Journal Watch
Impact of Embedded PD Catheters on Peritonitis and Mortality
Moncrief and Popovich pioneered a buried PD catheter technique (inexplicably abbreviated as SMAP). In a study, outcomes of 285 consecutive patients who had PD catheters implanted either directly (n=96) or via SMAP (n=189) were analyzed retrospectively. Both the risks of peritonitis and mortality were significantly lower in the SMAP group.
Read the abstract » | (added 2025-07-16)
Tags: Embedded PD Catheters, Peritonitis, Mortality, Moncrief And Popovich Technique
PD Outcomes Predicted by the Triglyceride-Glucose (TyG) Index
An index based on low-cost blood tests may help predict mortality, peritonitis, and technical failure on PD. Among 354 CAPD patients stratified into TyG tertiles, the highest tertile experienced significantly higher all-cause and cardiovascular death over a median of 72 months of follow-up than the lowest tertile.
Read the abstract » | (added 2025-07-16)
Tags: PD Outcomes, Triglyceride Glucose Index, Mortality, Peritonitis, CAPD
U.S. PD Outcome Trends: 2009 to 2018
A USRDS analysis of data from 101,640 incident PD patients found a decrease in overall mortality from 11% (2009) to 8.4% (2018). The probability of switching to in-center HD a year after PD initiation also dropped by about 2% in patients under 75 years old.
Read the abstract » | (added 2025-07-16)
Tags: Chronic Dialysis, Incident PD , Mortality, Peritoneal Dialysis, Clinical Epidemiology
Nocturnal HD and Myocardial Stretch
Over a 12-month period, 32 standard HD patients who chose to switch to nocturnal HD patients had significantly lower levels of a marker of volume overload/myocardial stretch (n-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide) than 33 who stayed on standard HD.
Read the abstract » | (added 2025-06-11)
Tags: Nocturnal HD, Cardiovascular Biomarkers, Myocardial Stretch
BMI, Diabetes, and Mortality: HD and PD Differ
Among 3,235 patients with diabetes on dialysis followed for 3.9 + 3.5 years, most (2,452) were on HD, with 783 on PD. During the study, 53% (1,688) patients died (1,275: HD; 413: PD). In HD patients, mortality risk was higher in those with BMIs <18.5 kg/m2 and lower when BMI ranged from 25.1 to 40 kg/m2. No relationship was found between BMI and mortality risk on PD.
Read the abstract » | (added 2025-06-11)
U.S. Equity in Home Dialysis Choice
Why are African- and Mexican-Americans less likely to use home dialysis? Focus groups in five U.S. cities found that physician guidance was the most important factor, though African Americans wanted validation and additional modality education when ready, while Mexican American participants had more trust. Fear of sole responsibility and loss of in-center fellow patient support were barriers.
Read the abstract » | (added 2025-06-11)
Tags: African Americans, Mexican Americans, Home Dialysis, Focus Group, Physician Guidance, Modality Education
Home HD with a B. Braun Machine
A small, retrospective study compared data from 27 patients using a B. Braun Dialog HD machine for home HD to 36 using a NxStage System One. The B. Braun had significantly higher spKt/V), standard weekly Kt/V, and urea reduction rate, despite significantly shorter treatments at higher UFRs. Of lab data, lower serum bicarbonate levels with B. Braun were the only significant difference.
Read the abstract » | (added 2025-06-11)
Tags: B. Braun Machine, Home HD, NxStage System One, Kt/V, Urea Reduction, Serum Bicarbonate Level
Qualitative Research Review: Barriers, Facilitators of Home HD
In an analysis of 13 studies, lack of knowledge of home HD led a pack of patient and healthcare professional-identified barriers—along with lack of confidence and concerns about partner burden. Healthcare system and home suitability barriers were barriers—while a supportive, community atmosphere and quality of life benefits were motivators.
Read the abstract » | (added 2025-06-11)
Tags: Patient Education, Modality, Home HD, Barriers, Care Partner Burden, Quality Of Life
A Nomogram to Predict Low PD Adequacy
Retrospective analysis of data from 141 incident PD patients compared between patients with and without adequate PD function, algorithms identified potential biomarkers, and significant predictors were integrated into a model to build a strongly predictive nomogram.
Read the abstract » | (added 2025-05-20)
Tags: Incident PD, PD Function, Biomarkers, Predictors, Nomogram
Mechanism of AGE Damage to Peritoneal Membranes
Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) are a well-known reason for peritoneal inflammation, though we didn’t know why. Researchers developed a way to study the Maillard reaction in collagen at near-physiological temperatures and found markedly increased permeability to small and medium-sized molecules as well as reduced proliferation of adherent mesothelial cells.
Read the abstract » | (added 2025-05-20)
Tags: Advanced Glycation End products, AGEs, Peritoneal Inflammation, Maillard Reaction