Results of treatment in patients with end-stage renal disease: a multivariate analysis of risk factors and survival in 341 successive patients

Factors that affect survival in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are still only partially understood. We report an analysis on a cohort of 341 successive patients who started ESRD treatment in one institution. Survival was calculated from the start of ESRD treatment, whether initial treatment was by dialysis (335 patients) or transplantation (6 patients). Analysis of factors affecting survival was done using the Cox multivariate hazard analysis. Relative risks were calculated for several demographic factors, the primary renal disease, the presence or absence of various high-risk co-morbid factors, and for a first transplant from a living-related or cadaver donor. Older patients, patients with no prior health insurance, those with diabetic nephropathy, and those with small kidneys of unknown cause had statistically significantly higher risks of dying. The risk of dying decreased by year of start of ESRD treatment. Living related donor transplantation was associated with a decreased hazard to age 45 years and older; whereas cadaver donor transplantation was associated with a hazard that increased with age and was significantly increased by age 45.