Study Shows Electronic Health Record-Based Algorithm Does Not Reduce Hospitalization in Patients with Kidney Dysfunction Triad

A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine has found that the use of an electronic health record-based algorithm and intervention does not lead to reduced hospitalization in patients with the triad of chronic kidney disease, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension.

The study, led by Miguel A. Vazquez, M.D., from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, involved an open-label, cluster-randomized trial with 11,182 patients treated at 141 primary care clinics. The patients were assigned to receive an intervention using a personalized algorithm based on the electronic health record and practice facilitators to assist providers in delivering guideline-based interventions, or to receive usual care.

Results showed that at one year, the hospitalization rate was similar in both the intervention group (20.7%) and the usual-care group (21.1%). Additionally, the two groups had comparable risks for emergency department visits, readmissions, cardiovascular events, dialysis, or death from any cause. The study also found similar risks for adverse events, except for acute kidney injury, which occurred in more patients in the intervention group (12.7% versus 11.3% in the usual-care group).

The authors concluded that at one year, the intervention did not lead to better disease control or reduced hospitalization compared to usual care.

This study provides valuable insights into the effectiveness of electronic health record-based algorithms and interventions for managing the kidney dysfunction triad. Further research and development of alternative approaches may be necessary to improve outcomes for patients with these conditions.