Journal Watch
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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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More home HD in Australia and New Zealand—because doctors believe in it
In contrast to the rest of the world, Australia and New Zealand have an average of 12.9% of patients using home HD. Why? Because nephrologists, nurses, and funding agencies hold strong beliefs in the clinical and economic benefits of this option.
Read the abstract » | (added 2011-12-22)
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Alternate night nocturnal HD in Australia
Every other night nocturnal HD is a popular option in Australia. Patients who use this option have lower phosphorus levels and better volume control and well-being—at about the same cost as standard in-center HD.
Read the abstract » | (added 2011-12-22)
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Alternate-night HD improves bone minerals & blood pressure
Among 63 people in Australia who switched from standard HD to alternate-night HD, bone mineral balance and blood pressure improved after 18–24 months. Left ventricular mass did not improve, but remained stable.
Read the abstract » | (added 2011-11-28)
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Home HD and mortality risk in Australia and New Zealand
Researchers analyzed data from 26,016 patients in the ANZDATA registry (856,007 patient-months) to see if home HD helped people live longer. Compared to standard in-center HD, those on standard (3x/week), more-frequent, or nocturnal home HD were about twice as likely to survive.
Read the abstract » | (added 2011-08-25)
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CKD education rates in Australia (they're FAR better than in the US!)
It's hard to choose a treatment option for kidney failure that fits your life when you don't know what the options are, or how they might affect you. A study of 721 people new to dialysis in Australia found that 603 (84%) had options education before they started treatment.
Read the abstract » | (added 2011-05-23)
Tags: Chronic kidney disease
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Australian nephrologists say PD first, then nocturnal HD
A lengthy survey of Australian nephrologists found strong agreement that long HD is a good option—most easily done at home, and that PD is a great first choice for dialysis. In fact, 34% of respondents said their clinic had a "PD First" policy.
Read the abstract » | (added 2011-05-23)
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Somebody does it better
Like the U.S., Australia now requires folks with CKD to be educated about all treatment options. Unlike the U.S., they are following up to see if this is happening. A new study of 721 people with CKD found that 84% had options education before starting treatment. (We'd bet that the rates here are still far, far lower!)
Read the abstract » | (added 2011-02-24)
Tags: Chronic kidney disease
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Watch your water soluble vitamins on nocturnal HD
More dialysis washes more vitamins out of the blood, finds a new study from Australia. Among people who were doing nocturnal HD, levels of vitamin C and thiamine were low. Supplements may be wise—ask your doctor.
Read the abstract » | (added 2011-02-24)
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