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Annals of Palliative Medicine Jun 2024For those who have kidney failure and are managed conservatively without dialysis, symptoms are often prevalent, multiple, and troublesome. They interfere with quality...
For those who have kidney failure and are managed conservatively without dialysis, symptoms are often prevalent, multiple, and troublesome. They interfere with quality of life, reduce wellbeing, and can affect family carers too. Symptoms can sometimes be difficult to manage, and-for professionals-they are often hard to assess and not always amenable to management with medications appropriate for use in kidney failure. Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms; alongside a general overview of symptoms in this population, we include a more detailed discussion of this often-neglected symptom. The solutions to the main symptoms experienced by those with kidney failure managed conservatively without dialysis lie in detailed assessment and monitoring of symptoms, working as a multi-disciplinary team to the maximum to draw on the full range of skills and expertise, and use of non-pharmacological, as well as pharmacological, approaches. Both nephrology and palliative care skills and expertise are important to optimise the recognition, assessment, and management of symptoms. There are few published descriptions of models of conservative kidney management (CKM) or supportive kidney care and there is a lack of evidence to suggest which model is most effective. We therefore consider the evidence on optimal models of CKM and make suggestions for best practice.
PubMed: 38902989
DOI: 10.21037/apm-23-422 -
Kidney International Reports Jun 2024Most patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD) in the United States are on automated PD (APD) utilizing several liters of PD solution daily for their treatment. The ordering,...
INTRODUCTION
Most patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD) in the United States are on automated PD (APD) utilizing several liters of PD solution daily for their treatment. The ordering, delivery, and storage of PD solutions can be challenging and is an important factor that can dissuade patients from doing PD. The generation of PD solutions at home is a strategy that could potentially be used to overcome this problem. The APD Solution Generation System (SGS) allowed for PD solution generation using tap water in patients' homes.
METHODS
In this study, we set out to evaluate the performance of the SGS in prevalent, adult patients with end-stage kidney disease, who are on maintenance PD. We evaluated the primary safety (microbiological testing) and efficacy (chemical composition) of the product water generated by the SGS device.
RESULTS
Twenty-two patients from 12 different United States centers were enrolled, of which 14 patients completed the study. The results of the primary safety and efficacy end point analyses of the product water showed that all 64 samples met the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) specifications. Secondary safety analysis found a total of 34 adverse events (AEs) in 12 patients. Of these AEs, 3, namely, culture negative peritonitis, bacterial peritonitis, and atrial fibrillation were deemed serious treatment-emergent AEs.
CONCLUSION
This study demonstrated that the SGS can successfully generate PD solution in patients' homes, while meeting chemical composition and ISO microbiological standards. Lessons learned from this clinical trial will be useful in optimizing product development and future clinical trials.
PubMed: 38899226
DOI: 10.1016/j.ekir.2024.03.010 -
Beijing Da Xue Xue Bao. Yi Xue Ban =... Jun 2024Spontaneous renal cyst hemorrhage is one of the clinical emergencies in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients and is potentially life-threatening. The main complaints are...
Spontaneous renal cyst hemorrhage is one of the clinical emergencies in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients and is potentially life-threatening. The main complaints are sudden low back pain, paleness, and hypotensive shock with or without vomiting or fever. In contrast to inherited polycystic kidney disease, acquired cystic kidney disease (ACKD) secondary to chronic kidney disease is easily overlooked or delayed in clinical diagnosis and treatment, leading to severe clinical outcomes. We report three patients with spontaneous hemorrhage of ACKD in the peritoneal dialysis center at Peking University First Hospital. The common features are as follows, long history of dialysis, mild to severe low back pain, decrease in hemoglobulin, negative PD solutions, diagnosis established through computed tomography (CT), and continuing PD during treatment of ACKD hemorrhage. Treatments vary from conservative to unilaterally selective renal artery embolization. In this study, ACKD morbidity was investigated in PD patients. A total of 316 patients who had an abdominal ultrasound, CT, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the past 1 year were enrolled. Among them, 103 cases (32.9%) met the diagnostic criteria of ACKD. The morbidity rates were 27.5%, 37.8%, 43.8%, 59.1%, and 88.6%, when the dialysis history ranged from ≤3, >3 & ≤5, >5 & ≤7, >7 & ≤9, >9 years, respectively, showing a increasing trend. Most ACKD hemorrhages could be healed and got an acceptable prognosis after treatment, including rest, blood transfusion, selective renal artery embolization, or nephrectomy. We summarize the risk factors, including a long history of dialysis, anticoagulation or antiplatelet, and inflammation or stones of the urinary system, but with no difference in initial kidney diseases and gender. ACKD hemorrhage mainly includes intracapsular hemorrhage, cyst rupture, and spontaneous retroperitoneal hemorrhage. In addition, we also recommend an adaptive process for spontaneous kidney hemorrhage of diagnosis and treatment in peritoneal dialysis patients. The significance of these cases lies in the fact that patients with ACKD are potentially associated with complications such as cyst hemorrhage and malignancy. Thus, peritoneal dialysis physicians should place great importance on the surveillance of ACKD.
