March 2026 CKD Insider Newsletter
- Mar 31
- 7 min read
Welcome to the Chronic Kidney Disease Insider Newsletter. If you are living with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on dialysis, have had a kidney transplant or are helping care for someone who is, this newsletter was created for you! The CKD Insider Newsletter provides actionable information for you and your family to help you manage your health in consultation with your doctor.
In this month’s CKD Insider:
New Clinical Trial for people with polycystic kidney disease
Clinical Trial Results:
Latest News from Kidney Organizations
AAKP The Hidden 'P' in Kidney Diseaseâ„¢ Webinar
The American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) is hosting a webinar in advance of National Phosphorus Awareness Day, held annually on April 5th. This webinar will explore the critical role phosphorus plays in kidney health, tools for managing phosphorus, what it means to be transplant-ready, and the importance of patient choice and access to the right treatment at the right time. You can learn more about National Phosphorus Awareness Day and get tools here.
Date: Sunday, April 2, 2026
Time: 3 PM - 4 PM ET
Register here
Your Fun Tip of the Day
Mini Escapes While You Sit
Three hours in a dialysis chair can feel long but your mind can take little trips outside, even if your body can’t. Try some of these ideas to help make the time brighter:
Take tiny mental vacations - Close your eyes for 30 seconds and imagine a favorite outdoor spot: a sunny beach, a quiet park, or your backyard.
Watch a movie set in a favorite location - even if you have trouble focusing on the story line, the scenery alone can help transport you to a new location
Listen and drift – Play a calming nature track or a short podcast to transport your mind.
Remember your 3 wins for the day – Every so often, remember one thing you’re grateful for. Short, positive bursts keep spirits up. Write down or remember a minimum of 3 wins/gratitudes each day!
A few ideas to get you started!
Movies: Read the 150 Feel Good Movies List for ideas, a few are below:
Adventure/Scenery: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty:Â A film about adventure that showcases breathtaking, scenic views of Iceland and the Himalayas.
Lighthearted Fun: Ferris Bueller's Day Off:Â A lighthearted, fun 80s classic featuring iconic, sunny scenes in Chicago, and Ghostbusters
Romance/Comedy/Drama: Brown Sugar: part of story is birth of hip hop music setting
Musical: Singin' in the Rain: Gene Kelly classic
Half hour quick easy-to-follow shows (great if you might drift in and out):
The Great British Baking Show – relaxing, feel-good, and easy to jump into
Abbott Elementary - A joyful, heartwarming mockumentary about teachers in a Philadelphia public school.
Superstore - An underrated workplace comedy set in a big-box store, noted for its relatable characters and humor.
Podcasts (perfect for closing your eyes and listening):
The School of Greatness by Lewis Howes - Inspirational interviews
SmartLess - Funny celebrity interviews that don’t take themselves too seriously
The Marie Forleo Podcast - Focuses on becoming the person you want to be and creating a successful, fulfilling life.
She’s Got Drive (Shirley McAlpine) - Shares stories of successful Black women and their personal journeys.
Audiobooks (if you want to get lost in a story, get free via your local library app):
Atomic Habits – simple ideas to build better routines
A favorite mystery or romance novel for an easy escape
Hidden Figures - inspiration story
What are you watching or listening to lately? We’d love to share your favorites in an upcoming newsletter!
FDA Clearance for Next-generation Tablo Hemodialysis System
 What it is: Outset Medical’s Tablo dialysis system has received 510(k) FDA clearance for a next-generation version that meets the newest, more stringent 2025 cybersecurity standards for medical devices. The newly cleared platform also includes upgrades that improve reliability, durability, and overall performance. It is expected to start shipping this Spring.
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Why it’s important: This dialysis system offers the best security to protect patient data and improved connectivity for hospital and at-home dialysis providers, helping minimize treatment interruptions.
New Clinical Trial: Polycystic kidney disease trial to test a nutrition program
What it is:  A Cleveland Clinic study for a special diet program called Ren‑Nu™. This program uses a medically designed nutrition product called KetoCitra®. The study will examine whether this dietary approach can improve metabolic health in people living with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD).
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Why it’s important: ADPKD is the most common inherited kidney disease, and nearly everyone with ADPKD develops high blood pressure. Most people with ADPKD have a change in a gene called PKD1, which also affects how the body uses energy, including how it metabolizes glucose (sugar). A new diet approach may address the metabolic health impact for ADPKD patients. If you are interested in the trial, you can learn more about the study and see if you are eligible at the study website.Â
Clinical Trial Results:
Fabhalta® for IgAN slowed decline in kidney function by 49.3% over two years
What it is: The long-term results from the Phase III APPLAUSE trial of Fabhalta in IgA nephropathy (IgAN) were published in the New England Journal of Medicine and show a 40% decrease in proteinuria and a 49.3% decrease in kidney disease progression.
