Conventional Thrice Research Articles

The cardiovascular unphysiology of thrice weekly hemodialysis.

This review examines the unphysiological nature of conventional intermittent hemodialysis (IHD) and explores alternative dialysis modalities that more closely mimic natural kidney function. As cardiovascular complications remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in dialysis patients, understanding and addressing the limitations of IHD is crucial for improving outcomes. IHD's intermittent nature leads to significant fluctuations in metabolites, electrolytes, and fluid status, contributing to hemodynamic instability and increased cardiovascular risk. More frequent dialysis modalities, such as short daily hemodialysis and nocturnal hemodialysis have numerous benefits including reduced left ventricular hypertrophy, improved blood pressure control, and potentially decreasing mortality. Peritoneal dialysis offers a more continuous approach to treatment, which may provide cardiovascular benefits through gentler fluid removal and residual kidney function preservation. Conventional thrice weekly intermittent hemodialysis offers a fundamentally unphysiologic equilibrium of uremic solutes. Alternate approaches have demonstrated cardiovascular benefits.

#443 LEVIL evaluates the impact of HDx on HR-QoL and symptoms, including durability-of-effect and variability

Abstract Background and Aims Current hemodialysis (HD), utilizing conventional high-flux dialyzers, is handicapped by clearance limitations (larger-sized uremic toxins), which contribute to poor health-related quality-of-life (HR-QoL) and symptom-burden. Recent international consensus and guideline-setting efforts have explicitly prioritized identification and management of symptoms and subjective experience, whilst also acknowledging the lack of tools available to fully appreciate and continuously monitor these challenges. This study aimed to utilize dynamic patient-reported-outcome-measurement tool (PROM), London Evaluation of Illness (LEVIL-developed in-house), to iteratively interrogate patient-experience and to confirm previously reported HR-QoL benefits of the use of expanded hemodialysis (HDx) using medium cut-off dialyzer (extending the spectrum of uremic toxins being addressed). Furthermore, this study aimed to extend appreciation of effects on patient subjective experience to include durability-of-effects, variability of symptom-measures and impact of HDx withdrawal. Methods We conducted a multi-centre interventional study in 47 patients established on conventional thrice weekly centre-based HD in Ontario, Canada. Study protocol was 15-months in length with five phases 1) one-month observation (high-flux-HD), 2) three-months HDx 3) two-month wash-out (high-flux-HD), 4) six-months HDx, 5) three-month wash-out (high-flux-HD). HR-QoL and symptom-burden were evaluated using LEVIL throughout study. Results HDx-therapy improved HR-QoL [p 0.0006 (19% from baseline)] and a variety of symptoms including general wellbeing [p 0.005 (23%)], energy [p 0.004 (33%)], sleep-quality [p 0.001 (33%)], pruritus [0.003 (30%)], pain [p 0.01 (19%)], restless leg syndrome [p 0.0006 (15%)], mood [p 0.02 (12%)], appetite [ p 0.03 (9%)], breathlessness [p 0.001 (9%)], and HD-recovery [p 0.004 (26%)]. Response was more pronounced in those with poorer HR-QoL and higher symptom-burden. Improvements were durable over time with continued use with less symptom-variability (range 10-35% improvement). Improvements diminished gradually with return to high-flux-HD. The drivers of poor HR-QoL were largely general-wellbeing, energy, sleep-quality, pruritus, and bodily pain. Conclusion Use of a dynamic PROM effectively allowed appreciation of HR-QoL burden in HD-patients. Use of HDx-therapy results in improved patient subjective outcomes that are durable and associated with significantly lower variation in important symptom-domains than patients experience with receiving conventional high-flux-HD.

A practical approach to implementing incremental haemodialysis.

