Management of encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis: a guideline on optimal and uniform treatment.

Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) represents a rare complication of long-term peritoneal dialysis (PD). It is characterised by diffuse peritoneal membrane fibrosis, progressive intestinal encapsulation and the clinical spectrum of intestinal obstruction. The pathogenesis is as yet not well understood but includes inflammation, angiogenesis and fibrosis. The current diagnosis of EPS lacks specificity and relies on clinical, radiographic or macroscopic evaluation. There is no general agreement on managing EPS although accumulating clinical data suggest drug treatment (steroids, tamoxifen), surgery (enterolysis) or a combination of both. Here, we provide a short overview on the current knowledge of EPS, with a focus on treatment. Moreover, we present a diagnostic and a therapeutic algorithm for EPS based on the best available published data and our combined experience.

Prevalence of anemia and its impact on mortality and hospitalization rate in predialysis patients.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Anemia is associated with increased mortality and morbidity in both early and very late stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD). The aim of this study was to assess whether anemia is a risk factor for mortality or hospitalization in CKD stage 4-5 predialysis patients not yet on dialysis. METHODS: Incident predialysis patients were included between 1999 and 2001 and followed until January 2008 or death. Anemia was defined as mean hemoglobin (Hb) < or =11 g/dl in the 3 months before the start of predialysis. Associations were assessed by Cox regression, linear and logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 472 patients were included (median follow-up time 12 months, 11% died, 79% started dialysis). Mean Hb was 11.2 g/dl (minimum 7.6, maximum 16.9). Forty-eight percent of patients had anemia at the start of predialysis care. The adjusted mortality risk (hazard ratio, 95% confidence interval) for anemic compared to nonanemic patients was 1.92 (1.04, 3.52). Anemia tended to be related to all-cause but not to non-dialysis-related hospitalization risk. CONCLUSION: At the start of predialysis care, 48% of patients had anemia. Anemia as defined in guideline targets is not associated with an increase in hospitalizations not related to renal replacement therapy, but is likely an important risk factor for mortality in predialysis patients.

The Dutch EPS Registry: increasing the knowledge of encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis.

Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) is a rare condition characterised by fibrotic thickening of the visceral peritoneum, leading to encapsulating of the intestines with partial or total intestinal obstruction. EPS is a serious complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD) with high morbidity and a mortality exceeding 50%. At present, there is uncertainty concerning the incidence and the risk factors involved in the development of EPS. To address these questions a nationwide registry has been initiated. The primary goals of the registry are to record the incidence of EPS and investigate the association of different variables, such as PD duration, medication, dialysis solutions and kidney transplantation with EPS. The registry will improve the knowledge of EPS and will serve to develop guidelines and necessary management strategies. From the registry different research activities can be initiated. A major challenge lies in the establishment of criteria that allow a timely diagnosis of EPS. At present, there are no diagnostic tools that can accurately detect EPS at an early stage. For this reason, besides patients with proven EPS, the clinical suspicion of EPS will be a sufficient criterion for inclusion in the registry. This nationwide EPS registry is currently enrolling patients.

CYP3A5 genotype is associated with longer patient survival after kidney transplantation and long-term treatment with cyclosporine.

The CYP3A5*1 allele has been linked to high expression of CYP3A5 and metabolism of cyclosporine. We evaluated the role of CYP3A5*1 for long-term survival in renal transplant patients in a cohort of 399 patients who underwent cadaveric or living donor kidney allograft transplantation. All patients were treated with a similar cyclosporine-based immunosuppressive maintenance therapy protocol. The mean duration of follow-up was 8.6+/-3.7 years. In univariate survival analysis, the presence of the CYP3A5*1 allele in recipients significantly increased patient survival P=0.028 (log-rank), resulting in a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.52 (95% CI=0.29-0.94). When the presence of the CYP3A5*1 allele was included in multivariate Cox regression analyses accounting for major risk factors for patient death, CYP3A5*1 still conferred a protective effect. Further, haplotype analysis at the CYP3A5 locus confirmed that CYP3A5*1 might indeed be responsible for this survival benefit.