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Why it’s important: Fabhalta meaningfully slowed the loss of long‑term kidney function in people with IgAN. This long-term readout of actual disease progression, rather than shorter-term surrogates such as decreased proteinuria or other improved lab values, has not yet been achieved by other IgAN treatment trials.
Clinical Trial Results: Promising Phase III KERENDIA trial results for patients with non-diabetic kidney disease.
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What it is: The Phase III FIND‑CKD study, which tested KERENDIA in people with non-diabetic chronic kidney disease (CKD not caused by diabetes), has successfully met its primary endpoint. Meeting the primary endpoint means the study showed the treatment worked as well as researchers had planned before the trial began. Because of this, the study is considered a success. While the detailed results have not yet been released, Bayer has said they will be shared publicly soon. KERENDIA is already FDA‑approved to treat people with CKD related to type 2 diabetes and heart failure with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 40% or higher.
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Why it’s important: There are currently fewer approved treatment options for people with non‑diabetic chronic kidney disease, because many medications were first studied in patients with CKD associated with diabetes. Based on the successful FIND‑CKD study, Bayer is expected to ask the FDA to expand KERENDIA’s approval so it can also be used to treat people with non‑diabetic CKD. If you have CKD and are not a diabetic, ask your nephrologist their thoughts on these latest findings and if this is potentially good for you.
Tips for Traveling on PD or Home HD
Traveling while on peritoneal dialysis (PD) or hemodialysis (HD) is possible. With some planning, you can fly with your PD cycler or NxStage HD machine for free, ship supplies, and arrange backup care. HomeDialysisCentral offers a helpful guide on planning your trip, understanding your travel rights, packing, and navigating airports and hotels—below are key highlights, but the full article provides more details and contacts.
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Travel Essentials for All PD & Home HD Travelers:
1.    Plan ahead. You’ll need at least 2 weeks’ notice for Fresenius shipping in the U.S., 6 weeks for Baxter, and 6–8+ weeks for international shipments, which will have added costs. Work with your clinic to order and ship supplies and confirm delivery with both the supplier and your lodging. Make sure your machine is insured through your clinic, homeowner’s policy, or travel insurance.
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2.    Backup & Safety. Ask your care team to find a backup dialysis center near your destination and the locations of the nearest hospitals. Bring a complete list of medications, your dialysis prescription, and recent lab results.
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3.    Equipment Transportation. Your PD cycler or NxStage machine is an assistive device and flies for free under the Air Carrier Access Act. It does not count toward your carry‑on limit and receives cargo priority over regular baggage. Airlines must allow medications, syringes, and 1–2 days of dialysate in carry‑ons. U.S. airlines are responsible for damage or loss of your equipment.
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4.    Hotels & Transport. Hotels may charge to receive boxes, though you can ask if they will waive or reduce fees. Use skycaps at airports, if available, or rent a luggage cart to transport your equipment yourself. It is best practice to bring cash for tipping people who help move equipment and boxes.
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5.    Airport & TSA Tips. Call the airline’s Disability/Accessibility Desk a week before your flight to let them know you’re traveling with a dialysis machine and to request a wheelchair for easier TSA screening and preboarding. Before your carry-on goes through X-ray, let TSA agents know you have syringes and medical devices.
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6.    Packing List.Â
Medications: Place all medications in carry‑on (NEVER in your checked luggage). Purchase a micro cooler for any medications that need refrigeration. Bring all original medication packaging.
Essential paperwork: prescriptions, clinic and backup contacts, lab results, and a list of supplies. It’s also a good idea to print out the airline’s policy and the DOT's assistive‑device rules to avoid any issues at the airport.
Equipment:Â A PD cycler may fit as a carry-on; if not, it must be checked. All NxStage machines must be checked. Pack pre-labeled Ziploc bags with everything needed for each treatment, plus extras like gloves, masks, syringes, tape, carabiners for hanging bags, a heating pad for warming PD solution, and duct tape. For international trips, consider renting equipment at your destination.
April 5th is National Phosphorus Awareness Day
National Phosphorus Awareness Day, held annually on April 5, is about helping you understand why managing your phosphorus levels is so important when you’re living with advanced chronic kidney disease. When your kidneys aren’t working well, phosphorus can quietly build up in your blood without symptoms, but this can raise your risk for serious problems like heart attack, stroke, or even death. About 80% of people on dialysis need phosphate-lowering medications in addition to following a low-phosphorus diet. Because a high phosphorus level is anything above 4.5 mg/dL, the American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) selected April 5 (4.5) as National Phosphorus Awareness Day to help highlight this important target. Learn more about the event and access educational resources on phosphorus and kidney disease at the AAKP, including a phosphorus pocket guide and recipes.Â
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