Chronic kidney disease is an urgent public health problem in the U.S., affecting 15% of all adults, and more than 740,000 have progressed to end-stage renal disease (ESRD), requiring life-sustaining renal replacement therapy (RRT). ESRD has devastating health, quality-of-life, and economic consequences, rendering most patients unable to maintain employment and costing Medicare $36 billion in 2017. Arguably, the most disadvantaged subgroup is the subset of patients that received no or minimal pre-ESRD nephrology care, which currently accounts for one third of the total ESRD population. This subgroup suffers increased morbidity and mortality, and has limited access to kidney transplantation, the optimal RRT. Despite this subgroup representing a large minority of the ESRD patient population, there has been no U.S.-based examination of their ESRD diagnosis experiences, coping styles and strategies, and RRT decision-making preferences. Therefore, we conducted a study that compared the ESRD diagnosis experiences, coping styles and strategies, and RRT decision-making preferences among patients with varying amounts of pre-ESRD nephrology care. We also assessed nephrologists’ current practices and perspectives on the manner and timing of RRT education for patients with varying amounts of pre-ESRD care. This mixed methods study provides a comprehensive understanding of the diagnosis experiences, coping styles and strategies, and RRT decision-making preferences of patients facing sudden and unexpected ESRD diagnosis. The study contributes important knowledge about this subgroup of patients that can influence and improve health care delivery. The results of this research will inform future intervention-based investigations to improve care for patients with minimal or no pre-ESRD nephrology care. / Public Health

La revisión crítica titulada “Cuidados de enfermería en la hipotensión intradialítica a pacientes en hemodiálisis” es un estudio secundario que utiliza la metodología de Enfermería Basada en Evidencia (EBE). Su objetivo es describir los cuidados de enfermería para pacientes con hipotensión intradialítica durante la hemodiálisis. La investigación se basó en la pregunta clínica del esquema PIS: ¿Cuáles son los cuidados de enfermería en la hipotensión intradialítica a pacientes en hemodiálisis? La metodología utilizada incluyó una estrategia de búsqueda de información a través de literatura nacional e internacional en español, inglés y portugués, utilizando bases de datos como BVS, PubMed, Epistemonikos y Google Académico. Se seleccionaron palabras clave (DECS) y se usaron fichas para la recolección bibliográfica. De los 5742 artículos recopilados, se seleccionaron 14 artículos científicos basándose en su antigüedad y validados con la guía de Validez Gálvez Toro, quedando finalmente 2 artículos, seleccionados por tener en común filtros como los últimos 5 años de antigüedad y texto completo, además se seleccionó un artículo que fue analizado utilizando el programa de lectura crítica TREND. Este análisis respondió a la pregunta planteada, describiendo que las intervenciones de enfermería durante las sesiones de hemodiálisis incluyeron el uso de dializado frío, la posición de Trendelenburg, ajustes en la medicación antihipertensiva, la administración intravenosa de cloruro de sodio, la monitorización continua de la presión arterial y la restricción de alimentos durante la hemodiálisis. / The critical review titled “Nursing care in intradialytic hypotension in patients on hemodialysis” is a secondary study that uses the Evidence-Based Nursing (EBE) methodology. Its objective is to describe nursing care for patients with intradialytic hypotension during hemodialysis. The research was based on the clinical question of the PIS scheme: What are the nursing care for intradialytic hypotension in patients on hemodialysis? The methodology used included an information search strategy through national and international literature in Spanish, English and Portuguese, using databases such as BVS, PubMed, Epistemonikos and Google Scholar. Keywords were selected (DECS) and cards were used for bibliographic collection. Of the 5742 articles collected, 14 scientific articles were selected based on their age and validated with the Gálvez Toro Validity guide, leaving finally 2 articles, selected for having in common filters such as the last 5 years of age and full text, in addition, they were selected an article that was analyzed using the TREND critical reading program. This analysis answered the question posed, describing that nursing interventions during hemodialysis sessions included the use of cold dialysate, the Trendelenburg position, adjustments in antihypertensive medication, intravenous administration of sodium chloride, continuous monitoring of blood pressure and food restriction during hemodialysis.

