The Effectiveness of Multidisciplinary Care Models for Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Aim: To assess the efficacy of the multidisciplinary care (MDC) model for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Background: The MDC model has been used in clinical practice for years, but the effectiveness of the MDC model for patients with CKD remains controversial.

Methods: Embase, PubMed, Medline, the Cochrane Library, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases were used to search for relevant articles. Only randomized controlled trials and cohort studies were pooled. Two independent authors assessed all articles and extracted the data. The efficacy was estimated from the odds ratios and corresponding 95% confidence intervals. A random effects model was used according to the heterogeneity.

Results: Twenty-one studies including 10,284 participants were analyzed. Compared with the non-MDC group, MDC was associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality and lower hospitalization rates for patients with CKD. In addition, MDC also resulted in a slower eGFR decline and reduced temporary catheterization for patients receiving dialysis. However, according to the subgroup analysis, the lower rates of all-cause mortality in the MDC group were observed only in patients in stage 4-5 and when the staff of the MDC consisted of nephrologists, nurse specialists and professionals from other fields. The most prominent effect of reducing the hospitalization rates was also observed in patients with stage 4-5 but not in patients with stage 4-5 CKD.

Conclusions: MDC can lower the all-cause mortality of patients with CKD, reduce temporary catheterization for patients receiving dialysis, decrease the hospitalization rate, and slow the eGFR decline. Moreover, the reduction in all-cause mortality crucially depends on the professionals comprising the MDC staff and the stage of CKD in patients. In addition, the CKD stage influences the hospitalization rates.