Ultrasound localization of the femoral vein facilitates successful cannulation for hemodialysis.

Background: Real-time ultrasound-guided techniques allow for improved cannulation of the internal jugular vein and femoral vein for hemodialysis; however, these techniques require extra sterilization procedures, specialized probes, or needle guides. A simpler ultrasound vessel localization method was performed to investigate whether this alternative approach would aid in the cannulation of the femoral vein for patients in whom temporary angioaccess was required for hemodialysis.

Methods: Patients requiring temporary femoral vein catheters for hemodialysis were divided into 2 groups on alternating days of the week during a 6-month period.

Relationship between Kt/V urea-based dialysis adequacy and nutritional status and their effect on the components of the quality of life in incident peritoneal dialysis patients.

Background: It is well known that the quality of life of patients with chronic kidney disease can be improved by dialysis. While previous studies have used retrospective designs and adhered to a standard target prescribed by clinical guidelines, our study prospectively investigates the association between the adequacy of peritoneal dialysis (PD) and measures of nutritional status on quality-of-life domains in a cohort of incident PD patients.

Methods: It was a prospective 6-month observational study.

Albuminuria, proteinuria, and urinary albumin to protein ratio in chronic kidney disease.

Background: Both albuminuria and proteinuria are important disease markers of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Their relationship and the ratio between urinary albumin and protein in patients with CKD have not been investigated. Whether clinical features can affect these measurements is not clear.

Sex differences in kidney size and clinical features of patients with uremia.

Background: Ultrasonographic evaluation of the kidney size is a useful method for assessment of the progression and, in some cases, the type of nephropathy. Ultrasonography (USG) also plays an important role in the evaluation of both acute and chronic renal failure.

Objective: To investigate the ultrasonographic appearance of the kidneys in patients with uremia, underlying renal diseases and clinical characteristics, including biological sex, were studied.

A longitudinal change of peritoneal equilibration test results in peritoneal dialysis patients aged 60 years and above: a 4-year observation study in comparison with a younger group.

Background: The number of elderly people with end-stage renal disease has grown in developed countries and medical teams now face the choice of dialysis therapy in elderly patients. In the present study, we retrospectively analyzed two peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients, of different ages, who were treated at the same unit by the same PD team of doctors and nurses. Our purpose was to study peritoneal membrane changes in elderly and younger PD patients.

Better sleep quality and less daytime symptoms in patients on evening hemodialysis: a questionnaire-based study.

The aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence of sleep disorders in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and to assess the effect of dialysis schedule on sleep quality and the presence of daytime symptoms. We prospectively selected 150 long-term hemodialysis (HD) patients in three groups (morning, afternoon, and evening dialysis) and gave them a sleep questionnaire, the Epworth sleepiness scale and the Pittsburgh sleep quality index. Snoring was the most common complaint (56%), followed by insomnia (38%) and restless legs syndrome (22.

Hypercalcemia in the emergency department.

Background: Severe hypercalcemia can be life-threatening. However, its incidence and the underlying causes in the emergency department (ED) have not been determined. In the present study, we investigated these issues and the impacts on renal function and patients' survival.

Longitudinal change in peritoneal membrane function with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) after peritonitis episodes.

Background: To assess changes in the peritoneal membrane after peritonitis episodes in patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD).

Methods: From 1989 to 2002, CAPD patients who had peritonitis episodes were enrolled. We used the peritoneal equilibration test (PET) and measured plasma creatinine (Cr) levels at 2 hours, and dialysate Cr and glucose levels at 0, 2, and 4 hours.