Usama Feroze - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Usama Feroze

Research paper thumbnail of Mental health, depression and anxiety in maintenance dialysis patients

Iranian journal of kidney diseases

Depression and anxiety are among the most common comorbid illnesses in people with end-stage rena... more Depression and anxiety are among the most common comorbid illnesses in people with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Patients with ESRD face many challenges which increase the likelihood that they will develop depression or anxiety or worsen these conditions. These include a general feeling of unwellness; specific symptoms caused by ESRD or the patient's treatment; major disruptions in lifestyle; the need to comply with treatment regimens, including dialysis schedules, diet prescription, and water restriction; ancillary treatments and hospitalizations; and the fear of disability, morbidity, and shortened lifespan. Depression has been studied extensively in patients on maintenance dialysis, and much effort has been done to validate the proper screening tools to diagnose depression and to define the treatment options for patients on maintenance dialysis with depression. Anxiety is less well studied in this population of patients. Evidence indicates that anxiety is also common in maintenance dialysis. More attention should be paid to measuring the incidence and prevalence and developing methods of diagnosis and treatment approaches for anxiety in patients with ESRD. In this review, we attempted to underscore those aspects of depression and anxiety that have not been investigated extensively, especially with regard to anxiety. The interaction between racial/ethnic characteristics of patients on maintenance dialysis with depression and anxiety needs to be studied more extensively, in order to assess better approaches to healthcare for these individuals.

Research paper thumbnail of Mental health, depression, and anxiety in patients on maintenance dialysis

Iranian journal of kidney diseases, 2010

Depression and anxiety are among the most common comorbid illnesses in people with end-stage rena... more Depression and anxiety are among the most common comorbid illnesses in people with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Patients with ESRD face many challenges which increase the likelihood that they will develop depression or anxiety or worsen these conditions. These include a general feeling of unwellness; specific symptoms caused by ESRD or the patient's treatment; major disruptions in lifestyle; the need to comply with treatment regimens, including dialysis schedules, diet prescription, and water restriction; ancillary treatments and hospitalizations; and the fear of disability, morbidity, and shortened lifespan. Depression has been studied extensively in patients on maintenance dialysis, and much effort has been done to validate the proper screening tools to diagnose depression and to define the treatment options for patients on maintenance dialysis with depression. Anxiety is less well studied in this population of patients. Evidence indicates that anxiety is also common in mai...

Research paper thumbnail of Preparing residents in training to become health-care leaders: a pilot project

Academic psychiatry : the journal of the American Association of Directors of Psychiatric Residency Training and the Association for Academic Psychiatry, 2014

The aim of this study is to describe a successful and exportable training module that addresses N... more The aim of this study is to describe a successful and exportable training module that addresses Next Accreditation System (NAS) behavioral milestones for leadership competencies. A novel leadership training module, which required the creation of original business plans by teams of residents, was incorporated into a psychiatry PGY-2 training curriculum. In the creation and presentation of their business plans, the residents demonstrated competencies in the NAS functional domains of interpersonal and communication skills, professionalism, practice-based learning and improvement, and systems-based practice. Residents who responded with feedback after completing the course were very positive about their experience. The leadership training module described here allowed residents to acquire and demonstrate many of the competencies specified in leadership-oriented NAS milestones. The module did not require additional funding or a formal rotation or "track," is scalable to accommo...

Research paper thumbnail of Factors Affecting Daily Physical Activity and Physical Performance in Maintenance Dialysis Patients

Journal of renal nutrition : the official journal of the Council on Renal Nutrition of the National Kidney Foundation, 2015

Maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients display reduced daily physical activity (DPA) and physica... more Maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients display reduced daily physical activity (DPA) and physical performance (PP). Previous studies did not differentiate the effects of kidney failure and MHD treatments from comorbidities as causes for reduced DPA and PP. In relatively healthy MHD patients and normal adults, we evaluated DPA and PP and examined relationships between DPA and PP and possible associations between anxiety or depression and DPA and PP. DPA, 6-minute walk distance (6-MWD), sit-to-stand (STS), and stair-climbing tests were measured in 72 MHD patients (40% diabetics) with limited comorbidities and 39 normal adults of similar age and gender mix. Anxiety and depression were measured by the Beck anxiety and depression inventories. DPA, time-averaged over 7 days, and all 3 PP tests were impaired in MHD patients, to about 60% to 70% of normal values (P < .0001 for each measurement). MHD patients spent more time sleeping or physically inactive (P < .0001) and less time in...

