A Syllabus for Teaching Peritoneal Dialysis to Patients and Caregivers

Perceptions of peritonitis risk, prevention, diagnosis and stigma: Findings from a mixed methods study with patients and relatives using peritoneal dialysis

BACKGROUND

Peritonitis is the main treatment-related complication of peritoneal dialysis and a primary concern for patients and their relatives. Therefore, understanding their perceptions of peritonitis is important.

OBJECTIVES

To explore patients' and relatives' perceptions of peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis risk, prevention measures and experiences of diagnosis, and experience of perceived stigma.

DESIGN

A sequential mixed methods study design was used, including a questionnaire and semi-structured interviews.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients using peritoneal dialysis and relatives (n = 75) from six National Health Service organisations from the United Kingdom.

MEASUREMENTS

A structured questionnaire was administered with patients and relatives (n = 75) using peritoneal dialysis; data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Thirty questionnaire respondents were then purposively sampled and interviewed in-depth; data were analysed thematically. Data were collected 2017-2018. Ethical and governance approvals were gained.

RESULTS

Qualitative and quantitative analyses were integrated and three themes presented: • Perceptions of risk: participants assessed their risk of developing peritonitis and possible implications on their health and relatives. Participants felt greatly responsible for preventing infection. • Preventing peritonitis: participants reported similar and some differing measures to minimise their risk of developing peritonitis. Participants wanted to be seen as "clean". • Diagnosis of peritonitis: peritonitis diagnosis was embarrassing and stigmatising for many individuals. This was influenced by the response of healthcare professionals and the cause of peritonitis.

CONCLUSIONS

It is important that healthcare professionals are aware of how responsible patients and relatives feel about preventing peritonitis, the emotional effect of this responsibility and crucially the impact this may have on seeking help.

Uptake and Outcomes of Peritoneal Dialysis among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People: Analysis of Registry Data

Introduction

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) enables people to use kidney replacement therapy (KRT) outside of healthcare-dependent settings, a strong priority of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Methods

We undertook an observational study analyzing registry data to describe access to PD and its outcome as the first KRT among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people between January 1, 2004 and December 31 2020.

Results

Out of 4604 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, reflecting 10.4% of all Australians commencing KRT, PD was the first KRT modality among 665 (14.4%). PD utilization was 17.2% in 2004 to 2009 and 12.7% in 2016 to 2020 (P = 0.002); 1105 episodes of peritonitis were observed in 413 individuals, median of 3 (interquartile range [IQR], 2-5) episodes/patient. The crude peritonitis rate was 0.53 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.50-0.56) episodes/patient-years without any significant changes over time. The median time to first peritonitis was 1.1 years. A decrease in the peritonitis incidence rate ratio (IRR) was observed in 2016 to 2020 (IRR, 0.63 [95% CI, 0.52-0.77], P < 0.001) compared to earlier eras (2010-2015: IRR, 0.90 [95% CI, 0.76-1.07], P = 0.23; Ref: 2004-2009). The cure rates decreased from 80.0% (n = 435) in 2004 to 2009, to 70.8% (n = 131) in 2016 to 2020 (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who utilized PD as their first KRT during 2004 to 2020 recorded a higher peritonitis rate than the current benchmark of 0.4 episodes/patient-years. The cure rates have worsened recently, which should be a big concern. There is an exigent need to address these gaps in kidney care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Is social deprivation associated with the peritoneal dialysis outcomes? A cohort study with REIN registry data

BACKGROUND

Social deprivation is associated with lower peritoneal dialysis (PD) uptake. This study was carried out to evaluate the role of social deprivation on the outcome of PD.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study of data extracted from the Renal Epidemiology and Information Network registry for patients older than 18 years who started PD in metropolitan France between 1 January 2017 and 30 June 2018. The end of the observation period was 31 December 2020. The exposure was the European Deprivation Index calculated using the patient's address. The events of interest were death, transfer to haemodialysis (HD), transplantation and the composite event of death or transfer to HD. A Cox model and Fine and Gray model were used for the analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 1581 patients were included, of whom 418 (26.5%) belonged to Quintile 5 of the European Deprivation Index (the most deprived patients). In the Cox model, the most deprived subjects did not have a greater risk of death (cause-specific hazard ratio (cs-HR): 0.76 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.53-1.10], transfer to HD (cs-HR 1.37 [95% CI: 0.95-1.98]) or the composite event of death or transfer to HD (cs-HR: 1.08 [95% CI: 0.84-1.38]) or a lower risk of kidney transplantation (cs-HR: 0.73 [95% CI: 0.48-1.10]). In the competing risk analysis, the most deprived subjects had a higher risk of transfer to HD (subdistribution hazard ratio (sd-HR): 1.54 [95% CI: 1.08-2.19]) and lower access to kidney transplantation (sd-HR: 0.68 [0.46-0.99]).

CONCLUSION

In PD patients, social deprivation was not associated with death or the composite event of death or transfer to HD. Socially deprived individuals had a greater risk of transfer to HD and lower access to kidney transplantation in the competing risk analysis.

Simulation-based learning in nephrology

Simulation is a technique to replace and amplify real experiences with guided ones that evoke or replicate substantial aspects of the real world in a fully interactive fashion. In nephrology (a particularly complex specialty), simulation can be used by patients, nurses, residents, and attending physicians alike. It allows one to learn techniques outside the stressful environment of care such as central venous catheter placement, arteriovenous fistula management, learning about peritoneal dialysis, or performing a kidney biopsy. Serious games and virtual reality are emerging methods that show promise. Simulation could also be important in relational aspects of working in a team or with the patient. The development of simulation as a teaching tool in nephrology allows for maintaining high-quality training for residents, tailored to their future practice, and minimizing risks for patients. Additionally, this education helps nephrologists maintain mastery of technical procedures, making the specialty attractive to younger generations. Unfortunately, the inclusion of simulation training programmes faces occasional logistical or funding limitations that universities must overcome with the assistance and innovation of teaching nephrologists. The impact of simulation-based teaching on clinical outcomes needs to be investigated in clinical studies.

The association between embedded catheter implantation and hospitalization costs for peritoneal dialysis initiation: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Compared with the conventional peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter insertion, embedding PD catheter implantation is one of the procedures for planned PD initiation. However, facilities where embedded PD catheter implantation is available are limited, and the impact of embedded PD catheter implantation on hospitalization cost and length of hospitalization is unknown.

METHODS

This retrospective single-center cohort study included 132 patients with PD initiation between 2005 and 2020. The patients were divided into two groups: 64 patients in the embedding group and 68 patients in the conventional insertion group. We created a multivariable generalized linear model (GLM) with the gamma family and log-link function to evaluate the association among catheter embedding, the duration and medical costs of hospitalization for PD initiation. We also evaluated the effect modification between age and catheter embedding.

RESULTS

Catheter embedding (β coefficient - 0.13 [95% confidence interval - 0.21, - 0.05]) and age (per 10 years 0.08 [0.03, 0.14]) were significantly associated with hospitalization costs. Catheter embedding (- 0.21 [- 0.32, - 0.10]) and age (0.11 [0.03, 0.19]) were also identified as factors significantly associated with length of hospitalization. The difference between the embedding group and the conventional insertion group in hospitalization costs for PD initiation (P for interaction = 0.060) and the length of hospitalization (P for interaction = 0.027) was larger in young-to-middle-aged patients than in elderly patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Catheter embedding was associated with lower hospitalization cost and shorter length of hospitalization for PD initiation than conventional PD catheter insertion, especially in young-to-middle-aged patients.

Analysis of a nurse-provided on-call peritoneal dialysis support in an outpatient reference care centre

BACKGROUND

To analyse the nature of medical or technical emergency issues of ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients calling a nurse-provided emergency PD support service of a reference centre that is provided all year in the after-hours.

METHODS

We retrospectively analysed patients' chief complaint, urgency, resolution of and association to current PD treatment and modality directed to an on-call nurse-provided PD support service from 2015-2021 based on routinely collected health data. Calls were systematically categorized being technical/procedural-, medical-, material-related or type of correspondence. Call urgency was categorized to have "immediate consequence", inquiry was eligible for "processing next working day" or whether there was "no need for further action". Call outcomes were classified according to whether patients were able to initiate, resume or finalize their treatments or whether additional interventions were required. Unexpected adverse events such as patients' acute hospitalization or need for nurses' home visits were evaluated and quantified.

RESULTS

In total 753 calls were documented. Most calls were made around 7:30 a.m. (5:00-9:00; median, 25-75th CI) and 6:30 p.m. (5:00-8:15). 645 calls were assigned to continuous ambulatory- (CAPD) or automated PD (APD). Of those, 430 calls (66.7%) had an "immediate consequence". Of those 77% (N = 331) were technical/procedural-, 12.8% (N = 55) medical- and 6.3% (N = 27) material related issues. 4% (N = 17) were categorized as other correspondence. Issues disrupting the course of PD were identified in 413 cases. In 77.5% (N = 320) patients were able to initiate, resume or finalize their treatment after phone consultation. Last-bag exchange was used in 6.1% enabling continued therapy in 83.6%. In 35 cases a nurse visit at patients' home or patients' visit to the practice at the earliest possible date were required, while hospitalization was required in seven medical category cases (5.4% and 1.09% of total assessed calls, respectively).

CONCLUSION

The on-call PD-nurse provides patient support for acute and imminent issues enabling them to successfully initiate, resume or finalize their prescribed treatment. Nurses triage of acute conditions facilitated rapid diagnostics and therapy. Maintaining quality PD homecare, the provision of trained personnel is indispensable. The information gathered in this study may therefore be used as a foundation to tailor educational programs for nephrology nurses and doctors to further develop their competencies in PD.

Pediatric peritoneal dialysis training program and its relationship to peritonitis: a study of the International Pediatric Peritoneal Dialysis Network

BACKGROUND

The guidelines for training of patients and caregivers to perform home peritoneal dialysis (PD) uniformly include recommendations pertaining to the prevention of peritonitis. The objective of this study conducted by the International Pediatric Peritoneal Dialysis Network (IPPN) was to investigate the training practices for pediatric PD and to evaluate the impact of these practices on the peritonitis and exit-site infection (ESI) rate.

METHODS

A questionnaire regarding details of the PD program and training practices was distributed to IPPN member centers, while peritonitis and ESI rates were either derived from the IPPN registry or obtained directly from the centers. Poisson univariate and multivariate regression was used to determine the training-related peritonitis and ESI risk factors.

RESULTS

Sixty-two of 137 centers responded. Information on peritonitis and ESI rates were available from fifty centers. Training was conducted by a PD nurse in 93.5% of centers, most commonly (50%) as an in-hospital program. The median total training time was 24 hours, with a formal assessment conducted in 88.7% and skills demonstration in 71% of centers. Home visits were performed by 58% of centers. Shorter (< 20 hours) training duration and lower number of training tools (both p < 0.02) were associated with higher peritonitis rate, after adjustment for proportion of treated infants and income of country of residence.

CONCLUSIONS

An association between training duration and the number of training tools represent potentially modifiable risk factors to reduce peritonitis rates within the pediatric PD population. A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information.

Effect of national holidays on health outcomes of patients receiving peritoneal dialysis in a single center over a ten-year period

BACKGROUND

National holidays are associated with high mortality in some diseases, but little is known about patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD). The research aimed to investigate the impact of national holidays on the health outcomes of PD patients.

METHODS

Over ten years, all episodes of unplanned hospitalization, death, and peritonitis in PD patients were collected in our center. Seven national holidays in China were chosen, and non-holiday days were selected as the control period. The effect of national holidays was observed by comparing the hospitalization, death, and peritonitis rates between holiday and non-holiday groups.

RESULTS

There were 297 events in all holiday periods and 1247 in non-holiday periods. There is no significant difference in hospitalization rate between holiday and non-holiday groups (32.4% ± 6.4% vs. 29.2% ± 3.4%, p = 0.175). So is the death rate [6.3% (4.8-12.3%) vs.5.0% (4.2-8.9%), p = 0.324] and peritonitis rate [0.19 (0.13-0.53) vs. 0.22 (0.18-0.27), p = 0.445] between the two groups. Significant differences were observed in the distribution of peritonitis causes between the two groups (p = 0.017). The rate of secondary to other infections in the holiday group was significantly higher than in the non-holiday group (25.0 vs. 10.3%, p = 0.015).

CONCLUSION

Our study suggested no national holiday effect on health outcomes of PD patients based on ten-year data in our center.

Multi-center, pragmatic, cluster-randomized, controlled trial of standardized peritoneal dialysis (PD) training versus usual care on PD-related infections (the TEACH-PD trial): trial protocol

BACKGROUND

Peritoneal dialysis (PD)-related infections, such as peritonitis, exit site, and tunnel infections, substantially impair the sustainability of PD. Accordingly, PD-related infection is the top-priority research outcome for patients and caregivers. While PD nurse trainers teach patients to perform their own PD, PD training curricula are not standardized or informed by an evidentiary base and may offer a potential approach to prevent PD infections. The Targeted Education ApproaCH to improve Peritoneal Dialysis outcomes (TEACH-PD) trial evaluates whether a standardized training curriculum for PD nurse trainers and incident PD patients based on the International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis (ISPD) guidelines reduces PD-related infections compared to usual training practices.

METHODS

The TEACH-PD trial is a registry-based, pragmatic, open-label, multi-center, binational, cluster-randomized controlled trial. TEACH-PD will recruit adults aged 18 years or older who have not previously undergone PD training at 42 PD treatment units (clusters) in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) between July 2019 and June 2023. Clusters will be randomized 1:1 to standardized TEACH-PD training curriculum or usual training practice. The primary trial outcome is the time to the first occurrence of any PD-related infection (exit site infection, tunnel infection, or peritonitis). The secondary trial outcomes are the individual components of the primary outcome, infection-associated catheter removal, transfer to hemodialysis (greater than 30 days and 180 days), quality of life, hospitalization, all-cause death, a composite of transfer to hemodialysis or all-cause death, and cost-effectiveness. Participants are followed for a minimum of 12 months with a targeted average follow-up period of 2 years. Participant and outcome data are collected from the ANZ Dialysis and Transplant Registry (ANZDATA) and the New Zealand Peritoneal Dialysis (NZPD) Registry. This protocol follows the Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials (SPIRIT) guidelines.

DISCUSSION

TEACH-PD is a registry-based, cluster-randomized pragmatic trial that aims to provide high-certainty evidence about whether an ISPD guideline-informed standardized PD training curriculum for PD nurse trainers and adult patients prevents PD-related infections.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03816111. Registered on 24 January 2019.

Training practices and peritonitis rates in children on maintenance peritoneal dialysis: results from the Standardizing Care to Improve Outcomes in Pediatric End Stage Kidney Disease (SCOPE) collaborative

BACKGROUND

Comprehensive training of children on peritoneal dialysis (PD) and their caregivers is crucial to minimize peritonitis risk. Few studies have evaluated the impact of training on infection, so many published recommendations rely on expert opinion. This study uses data from the SCOPE collaborative to examine the impact of compliance with 4 components of PD training on the risk for peritonitis.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study of children enrolled in the SCOPE collaborative between 2011 and 2021 who received training prior to initiating PD. Compliance with 4 training components were assessed: performance of a home visit, 1:1 training, delaying training ≥ 10 days after PD catheter insertion and average individual training session length ≤ 3 h. Univariate and multivariable generalized linear mixed modeling were used to assess relationships between peritonitis ≤ 90 days after PD training and median days to peritonitis and compliance with each component as well as all-or-none compliance.

RESULTS

Among 1450 trainings, 51.7% had median session length ≤ 3 h, 67.1% delayed training ≥ 10 days after catheter insertion, 74.3% had a home visit and 94.6% had 1:1 training. Only 333 trainings (23%) were compliant with all 4 training components. There was no statistically significant association between compliance with individual components, or all-or-none compliance and either the percentage of catheters with peritonitis ≤ 90 days after training end or median days to peritonitis.

CONCLUSION

No associations between 4 PD training components and risk for peritonitis were found. SCOPE requires monthly review of PD catheter practices which may have decreased the impact of training non-compliance. A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information.

Peritoneal Dialysis Patient Training Program to Enhance independence and Prevent Complications: A Scoping Review

Background

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) training is essential to ensure patient independence and prevent life-threatening complications, such as peritonitis. The International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis (ISPD) recommends that every PD unit worldwide implement local PD training programs with the goal of improving self-care capabilities. This scoping review aims to give an overview of recent literature and recommendations on PD training programs aiming to improve the quality of care and outcomes for PD patients.

Methods

The literature search was conducted using the PC (Population, Concept) approach. The population of interest in this study is PD patients, and the study concept is the PD training program. Several databases were used to conduct the literature search, including PubMed, Science Direct, and CINAHL. The search process began from July 2022 until January 2023. The inclusion criteria for the search included research articles and recommendations.

Results

The search yielded 22 articles recommending training programs lasting from 5-8 days, with 1-3-hour sessions and a nurse-to-patient ratio of 1:1. A cumulative training time of 15 hours or more is recommended to enhance patient independence and reduce peritonitis rates. Home-based or in-unit PD training, conducted by experienced nurses using adult learning strategies, has shown significant value in improving self-care and preventing peritonitis. Evaluating training outcomes should encompass knowledge, skills, and attitudes, and the impact on peritonitis rates. Training programs should be flexible and consider physiological and psychosocial barriers to achieving the best results.

Conclusion

There are a variety of strategies for dialysis training concerning duration, session length, patient-to-trainer ratio, timing, methods, location, compliance, and the need for retraining. More evidence is needed to assess the impact of PD patient training programs on self-care capabilities and peritonitis incidence. Future studies should investigate the effects of training programs on compliance, self-efficacy, and patient and nurse perspectives.

Utility of ultrasonographic examination in catheter-related infections in peritoneal dialysis: a clinical approach

Peritoneal dialysis- (PD) related infections continue to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients on renal replacement therapy via PD. However, despite the great efforts in the prevention of PD-related infectious episodes, approximately one third of technical failures are still caused by peritonitis. Recent studies support the theory that ascribes to exit-site and tunnel infections a direct role in causing peritonitis. Hence, prompt exit site infection/tunnel infection diagnosis would allow the timely start of the most appropriate treatment, thereby decreasing the potential complications and enhancing technique survival. Ultrasound examination is a simple, rapid, non-invasive and widely available procedure for tunnel evaluation in PD catheter-related infections. In case of an exit site infection, ultrasound examination has greater sensitivity in diagnosing simultaneous tunnel infection compared to the physical exam alone. This allows distinguishing the exit site infection, which will likely respond to antibiotic therapy, from infections that are likely to be refractory to medical therapy. In case of a tunnel infection, the ultrasound allows localizing the catheter portion involved in the infectious process, thus providing significant prognostic information. In addition, ultrasound performed after two weeks of antibiotic administration allows monitoring patient response to therapy. However, there is no evidence of the usefulness of ultrasound examination as a screening tool for the early diagnosis of tunnel infections in asymptomatic PD patients.

[The benefits of home visits for peritoneal dialysis patients]

Peritoneal dialysis is exclusively an extrarenal purification technique performed in the patient's own home. The patient is either autonomous, or assisted by a private nurse or a member of his or her family. The nursing team at the center where the patient is being cared for organizes home visits to meet the patient and his or her family in their living environment. These visits provide an opportunity to review compliance with protocols and maintain the partnership with the patient. The team at the Caen Normandy university center for kidney disease shares its experience in this area of care.

Prescribing and peritoneal dialysis

Peritoneal dialysis is a home-based therapy for patients with end-stage kidney disease. It is less efficient in removing solutes and fluid than haemodialysis but offers more flexibility and independence. Peritoneal transport characteristics affect the dialysis prescription. The timing of drug administration is independent of the dialysis process except for the administration of intraperitoneal antibiotics. Dose reductions should follow current recommendations for patients with kidney disease. Fluid overload is common in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis. Residual kidney function can ameliorate this problem and needs to be preserved. Dialysis solutions with high glucose concentrations contribute to adverse metabolic effects. Peritoneal dialysis-related catheter complications and infections may require patients to transition to haemodialysis. Antifungal prophylaxis needs to be co-administered for the duration of antibiotic courses for any indication to reduce the risk of fungal peritonitis. Close communication with the patient's supervising dialysis unit is required.

Renal Replacement Therapy For Elderly Patients with ESKD Through Shared Decision-Making

The incidence and prevalence of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) in Korea are increasing, and ESKD constitutes a very important medical and social issue. Elderly dialysis patients have the highest risk of early mortality within 3 months after initiating dialysis, and geriatric syndromes such as aging, frailty, functional impairment, and cognitive impairment are crucial for the prognosis of elderly patients. Shared decision-making (SDM) is an approach through which clinicians and patients can achieve informed preferences, thereby yielding better clinical outcomes and quality of life. Through SDM-based, close consultation among patients, families, and healthcare providers, an ESKD Life-Plan for elderly patients should be established. A multidisciplinary approach led by nephrologists can help them to provide proper vascular access for dialysis at the right time, with the right evidence, and to the right patient. Strategies that can improve peritoneal dialysis in elderly patients include assisted peritoneal dialysis, homecare support programs, and automated peritoneal dialysis. In order to enhance the role of kidney transplantation in elderly patients with ESKD, it is necessary to accurately identify patients' clinical conditions before transplantation and to perform active rehabilitation activities and postoperative management to promote recovery after transplantation. With the aging population and the increase in ESKD in the elderly, clinicians must identify factors affecting the mortality and quality of life of elderly dialysis patients.

Home dialysis: conclusions from a Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) Controversies Conference

Home dialysis modalities (home hemodialysis [HD] and peritoneal dialysis [PD]) are associated with greater patient autonomy and treatment satisfaction compared with in-center modalities, yet the level of home-dialysis use worldwide is low. Reasons for limited utilization are context-dependent, informed by local resources, dialysis costs, access to healthcare, health system policies, provider bias or preferences, cultural beliefs, individual lifestyle concerns, potential care-partner time, and financial burdens. In May 2021, KDIGO (Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes) convened a controversies conference on home dialysis, focusing on how modality choice and distribution are determined and strategies to expand home-dialysis use. Participants recognized that expanding use of home dialysis within a given health system requires alignment of policy, fiscal resources, organizational structure, provider incentives, and accountability. Clinical outcomes across all dialysis modalities are largely similar, but for specific clinical measures, one modality may have advantages over another. Therefore, choice among available modalities is preference-sensitive, with consideration of quality of life, life goals, clinical characteristics, family or care-partner support, and living environment. Ideally, individuals, their care-partners, and their healthcare teams will employ shared decision-making in assessing initial and subsequent kidney failure treatment options. To meet this goal, iterative, high-quality education and support for healthcare professionals, patients, and care-partners are priorities. Everyone who faces dialysis should have access to home therapy. Facilitating universal access to home dialysis and expanding utilization requires alignment of policy considerations and resources at the dialysis-center level, with clear leadership from informed and motivated clinical teams.

The optimization of peritoneal dialysis training in long-term

Peritoneal dialysis is a home based therapy for patients with advanced chronic kidney disease. This method provides adequate clearance of uremic toxins and removal of excess fluid when a proper dialysis prescription is combined with patient adherence. Peritonitis is the most frequent infectious complication among these patients and may render the continuity of the treatment. Training patients and their caregivers have prime importance to provide proper treatment and prevent complications including infectious ones. The training methods before the onset of treatment are relatively well established. However, patients may break the rules in the long term and tend to take shortcuts. So, retraining may be necessary during follow-up. There are no established guidelines to guide the retraining of PD patients yet. This review tends to summarize data in the literature about retraining programs and also proposes a structured program for this purpose.

Experience of the homecare of children on automatic peritoneal dialysis during the COVID-19 outbreak: A qualitative descriptive study

AIMS

To describe the home care experience, challenges and coping strategies of caregivers with children on automatic peritoneal dialysis (PD) in mainland China during the early stage of the COVID-19 outbreak.

DESIGN

A qualitative descriptive approach was adopted. Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted among 14 families with children on automatic peritoneal dialysis from February 2nd to 10th, 2020. The care routine, stress and coping strategies of caregivers of children on peritoneal dialysis were collected. The data were analysed using thematic analysis.

METHODS

Four key themes were defined: (1) concerns about PD treatment intertwined with worries about COVID-19; (2) retaining a sense of normality in the middle of the challenges; (3) staying safe; and (4) staying positive and carrying on.

