Journal Watch
PD for People with PKD—It’s Possible
Many believe that large, polycystic kidneys make PD impossible. A review has concluded that PD is well-tolerated in those with autosomal dominant PKD, with outcomes that are equivalent—or better—than in other patient groups.
Read the abstract » | (added 2017-07-14)
Video Telemedicine for Home HD in the UK
The UK Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust began offering video based telemedicine to home HD patients in 2013. Interviews with ten members of the renal care team using the service revealed more efficient use of staff time, reduced travel, peace of mind, and higher job satisfaction. The team members believed the video communications boosted patients’ confidence.
Read the abstract » | (added 2017-07-14)
Tags: Education Issues: For Patients And Professionals, Making Dialysis Better
New PD Strategies Using Icodextrin
A new article reports that icodextrin can be used in new ways, such as twice-daily exchanges and a single nocturnal PD exchange for treatment of congestive heart failure.
Read the abstract » | (added 2017-07-14)
Waist Circumference Linked to Survival on PD
A prospective study of 109 people on PD measured waist circumference (WC) at baseline and at 6 months, then followed them for 4 years. At baseline, 55% of women had a high WC (>88cm) and 23% of men did (>102cm). After 6 months, The WC of 61% of participants had increased. High baseline WC and an increase were both associated with a higher risk of death.
Read the abstract » | (added 2017-06-12)
The Impact of ESRD Treatment Modality on Sleep Quality
A metaanalysis looked at whether changing from one treatment type to another (HD, daily HD, nocturnal HD, CAPD, CCPD, or transplant) would affect sleep. Sixteen studies with 670 patients and 191 controls were examined. Restless leg syndrome resolved in 60+% of patients who switched to CCPD, intensive HD, or transplant. Sleep apnea improved with these options as well. Overall sleep quality improved as the intensity of treatment increased.
Read the abstract » | (added 2017-06-12)
Tags: What Is The Best Dialysis Option For Me, Education Issues: For Patients And Professionals
Both UF Rate AND UF Amount Matter
Using data from 152,196 US dialysis patients, researchers looked at what would happen if UF rates were capped at 13mL/h/kg without reducing weight gain or offering longer treatments. On average, 18-36% of patients left treatment > 1 Kg above their prescribed target weights. Without adding time or reducing the gains between treatments, patients may have fluid-related weight gain.
Read the abstract » | (added 2017-06-12)
Patient Education Boosted Use of Home Therapies
In a 22-month period 108 people were enrolled in a comprehensive predialysis education program—and 70% chose a home treatment (55% PD; 15% home HD). Three sessions of education appeared optimal for helping patients reach a decision.
Read the abstract » | (added 2017-06-12)
Tags: Patient Education
Short daily HD in pediatrics
Dividing 12 hours of in-center HD into 5 weekly treatments instead of 3 was feasible and beneficial to blood pressure control in adolescents in a new crossover study. However, not surprisingly, reimbursement and time demands were challenging. (Editorial note: home treatments would allow more flexibility for school.)
Read the abstract » | (added 2017-05-09)
Tags: Hemodialysis
HD frequency and protein-bound solutes
Does more frequent HD do a better job of removing protein-bound solutes from the gut that are more toxic than urea? No, finds a new analysis of results from the Frequent Hemodialysis Network (FHN) trials.
Read the abstract » | (added 2017-05-09)
Tags: Hemodialysis
Why and how to change the dialysis default to PD
PD is comparable to standard HD in outcomes, but costs less, is more convenient, does a better job of preserving residual kidney function, and delivers better quality of life, argues a new editorial.
Read the abstract » | (added 2017-05-09)
Tags: Peritoneal dialysis