Incremental Peritoneal Dialysis May be Beneficial for Preserving Residual Renal Function Compared to Full-dose Peritoneal Dialysis

Selection of dialysis methods for end-stage kidney disease patients with diabetes

The increasing prevalence of diabetes has led to a growing population of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients with diabetes. Currently, kidney transplantation is the best treatment option for ESKD patients; however, it is limited by the lack of donors. Therefore, dialysis has become the standard treatment for ESKD patients. However, the optimal dialysis method for diabetic ESKD patients remains controversial. ESKD patients with diabetes often present with complex conditions and numerous complications. Furthermore, these patients face a high risk of infection and technical failure, are more susceptible to malnutrition, have difficulty establishing vascular access, and experience more frequent blood sugar fluctuations than the general population. Therefore, this article reviews nine critical aspects: Survival rate, glucose metabolism disorder, infectious complications, cardiovascular events, residual renal function, quality of life, economic benefits, malnutrition, and volume load. This study aims to assist clinicians in selecting individualized treatment methods by comparing the advantages and disadvantages of hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis, thereby improving patients' quality of life and survival rates.

Management of Chronic Heart Failure in Dialysis Patients: A Challenging but Rewarding Path

Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a common complication and cause of death in dialysis patients. Although several clinical guidelines and expert consensus on heart failure (HF) in the general population have been issued in China and abroad, due to abnormal renal function or even no residual renal function (RRF) in dialysis patients, the high number of chronic complications, as well as the specificity, variability, and limitations of hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) treatments, there are significant differences between dialysis patients and the general population in terms of the treatment and management of HF. The current studies are not relevant to all dialysis-combined HF populations, and there is an urgent need for high-quality studies on managing HF in dialysis patients to guide and standardize treatment. After reviewing the existing guidelines and literature, we focused on the staging and diagnosis of HF, management of risk factors, pharmacotherapy, and dialysis treatment in patients on dialysis. Based on evidence-based medicine and clinical trial data, this report reflects new perspectives and future trends in the diagnosis and treatment of HF in dialysis patients, which will further enhance the clinicians' understanding of HF in dialysis patients.

Personalized peritoneal dialysis prescription-beyond clinical or analytical values

Traditionally, dialysis adequacy has been assessed primarily by determining the clearance of a single small solute, urea. Nevertheless, it has become increasingly evident that numerous other factors play a crucial role in the overall well-being, outcomes and quality of life of dialysis patients. Consequently, in recent years, there has been a notable paradigm shift in guidelines and recommendations regarding dialysis adequacy. This shift represents a departure from a narrow focus only on the removal of specific toxins, embracing a more holistic, person-centered approach. This new perspective underscores the critical importance of improving the well-being of individuals undergoing dialysis while simultaneously minimizing the overall treatment burden. It is based on a double focus on both clinical outcomes and a comprehensive patient experience. To achieve this, a person-centered approach must be embraced when devising care strategies for each individual. This requires a close collaboration between the healthcare team and the patient, facilitating an in-depth understanding of the patient's unique goals, priorities and preferences while striving for the highest quality of care during treatment. The aim of this publication is to address the existing evidence on this all-encompassing approach to treatment care for patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis and provide a concise overview to promote a deeper understanding of this person-centered approach.

Relationship between number of daily exchanges at CAPD start with clinical outcomes

BACKGROUND

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) continues to be demanding for patients affected by kidney failure. In kidney failure patients with residual kidney function, the employment of incremental PD, a less onerous dialytic prescription, could translate into a decrease burden on both health systems and patients.

METHODS

Between 1st January 2009 and 31st December 2021, 182 patients who started continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) at our institution were included in the study. The CAPD population was divided into three groups according to the initial number of daily CAPD exchanges prescribed: one or two (50 patients, CAPD-1/2 group), three (97 patients, CAPD-3 group) and four (35 patients, CAPD-4 group), respectively.