The majority of end-stage kidney disease patients are treated with haemodialysis (HD). Starting HD can pose physical, social, and psychological challenges to patients, and mortality rates within the first 6 months are disproportionately high, with intensive HD regimens implicated as a potential factor. Starting HD with an incremental approach, taking residual kidney function (RKF) into account, potentially allows for a gentle start with reduced dialysis intensity. Dialysis intensity (session time or frequency) can then be proportionally increased as RKF reduces. This approach to starting HD has been reported in observational studies to result in better patient self-reported health quality of life and reduced costs, and now several definitive randomised controlled trials are underway comparing an incremental approach to the conventional thrice weekly paradigm. Physician concerns over the risk of inadequate dialysis, with consequent increased emergency admissions, and practical challenges of how to estimate RKF and implement incremental dialysis have impeded widespread adoption. Addressing these challenges is paramount to increasing the uptake of incremental HD. Careful patient selection lies at the heart of a successful incremental HD programme. Generally, patients with a residual urea clearance of > 3 ml/min/1.73 m2 can be considered suitable for starting with incremental HD provided they comply with fluid intake, salt and other dietary recommendations. Calculating RKF from regular interdialytic urine collections and appropriately adjusting sessional HD clearance targets are practical and conceptual challenges. In this report we aim to disentangle these complexities and provide a step-by-step guide for patient selection and adjusting dialysis sessional targets.

Vancomycin and daptomycin dosing recommendations in patients receiving home hemodialysis using Monte Carlo simulation

BackgroundFew drug dosing recommendations for patients receiving home hemodialysis (HHD) have been published which has hindered the adoption of HHD. HHD regimens vary widely and differ considerably from conventional, thrice weekly, in-center hemodialysis in terms of treatment frequency, duration and blood and dialysate flow rates. Consequently, vancomycin and daptomycin clearances in HHD are also likely to be different, consequently HHD dosing regimens must be developed to ensure efficacy and minimize toxicity when these antibiotics are used. Many HHD regimens are used clinically, this study modeled ten common HHD regimens and determined optimal vancomycin and daptomycin dosing for each HHD regimen.MethodsMonte Carlo simulations using pharmacokinetic data derived from the literature and demographic data from a large HHD program treating patients with end stage kidney disease were incorporated into a one-compartment pharmacokinetic model. Virtual vancomycin and daptomycin doses were administered post-HHD and drug exposures were determined in 5,000 virtual patients receiving ten different HHD regimens. Serum concentration monitoring with subsequent dose changes was incorporated into the vancomycin models. Pharmacodynamic target attainment rates were determined for each studied dose. The lowest possible doses that met predefined targets in virtual patients were chosen as optimal doses.ResultsHHD frequency, total dialysate volumes and HHD durations influenced drug exposure and led to different dosing regimens to meet targets. Antibiotic dosing regimens were identified that could meet targets for 3- and 7-h HHD regimens occurring every other day or 4–5 days/week. HHD regimens with 3-day interdialytic periods required higher doses prior to the 3-day period. The addition of vancomycin serum concentration monitoring allowed for calculation of necessary dosing changes which increased the number of virtual subjects meeting pharmacodynamic targets.ConclusionsDoses of vancomycin and daptomycin that will meet desired pharmacodynamic targets in HHD are dependent on patient and HHD-specific factors. Doses used in conventional thrice weekly hemodialysis are unlikely to meet treatment goals. The antibiotic regimens paired with the HHD parameters studied in this analysis are likely to meet goals but require clinical validation.

Comparative Study between Incremental Hemodialysis and Conventional Thrice Weekly Hemodialysis in Prevalent Hemodialysis Patients

Abstract Background The concept of incremental dialysis is inherent to the increasingly accepted idea of a new patient-centered prescription of dialysis. Objective To compare the intervention arm (incremental HD) with the control arm (standard3 HD/week).Incident patients will be randomized to one of the two treatment groups in equal proportion. Primary outcome is the preservation of RKF assessed as time to anuria (UO < 100 mL/day). Secondary outcomes are all-cause mortality and significant events, including vascular access failure and associated interventions, cardiovascular events and hospital admissions. Patients and Methods Type of Study: Prospective cohort study. Study Setting: Multi centric patients selectionfrom hemodialysis units. Study period: 6 months. Results These findings support the assumption in hand, that a twice weekly regimen is in fact adequate for preserving the RKF. As regarding the occurrence of cerebrovascular events, chest pain, there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups. Arrhythmia was not recorded in the incremental group, while in the conventional group it was recorded in 2 patients with a percentage of 8.0%, and there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups; P-value was 0.490. As regarding the need for hospital admission, there was no significant difference between both groups. As regarding the occurrence of vascular access failure, it was recorded in 2 patients in the incremental group with a percentage of 8.0%, compared to 4 patients in the conventional group with a percentage of 16.0%. There was no significant difference between the two groups; P-value was 0.667. Conclusion HD, RCTs are lacking and are urgently needed. If the potential benefits of incremental HD will be confirmed by RCTs, then starting dialysis at a full dose will be subjecting patients to unnecessarily long or more frequent treatments for an unnecessarily long time, and at higher cost.

