Home Dialysis Central
...everything you need to know about doing dialysis at home.
Journal watch: PD
PKD is not a barrier to successful PD
In a study that compared 56 people with polycystic kidney disease on PD to 56 non-diabetic people with small kidneys on PD, there were no differences between the two groups after 37 months.
Read more | (added Feb 24, 2011)
Need a bone density test on PD? Be sure you’re empty
A new study has found that having fluid in your belly when you have a bone density test (called DXA) can change the results.
Read more | (added Feb 24, 2011)
Matching home dialysis to lifestyle
A "continuum home program concept" described in a new article would help people with kidney failure continue their lifestyles with dialysis—rather than disrupt them with treatment. The aim is for a continuous flow of services from education to treatment choice, dialysis access, and option changes when needed.
Read more | (added Feb 24, 2011)
PD: Less cancer risk than standard HD
DNA damage that can lead to cancer can occur in kidney failure, as the buildup of toxins stresses the body. A new study looked at genetic damage in 20 people on standard in-center HD, 20 on PD matched for gender and age, and 40 controls. Cheek swabs were used to look for DNA damage. Creatinine levels, smoking, alcohol use, age, income, and length of time on dialysis were also examined. The only factor that mattered was length of time on standard HD.
Read more | (added Feb 24, 2011)
Longer survival on PD with ACE-inhibitors or ARBs
Even if blood pressure is normal, taking blood pressure pills in the ACE-inhibitor or ARB class was linked with much better survival in a new study. Researchers studied 306 new PD users from 2001 to 2005. Even adjusting for age, blood pressure, and other illnesses, those who took the BP pills had a 62% lower risk of death.
Read more | (added Feb 24, 2011)
Does icodextrin (extraneal) cause more peritonitis?
Doesn't look like it. A study observed icodextrin and regular, sugar-based PD fluid use in 722 people. No differences were found in the rate of peritonitis infection or so-called "sterile peritonitis" where no bacteria are found.
Read more | (added Feb 24, 2011)
PD fluid with amino acids may help prevent malnutrition—and improve heart health
Basing PD fluid on amino acids (AA) instead of glucose may improve nutrition on PD in the future. A new study switched 13 non-diabetic PD patients from glucose to AA-based fluid. Uptake of amino acids by the skeletal muscles was significantly better with the AA fluid (read more here). Another study of AA-based PD fluid found it less likely than glucose-based fluid to cause release of hormones (leptin and adipnectin) linked with heart problems.
Read more | (added Feb 24, 2011)
MYTHBUSTERS: microwaving PD fluid does NOT create glucose degradation products (GDPs)
While the belief persists that microwaving PD bags creates harmful GDPs when sugars are caramelized, the literature does not bear this out:
- A study in the ANNA Journal analyzed PD solution and found no changes, even when the fluid was superheated. The authors concluded that microwaving could be done safely.
- Very similar results were found in a study from PD International.
GDPs are a concern with PD fluid, but these are created when the fluid is manufactured, not when it is heated by the user. Of course, "hot spots" are still a concern. Anyone using a microwave to heat PD fluid should flip the bag from side to side to mix the contents well and use a thermometer strip to reduce the risk of burns.
Read more | (added Aug 22, 2011)
Once-a-month IV Aranesp keeps up Hgb levels on PD
It would sure be convenient to only need anemia drugs once a month—and a new study suggests that this can work for people using PD. In a study of 72 folks on PD, hemoglobins were kept in the target range with once-monthly dosing.
Read more | (added Feb 24, 2011)
Predicting blood vessel calcification in PD
In a study of 231 PD patients, those whose C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 levels were higher had a higher risk of blood vessel calcification and heart problems than those with lower levels.
Read more | (added Feb 24, 2011)
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