Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS)

The DOPPS is a prospective cohort study of hemodialysis practices based on the collection of observational longitudinal data for a random sample of patients from a representative and random sample of units in 12 countries (Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Italy, New Zealand, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States). Data collection for the study has been on-going since 1996 and has yielded detailed data on more than 38,000 patients in over 900 dialysis facilities.

DOPPS investigations focus on determining which dialysis practices are associated with the best patient outcomes, with the primary goal of improving patient longevity, quality of life, and other outcomes. With over 75 peer-reviewed publications in print or in press, the DOPPS continues to provide numerous important findings that are relevant for patients and practicing clinicians alike. The DOPPS is supported by scientific research grants from Amgen (since 1996), Kyowa Hakko Kirin (since 1999, in Japan), Genzyme (since 2009), and Abbott (since 2009) without restrictions on publications.

DOPPS at the 41st ANNA National Symposium, May 2-5, San Antonio, TX
Arbor Research Collaborative for Health will again be exhibiting at this year’s American Nephrology Nurses Association (ANNA) 41st National Symposium in San Antonio, TX. Our exhibit aims to provide support materials and research findings for the nephrology nursing community, as well as for the renal community at large. Our goal is to provide nephrology nurses with the most up-to-date research findings to enhance clinical treatment of hemodialysis patients. Several DOPPS representatives will be on hand to answer questions relating to the current status of DOPPS in the United States and any future initiatives.

Visit Booth 439 to speak with a representative and learn more about the DOPPS.

Dr. Donna Mapes Named as 2010 Champion of Hope Award Honoree
Arbor Research congratulates Dr. Donna Mapes, MSN, RN, DNSc, on being named as honoree for the National Kidney Foundation of Northern California 2010 Champion of Hope Award. Through the award, the NKF recognizes individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to patients and promotion of patient care in the field of kidney disease.

During the 1990’s, Dr. Mapes served as Director of Nephrology Medical Affairs for Amgen. It was during her tenure with Amgen that Donna championed a pioneering, industry-sponsored project aimed at improving longevity, quality of life, and other outcomes in dialysis patients. This project ultimately would be known around the world as the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study. As a principal catalyst in the “founding” of DOPPS, Donna’s success endures for 14 years and counting and through the countless lives she has helped to save. We are grateful for her continuing support and active involvement in the landmark study she helped create. Thank you and congratulations, Donna.

DOPPS at the NKF 2010 Spring Clinical Meetings in Orlando, Florida
Arbor Research will support a poster presentation and an exhibit booth during the NKF 2010 Spring Clinical Meetings in April. DOPPS representatives will be on hand to advance awareness of a forthcoming initiative, known as the DOPPS Practice Monitor, or DPM. At its heart, the DPM will present a series of detailed web-based reports updated several times annually to show the most recent DOPPS data across a variety of practice areas and facility strata. The DPM aims to analyze and report temporal changes in U.S. dialysis clinical practices, facility services offered, and performance measure achievement before, during, and after the implementation of the fully bundled PPS beginning in 2011.

Visit Booth 808 to speak with a representative and learn more about DOPPS and the Practice Monitor.

Coming in 2010: A New DOPPS Initiative to Observe and Report Dialysis Clinical Practices in the U.S.
In late 2010, DOPPS will launch an exciting new initiative known as the DOPPS Practice Monitor, or DPM. The DPM aims to analyze and report temporal changes in U.S. clinical practices, facility services offered, and performance measure achievement. The advancement of the DPM initiative is especially timely as CMS moves to implement fully bundled end-stage renal disease (ESRD) prospective payment system (PPS) by January 2011 and a quality incentive payment (QIP) structure in January 2012. Pressures exerted by payment changes, and their effects on clinical practice, are likely to vary among dialysis facilities, with some facilities affected more than others. The ability to monitor trends in dialysis care as the fully bundled PPS is implemented will be of pivotal importance to patients, providers, and the dialysis community. Based on an enhanced DOPPS study design, the DPM is poised to be a vital independent data source to report changes in dialysis practice and the impact on clinical care for ESRD patients in the U.S.

The DOPPS has published more than 100 papers in peer-reviewed medical journals, as well as numerous articles in textbooks and other forums. See our Publications section for detail on the full range of DOPPS publications.

International hemodialysis patient outcomes revisited: the role of practice patterns and other factors
Delivery of hemodialysis has changed in a variety of ways during the past two decades. Striking examples include the large increase in average dialysis dosage and the major reduction in blood transfusions since the introduction of erythropoietin. We retrace findings from the international DOPPS that provide further strong evidence from observational data that may be relevant to improving dialysis practice, patient survival, and quality of life. More...

Key comorbid conditions that are predictive of survival among hemodialysis patients
A relatively small list of comorbid conditions provides equivalent discrimination and explained variance for survival as a more extensive characterization of comorbidity. Comorbidity adds to the survival model a modest amount of independent prognostic information that cannot be substituted by clinical/laboratory parameters. More...

The burden of amputation among hemodialysis patients in the DOPPS
Amputation in hemodialysis patients is a very frequent event, particularly in patients with diabetes, and is associated with both traditional cardiovascular risk factors and factors linked to kidney failure treated by hemodialysis. Interventional trials are needed to reduce the burden of amputation. More...