Journal Watch
Surprising Impact of First Dialysis Modality on Survival in Patients with Diabetes
A retrospective cohort study of 739 patients from 2010 to 2018 (inclusive) used propensity score matching to compare mortality between standard HD and PD in China, matching 125 PD patients with HD patients. No significant differences were found—except in those with diabetes, who had significantly better survival with PD.
Read the abstract » | (added 2023-11-15)
Tags: Modality, Survival, Diabetes, Propensity Score Matching
Steady Glucose Concentration in PD and Sodium Removal
In a small pilot study (n=8), two fast-average and six fast transporters used a standard 4-hour CAPD dwell as a control, and three 5-hour steady-concentration treatments using the Carry Life® UF device following an overnight icodextrin fill as the intervention. UF rates were significantly higher with the steady glucose concentration treatments, as were sodium removal and glucose UF efficiency.
Read the abstract » | (added 2023-11-15)
Tags: PD, Glucose Concentration, Sodium Removal
Hope, Quality of Life, and Psychoscial Distress in PD
Are people on PD hopeful? A study from China surveyed 134 people on PD, assessing their level of hope. Working patients with higher income using APD had higher hope scores, and hope correlated significantly with both age and social support. Higher hope scores were linked with better mental well-being and less severe depression.
Read the abstract » | (added 2023-11-15)
Tags: Hope, Quality Of Life, Psychoscial Distress In PD, Income, APD, Depression
Assisted PD in Europe
Not every PD patient can perform solo treatments—or has a care partner to help. Some European countries are offering assisted PD in the home, often temporarily, using a variety of PD prescriptions and care provided by private care agencies or nursing home staff. Tailoring the prescription to residual kidney function reduces PD burden and aids technique survival.
Read the abstract » | (added 2023-11-15)
Tags: Assisted PD
How to Set Up New Home Dialysis Programs
More than half of U.S. dialysis clinics are either not licensed to train patients in PD or home HD, or are licensed but have no patients in their home programs. A new review article outlines the core domains needed to set up and run a home dialysis program in the U.S.
Read the abstract » | (added 2023-11-15)
Melatonin Shows Promise for Preventing Peritoneal Fibrosis
Glucose in peritoneal dialysate drives inflammation and angiogenesis, which lead to fibrosis that can cause loss of use of the membrane. A new study from China proposes that melatonin may break this cycle.
Read the abstract » | (added 2023-10-13)
Tags: Melatonin, Peritoneal Fibrosis, Glucose, GSDME, Pyroptosis
Longer Survival with Extended Home HD
A study in Turkey compared 348 patients doing extended home HD (418 minutes) matched with 1,047 doing standard in-center HD (242 minutes) and followed both groups for about 55 months. The extended home HD patients had an all-cause mortality rate of 3.76 per 100 patient years—vs. 6.27 for the in-center HD patients; a significant 40% reduction.
Read the abstract » | (added 2023-10-13)
Exercise and Quality of Life on PD
In a cross sectional study of 339 PD patients, 81.7% exercised a median of 5 hours per week, mainly slow walking. Those who exercised had better quality of life. Older age, female sex, higher BMI, and pain were independently associated with lower exercise capacity.
Read the abstract » | (added 2023-10-13)
Tags: PD, Exercise, Quality Of Life
Magnesium Inhibits the Peritoneal Calcification of Late-stage EPS in Mice
Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) is a devastating and potentially lethal complication of PD. The reasons for EPS are not clear, but phosphate loading seems to contribute to the condition. This study successfully induced peritoneal calcification in mice—and found that administering magnesium into the peritoneum suppressed fibrosis and calcification.
Read the abstract » | (added 2023-10-13)
Tags: Encapsulating Peritoneal Sclerosis, Magnesium, Peritoneal Calcification, EPS
PD Patient Training to Enhance Independence and Prevent Complications
The ISPD recommends that PD clinics around the world develop training programs that will improve self-care. A new scoping review included 22 articles that recommend training for 5-8 days in the clinic or at home for a total of 15+ hours, using a 1:1 nurse-to-patient ratio and 1-3 hour sessions. Experienced nurses who use adult learning strategies were found to be effective.
Read the abstract » | (added 2023-10-13)
Tags: Patient Training, Training Programs, Self care, Adult Learning Strategies