Design, setting, participants, & measurements: A longitudinal cohort of 917 incident hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients who completed the CHOICE Health Experience Questionnaire (CHEQ) participated in the study. Fatigue was assessed using the SF-36 vitality scale. Known predictors of fatigue including sociodemographic and psychosocial factors, dialysis-related factors, biochemical variables including inflammatory markers, comorbidities, and medications were used as covariates.

Results: A low vitality score was independently associated with white race, higher Index of Coexistent Disease score, higher body mass index, lack of physical exercise, antidepressant use, and higher C-reactive protein levels (CRP). A lower vitality score was strongly associated with lower SF-36 physical functioning, mental health, bodily pain scores, and decreased sleep quality (all P < 0.001) at baseline. Among surviving participants, higher serum creatinine at baseline was associated with preserved vitality at 1 yr. Patients with the highest baseline vitality scores were associated with longer survival (hazard ratio 0.75; 95% CI 0.58 to 0.96, P = 0.03).

Conclusions: The findings of this study demonstrate that ESRD patients experience profound levels of fatigue and elucidate its correlates. Also, the association of fatigue with survival may have significant implications for this population.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements: We retrospectively queried a prospective access database to analyze the outcomes of 175 tunneled dialysis catheters placed in the internal jugular vein, including 89 heparin-coated catheters and 86 noncoated catheters. The primary outcome was cumulative catheter survival, and the secondary outcome was infection-free catheter survival.

Results: The two patient groups were similar in demographics and clinical and catheter features. Catheter-related bacteremia occurred less frequently with heparin-coated catheters than with noncoated catheters (34 versus 60%, P < 0.001). Cumulative catheter survival was similar in heparin-coated and noncoated catheters (hazard ratio, 0.87; 95% confidence interval, 0.55 to 1.36; P = 0.53). On multiple variable survival analysis including catheter type, age, sex, diabetes, coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, catheter location, and previous catheter, only catheter location predicted cumulative catheter survival (hazard ratio, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.27 to 3.25, with the right internal jugular location being the reference group, P = 0.003). The frequency of thrombolytic instillation was 1.8 per 1000 catheter-days in both groups.

Conclusions: Heparin coating decreases the frequency of catheter-related bacteremia but does not reduce the frequency of catheter malfunction.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements: Fifty-nine hemodialysis patients (17 female; age 58.4 ± 16.1 yr; body mass index 27.0 ± 5.4) were enrolled into a 12-mo, two-center, prospective cohort study. Deuterium concentration was measured in breath by flowing-afterglow mass spectrometry using a validated protocol ensuring full equilibration with the TBW; BIA was measured using a multifrequency, multisegmental device. Comorbidity was quantified by the Stoke score. Clinicians were blinded to body composition data.

Results: At baseline and 12 mo, there was an incremental discrepancy between TBW_BIA and TBW_D volumes such that greater comorbidity was associated with increasing overhydration. Forty-three patients who completed the study had no longitudinal differences in the prescribed or achieved postdialysis weights. In contrast, TBW_D increased without a change in TBW_BIA (mean difference –0.10 L). Changes in TBW and lean body mass differed according to baseline comorbidity; without comorbidity, BIA also identified an increase in TBW and lean body mass, whereas with increasing comorbid burden, BIA failed to demonstrate increases in tissue hydration identified by TBW_D.

Conclusions: Combined near-patient measurements of absolute and BIA-estimated TBW are achievable in a dialysis facility by identifying changes in body composition not fully appreciated by routine assessment. BIA underestimates tissue overhydration that is associated with comorbidity, resulting in reduced sensitivity to longitudinal increases during a 12-mo period.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements: This was a randomized, double-blind, perspective control study. Stable prevalent continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients were randomized to either 7.5% icodextrin (ICO) or 2.5% glucose (GLU) solution for 4 wk. Peritoneal membrane function was measured to define PET category in baseline. Creatinine clearance (Ccr), urea nitrogen clearance (C_BUN), ultrafiltration (UF) during the long night dwell, dialysate, and metabolic biomarkers were measured at baseline, 2, and 4 wk. UF, Ccr, and C_BUN were compared among different PET categories.

Results: A total of 201 CAPD patients were enrolled in the study. There were no baseline differences between the groups. Following 2 and 4 wk of therapy, Ccr, C_BUN, and UF were all significantly higher in the ICO versus the GLU group. Additionally, switching to ICO resulted in a significant increase in UF in high, high-average, and low-average transporters as compared with baseline. The extent of increased UF was more obvious in higher transporters. Blood cholesterol level in the ICO group decreased significantly than that in the GLU group.

