Exit-site care in Austrian peritoneal dialysis centers -- a nationwide survey.

Background: Catheter-associated infections markedly contribute to treatment failure in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. There is much controversy surrounding prophylactic strategies to prevent these infections.

Methods: In this nationwide multicenter study we analyzed strategies to prevent catheter-associated infections as performed in Austrian PD centers in 2006.

Predictors of new-onset decline in kidney function in a general middle-european population.

Background: Limited epidemiological data are available on predictors of new-onset kidney disease.

Methods: In this longitudinal cohort study, 17 375 apparently healthy volunteers of the general Viennese population (46.4% women, age range 20-84 years, men 20-89 years) performed a baseline examination at some time within the study period (1990-2005) and completed a median of two follow-up examinations [interquartile range (IQR) 1 to 4]; the median follow-up period was 7 years (IQR 4 to 11).