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Chronic Kidney Disease stage 5 on dialysis (CKD5D) presents one of the most complex and high-risk scenarios in modern medicine. Among the many challenges faced by these patients, cardiovascular disease (CVD) stands out as the leading cause of mortality—a stark reminder of the systemic stress that accompanies kidney failure and dialysis.
But what if technology could help bridge the gap between dialysis sessions, offering clinicians a window into the patient's health in real-time? An article in Frontiers in Nephrology explores exactly that—highlighting the transformative potential of digital health technologies to monitor and manage CKD5D patients beyond the clinic.
The Hidden Risks Between Dialysis Sessions
For CKD5D patients, the risks of CVD are amplified by both traditional and disease-specific factors:
- Traditional risks like hypertension, diabetes, and obesity.
- CKD-specific risks such as inflammation, fluid overload, protein-energy wasting and vascular calcification.
- The dialysis process itself, which induces rapid fluid shifts, blood pressure fluctuations, and metabolic imbalances.
Current clinical care models often focus on in-center dialysis data, leaving a crucial blind spot during the interdialytic period—a time when many adverse events begin to develop unnoticed.
A New Monitoring Paradigm: The Withings Toolkit
The article introduces a compelling case for home-based, connected health technologies—specifically, the Withings toolkit. This suite of medical-grade, consumer-friendly devices allows CKD patients to monitor key health indicators in the comfort of their homes:
- Weight, body composition and ECG monitoring with the BodyScan smart scale.
- Blood pressure, heart rate and survey responses for added context via BPM Pro 2.
- Sleep quality and breathing event metrics using the Sleep Rx.
All data is seamlessly uploaded to the Withings Remote Patient Monitoring platform, providing healthcare providers and researchers with real-time, longitudinal insights into a patient’s well-being.
Why This Matters: Real-World Clinical Benefits
1. Early Detection of Complications
Weight gain could signal fluid retention, but muscle loss could indicate protein-energy wasting. A sudden spike in blood pressure or irregular heartbeat might indicate arrhythmias or volume overload. Poor sleep patterns could reflect apnea or restless leg syndrome—conditions with known ties to CKD.
2. Personalized, Data-Driven Care
These devices enable a dynamic view of health trends, allowing clinicians to tailor treatments proactively rather than reactively. Medication adjustments, fluid restrictions, or further diagnostics can be made with greater confidence.
3. Patient Empowerment
When patients can see and understand their own data, they become more engaged in their care. This promotes better self-management, increased treatment adherence, and a stronger sense of control over their condition.
4. Systemic Healthcare Advantages
Remote monitoring can reduce emergency visits and hospitalizations, easing the burden on overtaxed healthcare systems and offering a cost-effective alternative to frequent in-person evaluations.
The Future: Digital Tools as Standard of Care?
While still in its early stages, this integration of digital health into CKD care reflects a broader movement toward remote, preventative, and personalized medicine. The Withings case study serves as a promising example of how everyday technology can be adapted to serve complex clinical needs.
However, as the authors note, more clinical trials are needed to validate these tools in nephrology settings, establish protocols for data use, and ensure equitable access across diverse patient populations.
Final Thoughts
As we face growing rates of kidney disease and limited nephrology resources, connected health technologies offer a lifeline—not just to patients, but to an entire care infrastructure in need of modernization.
The Withings toolkit is more than a gadget suite; it's a glimpse into the future of chronic disease management, where data flows continuously, care is adaptive, and patients are active participants in their own health journey.
References
Article: Frontiers in Nephrology, 2023 - DOI: 10.3389/fneph.2023.1148565
Interested in partnering with us?
Contact Us
[post_title] => Revolutionizing Chronic Kidney Disease Management with Digital Health Tools: The Withings Case Study
[post_excerpt] => Chronic Kidney Disease stage 5 on dialysis (CKD5D) presents one of the most complex and high-risk scenarios in modern medicine.But what if technology could help bridge the gap between dialysis sessions, offering clinicians a window into the patient's health in real-time?
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[post_date] => 2025-06-03 19:17:23
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Introduction
Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a major and often debilitating complication of diabetes, contributing significantly to patient morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Despite advancements in diabetes care, the incidence of DFUs remains high, with a substantial impact on quality of life and healthcare resources. A recent study published in the journal Frontiers in Endocrinology compared the use of electrochemical skin conductance (ESC) to the current standards in DFU detection. The current method for assessing DFU risk primarily involves clinical examination, including the monofilament test, which is subjective and dependent on the examiner’s skills. Therefore, there is a need for objective, reproducible, and reliable methods for early detection of at-risk patients.
One of the many complications of diabetes is peripheral neuropathy, which, if left untreated, can lead to DFUs. Electrochemical Skin Conductance (ESC) is a promising non-invasive diagnostic tool that can be used to assess autonomic nerve activity. ESC is measured in-clinic using Sudoscan, which assesses small fiber peripheral neuropathies, specifically the innervation around the sweat glands, by stimulating the glands and measuring the conductance (in µS) of chloride ions contained in the sweat. Lower ESC values indicate more severe neuropathy. This study investigates the association between ESC and DFU risk stratification, offering a potential new approach to managing and preventing diabetic foot complications.