RESULTS

Multivariate analysis showed a difference in term of peritonitis free survival in CAPD-1/2 in comparison to CAPD-3 (hazard ratio (HR): 2.20, p = 0.014) and CAPD-4 (HR: 2.98, p < 0.01). A tendency towards a lower hospitalisation rate (CAPD-3 and CAPD-4 vs. CAPD-1/2, p = 0.11 and 0.13, respectively) and decreased mortality (CAPD-3 and CAPD-4 vs. CAPD-1/2, p = 0.13 and 0.22, respectively) in patients who started PD with less than three daily exchanges was detected. No discrepancy of the difference of the mean values between baseline and 24 months residual kidney function was observed among the three groups (p = 0.33).

CONCLUSIONS

One- or two-exchange CAPD start was associated with a lower risk of peritonitis in comparison to three- or four-exchange start. Furthermore, an initial PD prescription with less than three exchanges may be associated with an advantage in term of hospitalisation rate and patient survival.

Influencing factors for residual kidney function in incident peritoneal dialysis patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Residual kidney function (RKF) impacts patients' survival rate and quality of life when undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD). This meta-analysis was conducted to systematically identify risk and protective factors associated with RKF decline and loss.

METHODS

We searched three English and one Chinese databases from inception to January 31, 2023, for cohort and cross-sectional studies exploring factors associated with RKF decline or loss. The random effects model was employed to aggregate risk estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) from multivariate analysis. Sensitivity and subgroup analyses were performed to explore the heterogeneity among the studies.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven studies comprising 13549 individuals and 14 factors were included in the meta-analysis. Based on the meta-analysis results, risk factors involving male gender (hazard ratio (HR) 1.689, 95%CI 1.385-2.061), greater body mass index (BMI) (odds ratio (OR) 1.081, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.029-1.135), higher systolic blood pressure (SBP) (HR 1.014, 95%CI 1.005-1.024), diabetes mellitus (DM) (HRRKF loss 1.873, 95%CI 1.475-2.378), DM (ORRKF decline 1.906, 95%CI 1.262-2.879), peritonitis (relative ratio (RR) 2.291, 95%CI 1.633-3.213), proteinuria (OR 1.223, 95%CI 1.117-1.338), and elevated serum phosphorus (RR 2.655, 95%CI 1.679-4.201) significantly contributed to the risk of RKF decline and loss in PD patients. Conversely, older age (HR 0.968, 95%CI 0.956-0.981), higher serum albumin (OR 0.834, 95%CI 0.720-0.966), weekly Kt/V urea (HR 0.414, 95%CI 0.248-0.690), baseline urine volume (UV) (HR 0.791, 95%CI 0.639-0.979), baseline RKF (HR 0.795, 95%CI 0.739-0.857) exhibited protective effects. However, diuretics use, automatic peritoneal dialysis (APD) modality and baseline RKF did not significantly impact RKF decline.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with male gender, greater BMI, higher SBP, DM, peritonitis, proteinuria, and elevated serum phosphorus might have a higher risk of RKF decline and loss. In contrast, older age, higher serum albumin, weekly Kt/V urea, baseline UV, and baseline RKF might protect against RKF deterioration.

Association of Incremental peritoneal dialysis with residual kidney function decline in patients on peritoneal dialysis: The balANZ trial

BACKGROUND

Incremental peritoneal dialysis (PD), defined as less than Full-dose PD prescription, has several possible merits, including better preservation of residual kidney function (RKF), lower peritoneal glucose exposure and reduced risk of peritonitis. The aims of this study were to analyse the association of Incremental and Full-dose PD strategy with RKF and urine volume (UV) decline in patients commencing PD.

METHODS

Incident PD patients who participated in the balANZ randomised controlled trial (RCT) (2004-2010) and had at least one post-baseline RKF and UV measurement was included in this study. Patients receiving <56 L/week and ≥56 L/week of PD fluid at PD commencement were classified as Incremental and Full-dose PD, respectively. An alternative cut-point of 42 L/week was used in a sensitivity analysis. The primary and secondary outcomes were changes in measured RKF and daily UV, respectively.

RESULTS

The study included 154 patients (mean age 57.9 ± 14.1 years, 44% female, 34% diabetic, mean follow-up 19.5 ± 6.6 months). Incremental and Full-dose PD was commenced by 45 (29.2%) and 109 (70.8%) participants, respectively. RKF declined in the Incremental group from 7.9 ± 3.2 mL/min/1.73 m2 at baseline to 3.2 ± 2.9 mL/min/1.73 m2 at 24 months (p < 0.001), and in the Full-dose PD group from 7.3 ± 2.7 mL/min/1.73 m2 at baseline to 3.4 ± 2.8 mL/min/1.73 m2 at 24 months (p < 0.001). There was no difference in the slope of RKF decline between Incremental and Full-dose PD (p = 0.78). UV declined from 1.81 ± 0.73 L/day at baseline to 0.64 ± 0.63 L/day at 24 months in the Incremental PD group (p < 0.001) and from 1.38 ± 0.61 L/day to 0.71 ± 0.46 L/day in the Full-dose PD group (p < 0.001). There was no difference in the slope of UV decline between Incremental and Full-dose PD (p = 0.18).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with Full-dose PD start, Incremental PD start is associated with similar declines in RKF and UV.

Multicentre registry analysis of incremental peritoneal dialysis incidence and associations with patient outcomes

BACKGROUND

Incremental peritoneal dialysis (PD) is increasingly advocated to reduce treatment burden and costs, with potential to better preserve residual kidney function. Global prevalence of incremental PD use is unknown and use in Australia and New Zealand has not been reported.

METHODS

Binational registry analysis including incident adult PD patients in Australia and New Zealand (2007-2017), examining incidence of and outcomes associated with incremental PD (first recorded PD exchange volume <42 L/week (incremental) vs. ≥42 L/week (standard)).

RESULTS

Incremental PD use significantly increased from 2.7% of all incident PD in 2007 to 11.1% in 2017 (mean increase 0.84%/year). Duration of incremental PD use was 1 year or less in 67% of cases. Male sex, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) or Māori ethnicities, age 45-59 years, medical comorbidities or treatment at a centre with low use of automated PD or icodextrin was associated with lower incidence of incremental PD use. Low body mass index and higher estimated glomerular filtration rate was associated with higher incidence. After accounting for patient and centre variables, commencing PD with an incremental prescription was associated with reduced peritonitis risk (adjusted hazard ratio 0.73, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.61-0.86).When kidney transplantation and death were considered as competing risks, the association between incremental PD and peritonitis was not significant (sub-hazard ratio [SHR] 0.91, 95%CI 0.71-1.17, p = 0.5), however cumulative incidence of 30-day transfer to haemodialysis was lower in those receiving incremental PD (SHR 0.73, 95%CI 0.56-0.94, p = 0.01). There was no association between incremental PD and death.

CONCLUSIONS

Incremental PD use is increasing in Australia and New Zealand and is not associated with patient harm.

Incremental peritoneal dialysis and survival outcomes: a propensity-matched cohort study

BACKGROUND

The advantages of an incremental dialysis start are not fully clear. We aimed to evaluate the association of incremental initiation of peritoneal dialysis with mortality.

METHODS

Incident peritoneal dialysis patients with a catheter placed at our hospital between 2008 and 2017 were included. All patients were followed up until December 31, 2019. Patients were categorized into different groups according to the initial daily dialysis exchanges, and were matched at a ratio of 1:2 with propensity score matching. Multiple variables including age, sex, residual kidney function, urine volume, hemoglobin, serum albumin and other important variables were included for the matching. Primary outcomes were all-cause and cardiovascular mortality.

RESULTS

A total of 1315 patients with a mean age of 45.9 years were enrolled. The mean glomerular filtration rate was 4.32 ml/min/1.73 m2 at start of dialysis. Two hundred eighty-five patients in the incremental group and 502 in the full dose group were matched for age, sex, residual kidney function, urine volume, hemoglobin, serum albumin and other important variables. Patient survival and cardiovascular event-free survival were similar between the two groups. However, during the first 6 years of peritoneal dialysis, patients in the incremental group had better survival (P = 0.011) and cardiovascular event-free survival (P = 0.044) than the full dose group, while such advantages disappeared when dialysis vintage became longer. Further analysis showed that the incremental group (vs full dose dialysis) had a 39% lower risk (95% CI 0.42-0.90, P = 0.012) of all-cause mortality and a 41% decreased risk (95% CI 0.35-0.99, P = 0.047) of cardiovascular mortality during the first 6 years of dialysis. Additionally, the cumulative hazard for anuria was significantly lower in the incremental group versus the full dose group (P = 0.006).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study shows a time-related survival advantage for incremental peritoneal dialysis patients, suggesting that an incremental regimen for starting peritoneal dialysis is feasible and is not associated with worse outcomes. Graphical Abstract presenting schematically the measurements of the solvation response function by processing the relevant streak camera images and the time-correlated photon counting (TCSPC) data and appropriately combining them together.

