Obesity and survival on dialysis.

Several factors associated with greater cardiovascular mortality in the general population may show a paradoxical relationship in patients on dialysis therapy. This dialysis-risk paradox has been reported for high blood pressure, serum lipid levels, and body mass, but the finding is more consistent and persuasive for obesity. This article examines the literature on the association between body mass and dialysis survival and considers the possible mechanistic and clinical implications.