Questions concerning stump, phantom and other pain problems as well as demographic data were mailed to 5000 Americans whose amputations were connected with military service. Fifty-five percent responded and of these, 78% reported phantom pain. No predisposing factors, other than presence of stump pain, correlated with the presence or severity of phantom pain. Of those receiving treatment, only 1% reported lasting benefits from any of a multitude of treatments attempted.

Mortality is highest in the first months of maintenance hemodialysis (HD). In many Western countries, patients who transition to kidney replacement therapy usually begin thrice-weekly HD regardless of their level of residual kidney function (RKF). RKF is a major predictor of survival. RKF may decline more rapidly with more thrice-weekly HD treatments, is associated with a reduced need for dialytic solute clearance, and is an important factor in the prescription of peritoneal dialysis. In this paper we review the concept of incremental HD, in which weekly dialysis dose, in particular HD treatment frequency, is based on a variety of clinical factors such as RKF (including urine output >0.5 L/day), volume status, cardiovascular symptoms, body size, potassium and phosphorus levels, nutritional status, hemoglobin, comorbid conditions, hospitalizations, and health related quality of life. These ten clinical criteria may identify which patients might benefit from beginning maintenance HD twice-weekly. Periodic monitoring of these criteria will determine the timing for increasing dialysis dose and frequency. We recognize that twice-weekly HD represents a major paradigm shift for many clinicians and jurisdictions. Therefore, we propose conducting randomized controlled trials of twice-weekly vs. thrice-weekly HD to assess the potential of twice-weekly HD to improve survival and health related quality of life while simultaneously reducing costs, protecting fragile vascular accesses, and optimizing resource use. Such incremental and individualized HD therapy may prove to be the most appropriate approach for transitioning to dialytic therapy.

Background and objectives: Uncooked meat and poultry products are commonly enhanced by food processors using phosphate salts. The addition of potassium and phosphorus to these foods has been recognized but not quantified.Design, setting, participants, & measurements: We measured the phosphorus, potassium, and protein content of 36 uncooked meat and poultry products: Phosphorus using the Association of Analytical Communities (AOAC) official method 984.27, potassium using AOAC official method 985.01, and protein using AOAC official method 990.03.Results: Products that reported the use of additives had an average phosphate-protein ratio 28% higher than additive free products; the content ranged up to almost 100% higher. Potassium content in foods with additives varied widely; additive free products all contained <387 mg/100 g, whereas five of the 25 products with additives contained at least 692 mg/100 g (maximum 930 mg/100 g). Most but not all foods with phosphate and potassium additives reported the additives (unquantified) on the labeling; eight of 25 enhanced products did not list the additives. The results cannot be applied to other products. The composition of the food additives used by food processors may change over time.Conclusions: Uncooked meat and poultry products that are enhanced may contain additives that increase phosphorus and potassium content by as much as almost two-and three-fold, respectively; this modification may not be discernible from inspection of the food label.