RESULTS

Families with children on automatic PD addressed the stress from COVID-19 and its containment measures by closely adhering to COVID-19 preventative measures, actively adjusting mentality and maintaining a sense of normality during the outbreak. This implies that healthcare staff need to be more aware of the complex medical needs of families with children on automatic PD, advocate for them and facilitate their navigation through the repurposed healthcare system.

Unexpected cause of repeated peritoneal dialysis-related complications: a case study of autism spectrum disorder with normal intelligence quotient in an adolescent

Background

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a common communication disorder, with an incidence rate of 3%. In most cases, clinicians can diagnose ASD in a single outpatient visit. However, in the case of ASD patients without intellectual disability, clinicians are sometimes unaware for a prolonged period that a patient has ASD. In such cases, delayed diagnosis can lead to serious complications.

Case presentation

An 18-year-old boy had repeated severe complications of peritoneal dialysis. At the age of 9, the patient presented with proteinuria, and 5 years later, he developed end-stage kidney disease. Percutaneous renal biopsy and the clinical symptoms revealed focal segmental glomerulosclerosis with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease due to a gene mutation in INF2. Peritoneal dialysis was initiated at the age of 14, but led to many related complications, including peritonitis, hypertensive retinopathy and encephalopathy, and acute heart failure. Initially, we were unaware of his developmental characteristics and autism spectrum disorder without intellectual disability, but through lengthy observations by various healthcare professionals, his unique characteristics were noticed. Because the patient often displayed a discrepancy between behavior and speech, we cautiously studied his thoughts and behaviors, and developed a special approach to ensure safe peritoneal dialysis.

Conclusions

When many peritoneal dialysis-related complications occur in a patient with normal intelligence quotient, autism spectrum disorder should be considered as a possible cause.

Patients and nursing-related factors associated with switching from peritoneal dialysis to hemodialysis: A cross-sectional survey

The study aimed at analyzing patients and nursing-related factors associated with switching from peritoneal dialysis to hemodialysis. A telephone survey with 574 patients receiving care at six peritoneal dialysis centers of the Mexican Institute of Social Security was conducted: 64.3% were on peritoneal dialysis, and 35.7% had transitioned from peritoneal dialysis to hemodialysis. Data were collected on participants' sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, peritoneal dialysis center size, and nursing workload. Descriptive, bivariate, and multiple Poisson regression analyses were performed. Factors associated with an increased probability of switching from peritoneal dialysis to hemodialysis were a history of catheter dysfunction, peritonitis, and being treated in a large peritoneal dialysis center with a low (<50 patients per nurse per month) or high nursing workload (>70 patients per nurse per month) located in the State of Mexico, compared to a medium-size peritoneal dialysis center with a moderate workload (50-70 patients per nurse per month). To decrease the odds of switching from peritoneal dialysis to hemodialysis, improvement programs should aim to limit nurses' workload to 50-70 patients per nurse per month and implement evidence-based nursing interventions to prevent, detect, and manage peritonitis and peritoneal catheter dysfunction.

Peritoneal dialysis training performed remotely: results and comparison with Home Training

OBJECTIVES

Traditional training (Home Training) in peritoneal dialysis (PD) is based on the physical presence of nurse and patient/caregiver. These "space-time" constraints can influence the training's duration, methodology and results. A remote caregiving system (Videodialysis) in our Center has proved to be effective and safe in remotely guiding patients/caregivers with cognitive/psychological barriers to self-care-PD. Since 08/01/2016, to overcome the limitations of Home Training, Videodialysis has also been used to carry out remote patients/caregivers training (Video Training). Retrospective comparison between Video Training (08/01/2016-05/31/2020) and Home Training (01/01/2014-07/31/2016).

METHODS

Following initial home-visit Video Training is performed via telemedicine from the Center, whereas Home Training is carried out at the patient's home. Only first trainings for all incident PD patients/caregivers were considered. The following patients were excluded: 9 in nursing homes, 13 kept on Videodialysis due to barriers to self-care, 6 uncompleted procedures, 4 other. Total duration, home visits, exchanges/procedures, peritonitis, technique survival were compared between Home Training and Video Training.

RESULTS

46 trainings were considered (median; IQR): 21 Home Training (CAPD/APD: 11/10) in 17 patients (74.3 years (58.8-78.0; assisted PD: 64.7%) and 25 Video Training (CAPD/APD: 8/17) in 21 patients (65.9 years (56.9-76.4) N.S.; assisted PD: 52.4%). Duration (days): Home Training: CAPD 4.0 (4.0-5.5); APD 8.0 (5.3-10.5); Video Training: CAPD 4.5 (3.8-5.0) (N.S.); APD 8.0 (6.0-13.0) (N.S.). Home-visit (number): Home Training: CAPD 9.0 (7.0-10.0); APD 11.0 (7.8-15.5); Video Training: CAPD 2.0 (2.0-3.5) (p < 0.001); APD 5.0 (4.0-6.0) (p < 0.001). Peritonitis (episodes): Home Training: 5 (Follow-up: 471 pts/months); Video Training: 0 (Follow-up 280 pts/months). 2-Year technique survival. Home Training: 56.3%; Video Training: 76.9% (N.S.).

CONCLUSIONS

Video Training is as effective as Home Training, while significantly reducing the number of home visits.

Care of the pediatric patient on chronic peritoneal dialysis

Peritoneal dialysis is the most commonly prescribed dialysis modality for infants and young children with kidney failure worldwide. Provision of high-quality care for the pediatric patient on chronic peritoneal dialysis requires a multidisciplinary approach and a strong collaboration with the patient and their caregiver. This article not only reviews current recommendations and advances in the care of pediatric patients on peritoneal dialysis with a focus on the provision of high-quality care and improvement in outcomes, but it also draws attention to health care disparities that exist locally and globally.

Association of single and serial measures of serum phosphorus with adverse outcomes in patients on peritoneal dialysis: results from the international PDOPPS

BACKGROUND

While high serum phosphorus levels have been related to adverse outcomes in hemodialysis patients, further investigation is warranted in persons receiving peritoneal dialysis (PD).

METHODS

Longitudinal data (2014-17) from the Peritoneal Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (PDOPPS), a prospective cohort study, were used to examine associations of serum phosphorus with all-cause mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events via Cox regression adjusted for confounders. Serum phosphorus levels were parameterized by four methods: (i) baseline serum phosphorus; (ii) mean 6-month serum phosphorus; (iii) number of months with serum phosphorus >4.5 mg/dL; and (iv) mean area-under-the-curve of 6-month serum phosphorus control.

RESULTS

The study included 5847 PD patients from seven countries; 9% of patients had baseline serum phosphorus <3.5 mg/dL, 24% had serum phosphorus ≥3.5 to ≤4.5 mg/dL, 30% had serum phosphorus >4.5 to <5.5 mg/dL, 20% had serum phosphorus ≥5.5 to <6.5 mg/dL, and 17% had serum phosphorus ≥6.5 mg/dL. Compared with patients with baseline serum phosphorus ≥3.5 to ≤4.5 mg/dL, the adjusted all-cause mortality hazard ratio (HR) was 1.19 (0.92,1.53) for patients with baseline serum phosphorus ≥5.5 to <6.5 mg/dL and HR was 1.53 (1.14,2.05) for serum phosphorus ≥6.5 mg/dL. Associations between serum phosphorus measurements over 6 months and clinical outcomes were even stronger than for a single measurement.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum phosphorus >5.5 mg/dL was highly prevalent (37%) in PD patients, and higher serum phosphorus levels were a strong predictor of morbidity and death, particularly when considering serial phosphorus measurements. This highlights the need for improved treatment strategies in this population. Serial serum phosphorus measurements should be considered when assessing patients' risks of adverse outcomes.

Peritoneal dialysis in the modern era

The practice and clinical outcomes of peritoneal dialysis (PD) have demonstrated significant improvement over the past 20 years. The aim of this review is to increase awareness and update healthcare professionals on current PD practice, especially with respect to patient and technique survival, patient modality selection, pathways onto PD, understanding patient experience of care and use prior to kidney transplantation. These improvements have been impacted, at least in part, by greater emphasis on shared decision-making in dialysis modality selection, the use of advanced laparoscopic techniques for PD catheter implantation, developments in PD connecting systems, glucose-sparing strategies, and modernising technology in managing automated PD patients remotely. Evidence-based clinical guidelines such as those prepared by national and international societies such as the International Society of PD have contributed to improved PD practice underpinned by a recognition of the place of continuous quality improvement processes.

