Journal Watch
U.S. Equity in Home Dialysis Choice
Why are African- and Mexican-Americans less likely to use home dialysis? Focus groups in five U.S. cities found that physician guidance was the most important factor, though African Americans wanted validation and additional modality education when ready, while Mexican American participants had more trust. Fear of sole responsibility and loss of in-center fellow patient support were barriers.
Read the abstract » | (added 2025-06-11)
Tags: African Americans, Mexican Americans, Home Dialysis, Focus Group, Physician Guidance, Modality Education
BMI, Diabetes, and Mortality: HD and PD Differ
Among 3,235 patients with diabetes on dialysis followed for 3.9 + 3.5 years, most (2,452) were on HD, with 783 on PD. During the study, 53% (1,688) patients died (1,275: HD; 413: PD). In HD patients, mortality risk was higher in those with BMIs <18.5 kg/m2 and lower when BMI ranged from 25.1 to 40 kg/m2. No relationship was found between BMI and mortality risk on PD.
Read the abstract » | (added 2025-06-11)
Home HD with a B. Braun Machine
A small, retrospective study compared data from 27 patients using a B. Braun Dialog HD machine for home HD to 36 using a NxStage System One. The B. Braun had significantly higher spKt/V), standard weekly Kt/V, and urea reduction rate, despite significantly shorter treatments at higher UFRs. Of lab data, lower serum bicarbonate levels with B. Braun were the only significant difference.
Read the abstract » | (added 2025-06-11)
Tags: B. Braun Machine, Home HD, NxStage System One, Kt/V, Urea Reduction, Serum Bicarbonate Level
Nocturnal HD and Myocardial Stretch
Over a 12-month period, 32 standard HD patients who chose to switch to nocturnal HD patients had significantly lower levels of a marker of volume overload/myocardial stretch (n-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide) than 33 who stayed on standard HD.
Read the abstract » | (added 2025-06-11)
Tags: Nocturnal HD, Cardiovascular Biomarkers, Myocardial Stretch
Qualitative Research Review: Barriers, Facilitators of Home HD
In an analysis of 13 studies, lack of knowledge of home HD led a pack of patient and healthcare professional-identified barriers—along with lack of confidence and concerns about partner burden. Healthcare system and home suitability barriers were barriers—while a supportive, community atmosphere and quality of life benefits were motivators.
Read the abstract » | (added 2025-06-11)
Tags: Patient Education, Modality, Home HD, Barriers, Care Partner Burden, Quality Of Life
A Nomogram to Predict Low PD Adequacy
Retrospective analysis of data from 141 incident PD patients compared between patients with and without adequate PD function, algorithms identified potential biomarkers, and significant predictors were integrated into a model to build a strongly predictive nomogram.
Read the abstract » | (added 2025-05-20)
Tags: Incident PD, PD Function, Biomarkers, Predictors, Nomogram
Mechanism of AGE Damage to Peritoneal Membranes
Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) are a well-known reason for peritoneal inflammation, though we didn’t know why. Researchers developed a way to study the Maillard reaction in collagen at near-physiological temperatures and found markedly increased permeability to small and medium-sized molecules as well as reduced proliferation of adherent mesothelial cells.
Read the abstract » | (added 2025-05-20)
Tags: Advanced Glycation End products, AGEs, Peritoneal Inflammation, Maillard Reaction
Glucose Exposure: Incremental vs. Full-dose PD
A 2-year retrospective study of 117 patients (46 incremental; 71 full-dose) with a 12 or more months of PD and 24-hour urine volume > 500 mL analyzed Q6-month cardiometabolic parameter trends: dry weight, BMI, HbA1c, cholesterol, serum glucose. HbA1c—lower in incremental PD users—was the only significant baseline difference between groups. The incremental group had significantly less estimated cumulative glucose exposure.
Read the abstract » | (added 2025-05-20)
Tags: Glucose Exposure, Incremental, Full dose PD, Cardiometabolic Parameter Trends
Peritonitis with Manual vs. Device-connected PD
Japan, which uses device-connected PD, has one of the lowest PD peritonitis rates in the world. A retrospective review of 180 Japanese PD patients did not find significant differences between PD rates among those who made manual connections and those who used devices.
Read the abstract » | (added 2025-05-20)
Tags: Peritonitis, Device connected PD
Expanded HD (HDx) vs. Online Hemodiafiltration (HDF)
A systematic review and meta-analysis of eight studies (n=614) compared HDx and HDF. While there was no statistical difference in all-cause mortality, creatinine, phosphate, or urea clearance, HDF did significantly reduce β2-microglobulin.
Read the abstract » | (added 2025-05-20)
Tags: HDx, HDF, Middle molecule Clearance