title: A one-year trial of in-center daily hemodialysis with an emphasis on quality of life.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Hemodialysis is associated with acute changes in several physiologic factors. Previous studies have suggested significant clinical and quality of life (QOL) benefits of daily hemodialysis (DHD) compared with 3 times weekly hemodialysis (CHD). We conducted a prospective trial to evaluate the effects of switching chronic hemodialysis patients to in-center DHD for a 12-month period.
  
  
  METHODS
  There were no exclusion criteria. Patients received hemodialysis 6 times per week. The study set a standardized weekly Kt/V (stdKt/V) goal of 3.0. A broad array of clinical parameters was determined. QOL was assessed with multiple instruments.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eleven subjects completed 12 months and 12 completed 6 months on DHD. Significant changes relative to baseline at 12 months of DHD included decreased BP and improvements in QOL parameters by multiple techniques. 100% of patients at 12 months wished to continue DHD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  DHD offers advantages over CHD with respect to improved QOL and BP control.
authors.affiliation: Nephrology/Internal Medicine, Hospital of St. Raphael, New Haven, CT, USA. reynoljt@comcast.net
authors.forename: Jeffrey T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Reynolds
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Homel
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cantey
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: Pamela
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Harding
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gotch
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wuerth
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Finkelstein
authors.forename: Nathan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Levin
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kliger
authors.forename: David B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Simon
authors.forename: Fredric O
authors.initials: FO
authors.lastname: Finkelstein
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D001794:Blood Pressure; D005260:Female; D006403:Hematologic Tests; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors