Giving kidney patients overnight dialysis three times a week instead of the traditional four-hourly sessions can dramatically reduce their risk of death, according to Turkish researchers.
Ercan Ok, MD, of Ege University in Izmir, Turkey, led the year-long study of 224 dialysis patients. Patients either remained on the traditional dialysis regimem of thrice weekly four-hour sessions or were switched to thrice weekly, eight-hour long, overnight sessions.
Results showed that the hospitalization rate during the follow-up period was four times higher in those receiving traditional dialysis than in those receiving overnight dialysis. Furthermore, overnight dialysis was found to reduce the risk of mortality by 78%. It also markedly reduced the need for certain types of medication, including antihypertensive drugs and drugs used to reduce phosphate absorption. In addition, many patients receiving overnight dialysis were able to return to work, reporting improved job performance and cognitive functioning.
In a news release, Dr Ok said that his findings suggest that more frequent and/or longer dialysis regimens are a promising alternative to addressing the “unacceptably high” risk of death among dialysis patients.
News release: Overnight hemodialysis dramatically improves survival. The American Society of Nephrology. November 4th 2008.
