American Journal of Kidney Disease Publication Confirms Significant Patient Advantages with HHD versus PD

LAWRENCE, Mass., Sept. 1, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- NxStage® Medical, Inc. (Nasdaq: NXTM) a leading manufacturer of dialysis products, today announced online publication in the American Journal of Kidney Disease (AJKD) of results from the largest study of its kind that assessed relative mortality on frequent home hemodialysis (HHD) versus peritoneal dialysis (PD) as well as relative all-cause hospitalization. The data show that frequent HHD patients have a lower risk of death, hospitalization and therapy attrition than PD patients.

The study, Mortality, Hospitalization, and Technique Failure in Daily Home Hemodialysis and Matched Peritoneal Dialysis Patients: A Matched Cohort Study, was conducted by Eric Weinhandl, PhD, MS, affiliated with the Chronic Disease Research Group (CDRG). The intention-to-treat analysis showed that frequent HHD patients have a 20 percent lower risk of death, 8 percent lower risk of hospitalization and 37 percent lower risk of therapy attrition than PD patients.

A 38-factor algorithm matched 4,201 frequent HHD patients with 4,201 PD patients. Results showed lower risks of death due to cardiovascular disease, infection, and either cachexia or dialysis withdrawal with frequent HHD therapy. Results also showed 15 percent lower risk of hospitalization due to cardiovascular disease and 11 percent lower risk of hospitalization due to infection with frequent HHD therapy.

"Home dialysis is growing, but there are few studies that compare clinical outcomes with HHD and PD," said Weinhandl. "This study suggests that frequent HHD may offer important advantages, especially with respect to reducing cardiovascular risk and keeping patients in their homes."

The study also included detailed analysis of patients that began dialyzing in their homes within the first six months of being diagnosed with end stage renal disease, during which time patients typically start PD. In this group, frequent HHD patients had similar risks of death and hospitalization as PD patients and 30 percent lower risk of therapy attrition.

"Published studies consistently report improved survival, improved quality of life and other important benefits for home hemodialysis patients," said NxStage president, Joseph Turk. "These particular  findings challenge conventional thinking within the renal community and should compel clinicians to consider frequent HHD a life-changing therapy choice for patients who are considering at home dialysis."

To view the published study, please visit http://www.ajkd.org/article/S0272-6386(15)01018-5/abstract.

For more information about the NxStage System One™ and home hemodialysis, please visit www.nxstage.com.

Despite the health benefits that home hemodialysis may provide to those with chronic kidney disease, this form of therapy is not for everyone. The reported benefits of home and more frequent hemodialysis may not be experienced by all patients. The risks associated with hemodialysis treatments in any environment include, but are not limited to, high blood pressure, fluid overload, low blood pressure, heart-related issues, and vascular access complications. The medical devices used in hemodialysis therapies may add additional risks including air entering the bloodstream and blood loss due to clotting or accidental disconnection of the blood tubing set. Certain risks are unique to the home. Treatments at home are done without the presence of medical personnel and on-site technical support. Patients and their partners must be trained on what to do and how to get medical or technical help if needed.

About the NxStage System One
The NxStage System One is the first and only truly portable hemodialysis system cleared specifically by the FDA for home hemodialysis and home nocturnal hemodialysis. Its simplicity and revolutionary size (just over a foot tall) are intended to allow convenient use in patients' homes and give patients the freedom to travel with their therapy. When combined with the NxStage PureFlow SL Dialysis Preparation System, patients are able to further simplify, using ordinary tap water to create dialysis fluid on demand. Unlike conventional hemodialysis systems, the System One requires no special infrastructure to operate. Under the guidance of their physician, patients can use the NxStage System One, with their trained partners, where, how and when it best meets their needs, including while they are sleeping - at home or on vacation and at a medically appropriate treatment frequency. http://www.nxstage.com/.

About NxStage Medical
NxStage Medical Inc. (Nasdaq: NXTM) is a medical device company, headquartered in Lawrence, Massachusetts, USA, that develops, manufactures and markets innovative products for the treatment of ESRD and acute kidney failure. For more information on NxStage and its products, please visit the Company's website at www.nxstage.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements contained in this release that are not clearly historical in nature are forward-looking, and the words "anticipate," "believe," "expect," "estimate," "plan," and similar expressions are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors including those that are discussed in NxStage's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2015. NxStage is under no obligation to (and expressly disclaims any such obligation to) update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Media contact: 
Kristen K. Sheppard, Esq.
[email protected]

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110503/MM94799LOGO

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150624/225341

SOURCE NxStage Medical, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.nxstage.com