Concordance and Discordance in Volume Status Assessment in Home Dialysis Patients Using Dyspnea Scale, Physical Exam, and Point of Care Ultrasound

What this Trial Is About

Fluid overload, which means having too much fluid in the body, is a common reason why people on home dialysis need hospital care. This condition often causes symptoms like trouble breathing and swollen legs. Researchers are studying three different methods to detect fluid overload in home dialysis patients: a survey called the modified medical research council (mMRC) dyspnea scale, a physical exam, and lung ultrasound (LUS) using point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS). The goal is to find out which method works best for these patients. Participants in this study will undergo all three assessments during a single visit. First, they will answer a one-question survey on breathing difficulty. Then, their kidney doctor will perform a physical exam to check for signs of extra fluid, such as lung sounds and leg swelling. Afterward, an ultrasound scan of the lungs will be done using a handheld device to look for fluid markers called B-lines. The ultrasound takes about 10 to 15 minutes, and a chaperone will be present for female patients or if male patients request one. Each participant's study visit will last about 30 to 60 minutes, during which blood pressure, weight, and the assessments will be completed. Researchers will compare the results from the survey, physical exam, and ultrasound to measure how much the methods agree or differ in detecting fluid overload. The entire study is expected to last nine months, but each participant is involved only for their single visit. After the ultrasound, participants can leave immediately with no further procedures required.

Concordance and Discordance in the Assessment of Volume Status in Home Dialysis Patients: A Comparison of Modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale, Physical Exam, and Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS)