Science AI Journal
Medicine · Research topic

Open research questions in Dialysis and Renal Disease Management

78 unresolved questions extracted from the limitations and future-work sections of 852 Dialysis and Renal Disease Management papers in our library. Each links back to the study that raised it.

What the literature leaves open

  • First, we explicitly adjusted for surgical frequency, a key mechanical variable rarely addressed in nutrition-focused studies. Future larger-scale, multi-center studies are warranted to more definitively address the role of nutritional status in AVF thrombosis. 1845230 variables are warranted to more definitively assess the indepen- dent role of nutritional status in AVF thrombosis.

    Nutritional-metabolic indicators do not independently predict AVF thrombosis after adjustment for surgical frequency: a retrospective cohort study · 2026 · DOI

  • Furthermore, intradialytic hypotension, which is a common While whether to allow SDBH patients undergoing chronic HD treatment to eat during treatment remains a highly controversial topic, existing studies also present conflicting data regarding the effects of intradialytic food intake. Additionally, it is known that evidence from randomized trials demonstrating that nutritional supplementation in HD centers improves clinical condition in patients undergoing hemodialysis and may mortality or clinical outcomes is insufficient.

    Impact of Intradialytic Food Intake on Symptom Frequency and Severity in Patients Undergoing Chronic Hemodialysis · 2026 · DOI

  • The interviews were arranged workers could provide education and counseling services to according to the health status of the patients and the time and help chronic renal failure patients cope with the effects of the place they wanted, so the findings were limited to the topics disease and hemodialysis treatment and increase compliance expressed by the participants.

    Nephrology Social Work: Psychosocial Challenges and Needs of Chronic Kidney Disease Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis · 2026 · DOI

  • Acu is a multi-target, multi-pathway intervention, and the precise mechanisms by which it alleviates CKD-aP have not yet been fully elucidated.

    Effects of different complementary therapies on chronic kidney disease-associated pruritus: a systematic review and network meta-analysis · 2026 · DOI

  • To overcome the contextual limitations identified in this study, future research should focus on conducting multi-site studies across diverse PHC facilities in Eswatini, including rural, peri-urban, and urban areas.

    Nurses’ experiences implementing clinical practice guidelines for detecting and managing chronic kidney disease in Eswatini’s primary healthcare facilities: A qualitative study · 2026 · DOI

  • Abstract Background Contemporary practices for blood pressure (BP) management in peritoneal dialysis (PD) remain poorly characterized despite cardiovascular disease and hypertension being highly prevalent in patients on PD.

    National survey of blood pressure management practices in peritoneal dialysis · 2026 · DOI

  • While muscle sodium concentrations have been shown to decline during a hemodialysis (HD) session, little is known about whether they subsequently rebound or how intradialytic muscle sodium dynamics might be modulated.

    The impact of intradialytic cycling on temporal changes in muscle sodium during hemodialysis · 2026 · DOI

  • to optimise pharmacotherapy, reduce medication-related adverse events, and improve the overall quality of life of CKD patients. Future studies employing longitudinal designs and incorporating objective clinical outcomes alongside patient-reported outcomes are warranted to further characterise relationship between polypharmacy,diseaseprogression,andqualityoflife in CKD.

    Impact of Polypharmacy on Disease Status and Medication RelatedQualityofLifeAmongPatientswithChronicKidney Disease · 2026 · DOI

  • ABSTRACT Early‐stage chronic kidney disease (CKD), before the initiation of renal replacement therapy represents a critical period for delaying the onset of end‐stage kidney failure; however, it remains underexplored.

    Managing Early‐Stage Chronic Kidney Disease: A Qualitative Study of Patients' and Healthcare Professionals' Perspectives · 2026 · DOI

  • Rationale & Objective: People who live in rural areas with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) face well-documented structural barriers to receiving care, yet little is known about how they experience their illness or perceive interactions with their healthcare teams.

    Normalized barriers and unaddressed concerns: A qualitative study of the lived experiences of adults living in rural areas with advanced chronic kidney disease · 2026 · DOI

  • This study’s descriptive and correlational design may limit causal inferences regarding the relationship between symptom management, self-management, and quality of life. In addition, since the research was conducted in a specific region, the results may have limited generalizability to other areas.

    The Relationship Between Self-Management, Symptom Status, and Quality of Life in Hemodialysis Patients · 2026 · DOI

  • This study has several limitations that should be considered when interpreting the findings. Although data saturation was achieved with 21 participants, the sample size may not capture the full range of experiences of patients returning to dialy- sis after kidney transplant rejection. Additionally, participants who were willing to share their experiences may represent individuals with higher emotional aware- ness or coping capacity, potentially introducing self-selection bias. As the study was conducted in a single geographic setting, the transferability of the findings to other cultural or regional contexts may be limited. Finally, the findings are based on sub- jective self-reports and may not fully reflect the perspectives of healthcare profes- sionals or family members involved in patients’ care. Future studies using longitudi- nal or multi-perspective designs could provide a more comprehensive understanding of the long-term psychosocial adaptation process following graft failure.

    Faith, Meaning, and Life After Kidney Transplant Failure in Türkiye: A Qualitative Study of Spiritual Coping and Adjustment to Dialysis · 2026 · DOI

  • This study has several limitations. First, data were col- lected at a single tertiary hospital, where PD management is highly centralized. Consequently, the participants’ per- ceptions of safety and space may have been inherently conditioned by the specific training protocols and safety indications provided by the institution [43]. While the study setting serves a diverse population, the participants Kim et al. BMC Nephrology (2026) 27:383 Page 12 of 13 were mostly from urban or suburban areas, with little representation from remote rural regions. Second, selec- tion bias may exist as this study focuses exclusively on the perspectives of PD patients, omitting the insights of HD patients, the discontinued PD patients, family members, and medical professionals. Finally, the transferability of these findings may be limited by South Korea’s unique social welfare and demographic context. In Korea, PD patients are classified as having a disability, receiving extensive government support such as subsidized hous- ing. Furthermore, the low average household size and the prevalence of elderly patients living alone or as a couple significantly mitigate domestic spatial conflicts. These specific conditions may alleviate the spatial burden more effectively than in other global contexts, so these results should be interpreted with caution when applied to dif- ferent welfare systems or larger household structures. Future multicenter research incorporating diverse geo- graphical backgrounds and caregiver insights is needed.

    Spatial burden and self-managed safety in peritoneal dialysis: a qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews · 2026 · DOI

  • Hemoperfusion (HP) is proposed to remove middle molecules inadequately cleared by conventional dialysis, yet its comprehensive benefits across multiple uremic complications remain underexplored.

    Multifaceted benefits of regular hemoperfusion in maintenance hemodialysis: A propensity score-matched study · 2026 · DOI

  • Incremental PD represents a potentially patient-centred and resource-efficient approach that may reduce early treatment burden without evidence of harm to date. Close examination of the safety, efficacy and broader health-system implications is required given the expand- ing adoption of this practice globally. Although several theoretical advantages have been proposed, definitive benefits with respect to hard clinical outcomes, such as mortality and peritonitis rates, remain unproven. The current evidence base is characterised by low certainty, substantial heterogeneity and inconsistent definitions of incremental PD, which collectively limit comparability across studies. Moreover, existing data are largely derived from observational cohorts that are underpowered to evaluate key patient-important outcomes, including mor- tality, major infections and hospitalisation. Widespread implementation of incremental PD in the absence of robust evidence risks entrenching a practice whose effec- tiveness and safety have not been adequately validated, with potential consequences for resource allocation and quality of care. Strengthening the evidence base for incremental PD requires well-designed RCTs that evaluate both clinical outcomes and patient-centred measures, including qual- ity of life and life participation. The Starting Incremen- tal Prescription of Peritoneal Dialysis (STEP-PD) trial (ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT06642597) is an investigator- initiated, multi-national, pragmatic, open-label, parallel- group, non-inferiority study comparing incremental with full-dose PD. This trial is designed to determine whether reduced early intensity PD is non-inferior to standard care on clinically meaningful outcomes. Until high-quality RCT data become available, utili- sation of incremental PD should be embedded within a shared-decision-making framework, supported by fre- quent clinical assessment and predefined criteria for treatment escalation. It is reassuring that incremental PD has so far not been associated with harm when compared with full-dose PD whilst providing improved resource utilisation and has possibly allowed for an increased focus on life participation and patient-important bene- fits. These considerations support a cautious, individual- ised approach to incremental PD, pending definitive trial evidence.

