Encapsulating Peritoneal Sclerosis Increases with Time on PD

EPS is a devastating PD complication that can be lethal. An Italian clinic looked back at 30 years worth of data and found EPS prevalence rates of 2.8% overall among 920 patients: 0.4% for <2 years of PD, 3% at 2-4 years, 4% at 4-6 years, 6% at 6-8 years, 8% at 8-10 years, 75% by 12-14 years, and 67% for those with 14+ years of PD. Steroid treatment helped reduce mortality.

Read the abstract » | (added 2015-11-11)

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Hydrogen Sulfide Reduces Peritoneal Fibrosis in Rats

Hydrogen sulfide has helped fibrosis of the lungs, liver, kidneys, and heart. In this study, peritoneal fibrosis was induced in rats. Using hydrogen sulfide decreased inflammation and fibrosis, and improved peritoneal function, and may become a future treatment to help people.

Read the abstract » | (added 2015-11-11)

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What Predicts Transfer to Home HD After PD Failure?

In Australia and New Zealand, an analysis of all 10,710 patients treated with PD between 2000 and 2012 found that 2,915 transferred to HD—but just 156 started home HD. Among those who switched to home HD, more were male, obese, and had done PD longer. Older patients, those who stopped PD due to infection, who were underweight, whose ESRD was due to hypertension or diabetes, and those who were Aboriginal were less likely to go home.

Read the abstract » | (added 2015-11-11)

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Decision Support Helps Match Treatments with Preferred Lifestyles

In Spain, 569 of 1,044 patients in 26 hospitals who had to choose a renal replacement therapy (RRT) option between September 2010 and May 2012 used a decision aid to help them decide, and 399 started treatment. Those who did use a decision aid changed their minds significantly less often and were more likely to begin the treatment they chose. There was about a 50/50 distribution of PD and standard HD, and an increase in transplant interest as well—even among those with unplanned dialysis starts. See MEI’s U.S. decision aid, My Life, My Dialysis Choice.

Read the abstract » | (added 2015-11-11)

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Vascular Access Technique Audits Can Reduce Home HD Access Infections

Self-cannulation errors can lead to infections. A retrospective study of all prevalent home HD patients at the University Health Network in Canada looked at access infections between 2006 and 2013. Among the 92 patients who completed at least one vascular access audit, those with five or more errors had significantly higher infection rates. Longer duration on home HD was associated with higher error rates. Audits give nurses a chance to retrain patients and reduce future errors and infections.

Read the abstract » | (added 2015-11-11)

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UK Identifies Ways to Boost Use of Home HD

Commissioners in the West Midlands, where home dialysis rates had been falling for 10 years, set a target for home dialysis uptake. Comparing this area’s seven hospitals with the rest of England for 3 years before and after the target found significant increases at the study hospitals. Use of financial penalities, adding funding for specialist staff and equipment, having visible champions, good systems for patient training, and ongoing healthcare support at home all helped. Lack of training for non-specialists, poorly developed patient education, and patients’ unmet emotional needs are ongoing challenges.

Read the abstract » | (added 2015-11-11)

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Case Report: Thrombocytopenia with NxStage

Two patients have developed thrombocytopenia while using NxStage dialysis machines, perhaps due to electron-beam sterilization of the dialyzers. Switching to another machine resolved the problem; but it recurred in the patient who retried NxStage.

Read the abstract » | (added 2015-11-11)

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Trial of a Virtual Home HD Ward

Transitions from hospital stays back to home can lead to gaps in care. In Toronto, a virtual ward (VW) has been tested to see if care can be made more seamless. Following hospital discharge, a procedure, an antibiotic prescription, and/or completion of home dialysis training, patients were followed in the VW for 14 days. A nurse looked for the need for an HD prescription change, coordination of follow-up care, and medication changes. Care gaps were found in 67% of the 52 VW admissions for a total of 85 gaps. The researchers concluded that using a VW is practical, feasible, and identifies gaps that can be addressed.

Read the abstract » | (added 2015-11-11)

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HD Membranes and Bisphenol A (BPA) Blood Levels

BPA, an ingredient in many plastics and resins, can build up in the bodies of people with kidney failure. Studies suggest that BPA may be linked with kidney and heart damage. Compared to BPA-free polynephron dialyzers, patients dialyzed using conventional polysulfone dialyzers had higher blood levels of BPA, and higher markers of oxidative stress and inflammation.

Read the abstract » | (added 2015-10-15)

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Urgent Start PD: Safe and Effective

The first Canadian group to try urgent start PD followed 30 patients for a total of 3 years. They found no peritonitis or exit site infections in the first 4 weeks after catheter placements, three minor leaks that were managed conservatively, and four catheter migrations that were relocated without the need for surgery. The researchers concluded that urgent start PD is safe and effective for people who need to start dialysis and do not have an access.

Read the abstract » | (added 2015-10-15)

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