Toggle Main Menu Toggle Search

Open Access padlockePrints

Hospitalization and Mortality in Hemodialysis Patients: Association with Hemoglobin Variability

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Nicholas Hoenich

Downloads

Full text for this publication is not currently held within this repository. Alternative links are provided below where available.


Abstract

Background/Aims: Hemodialysis patients show complications associated with low or high hemoglobin (Hb), which occur frequently in clinical practice. We sought to determine the clinical importance of these changes in Hb levels. Methods: From our clinic cohorts, we identified 1,634 who met inclusion criteria for analysis of hospitalization frequency and 1,953 analysis of mortality; many patients were in both groups. Hb excursions outside the target range (11-12.5 g/dl) were studied in relation to patient outcomes. Results: Hb measures below range were associated with more frequent hospitalization (p < 0.001), increased length of stay (p < 0.001), and increased mortality (p < 0.01), whereas Hb above range was associated with a reduced frequency of hospitalization (p < 0.01) and shorter length of stay (p < 0.01), and tended to be associated with reduced mortality. Conclusions: Excursions below range were associated with negative outcomes, but excursions above range were either beneficial or neutral. Our findings indicate that clinicians should focus on low Hb as a negative indicator of patient status, whereas transient Hb above range is a marker for patient health and well-being. Copyright (C) 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel


Publication metadata

Author(s): Handelman GJ, Kotanko P, Cisternas MG, Hoenich N, Usvyat L, Kuhlmann M, Levin NW

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Blood Purification

Year: 2013

Volume: 35

Issue: 4

Pages: 247-257

Print publication date: 01/08/2013

ISSN (print): 0253-5068

ISSN (electronic): 1421-9735

Publisher: S. Karger AG

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000345338

DOI: 10.1159/000345338


Altmetrics

Altmetrics provided by Altmetric


Share