Topics: Humans; Peritoneal Dialysis; Male; Female; Middle Aged; Hemorrhage; Kidney Diseases, Cystic; Adult; Aged; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
PubMed: 38864143
DOI: 10.19723/j.issn.1671-167X.2024.03.024 -
Clinical Kidney Journal May 2024Peritoneal dialysis (PD) and home hemodialysis (HHD) are the two home dialysis modalities offered to patients. They promote patient autonomy, enhance independence, and...
Peritoneal dialysis (PD) and home hemodialysis (HHD) are the two home dialysis modalities offered to patients. They promote patient autonomy, enhance independence, and are generally associated with better quality of life compared to facility hemodialysis. PD offers some advantages (enhanced flexibility, ability to travel, preservation of residual kidney function, and vascular access sites) but few patients remain on PD indefinitely due to peritonitis and other complications. By contrast, HHD incurs longer and more intensive training combined with increased upfront health costs compared to PD, but is easier to sustain in the long term. As a result, the integrated home dialysis model was proposed to combine the advantages of both home-based dialysis modalities. In this paradigm, patients are encouraged to initiate dialysis on PD and transfer to HHD after PD termination. Available evidence demonstrates the feasibility and safety of this approach and some observational studies have shown that patients who undergo the PD-to-HHD transition have clinical outcomes comparable to patients who initiate dialysis directly on HHD. Nevertheless, the prevalence of PD-to-HHD transfers remains low, reflecting the multiple barriers that prevent the full uptake of home-to-home transitions, notably a lack of awareness about the model, home-care "burnout," clinical inertia after a transfer to facility HD, suboptimal integration of PD and HHD centers, and insufficient funding for home dialysis programs. In this review, we will examine the conceptual advantages and disadvantages of integrated home dialysis, present the evidence that underlies it, identify challenges that prevent its success and finally, propose solutions to increase its adoption.
PubMed: 38846416
DOI: 10.1093/ckj/sfae079 -
Clinical Kidney Journal May 2024A proportion of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients require kidney replacement therapy to maintain clinical stability. Home dialysis therapies offer convenience,...
A proportion of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients require kidney replacement therapy to maintain clinical stability. Home dialysis therapies offer convenience, autonomy and potential quality of life improvements, all of which were heightened during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the superiority of specific modalities remains uncertain, patient choice and informed decision-making remain crucial. Missed opportunities for home therapies arise from systemic, programmatic and patient-level barriers. This paper introduces the integrated care model which prioritizes the safe and effective uptake of home therapies while also emphasizing patient-centered care, informed decision-making, and comprehensive support. The integrated care framework addresses challenges in patient identification, assessment, eligibility determination, education and modality transitions. Special considerations for urgent dialysis starts are discussed, acknowledging the unique barriers faced by this population. Continuous quality improvement is emphasized, with the understanding that local challenges may require tailored solutions. Overall, the integrated care model aims to create a seamless and beneficial transition to home dialysis therapies, promoting flexibility and improved quality of life for ESKD patients globally.
PubMed: 38846413
DOI: 10.1093/ckj/sfae076 -
Carbohydrate Polymers Sep 2024In this work, we propose the formation of stretchable hydrogels at neutral pH from the physical crosslinking of chitosan (CS) and hyaluronic acid (HA) by polyelectrolyte...