Association of serum fetuin-A levels with mortality in dialysis patients.

Calcifying atherosclerosis is an active process, which is controlled by calcification inhibitors and inducers. Fetuin-A, an acute phase glycoprotein, is one of the more powerful circulating inhibitors of hydroxyapatite formation. A prospective multicenter cohort study was initiated to include both hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients in an evaluation of the association of serum fetuin-A levels with both cardiovascular (CV) and non-CV mortality. An increase in the serum fetuin-A concentration of 0.1 g/l was associated with a significant reduction in all-cause mortality of 13%. There was a significant 17% reduction in non-CV mortality and a near significant reduction in CV mortality. This association of fetuin-A and mortality rates was comparable in both HD and PD patients even when corrected for factors, including but not limited to age, gender, primary kidney disease, C-reactive protein levels, and nutritional status. We conclude that serum fetuin-A concentrations may be a general predictor of mortality in dialysis patients.

Validation of the KDQOL-SF: a dialysis-targeted health measure.

BACKGROUND: In evaluations of dialysis therapy, an assessment of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is often important. The aim of this study was to determine the basic psychometric properties, reliability and validity of the short form of the KDQOL i.e. the KDQOL-SF, a dialysis-targeted instrument, and to assess its ability to detect changes over time. METHODS: In a prospective cohort study (Netherlands Cooperative Study on the Adequacy of Dialysis, NECOSAD), all new adult ESRD patients in 32 different Dutch centers were consecutively enrolled. Demographic, clinical and HRQOL data were obtained 3 and 12 months after the start of chronic dialysis therapy. RESULTS: The reliability of the KDQOL-SF was supported by test results that were above the recommended minimal values. Validity of KDQOL-SF was confirmed by the hypothesized positive correlations of the overall health rating and renal function, and by the negative correlations between the number of comorbidities and dialysis dose. Moreover, dialysis-targeted dimensions were more sensitive in detecting relevant differences pertaining to kidney diseases than generic dimensions. The KDQOL-SF was able to detect clinical changes over time. CONCLUSIONS: The psychometric properties of the KDQOL-SF were good, and the different dialysis-targeted dimensions were informative with a high reliability and validity. These results support the application of the KDQOL-SF in studies evaluating dialysis therapy.

When to initiate dialysis: effect of proposed US guidelines on survival.

BACKGROUND: Recent guidelines from the US National Kidney Foundation Dialysis Outcomes Quality Initiative recommend an earlier start of dialysis treatment than has been common practice. Their implementation would have a substantial effect on patients' daily lives and would increase costs. The guidelines are largely opinion-based, because evidence is still lacking. METHODS: As part of a prospective multicentre study in the Netherlands, we included, between January, 1997, and May, 1999, all new patients with end-stage renal disease, for whom data were available on residual renal function 0-4 weeks before the start of dialysis. We recorded date of death or censoring until August, 2000. FINDINGS: 94 (37%) of 253 patients started dialysis treatment later than recommended by the US guideline. There was an increased mortality risk for these patients compared with those who started dialysis on time, although it was not significant (adjusted hazard ratio 1.66 [95% CI 0.95-2.89]). The adjusted difference in estimated survival time after 3 years on dialysis treatment was 2.5 months (1.1-4.0) in favour of timely starters. Conversely, the average delay in dialysis initiation for late starters, the extra time free of dialysis, was at least 4.1 months. INTERPRETATION: Although we observed a gain in survival time with a timely start of dialysis, it is probably a reflection of initiating dialysis earlier in the disease. We question the benefit of putting this guideline into daily practice, given the current clinical evidence and the effects it would have on patients and dialysis resources.

What happens to patients starting dialysis in the Netherlands?

