Justificativa: Doses inadequadas de diálise estão associadas a maior morbidade e mortalidade em pacientes com uremia terminal em tratamento hemodialítico. Atualmente os métodos mais utilizados para medir a adequação da hemodiálise baseiam-se no cálculo da depuração fracional de uréia (Kt/V) e da taxa de redução da uréia (URR). Nesse estudo avaliou-se a reprodutibilidade do Kt/V e da URR e analisou-se o número aceitável de medidas mensais destes parâmetros para determinar de forma fidedigna a adequação da hemodiálise. Métodos: Avaliamos 43 pacientes clinicamente estáveis, em cinco sessões de hemodiálise (sessões 1 a 5), durante três semanas. Três diálises consecutivas na primeira semana (sessões 1, 2, 3) e duas sessões de meio de semana, nas duas semanas subseqüentes (sessões 4 e 5). Resultados: Não houve diferença entre a média dos Kt/Vs obtidos em diálises seqüenciais (1, 2 e 3) comparada a média dos Kt/Vs obtidos em diálises no meio da semana (2, 4 e 5). O mesmo aconteceu com a URR e com os coeficientes de variação do Kt/V e da URR. Também não encontramos diferença entre uma medida mensal (Kt/V 2) e três medidas mensais (média dos Kt/Vs 2, 4 e 5). O mesmo ocorreu com a URR. A diferença entre o Kt/V 2 e a média dos Kt/Vs 2, 4 e 5 foi de – 0,02 unidades e entre a URR 2 em relação a média das URRs 2, 4 e 5 foi de – 0,5%. Além disso, se fizermos apenas uma medida mensal (Kt/V 2) 80% dos pacientes estarão a uma distância de no máximo 0,16 unidades abaixo da média dos Kt/Vs 2, 4 e 5 e no máximo 0,12 unidades acima. Em relação a URR 80% dos pacientes estarão a uma distância de no máximo 4,37% abaixo da média das URRs 2, 4 e 5 e no máximo 3,37% acima. O grau de concordância entre o Kt/V 2 e a média dos Kt/Vs 2, 4 e 5 é bom para pontos de corte do Kt/V igual ou superior a 1,3. No caso da URR a concordância é boa para pontos de corte acima de 65%. Conclusão: Concluímos que nesta população de pacientes clinicamente estáveis os parâmetros de adequação da hemodiálise mostraram-se reprodutíveis não havendo necessidade de aumentar o número de medidas mensais da quantidade de diálise ofertada. / Background: Inadequate doses of dialysis are associated with higher morbidity and mortality rates for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients undergoing hemodialysis treatment. Most methods aimed at measuring dialysis adequacy use the calculation of fractional clearance of urea (Kt/V) and urea reduction ratio (URR). This study evaluates the reproducibility of Kt/V and URR and analyzes the acceptable number of monthly measurements of these parameters to determine hemodialysis adequacy. Methods: We evaluated 43 clinically stable patients in five hemodialysis sessions (1 to 5) along three weeks. Three consecutive sessions were carried out in the first week (1, 2, 3), while the two other studied sessions were carried out in the middle of the week at weekly intervals (4, 5). Results: There was no difference between mean Kt/V in sessions 1, 2, and 3 and in sessions 2, 4, and 5. The same was observed for URR and the coefficients of variation for Kt/V and URR. Either differences were found between one monthly measurement (2) or three monthly measurements (mean of 2, 4, and 5) for Kt/V and URR. The difference between Kt/V 2 and the arithmetic mean of Kt/Vs 2, 4, and 5 was – 0.02 units, and between URR 2 and the mean of URRs 2, 4, and 5 was – 0.5%. When only one monthly measurement (Kt/V 2) was considered, 80% of the patients presented ≤0.16 unit below or ≤0.12 above the mean of Kt/Vs 2, 4, and 5. For URR, 80% of patients presented ≤4.73% below or ≤3.37% above the arithmetic mean of URRs 2, 4, and 5. The degree of agreement between Kt/V 2 and the mean of Kt/Vs 2, 4 and 5 is good for Kt/Vs of 1.3 or higher. URR agreements are good for URR of 65% or higher. Conclusion: In this population, hemodialysis adequacy parameters were reproducible, and an increase in the number of monthly measurements seems not to be necessary.

Justificativa: Doses inadequadas de diálise estão associadas a maior morbidade e mortalidade em pacientes com uremia terminal em tratamento hemodialítico. Atualmente os métodos mais utilizados para medir a adequação da hemodiálise baseiam-se no cálculo da depuração fracional de uréia (Kt/V) e da taxa de redução da uréia (URR). Nesse estudo avaliou-se a reprodutibilidade do Kt/V e da URR e analisou-se o número aceitável de medidas mensais destes parâmetros para determinar de forma fidedigna a adequação da hemodiálise. Métodos: Avaliamos 43 pacientes clinicamente estáveis, em cinco sessões de hemodiálise (sessões 1 a 5), durante três semanas. Três diálises consecutivas na primeira semana (sessões 1, 2, 3) e duas sessões de meio de semana, nas duas semanas subseqüentes (sessões 4 e 5). Resultados: Não houve diferença entre a média dos Kt/Vs obtidos em diálises seqüenciais (1, 2 e 3) comparada a média dos Kt/Vs obtidos em diálises no meio da semana (2, 4 e 5). O mesmo aconteceu com a URR e com os coeficientes de variação do Kt/V e da URR. Também não encontramos diferença entre uma medida mensal (Kt/V 2) e três medidas mensais (média dos Kt/Vs 2, 4 e 5). O mesmo ocorreu com a URR. A diferença entre o Kt/V 2 e a média dos Kt/Vs 2, 4 e 5 foi de – 0,02 unidades e entre a URR 2 em relação a média das URRs 2, 4 e 5 foi de – 0,5%. Além disso, se fizermos apenas uma medida mensal (Kt/V 2) 80% dos pacientes estarão a uma distância de no máximo 0,16 unidades abaixo da média dos Kt/Vs 2, 4 e 5 e no máximo 0,12 unidades acima. Em relação a URR 80% dos pacientes estarão a uma distância de no máximo 4,37% abaixo da média das URRs 2, 4 e 5 e no máximo 3,37% acima. O grau de concordância entre o Kt/V 2 e a média dos Kt/Vs 2, 4 e 5 é bom para pontos de corte do Kt/V igual ou superior a 1,3. No caso da URR a concordância é boa para pontos de corte acima de 65%. Conclusão: Concluímos que nesta população de pacientes clinicamente estáveis os parâmetros de adequação da hemodiálise mostraram-se reprodutíveis não havendo necessidade de aumentar o número de medidas mensais da quantidade de diálise ofertada. / Background: Inadequate doses of dialysis are associated with higher morbidity and mortality rates for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients undergoing hemodialysis treatment. Most methods aimed at measuring dialysis adequacy use the calculation of fractional clearance of urea (Kt/V) and urea reduction ratio (URR). This study evaluates the reproducibility of Kt/V and URR and analyzes the acceptable number of monthly measurements of these parameters to determine hemodialysis adequacy. Methods: We evaluated 43 clinically stable patients in five hemodialysis sessions (1 to 5) along three weeks. Three consecutive sessions were carried out in the first week (1, 2, 3), while the two other studied sessions were carried out in the middle of the week at weekly intervals (4, 5). Results: There was no difference between mean Kt/V in sessions 1, 2, and 3 and in sessions 2, 4, and 5. The same was observed for URR and the coefficients of variation for Kt/V and URR. Either differences were found between one monthly measurement (2) or three monthly measurements (mean of 2, 4, and 5) for Kt/V and URR. The difference between Kt/V 2 and the arithmetic mean of Kt/Vs 2, 4, and 5 was – 0.02 units, and between URR 2 and the mean of URRs 2, 4, and 5 was – 0.5%. When only one monthly measurement (Kt/V 2) was considered, 80% of the patients presented ≤0.16 unit below or ≤0.12 above the mean of Kt/Vs 2, 4, and 5. For URR, 80% of patients presented ≤4.73% below or ≤3.37% above the arithmetic mean of URRs 2, 4, and 5. The degree of agreement between Kt/V 2 and the mean of Kt/Vs 2, 4 and 5 is good for Kt/Vs of 1.3 or higher. URR agreements are good for URR of 65% or higher. Conclusion: In this population, hemodialysis adequacy parameters were reproducible, and an increase in the number of monthly measurements seems not to be necessary.

