42% higher risk of death found with less-than-4-hour HD

Short standard in-center HD treatments done 3 times a week were linked with a much higher risk of death in a new study of 8,552 people. Of course, "further studies are needed...."

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

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A Brazil nut a day keeps the doctor away

Heart disease risk is higher among people on HD, due to oxidative stress (basically rust). Selenium reduces this stress—and Brazil nuts are the best known source. In a new study, 81 people on HD ate one Brazil nut each day. At the end of 3 months, their levels of the protective enzyme GSH-Px were normal.

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

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Nocturnal HD improves bone mineral levels

Yes, we knew this—but this time, it's a randomized controlled trial of nocturnal (6 nights/week) vs. standard in-center HD (3 times/week). Compared to standard HD, those doing nocturnal had lower phosphorus—even without binders—lower PTH levels, and lower calcium-times-phosphorus products.

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

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For lupus, HD may be a better option

A small study of 36 women with lupus in Taiwan has found much better survival and less inflammation in those who did HD. Protein levels were higher on HD, too.

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

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Better nutrition with nocturnal HD

A new study found better appetites, more energy, and higher protein intake in people doing 6 nights/week nocturnal HD. Even though they ate more foods high in phosphorus, their blood levels stayed good without binders. They were able to drink more fluids, too.

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

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To reduce inflammation: Get rid of your HD catheter

Even with no infection, an HD catheter can still trigger inflammation. In a new study, people who got a fistula and had a catheter removed had an 82% lower c-reactive protein (CRP) level 6 months later. Those who kept the catheter had a 16% higher CRP.

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

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Nocturnal HD normalizes smooth muscle cells

Blood vessel calcification is an all-too-common problem among people on dialysis. On standard HD, fewer smooth muscle cells grow inside the blood vessels, and more of them die. Switching from standard to nocturnal restored normal cell growth—and also lowered blood pressure, and PTH and phosphate levels.

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

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The WAK is back...

The wearable artificial kidney (WAK) is still in development. In this most recent article, the developers have learned that a pulsing, rather than steady, flow of dialysate improves clearance of wastes. Activated charcoal is used to absorb Beta-2 microglobulin (which can cause dialysis-related amyloidosis). A dialyzer with a larger surface area and higher dialysate pH are also being tested.

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

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First report from the Frequent Hemodialysis Network studies!

There are two FHN studies. One compares 6-days-a-week in-center HD to 3-days-a-week. The other looks at 6-nights-a-week home nocturnal vs. 3 standard home HD treatments. So far, the study shows that more-frequent HD really is a LOT more dialysis—enough that the results should be able to prove whether more is truly better.

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

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In-center nocturnal—another good option

Canada found that folks switched from standard in-center HD to nocturnal in-center HD (3 nights/week) used less EPO and had better sleep, quality of life, appetite, and energy. They also had fewer cramps.

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

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