BACKGROUND: despite improvements in dialysis technology, publications around 1990 showed increasing mortality rates in dialysis patients. The Dialysis Group of the Netherlands initiated the Netherlands Cooperative Study on the Adequacy of Dialysis (NECOSAD) to investigate the association of patient and therapy characteristics with outcome. METHODS: 250 patients were included in this prospective multicentre study 3 months after the start of dialysis. We used Cox regression to predict mortality and technique failure and repeated measures analysis of variance to study the time course of continuous parameters. RESULTS: there were considerable differences in patient populations among dialysis centres. Patient survival was 76% at 2 years. Technique survival was higher in haemodialysis. Hospitalisation decreased from 25 days between 3 and 12 months to 19 days per patient year in the third year. Residual renal function decreased at a similar rate in both modalities, but blood pressure tended to increase in females receiving peritoneal dialysis. Outcome was predominantly dependent on patient characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: In the light of the increasing age of patients starting dialysis, increasing mortality can be expected. Furthermore, if outcome is to play a role in the quality assessment of dialysis centres, it is essential to know the characteristics of their patient populations.

The relationship between Kt/V(urea) and nPNA in anuric peritoneal dialysis patients: a comparison with predialysis patients.

OBJECTIVE: It is unknown whether a given level of urea clearance by the native kidneys provides better or similar control of uremia than the same level of urea clearance by continuous peritoneal dialysis (PD). More insight into possible differences between renal and peritoneal urea clearances is warranted. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between Kt/V(urea) and protein equivalent of total nitrogen appearance normalized to body weight (nPNA), the relationship between urea clearance and creatinine appearance, and other nutritional parameters in PD patients without residual renal function, and in predialysis end-stage renal disease patients. PATIENTS: All patients participated in the Netherlands Cooperative Study on the Adequacy of Dialysis. This is a prospective cohort study of incident dialysis patients, in whom regular assessments of renal function are done. A group of 75 PD patients was identified at the first follow-up assessment in which their urine production was less than 100 mL/day. These patients were considered the anuric group. This group was compared with a control group of 97 predialysis patients studied 0-4 weeks before the start of dialysis treatment. RESULTS: Linear relationships were present between Kt/V(urea) and nPNA, in both the predialysis patients and the anuric PD patients. A significant difference was present between the slopes of the two regression lines (0.40 vs 0.18, p = 0.007). When Kt/V(urea) exceeded 1.3/week, a given level of Kt/V(urea) was associated with a higher nPNA in predialysis than in anuric PD patients. Similar relationships were found between Kt(urea) and PNA. Kt(urea) was also significantly related to urine or dialysate creatinine appearance. A significant difference existed between the slopes of the regression lines in the two groups of patients (p < 0.001). A weekly Kt(urea) of 70 L was associated with a urine creatinine appearance of 11.0 mmol/day and a dialysate creatinine appearance of 8.4 mmol/day. Nutritional status measured with creatinine appearance and Subjective Global Assessment was better in the predialysis population, despite much lower values for Kt/V(urea) in these patients. CONCLUSIONS: The relationship between Kt/V(urea) and nPNA in anuric PD patients is different from that in a predialysis population. It follows from our results that, when Kt/V(urea) is above 1.3/week, a given level of Kt/V(urea) is associated with a higher nPNA in predialysis than in anuric PD patients. This challenges the concept of equivalency between renal and peritoneal Kt/V(urea) with respect to control of uremic morbidity.

Changes in employment status in end-stage renal disease patients during their first year of dialysis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess employment status in new end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients at the start of dialysis and after 1 year, and to determine whether demographic and clinical variables and physical and psychosocial functioning at the start of dialysis are risk factors for loss of employment after 1 year of dialysis. DESIGN: Prospective follow-up study in which 38 of 48 Dutch dialysis centers participate. PATIENTS: 659 patients who had started on dialysis and who were between 18 and 65 years old were included. Patients were re-examined after 12 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Demographic data, physical and psychosocial functioning with the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), and data on employment status were obtained using questionnaires. Nephrologists provided the clinical data. RESULTS: At the start of dialysis, 35% of patients were employed, in contrast to 61% of the general Dutch population. Within 1 year, the proportion of employed patients decreased from 31% to 25% of hemodialysis patients, and from 48% to 40% of peritoneal dialysis patients. In patients who were working at the start of dialysis, independent risk factors for loss of work within 1 year were impaired physical and psychosocial functioning [odds ratio physical: 3.4, 95% confidence interval (% CI), 1.0-11.2; odds ratio psychosocial: 4.2, 95% CI, 1.2-14.2]. CONCLUSIONS: As the percentage of employed patients at the start of dialysis is about half the expected percentage, loss of work is an important issue in both predialysis and dialysis patients. Improvements in physical and psychosocial functioning are potentially preventive of loss of work in patients who are employed when they start dialysis.