Research paper thumbnail of Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Oxidative Nutrition in Hypoalbuminemic Dialysis Patients (AIONID) study: results of the pilot-feasibility, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial

Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle, 2013

Background Low serum albumin is common and associated with protein-energy wasting, inflammation, ... more Background Low serum albumin is common and associated with protein-energy wasting, inflammation, and poor outcomes in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. We hypothesized that in-center (in dialysis clinic) provision of highprotein oral nutrition supplements (ONS) tailored for MHD patients combined with anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory ingredients with or without an anti-inflammatory appetite stimulator (pentoxifylline, PTX) is well tolerated and can improve serum albumin concentration. Methods Between January 2008 and June 2010, 84 adult hypoalbuminemic (albumin <4.0 g/dL) MHD outpatients were double-blindly randomized to receive 16 weeks of interventions including ONS, PTX, ONS with PTX, or placebos.

Research paper thumbnail of Dietary Protein Intake in Patients with Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease and on Dialysis

Seminars in Dialysis, 2010

Many patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), particularly those with stage 5 CKD, have protei... more Many patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), particularly those with stage 5 CKD, have protein wasting. The degree to which increased morbidity and mortality seen in these patients is due to protein depletion rather than to the often accompanying comorbidity is not clear. High protein diets lead to the accumulation of metabolites of protein that are potentially toxic. The MDRD Study, which investigated the effects of three levels of dietary protein and phosphorus intakes and two blood pressure goals on the progression of CKD, has several limitations. Several meta-analyses have examined the effects of low protein diets (LPD) on the progression of CKD. It is possible that the lower SUN levels or lesser degree of uremic symptoms may have contributed to the positive findings of LPD in the meta-analyses of Fouque and Pedrini et al., when compared with the study of Kasiske et al. A number of published reports indicate that LPD provide adequate protein for almost all clinically stable CKD patients and do not adversely affect body composition. In general, there are no large differences in the protein intake recommended by different expert groups for a given stage of CKD.

Research paper thumbnail of Examining Associations of Circulating Endotoxin With Nutritional Status, Inflammation, and Mortality in Hemodialysis Patients

Journal of Renal Nutrition, 2012

Objective-Lipopolysaccharide or endotoxin constitutes most part of the outer portion of the cell ... more Objective-Lipopolysaccharide or endotoxin constitutes most part of the outer portion of the cell wall in the gram negative bacteria. Sub-clinical endotoxemia could contribute to increased inflammation and mortality in hemodialysis patients. Endotoxin level and clinical effect are determined by its soluble receptor sCD14 and high density lipoprotein. We examine the hypothesis that endotoxin level correlates with mortality.

Research paper thumbnail of Insights Into Nutritional and Inflammatory Aspects of Low Parathyroid Hormone in Dialysis Patients

Journal of Renal Nutrition, 2011

In people with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD), secondary hyperparathyroidism is associated... more In people with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD), secondary hyperparathyroidism is associated with high-turnover bone disease. A low serum PTH may not necessarily be due to hypodynamic bone but another facet of the malnutrition-inflammation cachexia-syndrome (MICS). A recent 5-year cohort study in 748 stable hemodialysis outpatients showed that after removing the confounding by the MICS, the moderately low PTH in 100 to 150 p/ml range was associated with the greatest survival. Survival data from Japanese dialysis patients show similar survival advantages of lower PTH range. Low serum PTH appears associated with markers of protein-energy wasting and inflammation, and this association may confound the relationship between serum PTH and alkaline phosphatase. PTH stimulates lipogenesis through influx of calcium into the adipocytes. PTH secretion is suppressed by interleukin-1 beta and interleukin-6, which are pro-inflammatory cytokines associated with poor outcome in dialysis patients. These cytokines inhibits PTH secretion in cultured parathyroid tissue slices. In this article we review the association of a low serum PTH with the MICS in CKD patients and suggest avoiding overinterpretation of low serum PTH as an indicator of low-turnover bone disease.

