Survival of hemodialysis patients at a university hospital

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality, especially in dialyses population. OBJECTIVE: To determine the overall survival rate; the epidemiological and clinical profiles; the comorbidities and the variables associated with survival of the patients undergoing hemodialysis. METHODS: This is a longitudinal and descriptive study with 162 patients undergoing hemodialysis, at the University Hospital. The categorical variables were described by frequency and percentage; numerical variables by mean and standard-deviation. The analysis by Cox Regression model was used to study the influence of several clinical and demographic variables in survival rates. Kaplan Meyer model was used to construct the survival curves of the significant variables. RESULTS: The mean age was 48.09 years, and the monthly family income and level of education were reduced in most of the patients studied. Hypertension was the main comorbidity associated with CKD in this population, followed by Diabetes Mellitus. The variables that negatively influenced the survival rates were advanced age at the beginning of therapy and low hemoglobin and albumin levels. The overall survival was 84.41% and 63.32% in one and five years, respectively. CONCLUSION: The rate of survival was considered low compared others studies and was decreasing over the years, not representing improvements despite technological advances in diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Advanced age, hypoalbuminemia and anemia are strong predictors of mortality.