Long-Term In-Center Nocturnal Hemodialysis Improves Renal Anemia and Malnutrition and Life Quality of Older Patients with Chronic Renal Failure

BACKGROUND: Older patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) which currently is referred to as end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are associated with higher mortality. In-center nocturnal dialysis (INHD) is a new blood purification model, which is characterized by longer sessions and nighttime administration. However, no data for the efficacy of INHD in older patients with ESRD are available. This study is to analyze the effect of INHD in the treatment of older patients with ESRD. METHODS: A retrospective, observational study was conducted in a university teaching hospital. Seventy-two patients with ESRD receiving INHD were enrolled. They were divided into the older ESRD patients (age ≥60) group (n = 22) and the non-older ESRD patients (age <60) group (n = 50). The causes of older ESRD patients and non-older ESRD patients receiving INHD were analyzed. Differences of laboratory test indicators of older patients with ESRD before INHD and after INHD were compared. Quality of life for older ESRD patients receiving INHD was assessed by using the Kidney Disease Quality of Life-36 Instrument (KDQOL-36). RESULTS: Serum concentration of hemoglobin and serum concentration of albumin of older patients with ESRD increased significantly after INHD (p < 0.05). There were similar results in the non-older cohort (p ≤ 0.05). Scores of five KDQOL-36 subscales increased significantly after INHD (p ≤ 0.001) indicated that the quality of life for old patients with ESRD was significantly improved after INHD. CONCLUSION: INHD is an effective blood purification therapy that can improve the condition of renal anemia, and it may provide a potential positive impact in the malnutrition of older and non-older patients with ESRD. INHD can improve the quality of life of older patients with ESRD. The results will provide a basis for formulating new policies of blood purification therapy for older patients.