Journal Watch
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Prevalence of Anxiety in PD
Anxiety is less often measured than depression, but can be even more difficult for patients. A small study (n=85 PD patients), suggests that some degree of anxiety may be more prevalent than is currently realized. While about half (50.6%) reported minimal anxiety on the Beck Anxiety Inventory, the remaining half were split between mild (25.9%), moderate (14.1%) and severe (9.4%) anxiety. The authors suggest early diagnosis and management of mood disorders in ESRD patients.
Read the abstract » | (added 2026-01-16)
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The Impact of Obesity on Outcomes of Percutaneous PD Catheter Placement
Among 125 patients who had percutaneous PD catheter placement, nearly half (n=61) had normal BMI (<25 kg/m2), about one third (n=40) were overweight (BMI 25-29.9), and the remaining 24 were obese (BMI>30). One year later, 36 (28.8%) of the catheters failed, 3 patients died, and 7 received transplants. BMI was not significantly associated with catheter failure or other adverse events.
Read the abstract » | (added 2026-01-16)
Tags: Obesity, Outcomes, Percutaneous PD, Catheter Placement
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COVID Risk for In-center vs. Home Dialysis Patients
A study of 7,974 U.S. dialysis clinics reported on SARS-CoV-2 infections among 171,338 patients. To the surprise of no one, researchers found that the rate of COVID infection was 68% lower among patients who received their treatments in their own homes (2.85 infections per 1000 patient-weeks in-center vs. 1.69 infections per 1000 patient-weeks at home).
Read the abstract » | (added 2026-01-16)
Tags: SARS CoV 2, HHD
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RCT: Rhythmic Breathing + Acupressure vs. Vapocoolant Spray for HD Needle Pain
A randomized control trial divided 157 patients into five groups to assess pain relief from hemodialysis needles: controls (n=34), rhythmic breathing (n=24), Hugo point acupressure (n=35), breathing + acupressure (n=37) and vapocoolant spray. The control group had mean score of 64.79 on the Visual Analogue Scale; the highest pain level. With rhythmic breathing, the mean score was 37.79. Those who used Hugo point acupressure had mean scores of 33.14. Rythmic breathing + acupressure resulted in mean scores of 28.35, and vapocoolant spray 25.59. All of the interventions significantly reduced pain compared to the controls.
Read the abstract » | (added 2026-01-16)
Tags: RCT, Rhythmic Breathing, Acupressure, Vapocoolant Spray, Needle Pain
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HD Adequacy Based on Middle Molecules
A crossover study of 30 HD patients assessed middle molecule removal with standard HD vs. hemodiafiltration (HDF), with a 2-week washout period between them. Measurements of serum IL-1 and myoglobulin were measured pre- and post-treatment. There were no differences in these levels at baseline, and the highest reduction ratios for both IL-1 (81.6+12.6%) and myoglobulin (83.8+10.6%) as well as urea (75.2+5.6%) were found after HDF.
Read the abstract » | (added 2026-01-16)
Tags: HD Adequacy, Middle Molecules, IL 1, Myoglobulin