Publications by authors named "Rowan Walker"

Background: Little is known about the relationship between patients' cultural and linguistic backgrounds and patient activation, especially in people with diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD). We examined the association between culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) background and patient activation and evaluated the impact of a codesigned integrated kidney and diabetes model of care on patient activation by CALD status in people with diabetes and CKD.

Methods: This longitudinal study recruited adults with diabetes and CKD (Stage 3a or worse) who attended a new diabetes and kidney disease service at a tertiary hospital.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Frailty and chronic kidney disease (CKD) both increase with age and are prevalent in older adults. However, studies in older adults examining the relationship between frailty and milder impairments of kidney function are relatively sparse. We examined the cross-sectional association of baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), albuminuria and CKD ([eGFR <60 ml/min/1.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: High-intensity training (HIT) programmes are popularly associated with improvements in exercise efficiency and body composition, although, at extremes, have been accompanied by concerns of secondary rhabdomyolysis and severe acute kidney injury (AKI). Beyond the anecdotal, robust literature on the physiological impact of HIT on renal function is currently limited.

Aims: To investigate the acute impact of high-intensity (CrossFit®) training on renal function, and to evaluate the incidence of AKI by Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss, End-stage renal disease (RIFLE) criteria following CrossFit® training.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: The Peritoneal Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (PDOPPS) is an international, prospective study following persons treated by peritoneal dialysis (PD) to identify modifiable practices associated with improvements in PD technique and person survival. The aim of this study was to assess the representativeness of the Australian cohort included in PDOPPS compared to the complete Australian PD population, as reported to the Australia and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant (ANZDATA) Registry.

Methods: Adults with at least one PD treatment reported to ANZDATA Registry during the census period of PDOPPS Phase I (November 2014 to April 2018) were compared to the Australian PDOPPS cohort.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Current healthcare models are ill-equipped for managing people with diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD). We evaluated the impact of a new diabetes and kidney disease service (DKS) on hospitalization, mortality, clinical and patient-relevant outcomes.

Methods: Longitudinal analyses of adult patients with diabetes and CKD (Stages 3a-5) were performed using outpatient and hospitalization data from January 2015 to October 2018.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Despite evidence that clinical outcomes for patients treated with peritoneal dialysis (PD) or home haemodialysis are better than for patients treated with conventional satellite or hospital-based haemodialysis, rates of home-based dialysis therapies world-wide remain low. Home-based dialysis care is also cost-effective and indeed the favoured dialysis option for many patients.

Methods & Objectives: Using a lean-thinking framework and established change management methodology, a project embracing a system-wide approach at making a change where a 'Home before Hospital' philosophy underpinned all approaches to dialysis care was undertaken.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The role of aspirin for primary prevention in older adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is unclear. Therefore, post hoc analysis of the randomized controlled trial ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly (ASPREE) was undertaken comparing 100 mg of enteric-coated aspirin daily against matching placebo. Participants were community dwelling adults aged 70 years and older in Australia, 65 years and older in the United States, all free of a history of dementia or cardiovascular disease and of any disease expected to lead to death within five years.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Organ transplant guidelines in many settings recommend that people with potential hepatitis C virus (HCV) exposure or infection are deemed ineligible to donate. The recent availability of highly-effective treatments for HCV means that this may no longer be necessary. We used a mathematical model to estimate the expected difference in healthcare costs, difference in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and cost-effectiveness of removing HCV restrictions for lung and kidney donations in Australia.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objective: To evaluate the impact of an integrated diabetes and kidney disease model of care on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of patients with comorbid diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Research Design And Methods: A longitudinal study of adult patients (over 18 years) with comorbid diabetes and CKD (stage 3a or worse) who attended a new diabetes kidney disease service was conducted at a tertiary hospital. A questionnaire consisting of demographics, clinical data, and the Kidney Disease Quality of Life (KDQOL-36) was administered at baseline and after 12 months.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: To address guideline-practice gaps and improve management of patients with both diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD), we involved patients, health professionals and patient advocacy groups in the co-design and implementation of an integrated diabetes-kidney service.

Objective: In this study, we explored the experiences of patients and health-care providers, within this integrated diabetes and kidney service.