Quality of life in predialysis end-stage renal disease patients at the initiation of dialysis therapy. The NECOSAD Study Group.

OBJECTIVE: To assess health-related quality of life (QL) in a group of Dutch predialysis end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients prior to the initiation of dialysis, and to compare QL between patients with different intended initial dialysis treatments. DESIGN: In a prospective cohort study, demographic, clinical, and QL data were obtained from Dutch adult patients who were consecutively enrolled from 27 different centers 0 - 4 weeks prior to the beginning of their chronic dialysis treatment. PATIENTS: Of the 301 patients who completed the QL questionnaires (of a possible 337 enrolled patients), 152 intended to start with hemodialysis (pre-HD) and 149 patients with peritoneal dialysis (pre-PD). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Perceived QL of pre-HD and pre-PD patients. Quality of life was assessed with two generic health assessment instruments: the SF-36 and the EuroQol. RESULTS: After correction for group differences, pre-HD patients scored consistently, but not significantly, lower for all separate dimensions of the SF-36 and the overall health score of the EuroQol compared to pre-PD patients. However, analyzing the dimensions of the SF-36 together, adjusted for case-mix, pre-HD patients scored significantly lower than pre-PD patients. Mean difference was 6.5 points (p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Multivariate adjustment for known case-mix differences at the start of dialysis therapy was not sufficient to adjust for all patient selection effects on QL. Consequently, published QL comparisons between HD and PD in nonrandomized cohort studies should be interpreted with caution. Assessment of QL just before start of dialysis therapy and subsequent adjustment for baseline values may be the only valid alternative for randomized studies.

Predictors of poor outcome in chronic dialysis patients: The Netherlands Cooperative Study on the Adequacy of Dialysis. The NECOSAD Study Group.

In a prospective cohort study, we constructed a composite index of poor outcome that incorporates survival, morbidity, and quality of life (QL). We identified baseline patient and treatment characteristics that predicted poor outcome 1 year after the start of chronic dialysis. Outcome was classified as poor if a patient had died or if at least two of the following criteria were present: (1) 30 days or greater of hospitalization per year, (2) serum albumin level of 30 g/L or less or a malnutrition index score of 11 or greater, (3) a 36-item Medical Outcomes Study (MOS)-Short Form Health Survey Questionnaire (SF-36) physical summary QL score of 2 or more SDs less than the general population mean score, and (4) an SF-36 mental summary QL score of 2 or more SDs less than the general population mean score. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of poor outcome. Of 250 included patients, 189 were assessable with respect to poor outcome. Of these patients, 47 (25%) were classified as poor. A baseline presence of comorbidity, serum albumin level of 30 g/L or less, physical or mental QL score 2 or more SDs less than the general population mean score, and, to a lesser extent, residual glomerular filtration rate of 2.5 mL/min/1.73 m(2) or less were independently associated with a greater risk for poor outcome. A post hoc analysis indicated a mean arterial blood pressure greater than 107 mm Hg was predictive of poor outcome in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis. In conclusion, our prognostic model provides a useful tool to identify chronic dialysis patients at risk for poor health status. Strategies aimed at preserving residual renal function, controlling blood pressure, monitoring QL, and consequently giving psychosocial support may reduce the risk for poor outcome.

Dialysis in The Netherlands: the clinical condition of new patients put into a European perspective. NECOSAD Study Group. Netherlands Cooperative Study on the Adequacy of Dialysis phase 1.

