Dialysis at a crossroads: 50 years later

The well-known and highly respected nephrologists who sent a letter to CMS about how to improve dialysis care—with longer and/or more-frequent treatments—have written an article summing up their thoughts.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-02-24)

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Yet another call for PD first

Doctors at the University of Missouri have written an article noting that PD is under-used, and suggest ways to promote PD as a first dialysis option. Good idea!

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-02-24)

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Meta-analysis: Icodextrin PD fluid really does have advantages

In a study of 9 randomized controlled trials, icodextrin removed much more water from the blood of people who did PD than standard glucose-based PD fluid without causing any more health problems for them.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-02-24)

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Nocturnal in-center treatments save lives

A new study from Turkey matched 247 people on 8-hour nocturnal in-center HD 3 times a week with 247 doing standard 4-hour HD by age, sex, diabetes, and length of time on dialysis. After a year, those doing nocturnal had 72% better survival—a significant improvement.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-02-24)

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Watch your water soluble vitamins on nocturnal HD

More dialysis washes more vitamins out of the blood, finds a new study from Australia. Among people who were doing nocturnal HD, levels of vitamin C and thiamine were low. Supplements may be wise—ask your doctor.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-02-24)

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Vitamin D deficiency linked with EPO resistance

What if resistance to EPO is related to low levels of vitamin D that tend to occur in people on dialysis? A new study looks at just that, and found a link. While more rigorous studies are needed, it's an intriguing thought...

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-02-24)

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Nurse education after unplanned dialysis starts increases home treatments

Each year, about half of those who start dialysis had little or no time to prepare. In a new study of 176 Canadians, assigning a nurse to teach new dialyzors increased the use of PD, home HD, and even transplant.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-02-24)

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What you don't know CAN hurt you!

Health literacy means how well you understand and can use medical info to help yourself. In a new study of 480 folks on HD, those whose health literacy was highest lived longest—even adjusting for age, sex, race, and diabetes.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-02-24)

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Dialyzors prefer buttonholes

A new study of standard in-center HD dialyzors who have used the buttonhole technique for a year found that satisfaction averaged 8.5 (out of 10); 96% said they would recommend it; and 83% said it was easier for the nurses. (Of course, we'd far rather see folks putting in their own needles!)

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-02-24)

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Kidney pros would choose home dialysis

A survey of kidney professionals done by Satellite Healthcare found that more than 90% would choose a home treatment if their kidneys failed—about half choosing PD and half choosing some type of home HD.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-02-24)

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