Methods: 5 focus groups and 2 semi-structured interviews were conducted amongst attending patients, referring primary health professionals, and attending specialist health professionals.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • Limited resources exist to help kidney transplant recipients stick to their medication regimens, prompting a study to evaluate an intervention aimed at improving adherence.
  • The study involved a 12-month pilot trial with 71 participants from five hospitals in Victoria, Australia, where 35 received an intervention combining health coaching and a medication review, while 36 received standard care.
  • Results showed no significant differences in medication adherence between the two groups; however, the intervention group maintained consistent adherence rates, unlike the control group, which saw a significant drop in adherence over time.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Aims: In patients with comorbid diabetes and chronic kidney disease, the extent to which patient-reported barriers to health-care and patient reported outcomes influence the quality of health care is not well established. This study explored the association between patient-reported barriers to health-care, patient activation, quality of life and diabetes self-care, with attainment of glycaemic and blood pressure (BP) targets.

Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited adults with diabetes and CKD (eGFR 20 to <60 ml/min/1.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Little is known about how patient reported barriers to health care impact the quality of life (HRQoL) of patients with comorbid disease. We investigated patient reported barriers to health care and low physical and mental well-being among people with diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods: Adults with diabetes and CKD (estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate < 60 ml/min/1.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objective: The current study aimed to validate existing risk prediction scores and identify predictors of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the setting of HIV.

Design And Methods: A retrospective cohort study of HIV-positive individuals (n = 748) with baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) more than 60 ml/min was conducted at the Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia. Multivariable regression analysis was performed to determine factors associated with development of CKD, defined as two consecutive measurements of eGFR less than 60 ml/min.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Choice of immunosuppression may modify the risk of cancer after kidney transplantation, however, long-term data are lacking. Using the Australian and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Registry, we compared the 9-year risk of incident cancer, non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC), and death attributed to cancer among participants from Australia and New Zealand in four randomized-controlled trials which compared de novo or early switch to an everolimus-containing regimen with calcineurin-inhibitor-based triple therapy. An adjusted Cox-model with random effects was used to determine such risks.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are two of the most prevalent co-morbid chronic diseases in Australia. The increasing complexity of multi-morbidity, and current gaps in health-care delivery for people with co-morbid diabetes and CKD, emphasize the need for better models of care for this population. Previously, proposed published models of care for co-morbid diabetes and CKD have not been co-designed with stake-holders or formally evaluated.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The burden of neurocognitive impairment (NCI) in patients receiving maintenance dialysis represents a spectrum of deficits across multiple cognitive domains that are associated with hospitalization, reduced quality-of-life, mortality and forced decision-making around dialysis withdrawal. Point prevalence data suggest that dialysis patients manifest NCI at rates 3- to 5-fold higher than the general population, with executive function the most commonly affected cognitive domain. The unique physiology of the renal failure state and maintenance dialysis appears to drive an excess of vascular dementia subtype compared to the general population where classical Alzheimer's disease predominates.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: The longitudinal effects of peritoneal dialysis (PD) peritonitis on small solute clearance and ultrafiltration are controversial.

Materials And Methods: We identified 27 patients with PD peritonitis over a 4-year period at a tertiary hospital. Adequacy tests at an "early" (1 - 3 months), "intermediate" (6 ± 2 months), and a "late" (12 ± 2 months) time period after the episode were compared with a pre-peritonitis baseline.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Advance care planning (ACP) empowers patients to consider and communicate their current and future treatment goals. However, it can be an emotionally charged process for patients with kidney disease and their caregivers. This study aimed to describe the perspectives and attitudes of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and their caregivers toward ACP.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objective: To evaluate the extent of patient activation and factors associated with activation in adults with comorbid diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Design: A cross-sectional study.

Setting: Renal/diabetes clinics of four tertiary hospitals across the two largest states of Australia.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • The study aimed to identify how common Fanconi Syndrome (FS) is in patients taking tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) and what factors may contribute to its development.
  • A total of 1,442 patients were analyzed, and 13 cases of FS were found, with a higher incidence in those also taking ritonavir compared to those not taking it.
  • The findings suggest that co-administering ritonavir significantly increases the risk of developing FS, while traditional chronic kidney disease risk factors did not predict the syndrome's occurrence in TDF-treated patients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objective: This study aimed to examine the association between performance of self-care activities and patient or disease factors as well as patient activation levels in patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Australia.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among adults with diabetes and CKD (eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73m ) who were recruited from renal and diabetes clinics of four tertiary hospitals in Australia.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF