Journal watch: PD

NAC protects PD membrane from sugar damage in rats

Over time, caramelized sugars in PD fluid can scar the peritoneal membrane to the point where PD may no longer work. In a rat study, an antioxidant (N-acetylcysteine, or NAC) reduced this damage. NAC may one day prove to be a treatment for humans.

Read more | (added Jun 21, 2011)

Statin use may boost PD survival

A new study from Korea has found that taking a statin drug to lower cholesterol helped people on PD live longer—whether or not they had diabetes. The researchers suggest that larger, randomized studies are now needed.

Read more | (added Jun 21, 2011)

Early PD survival benefit comes from avoiding HD catheters

Studies have found better survival on PD than standard HD in the first 1-2 years of treatment. A new study of 40,526 people found that the main reason for this difference is that those on PD did not use central venous HD catheters.

Read more | (added Jun 21, 2011)

PD with PKD: Yes, it’s possible

A Chinese study matched 42 people with and 84 without PKD as they started PD. After 5 years, survival in both groups was the same. There was no difference in the rate of peritonitis, though the PKD group was more likely to get hernias.

Read more | (added Jun 21, 2011)

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.

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!

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.

Oral adsorbents may help reduce levels of uremic toxins

The colon makes some wastes that are removed by the kidneys. So, drugs that keep these wastes from getting into the bloodstream could help keep them from building up in the body when the kidneys fail.

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.

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.

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