CAPD maintains residual kidney function better than APD

A new study followed 505 people on CAPD and 78 on APD for 3 years. The two groups had no major differences in residual kidney function (RKF) at baseline, but those on APD had a much higher risk of RKF loss in the first year. The highest risk of losing all RKF was found in those who had the highest GFRs at the study start.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-04-25)

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Fleet enemas can safely be added to nocturnal HD dialysate to boost phosporus levels

Nocturnal HD removes so much phosphorus that dialyzers may need supplements. Fleet® enemas are a low-cost, easy-to-obtain source of phosphorus. The amount of added phosphorus was predictable, and the product did not add bacteria or endotoxin to the dialysate.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-04-25)

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Better PD technique survival in people with diabetes who use icodextrin

In the first randomized control trial using icodextrin in lieu of glucose for PD solution, 41 people with diabetic nephropathy were assigned one or the other. After 2 years, 71.4% of the icodextrin group was still doing PD, while only 45% who used glucose-based solution still did PD.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-04-25)

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Nocturnal HD makes pill regimens simpler but doesn't require less pill use

A study of 35 people on nocturnal home HD looked at how complex their pill regimens were, and how many pills they needed each day. After 2 years, they still needed just as many pills—but the regimen was much simpler. Dialyzors needed fewer BP pills and binders, but more vitamins and antibiotics.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-04-25)

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Better fluid removal with icodextrin PD fluid - Meta-analysis

A new study of 9 randomized controlled trials has found that people using icodextrin removed much more water than those using glucose based fluid—with no change in residual kidney function or increase in peritonitis or death. Rash was more common in those using icodextrin.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-03-30)

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Benefits of switching from 3x/week in-center HD to 6x/week home HD

Among 11 people who switched treatments, blood pressure dropped, hemoglobin levels rose (with lower ESA doses), the calcium-phosphorus product dropped (with no change in binder doses), and BMI and serum albumin levels went up. We are so not surprised!

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-03-30)

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PD (vs. in-center HD) and less bad breath

After 3 months on PD, 42 people in a new study had more saliva—and less bad breath.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-03-30)

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AAKP's study of patient satisfaction with kidney education and dialysis (hint: not so good)

977 patients completed a 46-item survey asking about satisfaction with current treatment for kidney failure and education on a scale of 1–10 (with 1 low). Standard in-center HD rated 4.5. PD rated 5.2, home HD was 5.5, and transplant was 6.1. About 31% of participants felt the treatment options were not equally and fairly presented, and 32% had not been educated about home HD.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-03-30)

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Simpler pill regimen needed by those using nocturnal home HD

Among 35 people who switched from standard in-center HD to nocturnal home HD, the number of pills per day did not drop—but the regimen was much simplified—and health-related quality of life was significantly improved.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-03-30)

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If you can't beat 'em, zap 'em!

Fibrils of amyloid can build up in the joints and soft tissues when too-little beta-2 microglobulin (B2m) is removed from the blood during dialysis. Longer and more frequent treatments remove more B2m. But what if we could remove fibrils that have already occurred? A new study suggests that laser treatments can destroy existing fibrils and slow the rate of new ones.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-02-24)

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