Clinical Research Directory

Preoperative Hemodialysis Timing in Patients With End-Stage Kidney Disease: The POD-ESKD Pilot Trial

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the feasibility of two different preoperative hemodialysis schedules for people with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) who undergo surgical procedures. The main questions it aims to answer are: Is it feasible to randomize participants with ESKD undergoing nonemergent surgical procedures to same-day hemodialysis versus no same-day hemodialysis? Is it safe to randomize participants with ESKD undergoing nonemergent surgical procedures to same-day hemodialysis versus no same-day hemodialysis? Researchers will compare the two hemodialysis schedules to see if the scheduling and safety profiles are the same. Participants will: Answer questions about their health up to 4 weeks before and 4 weeks after the surgical procedure. Receive hemodialysis on the day of the surgical procedure or not, depending on the study treatment assignment.

Sensor-based Congestion ALert for Events in Peritoneal Dialysis (SCALE-PD)

To explore the use of the Bodyport Cardiac Scale in predicting worsening of events due to fluid overload in patients with kidney disease on peritoneal dialysis.

Effect of a Plant-Focused Diet on Nutritional Status in Malnourished Peritoneal Dialysis Patients

The goal of this clinical trial is to determine whether a plant-focused diet improves nutritional and health outcomes of malnourished adults undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD). It will also learn about the safety of this diet in this population. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Does a plant-focused diet improve nutritional status compared to a standard kidney diet in PD patients? 2. What changes occur in anthropometric, biochemical, and dietary measures over 6 months? Researchers will compare the plant-focused diet to a standard-of-care renal diet to see which is more effective in improving nutrition in PD patients. Participants will: * Be randomly assigned to follow the plant-focused diet or the standard diet. * Be monitored for 6 months through in-person visits (aligned with their routine clinic appointments) and virtual check-ins via messages or calls. * Have their progress monitored for changes in outcomes such as nutrition, blood tests, kidney function, and quality of life.

Prospective Analysis of Arteriovenous Access (AVA) Use for Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT)

Arteriovenous fistula or graft are the ideal hemodialysis access. Nonetheless the most common access type used for Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT) is either a temporary or permanent hemodialysis catheter. Recommendations for the use of catheters to deliver CRRT in end stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients are lacking on data and subjective to anecdotal experiences and expert consensus. The repetitive placement of catheters in ESKD patients have shown to increase the chances of central vascular stenosis which is one of the main risk factors that lead to access failure. Also, the repetitive use of dialysis catheters increases the risk for catheter associated infections. Dedicated studies demonstrating the safety and feasibility of using arteriovenous access (AVA) for CRRT are scarce. No screening criteria or algorithm exists to determine the adequate patient and clinical scenario to use AVA for CRRT. Goals of the study: 1. To develop a standard operating procedure for the use of AVA in CRRT. 2. Evaluate the safety and efficacy of using AVA for CRRT.

Older Kidney Patient Optimisation Pretransplant

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a kidney transplant-specific comprehensive geriatric assessment (KT-CGA) can improve the way older adults are assessed for kidney transplantation. The main questions it aims to answer are: Is it feasible and acceptable to deliver a KT-CGA alongside routine transplant assessment in older adults with advanced kidney disease? What is the effect of KT-CGA on decision-making about transplant listing and on patient-reported outcomes such as quality of life and frailty? Researchers will compare participants who receive the KT-CGA plus usual care to those who receive usual care alone. Participants will: Continue with their usual transplant assessment process If randomised to the intervention group, also complete the KT-CGA (a structured set of questionnaires, short memory and function tests, and discussions about wellbeing and support needs, taking about 45-60 minutes)

Blood Pressure Control With Thiazide Diuretics in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients

To evaluate the blood pressure lowering effects of thiazide diuretics in patients on peritoneal dialysis

