Journal Watch

  • PD After Loss of Residual Kidney Failure

    Once residual kidney function is gone, it is vital to address fluid volume, finds a new study that followed 183 people. During the 10.5-36 months of follow up, 65% either switched to HD or died. Their inflammation rates (measured by C-reactive protein levels) were high, as were their extracellular water levels (measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis).

    Read the abstract » | (added 2016-01-10)

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  • Why Do People Stop Doing Home HD?

    Among 2,840 people who started home HD between 2007 and 2009, nearly one in four stopped within a year, while 1-year mortality was 7.6%. The risks of stopping home HD were higher among those with diabetes, and substance use (alcohol, tobacco, drugs). Those who were listed for transplant or lived in rural areas were less likely to stop home HD.

    Read the abstract » | (added 2016-01-10)

    Tags: Hemodialysis

  • CT Scans Can Help Find Encapsulating Peritoneal Sclerosis

    Finding EPS early can make treatment of this devastating problem more successful. This study had experienced radiologists look at CT scan results from 18 people with confirmed EPS and 26 matched controls with it. The radiologists were blinded to who had the disorder. Peritoneal thickening, calcification, and other findings were more common in the EPS group. Some radiologists were better than others at detecting the differences that suggested EPS.

    Read the abstract » | (added 2016-01-10)

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  • Nanomembranes for Miniature HD

    Dialyzors with membranes that are more permeable could be much smaller—in fact, small enough for wearable dialysis. Ultra-thin silicon may be a candidate, and a prototype miniature membrane is predicted to clear toxins at “near-ideal levels.”

    Read the abstract » | (added 2016-01-10)

    Tags: Hemodialysis

  • Using Plant-Protectant Resveratrol to Preserve the Peritoneum

    Resveratrol is a phenol found in the skins of grapes and some berries that can help keep blood vessels from growing to support tumors. A new prospective, randomized, controlled, double blind study looked at its use to keep blood vessels from growing in the peritoneum, which can cause PD technique failure. Participants (n=72) were given 12 weeks of low- or high-dose resveratrol or placebo. Those who received a high dose of resveratrol had significantly better ultrafiltration.

    Read the abstract » | (added 2016-01-10)

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  • Home HD Has Shorter Recovery Time After Treatment Than In-Center HD

    A UK study asked 288 people “how long does it take for you to recover from an HD session?” Compared to a mean of 193 minutes (3+ hours) for the 197 people dialyzing in-center, the 91 home dialyzors had a mean of 67.3 minutes (just over an hour). While conventional home HD vs. intensive home HD had similar results, those who made more urine recovered faster.

    Read the abstract » | (added 2015-12-10)

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  • Liraglutide Has Multiple Benefits in People with Diabetes on PD

    In a small study, injectable liraglutide was tested in 16 people with type 2 diabetes who use PD, 11 of whom were previously on insulin, while three used oral medications and two controlled their blood sugar using diet alone. After 12 months, glucose fluctuations were reduced, post-meal blood sugars were lower, systolic blood pressure dropped—and left ventricular mass decreased (on echocardiogram).

    Read the abstract » | (added 2015-12-10)

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  • RCT of Self-Locating PD Catheter Finds Fewer Flow Problems

    Coiled or straight, Tenckhoff catheters often clog. A new small trial randomized 61 people to receive a straight Tenckhoff (n=32) or a new, self-locating Wolfram PD catheter (n=29) for urgent start PD. Seven of the Tenckhoff’s had to be swapped for Wolframs due to flow issues—but the reverse was not true.

    Read the abstract » | (added 2015-12-10)

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  • Meta-Analysis: Longer Dialysis, Better Pregnancy Outcomes

    A new metaanlysis analyzed 190 papers and 25 abstracts covering 681 pregnancies in 647 women on dialysis. Meta-regression analysis found that more hours of HD per week was associated with a lower rate of preterm delivery, and that more dialysis sessions per week was associated with larger birthweight babies. Case reports suggested fewer small for gestational age babies with HD than with PD. No increased risk of birth defects was found.

    Read the abstract » | (added 2015-12-10)

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  • Gentamycin Ointment For PD Exit Sites Did Not Increase Antibiotic Resistance

    A review compared 10 years PD exit-site care using oral rifampin and mupirocin ointment (n=265) with 10 years of gentamycin cream (n=179). While the demographics were largely similar apart from race, there were significantly fewer gram-negative exit site infections using gentamycin, with very low rates of gentamycin resistant infections in either period.

    Read the abstract » | (added 2015-12-10)

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