Recent Evaluation by Nephrologists is Associated with Fewer Tunneled Dialysis Catheter Being Used at the Time of First Arteriovenous Access Creation.

OBJECTIVE: Late primary care provider (PCP) or nephrologist evaluation of patients with progressive kidney disease may be associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Among patients undergoing initial arteriovenous (AV) access creation, we aimed to study the relationship of recent PCP and nephrologist evaluations with perioperative morbidity and mortality.

METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of patients from 2014-2022 who underwent initial AV access creation at an urban, safety-net hospital. Univariable and multivariable analyses identified associations of PCP and nephrologist evaluations <1 year and <3 months before surgery, respectively, with hemodialysis initiation via tunneled dialysis catheters (TDC), 90-day readmission, and 90-day mortality.

RESULTS: Among 558 patients receiving initial AV access, mean age was 59.7±14 years, 59% were female gender, and 60.6% were Black race. Recent PCP and nephrology evaluations occurred in 386 (69%) and 362 (65%) patients, respectively. On multivariable analysis, unemployed and uninsured statuses were associated with decreased likelihood of PCP evaluation (unemployment: OR .51, 95% CI .34-.77; uninsured status: OR .05, 95% CI .01-.45) and nephrologist evaluation (unemployment: OR .63, 95% CI .43-.91; uninsured status: OR .22, 95% CI .06-.83) (all P<.05). Social support was associated with increased likelihood of PCP evaluation (OR 1.81, 95% CI 1.07-3.08) (all P<.05). Hemodialysis was initiated with TDCs in 304 (55%) patients. Older age (OR .98, 95% CI .96-.99), obesity (OR .38, 95% CI .25-.58), and nephrologist evaluation (OR .12, 95% CI .08-.19) were independently associated with decreased hemodialysis initiation with TDCs in patients receiving an initial AV access (all P<.05). Ninety-day readmission occurred in 270 (48%) cases. Cirrhosis (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.03-6.03, P=.04), coronary artery disease (OR 2.31, 95% CI 1.5-3.57), prosthetic AV access (OR 1.84, 95% CI 1.04-3.26), and impaired ambulation (OR 1.75, 95% CI 1.15-2.66) were independently associated with increased readmission (all P<.05). Older age (OR .98, 95% CI .97-.99), prior TDC (OR .65, 95% CI .45-.94), and unemployment (OR .58, 95% CI .39-.86) were associated with decreased readmission (all P<.05). Ninety-day mortality occurred in 1.6% patients. Neither PCP nor nephrologist evaluation was associated with readmission or mortality.

CONCLUSIONS: Recent nephrology evaluation was associated with reduced hemodialysis initiation with TDCs among patients undergoing initial AV access creation. Unemployed and uninsured statuses posed barriers to accessing nephrology care.