title: Clinical and epidemiological profile of chronic hemodialysis patients in João Pessoa--PB.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chronic kidney disease (CKD), considered by some authors as an epidemic of this century, relates directly to chronic diseases such diabetes (DM) and high blood pressure (HBP) and increase the life expectancy of the population.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to delineate epidemiological profile of patients on hemodialysis (HD) in a Brazilian capital.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a cross-sectional study of a random sample of convenience, using a questionnaire in 245 patients between August 2011 and March 2012. All patients interviewed were in HD program in three Nephrology services at the Unified Health System (UHS) in João Pessoa.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the respondents, 61% were male, 66% were married and 44.5% were white. Approximately 50% were aged 40-59 years and 51% were living out of João Pessoa. The main etiologies were HBP (38%) and DM (13%). Main comorbidities were diabetic retinopathy (15.5%) and peripheral neuropathy (13.5%). Ninety-two percent reported an episode of hospitalization. Temporary vascular access was used in 100% of patients in first dialysis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results of this study indicate the importance of better monitoring of these pre-dialysis patients, which could reduce morbimortality.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal da Paraíba.
authors.forename: Homero Medeiros
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: de Oliveira
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal da Paraíba.
authors.forename: Francisco Felipe Claudino
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Formiga
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal da Paraíba.
authors.forename: Cristianne da Silva
authors.initials: Cda S
authors.lastname: Alexandre
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001938:Brazil; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D055815:Young Adult