Hidden risks associated with conventional short intermittent hemodialysis: A call for action to mitigate cardiovascular risk and morbidity.

The development of maintenance hemodialysis (HD) for end stage kidney disease patients is a success story that continues to save many lives. Nevertheless, intermittent renal replacement therapy is also a source of recurrent stress for patients. Conventional thrice weekly short HD is an imperfect treatment that only partially corrects uremic abnormalities, increases cardiovascular risk, and exacerbates disease burden. Altering cycles of fluid loading associated with cardiac stretching (interdialytic phase) and then fluid unloading (intradialytic phase) likely contribute to cardiac and vascular damage. This unphysiologic treatment profile combined with cyclic disturbances including osmotic and electrolytic shifts may contribute to morbidity in dialysis patients and augment the health burden of treatment. As such, HD patients are exposed to multiple stressors including cardiocirculatory, inflammatory, biologic, hypoxemic, and nutritional. This cascade of events can be termed the dialysis stress storm and sickness syndrome. Mitigating cardiovascular risk and morbidity associated with conventional intermittent HD appears to be a priority for improving patient experience and reducing disease burden. In this in-depth review, we summarize the hidden effects of intermittent HD therapy, and call for action to improve delivered HD and develop treatment schedules that are better tolerated and associated with fewer adverse effects.

Polyarteritis nodosa presenting with catastrophic involvement of the intra-abdominal arterial tree

Although the majority of the End Stage Renal Disease patients are treated with conventional thrice weekly in-center hemodialysis, there has been recent growth in the adoption of home dialysis modalities, mainly peritoneal dialysis and in these last 10 years the resurgence of home hemodialysis in its daily or daily night version [1-3]. Latest observational studies have identified that home hemodialysis (HHD) is associated with improved patient survival compared with conventional in center hemodialysis (ICHD).

P1062EXPANDED DIALYSIS (HDX): IS THERE AN IMPACT ON PATIENT REPORTED SYMPTOM?

Abstract Background and Aims High flux dialysis membranes sufficiently remove smaller sized uremic toxins however, the accumulation and retention of larger middle molecular weight toxins, which are associated with chronic inflammation, cardiovascular disease and suboptimal outcomes are poorly cleared. The recent advent of medium-cut-off dialysis membranes, labelled “expanded dialysis” (HDx) are permeable to molecules of larger size responsible for poor clinical outcomes. However, it remains unclear if HDx can directly impact the symptoms associated with hemodialysis (HD). Symptom burden plays a significant role in quality of life (QOL) and mortality rates in the HD population. The London Evaluation of Illness (LEVIL), an application-based platform has been developed to measure patient reported outcomes (PROM). In comparison to cross-sectional PROM’s, LEVIL more accurately represents the fluctuations in daily symptoms and the impact of intervention. LEVIL evaluates general well-being, energy, sleep, appetite, pain and breathing, all of which are outcomes of interest on symptom burden in chronic kidney disease. Our aim was to determine if HDx therapy had any effect on symtoms/QOL domains using LEVIL. Method 28 patients from two dialysis centers in London Ontario were consented to participate. Patients were required to be over 18 years of age and on conventional thrice weekly maintenance HD for at least three months. 23 participants completed study and analyzed (five lost for various reasons). Baseline (BL) symptom characteristics were obtained while using high flux membrane for two weeks. Symptoms continued to be measured throughout the 12 weeks of HDx therapy two-three times weekly using LEVIL. Laboratory biomarkers including beta-2 microglobulin and free-light chains were collected at baseline and after 12 weeks of HDx therapy. Results Patients were stratified into tertiles (high/middle/low) using mean values of BL symptoms scores in each domain (wellbeing, energy, sleep, appetite, pain, breathing). Those in the high BL group were labeled as “control”. Low and middle BL measures were further stratified into responders vs. non-responders (responders were considered to have a 50% increase in any symptom domain by ≥50%). Of those domains which responded to HDx, 76% also had low BL scores with 27% having middle BL scores. General wellbeing, energy and sleep were domains with the greatest response reaching statistical significance after eight weeks of therapy. HDx had limited effect on appetite, pain and breathing. Although stratification was per domain, overall, 74% of the population studied did respond in at least one domain, with some responding in as many as five. Conclusion HDx using Theranova (Baxter) shows the most benefit in domains with low BL measures. Additionally, not everyone who had low BL scores responded after 12 weeks of therapy, leaving us to question whether HDx may have a latent effect in some individuals/populations. Those who had no response to therapy in certain domains also had greater baseline quality of life respectively. This information may assist in decision making/rationale for the utilization and implementation of such therapy. Although more work is required to further stratify symptoms in relation to demographic/biochemical finding and clinical outcomes. It is evident that HDx improves patient reported symptoms and QOL.

