Home-based dialysis gains traction amid rising kidney ailments

Hemodialysis is a common treatment for individuals with kidney issues, typically requiring patients to visit the hospital two to three times a week. This frequent travel can be challenging, especially for those living far from medical facilities. However, Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) offers a valuable alternative, enabling patients to perform dialysis at home, thus reducing costs and travel burdens.
Despite being available at King George Hospital (KGH) for the past 18 years, awareness about CAPD has been limited. Recently, however, there has been a slight increase in patients opting for CAPD. Dr G Prasad, Head of the Department of Nephrology at KGH, notes that although only 150 patients have utilized CAPD over 18 years, around 90 have started in just the last two or three years. Currently, 40 patients are receiving CAPD services at KGH.
“CAPD is suitable for anyone needing dialysis, given they have a dedicated room and a trained caregiver at home,” says Dr. Prasad. This method involves a catheter inserted into the abdomen, enabling patients to administer dialysis fluids themselves. Maintaining a sterile environment is crucial to avoid infections. Unlike hemodialysis, which relies on blood purification through a machine, CAPD uses fluids to cleanse the blood, allowing patients to remain active during the process.
At KGH, CAPD services, including the necessary fluids for 15 days, are provided free of charge, which would otherwise cost up to Rs. 25,000. Inserting the catheter, a procedure that private hospitals charge Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 40,000 for, is also free at KGH. However, despite these benefits, few patients opt for CAPD, largely due to the government providing pensions only to those undergoing hemodialysis. Extending pension benefits to CAPD patients could encourage more to adopt this home-based dialysis method. Dr Prasad highlights the increasing interest in CAPD, noting its benefits of home-based management and continuous monitoring.
He advises regular health check-ups for early detection of kidney issues, recommending BP, serum creatinine, and urine albumin tests for those over 40, and biannual tests for individuals over 50. Kidney disease incidence is rising, fueled by obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and the overuse of painkillers. Unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as alcohol and tobacco use and insufficient water intake, further exacerbate the problem.