BACKGROUND: The unadjusted annual mortality rate among prevalent Dutch dialysis patients increased from 1981 to 1992. Part of this increase may be attributed to the ageing of the dialysis population, but hardly any data were available on other important prognostic features of new Dutch dialysis patients, such as co-morbidity and other aspects of their clinical condition. The aim of the present study was to obtain these data and to put them into a European perspective. METHODS: Two hundred and fifty consecutive new patients were included in this prospective multi-centre study. Data were collected 3 months after start of dialysis. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to explain the variability of parameters of nutritional state and blood pressure. RESULTS: Mean age was 57 years, co-morbid conditions were present in 51%, diabetes mellitus in 18%, and cardiovascular disease in 28%. Decreased protein intake was related to diminished residual renal function. Our patients did not have more co-morbidity than Dutch patients participating in a European study some years earlier. Comparison with other studies was complicated by the use of different definitions of co-morbidity and of selected patient populations. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the fact that Dutch dialysis patients have become older and the incidence of diabetic nephropathy has increased, no conclusions could be drawn on a concomitant increase in co-morbidity. This patient group may serve as a reference population to study future changes in patient case-mix within the Netherlands. Furthermore, the use of common international definitions of co-morbidity is needed to be able to make comparisons of survival data.

Quality of life over time in dialysis: the Netherlands Cooperative Study on the Adequacy of Dialysis. NECOSAD Study Group.

BACKGROUND: Information on the longitudinal quality of life (QL) of patients treated by different dialysis modalities is lacking. Therefore, we performed a prospective cohort study on the QL over time in hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. METHODS: New chronic dialysis patients from 13 Dutch dialysis centers were consecutively included. The patients' self-assessment of QL was measured with the SF-36 form at 3, 6, 12, and 18 months after the start of dialysis treatment. RESULTS: Out of 230 patients who completed the QL questionnaire at least once, 139 patients stayed on their initial dialysis modality, 26 patients switched dialysis modality, 35 patients were transplanted, 28 patients died, and two patients had a recovery of renal function. The QL of patients who died during the study period was considerably worse at baseline and worsened at a faster rate than in the other patient groups. In patients who stayed on their initial dialysis modality, the physical QL decreased over time, whereas the mental QL tended to remain stable. After an adjustment for the initial value of QL and comorbidity, a consistently favorable effect of HD on physical QL over time was found compared with PD, whereas mental QL values remained similar. Parameters of adequacy of dialysis were not associated with QL over time. CONCLUSION: This prospective cohort study shows that physical QL over time in HD patients is better than in PD patients.

Physical symptoms and quality of life in patients on chronic dialysis: results of The Netherlands Cooperative Study on Adequacy of Dialysis (NECOSAD)

BACKGROUND: So far, little attention has been paid to the value of dialysis adequacy for patients' quality of life (QL). Therefore we studied the impact of demographic, clinical, and dialysis characteristics on physical symptoms and perceived QL. METHODS: The study population consisted of 120 incident chronic haemodialysis (HD) and 106 peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients, starting dialysis treatment in 13 Dutch centres. Data were collected 3 months after the start of dialysis. Nine physical symptoms were assessed with a self-administered questionnaire. Patient's self-assessment of QL was measured with the 36-item MOS Short Form (SF-36). RESULTS: The most common symptoms in HD and PD were fatigue (respectively 82 and 87%) and itching (73 and 68%). In HD only a medium to high comorbidity--age risk index was associated with greater symptom burden. In PD also a lower percentage lean body mass, a lower rGFR, and past episodes of underhydration were associated with greater symptom burden. The explained variance by these variables was only 12% in HD and 21% in PD. However, greater symptom burden explained a substantial additional amount of impaired physical and mental QL on top of demographics and clinical status. Dialysis variables were associated neither with symptoms nor with QL. CONCLUSION: Symptom burden can be explained to a limited extent by demographic and clinical variables and not by dialysis characteristics. Addition of symptom burden to the other variables makes it possible to explain one-third of perceived QL. This underlines the importance of symptom reduction in order to improve patient's QL.