No / Aims: An increasing dialysis population and insufficient supply of transplant organs necessitate that patients are carefully evaluated prior to registration on the national waiting list to ensure effective utilization of a scarce resource. We have assessed listing practice in two renal units within the North of England Transplant Alliance. Methods: Demographic, ethnic and clinical data were recorded at initiation of dialysis for patients from two northern English cities, Bradford (n = 209) and Hull (n = 202) between 1994 ¿ 2000. Patients were stratified by two co-morbidity scoring systems. Multivariate and survival analyses were undertaken by registration status. Results: Overall, 159 patients were registered onto the waiting list. Stratification by co-morbidity predicted listing at high and low risk, but with overlap at medium scores. There was no difference in overall co-morbid burden between the two centers (p = 0.161 and 0.316, respectively, for two scoring systems). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated a center effect, Hull having an odds ratio for listing of 0.48 compared to Bradford (p = 0.041). Short- and medium-term survival in the listed group was high regardless of co-morbid score (22 vs 174 deaths in the non-listed group). In this cohort, five patients died with grafts, another three died whilst active on the waiting list. The remaining 14 patients had been removed from the list prior to death. Summary: Co-morbidity scoring schemes are unlikely to be sophisticated enough to accurately identify those who would most benefit from transplantation, and the value of clinical judgment is well-shown in this study. Standardization of registration will result in more equitable allocation of organs. However, this study has demonstrated that there are differences in listing practices even within a single alliance. Continuous assessment will allow judicious removal from the waiting list of patients who have developed an unacceptable co-morbid burden.

A falência de ultrafiltração (UFF) é uma causa importante de interrupção da diálise peritoneal (DP) enquanto terapia renal substitutiva. Além da inflamação crônica e aguda causadas à membrana peritoneal (MP) pelos produtos de degradação da glicose, produtos avançados da glicosilação, pH ácido das soluções e infecções, -bloqueadores (BB) também foram implicados na gênese da UFF. A vasoconstrição arteriolar esplâncnica é considerada a causa provável da UFF por BB. O nebivolol (NV), um bloqueador 1-adrenérgico altamente seletivo que, diferente de outros BB, possui efeito vasodilatador por aumento de óxido nítrico (NO) por ativar a via L-arginina-NO, foi testado em pacientes idosos com ICC e levou à redução na mortalidade. O objetivo desse estudo é analisar os efeitos do NV sobre a ultrafiltração (UF), MP e características do efluente em um modelo animal de DP, através do estudo de fenômenos envolvidos na degeneração da MP e UFF, como transição epitélio mesenquimal (EMT) e fibrose, além de parâmetros humorais e celulares de inflamação. 21 camundongos C57BL/6 fêmeas, não urêmicos, com 12 a 14 semanas, foram submetidos à colocação de cateter peritoneal. Após uma semana, foram divididos em 3 grupos de 7 animais: grupo controle (observação 30 dias), grupo SDP (2 mL/ dia de solução glicosada de diálise peritoneal a 4,25% através do cateter, por 30 dias) e grupo NV (além da infusão, receberam 8 mg/kg/dia de NV por gavagem, por 30 dias). Após 30 dias, comparou-se espessura submesotelial, volume de UF, velocidades de transporte de pequenos solutos, marcação submesotelial de pan-citoqueratina, para quantificar EMT, contagem de vasos, linfangiogênese diafragmática e concentração de IL-6 e IL-10 no efluente. A espessura da MP foi de 23,14 m no grupo controle, no grupo SDP foi de 102,4 m e no grupo NV, 29,04 m, com p<0,05. O volume de UF foi 1,94mL para o grupo controle, para o grupo SDP, 1,56 mL e, para o grupo NV, 2,05 mL, também com p<0,05. Houve menor EMT, menor angiogênese e tendência a transporte mais lento de solutos no grupo tratado, assim como menor concentração de IL-6 e