Justificativa: Doses inadequadas de diálise estão associadas a maior morbidade e mortalidade em pacientes com uremia terminal em tratamento hemodialítico. Atualmente os métodos mais utilizados para medir a adequação da hemodiálise baseiam-se no cálculo da depuração fracional de uréia (Kt/V) e da taxa de redução da uréia (URR). Nesse estudo avaliou-se a reprodutibilidade do Kt/V e da URR e analisou-se o número aceitável de medidas mensais destes parâmetros para determinar de forma fidedigna a adequação da hemodiálise. Métodos: Avaliamos 43 pacientes clinicamente estáveis, em cinco sessões de hemodiálise (sessões 1 a 5), durante três semanas. Três diálises consecutivas na primeira semana (sessões 1, 2, 3) e duas sessões de meio de semana, nas duas semanas subseqüentes (sessões 4 e 5). Resultados: Não houve diferença entre a média dos Kt/Vs obtidos em diálises seqüenciais (1, 2 e 3) comparada a média dos Kt/Vs obtidos em diálises no meio da semana (2, 4 e 5). O mesmo aconteceu com a URR e com os coeficientes de variação do Kt/V e da URR. Também não encontramos diferença entre uma medida mensal (Kt/V 2) e três medidas mensais (média dos Kt/Vs 2, 4 e 5). O mesmo ocorreu com a URR. A diferença entre o Kt/V 2 e a média dos Kt/Vs 2, 4 e 5 foi de – 0,02 unidades e entre a URR 2 em relação a média das URRs 2, 4 e 5 foi de – 0,5%. Além disso, se fizermos apenas uma medida mensal (Kt/V 2) 80% dos pacientes estarão a uma distância de no máximo 0,16 unidades abaixo da média dos Kt/Vs 2, 4 e 5 e no máximo 0,12 unidades acima. Em relação a URR 80% dos pacientes estarão a uma distância de no máximo 4,37% abaixo da média das URRs 2, 4 e 5 e no máximo 3,37% acima. O grau de concordância entre o Kt/V 2 e a média dos Kt/Vs 2, 4 e 5 é bom para pontos de corte do Kt/V igual ou superior a 1,3. No caso da URR a concordância é boa para pontos de corte acima de 65%. Conclusão: Concluímos que nesta população de pacientes clinicamente estáveis os parâmetros de adequação da hemodiálise mostraram-se reprodutíveis não havendo necessidade de aumentar o número de medidas mensais da quantidade de diálise ofertada. / Background: Inadequate doses of dialysis are associated with higher morbidity and mortality rates for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients undergoing hemodialysis treatment. Most methods aimed at measuring dialysis adequacy use the calculation of fractional clearance of urea (Kt/V) and urea reduction ratio (URR). This study evaluates the reproducibility of Kt/V and URR and analyzes the acceptable number of monthly measurements of these parameters to determine hemodialysis adequacy. Methods: We evaluated 43 clinically stable patients in five hemodialysis sessions (1 to 5) along three weeks. Three consecutive sessions were carried out in the first week (1, 2, 3), while the two other studied sessions were carried out in the middle of the week at weekly intervals (4, 5). Results: There was no difference between mean Kt/V in sessions 1, 2, and 3 and in sessions 2, 4, and 5. The same was observed for URR and the coefficients of variation for Kt/V and URR. Either differences were found between one monthly measurement (2) or three monthly measurements (mean of 2, 4, and 5) for Kt/V and URR. The difference between Kt/V 2 and the arithmetic mean of Kt/Vs 2, 4, and 5 was – 0.02 units, and between URR 2 and the mean of URRs 2, 4, and 5 was – 0.5%. When only one monthly measurement (Kt/V 2) was considered, 80% of the patients presented ≤0.16 unit below or ≤0.12 above the mean of Kt/Vs 2, 4, and 5. For URR, 80% of patients presented ≤4.73% below or ≤3.37% above the arithmetic mean of URRs 2, 4, and 5. The degree of agreement between Kt/V 2 and the mean of Kt/Vs 2, 4 and 5 is good for Kt/Vs of 1.3 or higher. URR agreements are good for URR of 65% or higher. Conclusion: In this population, hemodialysis adequacy parameters were reproducible, and an increase in the number of monthly measurements seems not to be necessary.