Methods
This study was a retrospective analysis involving 2,149 diabetic patients from four clinics in Greater Paris University Hospitals, the largest hospital system in Europe and one of the largest in the world. The primary aim was to evaluate the relationship between ESC measurements and DFU risk, as classified using the 2016 International Working Group on Diabetic Foot (IWGDF) grading system. This grading system assigns DFU risk based on clinical evaluation, including the presence of neuropathy, ulceration, and other factors.
To assess the predictive performance of ESC in DFU risk stratification, the study incorporated a range of factors: age, sex, type of diabetes, and results from the monofilament test, which is a standard assessment of peripheral neuropathy. The study employed regression and Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analyses to explore the predictive value of ESC measurements for different DFU risk categories.
Results
The study revealed a significant correlation between ESC values and DFU risk grades (p<0.001). Specifically, lower FESC values were associated with higher grades of DFU risk, suggesting that reduced sweat gland function, indicative of small fiber neuropathy, plays a role in the progression of foot ulcers in diabetic patients.
One of the most noteworthy findings of this study was that ESC measurements were able to identify patients at risk for DFUs who would not have been classified as high risk using the standard IWGDF grading system. Specifically, ESC detected autonomic dysfunction and small fiber nerve involvement in 43% patients classified as grade 0 (13% with severe cases of neuropathy), who otherwise showed no obvious signs of risk through traditional assessments, showing better granularity in the lower grades for better risk stratification.
The findings of this study suggest that Electrochemical Skin Conductance (ESC) provides a valuable, reproducible, and operator-independent tool for assessing DFU risk. ESC measurements offer an objective method for identifying early signs of small fiber neuropathy, a critical factor in the development of DFUs. Unlike traditional risk stratification, which relies heavily on clinical judgment and may overlook early-stage neuropathy, ESC can detect subtle changes in nerve function that precede visible foot ulcers.
The ability of ESC to detect at-risk patients in the grade 0 category, who would otherwise be overlooked by conventional classification methods, highlights its potential role in preventing DFUs. By identifying patients with early-stage nerve dysfunction, ESC could facilitate earlier intervention, potentially reducing the incidence of foot ulcers, amputations, and associated healthcare costs.
The ability to detect DFU risk early using ESC shows promise for the prevention of amputation.Therefore, we conclude that feet skin conductance is a relevant parameter for detecting diabetic foot syndrome, specifically at an early stage when there is still no presence of feet ulceration or wounds. A recent meta-analysis on ESC supports this conclusion, indicating that ESC, when combined with temperature measurements, serves as a valuable tool for the early detection of diabetic foot syndrome. ESC can be measured in-clinic, using Sudoscan, and at home using Withings Body Pro 2. Measuring ESC through home use of the Body Pro 2 scale allows for additional data collection and better assessment of trends and progression between appointments. Through this enhanced monitoring of DFU risk, care teams can better risk-stratify and provide targeted care that could prevent amputations and complications.
Interested in partnering with us?
Contact Us
[post_title] => Electrochemical Skin Conductance as a Novel Tool for Diabetic Foot Ulcer Risk Stratification and Prevention
[post_excerpt] => Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a major and often debilitating complication of diabetes, contributing significantly to patient morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs.Electrochemical Skin Conductance (ESC) is a promising non-invasive diagnostic tool that can be used to assess autonomic nerve activity.
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[post_date] => 2025-05-29 18:17:36
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Menopause can significantly impact sleep, blood pressure, and body composition—and it goes far beyond hot flashes.
As estrogen and progesterone levels decline, the risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) increases. These hormones help keep airway muscles strong and support stable breathing during sleep. When they drop, the airway is more likely to collapse during the night. Combined with menopause-related weight gain, this can significantly heighten the risk. According to the Sleep Foundation and Mayo Clinic, postmenopausal women are more prone to sleep apnea, even if they hadn’t previously experienced symptoms.
Menopause also increases the risk of hypertension. Lower estrogen levels reduce blood vessel flexibility, making it harder for blood to flow efficiently. Coupled with changes in weight, cholesterol, and insulin sensitivity, blood pressure tends to rise. The American Heart Association highlights that the risk of heart disease, including high blood pressure, climbs sharply in postmenopausal women—making routine monitoring all the more important.
Body composition also shifts during menopause. Fat tends to accumulate around the abdomen—even if overall weight remains stable—due to hormonal changes. This increase in visceral fat, which surrounds internal organs, is linked to elevated risks of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. A University of Pittsburgh study found that for every 20% increase in abdominal fat, artery thickness, a key marker of heart disease risk, also increased. The Mayo Clinic reinforces the importance of addressing these changes through exercise, strength training, and healthy eating.
