Journal Watch - PD
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Factors Driving Thirst in PD Patients
A cross-sectional study of 387 adult PD patients explored reasons for thirst and assessed thirst intensity, identifying a low-thirst group (n=121), a moderate thirst group (n=136), and a high thirst group (n=130), based on a visual analogue scale. Women tended to be more thirsty than men (p=0.03). Lower total weekly urea clearance and higher daily net sodium removal were also factors.
Read the abstract » | (added 2026-05-15)
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Assessing Self-care Ability Prior to Dialysis Start Increases PD Use
A total of 263 patients with non-dialysis CKD and no contraindications to PD were randomized to an intervention group that received self-care competency assessment by a team of nephrologists, PD nurses, and a close family member, and a control group. The intervention group had a significantly higher rate of PD selection (54.6% vs. 38.3%).
Read the abstract » | (added 2026-05-15)
Tags: Self care Ability, CKD, PD
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PD Comparable to HD for Patients with AKI
The choice of kidney replacement therapy (KRT) for AKI requiring dialysis is a modifiable factor that can impact outcomes. The comparative effectiveness of PD vs. HD in AKI is controversial. A systematic review and meta-analysis of seven studies compared mortality outcomes, recovery of kidney function, and infectious complications between PD and HD in patients with AKI. No significant mortality differences were found and kidney function recovery was similar between groups, though PD led to a significantly shorter time to kidney function recovery. Infection rates were also similar.
Read the abstract » | (added 2026-05-15)
Tags: Kidney Replacement Therapy, KRT, PD, AKI
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Integrated Home Dialysis Programs and Hospitalization Risk
A Canadian Organ Replacement Register study compared hospitalization risk before, during, and after a PD to HHD transition (n=301) matched with HHD-first patients (n=711). The PD to HHD group had hospitalization rates up to 2.17 per patient year, mainly infectious, and predominantly in the year before the switch. Once on HHD, hospitalization risk tended to stabilize.
Read the abstract » | (added 2026-05-15)
Tags: Integrated Home Dialysis Programs, Hospitalization Risk, Organ Replacement, PD, HHD
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Alternative Quality Metrics for Kt/V-free PD
This article explores the historic origins of Kt/V and its adaptation to PD and the limitations of using urea removal as a surrogate for other uremic toxins. Are residual kidney and dialytic urea clearances equivalent? Is urea distribution volume accurate? The authors don’t think so! They propose a shift away from Kt/V and “adequacy” to person-centered care.
Read the abstract » | (added 2026-04-14)
Tags: Kt/V, PD, Urea Removal, Person centered Care
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PD for Frail Seniors
For the frail elderly in the UK, PD offers quality of life, cognitive, and treatment satisfaction benefits over HD. Assisted PD can support those with physical or cognitive impairments and alleviate some caregiver burden. Improved funding and access to assisted PD programs are needed going forward to ensure PD is a viable treatment option.
Read the abstract » | (added 2026-04-14)
Tags: Quality Of Life, PD, Impairments, Burden
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Zinc Deficiency and Anemia in PD
Analysis of data from 164 adults on PD set a target hemoglobin level of 11-13g/dL and ESA dosage as low- (<120 µg/month) or high-dose (>120 µg/month). Zinc deficiency was defined as a serum zinc level <60 µg/dL. In the low-dose ESA, non-zinc deficient group, 48.2% of patients achieved the target hemoglobin level, while in in the high-dose ESA, zinc-deficient group, just 12.2% did. These results were not changed with the addition of serum albumin C-reactive protein, or TSAT. The authors conclude that “serum zinc levels should be routinely monitored in patients with ESA-hyporesponsive anemia.”
Read the abstract » | (added 2026-02-17)
Tags: Zinc Deficiency, Anemia, PD
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Prevalence of Anxiety in PD
Anxiety is less often measured than depression, but can be even more difficult for patients. A small study (n=85 PD patients), suggests that some degree of anxiety may be more prevalent than is currently realized. While about half (50.6%) reported minimal anxiety on the Beck Anxiety Inventory, the remaining half were split between mild (25.9%), moderate (14.1%) and severe (9.4%) anxiety. The authors suggest early diagnosis and management of mood disorders in ESRD patients.
Read the abstract » | (added 2026-01-16)
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Body Mass Index and PD: A Meta-analysis
Analysis of adjusted data from 18 studies found that underweight PD patients had a significantly higher risk of mortality than those with normal BMI, though obesity did not. However, obese PD patients had a significant increase in the risk of peritonitis. Neither underweight nor obesity increased the risk of technique failure or transfer to HD.
Read the abstract » | (added 2025-11-11)
Tags: Body Mass Index, PD, Meta analysis
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Diabetes + PD + Self-management: Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB)
Semi-structured interviews formulated with TPB were conducted with 16 diabetic kidney disease (DKD) PD patients. Analysis identified 3 themes and 7 sub-themes related to physical and mental perception, emotions, subjective norm, continuity of care, social feedback, perceived behavioral control, and limitations on external resources. Strengthening positive feedback and social support can improve active patient participation in decision-making.
Read the abstract » | (added 2025-08-21)
Tags: Diabetic Kidney Disease, Diabetes, PD, Self management, Theory Of Planned Behavior