Pharmacokinetics of lamivudine in subjects receiving peritoneal dialysis in end-stage renal failure.

Aims: To establish whether peritoneal dialysis (PD) requires dosing modification from the CL(CR)-corrected lamivudine dose in end-stage renal failure subjects.

Methods: This was an open-label cohort study. A total of 12 subjects undergoing PD, six continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and six automated peritoneal dialysis (APD), for at least 3 months received lamivudine 10 mg (5 mg ml (-1) x 2 ml) daily for 8 consecutive days, followed by an intensive pharmacokinetic assessment.

Quality of life in CAPD, transplant, and chronic renal failure patients with diabetes.

Unlabelled: Although quality of life (QoL) is an important outcome measure, there are few studies of QoL in diabetic patients. We performed a cross-sectional study to assess QoL in such patients comparable for age, sex, and co-morbidity.

Patients: Group CAPD: DM (n = 19, 12 males), diabetic CAPD patients; group CAPD: no DM (n = 26, 15 males) CAPD patients without diabetes; group TXP (n = 20, 10 males), diabetic transplant patients; and group CKD: DM (n = 20, 11 males), diabetics with chronic kidney disease.

Single-center experience of encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis in patients on peritoneal dialysis for end-stage renal failure.

Background: Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) is a rare but serious complication in patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) or automated peritoneal dialysis (APD). It is characterized by a progressive, intra-abdominal, inflammatory process resulting in sheets of fibrous tissue that cover, bind, and constrict the viscera, thereby compromising the motility and function of the bowel. Although recent therapeutic approaches have been reported with variable success, the ability to detect reliably at an early stage patients at risk for EPS would be beneficial and allow treatment standardization.

Sterile peritonitis in the peritoneal dialysis patient.

Peritonitis is a serious and common problem in the peritoneal dialysis (PD) population. Abdominal pain, fever, and cloudy PD fluid usually heralds the onset of infective peritonitis. However, in up to 20% of cases, no organism is identified.

Peritoneal catheters and exit-site practices toward optimum peritoneal access: a review of current developments.

Objective: This review updates the 1998 International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis (ISPD) recommendations for peritoneal dialysis catheters and exit-site practices (Gokal R, et al. Peritoneal catheters and exit-site practices toward optimum peritonealaccess: 1998 update. Perit Dial Int 1998; 18:11-33.

Adequacy targets in peritoneal dialysis.

Adequate solute and fluid removal are the cornerstones of dialysis treatment. In peritoneal dialysis, what constitutes adequate removal, has been hitherto controversial, based as it was on DOQI guidelines. There are now 2 randomised controlled trials that address solute removal--both indicate that the minimal Kt/V needs to be 1.

A trial of subcutaneous administration of darbepoetin alfa once every other week for the treatment of anemia in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Background: Darbepoetin alfa (Aranesp, Amgen) is an erythropoietic stimulating protein with a three fold longer terminal half life than recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO). The purpose of this single center, single arm study was to determine whether darbepoetin alfa is as effective as rHuEPO for the treatment of renal anemia in patients on peritoneal dialysis when administered at a reduced dosing frequency of once every other week irrespective of the initial rHuEPO dose frequency.

Methods: A total of 17 patients on peritoneal dialysis receiving stable rHuEPO therapy were changed to darbepoetin alfa every other week, using the recommended 200:1 conversion factor .

Decrease in infections with the introduction of mupirocin cream at the peritoneal dialysis catheter exit site.

Unlabelled: Staphylococcus aureus associated peritonitis and catheter exit site infections (ESI) are an important cause of hospitalization and catheter loss in the patients undergoing chronic peritoneal dialysis (PD). We aimed to determine the potential effectiveness of the application of mupirocin cream at the catheter exit site in preventing exit site infection and peritonitis.

Methods: This prospective historically controlled study was done in a total of 86 patients who entered our PD program from April 1999 to January 2001.

Pure red cell aplasia secondary to epoetin alpha responding to Darbepoetin alpha in a patient on peritoneal dialysis.

Recombinant Human Erythropoietin (EPO) is extensively used for anemia in renal failure patients. It is normally safe and effective, improving symptoms of anemia. We report here a case of renal anemia in a patient undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD) for end stage renal failure from renovascular disease.

Bone histopathology and densitometry comparison between cyclosporine a monotherapy and prednisolone plus azathioprine dual immunosuppression in renal transplant patients.

Background: No study has compared the bone histopathologic findings in renal transplant patients receiving cyclosporine A (CsA) monotherapy with those in patients receiving a non-CsA regimen. The aim of this study was to compare bone densitometry and histomorphometry findings in patients receiving CsA monotherapy versus those receiving azathioprine + prednisolone dual therapy.

Methods: A bone biopsy and densitometry were performed in 13 patients receiving CsA monotherapy and 12 patients receiving azathioprine + prednisolone, who had been on these regimens since the time of transplantation.