Journal Watch
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Preventing PD Infections: ASN Core Interventions
An ASN workshop developed interventions focused on six key, evidence-based strategies to reduce infection, improve quality of life, and expand home treatments: Infection rate surveillance and feedback, standardized staff training/competency assessment, standardized patient and care partner education, routine infection prevention assessments, antimicrobial PD exit site prophylaxis, and prophylactic antimicrobials for some procedures or events.
Read the abstract » | (added 2025-12-17)
Tags: Interventions, Infection, Quality Of Life, Home Treatments, Training
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Women May Fare Better on PD Than Men
The International observational PDOPPS has turned its attention to the examination of sex differences in PD outcomes like mortality, transfer to HD, peritonitis, and transplant rates. PD patients from eight countries (n=25,292) were 43% female on average, and females had lower mortality rates, fewer transfers to HD, and lower rates of peritonitis. In South Korea, for example, median time on PD was 6.4 years for females, but just 4.9 years for males.
Read the abstract » | (added 2025-12-17)
Tags: PDOPPS, Gender, PD Outcomes, Mortality, Transfer To HD, Peritonitis, Transplant Rates
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Body Mass Index and PD: A Meta-analysis
Analysis of adjusted data from 18 studies found that underweight PD patients had a significantly higher risk of mortality than those with normal BMI, though obesity did not. However, obese PD patients had a significant increase in the risk of peritonitis. Neither underweight nor obesity increased the risk of technique failure or transfer to HD.
Read the abstract » | (added 2025-11-11)
Tags: Body Mass Index, PD, Meta analysis
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A U.S. Staff-assisted PD Program
In a Satellite Dialysis trial, patient care technicians were trained to offer PD and troubleshoot common issues. From an initial two clinics, the program expanded to 16 by October, 2022. Of 121 patients referred to the program, 73 received staff assisted for a total of 604 visits lasting 1-84 days. Patients most often needed help with PD set up and correctly following the steps. Most needed only short-term transitional assistance, and 93% were discharged from the program without staff assistance.
Read the abstract » | (added 2025-11-11)
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PD Predict: A Machine Learning Model for PD Survival
A retrospective cohort study of 14,650 patients in the UK Renal Registry was split into two test sets: development and internal testing. The model produced a Harrell’s concordance index of 0.80 during temporal validation, while external validation done in Norway was 0.77. This result outperforms traditional predictive methods.
Read the abstract » | (added 2025-11-11)
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Pregnancy in Women on Home Dialysis
Home therapies offer advantages for women who are able to become pregnant, including flexibility, improved hemodynamic stability, and better fetal outcomes. Pregnancy management requires close obstetric monitoring, multidisciplimnary care, and optimized nutrition and anemia management.
Read the abstract » | (added 2025-11-11)
Tags: Home Dialysis, Pregnancy, Outcomes
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PDOPPS on Incremental PD Starts and Clinical Outcomes
What dose should be offered at the start of incremental PD? An international prospective cohort study assessed 1,365 patients from 128 clinics in seven countries who began standard (63%) or incremental (37%) PD within3 months of January 1, 2014 until December 31, 2017. There was no significant difference in transfer to HD between the standard PD (15%/year) and incremental PD (14%/year), nor were there differences between groups in peritonitis or mortality.
Read the abstract » | (added 2025-11-11)
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Using a B. Braun Machine for Home HD
Successful use of a B. Braun machine for home HD required more space in the home, a dedicated reverse osmosis system, specialized plumbing and electrical connections, and machine-specific patient training. Most patients found these home requirements manageable and the machine easy to use for daytime or nocturnal treatments.
Read the abstract » | (added 2025-10-14)
Tags: B. Braun Machine, Home HD, Machine Requirements, Machine specific Patient Training
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ASN: Improving Fellows Education for Home Dialysis
Inadequate fellows training has been identified as one reason home therapies are underutilized in the U.S. In response, the American Society of Nephrology developed a virtual home dialysis university (ASN-HDU) in 2023. A mixed-methods evaluation sampled participants who attended both the live and virtual HDU programs or only the live one. A post-HDU survey and 8-month follow up survey assessed quantitative changes in attendees comfort with home dialysis. Ten interviews were also conducted to identify themes. ASN-HDU participants reported higher comfort levels for PD and home HD, while the program filled many—but not all—identified gaps.
Read the abstract » | (added 2025-10-14)
Tags: ASN HDU, Fellows Training, Home Dialysis
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Meta-analysis of Factors in PD Catheter-related Infections
Thirteen studies were included in a meta-analysis that found PD catheter-infection factors included diabetes, insecure catheter fixation, >2 years on dialysis, BMI >20 kg/m2, mechanical strain, lack of proper care, irregular caregivers, and a history of catheter pulling.
Read the abstract » | (added 2025-10-14)
Tags: PD, Catheter related Infections, Risk Factors, Meta analysis