Adherence to the ambulatory peritoneal dialysis procedure and limitations of care of older adults or their caregivers

BACKGROUND

Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis is an appropriate technique for older adults and its success is mainly based on the correct exchange technique. However, individuals may present barriers to compliance, due to deterioration of physical and cognitive function, depression, and prevalence of visual impairments.

OBJECTIVE AND METHODOLOGY

A descriptive correlational study was conducted to determine the relationship between adherence to the continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis procedure and the limitations of care for older adults with chronic renal failure or their caregivers. For convenience, 54 participants from two institutions were selected. A home visit was made at exchange times and a certificate of sociodemographic variables was applied, data such as training days, time of performing the procedure and number of home visits they received were included. Adherence to the procedure was evaluated with a checklist of correctly performed steps in the dialysis technique with Ultra Bag® twin bag equipment (from Baxter). To measure care limitations, we evaluated near visual acuity with Jaeger's equivalent primer, visual fields with the confrontational visual field test, manual sensory dexterity and acuity with Moberg's Pick-Up test, cognitive function using Folstein's MMSE, and depressive symptoms using the CES-D20 instrument.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

In adherence to the procedure, participants correctly performed an average of 23.42 (SD ± 5.54) steps, which corresponds to 71.72% of the technique. Regarding care limitations, 55.6% presented impaired near visual acuity, 29.6% visual field deficit, 33.3% impaired manual dexterity, 14.8% alteration in manual sensory acuity, 46.3% possible impairment of cognitive function, and 18.5% depressive symptomatology. Participants with greater adherence to the CAPD procedure had better dexterity in the dominant (p = 0.010) and non-dominant (p = 0.010) hand, better sensory acuity of the non-dominant hand (p = 0.023), and greater cognitive function (p = 0.044). It is concluded that the care limitations (manual dexterity, manual sensory acuity, and cognitive function) are related to adherence to the dialytic procedure.

Design and proof-of-concept evaluation of a touchless connector system for preventing peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis

INTRODUCTION

In this paper, we describe the design of a touchless peritoneal dialysis connector system and how we evaluated its potential for preventing peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis, in comparison to the standard of care. The unique feature of this system is an enclosure within which patients can connect and disconnect for therapy, protecting their peritoneal catheters from touch or aerosols.

METHODS

We simulated a worst-case contamination scenario by spraying 40mL of a standardized inoculum [ 1×10⁷ colony-forming units (CFU) per milliliter] of test organisms, Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC1228 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC39327, while test participants made mock connections for therapy. We then compared the incidence of fluid path contamination by test organisms in the touchless connector system and the standard of care. 4 participants were recruited to perform a total of 56 tests, divided in a 1:1 ratio between both systems. Peritoneal dialysis fluid sample from each test was collected and maintained at body temperature (37° C) for 16 hours before being plated on Luria Bertani agar, Mannitol Salts Agar and Pseudomonas isolation agar for enumeration.

RESULTS

No contamination was observed in test samples from the touchless connector system, compared to 65%, 75% and 70% incidence contamination for the standard of care on Luria Bertani agar, Mannitol Salts Agar and Pseudomonas isolation agar respectively.

CONCLUSION

Results show that the touchless connector system can prevent fluid path contamination even in heavy bacterial exposures and may help reduce peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis risks from inadvertent contamination with further development.

Vivencias del paciente ante el diagnóstico de enfermedad renal crónica y su ingreso a diálisis peritoneal

Introducción: Un número importante de pacientes que ingresan al programa de diálisis peritoneal reciben simultaneamente la noticia de que tienen enfermedad renal crónica en etapa terminal y requieren diálisis peritoneal. Para muchos de ellos la noticia es inesperada y desconsoladora, ya que tienen que acceder a la diálisis para poder seguir viviendo. Material y Método: Estudio cualitativo, descriptivo con enfoque fenomenológico. De 106 pacientes incidentes del programa de diálisis peritoneal ambulatoria a quienes se les solicitó consentimiento informado para contestar el instrumento (Coping Inventory Strategies), se seleccionaron 14 pacientes que relataron sus vivencias respecto a su diagnóstico de enfermedad renal crónica y la necesidad urgente de diálisis peritoneal. Se les pidió que escribieran en una cuartilla cómo enfrentaron la noticia de insuficiencia renal crónica y requerir diálisis peritoneal. Resultados: Se incluyeron en el estudio a 14 pacientes, con edad comprendida entre 41 y 61 años, y el 66% fueron mujeres. Se identificaron tres categorías y siete subcategorías: sociolaboral (estigma social e incertidumbre por el trabajo); actitud ante la muerte (resignación y sentimiento de culpa) y acompañamiento familiar (toma de decisiones, motivación y apoyo). El mayor número de pacientes se ubicó en la categoría de actitud ante la muerte y en la subcategoría de resignación como estrategia de afrontamiento. Conclusiones: Los pacientes describieron la fase en la que se enteraron de su diagnóstico y el ingreso a diálisis peritoneal como el momento más difícil y traumático, manifestaron sentimientos de angustia, limitaciones personales o sociales y reconocieron la dependencia del apoyo familiar.

The need for individualizing teaching and assurance of knowledge transmission to patients training for home dialysis

Patients have varied learning styles and this has implications for home haemodialysis (HHD). Assessment tools directed toward understanding these styles remains understudied. As a consequence, this may lead to substandard retention rates or adverse events in HHD programs. As part of a continuous quality improvement initiative we have aimed to improve our understanding of patient learning styles and consequently tailor home dialysis training to individuals. To objectively determine knowledge translation and comprehension, irrespective of learning styles, we have introduced an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE). This assessment tool allows for further refinement of educational priorities by highlighting both deficiencies and strengths. Thereafter, an exit OSCE ensures patients attain an acceptable standard to complete home haemodialysis independently. We hope this tool will help shape future training criteria for HHD programs and consequently reduce adverse event rates.

Exploring agreement and feasibility between virtual home visits and in-person home visits for peritoneal dialysis patients-a paired study

INTRODUCTION

Virtual home visits may improve chronic disease management. However, whether they are suitable for peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients has not yet been fully investigated. This study aimed to compare the agreement and acceptance of virtual home visits and in-person home visits in PD patients.

METHODS

This was a paired, single center, noninferiority trial. Participants received a virtual home visit and an in-person home visit simultaneously. A home visit checklist was built for standardization visits. The content was divided into three parts: domestic habits (57 items), bag exchange procedures (56 items), and exit site care (53 items). Satisfaction questionnaires for both patients and nurses were designed to assess attitudes toward home visits and socioeconomic effects.

RESULTS

A total of 30 PD patients were enrolled in a single center. The information collected from virtual home visits and in-person home visits was found to be highly consistent. The perfect agreement was found in 52/57, 49/56, and 44/53 items (Cohen's kappa 0.81-1.00), substantial agreement in 4/57, 7/56, and 8/53 items (Cohen's kappa 0.61-0.80). Patients reported almost identical satisfaction for virtual home visits and in-person home visits (Z = 0.39, p = 0.70). PD nurses reported similar feasibility and patient cooperation for the two visit types (Z = 0.99, p = 0.33; Z = 1.65, p = 0.10, respectively). In addition, virtual home visits were found to be more cost-effective than in-person home visits.

CONCLUSIONS

Virtual home visits information collection was similar to in-person home visits in PD. There were no differences in participant satisfaction and feasibility between the two visit types.

ISPD peritonitis guideline recommendations: 2022 update on prevention and treatment

Peritoneal dialysis (PD)-associated peritonitis is a serious complication of PD and prevention and treatment of such is important in reducing patient morbidity and mortality. The ISPD 2022 updated recommendations have revised and clarified definitions for refractory peritonitis, relapsing peritonitis, peritonitis-associated catheter removal, PD-associated haemodialysis transfer, peritonitis-associated death and peritonitis-associated hospitalisation. New peritonitis categories and outcomes including pre-PD peritonitis, enteric peritonitis, catheter-related peritonitis and medical cure are defined. The new targets recommended for overall peritonitis rate should be no more than 0.40 episodes per year at risk and the percentage of patients free of peritonitis per unit time should be targeted at >80% per year. Revised recommendations regarding management of contamination of PD systems, antibiotic prophylaxis for invasive procedures and PD training and reassessment are included. New recommendations regarding management of modifiable peritonitis risk factors like domestic pets, hypokalaemia and histamine-2 receptor antagonists are highlighted. Updated recommendations regarding empirical antibiotic selection and dosage of antibiotics and also treatment of peritonitis due to specific microorganisms are made with new recommendation regarding adjunctive oral N-acetylcysteine therapy for mitigating aminoglycoside ototoxicity. Areas for future research in prevention and treatment of PD-related peritonitis are suggested.