Conclusion: Compared with glucose-based solution, 7.5% icodextrin significantly improved UF and small solute clearance, even in patients with low-average peritoneal transport.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements: In a prospective cohort study, all cases of catheter-associated bacteremia that occurred in a large dialysis center were identified during a 12-mo period. Catheter salvage was attempted according to a standard protocol in all cases in which a favorable early response to antibiotic therapy was seen, and patients were followed for at least 6 mo. Bacteremias, catheter changes, and all major clinical events were recorded.

Results: During a period covering 252,986 catheter days, 208 episodes were identified involving 133 patients, 74% of which were selected for attempted salvage. Salvage was successful in 66.1% of incident bacteremias with a very low complication risk (0.9%). Some bacteremias, however, recurred as late as 6 mo after the initial infection; salvage was less likely to be successful in treating recurrences.

Conclusions: Appropriately used catheter salvage can be successful in approximately two thirds of cases; however, recurrences continue to occur up to 6 mo later and are unlikely to be cured without catheter replacement.

Design: This is a cross-sectional pilot study of cystatin C in functionally anephric dialysis patients. It was measured predialysis in 14 patients on conventional (3 to 5 h, 3 x wk) hemodialysis; eight on nocturnal hemodialysis (three to seven nights, 6 to 8 h); three on daily hemodialysis (6 d, 11/2 to 21/2 h); and 10 on automated peritoneal dialysis. All had urea kinetic studies and values for single pool Kt/V (Sp Kt/V), standard weekly Kt/V (Std Kt/V), and protein equivalent of nitrogen appearance (nPNA; g/kg/d). C reactive protein (CRP; mg/L) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH; mIU/L) were measured as factors known to influence cystatin C.

Results: There was no correlation between cystatin C and Sp Kt/V, but there was a significant inverse linear correlation with Std Kt/V and there were significant differences between treatment modalities in cystatin C levels and in Std Kt/V. The estimation of cystatin C was reliable and stable over 3 to 6 wk and its levels uninfluenced by nPNA, CRP, or TSH.

Conclusion: Serum cystatin C levels are influenced by the method and intensity of dialysis and may have a role in treatment adequacy monitoring.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements: This is an observational study of a single-center cohort in the United Kingdom that evaluating 202 elderly (≥70 yr) patients who had ESRD and had chosen either MCM (n = 29) or RRT (n = 173). We report survival, hospitalization rates, and location of death for this cohort. Survival was measured from a standardized ‘threshold’ estimated GFR of 10.8 ml/min per 1.73 m².

Results: Median survival, including the first 90 d, was 37.8 mo (range 0 to 106 mo) for RRT patients and 13.9 mo (range 2 to 44) for MCM patients (P < 0.01). RRT patients had higher rates of hospitalization (0.069 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.068 to 0.070]) versus 0.043 [95% CI 0.040 to 0.047] hospital days/patient-days survived) compared with MCM patients. MCM patients were significantly more likely to die at home or in a hospice (odds ratio 4.15; 95% CI 1.67 to 10.25). A survey of the literature describing elderly ESRD outcomes is also presented.

Conclusions: Dialysis prolongs survival for elderly patients who have ESRD with significant comorbidity by approximately 2 yr; however, patients who choose MCM can survive a substantial length of time, achieving similar numbers of hospital-free days to patients who choose hemodialysis.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements: The study included all adult Australian and New Zealand patients commencing dialysis between January 1, 1997 and December 31, 2007. Rates of and times to CV death were compared by incident rate ratios, cumulative incidence, and multivariable Cox proportional hazards model analyses. Dialysis modality was included in the model as a time-varying covariate, and a competing risks approach was used to obtain cause-specific hazard ratios.

Results: Of the 24,587 patients who commenced dialysis (first treatment PD n = 6521; HD n = 18,066) during the study, 5669 (21%) died from CV causes [PD 2044 (28%) versus HD 3625 (21%)]. The incidence rates of CV mortality in PD and HD patients were 9.99 and 7.96 per 100 patient-years, respectively (incidence rate ratio PD versus HD, 1.25; 95% confidence interval 1.12 to 1.32). PD was consistently associated with an increased hazard of CV death compared with HD after 1 yr of treatment. This increased risk in PD patients was largely accounted for by an increased risk of death due to myocardial infarction.

Conclusions: Dialysis modality is significantly associated with the risk, causes, and timing of CV death experienced by ESRD patients in Australia and New Zealand.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements: A cross-sectional study was conducted by performing two-dimensional echocardiography on 230 PD patients to assess valvular calcification and left ventricular (LV) mass and collecting 24-h urine for estimation of RRF.