proporções de populações de linfócitos semelhantes às do grupo controle. Concluímos que a droga impediu o desenvolvimento de UFF, através do bloqueio de fenômenos como EMT, espessamento da MP e neoangiogênese, além de preservar características de imunidade celular e humoral locais, merecendo ser estudada em pacientes submetidos à DP / Ultrafiltration failure (UFF) is a major cause of peritoneal dialysis (PD) discontinuation. Besides peritoneal membrane (PM) acute and chronic inflammation caused by glucose degradation products, advanced glycation end-products, acidic pH of the solutions and peritoneal infections, also -blockers (BBs) have been implicated in UFF genesis. Splanchnic arteriolar vasoconstriction has been considered the probable cause of UFF induced by BBs. Nebivolol (NV), a highly selective 1-adrenergic blocker, unlike other BBs, has a vasodilatory effect caused by its ability to increase nitric oxide (NO) through L-arginine-NO pathway activation. NV has been tested in elderly patients with congestive heart failure and led to mortality reduction. The aim of this work is to analyze the effects of NV over ultrafiltration (UF), PM and effluent characteristics in an animal model of PD. For that end, phenomena known to be involved in PM degeneration and UFF, such as epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), fibrosis, as well as cellular and humoral parameters of inflammation have been studied. 21 C57BL/ 6 female non uremic mice, ageing 12 to 14 weeks, underwent peritoneal catheter placement. One week later, they were divided into 3 groups of 7 animals: control group (observation for 30 day), PDF group (2 mL/ day of 4.25% dextrose peritoneal dialysis fluid injected through the catheter for 30 days) and NV group (besides the PDF infusion, this group received 8 mg/ kg/ day of NV by gavage, for 30 days). After 30 days, submesotelial thickness, UF volume, small solute transport speed, submesotelial pan-cytokeratin staining (EMT quantification), vessel count, diaphragmatic lymphangiogenesis and IL-6 and IL-10 concentrations in the effluent were compared. PM thickness was 23.14 m in the control group, 102.4 m in the PDF group and 29.04 m in the NV group, p <0.05. UF volume was 1.94 mL in the control group, 1.56 mL in the SDP group, and in the NV group, 2.05 mL, p <0.05. There was less EMT, less angiogenesis and a tendency to a slower solute transport in the treated group. Lower levels of IL-6 and similar lymphocyte populations proportions to the control group were also found. We conclude that the drug can prevent UFF development, through blockade of phenomena such as EMT, PM thickening and neoangiogenesis, while characteristics of local cellular and humoral immunity were preserved. These results warrant a clinical study of the drug in PD patients

<p>Anemia is common in patients with chronic kidney disease (CDK), contributes to reduced Quality of Life (QoL) and is associated with cardiovascular disease, morbidity and mortality. Epoetin raises hemoglobin (Hb) and increases QoL and physical exercise capacity. Because of concerns about safety and economics, current anemia treatment with epoetin aims to achieve subnormal Hb (110-120 g/l). Normalization of Hb may be of additional benefit regarding QoL and cardiovascular effects. The present study examines the effects of Hb normalization with epoetin on safety variables, QoL, graft function after kidney transplantation, dialysis adequacy, hemorheology, hemodynamics and cardiac autonomic function in CKD patients. </p><p>In a randomized, multicenter study comprising 416 pre-dialysis and dialysis patients no difference was observed between patients treated to a normal or a subnormal Hb level on mortality, thrombovascular events, serious adverse events, vascular access thrombosis and residual renal function. QoL was enhanced in a subgroup of hemodialysis patients. Pretransplant epoetin treatment directed toward normal Hb levels did not result in worse graft function during 6 postoperative months. Dialysis adequacy was reduced in a subgroup of hemodialysis patients after normalization of Hb. The blood flow properties of pre-dialysis patients were altered. The hemorheological investigation demonstrated that Hb normalization caused a parallel increase in hematocrit and blood viscosity without other hemorheological changes. While the total peripheral resistance index increased, the cardiac index (CI) decreased. In a separate study cardiac autonomic function, measured by heart rate variability, was decreased in pre-dialysis patients. It was improved, but not fully normalized, by Hb normalization. </p><p>On the basis of this study, Hb normalization with epoetin appears to be safe and increases QoL in hemodialysis patients though may result in lower dialysis adequacy and increased blood pressure. A reduction in CI and improved cardiac autonomic function indicate a positive effect on cardiovascular function.</p>

Anemia is common in patients with chronic kidney disease (CDK), contributes to reduced Quality of Life (QoL) and is associated with cardiovascular disease, morbidity and mortality. Epoetin raises hemoglobin (Hb) and increases QoL and physical exercise capacity. Because of concerns about safety and economics, current anemia treatment with epoetin aims to achieve subnormal Hb (110-120 g/l). Normalization of Hb may be of additional benefit regarding QoL and cardiovascular effects. The present study examines the effects of Hb normalization with epoetin on safety variables, QoL, graft function after kidney transplantation, dialysis adequacy, hemorheology, hemodynamics and cardiac autonomic function in CKD patients. In a randomized, multicenter study comprising 416 pre-dialysis and dialysis patients no difference was observed between patients treated to a normal or a subnormal Hb level on mortality, thrombovascular events, serious adverse events, vascular access thrombosis and residual renal function. QoL was enhanced in a subgroup of hemodialysis patients. Pretransplant epoetin treatment directed toward normal Hb levels did not result in worse graft function during 6 postoperative months. Dialysis adequacy was reduced in a subgroup of hemodialysis patients after normalization of Hb. The blood flow properties of pre-dialysis patients were altered. The hemorheological investigation demonstrated that Hb normalization caused a parallel increase in hematocrit and blood viscosity without other hemorheological changes. While the total peripheral resistance index increased, the cardiac index (CI) decreased. In a separate study cardiac autonomic function, measured by heart rate variability, was decreased in pre-dialysis patients. It was improved, but not fully normalized, by Hb normalization. On the basis of this study, Hb normalization with epoetin appears to be safe and increases QoL in hemodialysis patients though may result in lower dialysis adequacy and increased blood pressure. A reduction in CI and improved cardiac autonomic function indicate a positive effect on cardiovascular function.

A falência de ultrafiltração (UFF) é uma causa importante de interrupção da diálise peritoneal (DP) enquanto terapia renal substitutiva. Além da inflamação crônica e aguda causadas à membrana peritoneal (MP) pelos produtos de degradação da glicose, produtos avançados da glicosilação, pH ácido das soluções e infecções, -bloqueadores (BB) também foram implicados na gênese da UFF. A vasoconstrição arteriolar esplâncnica é considerada a causa provável da UFF por BB. O nebivolol (NV), um bloqueador 1-adrenérgico altamente seletivo que, diferente de outros BB, possui efeito vasodilatador por aumento de óxido nítrico (NO) por ativar a via L-arginina-NO, foi testado em pacientes idosos com ICC e levou à redução na mortalidade. O objetivo desse estudo é analisar os efeitos do NV sobre a ultrafiltração (UF), MP e características do efluente em um modelo animal de DP, através do estudo de fenômenos envolvidos na degeneração da MP e UFF, como transição epitélio mesenquimal (EMT) e fibrose, além de parâmetros humorais e celulares de inflamação. 21 camundongos C57BL/6 fêmeas, não urêmicos, com 12 a 14 semanas, foram submetidos à colocação de cateter peritoneal. Após uma semana, foram divididos em 3 grupos de 7 animais: grupo controle (observação 30 dias), grupo SDP (2 mL/ dia de solução glicosada de diálise peritoneal a 4,25% através do cateter, por 30 dias) e grupo NV (além da infusão, receberam 8 mg/kg/dia de NV por gavagem, por 30 dias). Após 30 dias, comparou-se espessura submesotelial, volume de UF, velocidades de transporte de pequenos solutos, marcação submesotelial de pan-citoqueratina, para quantificar EMT, contagem de vasos, linfangiogênese diafragmática e concentração de IL-6 e IL-10 no efluente. A espessura da MP foi de 23,14 m no grupo controle, no grupo SDP foi de 102,4 m e no grupo NV, 29,04 m, com p<0,05. O volume de UF foi 1,94mL para o grupo controle, para o grupo SDP, 1,56 mL e, para o grupo NV, 2,05 mL, também com p<0,05. Houve menor EMT, menor angiogênese e tendência a transporte mais lento de solutos no grupo tratado, assim como menor concentração de IL-6 e proporções de populações de linfócitos semelhantes às do grupo controle. Concluímos que a droga impediu o desenvolvimento de UFF, através do bloqueio de fenômenos como EMT, espessamento da MP e neoangiogênese, além de preservar características de imunidade celular e humoral locais, merecendo ser estudada em pacientes submetidos à DP / Ultrafiltration failure (UFF) is a major cause of peritoneal dialysis (PD) discontinuation. Besides peritoneal membrane (PM) acute and chronic inflammation caused by glucose degradation products, advanced glycation end-products, acidic pH of the solutions and peritoneal infections, also -blockers (BBs) have been implicated in UFF genesis. Splanchnic arteriolar vasoconstriction has been considered the probable cause of UFF induced by BBs. Nebivolol (NV), a highly selective 1-adrenergic blocker, unlike other BBs, has a vasodilatory effect caused by its ability to increase nitric oxide (NO) through L-arginine-NO pathway activation. NV has been tested in elderly patients with congestive heart failure and led to mortality reduction. The aim of this work is to analyze the effects of NV over ultrafiltration (UF), PM and effluent characteristics in an animal model of PD. For that end, phenomena known to be involved in PM degeneration and UFF, such as epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), fibrosis, as well as cellular and humoral parameters of inflammation have been studied. 21 C57BL/ 6 female non uremic mice, ageing 12 to 14 weeks, underwent peritoneal catheter placement. One week later, they were divided into 3 groups of 7 animals: control group (observation for 30 day), PDF group (2 mL/ day of 4.25% dextrose peritoneal dialysis fluid injected through the catheter for 30 days) and NV group (besides the PDF infusion, this group received 8 mg/ kg/ day of NV by gavage, for 30 days). After 30 days, submesotelial thickness, UF volume, small solute transport speed, submesotelial pan-cytokeratin staining (EMT quantification), vessel count, diaphragmatic lymphangiogenesis and IL-6 and IL-10 concentrations in the effluent were compared. PM thickness was 23.14 m in the control group, 102.4 m in the PDF group and 29.04 m in the NV group, p <0.05. UF volume was 1.94 mL in the control group, 1.56 mL in the SDP group, and in the NV group, 2.05 mL, p <0.05. There was less EMT, less angiogenesis and a tendency to a slower solute transport in the treated group. Lower levels of IL-6 and similar lymphocyte populations proportions to the control group were also found. We conclude that the drug can prevent UFF development, through blockade of phenomena such as EMT, PM thickening and neoangiogenesis, while characteristics of local cellular and humoral immunity were preserved. These results warrant a clinical study of the drug in PD patients