    Past, present and future of incremental peritoneal dialysis · 2026 · DOI

  • • Appliance inclusive paper laboratory panels for hemodialysis patients also complete picture of blood, liver function enzymes, setting blood profile, and lipid sheet in addition to routine renal occupation tests. • HCV and HBV screening should be performed for all hemodialysis patients; helpful cases ought to receive antiviral therapy per current strategies.

    Discrepancy of hemodialysis patients in some electrolyte in Babylon province · 2026 · DOI

  • Given that previous studies have demonstrated a high prevalence of cognitive impairment among patients undergoing hemodialysis, future research should consider developing simplified assessment tools tailored for cognitively impaired patients or employing alternative approaches such as pictorial questionnaires or interviewer- administered assessments. Further research is warranted to clarify the underlying mechanisms of these associations.

    Correlation between symptom distress and quality of life in patients with Chronic Kidney Disease Stage 5 undergoing hemodialysis in China: a multi-center cross-sectional study · 2026 · DOI

  • Exercise interventions play a crucial role throughout the entire course of CKM. CKM stage 1reduces body fat and visceral adiposity; CKM stage 2 improves endothelial function and optimizes glycemic-lipid control, thereby reducing metabolic risk factors; CKM stage 3 delays atherosclerosis progression while enhancing cardiac output and autonomic balance; and CKM stage 4 strengthens cardiac rehabilitation and reduces the risks of readmission and mortality (7). Consequently, exercise provides benefits at all stages of CKM.

    Exercise rehabilitation in cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome: a narrative review · 2026 · DOI

  • that exercise Although this review synthesizes current evidence on exercise rehabilitation in CKM, several methodological and limitations persist. First, mechanistic insights are clinical predominantly derived from animal models, with a notable scarcity of high-quality human studies. While existing evidence suggests targets shared pathways involved in multi-organ dysregulation in CKM, it is crucial to emphasize that these mechanistic associations have not been causally established in humans. Future research should integrate methods such as tissue-specific gene editing and Mendelian randomization to elucidate the core mechanisms underlying the benefits of exercise. Second, we did not perform a systematic search or formal quality assessment of included studies. Furthermore, exercise prescriptions all trials and meta-analyses are highly across randomized heterogeneous, and precluding precise quantitative estimates for any endpoint. Research on individualized strategies remains scarce, as most studies do not stratify patients by CKM stage, comorbidity burden, or functional reserve, and they employ disparate outcome measures. These factors impede evidence synthesis and clinical translation. Finally, many studies continue to adopt a single-disease model, overlooking the multi-organ nature of CKM. High quality, stage specific evidence for exercise in advanced CKM is still lacking.

    Exercise rehabilitation in cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome: a narrative review · 2026 · DOI

  • The development of more effective senotherapies to combat CKD and other aging-related disorders by targeting senescent cells requires continued research.

    Chronic kidney disease in the elderly: Unraveling the complexities of aging and renal decline · 2025 · DOI

  • The dual role of SASP in tissue regeneration after AKI versus chronic fibrosis promotion requires further clarification to understand context-dependent mechanisms.

