Journal Watch

  • Qualitative Research Review: Barriers, Facilitators of Home HD

    In an analysis of 13 studies, lack of knowledge of home HD led a pack of patient and healthcare professional-identified barriers—along with lack of confidence and concerns about partner burden. Healthcare system and home suitability barriers were barriers—while a supportive, community atmosphere and quality of life benefits were motivators.

    Read the abstract » | (added 2025-06-11)

    Tags: Patient Education, Modality, Home HD, Barriers, Care Partner Burden, Quality Of Life

  • Mechanism of AGE Damage to Peritoneal Membranes

    Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) are a well-known reason for peritoneal inflammation, though we didn’t know why. Researchers developed a way to study the Maillard reaction in collagen at near-physiological temperatures and found markedly increased permeability to small and medium-sized molecules as well as reduced proliferation of adherent mesothelial cells.

    Read the abstract » | (added 2025-05-20)

    Tags: Advanced Glycation End products, AGEs, Peritoneal Inflammation, Maillard Reaction

  • Expanded HD (HDx) vs. Online Hemodiafiltration (HDF)

    A systematic review and meta-analysis of eight studies (n=614) compared HDx and HDF. While there was no statistical difference in all-cause mortality, creatinine, phosphate, or urea clearance, HDF did significantly reduce β2-microglobulin.

    Read the abstract » | (added 2025-05-20)

    Tags: HDx, HDF, Middle molecule Clearance

  • A Nomogram to Predict Low PD Adequacy

    Retrospective analysis of data from 141 incident PD patients compared between patients with and without adequate PD function, algorithms identified potential biomarkers, and significant predictors were integrated into a model to build a strongly predictive nomogram.

    Read the abstract » | (added 2025-05-20)

    Tags: Incident PD, PD Function, Biomarkers, Predictors, Nomogram

  • Glucose Exposure: Incremental vs. Full-dose PD

    A 2-year retrospective study of 117 patients (46 incremental; 71 full-dose) with a 12 or more months of PD and 24-hour urine volume > 500 mL analyzed Q6-month cardiometabolic parameter trends: dry weight, BMI, HbA1c, cholesterol, serum glucose. HbA1c—lower in incremental PD users—was the only significant baseline difference between groups. The incremental group had significantly less estimated cumulative glucose exposure.

    Read the abstract » | (added 2025-05-20)

    Tags: Glucose Exposure, Incremental, Full dose PD, Cardiometabolic Parameter Trends

  • Peritonitis with Manual vs. Device-connected PD

    Japan, which uses device-connected PD, has one of the lowest PD peritonitis rates in the world. A retrospective review of 180 Japanese PD patients did not find significant differences between PD rates among those who made manual connections and those who used devices.

    Read the abstract » | (added 2025-05-20)

    Tags: Peritonitis, Device connected PD

  • Can a PD Phone App Reduce Hospitalization?

    Yes, finds a new prospective observational cohort study with structured nurse interviews. Among the 50% (n=72) of participants who chose to use the offered app, there were 62% fewer hospital admissions and 90% fewer hospitalization days. Patients were very satisfied with the app and most felt safer, while nurses appreciated the time efficiency.

    Read the abstract » | (added 2025-05-20)

    Tags: PD Phone App, Hospital Admissions, Patient Outcomes, Remote Care, EHealth

  • Cost of Home HD vs. Standard In-center HD in Dollars and Lives in France

    Among 42,605 patients on HD in France (28,317 prevalent and 14,288 incident), 265 incident (53 at home) and 765 prevalent (153 at home) patients were propensity score matched to examine costs of care. For both incident and prevalent patients, the global costs of daily home HD were lower than for in-center—and in-center was associated with a 7-fold higher risk of death than daily home HD.

    Read the abstract » | (added 2025-05-20)

    Tags: Propensity Score, Costs Of Care, Mortality

  • Promising Ways to Increase Use of Home Dialysis

    A scoping review of 43 studies categorized interventions to increase home dialysis uptake into three categories: education, service provision, and payment modifications. What worked best? Education aimed to enhance dialysis options knowledge and promote shared decision-making among patients, families, and clinicians and providing services like assisted PD. Payment intervention effectiveness depended on context.

    Read the abstract » | (added 2025-04-23)

    Tags: Home Dialysis, Home Modality, Patient Education, Provision, Home Dialysis Uptake, Shared Decision making

  • Seniors, PD, and Inappropriate Prescriptions

    No study has previously assessed what percent of people over age 65 on PD are receiving the correct doses of prescribed drugs. Unfortunately, this study finds that a large minority may not be.

    Read the abstract » | (added 2025-04-23)

    Tags: Seniors, PD, Inappropriate Prescriptions, Correct Dose