In this work, we propose the formation of stretchable hydrogels at neutral pH from the physical crosslinking of chitosan (CS) and hyaluronic acid (HA) by polyelectrolyte complexation. A mixture of CS (M ≈ 600 kg/mol, degree of acetylation ≈ 50 %) solution and HA (M ≈ 77 kg/mol) solution was prepared with an excess of salts screening the electrostatic interactions CS/HA. In a controlled manner, the polyelectrolyte complexation was induced through the progressive dialysis of the salted polymer mixture against a sodium acetate solution (AcONa, 0.01 M) for 7 days. Depending on [HA], various materials were obtained: viscous solutions at [HA] = 0.75 % (w/v); hydrogels at [HA] = 1.50-2.24 % (w/v) with Young modulus of 14 kPa and stretchable to 200 %. The small angle X-ray scattering characterization of the hydrogels revealed a multiscale organization related to the conformation of the polymers induced by the physical interactions. The dialysis process with AcONa was optimized by adding a dialysis step against a zinc acetate solution containing Zn. The combination of polyelectrolyte complexation between CS/HA and metal complexation between Zn and the polymers led to an enhancement of the hydrogel stretchability up to 400 %.
PubMed: 38823929
DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2024.122265 -
Journal of Applied Biomaterials &... 2024Adhesions are fibrous tissue connections which are a common complication of surgical procedures and may be prevented by protecting tissue surfaces and reducing...
Adhesions are fibrous tissue connections which are a common complication of surgical procedures and may be prevented by protecting tissue surfaces and reducing inflammation. The combination of biodegradable polymers and nanocrystalline silver can be used to create an anti-inflammatory gel to be applied during surgery. In this study, sodium hyaluronate and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose were added in concentrations from 0.25% to 1% w/v to aqueous nanocrystalline silver solutions to create viscous gels. Gels were loaded into dialysis cassettes and placed in PBS for 3 days. pH was adjusted using potassium phosphate monobasic and sodium hydroxide. Release of silver into the PBS was measured at several time points. Polymer degradation was compared by measuring the viscosity of the gels before and after the experiment. Gels lost up to 84% of initial viscosity over 3 days and released between 24% and 41% of the added silver. Gels with higher initial viscosity did not have a greater degree of degradation, as measured by percent viscosity reduction, but still resulted in a higher final viscosity. Silver release was not significantly impacted by pH or composition, but still varied between experimental groups.
Topics: Hyaluronic Acid; Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Silver; Viscosity; Gels; Metal Nanoparticles
PubMed: 38819121
DOI: 10.1177/22808000241257124 -
Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences 2023There are over 60,000 hemodialysis (HD) patients in Türkiye, and the number of patients is increasing yearly. Dialysate flow rate (Qd) is a factor in HD adequacy....
BACKGROUND AND AIM
There are over 60,000 hemodialysis (HD) patients in Türkiye, and the number of patients is increasing yearly. Dialysate flow rate (Qd) is a factor in HD adequacy. Approximately 150 L of water are consumed per session to prepare the dialysate. We aimed to investigate whether HD effectiveness can be achieved at a low Qd in different patient groups for the purpose of saving water.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This prospective study included 81 HD patients from 2 centers. The patients underwent an aggregate total of 486 HD sessions, including 3 sessions at a Qd of 500 mL/min and 3 sessions at a Qd of 300 mL/min for each patient. We used online Kt/V readings recorded at the end of each dialysis session to compare the effectiveness of these 2 types of HD session performed at a different Qd.
RESULTS
The online Kt/V readings were similar between the standard (500) and low (300) Qd HD (1.51 ± 0.41 and 1.49 ± 0.44, respectively, p = 0.069). In the subgroup analyses, men had higher online Kt/V values at the standard Qd compared to the low Qd (1.35 ± 0.30 and 1.30 ± 0.32, respectively, p = 0.019), but the Kt/V values were not different for women. While the low Qd did not reduce online Kt/V in patients using small surface area dialysis membranes (1.75 ± 0.35 for 300 Qd and 1.75 ± 0.32 for 500 Qd, p = 0.931), it was associated with reduced online Kt/V in patients using large surface area dialysis membranes (1.12 ± 0.25 for 300 Qd and 1.17 ± 0.24 for 500 Qd, p = 0.006). The low Qd did not result in differences in online Kt/V among low-weight patients. However, online Kt/V values were better with the standard Qd in patients weighing 65 kg and above.
