Growing a peritoneal dialysis program in Palestine from zero to 178 patients in 5 years: a single-center experience.

INTRODUCTION: Kidney failure is rapidly rising in Palestine, as the number of patients receiving maintenance dialysis has quadrupled in the last 15 years. In this study, we share an overview of our experience growing a peritoneal dialysis (PD) program from zero to 178 patients in 5 years at An-Najah National University Hospital in Palestine, presenting some challenges and ways to overcome them. METHODS: This was a single-center retrospective study of patients treated with PD from November 2016 to December 2021. Demographic and clinical data were obtained for each patient. In addition, PD discontinuation, peritonitis, and mortality rates were calculated and presented as the primary patient outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 158 patients were eligible for the study. The mean age was 51.8 ± 16.4 years, and 53.8% of patients were male. Diabetic nephropathy was the most common cause of kidney failure. 63 episodes of peritonitis were diagnosed in 48 patients (30.4%) for a rate of 1 episode/ 38.2 patient-months (0.31 episodes/ patient-years). 20 patients had their PD treatment discontinued, mainly due to psychosocial reasons and infectious and mechanical complications. Death was the fate of 27 patients, with cardiovascular disease and COVID-19 being the two main causes. CONCLUSION: The outcomes of this experience proved favorable and showed that PD could serve as a viable option for kidney failure patients in Palestine. Moreover, this study can serve as an example for other places where circumstances are challenging to take the initiative of starting their PD programs.

The vulnerability of maintenance dialysis patients with COVID-19: mortality and risk factors from a developing country.

Patients on maintenance dialysis therapy are especially vulnerable to COVID-19 and its complications. This study aimed to assess the incidence, epidemiological characteristics, and mortality rate of COVID-19 among maintenance dialysis patients. This retrospective observational chart review study included 548 patients from all dialysis units in the West Bank of Palestine who acquired COVID-19 between 5 March 2020, and 11 August 2021. We collected data on patients' demographics, clinical features, and outcomes. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to assess independent risk factors for COVID-19-related mortality. The incidence of COVID-19 among maintenance dialysis patients was 35.3%, as 548 out of 1554 patients have tested positive during the study period. Patients on haemodialysis were three times riskier to get infected than those on peritoneal dialysis (37% vs 11.3%). Half (50.2%) of infected patients required hospitalisation, and 24.5% were admitted to an intensive care unit, while the mortality rate stood at 26.8%. Old age, male sex, central venous catheter use, comorbid diabetes, smoking, and having an RH negative blood group type were determined to be significantly associated with increased risk of mortality. In conclusion, the incidence of COVID-19 among Palestinian maintenance dialysis patients was notably high, especially among haemodialysis patients. High rates of hospitalisation, ICU admission, intubation and death were observed, and predictive factors for COVID-19-related mortality were identified. Therefore, the implementation of strict infection control measures and promotion of home dialysis are warranted to reduce the infection rate.KEY MESSAGESThe incidence of COVID-19 among Palestinian maintenance dialysis patients was notably high; more than one-third of the total dialysis population acquired COVID-19, with haemodialysis patients being three times more likely to get infected compared to their peritoneal dialysis counterparts.The mortality rate among maintenance dialysis patients was 26.8%, more than 25 times higher than that of the general population. The risk of mortality was significantly increased with age, male sex, smoking, diabetes, and having central venous catheter as vascular access for haemodialysis.Strict infection control measures, as well as the promotion of home dialysis, are necessary to reduce the risk of infection.

Tolerability and epidemiology of nephrotoxicity associated with conventional amphotericin B therapy: a retrospective study in tertiary care centers in Palestine.

BACKGROUND: In the light of recent years, an increase in the number of life-threatening infections due to various fungi has been observed, especially in tertiary care centres. With Amphotericin B labelled as the first choice in treating these infections, one of its common side effects, nephrotoxicity, along with hypokalemia, were studied to determine the epidemiology, risk factors, and protective measures. METHODOLOGY: The study was a retrospective observational chart review study in which patients were receiving conventional Amphotericin B in two tertiary hospitals in Palestine from January 2018 to December 2020 were evaluated for the development of hypokalemia and nephrotoxicity; according to the KDIGO criteria. A total of 117 patients were included in the study. Patients who have received the drug intermittently, in fewer than two doses, through non-IV routes and patients under the age of 12 were excluded. The data collected included, but were not limited to, age, gender, comorbidities, Amphotericin B treatment details, medications, COVID-19 status, risk factors, and hypothesized protective measures. RESULTS: The incidence of conventional Amphotericin B nephrotoxicity and hypokalemia was 46% and 33%, respectively. With a roughly equal representation of both genders and a median age of 52 years in a range of 13-89. No association between the variables and the development of nephrotoxicity was found. However, a 3.4 increased risk (p-value = 0.01) of developing hypokalemia in females compared to males was observed. CONCLUSION: Our research has shown a relatively lower yet consistent, incidence of conventional amphotericin B nephrotoxicity and hypokalemia compared to literature with gender being a risk factor for developing hypokalemia.