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  • Risks of biocompatible PD solution

    Sugar (dextrose) in PD solution helps remove water from the blood—at a cost. Advanced glycation endpoints (AGEs) formed when the solution is made can harm the peritoneum over time. It would seem to make sense more biocompatible (like the human body) solutions would be better and safer. Some studies have found this, but a new look in the ANZDATA registry of all PD patients from Australia/New Zealand from January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2010 did not. Use of biocompatible PD solution was linked with significantly more (49% more) peritonitis, and far less time to a first bout of the infection.

    Read the abstract » | (added 2013-10-02)

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  • Icodextrin metaanalysis – no impact on patient survival

    Australian researchers analyzed 11 studies of icodextrin vs. glucose PD fluid (1222 patients). Icodextrin did help reduce fluid overload without harming residual kidney function. But, it did not help reduce peritonitis, technique failure, or other adverse events. And, patients who used icodextrin did not live any longer.

    Read the abstract » | (added 2013-04-29)

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  • New from Australia: Outcomes of extended HD (mainly done at home)

    In a series of 286 people doing extended HD, 96% received their treatments at home, and 77% did them at night. Survival was 98% at 1 year, 92% at 3 years, and 83% at 5 years.

    Read the abstract » | (added 2013-02-27)

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  • Mortality patterns in PD & home HD differ from standard in-center HD

    In the Australian dialysis database (ANZDATA), 4,298 deaths on PD and 10,338 on HD were analyzed for patterns. Patients who did PD, home HD, or in-center HD more than 3 days per week were equally likely to die on any day of the week. Not so for standard in-center HD patients: they were significantly more likely to die from heart-related reasons on Monday, after the 2-day no-treatment weekend.

    Read the abstract » | (added 2013-02-27)

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  • Community house home hemodialysis in Australia and New Zealand

    Not everyone who wants to dialyze at home is able to. In Australia and New Zealand unstaffed, non-medical community homes fill a gap to make "home" treatments possible. This observational study compared mortality among 113 community home dialyzers to 5,591 people on PD, 1,532 on home HD, and 5,647 on in-center HD. Community house HD was safe and effective.

    Read the abstract » | (added 2012-12-19)

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  • Home HD for obese patients

    In Australia, a 215 Kg man has successfully dialyzed at home for 8 years, after training by a program that has trained 23 obese (BMI >30) people to date. Home HD is a cost effective option with good outcomes in this group.

    Read the abstract » | (added 2012-11-27)

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  • Home HD may be a good fit for obese patients

    An Australian clinic has successfully trained 23 obese people (BMI >30) to do home HD between 2001 and 2009. Patients stayed on the treatment for an average of 43.7 months.

    Read the abstract » | (added 2012-10-25)

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  • Outcomes of extended-hours HD (mainly at home)

    Among 286 people in Australia who did 24 hours or more of HD per week (96% at home), survival was 98% for 1 year, 92% for 3 years, and 83% for 5 years. Technique survival was 90% for 1 year, 77% for 3 years, and 68% for 5 years. This study did find higher rates of access problems with more frequent HD, but there was no control group.

    Read the abstract » | (added 2012-10-25)

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  • Longer or more-frequent HD normalizes mortality patterns

    It has long been known that those on PD have an equal chance of dying on any day of the week—while standard in-center HD are much more likely to die on a Monday (or Tuesday with Tue-Thu-Sat treatments). A new study looking at 14,636 Australian registry deaths found that those who got more than 3 standard in-center treatments per week or did home HD were no more likely to die on a Monday (or Tuesday) than any other day.

    Read the abstract » | (added 2012-09-25)

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  • Green dialysis: using solar power for HD

    Our own Dr. John Agar and other researchers from Australia report on their experience using the sun to power a dialysis clinic and reduce electricity costs by 76.5% In the second and third decades, the new system will pay for itself and contribute power to the grid.

    Read the abstract » | (added 2012-01-26)

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