Results: Patients having valvular calcification had lower RRF than those without. Patients with no RRF showed higher calcium-phosphorus product (Ca x P) and C-reactive protein (CRP). Using multiple logistic regression analysis, every 1-ml/min per 1.73 m² increase in residual GFR was associated with a 28% reduction in the risk for valvular calcification. The association was lost after additional adjustment for Ca x P and CRP. Using multiple linear regression analysis, loss of RRF showed significant association with increased LV mass index, but this association was lost after additional adjustment for CRP, Ca x P, and valvular calcification. Patients with all three calcification risk factors, namely inflammation, high CaxP, and no RRF, showed the highest prevalence of valvular calcification and had the most severe cardiac hypertrophy.

Conclusions: The association among loss of RRF, valvular calcification, and cardiac hypertrophy was closely linked to increased inflammation and high Ca x P in PD patients. These data suggest that valvular calcification and the calcification milieu are part of the processes linking loss of RRF and worsening cardiac hypertrophy in PD.

Design: The battery-powered WAK pump has a double channel pulsatile counter phase flow. This study clarifies the role of pulsatile blood and dialysate flow, a high-flux membrane with a larger surface area, and the optimization of the dialysate pH. Flows and clearances from the WAK pump were compared with conventional pumps and with gravity steady flow.

Results: Raising dialysate pH to 7.4 increased adsorption of ammonia. Clearances were higher with pulsatile flow as compared with steady flow. The light WAK pump, geometrically suitable for wearability, delivered the same clearances as larger and heavier pumps that cannot be battery operated. Beta₂ microglobulin (β₂M) was removed from human blood in vitro. Activated charcoal adsorbed most β₂M in the dialysate. The WAK V1.0 delivered an effective creatinine clearance of 18.5 ± 3.2 ml/min and the WAK V1.1 27.0 ± 4.0 ml/min in uremic pigs.

Conclusions: Half-cycle differences between blood and dialysate, alternating transmembrane pressures (TMP), higher amplitude pulsations, and a push-pull flow increased convective transport. This creates a yet undescribed type of hemodiafiltration. Further improvements were achieved with a larger surface area high-flux dialyzer and a higher dialysate pH. The data suggest that the WAK might be an efficient way of providing daily dialysis and optimizing end stage renal disease (ESRD) treatment.

Design, setting, participants & measurements: Medline was searched from 1966 through February 2009, and prospective studies describing IFN treatment of hemodialysis patients with chronic HCV infection with published individual patient data were included. To identify factors associated with SVR, logistic regression was applied with adjustment for study.

Results: Twenty studies of IFN treatment provided data on 428 patients. Overall SVR was 45% and in univariate analyses was higher with: 1) three million units or higher three times weekly of IFN; 2) treatment for at least 6 mo; 3) treatment completion; 4) lower baseline HCV RNA; 5) female gender; and 6) early virological negativity. Although limited by missing data, these relationships persisted in multivariate regression.

Conclusions: SVR is more likely with larger IFN dose, longer treatment duration, treatment completion, female gender, lower HCV RNA and early virological negativity. For appropriate treatment candidates, regimens should consist of three million units of IFN three times weekly for at least 6 mo, with patients encouraged to complete the full course.

Design, settings, participants, & measurements: Three outpatient chronic hemodialysis units with 142 patients were switched to CD for 6 mo. Using each patient's prior 6 mo on regular bicarbonate dialysate acidified by acetate (AD) as control, eKt/Vurea was compared with that of CD. Follow-up data for 7 mo after the study were collected from about one-half of the participants remaining on CD and the others returned to AD.

Results: eKt/Vurea, increased (P < 0.0001) from pre-CD value of 1.51 ± 0.01 to 1.57 ± 0.01 with CD. During CD use β-2 microglobulin levels declined (P = 0.0001) from 28.1 ± 10.0 to 25.9 ± 10.0. Similarly, the concentrations of BUN, creatinine, and phosphate also decreased on CD (P < 0.008). In the poststudy period, eKt/Vurea for the patients staying on CD remained unchanged at 1.60 ± 0.17 versus 1.59 ± 0.18 (P = NS), whereas in those returning to AD the eKt/Vurea decreased from 1.55 ± 0.20 to 1.52 ± 0.17 (P < 0.0001).

Conclusions: Data suggest that CD use is associated with increased solute removal.

Design, setting, participants, & measurement: Dialysis subjects from at least one of five lead-in studies (double-blind placebo-controlled, including one extension trial) completing up to 52 wk of either cinacalcet or placebo were eligible for this open-label extension study, including an 8-wk dose titration (initiated at 30 mg/d), followed by 24-wk maintenance and up to 132 wk of follow-up. Final efficacy analysis was at week 180.

