Nocturnal HD vs. Transplant: Health-related Quality of Life Compared

In a small study, transplant candidates using nocturnal HD (n=41) and transplant patients (n=31) took the KDQOL-short-form survey of health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Those with transplants had significantly higher “effects” of kidney disease scores than those on nocturnal HD. The other domains were not significant. Read the abstract.

Read the abstract » | (added 2018-10-12)

Tags: Transplant, Nocturnal HD, Kdqol, HRQOL, Effects Of Kidney Disease

Biocompatible PD Solutions Maintain Membranes Longer

Independently of inflammation, biocompatible PD solutions helped 71 patients keep a steady level of solute transport over 7.5 years, compared to 295 patients who used standard solutions. Read the abstract.

Read the abstract » | (added 2018-09-10)

Tags: Dialysis Solutions, Glucans, Glucose, IL6 Protein, Human, Inflammation, Interleukin 6, Peritoneal Fibrosis, Peritoneum, Peritonitis, Creatinine, Hospitalization, Icodextrin, Peritoneal Dialysis, Peritoneal Membrane

5-year study: Predialysis PD Education Saves Lives on PD

Among 398 patients who started PD from 2007-2016, 169 had received predialysis education. After 5 years, this group had a significantly lower rate of peritonitis, a longer median time to a first peritonitis episode, and less risk of death from peritonitis than patients who did not get CKD education. Read the abstract.

Read the abstract » | (added 2018-09-10)

Tags: PD, Predialysis, Peritonitis, Mortality, CKD Education

Gender and Malnutrition in PD

Do hypoalbumineumia, overhydration, inflammation, and cardiovascular risk affect men and women on PD differently? A small study (N=26 men and 28 women) with comparable BMI found more fluid overload, inflammation, and heart risk in women with low serum albumin than in men. Read the abstract.

Read the abstract » | (added 2018-09-10)

Tags: Gender, Malnutrition, Cardiovascular Risk, Hypoalbuminemia, Inflammation, Overhydration, Peritoneal Dialysis

Left Atrial Remodeling Not Found After 1 Year of Nocturnal HD

While left ventricular mass has been shown to regress with intensive HD, the same does not seem to hold true for the left atrium, nor did the ejection fraction improve, finds a new study of 37 patients switched from conventional HD. Read the abstract.

Read the abstract » | (added 2018-09-10)

Tags: Cardiac MRI, End stage Renal Disease, Hemodialysis, Left Atrium

PD Catheter Outcomes in Low vs. High-Volume Centers

Not surprisingly, patients whose PD catheters were placed at high-volume centers (in Japan) had fewer adverse events, needed feer blood transfusions, and had shorter hospital stays than those from low-volume centers. Read the abstract.

Read the abstract » | (added 2018-09-10)

Tags: PD, Catheter, Hospital volume

Nocturnal HD is Underused

A new review suggests that the improved outcomes associated with more hours of HD in-center or at home mean that these options should be used more. Read the abstract.

Read the abstract » | (added 2018-09-10)

Tags: Extended Hours, Improved Outcomes, HD, Nocturnal Dialysis, Quality Of Life

New Model Could Help Screen PD Patients for CeVD Risk

A new risk score could predict how likely new PD patients are to develop cerebrovascular disease down the road. The strongest predictors of CeVD were blood pressure, total cholesterol, and serum phosphate and sodium levels.

Read the abstract » | (added 2018-08-13)

Tags: Cerebrovascular Diseases, Mortality, Peritoneal Dialysis, Risk Prediction

The Secrets to Boosting Home Therapy Choice in Sweden

What factors make a choice PD or home HD more likely? A survey of Swedish patients found that receiving high quality, comprehensive predialysis information from three or more sources made a difference. Younger patients and men living with a spouse were also more likely to choose home, while those who lived close to a clinic were less likely. Once in-center, patients believed social interaction at the clinic influenced their choice.

Read the abstract » | (added 2018-08-13)

Tags: Dialysis Modality

Driving Home Dialysis Takes More Than Money

Are financial incentives enough to change nephrologist practice to favor home therapies? Only a little, finds a comprehensive literature review and an international workshop. Other levers, such as the framework of funding for clinics, nephrologist belief in home treatments, and direct costs to patients (e.g., utilities) may play a role as well.

Read the abstract » | (added 2018-08-13)

Tags: Home Dialysis, Financial Incentives, Nephrologist Practice