Review: What do we know now about more-frequent HD?

Studies have shown since the 1960s that more-frequent dialysis improves outcomes. The recent Frequent Hemodialysis Network trials confirmed these findings. This article reviews the data.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-07-26)

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PD is safe and efficient for urgent dialysis starts

Researchers in Germany followed 123 people who started dialysis without a prior plan (66 did PD, 54 did standard in-center HD). Those on HD had much higher infection rates and somewhat (but not significantly) lower survival.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-07-26)

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Blood glucose meters may overestimate blood sugar levels when Icodextrin PD fluid is used

If you use a blood sugar monitor, you need to be able to trust the results. But, they may not be accurate if you use Icodextrin PD fluid. A case report of four people with insulin-dependent diabetes found that their blood sugar monitor readings were normal—at the same time that their hospital drawn blood sugars were dangerously low.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-07-26)

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Dialysis removes Vitamin B6; supplements can help

A meta-analysis has found 24-56% Vitamin B6 deficiencies, a problem made worse by ESAs, some phosphate binders, and modern dialyzer membranes. B6 supplementation recommendations may need to be updated.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-07-26)

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Nocturnal HD helps people grow cells that lead to healthy new blood vessels

Growth of new blood vessels is impaired with standard in-center HD. The cells that grow blood vessels don't work as well as they should, because waste levels in the blood are still too high, even with treatment. But, nocturnal HD is another story. With the blood much cleaner, there was significantly better cell function.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-07-26)

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With a nurse educator, more urgent-start patients choose self-care treatments

As many as half of people start dialysis with no prior plan for it. When a renal triage nurse sees these patients, the chances that they will opt for PD, home HD, or transplant was significantly higher.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-07-26)

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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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Better survival on home HD than PD in England and Wales

A study from the UK compared 225 people on home HD from 1997 to 2005 with age and sex matched people on PD and standard HD. Those on home HD lived significantly longer than those on PD—even when the researchers adjusted for those who received transplants or were on the wait list.

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

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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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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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