Results: Three hundred thirty-four of 589 enrolled subjects received cinacalcet from the beginning of the lead-in study. Weekly median PTH values were ≤300 pg/ml (weeks 16 through 180) and median CaxP values were ≤55 mg²/dl² (weeks 4 through 180). Similar results were exhibited in the 255 subjects who initially received placebo. Among the patients exposed to cinacalcet from the beginning of the lead-in study, 3% of subjects exhibited treatment-related serious adverse events.

Conclusions: Cinacalcet effectively maintained PTH, Ca and P reductions in dialysis subjects for up to 180 wk.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements: A total of 246 HD patients (63.8% male; mean age 51.5 ± 12.1 yr) underwent CMR on a postdialysis day. LVM was measured from a stack of cine loops and indexed for body surface area (LVM index [LVMI]). Demographic, past biochemical, hematologic, and dialysis data were collected by patient record review. Results up to 180 d before CMR were collected. LVH was defined as LVMI >84.1 g/m² (male) or >76.4 g/m² (female).

Results: A total of 157 (63.8%) patients had LVH. LVH was more common in patients with higher predialysis systolic BP, predialysis pulse pressure, and calcium-phosphate product (Ca x PO₄). Furthermore, LVH was significantly associated with higher end-diastolic and systolic volumes and lower ejection fraction. There were positive correlations with LVMI and end-diastolic and systolic volumes. There were weak positive correlations among LVMI, mean volume of ultrafiltration, and Ca x PO₄. Using multivariate linear and logistic regression (entering one BP and cardiac variable), the independent predictors of LVMI and LVH were end-diastolic volume, predialysis systolic BP, and Ca x PO₄.

Conclusions: The principal determinants of LVM and LVH in HD patients are end-diastolic LV volume, predialysis BP, and Ca x PO₄.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements: We conducted a retrospective review of 131 long-term hemodialysis patients who had AMI and were admitted between 1997 and 2005 at three New York City municipal hospitals. Patients were separated into three groups on the basis of time between cardiac symptoms and first dialysis (<24 h, 24 to 48 h, and >48 h).

Results: A total of 17 (13%) patients died, 10 (59%) of whom had either hypotension or an arrhythmia during their first cardiac care unit dialysis. Although these groups were comparable in acuity and cardiac status, there were no findings of increased morbidity (26, 36, and 20%, respectively) or mortality (11, 18, and 13%, respectively), despite differences in the timing of each group's dialysis. We found that previous cardiac disease, predialysis K⁺, K⁺ after dialysis, and APACHE scores were significantly higher in patients with peridialysis morbidity.

Conclusions: We conclude that there is no increased morbidity with early dialysis in AMI, but rather close attention needs to be paid to the rate of decrease in serum potassium in patients with ESRD and their level of acuity when undergoing dialysis.

Design, setting, participants & measurements: Sixty-five hemodialysis patients and 57 healthy controls were considered. Hepcidin-25 was evaluated by surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, HFE genotype by restriction analysis.

Results: Serum hepcidin-25 was higher in hemodialysis patients compared with controls. In patients, hepcidin-25 correlated positively with ferritin and C reactive protein, and negatively with serum iron after adjustment for confounders. Hepcidin/ferritin ratio was lower in patients with (n = 25) than in those without (n = 40) HFE mutations. At multivariate analysis, hepcidin-25 was independently associated with ferritin and HFE status. In a subgroup of 22 "stable" patients, i.e., with Hb levels on target, normal CRP levels, and absence of complications for at least 1 yr, hepcidin-25 was negatively correlated with Hb levels independently of confounders.

Conclusions: Serum hepcidin-25 is increased in hemodialysis patients, regulated by iron stores and inflammation, and relatively reduced in subjects carrying frequent HFE mutations. Hepcidin-25 may contribute to the pathogenesis of anemia by decreasing iron availability.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements: The data of 199 consecutive cancer patients treated with C-SLED were analyzed. The median duration of C-SLED was 50 h. With 48 h of C-SLED, the blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine levels had decreased by 80% and 73%, respectively. The mean arterial pressure (MAP) was maintained despite higher ultrafiltration and reduced vasopressor use. The 30-d mortality rate was 65%. Despite excellent dialysis, the sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score remained predictive of mortality. In the univariate model, higher SOFA scores and lower values for MAP, blood pH, and serum albumin and creatinine levels were associated with higher mortality. Administration of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) was, however, associated with lower mortality.

Results: In the multivariate model, the higher SOFA score and lower blood pH, MAP and C-SLED duration were associated with higher mortality. In a subset analysis of 129 patients who received C-SLED for at least 48 h, those with higher BUN levels, which were associated with higher TPN infusion, had a lower mortality risk.

Conclusion: This first detailed report on C-SLED indicates that C-SLED can be effective and suggests a link between nutrition and survival.