Dialysis – Page 2

May 9, 2022August 16, 2022

Could an Artificial, Wearable Kidney Technology Revolutionize Traditional Dialysis?

Researchers at the Center for Dialysis Innovation are working to change the way kidney disease is managed

On March 15^th, Glenda Roberts, Director of External Relations and Patient Engagement at the Center for Dialysis Innovation (“CDI”) and the Kidney Research Institute at the University of Washington spoke on our webinar, Innovations in Kidney Care. Glenda shared CDI’s work developing an artificial, wearable kidney – a potential alternative to traditional dialysis. This article has been adapted from her presentation. Note that the “AKTIV” is still experimental and has not been fully tested or approved. Read more on CareDx.com.

April 23, 2022August 16, 2022

‘Latinx’ patients pick home dialysis when health literacy, family involvement improves

patients self-identified as “Hispanic/Latinx” face when considering home dialysis, according to a study presented at the National Kidney Foundation Spring Clinical Meetings.

“Latinx people experience a faster progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) and a higher incidence of ESKD compared to non-Latinx white individuals but are less likely to do home dialysis,” Katherine Rizzolo, MD, a nephrology fellow at University of Colorado Health, and colleagues wrote. “The motivations and barriers to home therapies for Latinx patients with ESKD has not been elicited.”
Read more in Healio.

April 18, 2022August 16, 2022

8 Activities to Try During Dialysis

Dialysis sessions can take upwards of 12 hours a week so, how do you fill this time? Here are eight activities to help you use this time to its fullest potential, whether that’s relaxing, connecting with others, or engaging your mind.

1. Watch a new movie, tv series, or documentary

Do you have any tv shows to catch up on or a movie your colleagues can’t believe you haven’t seen? Here’s your sign to watch it or to find something new. There are dozens of streaming services, and some even let you download shows if you’re trying to conserve cellular data. Read more ideas from The National Kidney Foundation.

March 29, 2022August 16, 2022

Thorough evaluation key in identification of candidates for home dialysis, transplant

PHOENIX — Successful transition from chronic kidney disease to either home dialysis or transplantation requires a thorough evaluation of a patient’s psychosocial and economic status, speakers said at the Southwest Nephrology Conference.

“The role of the social worker is vital to the stability of a patient on a home modality,”Lauren Pelletier, MSW, CCM, a social worker for patients on peritoneal dialysis at DaVita Inc. “Psychosocial status impacts a patient’s ability to adhere to treatment,” she said. “As social workers, we can assist patients with emotionally adjusting to dialysis,” Pelletier said. Read more.

November 3, 2021August 16, 2022

Dialysis Patients Mount Best COVID Vax Response After Third Dose

“Even people with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) were able to bolster an immune response to the COVID-19 vaccine, researchers reported.

According to a systematic review and meta-analysis of 32 studies, the overall immunogenicity rate for people on dialysis was 86% (95% CI 81-89), noted Chih-Hsiang Chang, MD, of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Linkou, Taiwan, and colleagues in JAMA Network Open.

After the first vaccination dose, those on dialysis saw an immune response rate of 41% (95% CI 32-52, I²=87.3%), which subsequently jumped to 89% (95% CI 85-91, I²=66.7%) after the second dose.”

Common Gene Variant May Predict Peritoneal Dialysis Outcomes

“A common genetic variant predicted poor outcomes from peritoneal dialysis, suggesting a potential factor for patient selection and treatment, researchers found.

Variants in AQP1, the gene that encodes for a key water transport channel across the peritoneal membrane, were associated with decreased ultrafiltration while on peritoneal dialysis and a 70% increased risk of death or failure of that form of dialysis as well.

The 10-16% of patients with the TT genotype of the rs2075574 variant could be good candidates for precision medicine in dialysis treatment, Johann Morelle, MD, PhD, of the Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc in Brussels, Belgium, and colleagues reported in the New England Journal of Medicine.”

Diabetes Patients on Dialysis See Better Sugar Control With Artificial Pancreas

“Adults with type 2 diabetes and end-stage renal disease requiring dialysis benefitted from an artificial pancreas in a small, randomized crossover trial.

Patients using a fully automated closed loop system spent a longer amount of time in target glucose range versus those using standard insulin therapy (52.8% vs 37.7%, respectively, P<0.001), reported Charlotte Boughton, MD, PhD, of University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories in England, and colleagues.”

Even Dialysis Patients Can Maintain COVID Antibodies for Months

“The vast majority of dialysis patients infected with COVID-19 maintained antibodies for at least 6 months, a new study found.

In a prospective analysis of over 2,000 adults on dialysis, 93% of seroprevalent patients reached an assay detectable response — a SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD) IgG index value of 1 or higher — and maintained this level throughout a 6-month follow-up, reported Shuchi Anand, MD, of Stanford University in California, and colleagues.

On top of that, 60% of patients had IgG index values of 10 or greater — classified as high — the group wrote in Annals of Internal Medicine. Of these patients, 76% maintained this antibody level throughout the 6-month follow-up.”

How Does Phosphate Binder Type Affect the Heart in Hemodialysis?

“Trial compared calcium-based vs non-calcium-based binders.

Non-calcium-based phosphate binders weren’t any better at reducing cardiovascular events than calcium-based binders in dialysis patients, the LANDMARK trial determined.

In the open-label randomized trial of over 2,300 Japanese patients on hemodialysis, there were no significant differences in composite cardiovascular events between the lanthanum carbonate group versus the calcium carbonate group (HR 1.11, 95% CI 0.88-1.41, P=0.37), reported Hiroaki Ogata, MD, of Showa University Northern Yokohama Hospital in Kanagawa, Japan, and colleagues.”

Factors ID’d for COVID-19 Infection Risk in Dialysis Patients

“For individuals receiving in-center hemodialysis, the risk for having a positive test for infection or admission with suspected COVID-19 is associated with age, diabetes, local community COVID-19 rates, and dialysis unit size, according to a study published online in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

Ben Caplin, MBChB, PhD, from University College London, and colleagues explored the role of variables such as community disease burden, dialysis unit attributes, and infection control strategies among patients receiving in-center hemodialysis between March 2 and May 31, 2020. Data were included for 5755 patients receiving dialysis in 51 units. Outcomes were defined as a positive test for infection or admission to the hospital with suspected COVID-19.”

Read more, here.