Mortality and technique failure in patients starting chronic peritoneal dialysis: results of The Netherlands Cooperative Study on the Adequacy of Dialysis. NECOSAD Study Group.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have shown an association between small solute clearance and patient survival. Thus far, little attention has been paid to the potential effects of fluid overload. The aim of this study was to determine the relative importance of baseline patient and treatment characteristics to mortality and technique failure in patients starting peritoneal dialysis. METHODS: One hundred and eighteen consecutive new patients were included in this prospective multicenter cohort study. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to predict mortality and technique failure. RESULTS: There were 33 deaths and 44 technique failures. The two-year patient survival was 77%, and the two-year technique survival was 64%. Age, systolic blood pressure, and the absolute quantity of small solutes removed at baseline were independent predictors of mortality. A one-year increase in age was associated with a relative risk (RR) of death of 1.05 (95% CI, 1.01 to 1.09) and a 10 mm Hg rise in systolic blood pressure, with a RR of 1.42 (95% CI, 1.17 to 1.73). The removal of 1 mmol/week/1.73 m2 of urinary and dialysate creatinine was associated with a RR of death of 0.95 (95% CI, 0.92 to 0.98) and 0.93 (95% CI, 0.89 to 0.98). The removal of urea had a similar association with the RR of death. Predictors for technique failure were urine volume, peritoneal ultrafiltration, and systolic blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS: Dialysate solute removal was an independent predictor of mortality. The association between systolic blood pressure and mortality shows that the maintenance of fluid balance and the removal of small solutes deserve equal attention.

Estimation of residual glomerular filtration rate and renal Kt/Vurea from creatinine clearance in end-stage renal disease patients. The Netherlands Cooperative Study on the Adequacy of Dialysis.

Residual glomerular filtration rate (rGFR) and renal Kt/Vurea are important parameters in clinical practice and in cohort studies. The calculation of these parameters requires analysis of urea in a 24-hour urine collection and in a simultaneously obtained plasma sample. In clinical practice, urea clearance is not always determined, but creatinine clearance usually is. The aim of the present study was to assess how well rGFR and renal Kt/Vurea can be estimated from creatinine clearance in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. Of new Dutch ESRD patients, 365 were consecutively included in this study at the start of their chronic dialysis treatment. The estimation models were based on a random sample of two-thirds of the patients; the models were validated on the remaining one-third. We built models for pre-dialysis and peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients together (pre + PD group), and separate models for hemodialysis (HD) patients. Mean measured rGFR of pre + PD patients in the validation group was 6.3 mL/minute. The limits of agreement (LoAs) between estimated and measured rGFR were within -1.5 and +1.5. Mean measured rGFR in HD patients was 3.1 mL/minute (LoAs: -0.3 and +0.3). These relatively small limits of agreement reveal that, should urea clearance be missing, rGFR can be estimated by a formula in which creatinine clearance and 24-hour urine production are included. The estimation of renal Kt/Vurea from creatinine clearance was less precise.

Reliability of the 7-point subjective global assessment scale in assessing nutritional status of dialysis patients.

Subjective global assessment (SGA) is a method to score nutritional status in a standardized way. The original 3-point scale has been replaced by a 7-point scale. The reliability of the latter scale has never been tested. We therefore assessed inter-observer and intra-observer reliability. Furthermore, we examined the relationship of SGA with other objective nutritional parameters. In 13 hemodialysis and 9 peritoneal dialysis patients, two nurses assessed SGA. They re-examined the same patients two weeks later. Anthropometric measurements and blood samples were taken at the first assessment. According to SGA, 2 patients (9%) were classified as severely malnourished, 6 (27%) as mildly malnourished, and 14 (64%) as well nourished. The 7-point SGA scale showed fair inter-observer reliability [intraclass correlation (ICC) = 0.72] and good intra-observer reliability (ICC = 0.88). A strong correlation was present between the 7-point SGA scale and body mass index (BMI) (r = 0.79, p < 0.001), % fat (r = 0.77, p < 0.001), and mid arm circumference (r = 0.71, p < 0.001). Lower correlations were found with mid arm muscle circumference and serum albumin. With respect to biochemical markers, the strongest relationship was found with prealbumin (r = 0.60, p = 0.004). We conclude that the 7-point SGA scale is a valid and reliable tool to assess nutritional status among end-stage renal disease patients. We suggest that one observer or a select group of observers perform the assessments to gain maximum benefit from the reliability of the SGA instrument.