Five Things to Know About Incremental Peritoneal Dialysis

Incremental peritoneal dialysis (PD) offers patients newly starting dialysis less than the standard "full dose" of PD, reducing treatment burden and intrusiveness while minimizing symptoms of renal failure. Incremental PD is a cost-effective approach that has been associated with slower rates of decline in residual kidney function. This approach also produces less waste and in turn reduces environmental footprint compared to standard PD prescriptions. It also aligns with the International Society of Peritoneal Dialysis (ISPD) Practice Recommendations for high-quality, goal-oriented therapy. Awareness of incremental PD along with its advantages and limitations provides practitioners with the tools to provide more patient-centered dialysis prescriptions in appropriate populations.

Incremental peritoneal dialysis allows to reduce the time spent for dialysis, glucose exposure, economic cost, plastic waste and water consumption

BACKGROUND

Incremental peritoneal dialysis (incPD) as the initial PD strategy represents a convenient and resource-sparing approach, but its impact on patient, healthcare and environment has not been thoroughly evaluated.

METHODS

This study includes 147 patients who started incPD at our institution between 1st January, 2009 and 31st December, 2021. Adequacy measures, peritoneal permeability parameters, peritonitis episodes, hospitalizations and increase in CAPD dose prescriptions were recorded. The savings related to cost, patient glucose exposure, time needed to perform dialysis, plastic waste, and water usage were compared to full-dose PD treatment.

RESULTS

During the study follow-up 11.9% of the patients transitioned from incremental to full dose PD. Patient cumulative probability of remaining on PD at 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 months was 87.6, 65.4, 46.1, 30.1 and 17.5%, respectively. The median transition time from 1 to 2 exchanges, from 2 to 3 and 3 to 4 exchanges were 5, 9 and 11.8 months, respectively. Compared to full dose PD, 1, 2, and 3 exchanges per day led to reduction in glucose exposure of 20.4, 14.8 or 8.3 kg/patient-year, free lifetime gain of 18.1, 13.1 or 7.4 day/patient-year, a decrease in cost of 8700, 6300 or 3540 €/patient-year, a reduction in plastic waste of 139.2, 100.8 or 56.6 kg/patient-year, and a decline in water use of 25,056, 18,144 or 10,196 L/patient-year.

CONCLUSIONS

In comparison with full-dose PD, incPD allows to reduce the time spent for managing dialysis, glucose exposure, economic cost, plastic waste, and water consumption.

Incremental Peritoneal Dialysis-Definition, Prescription, and Clinical Outcomes

ABSTRACT

Incremental peritoneal dialysis (IPD) is a strategy of RRT that is based on the prescription of a lower dose rather than the standard full dose of peritoneal dialysis (PD). The clearance goals are achieved through the combination of residual kidney function (RKF) and peritoneal clearance. The dialysis prescription should be increased as the RKF declines. IPD has been associated with clinical, economic, and environmental advantages. We emphasize possible better quality of life, fewer mechanical symptoms, lower costs, slight adverse metabolic effects, and less plastic waste and water consumption. The potential benefits for RKF preservation and the lower risk of peritonitis have also been discussed. There are some concerns regarding this strategy, such as inadequate clearance of uremic toxins and/or severe electrolyte disturbances due to undetected loss of RKF, lower clearance of medium-sized molecules (such as β-2-microglobulin) which mostly depends on the total PD dwell time, and patients' reluctance to dose adjustments. Current clinical evidence is based on moderate-quality to low-quality studies and suggests that the outcomes of IPD will be at least identical to those of full dose. This review aims to define IDP, discuss strategies for prescription, and review its advantages and disadvantages according to the current evidence.

On the importance of the interplay of residual renal function with clinical outcomes in end-stage kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of the most important public health concerns of the century, and is associated with high rates of morbidity, mortality and social costs. CKD evolving towards end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) is on the rise resulting in a greater number of patients requiring peritoneal dialysis (PD) and hemodialysis (HD). The aim of this manuscript is to review the current literature on the interplay of residual renal function (RRF) with clinical outcomes in ESKD. The persistence of RRF is one of the most important predictors of decreased morbidity, mortality, and better quality of life in both PD and HD patients. RRF contributes to the well-being of ESKD patients through various mechanisms including higher clearance of solutes, maintenance of fluid balance, removal of uremic toxins and control of electrolytes. Furthermore, RRF has beneficial effects on inflammation, anemia, malnutrition, diabetes mellitus, obesity, changes in the microbiota, and cardiac diseases. Several strategies have been proposed to preserve RRF, such as blockade of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, better blood pressure control, incremental PD and HD. Several clinical trials investigating the issue of preservation of RRF are ongoing. They are needed to broaden our understanding of the interplay of RRF with clinical outcomes in ESKD.

Epidemiology of peritoneal dialysis outcomes

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is an important home-based treatment for kidney failure and accounts for 11% of all dialysis and 9% of all kidney replacement therapy globally. Although PD is available in 81% of countries, this provision ranges from 96% in high-income countries to 32% in low-income countries. Compared with haemodialysis, PD has numerous potential advantages, including a simpler technique, greater feasibility of use in remote communities, generally lower cost, lesser need for trained staff, fewer management challenges during natural disasters, possibly better survival in the first few years, greater ability to travel, fewer dietary restrictions, better preservation of residual kidney function, greater treatment satisfaction, better quality of life, better outcomes following subsequent kidney transplantation, delayed need for vascular access (especially in small children), reduced need for erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, and lower risk of blood-borne virus infections and of SARS-CoV-2 infection. PD outcomes have been improving over time but with great variability, driven by individual and system-level inequities and by centre effects; this variation is exacerbated by a lack of standardized outcome definitions. Potential strategies for outcome improvement include enhanced standardization, monitoring and reporting of PD outcomes, and the implementation of continuous quality improvement programmes and of PD-specific interventions, such as incremental PD, the use of biocompatible PD solutions and remote PD monitoring.

The use of peritoneal dialysis (PD) can be advantageous compared with haemodialysis treatment, although several barriers limit its broad implementation. This review examines the epidemiology of peritoneal dialysis (PD) outcomes, including clinical, patient-reported and surrogate PD outcomes.

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) has distinct advantages compared with haemodialysis, including the convenience of home treatment, improved quality of life, technical simplicity, lesser need for trained staff, greater cost-effectiveness in most countries, improved equity of access to dialysis in resource-limited settings, and improved survival, particularly in the first few years of initiating therapy.

Important barriers can hamper PD utilization in low-income settings, including the high costs of PD fluids (owing to the inability to manufacture them locally and the exorbitant costs of their import), limited workforce availability and a practice culture that limits optimal PD use, often leading to suboptimal outcomes.

PD outcomes are highly variable around the world owing in part to the use of variable outcome definitions, a heterogeneous practice culture, the lack of standardized monitoring and reporting of quality indicators, and kidney failure care gaps (including health care workforce shortages, inadequate health care financing, suboptimal governance and a lack of good health care information systems).

Key outcomes include not only clinical outcomes (typically defined as medical outcomes based on clinician assessment or diagnosis) — for example, PD-related infections, technique survival, mechanical complications, hospitalizations and PD-related mortality — but also patient-reported outcomes. These outcomes are directly reported by patients and focus on how they function or feel, typically in relation to quality of life or symptoms; patient-reported outcomes are used less frequently than clinical outcomes in day-to-day routine care.

Incremental Versus Standard (Full-Dose) Peritoneal Dialysis

Incremental peritoneal dialysis (PD), defined as less than “standard dose” PD prescription, has a number of possible benefits, including better preservation of residual kidney function (RKF), reduced risk of peritonitis, lower peritoneal glucose exposure, lesser environmental impact, and reduced costs. Patients commencing PD are often new to kidney replacement therapy and possess substantial RKF, which may allow safe delivery of an incremental prescription, often in the form of lower frequency or duration of PD. This has the potential to help improve quality of life (QOL) and life participation through reducing time requirements and burden of treatment. Alternatively, incremental PD could potentially contribute to reduced small solute clearance, fluid overload, or patient reluctance to increase dialysis prescription when later needed. This review discusses the definition, rationale, uptake, potential advantages and disadvantages, and clinical trial evidence pertaining to the use of incremental PD.

