Journal Watch
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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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Fresenius options education program boosts PD & venous access use
The 3,165 people who attended a treatment options program (TOPs) were more than 8 times more likely to choose PD than those who didn't attend—and twice as likely to get a fistula or graft if they chose HD. TOPs attendees were also more likely to survive the first 90 days of treatment.
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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Statin use may boost PD survival
A new study from Korea has found that taking a statin drug to lower cholesterol helped people on PD live longer—whether or not they had diabetes. The researchers suggest that larger, randomized studies are now needed.
Read the abstract » | (added 2011-06-21)
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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
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Cycler PD has better outcomes than manual PD for those under age 65
Among 282 people on PD, younger people were much more likely to keep doing PD—and much more likely to survive—if they used a cycler.
Read the abstract » | (added 2011-05-23)
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A prospective study of 4 vs. 8 hours of HD in-center 3 times a week
Which is better, standard HD or more HD? A new study matched 247 people who agreed to try nocturnal in-center HD with people on standard HD. A year later, survival rates were 3.5 times higher (and hospital stays were lower) with more HD. Heart health and cognitive function were far better with more HD, too, while quality of life dropped in the standard HD group. (Now, why are we NOT surprised?)
Read the abstract » | (added 2011-05-23)
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Aspirin use is linked with better HD graft survival
Taking a low-dose aspirin each day led to about 30% better graft survival in a year-long study.
Read the abstract » | (added 2011-05-23)
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Bone loss in women on dialysis—the role of estrogen
A study of 112 postmenopausal women on HD in Japan found that estrogen was closely linked to bone density. The authors conclude that taking estrogen may help prevent bone loss throughout life in women on HD.
Read the abstract » | (added 2011-05-23)
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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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