Abstract: TH-PO319
Improved Thinking Through Dialysis: A Pilot Study Using the BrainCheck Assessment Platform
Session Information
- Dialysis: Cost, Socioeconomics, Quality of Life
October 25, 2018 | Location: Exhibit Hall, San Diego Convention Center
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: Dialysis
- 701 Dialysis: Hemodialysis and Frequent Dialysis
Authors
- Adrogue, Horacio E., Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, United States
- Adrogue, Alexander Horacio, BrainCheck, Inc., Houston, Texas, United States
- Katz, Yael, BrainCheck, Inc., Houston, Texas, United States
- Soto-Ruiz, Karina, BrainCheck, Inc., Houston, Texas, United States
- Flores, Benjamin, BrainCheck, Inc., Houston, Texas, United States
- Eagleman, David M., BrainCheck, Inc., Houston, Texas, United States
Background
It is estimated that 27-67% of the ESRD population is plagued by cognitive dysfunction. This impairment not only decreases QOL and dialysis compliance, but also increases depression and mortality. Drew et al demonstrated that each 1 SD higher executive function score was associated with a 35% lower hazard of mortality. We tested hemodialysis patients with a novel, mobile and digital neurocognitive test, BrainCheck, in an effort to evaluate cognitive improvement after dialysis treatment.
Methods
We prospectively consented and enrolled patients at Dialyspa dialysis center in Houston, TX and administered BrainCheck before and after dialysis.
Their performance pre and post-dialysis was shared with the patients in real-time. We also compared the neurocognitive performance of our patients against age-matched controls without ESRD.
Results
We enrolled a total of 29 patients , 17 (58.6%) female. Their ages ranged from 25 to 88, average was 59 years. 11 (37.9%) were African American, 9 (31%) Hispanics, 7 (24.1%) White, and 2 (6.9%) Asians. The educational level breakdown was 12 (41.4%) had some college education, 8 (27.6%) completed high school, 5 (17.2%) had a college degree and 4 (13.8%) a graduate degree.
Our findings show that patients who are compliant with dialysis have cognitive function similar to the non-dialysis population. We also found that sharing cognitive performance results with patients could be used as a motivator to increase compliance.
Conclusion
Standard dialysis practice appears to help patients regain cognitive function to levels similar to their non-ESRD counterparts. While more data is needed, this study shows that a brief cognitive test could be used to promote compliance with dialysis treatment. This could translate into QOL gains and decreased mortality in this patient population.
Funding
- Private Foundation Support