Results of chronic hemodialysis treatment in patients with diabetic nephropathy

In order to evaluate the differences in morbidity and mortality of diabetics on haemodialysis (HD), data on 12 patients with diabetic nephropathy and 14 non-diabetic patients have been analyzed retrospectively since 1982. The groups were matched for sex, age and duration of HD. We analyzed the differences in survival rate, the number of hospitalization days and the causes of death. Values of BUN, creatinine, calcium, phosphate, cholesterol and triglycerides, alkaline phosphatase, erythrocyte count and haemoglobin were compared throughout the dialysis period. No significant differences occurred between the two groups as regards blood chemistry values (except for creatinine) throughout the observation period. The number of hospitalization days per month of dialysis was significantly different: 1.8 days in diabetic versus 0.9 days in non-diabetic patients (p less than 0.005). This difference is due to a higher rate of vascular access complications and infections. The 3-year survival rate on HD was 73% in type I diabetics (controls 93%), while none of the type II diabetics survived for more than 24 months on HD. The most common causes of death in the diabetic patients were cardiovascular (44%) and septic (44%) complications, followed by cerebrovascular problems (12%). We conclude from our study that the reason for the poor prognosis of diabetic patients on HD is not lack of efficiency of the procedure, but progression of the multisystemic diabetic condition.