Role of dialysis dose on morbidity and mortality in maintenance hemodialysis patients.

The United States dialysis population has an excessive mortality rate that cannot be fully explained by comorbid conditions or demographic factors. The quantity of dialysis has been suggested to be insufficient. This report reviews the several dialysis-related factors that impact on mortality. Since the National Cooperative Dialysis Study in 1983, there have been no controlled trials. However, numerous retrospective and two recent larger prospective studies indicate that increasing the quantity of dialysis by 40% to 50% of that traditionally provided in the United States will significantly improve survival. This is equivalent to a Kt/V of less than 1.2 and possibly less than 1.4 using single pool urea kinetics. It is estimated that this would save an additional 8,000 to 16,000 lives per year.