Risk factors in haemodialysis patients: evaluation of commonly measured variables on death rate

This study evaluates risk factors among commonly measured laboratory values and clinical findings in haemodialysis patients, followed by attempts to identify optimal treatment strategies. Average plasma concentrations of albumin, protein, CO2, urea and creatinine, and average values of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, together with information on gender, age and renal diagnosis, were related to survival rate in 210 sequences of haemodialysis treatment during a period of 94 months. The average treatment time was 12.6 months (range 1-94). The material was analysed with stepwise regression analysis using the Cox proportional hazard model (BMDP 2L), and actuarial life table analysis was performed to illustrate the magnitude of influence of the independent variables on patient survival (BMDP IL). Patient survival was negatively correlated with age and positively correlated with average plasma concentrations of albumin. Surprisingly, patient survival was negatively correlated with plasma CO2. Patient survival was significantly lower in diabetics.