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Drug Therapy in Renal Failure: Practical Considerations
ORIGINAL INVESTIGATIONS
Mini Symposium
Drug Therapy in Renal Failure: Practical Considerations
P
ATIENTS WITH RENAL FAILURE often require a great number of medications to treat the various clinical manifestations of their syndrome . In addition , since a wider spectrum of patients are being accepted into end-stage renal disease programs, treatment of intercurrent illnesses by the responsible nephrologist is frequently required. Despite proliferation of literature on this subject, practical clinical considerations are often given little attention. The papers appearing in this issue of the American Journal of Kidney Diseases were presented in part as a panel discussion at the 1982 Annual Meeting of the National Kidney Foundation's Clinical Dialysis and Transplant Forum in Chicago. Dr Anderson reviews data concerning current prescribing practices in hemodialysis units. His survey encompasses representative private, university, and Veterans Administration facilities. This study provides an important source of baseline information about the present state of the art. Aronoff's contribution summarizes the principles of proper prescribing of antibiotics in patients with impaired renal function . The frequency of infec-
tious disease in renal patients demands attention to detail so that safe yet effective therapy can be given . Practical considerations used for adjusting drug doses in patients undergoing hemodialysis are summarized by Gibson , and Bunke et al discuss antibiotic treatment guidelines in patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). In view of the increasing popularity of CAPD, choosing the appropriate route of therapy for peritonitis is particularly relevant if the major problem limiting treatment by this promising modality is to be overcome . The final paper in the mini symposium by Muther deals with the infrequently discussed subject of drug interference with renal function tests. Increased physician awareness of these problems may prevent increased costs for repeat testing and, more importantly, diagnostic or therapeutic errors.
American Journal of Kidney Diseases, Vol III, No 2, September 1983
William M. Bennett, MD Division of Nephrology Oregon Health Sciences University
103
Mini Symposium
Drug Therapy in Renal Failure: Practical Considerations
P
ATIENTS WITH RENAL FAILURE often require a great number of medications to treat the various clinical manifestations of their syndrome . In addition , since a wider spectrum of patients are being accepted into end-stage renal disease programs, treatment of intercurrent illnesses by the responsible nephrologist is frequently required. Despite proliferation of literature on this subject, practical clinical considerations are often given little attention. The papers appearing in this issue of the American Journal of Kidney Diseases were presented in part as a panel discussion at the 1982 Annual Meeting of the National Kidney Foundation's Clinical Dialysis and Transplant Forum in Chicago. Dr Anderson reviews data concerning current prescribing practices in hemodialysis units. His survey encompasses representative private, university, and Veterans Administration facilities. This study provides an important source of baseline information about the present state of the art. Aronoff's contribution summarizes the principles of proper prescribing of antibiotics in patients with impaired renal function . The frequency of infec-
tious disease in renal patients demands attention to detail so that safe yet effective therapy can be given . Practical considerations used for adjusting drug doses in patients undergoing hemodialysis are summarized by Gibson , and Bunke et al discuss antibiotic treatment guidelines in patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). In view of the increasing popularity of CAPD, choosing the appropriate route of therapy for peritonitis is particularly relevant if the major problem limiting treatment by this promising modality is to be overcome . The final paper in the mini symposium by Muther deals with the infrequently discussed subject of drug interference with renal function tests. Increased physician awareness of these problems may prevent increased costs for repeat testing and, more importantly, diagnostic or therapeutic errors.
American Journal of Kidney Diseases, Vol III, No 2, September 1983
William M. Bennett, MD Division of Nephrology Oregon Health Sciences University
103