Journal Watch
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Hemodiafiltration versus High-flux Hemodialysis and Risk of Mortality: A Multinational Target Trial Emulation
A Fresenius study of almost 20,000 patients in eight European countries from 2014-2019 found that hemodiafiltration (HDF) reduced all-cause mortality risk by 28% over conventional high flux HD. Even better, all-cause mortality was reduced 33% with high volume (23 liters per session) HDF compared with conventional high flux HD.
Read the abstract » | (added 2026-09-18)
Tags: Hemodiafiltration, HDF, All cause Mortality
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Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter Flushing in Children: A National Survey of Practice Patterns
Researchers surveyed 60 U.S. pediatric PD programs for PD catheter flush protocols between placement and starting PD treatment. Of the 43 respondents, 83% had a protocol. However, variation in their protocols led the researchers to recommend multi-center studies to establish a standardized catheter flushing protocol based on evidence-based guidelines.
Read the abstract » | (added 2026-09-18)
Tags: Pediatric PD, PD Catheter Flush Protocols, Standardized Catheter Flushing Protocol
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Remote Monitoring in Home Dialysis Patients
A new review looks at remote patient monitoring for both home HD and PD. The authors conclude that remote monitoring may help improve clinical care, patient engagement, and healthcare efficiency, while noting privacy, technology access, and regulatory issues remain barriers to broad use.
Read the abstract » | (added 2026-08-21)
Tags: Home HD, PD, Remote Patient Monitoring
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Physical Activity in Short Daily Home Dialysis vs In-Center HD
Comparing patients on in-center HD (ICHD) to those on short daily home HD (SDHD), this study found those on SDHD were more active and less sedentary, slept longer, and had shorter recovery time after dialysis compared to those on ICHD. Labs showed similar levels of anemia and metabolic control, but SDHD preserved nutrition and reduced pre-dialysis beta-2 microglobulin (B2M).
Read the abstract » | (added 2026-08-21)
Tags: In center HD, ICHD, HD, SDHD, Quality Of Life
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AI Can’t Count the Number of Words in a Phrase. Can it Help PD?
The authors of this paper believe the “dense, longitudinal and structured data” lends itself to AI analysis and conclude that it “holds considerable promise,” but studies are still small and ethical issues remain.
Read the abstract » | (added 2026-07-16)
Tags: AI, Artificial Intelligence, PD
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Green Dialysis: Sustainable PD
A new review investigates the impact of PD on the planet and suggests steps clinicians and patients can take to increase sustainability and identification of Green Champions.
Read the abstract » | (added 2026-07-16)
Tags: PD, Environmental Impact, Sustainability, Green Champions
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Crossover Study from Conventional PD Dialysate to Icodextrin
A prospective study of 50 PD patients provided 6 months of standard PD fluid followed by 6 months of icodextrin—which significantly improved 24 hour UF volume, Kt/V, serum albumin, and hemoglobin.
Read the abstract » | (added 2026-07-16)
Tags: PD, PD Fluid, Icodextrin, UF Volume, Kt/V, Serum Albumin, Hemoglobin
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The Impact of Seasonality in Home Dialysis Initiation and Hospitalization Rates
Analysis of data from 548,530 U.S. adults with fee-for-service Medicare who started home dialysis between 2007 and 2020 examined whether initiating dialysis in particular seasons affected hospitalizations. Dialysis initiation in the winter was more likely to be inpatient, had lower odds of receiving home dialysis within 12 months, and home dialysis use rates that remained low afterward. Inpatient dialysis initiation explained 40% of the association between season and home dialysis use, 77% of the 12-month figure, and 55% of the association between season and overall home dialysis use.
Read the abstract » | (added 2026-06-17)
Tags: Seasonality, Home Dialysis Initiation, Hospitalization Rates
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Facilitating Home Hemodialysis Through Self-Cannulation
Needle phobia is highly prevalent among dialysis patients and is a significant barrier to home HD adoption. An updated comprehensive literature review and case study does a deep dive into factors contributing to needle phobia, physiological response to needle exposure, and techniques (pharmacological and non-pharmacological) to manage needle distress.
Read the abstract » | (added 2026-06-17)
Tags: Needle Phobia, Self Cannulation, HD Adoption
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Indigenous Peoples on Home Dialysis
Home dialysis keeps people in their communities and supports their autonomy and social connections, so it is a good fit for indigenous patients. A systematic review and meta-synthesis of 15 qualitative studies (n=362) examined the experiences of indigenous patients and carers from Canada, Australia, and New Zealand and identified five themes: 1). Late diagnosis/limited awareness of home therapies, 2). Systematic and structural barriers, 3). Home dialysis, autonomy, and empowerment, 4). The need to strengthen community engagement with home treatments, 5). Proposed facilitators to improve access.
Read the abstract » | (added 2026-06-17)
Tags: Home Dialysis, Indigenous Patients, Awareness Of Home Therapies