Acid-base kinetics during hemodialysis using bicarbonate and lactate as dialysate buffer bases based on the H+ mobilization model.

The H+ mobilization model has been recently reported to accurately describe intradialytic kinetics of plasma bicarbonate concentration; however, the ability of this model to predict changing bicarbonate kinetics after altering the hemodialysis treatment prescription is unclear. We considered the H+ mobilization model as a pseudo-one-compartment model and showed theoretically that it can be used to determine the acid generation (or production) rate for hemodialysis patients at steady state. It was then demonstrated how changes in predialytic, intradialytic, and immediate postdialytic plasma bicarbonate (or total carbon dioxide) concentrations can be calculated after altering the hemodialysis treatment prescription. Example calculations showed that the H+ mobilization model when considered as a pseudo-one-compartment model predicted increases or decreases in plasma total carbon dioxide concentrations throughout the entire treatment when the dialysate bicarbonate concentration is increased or decreased, respectively, during conventional thrice weekly hemodialysis treatments. It was further shown that this model allowed prediction of the change in plasma total carbon dioxide concentration after transfer of patients from conventional thrice weekly to daily hemodialysis using both bicarbonate and lactate as dialysate buffer bases. The H+ mobilization model can predict changes in plasma bicarbonate or total carbon dioxide concentration during hemodialysis after altering the hemodialysis treatment prescription.

MON-095 INDIVIDUALIZED INFREQUENT INCREMENTAL HEMODIALYSIS (IIIHD) PROGRAM FOR GRADUAL INITIATION OF HEMODIALYSIS, A SINGLE CENTER EXPERIENCE.

Conventional thrice weekly hemodialysis (HD) for incident HD patients is the current standard of care for end-stage kidney disease patients (ESKD). However, it has been associated with lower quality of life (QOF), higher mortality, cardiovascular morbidity & mortality. We aim to provide ESKD patients with a gentler initiation of dialysis through an individualized approach according to their residual urine volume and clinical situation, hoping that this will translate into better outcomes.

The effect of increased frequency of hemodialysis on serum cystatin C and β2-microglobulin concentrations: A secondary analysis of the frequent hemodialysis network (FHN) trial.

Small molecular weight toxin clearance is the main method of assessment of hemodialysis efficiency. Middle molecules including cystatin C (CysC) and Beta-2 microglobulin (β2-M) are understudied. We hypothesized that lowering of predialysis CysC and β2-M serum concentrations would be affected by switching to more frequent hemodialysis. Predialysis CysC and β2-M serum concentrations were measured from serum samples of the Frequent Hemodialysis Network (FHN) Daily and Nocturnal Trials. The differences between predialysis concentrations at baseline (while on conventional thrice weekly dialysis) and those after 12-months of study (on more frequent dialysis) were compared separately by trial (Nocturnal, Daily). We tested the associations between predialysis serum CysC and β2-M concentrations and outcomes. Forty-nine percent and 52% of the patients from the FHN Daily and Nocturnal Trials respectively were included in this ancillary study. Predialysis serum CysC concentrations remained unchanged after intensifying hemodialysis dose by either modality. There was significant lowering of the serum β2-M concentrations in the frequent Daily Trial hemodialysis group at 12 months in all patients and in patients without residual renal function at baseline (-3.8 ± 12.62 μg/mL, P = 0.004; -5.9 ± 12.99 μg/mL, P = 0.02, respectively). There were no significant differences between the baseline and the 12-months predialysis β2-M serum concentrations in the two control groups (Daily 3× and Nocturnal 3× groups). No association between the changes in the two biomarkers between baseline and 12-months and in changes in left ventricular mass, physical-health composite scores, hospitalization rate, and death were found. The numbers of hospitalizations and deaths were small. β2-M may be a better biomarker of dialysis dose than CysC. Reduction in the concentration of potentially toxic long-lived proteins of the size of β-2M is one potential long-term benefit of more intensive dialysis that may be explored.

