abraham Brody, David M. Charytan, Joshua Chodosh
Summary: This study examined the feasibility and acceptability of integrated palliative and nephrology care for CKD patients. It found that this intervention has the potential to reduce symptom burden and increase completion of advance care planning documents.
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Alex D. Federman, Abraham Brody, Christine S. Ritchie, Natalia Egorova, Arushi Arora, Sara Lubetsky, Ruchir Goswami, Maria Peralta, Jenny M. Reckrey, Kenneth Boockvar, Shivani Shah, Katherine A. Ornstein, Bruce Leff, Linda DeCherrie, Albert L. Siu
Summary: Home-based primary care (HBPC) is associated with higher satisfaction with care and lower hospitalization rates, but also more deaths compared to office-based primary care. Further research is needed to understand the reasons for the higher death rate among HBPC patients and the effects of HBPC on quality of life and symptom burden, given the trial's early termination.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY
(2022)