Research paper thumbnail of Anxiety and Depression in Maintenance Dialysis Patients: Preliminary Data of a Cross-sectional Study and Brief Literature Review

Journal of Renal Nutrition, 2012

Anxiety and depression affect the quality of life of maintenance dialysis (MD) patients. There is... more Anxiety and depression affect the quality of life of maintenance dialysis (MD) patients. There is little information concerning the extent to which the experience of individual hemodialysis treatments engenders anxiety in this patient population. This preliminary study examined the prevalence and severity of anxiety and depression in MD patients and the incidence of anxiety related to dialysis treatment. One hundred seventy patients, 155 undergoing maintenance hemodialysis and 15 undergoing chronic peritoneal dialysis, were examined. Inclusion criteria included dialysis vintage of at least 6 months. Patients completed the Beck Anxiety Inventory and Beck Depression Inventory and questionnaires that examined their feelings of anxiety related to individual hemodialysis sessions. Patients&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; mean age was 56 ± standard deviation of 16 years; dialysis vintage, 55 ± 48 months; 46% were female. The data confirmed a high prevalence of anxiety and depression in MD patients. Many MD patients become anxious, often severely, by merely going for routine hemodialysis treatment and also owing to such common events as being connected to the hemodialyzer by a new person or on hearing their hemodialyzer alarm sound. Anxiety and depression are common in MD patients. Many patients who are well established on MD experience anxiety during individual maintenance hemodialysis treatments.

Research paper thumbnail of Relation Between Anxiety, Depression, and Physical Activity and Performance in Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients

Journal of Renal Nutrition, 2014

Maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients have a high prevalence of anxiety and depression and decr... more Maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients have a high prevalence of anxiety and depression and decreased daily physical activity (DPA) and exercise capacity. Because affective disorders may affect DPA and physical performance, we investigated possible relationships between anxiety or depression and DPA and physical performance in relatively healthy MHD patients. This cross-sectional study included 72 relatively healthy MHD patients and 39 normal adults. DPA was measured for 7 days with an Actigraph Activity Monitor®. Physical performance was assessed using the 6-minute walk (6-MWT), sit-to-stand (STS), and stair-climbing tests. Subjects completed the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Main outcome measures were physical activity counts (expressed as vector magnitude), in the 6-MWT, STS, stair-climbing test, BAI, BDI, and HADS scores. Anxiety and depression by BAI and BDI were identified in 43% and 33% of MHD patients and 2.5% and 5% of normals, respectively (P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; .0001 for each comparison). MHD patients without anxiety or depression had decreased DPA and physical performance compared with normals, indicating that these disorders were also independent of anxiety or depression. MHD patients with anxiety and depression generally had the most impaired DPA and physical performance. Higher BAI and BDI scores were each associated with impaired physical performance. In fully adjusted analyses, DPA in MHD patients was negatively correlated with the BDI (r = -0.33, P = .01) but not with the BAI. DPA on the day of hemodialysis (P = .01), and day 1 (P = .03) and day 2 (P = .03) after dialysis each correlated negatively with degree of depression by BDI. In MHD patients, BAI was negatively correlated with 6-MWT (P = .03) and STS (P = .04). In relatively healthy adult MHD patients, anxiety and depression are common and are associated with impaired physical performance. There was a trend toward stronger negative associations between BDI scores and DPA than between BAI scores and DPA.

