Journal Watch
Surprise Supplement Reduced Risk of Peritonitis on PD
Does correction of hypokalemia with potassium supplementation impact peritonitis rates? Yes, finds a new randomized controlled trial of 167 PD patients with hypokalemia from six clinics. Compared to conventional potassium management, use of a protocol aimed at maintaining potassium levels at 4-5mEq/L significantly extended time to first peritonitis.
Read the abstract » | (added 2022-06-10)
The Impact of Vitamin D Levels on Quality of Life in PD
Fifty people on PD were divided into a normal vitamin D (>20 ng/mL) and a deficient vitamin D group (<20 ng/mL), and both groups took the KDQOL-36 quality of life questionnaire. All subscales of the KDQOL-36 were significantly lower in the vitamin D deficient group.
Read the abstract » | (added 2022-04-18)
COVID Anxiety Less of a Problem for Home Dialyzors
A single center survey of 98 home HD and 43 PD patients in Toronto found high rates of satisfaction with dialysis, little depression or anxiety or fears of caregiver burden, and few signs of burden. There was “no indication of a negative psychosocial impact from the pandemic, despite the increased social isolation,” reported the authors.
Read the abstract » | (added 2022-02-14)
Tags: Covid 19, Depression, Anxiety, Caregiver Burden
New Clinical Practice Guidelines for Exercise on PD
The International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis and the Global Renal Exercise Network have teamed up to grade and review the literature and clinical experience to help people on PD stay physically active safely. With sparse quality evidence available, the new guidelines are largely opinion based, and cover timing of exercise relative to PD (i.e., empty or full); impact of exercise on mental health, weight, frailty, etc.; exercise nutrition, and potential adverse PD outcomes.
Read the abstract » | (added 2021-11-12)
Tags: Peritoneal Dialysis, Exercise, Physical Activity, PD Outcomes
PD and home HD patients less stressed by COVID-19
Does the social isolation of PD or home HD contribute to a negative psychosical impact from COVID? Apparently not. Forty patients (85% on home HD) responded to a COVID impact survey sent to 98 home HD and 43 PD patients in Toronto. About 80% rated their dialysis satisfaction at 8/10 or higher, had infrequent anxiety or depression, felt dialysis had minimal impact on their lives, and were almost always happy with their family interactions. Just 9% were often worried about caregiver burden. The authors suggest that home is “the optimal form of dialysis.”
Read the abstract » | (added 2021-10-13)
Tags: Home HD, COVID 19, Coronavirus
The impact of low magnesium levels on heart disease deaths on PD
Hypomagnesemia is linked with all-cause mortality in HD—but, what about PD? A study classed 1,004 blood tests from PD patients measuring magnesium into one of three groups: <0.7 mmol/L, 0.7-1.2 mmol/L, and >1.2 mmol/L. Those in the lowest magnesium group did have a higher risk of death from both heart and non-heart causes.
Read the abstract » | (added 2021-05-14)
Impact of Exercise on Bone Mineral Density in PD
Does exercise improve bone density in PD patients as it does in those who use HD? No, finds a small new pilot study of 53 people on PD who were randomly assigned to home exercise (n = 26) or usual care (n = 27). While home exercise significantly improved results on the 30 second sit-to-stand test, 6-minute walk test, and physical activity level, it did not change lumbar spine or hip DEXA results.
Read the abstract » | (added 2021-04-16)
PD vs. HD for Quality of Life
Eleven studies from 2000 to 2019 (N=3,711) comparing PD with in-center HD (ICHD), PD vs. home HD, ICHD vs. self-care ICHD, ICHD vs. home HD, and various home HD modalities with each other were analyzed to determine the impact of modality on quality of life. PD was favored in some domains, while ICHD was favored in others. Home HD was rated significantly higher than ICHD for some domains.
Read the abstract » | (added 2020-11-12)
Tags: Dialysis, Dialysis Choice, PD, HD
Impact of Depression on PD Patient and Technique Survival
Among 275 patients who had done CAPD for at least 3 months, 31.3% tested as having depressive symptoms. Long-term patient and technique survival were significantly poorer in this group, even adjusting for cofounders.
Read the abstract » | (added 2020-09-11)
Impact of Assisted PD
A retrospective look at 1,576 incident patients at one clinic between 2002 and 2017 examined the effects of offering assisted PD on the rates and cumulative incidence of PD starts. Those who used assisted PD tended to be older. Use of the program significantly increased the rate of PD initiation, but there was a fall in usage over time.
Read the abstract » | (added 2020-04-13)
Tags: Renal Replacement Therapy, Assisted Peritoneal Dialysis