| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2020 | Volume
: 61
| Issue : 6 | Page : 307-311 |
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Demographics, cost, and sustainability of haemodialysis among end-stage kidney disease patients in Southern Nigeria: A single-center study
Effiong E Akpan1, Udeme E Ekrikpo1, Emmanuel Edet Effa2, Aniema I. A. Udo1, Victor A Umoh1
1 Department of Internal Medicine, Renal Unit, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, Nigeria
2 Department of Internal Medicine, Renal Unit, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria
Correspondence Address:
Dr. Emmanuel Edet Effa
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, P.M.B 1278, 540001
Nigeria
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/nmj.NMJ_106_20
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Context: Access to chronic hemodialysis for patients with end-stage kidney disease has improved over the years. However, it is unclear if this has resulted in lower cost and improved dialysis vintage. Aim: We aimed to assess the demographics, cost implication, and sustainability of maintenance hemodialysis in our cohort of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients. Methods: Retrospective descriptive study of ESKD patients on maintenance HD from 2014 to 2018 using hemodialysis records. Time-to-HD discontinuation and reasons for discontinuation were recorded. Using Kaplan–Meier graphs, the time-to-dialysis discontinuation experience of the cohort was shown. Log-rank test was used to compare the experience between both genders. Univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were built to identify independent associations with time-to-dialysis discontinuation. Results: Over the 5-year period, 702 individuals initiated HD, males were older than females, the complete cohort contributed 65,714 person-days to the study and the median time-to-HD discontinuation was 10 days (interquartile range, 2–42). Females had a shorter time to HD discontinuation (8 days [1–32 days]) compared to males (11 days [2–48 days]). Only 28.5%, 15.3% and 8.3% of the patients had HD beyond 30, 90, and 180 days, respectively. About 128 (18.2%) had thrice-weekly HD. Most sustained the treatment for the 1st week. Majority (98.4%) of the patients were presumed dead, while 4 (0.65%) were still alive and 6 (0.98%) had renal transplantation. All patients who discontinued dialysis did so for financial reasons. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards model showed that individuals who could afford dialysis more than once a week had reduced hazard of dialysis discontinuation. Conclusion: Most patients cannot sustain HD beyond a few weeks for financial reasons. Several cost containment strategies need to be deployed to bring down the cost of care. |
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