Journal Watch
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Integrated Home Dialysis Programs and Hospitalization Risk
A Canadian Organ Replacement Register study compared hospitalization risk before, during, and after a PD to HHD transition (n=301) matched with HHD-first patients (n=711). The PD to HHD group had hospitalization rates up to 2.17 per patient year, mainly infectious, and predominantly in the year before the switch. Once on HHD, hospitalization risk tended to stabilize.
Read the abstract » | (added 2026-05-15)
Tags: Integrated Home Dialysis Programs, Hospitalization Risk, Organ Replacement, PD, HHD
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Assessing Self-care Ability Prior to Dialysis Start Increases PD Use
A total of 263 patients with non-dialysis CKD and no contraindications to PD were randomized to an intervention group that received self-care competency assessment by a team of nephrologists, PD nurses, and a close family member, and a control group. The intervention group had a significantly higher rate of PD selection (54.6% vs. 38.3%).
Read the abstract » | (added 2026-05-15)
Tags: Self care Ability, CKD, PD
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Patient Employment Rates in PD vs. In-center HD (IHD)
A study followed 18,408 PD and IHD patients who were employed full-time at dialysis start and had employer health insurance for 3 to 30 months, while 104,952 PD and IHD patients who were unemployed and did not have employer insurance were followed as well. Patients receiving IHD were more likely than PD patients to lose their employer health plans.
Read the abstract » | (added 2026-05-15)
Tags: PD, IHD, Employment, Insurance, Health Plan
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Bacterial Biofilm on PD Catheters
A retrospective study on PD patients from January 2007 to January 2024 looked at reasons for PD catheter removal, scanning electron microscopy results from removed catheters, and bacterial cultures from PD effluent. Patients either had catheter removal due to peritonitis or for other reasons. Peritonitis-caused catheter removal occurred after a significantly longer duration than the non-peritonitis group. Bacterial biofilm (cocci) was found in 71.4% of 28 patients; 90% of those who had peritonitis vs. 25% in the non-peritonitis group.
Read the abstract » | (added 2026-05-15)
Tags: Bacterial Biofilm, PD Catheters, Peritonitis
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Factors Driving Thirst in PD Patients
A cross-sectional study of 387 adult PD patients explored reasons for thirst and assessed thirst intensity, identifying a low-thirst group (n=121), a moderate thirst group (n=136), and a high thirst group (n=130), based on a visual analogue scale. Women tended to be more thirsty than men (p=0.03). Lower total weekly urea clearance and higher daily net sodium removal were also factors.
Read the abstract » | (added 2026-05-15)
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Diabetes, Incremental PD, and Residual Kidney Function
A retrospective study analyzed 76 patients with diabetes, of whom 57.9% (44) started PD incrementally. Incremental PD significantly slowed the loss of residual kidney function (~60%) vs. full-dose PD and did not increase risk of transfer to hemodialysis or death. Overall, iPD appears safe and RRF-preserving, with glycemic control critical for outcomes.
Read the abstract » | (added 2026-04-14)
Tags: Diabetes, Incremental PD, Residual Kidney Function, Mortality
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Alternative Quality Metrics for Kt/V-free PD
This article explores the historic origins of Kt/V and its adaptation to PD and the limitations of using urea removal as a surrogate for other uremic toxins. Are residual kidney and dialytic urea clearances equivalent? Is urea distribution volume accurate? The authors don’t think so! They propose a shift away from Kt/V and “adequacy” to person-centered care.
Read the abstract » | (added 2026-04-14)
Tags: Kt/V, PD, Urea Removal, Person centered Care
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PD for Frail Seniors
For the frail elderly in the UK, PD offers quality of life, cognitive, and treatment satisfaction benefits over HD. Assisted PD can support those with physical or cognitive impairments and alleviate some caregiver burden. Improved funding and access to assisted PD programs are needed going forward to ensure PD is a viable treatment option.
Read the abstract » | (added 2026-04-14)
Tags: Quality Of Life, PD, Impairments, Burden
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Chronic Inflammation and PD Outcomes
Among 111 PD patients stratified by C-reactive protein (CRP) into “normal” (<3mg/L) and “inflammation” (>3mg/dL) groups, the inflammation group had significant differences, including lower urine volume, hemoglobin, prealbumin, potassium, magnesium, and TSAT—but higher serum ferritin and WBC counts (p < 0.05). Systemic inflammation can interfere with nutrition, anemia treatment, and is linked with reduced residual kidney function.
Read the abstract » | (added 2026-04-14)
Tags: PD, C reactive Protein
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Dry, Itchy Skin and Peritonitis on PD
Among 702 PD patients from two data sources, the risk of PD catheter-related infections rose among those with xerosis (hazard ratio 2.71; 95% confidence interval)—particularly S. aureus infections, which were higher in patients who had severe pruritus. Pet owners were also at risk for severe xerosis, as were those with higher serum creatinine levels and calcium-phosphorus products.
Read the abstract » | (added 2026-04-14)