Extended Duration Nocturnal Hemodialysis and Changes in Plasma Metabolite Profiles.

In-center, extended duration nocturnal hemodialysis has been associated with variable clinical benefits, but the effect of extended duration hemodialysis on many established uremic solutes and other components of the metabolome is unknown. We determined the magnitude of change in metabolite profiles for patients on extended duration nocturnal hemodialysis. In a 52-week prospective, observational study, we followed 33 patients receiving conventional thrice weekly hemodialysis who converted to nocturnal hemodialysis (7-8 hours per session, three times per week). A separate group of 20 patients who remained on conventional hemodialysis (3-4 hours per session, three times per week) served as a control group. For both groups, we applied liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based metabolite profiling on stored plasma samples collected from all participants at baseline and after 1 year. We examined longitudinal changes in 164 metabolites among those who remained on conventional hemodialysis and those who converted to nocturnal hemodialysis using Wilcoxon rank sum tests adjusted for multiple comparisons (false discovery rate <0.05). On average, the nocturnal group had 9.6 hours more dialysis per week than the conventional group. Among 164 metabolites, none changed significantly from baseline to study end in the conventional group. Twenty-nine metabolites changed in the nocturnal group, 21 of which increased from baseline to study end (including all branched-chain amino acids). Eight metabolites decreased after conversion to nocturnal dialysis, including l-carnitine and acetylcarnitine. By contrast, several established uremic retention solutes, including p-cresol sulfate, indoxyl sulfate, and trimethylamine N-oxide, did not change with extended dialysis. Across a wide array of metabolites examined, extended duration hemodialysis was associated with modest changes in the plasma metabolome, with most differences relating to metabolite increases, despite increased dialysis time. Few metabolites showed reduction with more dialysis, and no change in several established uremic toxins was observed.

Hyperprolactinemia in end-stage renal disease and effects of frequent hemodialysis.

End-stage renal disease is associated with elevations in circulating prolactin concentrations, but the association of prolactin concentrations with intermediate health outcomes and the effects of hemodialysis frequency on changes in serum prolactin have not been examined. The FHN Daily and Nocturnal Dialysis Trials compared the effects of conventional thrice weekly hemodialysis with in-center daily hemodialysis (6 days/week) and nocturnal home hemodialysis (6 nights/week) over 12 months and obtained measures of health-related quality of life, self-reported physical function, mental health and cognition. Serum prolactin concentrations were measured at baseline and 12-month follow-up in 70% of the FHN Trial cohort to examine the associations among serum prolactin concentrations and physical, mental and cognitive function and the effects of hemodialysis frequency on serum prolactin. Among 177 Daily Trial and 60 Nocturnal Trial participants with baseline serum prolactin measurements, the median serum prolactin concentration was 65 ng/mL (25th-75th percentile 48-195 ng/mL) and 81% had serum prolactin concentrations >30 ng/mL. While serum prolactin was associated with sex (higher in women), we observed no association between baseline serum prolactin and age, dialysis vintage, and baseline measures of physical, mental and cognitive function. Furthermore, there was no significant effect of hemodialysis frequency on serum prolactin in either of the two trials. Serum prolactin concentrations were elevated in the large majority of patients with ESRD, but were not associated with several measures of health status. Circulating prolactin levels also do not appear to decrease in response to more frequent hemodialysis over a one-year period.

Effect of Treatment Duration and Frequency on Uremic Solute Kinetics, Clearances and Concentrations.

