An analysis of body weight and hemodialysis adequacy based on the urea reduction ratio

ANNA J. 1999 Aug;26(4):391-400; discussion 401.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate inadequate hemodialysis risk in patients with body weights in the upper quartile of a sample distribution using the urea reduction ratio (URR). Using a case-control design and a simple random sample (n = 315) of hemodialysis (HD) patients, postdialysis weights were divided into quartiles based with a cut-off value at the upper quartile, which was equal to > 81 kilograms (kg). The dichotomous outcome, URR > 65% and URR < 65% constituted the classification for inadequate dialysis risk. The odds ratio (OR) was used to evaluate inadequate dialysis risk based on this outcome. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to adjust for confounding variables and validated for goodness of fit. Those in the > 81 kg group were given more dialysis session time in minutes and used higher efficiency dialyzers as indicated by the coefficient of ultrafiltration (KUf), yet were more likely to have URRs < 65% compared to other patients in the sample (p < 0.001). This finding persisted in the logistic regression model when simultaneously fitting both gender and dialysis session time. Patients weighing > 81 kg experienced an increased risk of inadequate dialysis when compared to all others (OR 4.02, 95% CI [confidence interval] 2.217-7.29). A postdialysis weight > 81 kg increased the risk of inadequate dialysis for patients in this sample. This effect was confounded by a dialysis time x weight interaction term. Also, women were found to have a lower inadequate dialysis risk compared to men after adjusting for weight classification. We, therefore, conclude that patients who weigh > 81 kg may experience inadequate dialysis despite longer, more efficient dialysis sessions. Longer dialysis sessions may benefit some patients, but the effect in larger patients may not be a uniform response.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Blood Urea Nitrogen*
  • Body Weight*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / metabolism*
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / therapy*
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Monitoring, Physiologic / methods
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Renal Dialysis / methods
  • Renal Dialysis / standards*
  • Risk Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Urea / metabolism*

Substances

  • Urea