Perspectives on Quality of Life, Vascular Access, and Fluid Balance in Incremental Hemodialysis: A Narrative Review.

ABSTRACT: Hemodialysis is an intensive treatment with a substantial time burden for patients. Generally, a standard hemodialysis schedule consists of three treatments per week, each lasting 4 hours. However, it can be debated whether this schedule is appropriate for all patients. Incremental hemodialysis refers to a treatment approach where hemodialysis is initiated with a less intensive schedule ( i.e ., fewer sessions per week) and gradually increased as residual kidney function declines. The effects of incremental hemodialysis on key outcomes-health-related quality of life, vascular access-related complications, and fluid overload-were discussed in this review. Although incremental hemodialysis is hypothesized to improve health-related quality of life, most studies found no significant difference

SUBMITTER: Roos S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12935387 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature