Dialysis dose and risk factors for death among ESRD patients treated with twice-weekly hemodialysis: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS We aimed to define the dosing and risk factors for death in patients undergoing twice-weekly hemodialysis. METHODS A prospective multi-center cohort study was conducted with one-year observation. Patients treated with twice- or thrice-weekly hemodialysis were identified. Death and first admission were the outcomes. spKt/V was a factor of interest. RESULTS We enrolled 504 twice-weekly and 169 thrice-weekly hemodialysis patients. The mean weekly values of spKt/V in the two groups were 3.4 and 5.1. The one-year survival rate and times to hospitalization were similar in both groups. The hazard ratios for death in higher spKt/V quartile was not associated with lower mortality, p = 0.70. The four significant predictors for death were serum albumin, HR = 2.6, current smoking, HR = 19.3, age, HR = 1.1, and the Index of Coexistent Disease [ICED], HR = 1.9. CONCLUSION The effect of spKt/V on short-term mortality was not obvious in twice-weekly dialysis patients. Attention should be paid to patients who smoke, have hypoalbuminemia, are elderly, or have a high ICED.