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Prognosis for ESRD patients can be estimated using the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), shown in Table 1 and below, and the serum albumin. Based on the medical literature referencedbelow, the CCI is a good prognostic tool for ESRD patients, and is easier to use in the non-research setting than the Index of Coexistent Diseases. CCI scores were calculated in 1761 individuals who participated in a comorbidity assessment project 8 conducted between 1998-2001 in 41 dialysis units from Dialysis Clinic Inc. (DCI), a non-for profit dialysis" provider. All were hemodialysis patients with similar demographic characteristics as contemporary USRDS populations: the mean age was 62 (SD 15); 28% were African American; 52% were male; and 44% had diabetes as the cause of ESRD. Forty eight percent were incident to dialysis, meaning that they had started dialysis less than a year prior to the time of the comorbidity assessment. The prognostic calculator (see Table 2 is based on observation of this study population and provides estimates of one and two year survival probabilities across subgroups defined by CCI Level and serum albumin. The 95% confidence intervals have been included to aid in interpretation of the data.
In the systematic literature review conducted by the RPA-ASN workgroup that developed the revised second clinical practice guideline (CPG), Shared Decision-Making in the Appropriate Initiation of and Withdrawal from Dialysis, serum albumin was found to be an independent predictor of mortality. The bromcresol green assay with normal range of 3.5 to 5.0 g/dL was used to measure serum albumin.*
Nephrologists should use the estimate of survival obtained from this calculator according to the recommendations of appropriate clinical practice guidelines, i.e.Shared Decision-Making in the Appropriate Initiation of and Withdrawal from Dialysis. This guideline recommends shared decision-making between the physician and the patient (or if the patient lacks decision-making capacity, the patient’s legal representative). The estimate of survival should be used only to assist in promoting informed""consent in deciding whether to commence or stop dialysis. Patient and family""education about prognosis should always consider the patient's preferences. Not all patients may want to be informed of their prognosis. Instead, some patients may prefer that a family member or friend be informed of their prognosis and participate in dialysis decision-making. Like other information to be disclosed in the process of obtaining informed consent or refusal, an estimate of prognosis needs to be provided in a culturally sensitive manner. In addition, prognosis alone may not be a sufficient reason for some patients and families to refuse dialysis, particularly when dialysis may allow the achievement of certain goals. Patients and families may choose to commence dialysis regardless of the estimate of survival obtained from this calculator or any recommendation from their nephrologist. The ultimate decision as to whether to commence or stop dialysis should be shared between the patient (or his/her legal representative) and the treating nephrologist.
The authors and owners of this program make no warranties or representations with respect to the application of this calculator in individual cases. Any recommendations made by a nephrologist based upon the information obtained from this calculator are the sole responsibility of the user.
*Nephrologists will need to enter the lower limit of albumin (LLA) if it is less than 3.5 g/dL. This program will autoadjust the patient’s serum albumin level for the normal range for the serum albumin assay based upon the LLA entered. For example, if a patient’s serum albumin level is 3.3 g/dL and the lower limit of normal (LLA) on the assay used to measure the patient's blood is 3.2g/dL, the serum albumin level will be adjusted up (i.e. normalized). The program will multiply the level by a correction factor of 3.5/LLA. For instance, if the LLA is 3.2, this would be 1.094.
*Frequency of subjects within groups divided by CCI Leveland serum albumin
** Survival probabilityestimates are based on observation of 1761 incident and prevalent hemodialysis patients from 41 dialysis facilities of Dialysis Clinic Inc.[8] See text for details.
© 2008-22, Stephen Z. Fadem, M.D., FASN. All rights reserved. No part of this application may be duplicated without written permission from the author.
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