Comparison between peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis on kidney function recovery in incident kidney failure: A nationwide cohort study

BACKGROUND

Patients with kidney failure who start dialysis have a chance of kidney function recovery. Whether the initial dialysis modality affects the possibility of recovery is not fully understood.

METHODS

We included patients diagnosed with kidney failure requiring dialysis during 2001-2013 from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. We excluded diabetic and elderly patients. Kidney function recovery was defined as not receiving dialysis therapy for longer than 3 months. The primary outcome was kidney function recovery, and the secondary outcome was all-cause mortality during a 3-year follow up.

RESULTS

A total of 12,619 patients was eligible for analysis, with 981 received PD and 11,638 received HD. Total 620 patients had kidney function recovery during a 3-year follow up, which represented 4.9% of the entire cohort. After propensity score matching, the PD groups were more likely to experience kidney function recovery (subdistribution hazard ratio [SHR]: 1.64, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.19-2.25). The risk of all-cause mortality between groups did not significantly differ (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.23, 95% CI: 0.89-1.70).

CONCLUSION

The study found that in nonelderly, nondiabetic patients who received inadequate predialysis nephrology care before kidney failure, PD is associated with a higher chance of kidney function recovery.

Comparison of clinical outcome between incremental peritoneal dialysis and conventional peritoneal dialysis: a propensity score matching study

Background

Incremental peritoneal dialysis (iPD) can be useful in patients with residual renal function (RRF). RRF was well preserved and similar survival was shown in iPD compared to conventional PD (cPD) in previous study. However, the long-term survival of iPD remains unclear compared to cPD in diabetic patients. This study evaluated whether patient survival, hospitalization and peritonitis, and PD survival in iPD were lower than cPD or not.

Methods

We conducted a 12-year retrospective observational study of 303 PD patients (232 cPD and 71 iPD) using propensity score matching by age, gender, and diabetes mellitus (DM). Finally, 78 cPD patients and 39 iPD patients were included and 44 patients had DM. Incremental PD was defined as starting PD with two or three manual exchanges per day.

Results

The median duration of iPD was 24.1 months and iPD had higher RRF than cPD. Compared to cPD, the patient survival, PD survival and hospitalization benefits were not found in iPD but diabetic iPD patients had significantly longer survival and less hospitalization. Cumulative risk for peritonitis was lower iPD and PD duration of iPD was longer than those of cPD. The iPD was an independent factor associated with survival in patients with DM.

Conclusions

Incremental PD may be a safe PD modality to initiate and maintain PD in less uremic patients with tolerable RRF. Incremental PD would be a benefit for survival in diabetic patients. Further prospective studies are necessary to confirm the effectiveness of iPD in PD patients with similar RRF.

Incremental peritoneal dialysis is a safe and feasible prescription in incident patients with preserved residual kidney function

BACKGROUND

Incremental peritoneal dialysis (PD) is recommended as a component of high-quality care by the international society for PD; however, its feasibility and clinical outcomes have not been widely reported. The aim of this study is to describe our experience with incremental PD.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study of incident PD patients at Eastern Health between 2015 and 2019. Patients who stopped PD within 30 days were excluded. Incremental PD was defined in CAPD as using <8 L/day of exchange volume and in automated PD as dialysing without a last fill. Dialysis modality accorded with patient and physician preferences.

RESULTS

The 96 patients were included in this study; 54 with incremental PD. Compared to full-dose PD, incremental PD patients were more likely to be female, had less comorbid diabetes (28% vs. 52%) and higher residual kidney function (RKF) (Kt/V 2.0 ± 0.7 vs. 1.4 ± 0.7). Age, BMI and starting eGFR did not differ between groups. Incremental PD exposed patients to lower exchange volumes (4.4 ± 2.1 vs. 8.5 ± 1.1 L/day), glucose load (46 ± 41 g/day vs. 119 ± 46) and was associated with a longer peritonitis-free survival. PD technique survival, rates of peritonitis or hospitalization were comparable between groups. Predictors for longer incremental PD use included older age and higher starting eGFR.