Self-assessment sheet submission rate predicts technique survival in patients initiating peritoneal dialysis

AIM

Patients play a crucial role in preventing peritoneal dialysis (PD)-related events, including peritonitis and fluid overload, as PD procedures are mainly carried out at home. We asked patients to submit a PD self-assessment sheet at each outpatient visit in our daily clinical practice and evaluated its usefulness for outcomes in patients initiating PD.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included patients who underwent PD catheter insertion between January 2008 and October 2018. The submission rate of a PD self-assessment sheet was calculated from medical records until PD cessation or study completion (October 2020). The association between the submission rate and technique survival was analysed.

RESULTS

Among the 105 recruited patients (78 men, 60.4 ± 12.2 years), 44 discontinued PD and transferred to haemodialysis during the study period. The follow-up was 52.3 (28.7-79.3) months, and the median submission rate was 78%. The log-rank test showed that technique survival was significantly better in patients with a submission rate ≥ 78% than those with a submission rate < 78% (P = 0.006). The submission rate remained significantly associated with less technique failure (hazard ratio 0.88 per 10%, P = 0.002) by the Cox regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, Charlson comorbidity index, estimated glomerular filtration rate and geriatric nutritional risk index.

CONCLUSION

The submission rate of a PD self-assessment sheet is useful as a predictor of technique survival in patients initiating PD. Instruction that increases submission may improve technique survival in PD patients. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

The case for Increased Peritoneal Dialysis Utilization in Low- and Lower-Middle-Income Countries

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) has several advantages compared to hemodialysis (HD), but there is evidence showing underutilization globally, especially in low-income and lower-middle-income countries (LLMICs) where kidney replacement therapies (KRT) are often unavailable, inaccessible, and unaffordable. Only 11% of all dialysis patients worldwide use PD, more than 50% of whom live in China, the United States of America, Mexico, or Thailand. Various barriers to increased PD utilization have been reported worldwide including patient preference, low levels of education, and lower provider reimbursement. However, unique but surmountable barriers are applicable to LLMICs including the excessively high cost of providing PD (related to PD fluids in particular), excessive cost of treatment borne by patients (relative to HD), lack of adequate PD training opportunities for doctors and nurses, low workforce availability for kidney care, and challenges related to some PD outcomes (catheter-related infections, hospitalizations, mortality, etc.). This review discusses some known barriers to PD use in LLMICs and leverages data that show a global trend in reducing rates of PD-related infections, reducing rates of modality switches from HD, and improving patient survival in PD to discuss how PD use can be increased in LLMICs. We therefore, challenge the idea that low PD use in LLMICs is unavoidable due to these barriers and instead present opportunities to improve PD utilization in LLMICs.

Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis Peritonitis Guidelines - Consensus Statement of Peritoneal Dialysis Society of India - 2020

Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) related peritonitis is a major cause of technique failure, morbidity, and mortality in patients on CAPD. Its prevention and management is key to success of CAPD program. Due to variability in practice, microbiological trends and sensitivity towards antibiotics, there is a need for customized guidelines for management of CAPD related peritonitis (CAPDRP) in India. With this need, Peritoneal Dialysis Society of India (PDSI) organized a structured meeting to discuss various aspects of management of CAPDRP and formulated a consensus agreement which will help in management of patients with CAPDRP.

Development of an instrument to assess self-management capacity of patients receiving peritoneal dialysis: CAPABLE

BACKGROUND

Treatment of kidney failure with peritoneal dialysis (PD) at home implies that the patient and/or their caregiver develop a series of skills and basic knowledge about this therapy. There is not a specific inventory of the patient's abilities to safely perform the PD procedure at home. The objective of this study was to describe the development of an instrument that allows measuring the self-management capacity of patients receiving PD, locating the performance areas that justify the need for intervention by a caregiver.

METHODS

This is a qualitative study developed in three phases: The first phase was the identification of performance areas through bibliographic search and validation of the results with focus groups of experts in PD. The second phase was the design of a system to measure self-management capacities. The third phase was a pilot test of the preliminary version of the instrument applied in 20 incident PD patients.

RESULTS

Three domains were identified to evaluate the fundamental components of self-management capacity: cognitive and sensory, each one evaluated with four items and motor domain evaluated with eight items. After applying the instrument, we found that 15 patients (75%) did not require support from the caregiver in any of the items. PD patients and nurses found the tool valuable, easy to understand and applicable in the early evaluation of a PD patient.

CONCLUSIONS

We developed an easy-to-administer instrument to measure the self-management capacity of patients receiving PD. This inventory could locate areas that require specific support from a caregiver. Planning an individualised and focused education and training process could result in better health outcomes.

Peritoneal Dialysis Failure and its Impact on Holistic Kidney Care: A Case Report

Introduction

Peritonitis remains the primary cause of treatment failure among patients with end-stage kidney disease on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. However, detailed case analyses illustrating the application of current research in clinical practice remain scant. This case report aimed to elucidate the roles of dialysis nurses in a hospital setting in the management of a 62-year-old male patient with a history of kidney failure secondary to amyloidosis.

Case Presentation

The patient was diagnosed with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis.

Management and Outcomes

Dialysis nurses applied evidence-based practices in the management of the patient’s exit-site infection, imbalanced nutrition, and psychosocial concerns. The patient was discharged after 7 days, with a comprehensive treatment regimen, including an individualized peritoneal dialysis protocol adjusted to his daily schedules, education on self-care techniques, and continual nutritional management to prevent recurrence and improve his overall health. This case report shows that admissions for continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis require evidence-based nursing interventions specific to, and geared toward, each patient’s prioritized health problems.

Discussion

Peritonitis cases are preventable with appropriate nursing interventions that can lower the chance of treatment failure and long-term impact caused by an abrupt switch to hemodialysis. To successfully manage patients with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis, dialysis nurses should appreciate the intricacies of the analyses underpinning their professional practices in promoting the patient’s self-care techniques.

Association between the use of exchange devices for peritoneal dialysis fluids and peritonitis incidence: A nationwide cohort study

BACKGROUND

The use of exchange devices for peritoneal dialysis (PD) fluids is a common practice in Japan. Evidence on the effectiveness of exchange devices in preventing PD-related peritonitis is scarce. We evaluated the association between the use of exchange devices for PD fluids and peritonitis incidence.

METHODS

We retrospectively enrolled 3845 patients, aged ≥20 years, receiving PD for ≥3 months, with available data on the exchange procedure for PD fluids and peritonitis incidence that was obtained from the Japan Renal Data Registry, a nationwide annual survey. The patients were grouped according to whether the manual or device PD fluid exchange method was used. The onset of peritonitis was defined as a leukocyte count of >100/µL (neutrophils ≥50%) in PD effluents. We applied quasi-Poisson regression analyses to estimate the incidence rate ratio (IRR). Age, sex, PD vintage, body mass index, automated PD use, residual kidney function, comorbidities, haemoglobin and serum albumin were adjusted as potential confounders.

RESULTS

Older age, automated PD use, diabetes as comorbidity and lower haemoglobin levels were associated with the use of exchange devices for PD fluids. Patients using devices for PD fluid exchange (69.2%) had an increased risk of peritonitis of 37% (IRR: 1.37, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.07-1.75) and 28% (IRR: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.00-1.63) in the crude and multivariate adjustment models, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of exchange devices for PD fluids and peritonitis incidence showed no favourable association. There may remain possible residual confounding by indication.

International peritoneal dialysis training practices and the risk of peritonitis

BACKGROUND

The effects of training practices on outcomes of patients receiving peritoneal dialysis (PD) are poorly understood and there is a lack of evidence informing best training practices. This prospective cohort study aims to describe and compare international PD training practices and their association with peritonitis.

