[ evaluation of dialysis adequacy by KTN in hemodialysis patients]

Patients with ESRD need adequate dialysis. According to DOQI guidelines, minimum dialysis dose by KT/V in patients under hemodialysis [HD] is 1.2 or greater. In a cross- sectional study, we evaluated the value of KT/V among HD patients in shahid Beheshti Hospital of Abadan, Iran. HD was performed for 3 to 4 hours, using synthetic dialyzer and the bicarbonate- based dialysate. Blood flow rate, dialysate flow rate and ultrafiltration rate were 250 to 300 cc /min, 500cc/min and zero or 1 to 3 liters, respectively. Blood sampling for BUN was done immediately before and after the dialysis session. We used the following equation to estimate the KT/V from the percent reduction in urea [PRU]. KT/V = [0.026 xPRU] - 0.460 54 HD patients [28 females and 26 males] with the mean age of 39 +/- 14.2 years were enrolled in the study. The most common cause of ESRD was hypertension [24.07%] followed by, unknown [22.22%], DM [18.51%], Chronic Glomerulonephritis [14.81%], urinary tract abstraction [12.96%] and poly cystic kidney disease [7.40%]. KT/V was less than 1.2 in 87.03 patients [n=47]. There was no significant difference in the valve of KT/V in men and women [P= 0.54] and in different hemoglobin concentration [p=0.58]. The results of the study show that the most of our HD patients have not received minimum dialysis dose and we should evaluate and correct its causes

[Comparison of temporary dialysis catheter and A-V fistula use at the time of starting chronic hemodialysis among end-stage renal diseases patients]

The preferred type of access for chronic hemodialysis [HD] is an Arterio-Venous [A-V] Fistula. However most of the ESRD patients does not have a mature fistula at the time of starting HD due to late referral to the nephrologists so the managing physicians have to use temporary catheters with high rate of complications. In a retrospective study we determined and compared the prevalence of temporary catheters or A-VFistula use at the time of starting chronic HD from November 1995 to June 2009. We have divided our patients in three different groups. Group A: HD patients between 1995-2005, Group B: HD patients between 2006-2007, and Group C: HD patients after 2007. A total of 473 ESRD patients [288 male, 185 female; mean age, 55.8 +/- 16.4 years] were included in the study. Causes of ESRD were HTN 34.1%, DM 20. 08%, glomeronephritis 9.72%, obstructive uropathy 8.46%, ADPKD 5.92%, and unknown 21.77%. Overall the prevalence of temporary catheters and A-V Fistula use were 86.5 and 13.5 percent. But the prevalence was different in the studied groups: group A [93.6% and 6.4%], in group B [85.0% and 15.0%] and in group C [67.5% and 29. 5%] respectively. There was a significant increase in A-V Fistula use after 2005 [p=0.00] and especially after 2007 [p=0.000]. Although there was a significant increment in the A-V Fistula use, it is not still enough and general physicians, nurses and chronic kidney disease patients have to be educated about the benefits of early A-V Fistula creation

Survival at 1, 3, and 5 years in diabetic and nondiabetic patients on hemodialysis

We analyzed survival of 185 adult patients on maintenance hemodialysis [9 h/wk to 12 h/wk] at Emam Khomini Hospital in Ahvaz, Iran. Patient survival at 1, 3, and 5 years was 89.2%, 69.2%, and 46.8%, respectively. There was no significant difference between diabetic and nondiabetic patients in 1-year survival [87.1% versus 89.7%, P = .66]. But, 3- and 5-year survival rates of diabetic patients were significantly lower than those of nondiabetic patients [52.2% versus 73.8%, P = .04; zero versus 56.9%, P < .001; respectively]. Based on our findings, the survival of diabetic patients undergoing hemodialysis was much worse than survival of nondiabetic patients. Thus, prevention of diabetic nephropathy should be more emphasized; and if end-stage renal disease is present, other renal replacement therapies such as kidney transplantation must be considered as soon as possible