Research paper thumbnail of Charlson comorbidity score is a strong predictor of mortality in hemodialysis patients

International Urology and Nephrology, 2012

The Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) is a commonly used scale for assessing morbidity, but its ro... more The Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) is a commonly used scale for assessing morbidity, but its role in assessing mortality in hemodialysis patients is not clear. Age, a component of CCI, is a strong risk factor for morbidity and mortality in chronic diseases and correlates with comorbidities. We hypothesized that the Charlson comorbidity index without age is a strong predictor of mortality in hemodialysis patients. A 6-year cohort of 893 hemodialysis patients was examined for an association between a modified CCI (without age and kidney disease) (mCCI) and mortality. Patients were 53±15 years old (mean±SD), had a median mCCI score of 2, and included 47% women, 31% African Americans and 55% diabetics. After adjusting for case-mix and nutritional and inflammatory markers including C-reactive protein and interleukin-6, 2nd (mCCI: 1-2), 3rd (mCCI=3), and 4th (mCCI: 4-9) quartiles compared to 1st (mCCI=0) quartiles showed death hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) of 1.43 (0.92-2.23), 1.70 (1.06-2.72), and 2.33 (1.43-3.78), respectively. The mCCI-death association was robust in non-African Americans. The CCI-death association linearity was verified in cubic splines. Each 1 unit higher mCCI score was associated with a death hazard ratio of 1.16 (1.07-1.27). CCI independent of age is a robust and linear predictor of mortality in hemodialysis patients, in particular in non-African Americans.

Research paper thumbnail of Quality-of-Life and Mortality in Hemodialysis Patients: Roles of Race and Nutritional Status

Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, 2011

Background and objectives Maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients often have protein-energy wasti... more Background and objectives Maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients often have protein-energy wasting, poor health-related quality of life (QoL), and high premature death rates, whereas African-American MHD patients have greater survival than non-African-American patients. We hypothesized that poor QoL scores and their nutritional correlates have a bearing on racial survival disparities of MHD patients.

Research paper thumbnail of Mid-Arm Muscle Circumference and Quality of Life and Survival in Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients

Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, 2010

Background and objectives: Maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients with larger body or fat mass h... more Background and objectives: Maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients with larger body or fat mass have greater survival than normal to low mass. We hypothesized that mid-arm muscle circumference (MAMC), a conveniently measured surrogate of lean body mass (LBM), has stronger association with clinical outcomes than triceps skinfold (TSF), a surrogate of fat mass.

Research paper thumbnail of Racial and Ethnic Differences in Mortality of Hemodialysis Patients: Role of Dietary and Nutritional Status and Inflammation

American Journal of Nephrology, 2011

higher serum albumin, prealbumin and creatinine were associated with greater survival, whereas CR... more higher serum albumin, prealbumin and creatinine were associated with greater survival, whereas CRP and IL-6, but not TNF-␣ , were associated with increased mortality. The highest (vs. lowest) quartile of IL-6 was associated with a 2.4-fold (95% CI: 1.3-3.8) and 4.1-fold (2.2-7.2) higher death risk in Blacks and Whites, respectively. Conclusions: Significant racial disparities exist in dietary, nutritional and inflammatory measures, which may contribute to hemodialysis outcome disparities. Testing race-specific dietary and/or anti-inflammatory interventions is indicated.

Research paper thumbnail of Dietary Omega-3 Fatty Acid, Ratio of Omega-6 to Omega-3 Intake, Inflammation, and Survival in Long-term Hemodialysis Patients

American Journal of Kidney Diseases, 2011

Background-Mortality among long-term hemodialysis patients is high, mostly attributed to cardiova... more Background-Mortality among long-term hemodialysis patients is high, mostly attributed to cardiovascular events, and may be related to chronic inflammation. We hypothesized that the antiinflammatory benefits of higher dietary omega-3, compared to omega-6, poly-unsaturated fatty acids may modulate the inflammatory processes and reduce death risk.

