Aichi cohort study of the prognosis in patients newly initiated into dialysis (AICOPP): baseline characteristics and trends observed in diabetic nephropathy

Background: Over 300,000 patients receive maintenance dialysis in Japan; managing these patients is extremely important. This study aimed to report on prior management of chronic kidney diseases and prognostication after dialysis initiation. Patients and methods: Seventeen institutions participated in the Aichi cohort study of prognosis in patients newly initiated into dialysis and recruited patients over a period of 2 years. Exclusion criteria were (1) patients under 20 years; (2) patients who died before hospital discharge; and (3) patients who could not provide consent. Result: Here, we showed data on dialysis initiation time. Of 1524 patients with mean age of 67.5 ± 13.0 years, 659 patients were put on dialysis following diabetic nephropathy diagnosis. At dialysis initiation time, creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate levels were 8.97 ± 3.21 mg/dl and 5.45 ± 2.22 ml/min/1.73 m², respectively. Medications taken were angiotensin II receptor blockers in 866; angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors in 135; calcium antagonist in 1202; and diuretics, alone or in combination, in 1059. Among patients with diabetic nephropathy, many had increased body weight and systolic blood pressure and were taking loop and thiazide diuretics at dialysis initiation time. Many patients with diabetic nephropathy had coronary artery disease and percutaneous coronary intervention. Conclusion: Many patients with diabetic nephropathy who registered for this study had coronary artery disease and problems with excess body fluid. Further analyses may clarify how underlying conditions and disease management before and after dialysis initiation affect prognosis.