Evaluation of objective and subjective indicators of death in a period of one year in a sample of prevalent patients under regular hemodialysis

BACKGROUND: To identify objective and subjective indicators of death in prevalent hemodialysis (HD) patients in a follow-up study of 12 months. METHODS: The study included end-stage renal disease patients undergoing HD and analyzed demographic and laboratory data from the dialysis unit's records. Baseline data concerning socioeconomic status, comorbidity, quality of life level, coping style and depression were also assessed. For variables that differed in the comparison between survivors and non-survivors, Cox proportional hazards for death were calculated. RESULTS: The mortality rate was 13.0%. Non-survivors differed in age, comorbidity, inclusion on the transplant waiting list and physical functioning score. The hazard ratios of death were 8.958 (2.843-28.223; p < 0.001) for comorbidity, 3.992 (1.462-10.902; p = 0.007) for not being on the transplant waiting list, 1.038 (1.012-1.066; p = 0.005) for age, and 0.980 (0.964-0.996; p = 0.014) for physical functioning. CONCLUSIONS: Comorbidity, not being on the transplant waiting list, age and physical functioning, which reflects physical status, must be seen as risk indicators of death among patients undergoing HD.