CONCLUSION
In our study, dialysis adequacy at a reduced dialysate flow was not inferior for women, patients with low body weight, or patients using small surface area membranes. Individualized HD at a reduced Qd of 300 mL/min in eligible patients can save 48 L of water per HD session and an average of 7500 L of water per year.
Topics: Humans; Renal Dialysis; Female; Male; Prospective Studies; Middle Aged; Aged; Water; Adult; Dialysis Solutions; Kidney Failure, Chronic
PubMed: 38813487
DOI: 10.55730/1300-0144.5756 -
Toxins Apr 2024Chronic kidney disease poses a growing global health concern, as an increasing number of patients progress to end-stage kidney disease requiring kidney replacement... (Review)
Review
Chronic kidney disease poses a growing global health concern, as an increasing number of patients progress to end-stage kidney disease requiring kidney replacement therapy, presenting various challenges including shortage of care givers and cost-related issues. In this narrative essay, we explore innovative strategies based on in-depth literature analysis that may help healthcare systems face these challenges, with a focus on digital health technologies (DHTs), to enhance removal and ensure better control of broader spectrum of uremic toxins, to optimize resources, improve care and outcomes, and empower patients. Therefore, alternative strategies, such as self-care dialysis, home-based dialysis with the support of teledialysis, need to be developed. Managing ESKD requires an improvement in patient management, emphasizing patient education, caregiver knowledge, and robust digital support systems. The solution involves leveraging DHTs to automate HD, implement automated algorithm-driven controlled HD, remotely monitor patients, provide health education, and enable caregivers with data-driven decision-making. These technologies, including artificial intelligence, aim to enhance care quality, reduce practice variations, and improve treatment outcomes whilst supporting personalized kidney replacement therapy. This narrative essay offers an update on currently available digital health technologies used in the management of HD patients and envisions future technologies that, through digital solutions, potentially empower patients and will more effectively support their HD treatments.
Topics: Humans; Renal Dialysis; Telemedicine; Kidney Failure, Chronic; Patient Care; Patient Participation; Self Care; Digital Health
PubMed: 38787063
DOI: 10.3390/toxins16050211 -
GMS Hygiene and Infection Control 2024In Germany, hospitals, rehabilitation facilities and outpatient surgery facilities are required by law to perform antibiotic-consumption surveillance. Established IT...
INTRODUCTION
In Germany, hospitals, rehabilitation facilities and outpatient surgery facilities are required by law to perform antibiotic-consumption surveillance. Established IT programs are available for recording the defined daily doses. These do not exist for long-term care facilities (LTCFs). Antibiotic stewardship is also recommended for LTCFs. In view of the lack of IT solutions for consumption surveillance, this study investigated whether point prevalence studies could be a suitable basis for a data-based antibiotic stewardship program in LTCFs.
METHOD
In May 2023, 18 elderly-care facilities in Berlin, Germany, participated in a point prevalence survey on antibiotic consumption according to the established HALT (healthcare-associated infections in long-term care facilities) method. The number of residents present and their risk factors (including the use of catheters and antibiotic therapy) were recorded. The results were compared with comparable data from previous surveys in LTCFs in Berlin, Germany as well as with the HALT data for Europe as a whole and for Germany.
RESULTS
On the day of the survey, 2040 residents were present, 7.7% of whom bore a urinary catheter and 0.5% a vascular catheter. 0.2% of the residents had a port access, 0.4% a dialysis catheter and one resident (0.05%) a tracheostoma. Twenty-seven (1.3%) residents were receiving an antibiotic on the day of the survey. Of these, 29.6% had a urinary tract catheter. 63.0% of the antibiotics were given for a urinary tract infection, 14.8% for a respiratory tract infection and 11.1% for a wound/soft tissue infection. The overall prevalence of antibiotics was in the range of previous surveys from Germany (1.2-2.4%) and significantly lower than in the Europe-wide HALT survey overall (4.3-4.5%).
DISCUSSION
The survey showed low use of antibiotics in the LTCFs in comparison with Europe-wide surveys. The time required was less than 2 hours for a 100-bed facility. Until appropriate IT programs to determine the defined daily doses are also available for LTCFs, such easy-to-perform and standardized point-prevalence surveys - if repeated several times a year - can be a suitable method for recording the use of antibiotics in nursing homes for the elderly.
PubMed: 38766635
DOI: 10.3205/dgkh000472