Systemische Infektionen mit S. aureus (MSSA und MRSA) und Infektionen des Gefäßzugangs bei HD-Patienten sind eine der wichtigsten Ursachen für Morbidität und Mortalität in dieser speziellen Population. Infektionsrisikos stellen die zunehmende Verwendung von Fremdkörpern, wie Katheter und Graft als Gefäßzugänge, sowie die intensivmedizinische Behandlung bei älteren und multimorbiden Patienten dar. Unter den bakteriell bedingten Infektionen bleiben Staphylokokken der am häufigsten nachgewiesene Stamm. Mit dem zunehmenden Gebrauch von Vancomycin zur Behandlung von MSSA-Infektionen hat das Vorkommen von MRSA zugenommen. Dies macht die Entwicklung von alternativen Antibiotikaregimen nötig, die eine Selektion von MRSA-Spezies verhindern. Unter dieser Überlegung wurde auf die Behandlung mit Vancomycin bei Zugangs-bezogenen Infektionen verzichtet. Es wurde im Jahr 2000 durch ein Standardregime bestehend aus Flucloxacillin und Rifampicin ersetzt. Mithilfe eines Screeningprogramms wurde nach MSSA- (n=88) und MRSA- (n=1) Kolonisationen gesucht. Dies gelang mit Hilfe von Querschnitts-Screenings und Indikations-Screeninguntersuchungen bei Aufnahme über den Zeitraum von 2000 bis 2010. Eine Besiedlung mit MRSA wurde bei nur einem Patienten während des 10-Jahres-Screenings registriert. Die gefundenen MSSA-Kolonisationen bei HD-Patienten beeinflussten die Morbidität und Mortalität nicht. Die Anzahl an HD-Patienten mit MSSA-Kolonisation nahm während des Beobachtungszeitraums von zehn Jahren ab Behandlungen mit dem Vancomycin-freien Regime waren generell erfolgreich und resultierten in einem Rückgang der klinischen und laborativen Infektionsmarker und/oder negativen Blutkulturen. Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass mit dem Gebrauch von vancomycinfreien Antibiotikaregimen ein erfolgreiches Management von Staphylokokkus-assoziierten Zugangsinfektionen bei HD-Patienten möglich ist.

<p>Hronična bubrežna bolest (HBB) je globalni zdravstveni problem ne toliko zbog svoje masovnosti, koliko zbog hroničnog, progresivnog toka i udrženosti sa značajnim komorbiditetima. Anemija u sklopu HBB povezana je sa smanjenim kvalitetom života, povećanjem kardiovaskularnog morbiditeta, kognitivnim poremećajima, povećanjem broja hospitalizacija i sa povećanim mortalitetom. Incidencija anemije raste sa napredovanjem HBB, tako da u petom stadijumu zahvata gotovo sve obolele. Hepcidin je centralni regulator metabolizma gvožđa u organizmu, koji može uticati na razvoj i lečenje anemije u sklopu HBB. Cilj istraživanja je bio da se utvrdi nivo hepcidina kod ispitivanih bolesnika, kao i njegova povezanost sa parametrima metabolizma gvožđa, markerima inflamacije i odgovorom na agense za stimulaciju eritropoeze (ESA). Istovremeno smo želeli da utvrdimo koji faktori utiču na nivo hemoglobina u ispitivanoj populaciji, kao i &scaron;ta utiče na indeks rezistencije na eritropoetin (ERI). U ispitivanje je uključeno 77 bolesnika koji su lečeni hroničnim programom hemodijalize, tokom najmanje tri meseca pre uključivanja u ispitivanje. Ispitanicima je metodom ELISA određen nivo hepcidina u serumu. Ostali ispitivani podaci su dobijeni anamnezom, fizikalnim pregledom, analizom medicinske dokumentacije i standardnim laboratorijskim ispitivanjima. Sprovedenim ispitivanjem smo utvrdili postojanje pozitivne korelacije između serumskog nivoa hepcidina i interleukina-6, dok ostali ispitivani parametri inflamacije nisu korelirali sa nivoom hepcidina. Od parametara metabolizma gvožđa, sa serumskim nivoom hepcidina pozitivno su korelirali nivo gvožđa u serumu, feritin i saturacija transferina, dok je utvrđena negativna korelacija sa transferinom i ukupnim kapacitetom za vezivanje gvožđa. Serumski nivo hepcidina pozitivno je korelirao sa prosečnom nedeljnom dozom ESA. Nije utvrđena korelacija sa ERI, ukupnom dužinom lečenja sa ESA, kao ni sa vrstom ESA. Od svih ispitivanih parametara koji su značajno korelirali sa nivoom hepcidina u serumu, multivarijantna analiza je izdvojila jedino nivo feritina kao signifikantan i nezavisan činilac. Hemoglobin u krvi bolesnika koji su uključeni u ispitivanje nezavisno pozitivno korelira sa vrednostima leukocita i albumina u serumu. Vrednosti ERI u ispitivanoj grupi pozitivno koreliraju sa paratiroidnim hormonom, a negativno sa vrednostima leukocita i indeksom telesne mase.</p> / <p>Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global health problem not so much because of its massiveness, as a chronic, progressive course and association with significant comorbidities. Anemia associated with the CKD leads to reduced quality of life, increase in cardiovascular morbidity, cognitive impairment, an increase in the number of hospitalizations and increased mortality. The incidence of anemia increases with the progression of CKD, and in the fifth stage affects almost all the patients. Hepcidin is a central regulator of iron metabolism in the body, which may affect the development and treatment of anemia in CKD. The aim of this study was to determine the level of hepcidin in the patients, as well as its association with parameters of iron metabolism, markers of inflammation and response to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA). Also, we wanted to determine what factors influence the level of hemoglobin in the study population, as well as what affects the erythropoietin resistance index (ERI). The study included 77 patients who were treated with chronic hemodialysis for at least three months prior to inclusion in the study. Serum hepcidin levels were determined by the ELISA procedure. Other test data were obtained by anamesis, physical examination, analysis of medical history and standard laboratory tests. In our study we have found a positive correlation between serum levels of hepcidin and interleukin-6, while the other parameters of inflammation did not correlate with the level of hepcidin. Serum hepcidin levels were positively correlated values of serum iron, ferritin, transferring saturation, and negatively correlated with transferring and total iron binding capacity. Serum hepcidin levels positively correlated with average weekly dose of ESA. There was no correlation with ERI, the total length of treatment with ESA, as well as the type of ESA. Of all the tested parameters that were significantly correlated with the level of hepcidin in serum, multivariate analysis has allocated only ferritin level as a significant and independent factor. The hemoglobin in the blood of the patients involved in the study, positively correlated with the values of the white cell count and serum albumin. ERI values in the study group positively correlated with parathyroid hormone, and negatively with the values of leukocytes and body mass index.</p>

Background: Peer-to-peer (P2P) support programs have the potential to assist ESRD patients in managing their disease and improve outcomes. Yet, there is little research examining P2P programs’ impact on psychosocial outcomes and disease management behaviors. Methods: A 4-month P2P mentoring intervention was designed and piloted in a facility serving 249 in-center hemodialysis patients in Lynchburg, Virginia. Preceded by a social marketing effort, which included a program naming contest and participant recruitment, the intervention included: (1) mentor training, (2) pairing of mentees and mentors, (3) kick-off social mixers, (4) ongoing meetings between mentees and mentors, (5) mentor training booster, and (6) a final celebration. A single arm quasi-experimental study with repeated measurements at three time points was used with data collection over four months. The hypotheses that the intervention would result in improvements for both mentees and mentors (i.e., self-efficacy, knowledge, perceived social support, dialysis social support (i.e., support from peers within the dialysis setting), and self-management behaviors) were tested using repeated measures ANOVA or the Friedman’s test for nonparametric data. Results: Mentees experienced increases in self-efficacy, F(2,22)=8.15, p<.01; knowledge, F(2,44)=6.62, p<.01; perceived social support, F(2,22)=7.30, p<.01; and dialysis social support, F(2,44)=4.79, p=.01. Mentors experienced increases in knowledge, F(2,22)=11.88, p<.01; dialysis social support, F(2,42)=3.19, p=.05; and dialysis self-management, χ2(2) = 7.65, p =.02. Conclusion: A P2P mentoring program for in-center hemodialysis patients can be beneficial for both mentees and mentors. Future research should focus on larger groups of patients using more rigorous research designs.