Journal Watch
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Chemical ablation to correct recurrent secondary hyperparathyroidism post parathyroidectomy
Reoperation after a parathyroidectmy can be risky. In a study of 49 people, injecting ethanol (alcohol) into the gland, guided by ultrasound, helped to lower PTH levels without more surgery.
Read the abstract » | (added 2011-04-25)
Tags: Chronic kidney disease
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Switching from 3x4 hours HD to 6x3 hours reduced blood pressure, and improved hgb, albumin, & BMI
Healthy kidneys work 168 hours a week, but most people only get about 12 hours of dialysis. In this study, 11 people were switched to more frequent HD. After 12 months, they had significantly better blood pressure with fewer meds, higher hgb levels with lower ESA doses, higher albumin levels, lower dry weight, and better BMIs. Calcium-phosphorus products dropped significantly with no changes in binder doses.
Read the abstract » | (added 2011-04-25)
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Nocturnal HD makes pill regimens simpler but doesn't require less pill use
A study of 35 people on nocturnal home HD looked at how complex their pill regimens were, and how many pills they needed each day. After 2 years, they still needed just as many pills—but the regimen was much simpler. Dialyzors needed fewer BP pills and binders, but more vitamins and antibiotics.
Read the abstract » | (added 2011-04-25)
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Benefits of switching from 3x/week in-center HD to 6x/week home HD
Among 11 people who switched treatments, blood pressure dropped, hemoglobin levels rose (with lower ESA doses), the calcium-phosphorus product dropped (with no change in binder doses), and BMI and serum albumin levels went up. We are so not surprised!
Read the abstract » | (added 2011-03-30)
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AAKP's study of patient satisfaction with kidney education and dialysis (hint: not so good)
977 patients completed a 46-item survey asking about satisfaction with current treatment for kidney failure and education on a scale of 1–10 (with 1 low). Standard in-center HD rated 4.5. PD rated 5.2, home HD was 5.5, and transplant was 6.1. About 31% of participants felt the treatment options were not equally and fairly presented, and 32% had not been educated about home HD.
Read the abstract » | (added 2011-03-30)
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Better fluid removal with icodextrin PD fluid - Meta-analysis
A new study of 9 randomized controlled trials has found that people using icodextrin removed much more water than those using glucose based fluid—with no change in residual kidney function or increase in peritonitis or death. Rash was more common in those using icodextrin.
Read the abstract » | (added 2011-03-30)
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Simpler pill regimen needed by those using nocturnal home HD
Among 35 people who switched from standard in-center HD to nocturnal home HD, the number of pills per day did not drop—but the regimen was much simplified—and health-related quality of life was significantly improved.
Read the abstract » | (added 2011-03-30)
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PD (vs. in-center HD) and less bad breath
After 3 months on PD, 42 people in a new study had more saliva—and less bad breath.
Read the abstract » | (added 2011-03-30)
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Consistent aspirin use associated with improved AVF survival among incident HD patients in the DOPPS
A new paper from the Dialysis Outcomes & Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS) reports that people who took aspirin had significantly less fistula failure than those who didn't. (Talk to your doctor about whether a baby aspirin or an adult aspirin might benefit you.)
Read the abstract » | (added 2011-02-24)
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Poor sleep on standard in-center HD
Good sleep on dialysis improves survival. A new study compared sleep quality on standard in-center HD and a control group matched for age, sex, body mass index, and race. The in-center HD patients had significantly worse sleep.
Read the abstract » | (added 2011-02-24)
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