Journal Watch
-
Patient Employment Rates in PD vs. In-center HD (IHD)
A study followed 18,408 PD and IHD patients who were employed full-time at dialysis start and had employer health insurance for 3 to 30 months, while 104,952 PD and IHD patients who were unemployed and did not have employer insurance were followed as well. Patients receiving IHD were more likely than PD patients to lose their employer health plans.
Read the abstract » | (added 2026-05-15)
Tags: PD, IHD, Employment, Insurance, Health Plan
-
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
-
Lived Experience of Home Dialysis
A meta-analysis aimed at understanding the lived experiences of home dialysis patients identified 10 international studies (n=325 participants) and identified eight themes. The authors found that patients can feel both positively and negatively about home dialysis at the same time.
Read the abstract » | (added 2026-04-14)
Tags: Lived Experiences, Home Dialysis
-
Diabetes, Incremental PD, and Residual Kidney Function
A retrospective study analyzed 76 patients with diabetes, of whom 57.9% (44) started PD incrementally. Incremental PD significantly slowed the loss of residual kidney function (~60%) vs. full-dose PD and did not increase risk of transfer to hemodialysis or death. Overall, iPD appears safe and RRF-preserving, with glycemic control critical for outcomes.
Read the abstract » | (added 2026-04-14)
Tags: Diabetes, Incremental PD, Residual Kidney Function, Mortality
-
Alternative Quality Metrics for Kt/V-free PD
This article explores the historic origins of Kt/V and its adaptation to PD and the limitations of using urea removal as a surrogate for other uremic toxins. Are residual kidney and dialytic urea clearances equivalent? Is urea distribution volume accurate? The authors don’t think so! They propose a shift away from Kt/V and “adequacy” to person-centered care.
Read the abstract » | (added 2026-04-14)
Tags: Kt/V, PD, Urea Removal, Person centered Care
-
PD for Frail Seniors
For the frail elderly in the UK, PD offers quality of life, cognitive, and treatment satisfaction benefits over HD. Assisted PD can support those with physical or cognitive impairments and alleviate some caregiver burden. Improved funding and access to assisted PD programs are needed going forward to ensure PD is a viable treatment option.
Read the abstract » | (added 2026-04-14)
Tags: Quality Of Life, PD, Impairments, Burden
-
Dry, Itchy Skin and Peritonitis on PD
Among 702 PD patients from two data sources, the risk of PD catheter-related infections rose among those with xerosis (hazard ratio 2.71; 95% confidence interval)—particularly S. aureus infections, which were higher in patients who had severe pruritus. Pet owners were also at risk for severe xerosis, as were those with higher serum creatinine levels and calcium-phosphorus products.
Read the abstract » | (added 2026-04-14)
-
Care Partner Roles In-center and at Home
A multi-center longitudinal cohort study investigated caregiver responsibilities during the first year of in-center vs. home hemodialysis in 202 patient-caregiver dyads. Both groups experienced a decline in measures including depressive symptoms, physical and general health-related quality of life (HRQOL), and perceived health status. Caregiver burden and mental HRQOL did not change. The types of support desired by each group differed.
Read the abstract » | (added 2026-04-14)
Tags: Care Partner, HHD, Quality Of Life, Caregiver Burden
-
Chronic Inflammation and PD Outcomes
Among 111 PD patients stratified by C-reactive protein (CRP) into “normal” (<3mg/L) and “inflammation” (>3mg/dL) groups, the inflammation group had significant differences, including lower urine volume, hemoglobin, prealbumin, potassium, magnesium, and TSAT—but higher serum ferritin and WBC counts (p < 0.05). Systemic inflammation can interfere with nutrition, anemia treatment, and is linked with reduced residual kidney function.
Read the abstract » | (added 2026-04-14)
Tags: PD, C reactive Protein
-
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