Research paper thumbnail of Mental health, depression and anxiety in maintenance dialysis patients

Iranian journal of kidney diseases

Depression and anxiety are among the most common comorbid illnesses in people with end-stage rena... more Depression and anxiety are among the most common comorbid illnesses in people with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Patients with ESRD face many challenges which increase the likelihood that they will develop depression or anxiety or worsen these conditions. These include a general feeling of unwellness; specific symptoms caused by ESRD or the patient's treatment; major disruptions in lifestyle; the need to comply with treatment regimens, including dialysis schedules, diet prescription, and water restriction; ancillary treatments and hospitalizations; and the fear of disability, morbidity, and shortened lifespan. Depression has been studied extensively in patients on maintenance dialysis, and much effort has been done to validate the proper screening tools to diagnose depression and to define the treatment options for patients on maintenance dialysis with depression. Anxiety is less well studied in this population of patients. Evidence indicates that anxiety is also common in maintenance dialysis. More attention should be paid to measuring the incidence and prevalence and developing methods of diagnosis and treatment approaches for anxiety in patients with ESRD. In this review, we attempted to underscore those aspects of depression and anxiety that have not been investigated extensively, especially with regard to anxiety. The interaction between racial/ethnic characteristics of patients on maintenance dialysis with depression and anxiety needs to be studied more extensively, in order to assess better approaches to healthcare for these individuals.

Research paper thumbnail of Mental health, depression, and anxiety in patients on maintenance dialysis

Iranian journal of kidney diseases, 2010

Depression and anxiety are among the most common comorbid illnesses in people with end-stage rena... more Depression and anxiety are among the most common comorbid illnesses in people with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Patients with ESRD face many challenges which increase the likelihood that they will develop depression or anxiety or worsen these conditions. These include a general feeling of unwellness; specific symptoms caused by ESRD or the patient's treatment; major disruptions in lifestyle; the need to comply with treatment regimens, including dialysis schedules, diet prescription, and water restriction; ancillary treatments and hospitalizations; and the fear of disability, morbidity, and shortened lifespan. Depression has been studied extensively in patients on maintenance dialysis, and much effort has been done to validate the proper screening tools to diagnose depression and to define the treatment options for patients on maintenance dialysis with depression. Anxiety is less well studied in this population of patients. Evidence indicates that anxiety is also common in mai...

Research paper thumbnail of Preparing residents in training to become health-care leaders: a pilot project

Academic psychiatry : the journal of the American Association of Directors of Psychiatric Residency Training and the Association for Academic Psychiatry, 2014

The aim of this study is to describe a successful and exportable training module that addresses N... more The aim of this study is to describe a successful and exportable training module that addresses Next Accreditation System (NAS) behavioral milestones for leadership competencies. A novel leadership training module, which required the creation of original business plans by teams of residents, was incorporated into a psychiatry PGY-2 training curriculum. In the creation and presentation of their business plans, the residents demonstrated competencies in the NAS functional domains of interpersonal and communication skills, professionalism, practice-based learning and improvement, and systems-based practice. Residents who responded with feedback after completing the course were very positive about their experience. The leadership training module described here allowed residents to acquire and demonstrate many of the competencies specified in leadership-oriented NAS milestones. The module did not require additional funding or a formal rotation or "track," is scalable to accommo...

Research paper thumbnail of Factors Affecting Daily Physical Activity and Physical Performance in Maintenance Dialysis Patients

Journal of renal nutrition : the official journal of the Council on Renal Nutrition of the National Kidney Foundation, 2015

Maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients display reduced daily physical activity (DPA) and physica... more Maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients display reduced daily physical activity (DPA) and physical performance (PP). Previous studies did not differentiate the effects of kidney failure and MHD treatments from comorbidities as causes for reduced DPA and PP. In relatively healthy MHD patients and normal adults, we evaluated DPA and PP and examined relationships between DPA and PP and possible associations between anxiety or depression and DPA and PP. DPA, 6-minute walk distance (6-MWD), sit-to-stand (STS), and stair-climbing tests were measured in 72 MHD patients (40% diabetics) with limited comorbidities and 39 normal adults of similar age and gender mix. Anxiety and depression were measured by the Beck anxiety and depression inventories. DPA, time-averaged over 7 days, and all 3 PP tests were impaired in MHD patients, to about 60% to 70% of normal values (P < .0001 for each measurement). MHD patients spent more time sleeping or physically inactive (P < .0001) and less time in...

