Journal Watch
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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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PD, Anemia, and Roxadustat
A systematic review and meta-analysis of eight studies (n=607) evaluated the efficacy and safety of Roxadustat in PD, finding that the drug significantly increased hemoglobin and TIBC and reduced hepcidin. Ferritin, TSAT, cholesterol and triglycerides, and diastolic blood pressure were not significantly affected.
Read the abstract » | (added 2026-06-17)
Tags: Roxadustat
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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
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Backup AVFs in PD
A small (n=115) retrospective cohort study compared PD patients with and without a backup AVF (bAVF). There were no differences in mortality or transfer to HD between groups, but having a bAVF was linked with a lower HD transfer risk with a CVC. Complications were similar.
Read the abstract » | (added 2026-06-17)
Tags: Backup AVF, BAVF, Mortality, CVC, Transfer To HD
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VHA Nationwide Survey of PD Infrastructure and Clinical Practice
Increasing use of PD for Veterans is a strategic priority for the Veteran Healthcare Administration (VHA). A nationwide stakeholder survey was conducted to improve Veterans ability to choose, access, and receive excellent quality PD. A total of 27 programs responded; differences were found in PD infrastructure and clinical practices. Larger PD programs offered more services than small ones. Aligning infrastructure, standardizing best clinical practices, and quality improvement efforts are starting to increase successful PD use.
Read the abstract » | (added 2026-06-17)
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PD Comparable to HD for Patients with AKI
The choice of kidney replacement therapy (KRT) for AKI requiring dialysis is a modifiable factor that can impact outcomes. The comparative effectiveness of PD vs. HD in AKI is controversial. A systematic review and meta-analysis of seven studies compared mortality outcomes, recovery of kidney function, and infectious complications between PD and HD in patients with AKI. No significant mortality differences were found and kidney function recovery was similar between groups, though PD led to a significantly shorter time to kidney function recovery. Infection rates were also similar.
Read the abstract » | (added 2026-05-15)
Tags: Kidney Replacement Therapy, KRT, PD, AKI
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Assessing Self-care Ability Prior to Dialysis Start Increases PD Use
A total of 263 patients with non-dialysis CKD and no contraindications to PD were randomized to an intervention group that received self-care competency assessment by a team of nephrologists, PD nurses, and a close family member, and a control group. The intervention group had a significantly higher rate of PD selection (54.6% vs. 38.3%).
Read the abstract » | (added 2026-05-15)
Tags: Self care Ability, CKD, PD
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Integrated Home Dialysis Programs and Hospitalization Risk
A Canadian Organ Replacement Register study compared hospitalization risk before, during, and after a PD to HHD transition (n=301) matched with HHD-first patients (n=711). The PD to HHD group had hospitalization rates up to 2.17 per patient year, mainly infectious, and predominantly in the year before the switch. Once on HHD, hospitalization risk tended to stabilize.
Read the abstract » | (added 2026-05-15)
Tags: Integrated Home Dialysis Programs, Hospitalization Risk, Organ Replacement, PD, HHD
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Bacterial Biofilm on PD Catheters
A retrospective study on PD patients from January 2007 to January 2024 looked at reasons for PD catheter removal, scanning electron microscopy results from removed catheters, and bacterial cultures from PD effluent. Patients either had catheter removal due to peritonitis or for other reasons. Peritonitis-caused catheter removal occurred after a significantly longer duration than the non-peritonitis group. Bacterial biofilm (cocci) was found in 71.4% of 28 patients; 90% of those who had peritonitis vs. 25% in the non-peritonitis group.
Read the abstract » | (added 2026-05-15)
Tags: Bacterial Biofilm, PD Catheters, Peritonitis