Innovative solutions in dialysis therapy are already available in Poland for patients with chronic renal failure. They can dialyze themselves at home using the peritoneal dialysis method. The development of telemedicine makes it possible for this process to take place under the supervision of an online doctor.
Chronic kidney disease is now recognized as a disease of civilization and a serious social problem in an aging population. There are more people suffering from kidney disease than those suffering from diabetes. According to specialists, chronic kidney disease is the most difficult to diagnose.
The disease is usually diagnosed with a long delay, in elderly patients, often in the period that requires the implementation of renal replacement therapy. In the era of an aging population, this becomes a huge challenge for doctors.
Therefore, it is this problem and the need to implement innovative solutions in the treatment of patients with end-stage kidney disease, contributing to the improvement of the quality and comfort of their lives, that PTN devoted this year's XXIV Scientific and Training conference.
Increasing the awareness of the problem of the growing number of people with kidney diseases in the aging population in Poland and in the world is one of the goals of the XXIV Scientific and Training Conference - indicates prof. Michał Nowicki, president of the Polish Nephrology Society.
- Chronic kidney disease can develop in anyone, but your risk of getting kidney disease increases with age. Mainly the problem concerns people over 60 years of age. The earlier kidney disease and its cause are diagnosed, the greater the chance of stopping it and avoiding irreversible changes. However, if this does not happen, the patient can be kept alive only thanks to dialysis - explains Prof. Nowicki.
Innovative solutions in renal replacement therapy
It is worth emphasizing that patients with chronic renal failure in Poland can already take advantage of new possibilities in renal replacement therapy. Innovative solutions in dialysis are particularly important in the treatment of elderly people, as they will significantly improve their quality of life and comfort.
In the case of peritoneal dialysis, people with end-stage renal disease can dialyze themselves at home and, additionally, be under constant supervisionon-line.
And all thanks to the ground-breaking telemedicine technology using the Claria cycler. This new method significantly improves the safety and comfort of patients.
On-line monitoring allows the doctor to keep track of the patient's dialysis process: its effects and to detect even small differences in its course. The patient, on the other hand, has the comfort of being at home, without the need to visit he alth care facilities.
This telemedicine technology ensures better cooperation with the patient and adjusts the dialysis rhythm to his daily duties. It is also a good solution for the elderly, for whom commuting to the Dialysis Center Centers may be difficult due to the progressive disease - explains Prof. Beata Naumnik, head of the 1st Department of Nephrology and Transplantology with the Dialysis Center of the USK.
Worth knowingPeritoneal Dialysis
In peritoneal dialysis, also known as home dialysis (DO), the dialysis fluid is inserted into the abdominal cavity through a small, soft, plastic tube called a peritoneal catheter that is permanently inserted into the patient's abdomen. Peritoneal dialysis cleans the blood that flows through the vessels of the peritoneum. The fluid is heated to body temperature before it is introduced into the abdominal cavity. Fluid remains in the abdomen for the time it takes for uremic toxins and excess water to pass from the blood. The used fluid is then withdrawn and replaced with fresh fluid. The dialysis fluid is changed manually or automatically at intervals planned by the doctor. There are two methods of dialysis - continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and automated peritoneal dialysis (ADO).
Recently, patients in Poland can also use the latest technology in hemodialysis - the so-called extended hemodialysis (HDx). Thanks to this method, the blood is filtered to a degree similar to the work of the human kidney. The new technology using the Theranov dialyzer is also a solution for seniors with end-stage kidney disease. The quality of filtration provided by the HDx method, which consists in increasing the parameters of blood purification from the so-called large average particles may contribute to the improvement of their quality of life and the well-being of patients in this age group. Currently, numerous studies are underway to assess the long-term benefits of using this method, we also have plans to conduct such research in Poland as part of the scientific and research activities of the Polish Nephrology Society - points out Prof. Michał Nowicki, President of the Polish Nephrological Society.