METHODS

Adult patients on PD < 3 months participating in the Peritoneal Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (PDOPPS) were included. Training characteristics (including duration, location, nurse affiliation, modality, training of family members, use of individual/group training, and use of written/oral competency assessments) were reported at patient and facility levels. Hazard ratio for time to first peritonitis was estimated using Cox models, adjusted for selected patient and facility case-mix variables.

RESULTS

1376 PD patients from 120 facilities across 7 countries were included. Training was most commonly performed at the facility (81%), by facility-affiliated nurses (87%) in a 1:1 setting (79%). In the UK, being trained by both facility and third-party nurses was associated with reduced peritonitis risk (aHR 0.31, 95% CI 0.15-0.62, vs facility nurses only). However, this training practice was utilized in only 5 of 14 UK facilities. No other training characteristics were convincingly associated with peritonitis risk.

CONCLUSIONS

There was no evidence to support that peritonitis risk was associated with when, where, how, or how long PD patients are trained.

Structured re-training to reduce peritonitis in a pediatric peritoneal dialysis program: a quality improvement intervention

BACKGROUND

Decline in skills and knowledge among patients and/or caregivers contributes to peritoneal-dialysis (PD)-related peritonitis. Re-training is important, but no guidelines exist. We describe the implementation of a structured re-training program to decrease peritonitis rates.

METHODS

This is a prospective quality improvement study involving pediatric patients on long-term home automated PD at National University Hospital, Singapore, between 2012 and 2018. With increasing peritonitis rates, systematic root cause analysis was performed, and based on the contributory factors identified, a structured re-training program was implemented from 2015. This was conducted in 5 cycles, each consisting of 4 modules (hand hygiene, exit site care, peritonitis, and PD troubleshooting).

RESULTS

Peritonitis rates were analyzed in 2 phases: Phase 1 (2012-2014) when no re-training was performed and Phase 2 (2016-2018) after re-training was instituted. Fifty-nine patients were included. Of these, 45 patients were in Phase 1, 32 in Phase 2, and 18 in both phases. Peritonitis rates decreased from 0.37 ± 0.67 episodes per patient-year in Phase 1 to 0.13 ± 0.32 episodes per patient-year in Phase 2. After adjusting for age at kidney failure onset, PD vintage, years of nursing experience, and the average patient-to-nurse ratio over the study period for each patient, the adjusted peritonitis rates decreased by 0.38 episodes per patient-year (95% CI, 0.09 to 0.67, p = 0.011) from Phase 1 to Phase 2.

CONCLUSION

Despite an improvement in staffing ratio, peritonitis rates only improved significantly after intensive structured re-training was instituted.

Impact of assistance on peritonitis due to breach in aseptic procedure in diabetic patients: A cohort study with the RDPLF data

BACKGROUND

Diabetic patients often have physical impairment that could lead to manipulation errors in peritoneal dialysis (PD) and touch contamination. Nurse assistance in diabetic PD patients is known to help prevent peritonitis. We made the hypothesis that this lower risk of peritonitis was observed thanks to prevention of breach in aseptic procedure. We evaluated the impact of nurse-assisted PD on specific causes of peritonitis, especially on peritonitis due to a breach in aseptic procedure.

METHODS

This was a retrospective observational study of the data from the French Language Peritoneal Dialysis Registry. All diabetic patients older than age 18 years starting PD in France between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2015 were included in the study. The event of interest was the first peritonitis event due to a breach in aseptic procedure. Death, kidney transplantation and peritonitis due to another mechanism were considered as competing events. We examined the association of the covariates with all the possible outcomes using a subdistribution hazard model developed for survival analysis in the presence of competing risks.

RESULTS

Four thousand one hundred one diabetic patients incident in PD were included in the study. At least one peritonitis event occurred in 1611 patients over the study period. A breach in aseptic procedure was reported in 441/1611 cases (27.3%): 209/575 (36.3%) in the self-care PD group, 56/217 (25.8%) in the family-assisted PD group and 176/819 (21.5%) in the nurse-assisted PD group. Both nurse and family assistance were associated with a lower risk of peritonitis due to breach in aseptic procedure in bivariate analysis. After adjustment on age, modified Charlson index, sex and diabetic nephropathy, patients treated by nurse-assisted PD (subdistribution hazard ratio (sd-HR) 0.52, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.40-0.67) and those treated by family-assisted PD (sd-HR 0.70, 95% CI 0.51-0.95) had a lower likelihood of peritonitis due to a connection error compared to self-care PD in multivariate analysis. The modality of assistance was not associated with other causes of peritonitis in the multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSION

While both nurse-assisted PD and family-assisted PD were associated with lower risk of peritonitis due to a breach in aseptic procedure compared to self-care PD in our study, the protective effect was greater with nurse assistance.

Good practices for dialysis education, treatment, and eHealth: A scoping review

BACKGROUND

Recommendations regarding dialysis education and treatment are provided in various (inter)national guidelines, which should ensure that these are applied uniformly in nephrology and dialysis centers. However, there is much practice variation which could be explained by good practices: practices developed by local health care professionals, which are not evidence-based. Because an overview of good practices is lacking, we performed a scoping review to identify and summarize the available good practices for dialysis education, treatment, and eHealth.

METHODS

Embase, Pubmed, the Cochrane Library, CINAHL databases and Web of Science were searched for relevant articles using all synonyms for the words 'kidney failure', 'dialysis', and 'good practice'. Relevant articles were structured according to the categories dialysis education, dialysis treatment or eHealth, and assessed for content and results.

RESULTS

Nineteen articles (12 for dialysis education, 3 for dialysis treatment, 4 for eHealth) are identified. The good practices for education endorse the importance of providing complete and objective predialysis education, assisting peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients in adequately performing PD, educating hemodialysis (HD) patients on self-management, and talking with dialysis patients about their prognosis. The good practices for dialysis treatment focus mainly on dialysis access devices and general quality improvement of dialysis care. Finally, eHealth is useful for HD and PD and affects both quality of care and health-related quality of life.

CONCLUSION

Our scoping review identifies 19 articles describing good practices and their results for dialysis education, dialysis treatment, and eHealth. These good practices could be valuable in addition to guidelines for increasing shared-decision making in predialysis education, using patients' contribution in the implementation of their dialysis treatment, and advanced care planning.

Association between conscientiousness and peritoneal dialysis-related peritonitis

AIM

Peritonitis is a critical complication in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis. Patient characteristics, especially conscientiousness, potentially influence self-care activity. This study aimed to examine the relationship between the peritonitis risk and the patient conscientiousness.

METHODS

This retrospective observational study was conducted at three Japanese medical centres in 2018. Adult patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis were evaluated for conscientiousness with the Japanese version of the Ten-Item Personality Inventory. We followed the patients from peritoneal dialysis induction retrospectively on chart review. The primary outcome was time to first episode of peritonitis after initiation of peritoneal dialysis in the entire observation period. Hazard ratios were estimated using a Cox model adjusted for potential confounders.

RESULTS

Among 111 patients enrolled, 32 experienced peritonitis. The patients were divided into the more conscientious group (n = 64) and less conscientious group (n = 47) based on a mean conscientiousness score of 3.991. Additionally, less conscientious patients tended to be at higher risk for peritonitis during the entire study period (hazard ratio adjusted for age and sex, 1.99; 95% confidence interval, 0.98-4.03; p = .057). The increased risk in the less conscientious group was statistically significant in the first year (adjusted hazard ratio, 6.98; 95% confidence interval, 1.42-34.40; p = .017).

CONCLUSION

Less conscientious patients significantly have shorter peritonitis-free survival in the early phase after peritoneal dialysis induction although not significantly during the entire study period. Personality trait assessment using the Ten-Item Personality Inventory could be helpful in educating and following up patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis.

Peritoneal Dialysis Guidelines 2019 Part 1 (Position paper of the Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy)

Approximately 10 years have passed since the Peritoneal Dialysis Guidelines were formulated in 2009. Much evidence has been reported during the succeeding years, which were not taken into consideration in the previous guidelines, e.g., the next peritoneal dialysis PD trial of encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) in Japan, the significance of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), the effects of icodextrin solution, new developments in peritoneal pathology, and a new international recommendation on a proposal for exit-site management. It is essential to incorporate these new developments into the new clinical practice guidelines. Meanwhile, the process of creating such guidelines has changed dramatically worldwide and differs from the process of creating what were “clinical practice guides.” For this revision, we not only conducted systematic reviews using global standard methods but also decided to adopt a two-part structure to create a reference tool, which could be used widely by the society’s members attending a variety of patients. Through a working group consensus, it was decided that Part 1 would present conventional descriptions and Part 2 would pose clinical questions (CQs) in a systematic review format. Thus, Part 1 vastly covers PD that would satisfy the requirements of the members of the Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy (JSDT). This article is the duplicated publication from the Japanese version of the guidelines and has been reproduced with permission from the JSDT.