The kinetics of uremic solute clearances are discussed based on two categories of uremic solutes, namely those that are and those that are not derived directly from nutrient intake, particularly dietary protein intake. This review highlights dialysis treatments that are more frequent and longer (high-dose hemodialysis) than conventional thrice weekly therapy. It is proposed that the dialysis dose measures based on urea as a marker uremic solute, such as Kt/V and stdKt/V, be referred to as measures of dialysis inadequacy, not dialysis adequacy. For uremic solutes derived directly from nutrient intake, it is suggested that inorganic phosphorus and protein-bound uremic solutes be considered as markers in the development of alternative measures of dialysis dose for high-dose hemodialysis prescriptions. As the current gap in understanding the detailed kinetics of protein-bound uremic solutes, it is proposed that normalization of serum phosphorus concentration with a minimum (or preferably without a) need for oral-phosphorus binders be targeted as a measure of dialysis adequacy in high-dose hemodialysis. For large uremic solutes not derived directly from nutrient intake (middle molecules), use of extracorporeal clearances for β2 -microglobulin that are higher than currently available during thrice weekly therapy is unlikely to reduce predialysis serum β2 -microglobulin concentrations. High-dose hemodialysis prescriptions will lead to reductions in predialysis serum β2 -microglobulin concentrations, but such reductions are also limited by significant residual kidney clearance. Kinetic data regarding middle molecules larger than β2 -microglobulin are scarce; additional studies on such uremic solutes are of high interest to better understand improved methods for prescribing high-dose hemodialysis prescriptions to improve patient outcomes.

Effects of frequent hemodialysis on blood pressure: Results from the randomized frequent hemodialysis network trials.

Hypertension is a common complication of chronic kidney disease and persists among most patients with end-stage renal disease despite the provision of conventional thrice weekly hemodialysis (HD). We analyzed the effects of frequent HD on blood pressure in the randomized controlled Frequent Hemodialysis Network trials. The daily trial randomized 245 patients to 12 months of 6× ("frequent") vs. 3× ("conventional") weekly in-center hemodialysis; the nocturnal trial randomized 87 patients to 12 months of 6× weekly nocturnal HD vs. 3× weekly predominantly home-based hemodialysis. In the daily trial, compared with 3× weekly HD, 2 months of frequent HD lowered predialysis systolic blood pressure by -7.7 mmHg [95% confidence interval (CI): -11.9 to -3.5] and diastolic blood pressure by -3.9 mmHg [95% CI: -6.5 to -1.3]. In the nocturnal trial, compared with 3× weekly HD, 2 months of frequent HD lowered systolic blood pressure by -7.3 mmHg [95% CI: -14.2 to -0.3] and diastolic blood pressure by -4.2 mmHg [95% CI: -8.3 to -0.1]. In both trials, blood pressure treatment effects were sustained until month 12. Frequent HD resulted in significantly fewer antihypertensive medications (daily: -0.36 medications [95% CI: -0.65 to -0.08]; nocturnal: -0.44 mediations [95% CI: -0.89 to -0.03]). In the daily trial, the relative risk per dialysis session for intradialytic hypotension was lower with 6×/week HD but given the higher number of sessions per week, there was a higher relative risk for intradialytic hypotensive requiring saline administration. In summary, frequent HD reduces blood pressure and the number of prescribed antihypertensive medications.

Debate: Should dialysis at home be mandatory for all suitable ESRD patients?: home-based dialysis therapies are the second choice after transplantation.

Since their inception in the 1960s, home-based dialysis therapies have been viable alternatives to conventional thrice weekly in center hemodialysis. In spite of this, uptake of these therapies has been steadily declining over past decades with utilization varying globally; dependent on training support, funding models, and prevailing Nephrologist beliefs. In the Australian context, home dialysis (predominantly peritoneal dialysis and extended hours nocturnal hemodialysis) is now again increasing in popularity--with enthusiasm driven not only by evidence of an array of physiological and psychological patient benefit but also significant economic advantage: critical in the current climate where dialysis therapies in Australia take approximately $1 billion dollars per year from the healthcare budget. When assessing the significant advantages of home-based therapies, it is important to consider not only the increasing body of evidence around improved survival but also that for dramatically better health-related quality of life, decreased economic burden and the overall benefits of undertaking treatment in the home. With patient-centered care an increasingly important aspect of our decision making paradigm, home-based dialysis should be considered as the default option in all patients transitioning to renal replacement therapy.

