Kidney Week

Abstract: TH-PO277

Exposure to Elevated Temperature Is Associated with Elevated Risk for Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Outcomes and Mortality Among Hemodialysis Patients in the United States

Session Information

• Hemodialysis: Volume, Metabolic Complications, Clinical Outcomes
  November 02, 2023 | Location: Exhibit Hall, Pennsylvania Convention Center
  Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Category: Dialysis

• 801 Dialysis: Hemodialysis and Frequent Dialysis

Authors

• Xi, Yuzhi, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Yuzhi Xi,

• Wettstein, Zachary S., University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States

Zachary S. Wettstein,

• Kshirsagar, Abhijit V., The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States

Abhijit V. Kshirsagar,

• Liu, Yang, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Yang Liu,

• Zhang, Danlu, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Danlu Zhang,

• Hang, Yun, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Yun Hang,

• Rappold, Ana G., United States Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, District of Columbia, United States

Ana G. Rappold,

Background

Ambient temperatures have increased due to climate change in many parts of the world. Adaptation and resilience to changing conditions is particularly concerning among individuals with chronic kidney disease, due to loss of renal function which impacts regulation of thermoregulatory mechanisms. The aim of this study is to assess the effect of heat on mortality and health care utilization among US hemodialysis patients.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective time-series analysis (2011-2016) of daily mortality, hospital admission, and emergency department visits identified in the United States Renal Data System. Daily ambient temperature was estimated on a 1 km grid and assigned to ZIP-code. Conditional-Poisson models were used to assess the risk of developing adverse health outcomes associated with temperature exposure.

Results

Overall, daily ambient temperature increase is associated with elevated risk for both mortality and health care utilization among hemodialysis patients. The rate ratios for all-cause mortality and daily temperature was 1.07 (95% CI: 1.03-1.11), 1.17 (1.14-1.21) for fluid disorder-related hospital admissions, and 1.19 (1.16-1.22) for cardiovascular event-related emergency department visits, comparing 99^th percentile vs. 50^th percentile daily temperatures. Larger effects were observed for cumulative lagged exposure three-days prior to the outcome and for Southwest and Northwest climate regions.

Conclusion

Heat exposure is associated with elevated risk for mortality and health care utilization among this vulnerable population. Furthermore, the effect appears to be potentially cumulative in the short-term, and varies geographically. Disclammer: this abstract does not represent EPA policy nor USRDS position.