Dialysis outcome quality initiative (DOQI) guideline for hemodialysis adequacy

The article about Dialysis Outcome Quality Initiative (DOQI), recently published by the National Kidney Foundation in The American Journal of Kidney Disease provides clear guidelines for adequacy of hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, vascular access and treatment of anemia in End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). If the dissemination of these guidelines actually increases Kt/V, an early improvement of the outcome of dialysis patients will be expected because there is a close correlation between dialysis dose and mortality. Mortality, unless high, is the main indicator of the efficacy of guidelines in ESRD. Other indicators are needed to assess the effects of the modification in clinical practice induced by DOQI at lower mortality, as in other western European countries. Quality of life adjusted for life expectancy defined Kt/V of 1.3 as the optimal cost-effective dialysis dose; large evidence is missing to support the use of higher doses or of high technology in hemodialysis treatment. Adequacy and uniformity of isolated hemodialysis procedures are accurately defined by DOQI. Quality assessment of integrated actions in overall commitment of ESRD patients (prevention and treatment of co-morbidity of uremia, renal transplantation programs, improvement of the communication with caregivers and family, enhanced fitness and ability to work) has still to be implemented with recommendations and indicators of the outcome. NKF-DOQI defined only dialysis adequacy; further work is necessary to assess the "optimal clinical practice" for ESRD patients.