Plasma Sodium Setpoint

Stability of predialysis sodium "setpoint" has not been validated in quotidian dialysis patients. We performed a retrospective review of our home hemodialysis program, to determine the effect of transitioning from conventional thrice weekly to home hemodialysis modalities differing in dialysis duration and frequency (n = 87). Mean sodium setpoint remained constant in patients who went home on intermittent hemodialysis, but decreased by 100 days in frequent nocturnal home hemodialysis (FNHD) (140.5-137.1 mM, p = 0.001) and short hours daily hemodialysis (SHD) (140.2-138.7 mM, p = 0.019) patients with a pretransition setpoint greater than dialysate sodium of 140 mM. Slope of predialysis sodium concentration within the first 100 days post-transition (M100) was less than zero in SHD (95% confidence interval [CI], -0.0081 to -0.0351 mM/day) and FNHD (95% CI, -0.0209 to -0.0695 mM/day) patients who started with a pretransition setpoint greater than dialysate sodium concentration of 140 mM. Change in sodium setpoint (SP) was predicted by dialysis frequency and the difference between dialysate sodium concentration and the pretransition predialysis sodium concentration (R = 35.4%, adjusted R = 33.8%, p < 0.001). Thus, personalizing dialysate sodium concentrations may be associated with a decrease in SP, which is independently associated with increased mortality. Further research is required to determine whether intentional increases in the SP could improve cardiovascular and all-cause mortality.

The impact of nocturnal hemodialysis on sexual function

BackgroundSexual dysfunction is common in patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) and treatment options are limited. Observational studies suggest that nocturnal hemodialysis may improve sexual function. We compared sexual activity and responses to sexual related questions in the Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form questionnaire among patients randomized to frequent nocturnal or thrice weekly conventional hemodialysis.MethodsWe performed a secondary analysis of data from an RCT which enrolled 51 patients comparing frequent nocturnal and conventional thrice weekly hemodialysis. Sexual activity and responses to sexual related questions were assessed at baseline and six months using relevant questions from the Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form questionnaire.ResultsOverall, there was no difference in sexual activity, or the extent to which people were bothered by the impact of kidney disease on their sex life between the two groups between randomization and 6 months. However, women and patients age < 60 who were randomized to frequent nocturnal hemodialysis were less bothered by the impact of kidney disease on their sex life at 6 months, compared with patients allocated to conventional hemodialysis (p = 0.005 and p = 0.024 respectively).ConclusionsOur results suggest that frequent nocturnal hemodialysis is not associated with an improvement in sexual activity in all patients but might have an effect on the burden of kidney disease on sex life in women and patients less than 60 years of age. The validity of these subgroup findings require confirmation in future RCTs.

Outcomes on home haemodialysis: registry challenges.

Health care policy is encouraging expansion of home haemodialysis, aiming to improve patient outcomes and reduce cost. However, most patient outcome data derive from retrospective observational studies, with all their inherent weaknesses. Conventional thrice weekly home haemodialysis delivers a 22–51% reduction in mortality, but why should that be? Frequent and/or nocturnal haemodialysis reduces mortality by 36–66%, with comparable outcomes to deceased donor kidney transplantation. Approaches which might improve the quality of future observational studies are discussed. Patient-relevant outcomes other than mortality are also discussed.

International quotidian dialysis registry: Annual report 2010

The International Quotidian Dialysis Registry (IQDR) is a global initiative designed to study practices and outcomes associated with the use of hemodialysis (HD) regimens of increased frequency and/or duration. The IQDR grew out of the initiative that lead to the randomized prospective studies of nocturnal HD and short hours daily dialysis vs. conventional thrice weekly HD that are conducted by the Frequent Hemodialysis Network sponsored by the National Institutes of Health. These 2 separate studies are drawing to a close and the first results are expected to be reported later this year. These studies use surrogate outcomes for their primary endpoints as they are not powered to look at outcomes of mortality and hospitalization. The IQDR attempts to aggregate long-term follow-up data from centers utilizing alternative HD regimens worldwide and will have adequate statistical power to examine those important outcomes. To date, the IQDR has enrolled patients from Canada, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and France and has linked with commercial databases and national registries. This sixth annual report of the IQDR describes: (1) An update on the governance structure; (2) The recommendations made at the first general meetings of the IQDR Scientific Committee and Advisory Board; (3) The status of those recommendations; (4) A summary of current data sources and participating registries; (5) The status of recruitment to date; (6) The creation of a specific Canadian IQDR data set and; (7) The current research agenda.