Quality of life in patients on chronic dialysis: self-assessment 3 months after the start of treatment. The Necosad Study Group.

The aim of the present multicenter study was to assess quality of life of Dutch dialysis patients 3 months after the start of chronic dialysis treatment. The quality of life was compared with the quality of life of a general population sample, and the impact of demographic, clinical, renal function, and dialysis characteristics on patients' quality of life was studied. New end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients who were started on chronic hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis in 13 dialysis centers in The Netherlands were consecutively included. Patients' self-assessment of quality of life was measured by the SF-36, a 36-item Short Form Health Survey Questionnaire encompassing eight dimensions: physical functioning, social functioning, role-functioning physical, role-functioning emotional, mental health, vitality, bodily pain, and general health perceptions. One hundred twenty hemodialysis and 106 peritoneal dialysis patients completed the SF-36. Quality of life of hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients was substantially impaired in comparison to the general population sample, particularly with respect to role-functioning physical and general health perceptions. Mean role-functioning physical and general health perceptions scores of the hemodialysis patients corresponded with the lowest scoring 8% and 12%, respectively, of the reference group. Mean role-functioning physical and general health perceptions scores of the peritoneal dialysis patients corresponded with the lowest scoring 10% and 12%, respectively, of the reference group. Hemodialysis patients showed lower levels of quality of life than peritoneal dialysis patients on physical functioning, role-functioning emotional, mental health, and pain. However, on the multivariate level, we could only demonstrate an impact of dialysis modality on mental health. A higher number of comorbid conditions, a lower hemoglobin level, and a lower residual renal function were independently related to poorer quality of life. The variability of the SF-36 scores explained by selected demographic, clinical, renal function, and dialysis characteristics was highest for physical functioning (29.7%). Explained variability of the other SF-36 dimensions ranged from 6.9% for general health perceptions to 15.4% for vitality. We conclude that quality of life of new ESRD patients is substantially impaired. Comorbid conditions, hemoglobin, and residual renal function could explain poor quality of life only to a limited extent. Further research exploring determinants and indices of quality of life in ESRD patients is warranted. From a clinical perspective, we may conclude that quality of life should be considered in the monitoring of dialysis patients.

Can low-calcium peritoneal dialysis solution safely replace the standard calcium solution in the majority of chronic peritoneal dialysis patients?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of low-calcium solution as the standard solution in chronic peritoneal dialysis patients. DESIGN: Prospective long-term follow-up study over a one-year period. SETTING: University hospital. INTERVENTIONS: The change of the calcium concentration of the dialysate from 1.75 mmol/L to 1.25 mmol/L. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Serum calcium and phosphorus concentration and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH). PATIENTS: Fifty normo- and hypercalcemic patients using the standard 1.75 mmol/L calcium solution. RESULTS: Serum ionized calcium (iCa) decreased significantly during the first six months, resulting in a significant increment of iPTH (baseline value: 0.9-79, median 9.4 pmol/L; at six months: 1.1-111, median 20.6 pmol/L; p < 0.05). In 28 patients completing the study, iPTH remained significantly elevated, despite high normal iCa. At similar changes of iCa, patients with baseline iPTH > 20 pmol/L showed a significantly higher increase in iPTH than patients with low iPTH (24.0 vs 5.0; p < 0.01), despite a more than doubled dose of alfacalcidol and calcium carbonate (mean dose of 1580 increased to 3277 mg/day). During the follow-up, 21 episodes of hypercalcemia were observed. Phosphorus control was adequate. CONCLUSIONS: Low-calcium solution cannot be used as a standard solution, especially in patients with iPTH levels indicating mild or severe hyperparathyroidism, because in these patients iPTH may rise further.