Critical appraisal
Clinical and cost-effectiveness of oral sodium bicarbonate therapy for older patients with chronic kidney disease and low-grade acidosis (BiCARB): a pragmatic randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial P --- patients with CKD ,EGFR less than 30 not on hemodialysis I- sodium bicarbonate 3gm/day for 2 years C - placebo O - Outcomes : We measured outcomes at baseline and 3, 6, 12 and 24 months. The primary outcome was the between-group difference in the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) at 12 months, adjusted for baseline values. The SPPB is a 12-point measure of lower limb strength and balance, with higher values denoting better function, that predicts future disability, need for care and death. The minimum clinically important difference has been derived for the measure [16]. Secondary outcome measures were generic (EuroQoL EQ-5D-3L) [19] and disease-specific (Kidney Disease Quality of Life) [20] health-related quality of life, anthropometry (weight, mid-arm muscle c
