'I felt better': Study finds expanded dialysis used in London, Ont. trial improving patients' quality of life
![Dr. Chris McIntyre Dr. Chris McIntyre with the expanded dialysis machine developed by Baxter International. (Supplied by Lawson)](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2021/9/23/dr--chris-mcintyre-1-5597084-1632394674546.jpg)
A new form of expanded dialysis tested by researchers in London, Ont. is improving the quality of life for patients with chronic kidney disease, according to a newly published study.
Robert Wahby was a participant in a clinical trial that used this new form of expanded dialysis.
“I was hoping that trying this new dialyzer would help get rid of some of my symptoms. My appetite was down, I was a little weak and I was hoping I would sleep better.”
For Wahby the effect was definitely noticeable, “I felt better, I was eating more and I had a better night’s sleep,” he said.
Expanded dialysis works to remove a broader range of toxins from the body as compared with traditional dialysis.
The method was tested by a team of researchers out of Lawson Health Research Institute (Lawson) in London, Ont. led by Dr. Chris McIntyre with Lawson and London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC).
Patients in a clinical trial at LHSC were given expanded dialysis through a new machine made by Baxter International Inc.
The dialyzer developed by Baxter is called THERANOVA allows larger sized toxic chemicals to be filtered from the blood while allowing essential molecules to remain.
“The chemicals that can now be filtered out can cause inflammation, malnutrition and the buildup of waste,” explains Dr. McIntyre in a release.
“With traditional dialysis treatments, we haven’t been as successful at removing those chemicals and some patients experienced significant side effects.”
The study took three months and involved 28 patients. While taking part in the study participants were monitored through the London Evaluation of Illness (LEVIL) app, developed by Dr. McIntyre with the help of patient input.
With the first phase of the trial being successful, the team will now expand to included 60 dialysis patients.
The next step would be to expand to a multicenter clinical trial led by Lawson with the University of Toronto and Humber River Hospital.
You can find the published study here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6976926.1721883767!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
LIVE @ 11:15 A.M. MT Extent of Jasper wildfire damage still unknown; Alberta Wildfire hosting update
Officials are waiting to learn Thursday morning the extent of wildfire damage in the Jasper townsite of Jasper National Park, which flames began to eat away at the night before.
Jasper wildfire burns buildings, while poor air quality forces some fire crews out
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on social media that Ottawa has approved Alberta's request for federal assistance after a fast-moving wildfire hit Jasper National Park and its townsite late Wednesday.
Jennifer Aniston criticizes JD Vance for 'childless cat ladies' remarks: 'I pray that your daughter is fortunate enough to bear children'
Jennifer Aniston is criticizing JD Vance for comments he made in his past about women without children.
Canadian women's soccer team staffer given suspended prison sentence over drone incident, prosecutor says
A Canada women's soccer team staffer has been given an eight-month suspended prison sentence after flying a drone to film the closed-door training session of the New Zealand team on Monday, the prosecutor's office said in a statement.
'Sick to my stomach': People grieve Jasper National Park by sharing favourite photos
As an out-of-control wildfire roared through Alberta’s famed Jasper National Park and its townsite late Wednesday, many are fearing the worst as officials warned of 'significant loss' within the area.
Prince William made $42 million from his newly inherited estate last year, reports show
Newly released financial reports show that William, the Prince of Wales, drew a salary of $42.1 million last fiscal year, his first since inheriting the vast and lucrative Duchy of Cornwall.
Sale of envoy's NYC condo 'expected to exceed' $9M: government
The current official residence for Canada's representative in New York City is 'being readied for sale,' according to a spokesperson from Global Affairs Canada.
'I'm so broke': Two Toronto women speak out after losing $76,000 in romance scam
Two women from the Toronto area are speaking out after losing thousands of dollars to a romance scam, including a single mother who lost $62,000.
Barrie-Innisfil MPP 'blacked-out' and crashed car into window of child care centre
Staff at a Barrie child care centre say they are frustrated by what they call a local MPP's inadequate response after a car crashed through a window in one of the toddler rooms.