Journal Watch
-
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
-
Eating more protein improves survival on PD
How much protein is enough on PD? In a study of 305 people on PD, getting 0.94 grams of protein per kilo of body weight per day was linked to much better survival. So if you weigh 68 kilos (150 lbs.'), you'd need at least 64 grams of protein a day—about 2 and a quarter ounces. You can do that!
Read the abstract » | (added 2011-05-23)
Tags:
-
Australian nephrologists say PD first, then nocturnal HD
A lengthy survey of Australian nephrologists found strong agreement that long HD is a good option—most easily done at home, and that PD is a great first choice for dialysis. In fact, 34% of respondents said their clinic had a "PD First" policy.
Read the abstract » | (added 2011-05-23)
Tags:
-
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)
Tags:
-
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)
Tags:
-
CAPD maintains residual kidney function better than APD
A new study followed 505 people on CAPD and 78 on APD for 3 years. The two groups had no major differences in residual kidney function (RKF) at baseline, but those on APD had a much higher risk of RKF loss in the first year. The highest risk of losing all RKF was found in those who had the highest GFRs at the study start.
Read the abstract » | (added 2011-04-25)
Tags:
-
Switching from 3x4 hours HD to 6x3 hours reduced blood pressure, and improved hgb, albumin, & BMI
Healthy kidneys work 168 hours a week, but most people only get about 12 hours of dialysis. In this study, 11 people were switched to more frequent HD. After 12 months, they had significantly better blood pressure with fewer meds, higher hgb levels with lower ESA doses, higher albumin levels, lower dry weight, and better BMIs. Calcium-phosphorus products dropped significantly with no changes in binder doses.
Read the abstract » | (added 2011-04-25)
Tags:
-
More working-age dialyzors who chose PD kept their jobs, found a study of 102,104 people
Each year, half of all new dialyzors are working-age (<65), but most stop work after starting treatment. An analysis of USRDS data from 1992–2003 of people who were working 6 months before dialysis found that those most likely to work were: 1) white men ages 30–49; 2) those with glomerular, cystic, or urologic causes of ESRD; 3) those who chose PD first; 4) those with employer group health plans; 5) those who received ESAs.
Read the abstract » | (added 2011-04-25)
Tags:
-
Fleet enemas can safely be added to nocturnal HD dialysate to boost phosporus levels
Nocturnal HD removes so much phosphorus that dialyzers may need supplements. Fleet® enemas are a low-cost, easy-to-obtain source of phosphorus. The amount of added phosphorus was predictable, and the product did not add bacteria or endotoxin to the dialysate.
Read the abstract » | (added 2011-04-25)
Tags:
-
Nocturnal HD makes pill regimens simpler but doesn't require less pill use
A study of 35 people on nocturnal home HD looked at how complex their pill regimens were, and how many pills they needed each day. After 2 years, they still needed just as many pills—but the regimen was much simpler. Dialyzors needed fewer BP pills and binders, but more vitamins and antibiotics.
Read the abstract » | (added 2011-04-25)
Tags: