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

Bone loss in women on dialysis—the role of estrogen

A study of 112 postmenopausal women on HD in Japan found that estrogen was closely linked to bone density. The authors conclude that taking estrogen may help prevent bone loss throughout life in women on HD.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-05-23)

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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)

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A prospective study of 4 vs. 8 hours of HD in-center 3 times a week

Which is better, standard HD or more HD? A new study matched 247 people who agreed to try nocturnal in-center HD with people on standard HD. A year later, survival rates were 3.5 times higher (and hospital stays were lower) with more HD. Heart health and cognitive function were far better with more HD, too, while quality of life dropped in the standard HD group. (Now, why are we NOT surprised?)

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-05-23)

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Cycler PD has better outcomes than manual PD for those under age 65

Among 282 people on PD, younger people were much more likely to keep doing PD—and much more likely to survive—if they used a cycler.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-05-23)

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Chemical ablation to correct recurrent secondary hyperparathyroidism post parathyroidectomy

Reoperation after a parathyroidectmy can be risky. In a study of 49 people, injecting ethanol (alcohol) into the gland, guided by ultrasound, helped to lower PTH levels without more surgery.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-04-25)

Tags: Chronic kidney disease

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)

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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)

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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)

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Long, slow HD removes more small & middle molecules than standard HD

A study that processed the same total blood and dialysate volume on two different time schedules looked at the importance of treatment time. Eleven people had a 4-hour and an 8-hour HD session, at least one week apart. Significantly more small and middle molecules were removed in the 8-hour treatments, though protein-bound solutes were not affected.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-04-25)

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