In-center nocturnal HD boosts lean body mass

Among 56 adults followed for a year, those who were randomly assigned to nocturnal in-center HD vs. standard treatments had higher, more stable interdialytic weights. The pattern of toxin removal suggests that the result is due to increases in lean body mass.

Read the abstract » | (added 2017-05-09)

Tags: Hemodialysis

HD frequency and protein-bound solutes

Does more frequent HD do a better job of removing protein-bound solutes from the gut that are more toxic than urea? No, finds a new analysis of results from the Frequent Hemodialysis Network (FHN) trials.

Read the abstract » | (added 2017-05-09)

Tags: Hemodialysis

In-center Nocturnal HD Beats Standard HD

An analysis of 21 published studies (n=1,165 in-center nocturnal patients and 15,865 standard in-center HD patients) found better BP, higher Hgb, and lower serum phosphate levels in those who dialyzed longer.

Read the abstract » | (added 2017-04-12)

Tags: Hemodialysis

Ultrafiltration: Speed Kills

Among 190 people on HD, those whose ultrafiltration (fluid removal) rate was higher than the median (just 6.8 mL/Kg/h) were less likely to survive than those who were at or below the median. Most participants did not have residual kidney function.

Read the abstract » | (added 2017-04-12)

Tags: Hemodialysis

Pregnancy on PD—at 42: It’s Not Impossible

While research shows that the chance for a pregnant woman on dialysis to have a healthy baby seems to be best with 36+ hours of HD per week, a 42-year old Malaysian woman had a full-term baby with no change to her CAPD prescription.

Read the abstract » | (added 2017-04-12)

Tags: Peritoneal dialysis, Hemodialysis

PD vs. Standard HD for People with Cirrhosis

For cirrhotic people with kidney failure, data abstraction from the U.S. Nationwide Inpatient Study between 2005 and 2012 compared outcomes with PD and standard in-center HD. In-hospital mortality for those with ascites was significantly less with PD. In addition, PD hospital stays were shorter and costs were lower. Yet, just 1.7% of the sample was using PD.

Read the abstract » | (added 2017-04-12)

Tags: Peritoneal dialysis, Hemodialysis

Frequent HD in Children

Does 5x/week in-center HD benefit children more than 3x/week treatments? A multicenter pilot followed 8 children with a median age of 16.7 years. Among the 6 patients who completed two study periods, 5 had a sustained 10% or more decrease in systolic BP or antihypertensives during the more frequent treatments. Reimbursement and time burdens are challenges.

Read the abstract » | (added 2017-04-12)

Tags: Hemodialysis

Home HD: Cost-effective With Better Outcomes Than In-center

A review of the patient-centered and economic impacts of home HD that included studies between 2000 and 2016 found better quality of life, flexibility, employment potential, and survival vs. hospital HD. Minority and low-income patients still have less access than others, which compounds their already-poor health outcomes. The authors found that home HD is cost-effective and the use of this option should be increased.

Read the abstract » | (added 2017-03-09)

Tags: Hemodialysis

Results of a Metaanalysis of Nocturnal vs. Standard HD

Researchers who looked at 28 studies of 22,508 patients found a mixed bag: comparable side effects and mortality between nocturnal and standard HD, less hospitalization with standard HD—but better heart health and physical quality of life with nocturnal HD, with fewer blood pressure medicines needed.

Read the abstract » | (added 2017-03-09)

Tags: Hemodialysis

And, Again: More HD Improves Quality of Life

Data from the Frequent Hemodialysis Network (FHN) trials found that those who were randomized to frequent or nocturnal HD reported outcomes that included better results on a “feeling thermometer,” better general health, and shorter recovery time than for standard in-center HD.

Read the abstract » | (added 2017-03-09)

Tags: Hemodialysis