The Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS) has a long history of successful collaborations with investigators outside of Arbor Research Collaborative for Health. We are committed to collaboration with external investigators to maximize the scientific value of the wealth of data made possible by all the participating facilities and patients.

Arbor Research Collaborative for Health and the European Renal Association-European Dialysis and Transplant Association (ERA-EDTA) have partnered to create EURODOPPS. The new EURODOPPS partnership brings together the strengths of two initiatives – the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS) and the ERA-EDTA Registry – in collecting and analyzing epidemiological data on patients on dialysis in Europe. The partnership establishes the EURODOPPS initiative for study support in Germany, Italy, France, United Kingdom, Belgium, Spain, and Sweden.

The partnership also facilitates research conducted by European investigators using EURODOPPS data to address scientific and policy questions that are of interest to the European nephrology community and health care authorities.

The ERA-EDTA Registry collects epidemiologic data from national and regional renal registries in Europe performing scientific research and reporting statistics on dialysis and kidney transplant patients in Europe. More information instead about the ERA-EDTA and all its activities can be found at www.era-edta.org.

The United Kingdom (UK) PD Catheter study is nested within PDOPPS as an ancillary study and has received funding from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). This study is designed to reveal best practices for peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter insertion, and how services are organized to support them.

Researchers involved in the catheter study examine the clinical pathways associated with successful catheter placement and best outcomes. By understanding these, the study can recommend and audit optimal practices to improve outcomes. Patient benefits of this research will include more consistent and effective placement of PD catheters and a reduction in the occurrence of complications.