Red Blood Cell Lifespan (RBC)

February 22, 2016 updated by: Renal Research Institute

Red Blood Cell Lifespan and Inflammation in Dialysis Patients

Background:

A low amount of red blood cells in the blood of patients with limited kidney function is a well known problem. Besides the lack of substances in the blood like iron or erythropoietin the shortened survival of red blood cells leads to the low red blood cell count. Red blood cells of patients on kidney replacement therapy (dialysis) die earlier than those of healthy persons. They live only about 70 days compared to 120 days in healthy humans. Today little is known about the causes for the shorter survival of the red blood cells in patients on dialysis. Because inflammation leads to a shorter life of the red blood cells in people suffering from several diseases leading to inflammation we would like to learn about the role of inflammation in the shortened life of red blood cells of dialysis patients.

When red blood cells are dying the content is broken down to several substances. One of these substances is the gas carbon monoxide (CO). The carbon monoxide is exhaled with the breath. The more red blood cells die the more CO is exhaled. That's why we can calculate the lifespan of the red blood cells when we measure the amount of CO in breath at the same time as the red blood cell count in the blood.

Aim of the study:

We aim to learn about the influence of inflammation of on red blood cell survival in dialysis patients. To look for factors with effect on inflammation or red blood cell survival, for example type of dialysis access, medication or kind of dialysis treatment.

Study procedures:

Over the course of the 18 month study, 6 observational assessments will take place. If the patient experiences a situation with increased inflammation during the study period (for example any kind of infection or intervention) up to two more study visits will take place. Each study visit will include blood sampling, performed without the need for an extra needle stick, and a breath sampling in order to calculate the red blood survival and to measure markers for inflammation in the blood. The breath sample will be taken using the easy to use GaSampler device developed by a company called Quintron especially for medical breath sampling.

In order to get a sample of air at the patient's home for calculation of carbon monoxide produced in the body we will ask the patients to take home an open empty plastic bottle before each study visit. The bottle should be kept overnight on a table or sideboard in the apartment. Before leaving home for hemodialysis or in clinic visit the patient will seal the plastic bottle with the top, take it to the dialysis center and hand it to the research staff.

Risks:

The amount of the additional blood drawn is 30 ml; this is the amount 2 tablespoons, at each study visit. This does not harm the patient. The breath sampling does not imply any risk.

Study Overview

Status

Terminated

Conditions

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Actual)

58

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

    • New York
      • New York, New York, United States, 10128
        • Yorkville Dialysis Center

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years to 88 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Sampling Method

Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population comprises adult patients (at least 18 years of age) who perform chronic peritoneal dialysis treatment or hemodialysis treatment. Both men and women can participate in the study, and no race or ethnic group will be excluded. No subjects that require special protections will be involved.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age greater than 18 years
  • Chronic hemo- or peritoneal dialysis treatment greater than 3 months

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Inability to understand the English language and give informed consent for participation in the study

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Observational Models: Cohort
  • Time Perspectives: Prospective

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Chronic kidney disease

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Time Frame
Relationship between inflammation and erythrocyte lifespan
Time Frame: 6 visits during 18 month period
6 visits during 18 month period

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Time Frame
Evaluate the accuracy of HbA1c and fructosamine measurements for assessment of glucose control
Time Frame: 6 visits during 18 month period
6 visits during 18 month period

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

May 1, 2008

Primary Completion (Actual)

March 1, 2013

Study Completion (Actual)

March 1, 2013

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

October 26, 2011

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

October 26, 2011

First Posted (Estimate)

October 28, 2011

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

February 24, 2016

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

February 22, 2016

Last Verified

February 1, 2016

More Information

Terms related to this study

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 039-08

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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