Study Initiated with Seven Leading Academic Institutions and Nephrology Practices Seeks to Better Understand Kidney Disease Patient Needs and Improve Care

ST. LOUIS, October 29, 2004 – Baxter Healthcare Corporation announced today the presentation of data from its long-term Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) research program launched in November 2003. A series of posters was presented today at the 37th Annual Meeting and Scientific Exposition of the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) highlighting initial clinical findings that provide insight into the complicated nature of the entire patient care continuum for CKD. This first-of-its-kind study is a long-term project that seeks to improve patient care by examining treatment practices and various components of care. Specifically, the data gathered to date from seven leading academic institutions and nephrology practices provides only a starting point for the study and evaluated factors related to the use of pharmacologic therapy, an understanding of health-related quality-of-life for CKD patients, as well as quality of predialysis care.

“This is a first-of-its-kind research program that is designed to conduct a long-term analysis of current treatment practices and trends, identify any gaps and ultimately improve treatment options and patient outcomes,” said Steven Soroka, M.D., medical director, Renal Clinic, Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Center, Halifax, Nova Scotia. “This represents a significant commitment on Baxter’s part to support the nephrology community in understanding CKD. These initial findings are the first step in helping to shape and create a new model of renal care that recognizes factors that improve patient care before they reach an advanced stage of disease.”

 

The posters being presented at ASN include:

• Use of Primary and Secondary Cardiovascular Prevention in Patients with CKD
• Health-related Quality of Life in Patients with CKD
• Patterns of Iron Utilization in Patients with CKD
• Patterns of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors (ACE) and Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARB) Utilization in Patients with CKD
• Despite Differences in CKD Care, Similar K/DOQI Targets are Achieved in Canada and USA

 

The findings presented from the posters included the determination that use of iron supplementation for the management of anemia of CKD lags behind clinical needs, therefore offering an opportunity for practice enhancement. Similarly, the use of primary and secondary prevention for cardiac disease can be further optimized to improve patient outcomes. Data on quality of life shows that women with chronic kidney disease are more vulnerable to the impact of disease. Finally, despite the differences in the use of pharmacological agents and the monitoring related to mineral metabolism in the United States and Canada, similar numbers of patients achieve target parameters.

The data presented were collected from seven leading academic institutions and renal practitioners participating in the study, including Harvard University (Cambridge, Mass.), Hospital of St. Raphael (New Haven, Conn.), Royal Victoria Hospital/McGill University Centre (Montreal, Quebec), Mid-Atlantic Nephrology Associates (Baltimore, Md.), Nephrology Associates (Birmingham, Ala.), Humber River Regional Hospital (Toronto, Canada) and Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Center (Halifax, Nova Scotia).

About the Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Program
The complexity of CKD, including co-morbidities such as diabetes and hypertension, has made it difficult to manage CKD patients. This program aims, for the first time, to prescribe a meaningful and integrated mode of CKD care to provide more timely initiation of medical intervention and treatment. Specifically, the program is examining the long-term clinical needs of CKD patients who have not yet progressed to dialysis treatment. Established research suggests that CKD patients who visit a nephrologist during the less-advanced stage of the disease are more apt to: comply with treatment, practice better self-care, better manage co-morbidities, and ultimately extend their survival while on dialysis care.

A significant advantage of this research program is the use of paperless, computerized technology for gathering patient information to evaluate categorize, track and report patient information in real-time. For example, information on a patient’s diabetes status and nutrition are entered into the CKD program software system and shared with an integrated team of health-care professionals, including a nephrologist, nutritionist, nurse, and a social worker, so that all members of a patient’s CKD care team have access to the information and the opportunity to add analysis and recommendations based on their specialties. The data collection tool used in the CKD program is part of Baxter’s RenalSoft software suite that allows for the organized capture of information related to patient care that may actually help health care practitioners recognize gaps and proactively improve the delivery of care.

The program includes several special research projects to better understand current issues of particular importance in nephrology including: CKD treatment practices and modality selection, examination of common co-morbidities (diabetes, high-blood pressure and cardiovascular concerns) and their impact on CKD care, the progression of CKD, and the potential health economics benefit in earlier diagnosis and treatment of CKD.

About Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
According to the National Kidney Foundation of America and the Kidney Foundation of Canada, more than 500,000 Americans and Canadians are being treated for kidney disease. Without appropriate treatment, kidney disease may lead to end-stage renal disease (ESRD), requiring some form of renal dialysis or transplantation. The incidence for ESRD is growing globally at a rate of five-to-six percent annually. Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure in both countries. In the U.S., 17 million people have diabetes, while in Canada two million people have diabetes and another 2.5 million are at risk of developing the disease. More information can be found on www.kidneydirections.com.

About Baxter
Baxter’s Renal business provides a complete and complimentary portfolio of dialysis-related products used in the treatment of patients with kidney disease, including dialysis systems and solutions, and pharmaceuticals.

Baxter Healthcare Corporation is the principal operating subsidiary of Baxter International Inc. Baxter International Inc., through its subsidiaries, assists health-care professionals and their patients with treatment of complex medical conditions, including cancer, hemophilia, immune disorders, kidney disease and trauma. The company applies its expertise in medical devices, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology to make a meaningful difference in patients’ lives.