Background: Few studies have evaluated the prognostic value of dialysis dose in twice-weekly hemodialysis (HD). A single-pool Kt/V (spKt/V) over 1.70 may benefit patients receiving twice-weekly maintenance HD. Methods: This is a multicenter randomized controlled trial performed on 163 patients from 17 dialysis centers in Shanghai who were allocated to high- (n = 98) and standard-dose groups (n = 65) and followed through 96 weeks of study period. Therapeutic approaches were given to increase spKt/V to over 1.70 in the high-dose group. Data were collected every 12-24 weeks. The primary outcomes were all-cause mortality and major adverse cardio-cerebrovascular events (MACEs) occurrence, and secondary outcomes included residual kidney function (RKF) and health-related quality of life (HR-QOL). Results: The spKt/V in high-dose and standard-dose groups were 1.80 ± 0.23 and 1.55 ± 0.19, respectively, after an 8-week intervention (p < 0.001). At the end of the study, SF-36 physical function and total score in high-dose group were 82 (69-90) and 74 (47-84), respectively, both of which were higher than those in the standard-dose group. Decline in urine volume was observed in both groups with no significant difference (p = 0.431). No difference was found in overall survival between the 2 groups (p = 0.580). The 1-year MACE-free survival for high-dose group was 84.49%, better than 76.72% for standard-dose group (p = 0.029). Conclusions: Higher spKt/V is also associated with MACE-free survival and better HR-QOL, especially in physical function aspect for twice-weekly dialysis patients. Increasing spKt/V over 1.70 in twice-weekly HD population does not cause loss of RKF.

Objective To compare the estimated CFR (eCFR) values using the new chronic kidney disease epidemiology collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation with those from the abbreviated MDRD equation in a Chinese cohort with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and to analyze the impact of the new CKD-EPI equation on the staging of CKD. Methods A total of 450 Chinese patients (239 female and 211 male) with CKD were enrolled. eCFRs obtained by the CKD-EPI equation and the abbreviated MDRD equation were compared with the Bland and Altaian method. The agreement between two equations in CKD staging was assessed by Kappa test. Results Mean eGFR was 2.4 ml ·(min)-1 ·( 1.73 m2)-1 higher with the CKD-EPI equation as compared to the abbreviated MDRD equation. The percentage of CKD staging concordance between equations for stage 1, 2, 3A, 3B, 4, and 5 was 97.10% (n=67), 80.77% (n=105), 6 0.86% (n= 48), 87.69%(n=57), 90.38% (n=47) and 98.18% (n=54) respectively. Kappa index was 0.913 (95%C/: 0.881-0.945). The CKD-EPI equation reclassified 19.23% (n=25) and 39.24% (n=31) of patients with CKD stage 2 and 3A,upward to a higher eCFR category. Conclusions The new CKD-EPI equation reclassifies a number of patients to higher CKD stages, especially those classified as CKD stage 2 or 3A by the abbreviated MDRD equation.

Background Icodextrin is widely used in peritoneal dialysis (PD); however, the safety and efficacy of icodextrin are unclear. In the present study, we performed a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared icodextrin and glucose for the once-daily long dwell in PD. Methods Electronic searches were performed in MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials to select all eligible studies. Eligible studies, as determined by consensus using predefined criteria, were reviewed, and data were extracted onto a standard form. Results In the 9 RCTs that were identified, patients using icodextrin were found to have much greater net ultrafiltration (UF) and a lower incidence of negative net UF compared to patients using 1.5%, 2.5%, and 4.25% glucose solutions. Additionally, icodextrin has a markedly increased UF efficiency ratio and peritoneal clearance of creatinine and urea nitrogen, but residual renal function was not different from patients using glucose solutions for PD. No significant differences were observed between icodextrin and glucose groups with respect to risk of mortality, peritonitis, and total adverse events. Although rashes occurred significantly more often in icodextrin groups, few differences were noted between icodextrin and glucose groups when withdrawal rates secondary to adverse events were compared. Conclusions This meta-analysis suggests that icodextrin provides patients with greater fluid removal and small solute clearance and does not cause any damage to residual renal function. Icodextrin is particularly appropriate for use in patients with high peritoneal transport status.

Clinical practice is a critical part for culturing eligible medical students. With the aim to improve the quality of clinical practice, we should focus on how to enhance the ability of comprehensive clinical analysis and grasp the means of scientific clinical thinking, which may help the students make diag- nosis correctly and build a solid foundation for the "three basic skills" training and becoming a promising doctor in the future. In our short-term clinical teaching practice in the department of nephrology, we adopt- ed the below-mentioned methods to train clinical thinking of the students, including refining the practice purpose, increasing the differential diagnosis in medical history, developing heuristic teaching way in ward- round, organizing case discussion at regular intervals, keeping the practice diaries, and refining the chec- king grades. As a result, we reached the optimal practice effects and won good reputation from the students.