Peritoneal Dialysis Network in North-East Italy: Survey About the Peritoneal Catheter Exit-Site Infection Management and Comparison with ISPD Guidelines

Abstract

Introduction. The Triveneto Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) Network aims to bring together doctors and nurses who deal with PD in a collaborative network in which to exchange mutual knowledge and optimize the use of this method of replacing renal function. A topic of particular interest was the management of peritoneal catheter exit-site infection, given the recent publication of the new guidelines of the International Society of Peritoneal Dialysis (ISPD).
Materials and methods. The survey concerned the criteria for carrying out nasal swab and exit-site, management of exuberant granulation tissue “Proud Flesh”, treatment of exit-site infection (ESI), use of silver dressings, the role of subcutaneous tunnel ultrasound and cuff shaving.
Results. All PD centers in the North-East Italy area have joined the survey with at least one operator per centre. There was a wide variability between the indications for performing the exit-site swab. In the presence of ESI, the prevalent approach is that of oral systemic empiric therapy associated (20.0%) or less (28.9%) with topical therapy, and then adapting it in a targeted manner to the culture examination.
Discussion. From the discussion of the survey emerged the importance of the ESI as an outcome indicator, which allows us to verify whether our clinical practice is in line with the reference standards. It is essential to know and base our activity on what is indicated in national and international guidelines and to document the events that occur in the patient population of each dialysis unit.

Keywords: Peritoneal Dialysis, Exit-site management, Catheter-related Infections, Survey

Sorry, this entry is only available in Italian.

Introduzione

La dialisi peritoneale (PD) è un importante trattamento dialitico domiciliare cui opta quasi un paziente su cinque fra gli afferenti agli ambulatori specialistici nefrologici [1]. Per i pazienti in PD le infezioni correlate al catetere peritoneale (CP) sono tra i principali fattori di rischio di peritoniti, perdita del CP, drop-out dalla metodica. Queste comprendono l’infezione dell’exit-site (ESI) e del tunnel del CP [2].

Il “Network di Dialisi Peritoneale del Triveneto” ha lo scopo di riunire medici e infermieri che si occupano di PD nel Triveneto per la costruzione di una rete collaborativa all’interno della quale sia possibile diffondere la conoscenza e ottimizzare l’impiego di questa metodica sostitutiva della funzione renale. In questi incontri si parte dall’analisi delle evidenze per quindi verificarne l’attuazione nella real life e confrontarle con l’esperienza e i risultati derivanti dalla pratica clinica dei centri dialisi del Triveneto.

Un argomento di particolare interesse è risultato essere la gestione dell’exit-site infetto del CP, soprattutto in considerazione della recente pubblicazione delle nuove linee guida della Società Internazionale di Dialisi Peritoneale (ISPD) [3]. 

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Itching in dialysis, from the patient’s point of view

Abstract

Itching is an annoying symptom, which afflicts patients with chronic renal failure. To assess the diffusion of itching in the dialysis population in Italy, we carried out a questionnaire, which was distributed to patients of various Italian dialysis centers. The purpose of this investigation was to bring out all those aspects, which make itching a state of chronic suffering, which daily undermines the quality of life of patients. The questionnaire had 16 questions on the intensity of itching, the timing of appearance, the report to doctors and nurses, and any suggested remedies, in addition to some other concerning age, sex, and dialysis age. The questionnaires were distributed to 153 Dialysis Centers and received 1905 responses. In 46.7% of the answered questionnaires, the patients declared the absence of itching. Instead, 53.3% of the patients interviewed reported having itching with varying degrees of intensity. We used for quantifying the intensity of itching the numerical rating scale (NRS). Among the interviewees, those (20.4%) who reported a greater intensity and severity of the symptom described it as often present always, even at night, so as to heavily condition sleep. Only 32.5% of patients solved the problem by contacting their nephrologist or dialysis nurse, and a lower percentage by contacting the dermatologist or general practitioner.

Keywords: itching in dialysis, survey, VAS scale, remedies for itching

Sorry, this entry is only available in Italian.

Introduzione

Il prurito legato alla insufficienza renale è un sintomo che causa una pessima qualità di vita, impedendo un riposo corretto e generando alterazioni di carattere organico su vari sistemi ed apparati e, talora, severi stati depressivi. Alla base del prurito, che viene generalmente definito come uremico, ci sono una molteplicità di cause che vanno ben al di là della semplice intossicazione uremica [1, 2].

In dialisi cronica l’incidenza del sintomo prurito è riportata come superiore al 20% [1], ma non vi sono ad oggi studi conclusivi sulla diffusione di questo sintomo invalidante ed anche su eventuali efficaci rimedi terapeutici. 

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