5097 Forever Keele - Winter 2021 press | Page 10

Common genetic variation could make home dialysis less effective
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RESEARCH TO BE PROUD OF

Common genetic variation could make home dialysis less effective

A common variation in a specific gene could make home kidney dialysis treatments less effective for some patients , leading to worse outcomes and even death in some cases .
Home dialysis therapies such as peritoneal dialysis have increased in popularity in recent years . Home therapies like this are advantageous as they can reduce the cost to countries ’ health services , as well as making these treatments more accessible for patients living in remote or rural areas . They also require less support from trained medical or technical staff .
But new research co-led by Keele ’ s Professor Simon Davies has found that such treatments may be less effective if patients have a common variation in a gene known as AQP1 ( Aquaporin-1 ).
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