Research paper thumbnail of Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Oxidative Nutrition in Hypoalbuminemic Dialysis Patients (AIONID) study: results of the pilot-feasibility, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial

Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle, 2013

Background Low serum albumin is common and associated with protein-energy wasting, inflammation, ... more Background Low serum albumin is common and associated with protein-energy wasting, inflammation, and poor outcomes in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. We hypothesized that in-center (in dialysis clinic) provision of highprotein oral nutrition supplements (ONS) tailored for MHD patients combined with anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory ingredients with or without an anti-inflammatory appetite stimulator (pentoxifylline, PTX) is well tolerated and can improve serum albumin concentration. Methods Between January 2008 and June 2010, 84 adult hypoalbuminemic (albumin <4.0 g/dL) MHD outpatients were double-blindly randomized to receive 16 weeks of interventions including ONS, PTX, ONS with PTX, or placebos.

Research paper thumbnail of Dietary Protein Intake in Patients with Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease and on Dialysis

Seminars in Dialysis, 2010

Many patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), particularly those with stage 5 CKD, have protei... more Many patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), particularly those with stage 5 CKD, have protein wasting. The degree to which increased morbidity and mortality seen in these patients is due to protein depletion rather than to the often accompanying comorbidity is not clear. High protein diets lead to the accumulation of metabolites of protein that are potentially toxic. The MDRD Study, which investigated the effects of three levels of dietary protein and phosphorus intakes and two blood pressure goals on the progression of CKD, has several limitations. Several meta-analyses have examined the effects of low protein diets (LPD) on the progression of CKD. It is possible that the lower SUN levels or lesser degree of uremic symptoms may have contributed to the positive findings of LPD in the meta-analyses of Fouque and Pedrini et al., when compared with the study of Kasiske et al. A number of published reports indicate that LPD provide adequate protein for almost all clinically stable CKD patients and do not adversely affect body composition. In general, there are no large differences in the protein intake recommended by different expert groups for a given stage of CKD.

Research paper thumbnail of Examining Associations of Circulating Endotoxin With Nutritional Status, Inflammation, and Mortality in Hemodialysis Patients

Journal of Renal Nutrition, 2012

Objective-Lipopolysaccharide or endotoxin constitutes most part of the outer portion of the cell ... more Objective-Lipopolysaccharide or endotoxin constitutes most part of the outer portion of the cell wall in the gram negative bacteria. Sub-clinical endotoxemia could contribute to increased inflammation and mortality in hemodialysis patients. Endotoxin level and clinical effect are determined by its soluble receptor sCD14 and high density lipoprotein. We examine the hypothesis that endotoxin level correlates with mortality.

Research paper thumbnail of Insights Into Nutritional and Inflammatory Aspects of Low Parathyroid Hormone in Dialysis Patients

Journal of Renal Nutrition, 2011

In people with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD), secondary hyperparathyroidism is associated... more In people with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD), secondary hyperparathyroidism is associated with high-turnover bone disease. A low serum PTH may not necessarily be due to hypodynamic bone but another facet of the malnutrition-inflammation cachexia-syndrome (MICS). A recent 5-year cohort study in 748 stable hemodialysis outpatients showed that after removing the confounding by the MICS, the moderately low PTH in 100 to 150 p/ml range was associated with the greatest survival. Survival data from Japanese dialysis patients show similar survival advantages of lower PTH range. Low serum PTH appears associated with markers of protein-energy wasting and inflammation, and this association may confound the relationship between serum PTH and alkaline phosphatase. PTH stimulates lipogenesis through influx of calcium into the adipocytes. PTH secretion is suppressed by interleukin-1 beta and interleukin-6, which are pro-inflammatory cytokines associated with poor outcome in dialysis patients. These cytokines inhibits PTH secretion in cultured parathyroid tissue slices. In this article we review the association of a low serum PTH with the MICS in CKD patients and suggest avoiding overinterpretation of low serum PTH as an indicator of low-turnover bone disease.