CONCLUSIONS

Incremental PD is a feasible, goal-directed initial prescription in patients with RKF with comparable peritonitis rates and technique survival. Validation of this prescription in prospective studies is warranted.

Incremental peritoneal dialysis in incident end-stage kidney disease patients

BACKGROUND

This retrospective cohort study investigated the characteristics and outcomes of the end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients treated with incremental peritoneal dialysis (PD) at a large academic centre.

METHODS

ESKD patients initiating PD with a dialysate volume ≤6 L/day were analysed.

RESULTS

One hundred and seventy-five patients were included and were followed up for 352.6 patient-years. The baseline residual kidney function (RKF) was 8.3 ± 3.4 mL/min/1.73 m². The unadjusted 1- to 5-year patient survival rate was 89.6%, 80.4%, 65.4%, 62.7% and 48.8%, respectively, and the corresponding time on PD therapy rate was 95.1%, 89.1%, 89.1%, 82.4% and 77.6%. Greater initial PD dose (hazard ratio = 1.608, 95% confidence interval 1.089-2.375) was associated with death after adjusting for age, Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), haemodialysis prior to PD, assisted PD and baseline RKF, likely as a result of residual confounding. There was no association with PD discontinuation. The average peritonitis rate and hospitalisation rate were 0.122 and 0.645 episodes per patient-year, respectively. The dialysate volume increased from 4.5 (4.3-5.7) L/day to 8.0 (6.0-9.8) L/day at 5 years. Fifty-seven (32.6%) patients graduated to full-dose PD at a median time of 10.3 (6.2, 15.7) months. Male sex, greater body mass index and lower baseline serum albumin were risk factors for increasing PD dose to over 6 L/day within 1 year.

CONCLUSIONS

Incremental PD is a safe approach to initiate dialysis, and it offers satisfactory outcomes. Close monitoring, comprehensive evaluation of clinical responses and prompt adjustment of the prescription as needed play a crucial role in this patient-centred treatment.

Evolving outcomes of peritoneal dialysis: secular trends at a single large center over three decades

Background

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is improving as a renal replacement therapy for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. We analyzed the main outcomes of PD over the last three decades at a single large-scale PD center with an established high-quality care system.

Methods

As a retrospective cohort study, we included participants (n = 1,203) who began PD between 1990 and 2019. Major PD-related outcomes were compared among the three 10-year cohorts.

Results

The 1,203 participants were 58.3% male with a mean age of 47.9 ± 13.8 years. The median PD treatment duration was 45 months (interquartile range, 19–77 months); 362 patients (30.1%) transferred to hemodialysis, 289 (24.0%) received kidney transplants, and 224 (18.6%) died. Overall, the 5- and 8-year adjust patient survival rates were 64% and 49%, respectively. Common causes of death included infection (n = 55), cardiac (n = 38), and cerebrovascular (n = 17) events. The 5- and 8-year technique survival rates were 77% and 62%, respectively, with common causes of technique failure being infection (42.3%) and solute/water clearance problems (22.7%). The 5-year patient survival significantly improved over time (64% for the 1990–1999 cohort vs. 93% for the 2010–2019 cohort). The peritonitis rate also substantially decreased over time, from 0.278 episodes/patient-year (2000–2004) to 0.162 episodes/patient-year (2015–2019).

Conclusion

PD is an effective treatment option for ESRD patients. There was a substantial improvement in the patient survival and peritonitis rates over time. Establishing adequate infrastructure and an effective system for high-quality PD therapy may be warranted to improve PD outcomes.

