Sick-Day Protocol to Improve Outcomes in Chronic Kidney Disease

The benefits of renin angiotensin system (RAS) blockers and diuretics for blood pressure control are well-established in chronic kidney diseases (CKD) patients; however, these agents may become hazardous on "sick-days" that lead to volume depletion (dehydration), and increase the risk of kidney function loss and acute kidney injury (AKI). It is not known how frequent significant sick-days occur in CKD patients, or whether a patient self-managed Sick-Day Protocol (SDP) that temporarily holds RAS blocker, diuretics, or other high risk medication in an effort to preserve renal function, or prevent AKI. The purpose of the study is to asses if a SDP, monitored remotely with a weekly automated phone survey , can improve outcomes in CKD (such as slow renal function loss and AKI episodes) and reduce preventable service utilization versus usual care.

Hypothesis: implementing a self managed "Sick-Day Protocol" with telephone monitoring via interactive voice survey dial-response system (IVSDRS) in CKD patients taking RAS blockers, diuretics, metformin, or NSAIDs, will safely slow renal function loss, reduce the incidence of acute kidney injury, and prevent urgent health utilization; in comparison to usual care.

Study Design: 6-month randomized trial of Sick-Day Protocol vs usual care

Randomization: In-block randomization stratified by use (with or without any other qualifying medication) vs non-use of RAS blocker (with any other qualifying medication)

Intervention: Sick-Day Protocol (instructions for holding and resumption of certain medicines in the event of dehydrating illness), IVRSDRS remote monitoring, augmented laboratory monitoring, and decision support from the VA Renal Inter-disciplinary Safety clinic (RISC)

Study Population: Veterans across the VA Maryland Health Care System (VAMCHS) with a current prescription for any type of RAS blocker, Diuretic, Metformin or NSAID.

Study Site: Baltimore VA Medical Center (BVAMC), VA Geriatrics Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC).

Specific Aims 1: Conduct a pragmatic trial comparing the renal function decline, incidence of AKI, and urgent service utilization in eligible CKD patients provided with a self-managed Sick-Day Protocol versus comparable patients receiving usual care.Specific Aim 2: Determine the incidence of sick-days in the intervention arm using remote IVSDRS monitoring and end-of-study survey of all participants. Specific Aim 3: Evaluate intervention arm participants' usage of, and adherence to, the Sick-Day Protocol with remote IVSDRS monitoring.

Study Measurements: laboratory-measured renal function, and patient- reported safety events obtained per IVSDRS protocol. Emergency department (ED) visits, hospitalization, renal progression, incidence of ESRD, and death will be measured in both groups along with patient satisfaction.

Primary outcomes: 6-month change in renal function (eGFR), incidence of AKI episodes (including ICD-10 code designated, and detectable creatinine-based changes in renal function usingRIFLE criteria), preventable/urgent service utilization (to be ascertained using VA EHR review)

Secondary outcomes: Determination of incidence of sick-day events (IVSDRS reporting, and end-of-study self-report).

Tertiary:Adherence to self-management Sick-Day Protocol (based on IVSDRS reporting)

Analytic plans: Comparison between intervention and usual care participants of 6-month renal function change, and frequency of AKI and hospitalization using generalized linear models and Poisson regression methods, respectively. Similar regression methods will be used to determine the adjusted frequency rate of sick-day incidents and participant response to sick-days.

Public Health Relevance: Introduction of a self-management Sick-Day Protocol in conjunction with coordinated care and IVSDRS surveillance can be an innovative strategy to improve renal outcomes and reduce preventable service utilization.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Veterans with prescription for any type of RAS blocker, diuretic, Metformin or NSAID

Exclusion Criteria:

* Expected death or dialysis within 6 months
* No home or cellular telephone