Research paper thumbnail of Anxiety and Depression in Maintenance Dialysis Patients: Preliminary Data of a Cross-sectional Study and Brief Literature Review

Journal of Renal Nutrition, 2012

Anxiety and depression affect the quality of life of maintenance dialysis (MD) patients. There is... more Anxiety and depression affect the quality of life of maintenance dialysis (MD) patients. There is little information concerning the extent to which the experience of individual hemodialysis treatments engenders anxiety in this patient population. This preliminary study examined the prevalence and severity of anxiety and depression in MD patients and the incidence of anxiety related to dialysis treatment. One hundred seventy patients, 155 undergoing maintenance hemodialysis and 15 undergoing chronic peritoneal dialysis, were examined. Inclusion criteria included dialysis vintage of at least 6 months. Patients completed the Beck Anxiety Inventory and Beck Depression Inventory and questionnaires that examined their feelings of anxiety related to individual hemodialysis sessions. Patients&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; mean age was 56 ± standard deviation of 16 years; dialysis vintage, 55 ± 48 months; 46% were female. The data confirmed a high prevalence of anxiety and depression in MD patients. Many MD patients become anxious, often severely, by merely going for routine hemodialysis treatment and also owing to such common events as being connected to the hemodialyzer by a new person or on hearing their hemodialyzer alarm sound. Anxiety and depression are common in MD patients. Many patients who are well established on MD experience anxiety during individual maintenance hemodialysis treatments.

Research paper thumbnail of Relation Between Anxiety, Depression, and Physical Activity and Performance in Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients

Journal of Renal Nutrition, 2014

Maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients have a high prevalence of anxiety and depression and decr... more Maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients have a high prevalence of anxiety and depression and decreased daily physical activity (DPA) and exercise capacity. Because affective disorders may affect DPA and physical performance, we investigated possible relationships between anxiety or depression and DPA and physical performance in relatively healthy MHD patients. This cross-sectional study included 72 relatively healthy MHD patients and 39 normal adults. DPA was measured for 7 days with an Actigraph Activity Monitor®. Physical performance was assessed using the 6-minute walk (6-MWT), sit-to-stand (STS), and stair-climbing tests. Subjects completed the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Main outcome measures were physical activity counts (expressed as vector magnitude), in the 6-MWT, STS, stair-climbing test, BAI, BDI, and HADS scores. Anxiety and depression by BAI and BDI were identified in 43% and 33% of MHD patients and 2.5% and 5% of normals, respectively (P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; .0001 for each comparison). MHD patients without anxiety or depression had decreased DPA and physical performance compared with normals, indicating that these disorders were also independent of anxiety or depression. MHD patients with anxiety and depression generally had the most impaired DPA and physical performance. Higher BAI and BDI scores were each associated with impaired physical performance. In fully adjusted analyses, DPA in MHD patients was negatively correlated with the BDI (r = -0.33, P = .01) but not with the BAI. DPA on the day of hemodialysis (P = .01), and day 1 (P = .03) and day 2 (P = .03) after dialysis each correlated negatively with degree of depression by BDI. In MHD patients, BAI was negatively correlated with 6-MWT (P = .03) and STS (P = .04). In relatively healthy adult MHD patients, anxiety and depression are common and are associated with impaired physical performance. There was a trend toward stronger negative associations between BDI scores and DPA than between BAI scores and DPA.