Protection of Residual Renal Function and Nutritional Treatment: First Step Strategy for Reduction of Uremic Toxins in End-Stage Kidney Disease Patients

The retention of uremic toxins and their pathological effects occurs in the advanced phases of chronic kidney disease (CKD), mainly in stage 5, when the implementation of conventional thrice-weekly hemodialysis is the prevalent and life-saving treatment. However, the start of hemodialysis is associated with both an acceleration of the loss of residual kidney function (RKF) and the shift to an increased intake of proteins, which are precursors of uremic toxins. In this phase, hemodialysis treatment is the only way to remove toxins from the body, but it can be largely inefficient in the case of high molecular weight and/or protein-bound molecules. Instead, even very low levels of RKF are crucial for uremic toxins excretion, which in most cases are protein-derived waste products generated by the intestinal microbiota. Protection of RKF can be obtained even in patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) by a gradual and soft shift to kidney replacement therapy (KRT), for example by combining a once-a-week hemodialysis program with a low or very low-protein diet on the extra-dialysis days. This approach could represent a tailored strategy aimed at limiting the retention of both inorganic and organic toxins. In this paper, we discuss the combination of upstream (i.e., reduced production) and downstream (i.e., increased removal) strategies to reduce the concentration of uremic toxins in patients with ESKD during the transition phase from pure conservative management to full hemodialysis treatment.

Vadadustat for anemia in chronic kidney disease patients on peritoneal dialysis: A phase 3 open-label study in Japan

Vadadustat is an oral hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor for the treatment of anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This phase 3, open-label, 24-week single-arm study evaluated the efficacy and safety of vadadustat in 42 Japanese CKD patients with anemia undergoing peritoneal dialysis. Patients received oral vadadustat for 24 weeks, initiated at 300 mg/day and doses were adjusted to achieve the target hemoglobin (Hb) range of 11.0-13.0 g/dL. Least squares mean of average Hb at weeks 20 and 24 was 11.35 g/dL, which was within the target range. The most frequent adverse events were catheter site infections (23.8%), which were not related to vadadustat treatment. Vadadustat was generally well tolerated and effective in controlling Hb levels within the target range, indicating the usefulness of vadadustat for treating anemia in Japanese CKD patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis.

Setting Up and Expanding a Home Dialysis Program: Is There a Recipe for Success?

Home dialysis modalities remain significantly underused in the United States despite similar overall survival in the modalities, and recent incentives to expand these modalities. Although the absolute number of patients using home modalities has grown, the proportion compared to in-center hemodialysis (ICHD) continues to remain quite low. Well known barriers to home dialysis utilization exist, and an organized and team-based approach is required to overcome these barriers. Herein, we describe our efforts at growing our home dialysis program at a large academic medical center, with the proportion of home dialysis patients growing from 12% to 21% over the past 9 years. We prioritized individualized education for patients and better training for physicians, with the help of existing resources, aimed at better utilization of home modalities; an example includes dedicated dialysis education classes taught twice monthly by an experienced nurse practitioner, as well as the utilization of the dialysis educator from a dialysis provider for inpatient education of patients with CKD. The nephrology fellowship curriculum was restructured with emphasis on home modalities, and participation in annual home dialysis conferences has been encouraged. For timely placement and troubleshooting of access for dialysis, we followed a complementary team approach using surgeons and interventional radiologists and nephrologists, driven by a standardized protocol developed at UAB, and comanaged by our access coordinators. A team-based approach, with emphasis on staff engagement and leadership opportunities for dialysis nurses as well as collaborative efforts from a team of clinical nephrologists and the dialysis provider helped maintain efficiency, kindle growth, and provide consistently high-quality clinical care in the home program. Lastly, efforts at reducing burden of disease such as decreased number of monthly visits as well as using innovative strategies, such as telenephrology and assisted PD and HHD, were instrumental in reducing attrition.

Prescribing high-quality peritoneal dialysis: Moving beyond urea clearance

Urea removal in peritoneal dialysis (PD) has been a primary measure of dialysis adequacy, but its utility remains limited due to its poor correlation with the clearance of other important uraemic retention solutes and the low certainty of evidence relating peritoneal urea clearance and survival of individuals doing PD. Indeed, clearances of other uraemic solutes, electrolyte imbalances, hypoalbuminaemia and nutritional status, may provide a more holistic measure of dialysis adequacy when evaluating individuals on PD in addition to focusing on person-centred outcomes. Here, we review the history of the urea and creatinine-centric approach to dialysis adequacy and explore the potential importance of other uraemic retention solutes, electrolyte disturbances, phosphorus control, peritoneal protein losses and hypoalbuminaemia, as well as nutritional management to promote a broader multidimensional concept of clearance for PD.