Journal Watch
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Health Disparities in UK Kidney Replacement Therapy Modality Transitions
93,451 patients initiated KRT in England from 2005 to 2020. Compared with White patients, findings from Asian, Black, and patients in deprived areas demonstrated inequalities in the KRT pathway.
Read the abstract » | (added 2026-03-12)
Tags: KRT, Kidney Replacement Therapy, Modality Transitions, Ethnic Disparities
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Effect of Common Salt on Granulomas at Exit Sites of PD Catheters
Granulomas are a common and painful exit-site complication that can cause infection and discomfort. This study compared the effectiveness of common salt with a salt-vinegar solution—and salt was better, with no adverse reactions in either group.
Read the abstract » | (added 2026-03-12)
Tags: Granulomas, Salt, Exit site Complication
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The European Renal Calculator (EuReCa) App: Calculating Incremental HD Dose
Incremental HD can reduce treatment burden for patients with residual kidney function. Researchers have developed the EuReCa app to help nephrologists calculate the parameters needed to maintain adequate total clearance.
Read the abstract » | (added 2026-03-12)
Tags: Incremental HD, Treatment Burden, EuReCa App, Total Clearance
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Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous PD Cather Insertion Technique to Reduce Migration
PD catheter migration can interrupt treatment and compromise outcomes, but it is challenging to prevent. In a two-center study, researchers examined whether adding musculofascial tunnelling during catheter insertion improves catheter stability.
Read the abstract » | (added 2026-03-12)
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PD Patients Exhibit Cognitive Deficits but Not Ischemic Brain Injury
How does PD affect the brain? In this small imaging and cognitive study, researchers observed patterns of impairment and unexpected metabolic changes. The findings raise new questions about the neurological effects of PD that merit closer investigation.
Read the abstract » | (added 2026-03-12)
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Is Shower Water without Dressings Linked with Increased PD Infections?
No surprises here. Catheter-related infection and peritonitis are common and serious. Among 146 PD patients at one clinic from January 2019 to December 2022, showering without covering the exit site was an independent predictor of catheter associated infections.
Read the abstract » | (added 2026-03-12)
Tags: Catheter related Infection, Peritonitis, Exit Site Care
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Pregnancy Risks on Dialysis: Analysis of 2.6M Births
Compared to women who do not have chronic kidney disease (CKD), National Health Insurance Service data from more than 2.6 million women who gave birth from 2008 to 2017 found that congenital malformations (CMs) occurred in 4.79% of offspring from healthy moms, 5.29% in those with CKD, and 9.65% in moms who had end-stage kidney disease—with transplants conferring more risk than dialysis. Heart defects were the most common in every group.
Read the abstract » | (added 2026-02-17)
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How Accurate is Depression Screening in Home Dialysis?
No depression instruments have been evaluated for accuracy with patients who do home dialysis or receive transplants. Data from 203 patients using various kidney replacement modalities completed three different depression assessments to see which was most efficient for clinical use. Of the participants, 18.2% met depression criteria. The commonly-used Beck Depression Inventory Second Edition (BDI-II) and Beck Fast Screen (BDI-FS) exceeded 90% sensitivity and negative prediction for home therapies using modality-specific thressholds. A third tool, the Depression Subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-D) had lower sensitivity and home dialysis patients (70%) and those with transplants (86.7%).
Read the abstract » | (added 2026-02-17)
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Zinc Deficiency and Anemia in PD
Analysis of data from 164 adults on PD set a target hemoglobin level of 11-13g/dL and ESA dosage as low- (<120 µg/month) or high-dose (>120 µg/month). Zinc deficiency was defined as a serum zinc level <60 µg/dL. In the low-dose ESA, non-zinc deficient group, 48.2% of patients achieved the target hemoglobin level, while in in the high-dose ESA, zinc-deficient group, just 12.2% did. These results were not changed with the addition of serum albumin C-reactive protein, or TSAT. The authors conclude that “serum zinc levels should be routinely monitored in patients with ESA-hyporesponsive anemia.”
Read the abstract » | (added 2026-02-17)
Tags: Zinc Deficiency, Anemia, PD
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Latent Demand for Home Therapies in China
A national survey of in-center HD patients (n=2,847; 3+ months) in China assessed HHD adoption intent. One quarter (n=717) reported high adoption intent; these patients tended to be younger, male, employed, and university educated. They had higher AVF use, Kt/V, knowledge, prior HHD discussion, fewer ER visits, better adherence, and lower total dialysis costs. With better outcomes, helping this group of patients reach HHD could improve health equity, reduce health system burden, and strengthen financial protection for vulnerable populations.
Read the abstract » | (added 2026-02-17)
Tags: China, HHD Adoption Intent, Outcomes