Daily home haemodialysis in the Netherlands; effects on metabolic control, heamodynamics, and quality of life

BACKGROUND: More frequent dialysis has been claimed to improve clinical outcome and quality of life. METHODS: Clinical status was optimized in 13 haemodialysis patients during a run-in period of 2 months with three dialysis sessions a week. Thereafter, daily home haemodialysis (DHHD, 6 sessions per week) was initiated. The total weekly dialysis dose (Kt/V) was kept constant. RESULTS: Weekly Kt/V was 3.2+/-0.13 (M+/-SEM) before, and 3.2+/-0.15 after 6 months of DHHD (NS), time-averaged concentration of urea (TACu) was 21.2+/-1.6 mmol/l and 20.1+/-0.9 mmol/l (NS). Urea reduction was 0.56+/-0.05... Mehr ...