Research paper thumbnail of Charlson comorbidity score is a strong predictor of mortality in hemodialysis patients

International Urology and Nephrology, 2012

The Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) is a commonly used scale for assessing morbidity, but its ro... more The Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) is a commonly used scale for assessing morbidity, but its role in assessing mortality in hemodialysis patients is not clear. Age, a component of CCI, is a strong risk factor for morbidity and mortality in chronic diseases and correlates with comorbidities. We hypothesized that the Charlson comorbidity index without age is a strong predictor of mortality in hemodialysis patients. A 6-year cohort of 893 hemodialysis patients was examined for an association between a modified CCI (without age and kidney disease) (mCCI) and mortality. Patients were 53±15 years old (mean±SD), had a median mCCI score of 2, and included 47% women, 31% African Americans and 55% diabetics. After adjusting for case-mix and nutritional and inflammatory markers including C-reactive protein and interleukin-6, 2nd (mCCI: 1-2), 3rd (mCCI=3), and 4th (mCCI: 4-9) quartiles compared to 1st (mCCI=0) quartiles showed death hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) of 1.43 (0.92-2.23), 1.70 (1.06-2.72), and 2.33 (1.43-3.78), respectively. The mCCI-death association was robust in non-African Americans. The CCI-death association linearity was verified in cubic splines. Each 1 unit higher mCCI score was associated with a death hazard ratio of 1.16 (1.07-1.27). CCI independent of age is a robust and linear predictor of mortality in hemodialysis patients, in particular in non-African Americans.

Research paper thumbnail of Quality-of-Life and Mortality in Hemodialysis Patients: Roles of Race and Nutritional Status

Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, 2011

Background and objectives Maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients often have protein-energy wasti... more Background and objectives Maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients often have protein-energy wasting, poor health-related quality of life (QoL), and high premature death rates, whereas African-American MHD patients have greater survival than non-African-American patients. We hypothesized that poor QoL scores and their nutritional correlates have a bearing on racial survival disparities of MHD patients.

Research paper thumbnail of Mid-Arm Muscle Circumference and Quality of Life and Survival in Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients

Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, 2010

Background and objectives: Maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients with larger body or fat mass h... more Background and objectives: Maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients with larger body or fat mass have greater survival than normal to low mass. We hypothesized that mid-arm muscle circumference (MAMC), a conveniently measured surrogate of lean body mass (LBM), has stronger association with clinical outcomes than triceps skinfold (TSF), a surrogate of fat mass.

Research paper thumbnail of Racial and Ethnic Differences in Mortality of Hemodialysis Patients: Role of Dietary and Nutritional Status and Inflammation

American Journal of Nephrology, 2011

higher serum albumin, prealbumin and creatinine were associated with greater survival, whereas CR... more higher serum albumin, prealbumin and creatinine were associated with greater survival, whereas CRP and IL-6, but not TNF-␣ , were associated with increased mortality. The highest (vs. lowest) quartile of IL-6 was associated with a 2.4-fold (95% CI: 1.3-3.8) and 4.1-fold (2.2-7.2) higher death risk in Blacks and Whites, respectively. Conclusions: Significant racial disparities exist in dietary, nutritional and inflammatory measures, which may contribute to hemodialysis outcome disparities. Testing race-specific dietary and/or anti-inflammatory interventions is indicated.

Research paper thumbnail of Dietary Omega-3 Fatty Acid, Ratio of Omega-6 to Omega-3 Intake, Inflammation, and Survival in Long-term Hemodialysis Patients

American Journal of Kidney Diseases, 2011

Background-Mortality among long-term hemodialysis patients is high, mostly attributed to cardiova... more Background-Mortality among long-term hemodialysis patients is high, mostly attributed to cardiovascular events, and may be related to chronic inflammation. We hypothesized that the antiinflammatory benefits of higher dietary omega-3, compared to omega-6, poly-unsaturated fatty acids may modulate the inflammatory processes and reduce death risk.