Early referral to nephrological care improves long-term survival and hospitalization after dialysis initiation, independent of optimal dialysis start - a call for harmonization of reimbursement policies.

ABSTRACT: Early treatment of kidney disease can slow disease progression and reduce the increased risk of mortality associated with end-stage kidney disease. However, uncertainty exists whether early referral (ER) to nephrological care per se or an optimal dialysis start impacts patient outcome after dialysis initiation. We determined the effect of ER and suboptimal dialysis start on the 3-year mortality and hospitalizations after dialysis initiation. Between January 2015 and July 2018, 349 patients with ≥1 month of follow-up started dialysis at nine Romanian dialysis clinics. After excluding patients with COVID-19 during follow-up, 254 patients (97 ER and 157 late referral) were included in this retrospective study. The observational period was truncated at 3 years, death, or loss to follow-

SUBMITTER: Haarhaus M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10877651 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature