Predictive value of the conditions for the optimal dialysis initiation (Meta-analysis of observational studies)

Abstract

BACKGROUND. The survival of dialysis patients remains unsatisfactory. A number of observational studies have shown that the conditions of initiation of dialysis can influence long-term outcomes, including mortality.THE AIM. To compare the mortality of patients under predefined conditions of optimal (planned) and suboptimal (unplanned) dialysis initiation.METHODS. Using the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases from inception to June 2020, we conducted a systematic search for studies that examined the overall mortality of patients who met or did not meet the predefined conditions for an “optimal” start of renal replacement therapy (RRT): planned vs. unplanned onset; initiation of substitution therapy on permanent access vs. temporary; with priorobservation of the nephrologist vs. without it. As a result of a systematic search, subsequent analysis and selection of publica tions, 8 studies were included in the meta-analysis (total number of incident patients was 22755; 13680 patients met the conditions of the optimal dialysis start).RESULTS. All-cause mortality among patients with the conditions of suboptimal dialysis start was higher than in those with the optimal start (34.4 % vs. 46.6 %, p<0,001) with the increase in the relative risk (RR) of fatal outcome by 35.1 % (95 % confidence interval (CI) 30.8 %-39.4 %, p<0.0001). Estimated number of patients needed to start dialysis in the optimal conditions to prevent 1 death was 8 (95 % CI 7-9).CONCLUSION. The meta-analysis demonstrated the relationship between the urgent initiation of RRT, the use of temporary access for dialysis, and the lack of timely prior follow-up by a nephrologist with an increase in mortality. Prevention of dialysis initiation in these suboptimal conditions in real-world clinical practice can be an effective tool for improving patient-centered outcomes.