In older adults with CKD and mild acidosis, oral sodium bicarbonate did not improve physical function

Orly F Kohn1

  • 1The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA (O.F.K.).

Annals of Internal Medicine
|November 16, 2020
PubMed

Insights

This study investigated if sodium bicarbonate supplements improve physical function in older adults with advanced chronic kidney disease. Results showed no significant benefit for physical function in this patient group.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Geriatrics
  • Clinical Trials

Background:

  • Advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) significantly impairs physical function in older adults.
  • Metabolic acidosis is common in CKD and may contribute to physical decline.
  • Sodium bicarbonate supplementation is a potential intervention to address metabolic acidosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if sodium bicarbonate improves physical function in patients over 60 with advanced CKD.
  • To assess the efficacy of sodium bicarbonate in enhancing physical capacity in this population.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted.
  • Participants were patients over 60 years old with advanced chronic kidney disease.
  • The study compared sodium bicarbonate supplementation against a placebo.

Main Results:

  • Sodium bicarbonate did not lead to a significant improvement in physical function.
  • Key measures of physical performance remained unchanged between groups.
  • No significant differences were observed in secondary outcomes related to physical function.

Conclusions:

  • Sodium bicarbonate supplementation is not effective for improving physical function in older adults with advanced chronic kidney disease.
  • Further research may be needed to explore alternative interventions for physical decline in this population.
Abstract

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