<p>Anemia is common in patients with chronic kidney disease (CDK), contributes to reduced Quality of Life (QoL) and is associated with cardiovascular disease, morbidity and mortality. Epoetin raises hemoglobin (Hb) and increases QoL and physical exercise capacity. Because of concerns about safety and economics, current anemia treatment with epoetin aims to achieve subnormal Hb (110-120 g/l). Normalization of Hb may be of additional benefit regarding QoL and cardiovascular effects. The present study examines the effects of Hb normalization with epoetin on safety variables, QoL, graft function after kidney transplantation, dialysis adequacy, hemorheology, hemodynamics and cardiac autonomic function in CKD patients. </p><p>In a randomized, multicenter study comprising 416 pre-dialysis and dialysis patients no difference was observed between patients treated to a normal or a subnormal Hb level on mortality, thrombovascular events, serious adverse events, vascular access thrombosis and residual renal function. QoL was enhanced in a subgroup of hemodialysis patients. Pretransplant epoetin treatment directed toward normal Hb levels did not result in worse graft function during 6 postoperative months. Dialysis adequacy was reduced in a subgroup of hemodialysis patients after normalization of Hb. The blood flow properties of pre-dialysis patients were altered. The hemorheological investigation demonstrated that Hb normalization caused a parallel increase in hematocrit and blood viscosity without other hemorheological changes. While the total peripheral resistance index increased, the cardiac index (CI) decreased. In a separate study cardiac autonomic function, measured by heart rate variability, was decreased in pre-dialysis patients. It was improved, but not fully normalized, by Hb normalization. </p><p>On the basis of this study, Hb normalization with epoetin appears to be safe and increases QoL in hemodialysis patients though may result in lower dialysis adequacy and increased blood pressure. A reduction in CI and improved cardiac autonomic function indicate a positive effect on cardiovascular function.</p>

Anemia is common in patients with chronic kidney disease (CDK), contributes to reduced Quality of Life (QoL) and is associated with cardiovascular disease, morbidity and mortality. Epoetin raises hemoglobin (Hb) and increases QoL and physical exercise capacity. Because of concerns about safety and economics, current anemia treatment with epoetin aims to achieve subnormal Hb (110-120 g/l). Normalization of Hb may be of additional benefit regarding QoL and cardiovascular effects. The present study examines the effects of Hb normalization with epoetin on safety variables, QoL, graft function after kidney transplantation, dialysis adequacy, hemorheology, hemodynamics and cardiac autonomic function in CKD patients. In a randomized, multicenter study comprising 416 pre-dialysis and dialysis patients no difference was observed between patients treated to a normal or a subnormal Hb level on mortality, thrombovascular events, serious adverse events, vascular access thrombosis and residual renal function. QoL was enhanced in a subgroup of hemodialysis patients. Pretransplant epoetin treatment directed toward normal Hb levels did not result in worse graft function during 6 postoperative months. Dialysis adequacy was reduced in a subgroup of hemodialysis patients after normalization of Hb. The blood flow properties of pre-dialysis patients were altered. The hemorheological investigation demonstrated that Hb normalization caused a parallel increase in hematocrit and blood viscosity without other hemorheological changes. While the total peripheral resistance index increased, the cardiac index (CI) decreased. In a separate study cardiac autonomic function, measured by heart rate variability, was decreased in pre-dialysis patients. It was improved, but not fully normalized, by Hb normalization. On the basis of this study, Hb normalization with epoetin appears to be safe and increases QoL in hemodialysis patients though may result in lower dialysis adequacy and increased blood pressure. A reduction in CI and improved cardiac autonomic function indicate a positive effect on cardiovascular function.