Combination of Novel Therapies for CKD Comorbid Depression

The overall goal of the study is to determine if treatment of a Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) improves the outcomes of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We showed that MDD is present in 25% of CKD patients and independently associated with progression to End-Stage Kidney Disease, hospitalization, and death. Depression is also associated with lower quality of life (QOL), fatigue, poor sleep, and non-adherence to diet and medications. However, evidence for efficacy and tolerability of commonly-used antidepressant medications or nonpharmacologic treatments are limited in CKD patients. Our group was the first to conduct a double-blind randomized controlled trial for MDD treatment in 201 patients with non-dialysis CKD, and showed that sertraline, a commonly used selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), was no more efficacious than placebo for improving depressive symptoms. It becomes imperative to test novel strategies to treat MDD in CKD. We propose to compare with a control group, the efficacy and tolerability of two novel treatment strategies - (1) Behavioral Activation Teletherapy (BAT) for 16 weeks, with the addition of bupropion, a non-SSRI antidepressant, at 8 weeks for patients whose depression has not remitted (non-remitters); and (2) bupropion for 16 weeks, with the addition of BAT at 8 weeks for non-remitters. In Aim 1, we will investigate the efficacy and tolerability of these 2 strategies vs. control for improvement in a primary endpoint of depressive symptoms in 201 patients (67 per group) with CKD stages 3b-5 and MDD at 2 sites, randomized 1:1:1 to either strategy or a control group of Clinical Management plus placebo. We hypothesize that either approach vs. control will result in a minimal clinically important difference of 2 points improvement in depressive symptoms, as ascertained blindly by the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology. In Aim 2 we will investigate the efficacy and tolerability of 8 weeks of (1) single-blind BAT plus placebo or (2) double-blind bupropion plus Clinical Management vs. control for improvement in depressive symptoms. In Aim 3, we will compare the efficacy of these 2 treatments strategies vs. control for improvement in CKD patient-centered outcomes including a. adherence to medications and healthcare visits; b. fatigue; c. sleep; and d. overall functioning. A clinical trial is urgently needed to address the evidence gap that exists for MDD treatment in CKD patients.

Effect of Hand Reflexology Massage on Fatigue and Anxiety Among Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if hand reflexology massage can help reduce fatigue and anxiety in adult patients undergoing hemodialysis treatment. The main questions it aims to answer are: * What are the levels of fatigue and anxiety in hemodialysis patients? * Is hand reflexology massage more effective than usual care in reducing fatigue and anxiety after eight sessions? * Do these improvements last over time? * Does a patient's age, gender, education level, how long they've been on dialysis, or their financial status affect how much they benefit from the massage? Researchers will compare patients who receive hand reflexology massage plus standard care to those who receive only standard care to see if the massage leads to greater reductions in fatigue and anxiety. Participants will: * Be randomly assigned to one group that receives hand reflexology massage or another group that continues with routine care only * Attend 8 short sessions (about 27 minutes each) of hand reflexology massage over four weeks, given during their regular dialysis visits * Complete brief questionnaires about their fatigue and anxiety levels before the study starts, after the 4th session, and after the 8th session * Continue their normal medical treatments throughout the study This study focuses on a safe, non-drug therapy that nurses can easily provide. Hand reflexology involves gentle pressure on specific points of the hands linked to stress relief and relaxation. It is chosen because it is practical during dialysis, avoids touching swollen or sensitive feet, and respects cultural preferences. The results could help improve the comfort and well-being of hemodialysis patients in Iraq and similar healthcare settings.

Glucagon-like-peptide-1 Receptor Agonists in Patients Receiving Maintenance Dialysis

This study aims to determine if GLP1RA is safe and tolerable in maintenance dialysis population, adherence, and feasibility of a larger definitive cardiovascular outcome trial in this population. Participants will be randomized 1:1 to either weekly subcutaneous semaglutide versus usual care and followed for 26 weeks.

Comparing Super High-flux and High-flux Dialyzer Performance Among Hemodialysis Patient With Sepsis : a Randomized Control Trial

Comparing the efficacy of superhigh-flux dialyzer with high-flux dialyzer in ESKD patient who have sepsis to improve mortality and sepsis outcome, an open label randomized control trial.