Early PD survival benefit comes from avoiding HD catheters

Studies have found better survival on PD than standard HD in the first 1-2 years of treatment. A new study of 40,526 people found that the main reason for this difference is that those on PD did not use central venous HD catheters.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-06-21)

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Pilot results of a wearable artificial kidney

Eight people on HD have now tested a new wearable HD device for 4-8 hours. Fluid was removed with no heart problems, and some wastes were removed as well. The safety devices for needle disconnection and clotting worked quickly. A step forward!

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-06-21)

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More frequent HD linked with less cardiac stunning

During standard HD, the heart gets less blood, which causes damage called "stunning." In a study of 46 people on standard, short daily, or nocturnal HD, those whose treatments were done more often had less cardiac stunning. Those on nocturnal had the least.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-06-21)

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PD with PKD: Yes, it's possible

A Chinese study matched 42 people with and 84 without PKD as they started PD. After 5 years, survival in both groups was the same. There was no difference in the rate of peritonitis, though the PKD group was more likely to get hernias.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-06-21)

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NAC protects PD membrane from sugar damage in rats

Over time, caramelized sugars in PD fluid can scar the peritoneal membrane to the point where PD may no longer work. In a rat study, an antioxidant (N-acetylcysteine, or NAC) reduced this damage. NAC may one day prove to be a treatment for humans.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-06-21)

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A randomized, controlled trial of nutrition on standard HD vs. nocturnal

Canadian researchers randomly assigned a small group of 23 people to standard in-center HD or nocturnal HD. At the end of 6 months, most of those doing nocturnal HD were able to reduce or stop taking binders, and their serum albumin (protein) levels improved. Protein levels dropped for those on standard in-center HD.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-05-23)

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Australian nephrologists say PD first, then nocturnal HD

A lengthy survey of Australian nephrologists found strong agreement that long HD is a good option—most easily done at home, and that PD is a great first choice for dialysis. In fact, 34% of respondents said their clinic had a "PD First" policy.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-05-23)

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Eating more protein improves survival on PD

How much protein is enough on PD? In a study of 305 people on PD, getting 0.94 grams of protein per kilo of body weight per day was linked to much better survival. So if you weigh 68 kilos (150 lbs.'), you'd need at least 64 grams of protein a day—about 2 and a quarter ounces. You can do that!

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-05-23)

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New model using routine lab tests can predict progression to kidney failure

Researchers looked at data from a total of 8,391 people with stages 3–5 CKD to see if lab test results could predict who would progress to end-stage. A model that included age, sex, GFR, and protein in the urine worked best.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-05-23)

Tags: Chronic kidney disease

CKD education rates in Australia (they're FAR better than in the US!)

It's hard to choose a treatment option for kidney failure that fits your life when you don't know what the options are, or how they might affect you. A study of 721 people new to dialysis in Australia found that 603 (84%) had options education before they started treatment.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-05-23)

Tags: Chronic kidney disease