Clinical and epidemiological profile of chronic hemodialysis patients in João Pessoa--PB

Chronic kidney disease (CKD), considered by some authors as an epidemic of this century, relates directly to chronic diseases such diabetes (DM) and high blood pressure (HBP) and increase the life expectancy of the population.

The aim of this study was to delineate epidemiological profile of patients on hemodialysis (HD) in a Brazilian capital.

We conducted a cross-sectional study of a random sample of convenience, using a questionnaire in 245 patients between August 2011 and March 2012. All patients interviewed were in HD program in three Nephrology services at the Unified Health System (UHS) in João Pessoa.

Of the respondents, 61% were male, 66% were married and 44.5% were white. Approximately 50% were aged 40-59 years and 51% were living out of João Pessoa. The main etiologies were HBP (38%) and DM (13%). Main comorbidities were diabetic retinopathy (15.5%) and peripheral neuropathy (13.5%). Ninety-two percent reported an episode of hospitalization. Temporary vascular access was used in 100% of patients in first dialysis.

Results of this study indicate the importance of better monitoring of these pre-dialysis patients, which could reduce morbimortality.