Monitoring these health changes is crucial for comprehensive menopause care. Withings Health Solutions can help. Withings offers clinically validated devices that make it easy to track vital health metrics from home. Body Pro 2 measures not just weight, but also body fat, visceral fat and muscle mass—providing a deeper understanding of your cardiovascular health. Sleep Rx aids in the detection of sleep apnea without requiring a wearable, while the BPM Pro 2 enables simple, accurate blood pressure monitoring.
Connected health devices offer a powerful way to enhance care and demonstrate measurable outcomes. As menopause impacts everything from sleep and blood pressure to weight and long-term cardiovascular health, cellular-connected devices—like Body Pro 2, BPM Pro 2, and Sleep Rx—enable real-time tracking of key metrics. These insights help patients and users better manage symptoms and allow care teams to personalize support. Just as importantly, aggregated health data can validate the impact of your solution, making it easier to show ROI to employers and insurers and improve engagement across populations.
Interested in partnering with us?
Contact Us
[post_title] => The Need for Remote Patient Monitoring in Menopause Care
[post_excerpt] => Menopause can significantly impact sleep, blood pressure, and body composition—and it goes far beyond hot flashes. Connected devices can enable comprehensive care and proof of ROI for menopause benefits.
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Chronic Kidney Disease stage 5 on dialysis (CKD5D) presents one of the most complex and high-risk scenarios in modern medicine. Among the many challenges faced by these patients, cardiovascular disease (CVD) stands out as the leading cause of mortality—a stark reminder of the systemic stress that accompanies kidney failure and dialysis.
But what if technology could help bridge the gap between dialysis sessions, offering clinicians a window into the patient's health in real-time? An article in Frontiers in Nephrology explores exactly that—highlighting the transformative potential of digital health technologies to monitor and manage CKD5D patients beyond the clinic.
The Hidden Risks Between Dialysis Sessions
For CKD5D patients, the risks of CVD are amplified by both traditional and disease-specific factors:
- Traditional risks like hypertension, diabetes, and obesity.
- CKD-specific risks such as inflammation, fluid overload, protein-energy wasting and vascular calcification.
- The dialysis process itself, which induces rapid fluid shifts, blood pressure fluctuations, and metabolic imbalances.
Current clinical care models often focus on in-center dialysis data, leaving a crucial blind spot during the interdialytic period—a time when many adverse events begin to develop unnoticed.
A New Monitoring Paradigm: The Withings Toolkit
The article introduces a compelling case for home-based, connected health technologies—specifically, the Withings toolkit. This suite of medical-grade, consumer-friendly devices allows CKD patients to monitor key health indicators in the comfort of their homes:
- Weight, body composition and ECG monitoring with the BodyScan smart scale.
- Blood pressure, heart rate and survey responses for added context via BPM Pro 2.
- Sleep quality and breathing event metrics using the Sleep Rx.
All data is seamlessly uploaded to the Withings Remote Patient Monitoring platform, providing healthcare providers and researchers with real-time, longitudinal insights into a patient’s well-being.
Why This Matters: Real-World Clinical Benefits
1. Early Detection of Complications
Weight gain could signal fluid retention, but muscle loss could indicate protein-energy wasting. A sudden spike in blood pressure or irregular heartbeat might indicate arrhythmias or volume overload. Poor sleep patterns could reflect apnea or restless leg syndrome—conditions with known ties to CKD.
2. Personalized, Data-Driven Care
These devices enable a dynamic view of health trends, allowing clinicians to tailor treatments proactively rather than reactively. Medication adjustments, fluid restrictions, or further diagnostics can be made with greater confidence.
3. Patient Empowerment
When patients can see and understand their own data, they become more engaged in their care. This promotes better self-management, increased treatment adherence, and a stronger sense of control over their condition.
4. Systemic Healthcare Advantages
Remote monitoring can reduce emergency visits and hospitalizations, easing the burden on overtaxed healthcare systems and offering a cost-effective alternative to frequent in-person evaluations.
The Future: Digital Tools as Standard of Care?
While still in its early stages, this integration of digital health into CKD care reflects a broader movement toward remote, preventative, and personalized medicine. The Withings case study serves as a promising example of how everyday technology can be adapted to serve complex clinical needs.
However, as the authors note, more clinical trials are needed to validate these tools in nephrology settings, establish protocols for data use, and ensure equitable access across diverse patient populations.
Final Thoughts
As we face growing rates of kidney disease and limited nephrology resources, connected health technologies offer a lifeline—not just to patients, but to an entire care infrastructure in need of modernization.
The Withings toolkit is more than a gadget suite; it's a glimpse into the future of chronic disease management, where data flows continuously, care is adaptive, and patients are active participants in their own health journey.
References
Article: Frontiers in Nephrology, 2023 - DOI: 10.3389/fneph.2023.1148565
Interested in partnering with us?
Contact Us
[post_title] => Revolutionizing Chronic Kidney Disease Management with Digital Health Tools: The Withings Case Study
[post_excerpt] => Chronic Kidney Disease stage 5 on dialysis (CKD5D) presents one of the most complex and high-risk scenarios in modern medicine.But what if technology could help bridge the gap between dialysis sessions, offering clinicians a window into the patient's health in real-time?
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