Dori,
I see you were a speaker at the HHD presentations. Any noteworthy highlights from the conf.? After a conf. is it possible to get a transcript of presentations?
Hi Jane,
I’ll cross-post what I posted to the dialysis-support listserv. These are some random cool things I learned at the conference:
– Statin drugs are not for everyone with ESRD, but for folks who had high cholesterol before their kidneys failed, they can help save lives!
– PD with a cycler can be adjusted to fit people’s lifestyles by doing things like:
– Using smaller fills during the day than at night
– Using even smaller fills during busier times of day
– Building up fills by 100 ml at a time (about 1/3 of a can of pop)
– Adding a mid-day exchange instead of running longer at night, etc. (This info will be written up in more detail for an upcoming Topic of the Month article)
– Osteoporosis drugs called bisphosponates may be helpful for folks with ESRD and osteoporosis, if they are given as pills and in small doses (vs. IV and large doses, which can be dangerous for people with less than normal kidney function). These drugs are also sometimes used to help treat calciphylaxis (a very rare complication of having too-high calcium and phosphorus levels)
– A new Fresenius TOP (Treatment Options Program) effort requires each region to offer a program at least once a month. This has led to 5% of folks who are new to dialysis getting education–the first time I’ve ever seen a number for how many people do (not enough!)
– There is HIDDEN phosphorus in things like fruit punch, bottled iced teas and juice drinks, and treated meats (it’s injected as a tenderizer). Unfortunately, phosphorus does NOT have to be listed on food nutrition info, but it IS in the ingredients list. So, bring your reading glasses along, and watch out for words that have “PHOS” in them (e.g., PHOSphoric acid). Food ingredients have to be listed in order of amount, so if they are last on the list, it’s better than if they’re earlier. (NOTE: This is obviously less of a concern for folks doing daily or nocturnal HD!)
I went on the website for the meeting and didn’t see the abstracts there. Some of the presentations may be audiotaped, and the tapes can probably be purchased, but no-one does transcripts–it’s too expensive.
Dori wrote: > Osteoporosis drugs called bisphosponates may be helpful for folks with ESRD and osteoporosis, if they are given as pills and in small doses (vs. IV and large doses, which can be dangerous for people with less than normal kidney function). These drugs are also sometimes used to help treat calciphylaxis (a very rare complication of having too-high calcium and phosphorus levels) <
Thanks for the wrap-up, Dori. Anymore specifics on the topic of bisphosphonates before I begin my research? I know you are writing a section for Kidney School on bone disease. Does it include any info on which specialist is the correct one to see for bone issues when one is a kidney patient on dialysis?
Any conf. highlights when it comes to SDD or SNHD, especially insights for growing SNHD programs?
Mark at Nephrology News & Issues has a post up on the pre-conference symposium put together by Chris Blagg: “The Renaissance of Home Hemodialysis: Lessons from the World Over"
The International Society for Hemodialysis has been having a symposium before the ADC at least since the meeting was here in Seattle.
Jane… I’ll bet that most of these presentations are power point, and if like Dr Agar’s easily understood !
I’ve been able to see Dr Mike Copland’s ( What’s happening with HHD in Canada) presentation by simply asking… via e-mail… I firmly believe that most if not all would share, if contacted
A number of presentations from March 1st that I’d love to take a gander at !
Richard C/O Jessie