    Chronic kidney disease in the elderly: Unraveling the complexities of aging and renal decline · 2025 · DOI

  • This study has some major strengths. To our knowledge, this is the first investigation of the association of CKM heath with depression and anxiety. We evaluated both multiplicative and additive interactions between CKM health and social connection in relation to depression and anxiety. Our findings could provide valuable information for clinicians to identify vulnerable popula- tions at an increased risk of depression and anxiety. The large sample size and long follow-up period of the UK Biobank allowed us to perform the stratified analyses with sufficient statistical power, in most subpopulations. consistent and we observed results Nevertheless, it is important to interpret our findings with caution due to some limitations. First, the nature of observational study poses challenges in establishing the causal relationship, even if the results in sensitivity analysis were consistent when excluding incident cases during the initial 2 years of follow-up. Second, although this study has adjusted for various potential confoun- ders, there could be unmeasured or residual confounding. Third, because there is insufficient data on subclinical CVD in the UK Biobank, we are unable to separate participants with sub- clinical CVD in CKM syndrome (defined as stage 3 of CKM syn- therefore, we drome by the AHA) (Ndumele et al., 2023); combined stage 3 with stage 2 as stage 2–3 in our study. Fourth, social isolation and loneliness were defined by some sim- ple questions. Nevertheless, the questions used in our study have been modified from validated scales and applied in other research (Elovainio et al., 2023; Hakulinen et al., 2018; Wang et al., 2023). https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291724002381 Published online by Cambridge University Press Fifth, the study participants in the UK Biobank were recruited from a community context, which may introduce participation bias, as this population is likely to be more affluent and healthier than the general UK population. Consequently, the effect sizes reported in this study may represent conservative estimates. Last, the majority of individuals in this study were of European descent, and the generalizability of our study results to other eth- nic groups could be limited.

    Association of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic health and social connection with the risk of depression and anxiety · 2024 · DOI

  • Databases searched, limited to the years 2017 to 2022, included Allied and Complementary Medicine Database (AMED), Alt Health Watch, CINAHL Plus with Full Text, PubMed, and EBSCO.

    End-stage renal disease and hemodialysis · 2023 · DOI

  • About 10 % of the world’s population suffers from CKD, but its prevalence and incidence vary widely across the world due to social and economic conditions.

    Peritoneal dialysis in 2022: an accidental renaissance? · 2022 · DOI

  • Despite previous research regarding dialysis decision making, relational autonomy in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage kidney disease SDM conversations is not well understood.

    A Systematic Literature Review of Relational Autonomy in Dialysis Decision Making · 2021 · DOI

Most-cited papers in Dialysis and Renal Disease Management

Most recent work

Find a gap in your own Dialysis and Renal Disease Management sub-topic

This page shows what the Dialysis and Renal Disease Management literature already flags as unresolved. To narrow it to your specific question, run the guided finder — it searches the gap library on demand and checks candidates against 250M+ OpenAlex works.

Open the Research Gap Finder →

Related topics in Medicine

Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
989 open questions
Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare and Education
607 open questions
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
448 open questions
Physical Activity and Health
436 open questions
Smoking Behavior and Cessation
402 open questions
Innovations in Medical Education
364 open questions
Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
363 open questions
HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions
342 open questions
78 open questions have been extracted from the limitations and future-work passages of 852 Dialysis and Renal Disease Management papers in our library. Each one below links back to the study that raised it, so you can read the original claim in context.

Tools for your next paper

Gaps & Literature SearchFind open questions in any field — 120,000+ open gaps mined from our own library.Pre-CheckIs your paper ready? A Tier 1–5 acceptance probability in seconds.Journal FinderA ranked shortlist of target journals from a 17,500-venue index.Duplicate Publication CheckerCheck prior-publication & salami-slicing risk across 8 sources.Citation GeneratorFreeA DOI or title → APA, MLA, Vancouver, Chicago, BibTeX, RIS. No signup.Graphical Abstract MakerFreeTurn your findings into a colorblind-safe graphical abstract.

Compare the category — Honest roundups of the AI research tools, ours listed alongside the alternatives.

Command palette

Jump anywhere, run any action.