In-center nocturnal hemodialysis: another option in the management of chronic kidney disease.
OBJECTIVE
Some patients are not optimally treated by conventional in-center hemodialysis (HD) and are unable to perform home HD. We examined the effect of in-center thrice-weekly nocturnal HD (INHD) on patient outcomes.


METHODS
Patients who were not optimally treated on conventional HD were offered INHD. Thirty-nine patients' laboratory data and medication use were analyzed for the 12 mo before and after conversion to INHD until September 1, 2007. Quality of life on conventional HD and INHD was compared.


RESULTS
After conversion to INHD, median values for phosphorus decreased from 5.9 to 3.7 mg/dl (P < 0.01), alkaline phosphatase level increased from 84 to 161 U/L (P < 0.01), and percentage reduction in urea increased from 74 to 89% (P < 0.01). The mean number of antihypertensive drugs prescribed declined from 2.0 to 1.5 (P < 0.05) during the course of INHD, and the mean daily dosage of phosphate binders declined from 6.2 to 4.9 at study end (P < 0.05). There was a significant reduction in erythropoietin-stimulating agent use of 1992 U/wk (P < 0.01). There was no significant change in median hemoglobin, iron saturation, corrected calcium, or parathyroid hormone levels. Overall, quality of life, sleep, intradialytic cramps, appetite, and energy level all improved significantly on INHD.


CONCLUSIONS
INHD offers an effective form of HD for long-term dialysis patients who are unable to perform home HD.
Bugeja
Ann
A
Department of Medicine, Ottawa Hospital, Division of Nephrology, Kidney Research Centre, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada. marc.goldstein@utoronto.ca
Dacouris
Niki
N
Thomas
Alison
A
Marticorena
Rosa
R
McFarlane
Philip
P
Donnelly
Sandra
S
Goldstein
Marc
M