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)

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Better fluid removal with icodextrin PD fluid - Meta-analysis

A new study of 9 randomized controlled trials has found that people using icodextrin removed much more water than those using glucose based fluid—with no change in residual kidney function or increase in peritonitis or death. Rash was more common in those using icodextrin.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-03-30)

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PD (vs. in-center HD) and less bad breath

After 3 months on PD, 42 people in a new study had more saliva—and less bad breath.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-03-30)

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AAKP's study of patient satisfaction with kidney education and dialysis (hint: not so good)

977 patients completed a 46-item survey asking about satisfaction with current treatment for kidney failure and education on a scale of 1–10 (with 1 low). Standard in-center HD rated 4.5. PD rated 5.2, home HD was 5.5, and transplant was 6.1. About 31% of participants felt the treatment options were not equally and fairly presented, and 32% had not been educated about home HD.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-03-30)

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Benefits of switching from 3x/week in-center HD to 6x/week home HD

Among 11 people who switched treatments, blood pressure dropped, hemoglobin levels rose (with lower ESA doses), the calcium-phosphorus product dropped (with no change in binder doses), and BMI and serum albumin levels went up. We are so not surprised!

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-03-30)

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Simpler pill regimen needed by those using nocturnal home HD

Among 35 people who switched from standard in-center HD to nocturnal home HD, the number of pills per day did not drop—but the regimen was much simplified—and health-related quality of life was significantly improved.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-03-30)

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On PD and need a colonoscopy? Ask for antibiotics first

A new study of 77 people on PD who had 97 colonoscopies found that peritonitis is much less likely when antibiotics are taken before it was done. Even in those who did get peritonitis, antibiotic treatment worked.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-02-24)

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Pipeline PD technology: Vincenza wearable artificial kidney minicycler

What if instead of exchanging bags of fluid for CAPD, you put in one fresh bag each morning, then wore a small pump to filter and regenerate it over and over? You'd save time—and use a lot less fluid. This system, invented by Dr. Claudio Ronco and associates in Italy, is being tested right now.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-02-24)

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Access-challenged people on HD have a new HeRO

Running out of vascular access sites is no laughing matter. A new fully-implantable dialysis catheter helps solve the infection risk that occurs when a catheter goes through the skin and into a central vein. In a new study of 36 people, the Hemodialysis Reliable Outflow (HeRO) had infection rates similar to grafts.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-02-24)

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Surgical adhesions? PD may still be possible

Conventional wisdom says that PD is not a good choice for people who've had complex abdominal surgery or have adhesions. But a study of two groups of people—with and one without adhesions—found no significant differences in catheter success, infections, or the need for more surgery.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-02-24)

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