Changes before and after COVID-19 pandemic on the personal hygiene behaviors and incidence of peritonitis in peritoneal-dialysis patients: a multi-center retrospective study

Background

The impact of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and its influence on personal hygiene behaviors and peritonitis rate in peritoneal-dialysis patients is unknown.

Methods

A multi-center retrospective study was conducted. We reviewed all the cases of peritoneal-dialysis (PD) patients from four major PD centers in Wuhan before and after COVID-19. There were 567 patients enrolled in total. Information was collected on personal hygiene behaviors, basic clinical characteristics, lab results, peritonitis details. We used Chi-square analysis to compare the personal hygiene behaviors, and used Chi-square goodness-of-fit analysis to compare the peritonitis rates before and after COVID-19. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the risk factors for peritonitis rate.

Results

There were no significant differences on peritonitis rates in six-month period before and after COVID-19 (p = 0.0756, Fig. 2 and Table 3). But Gram-positive infections decreased dramatically (p = 0.0041, Table 4). Personal hygiene behaviors such as length of time for washing hands when performing PD treatment, the frequency of washing hands before PD treatment and six general behaviors had significant differences (P < 0.05 Table 2). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed never washing hands before PD treatment and serum albumin level were the risk factors of peritonitis during COVID-19 (OR 14.408, 95%CI 3.930 –52.821, P = 0.0002; OR 4.681, 95% CI 1.755 –12.485, P = 0.002, Table 5).

Conclusions

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant positive influence on personal hygiene behaviors. Peritonitis rate did not significantly decrease but Gram-positive infections dramatically decreased. Never hand washing before PD treatment and serum albumin were the risk factors for peritonitis. We should emphasize hand washing before PD treatment in training and re-training program.

Training and education, what has changed this last decade?

BACKGROUND

The Dutch manual for the best care regarding training and education of our patients, as created by the special interest group for peritoneal dialysis (SIG PD), was revised.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this paper is to describe topics learned from the manual revision, supported by noticed response changes in surveys from 2009 to 2019.

DESIGN

Quantitative nursing research, using similar surveys to compare training and education over the last decade. Additionally, a brief search for literature was performed.

PARTICIPANTS

Dutch dialysis nurses.

APPROACH

In 2009, nurses were approached through an online survey sent to all dialysis centres in the Netherlands. In 2019, a similar survey was distributed during our annual Dutch nephrology days. Both surveys were compared and conclusions were drawn.

FINDINGS

Retrieved information was divided into basic topics and compared. More important, our findings show that even after a decade, there is still no special education for the nurses and patient training is given based on experience alone. Furthermore, multiple nurses are involved in patient training, with varying materials. There are more home visits with training at home and retraining is more suitable. A growth in assisted PD implies more involvement by community nurses. Also, more acute PD is seen, with a different structure of training.

CONCLUSIONS

The manual was revised with input from our nurses and new guidelines, so we can uplift the education of peritoneal dialysis for the benefit of our patients, caretakers, and community nurses. As SIG PD we can support the dialysis nurses.

Quality of life in primary caregivers of patients in peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis

BACKGROUND

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is gaining track as an efficient/affordable therapy in poor settings. Yet, there is little data regarding differences in quality of life (QoL) of primary caregivers (PCG) of patients in PD and hemodialysis (HD).

AIM

To compare the QoL of PCG of patients in PD and HD from an upper middle-income population in a Mexican city.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study was carried out with PCG of patients in PD (n=42) and HD (n=95) from 4 hospitals (response rate=70.2%). The SF 36-item QoL questionnaire, the Zarit burden interview, and the Goldberg anxiety/depression scale were used. Mean normalized scores for each QoL domain were compared by dialysis type. Adjusted odds were computed using logistic regression to determine the probability of low QoL (<70% of maximum possible score resulting from the added scores of the 8 dimensions).

RESULTS

The PD group had higher mean scores for emotional role functioning (+10.6; p=0.04), physical functioning (+9.2; p=0.002), bodily pain (+9.2; p=0.07), social functioning (+5.7; p=0.25), and mental health (+1.3; p=0.71); the HD group had higher scores for physical role functioning (+7.9, p=0.14), general health perception (+6.1; p=0.05), and vitality (+3.3; p=0.36). A non-significant OR was seen in multivariate regression (1.51; 95% CI 0.43-5.31). Zarit scores were similar, but workload levels were lower in the PD group (medium/high: PD 7.2%, HD 14.8%). Anxiety (HD 50.5%, PD 19%; p<0.01) and depression (HD 49.5%, PD 16.7%; p<0.01) were also lower in the PD group.

CONCLUSION

Adjusted analysis showed no differences in the probability of low QoL between the groups. These findings add to the value of PD, and strengthen its importance in resource-limited settings.

Trends in Peritoneal Dialysis Technique Survival, Death, and Transfer to Hemodialysis: A Decade of Data from the RDPLF

INTRODUCTION

There is limited information on the trends of peritoneal dialysis (PD) technique survival over time. This study aimed to estimate the effect of calendar time on technique survival, transfer to hemodialysis (HD) (and the individual causes of transfer), and patient survival.

METHODS

This retrospective, multicenter study, based on data from the French Language Peritoneal Dialysis Registry, analyzed 14,673 patients who initiated PD in France between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2016. Adjusted Cox regressions with robust variance were used to examine the probability of a composite end point of either death or transfer to HD, death, and transfer to HD, accounting for the nonlinear impact of PD start time.

RESULTS

There were 10,201 (69.5%) cases of PD cessation over the study period: 5,495 (37.4%) deaths and 4,706 (32.1%) transfers to HD. The rate of PD cessation due to death or transfer to HD decreased over time (PR 0.96, 95% CI: 0.95-0.97). Compared to 2009-2010, starting PD between 2005 and 2008 or 2011 and 2016 was strongly associated with a lower rate of transfer to HD (PR 0.88, 95% CI: 0.81-0.96, and PR 0.91, 95% CI: 0.84-0.99, respectively), mostly due to a decline in the rate of infection-related transfers to HD (PR 0.96, 95% CI: 0.94-0.98).

CONCLUSIONS

Rates of the composite end point of either death or transfer to HD, death, and transfer to HD have decreased in recent decades. The decline in transfers to HD rates, observed since 2011, is mainly the result of a significant decline in infection-related transfers.

Helper-assisted continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis: Does the choice of helper matter?

BACKGROUND

There is an increasing number of elderly patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) who could not perform dialysis exchange themselves and require assistance. We examine the outcome of Chinese CAPD patients who required helper-assisted dialysis and compare the outcome between different types of helper.

METHODS

We reviewed 133 incident patients on helper-assisted CAPD and 266 incident patients who performed self-CAPD exchanges (self-peritoneal dialysis (PD) group). Outcome measures included patient survival, peritonitis-free survival, and overall peritonitis rate.

RESULTS

At 24 months, patient survival of the helper-assisted and self-PD groups were 56.0% and 80.6%, respectively (p < 0.0001). Within the helper-assisted group, patient survival at 24 months was 55.5%, 63.2%, and 27.2% for the patients with domestic helper, family member, and nursing home staff as their helpers, respectively (p = 0.037). Peritonitis-free survival of the helper-assisted and self-PD groups were 54.2% and 64.9%, respectively (p = 0.039). Within the helper-assisted group, peritonitis-free survival at 24 months was 59.4%, 55.4%, and 37.2% for the patients with domestic helper, family member, and nursing home staff as their helpers, respectively (p = 0.06). There was no significant difference in peritonitis rate between patients with domestic helper, family member, and nursing home staff as their helpers (0.54, 0.57, and 0.94 episodes per patient-year, respectively, p = 0.2).

CONCLUSIONS

Helper-assisted CAPD patients had worse patient survival and peritonitis-free survival than the self-PD group. Assistance by nursing home staff was associated with worse patients' survival and peritonitis-free survival than assistance by family members or domestic maids.