Peritoneal Dialysis Best Way to Start

[okarol]

Peritoneal Dialysis Best Way to Start
Jody A. Charnow
May 23 2008

STOCKHOLM—Although hemodialysis (HD) is the most common form of renal replacement therapy, 53% of nephrologists worldwide believe patients whose dialysis is planned should start on peritoneal dialysis, according to a survey conducted by Gambro.

With respect to what the 3,753 respondents thought is the best long-term dialysis treatment, 37% said home HD and/or self-care HD/hemodiafiltration (HDF) more than three times a week. Another 18% said in-center HD/HDF more than three times a week, 22% said in-center HD/HDF three times a week, and 21% said peritoneal dialysis.

Gambro unveiled the findings of its Dialysis Opinion 2007 survey findings here at the 2008 congress of the European Renal Association-European Dialysis and Transplant Association.

http://www.renalandurologynews.com/Peritoneal-Dialysis-Best-Way-to-Start/PrintArticle/110519/

[007]

This is something we talk about when educating nephrology/dialysis staff.  They say that PD should be used as a "bridge" to hemodialysis because creating a hemodialysis access can be so hard, while inserting the catheter for PD is very simple.  Starting out on PD can save your veins as a sort of last resort.  The thought is not to mess with your veins until you absolutely have to.  Some hemodialysis patients do run out of vascular accesses....
This isn't to say PD is ALWAYS the best choice for EVERY patient, every patient is different!

[jbeany]

It's not always a great choice for diabetic patients, though.  The sugar in the PD solution can make it hard to control blood sugar, and it can cause diabetic patients to gain weight rapidly.  If your weight is the only thing keeping you from getting on the list, it's certainly not the best choice then.

[007]

You are right, no certain type of dialysis is the best choice for every single patient.  I have seen patients do well on both types!