Table 1 Studies summarizing the outcomes of planned and unplanned dialysis.
Author, year | Country, Design, N, Follow-up | Terminology & Definition of Unplanned Dialysis | Proportion unplanned dialysis start (%) | Main Outcome Measure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Buck et al, 2007 | UK Retrospective N = 109 Follow-up: none - survey at dialysis start | Known acute - known to renal services for >4 months and used hemodialysis catheter or required emergency admission to start dialysis. | 45% | Albumin, hemoglobin, serum creatinine, urea and phosphate. |
Caskey, 2003 | 7 European countries, Prospective N = 196 Follow-up: 8 weeks | Unplanned HD or PD - referred to nephrologists at least 1 month and first dialysis not planned in advance (patients without a creatinine > 300 mmol/L upon referral were excluded) | 36% | QOL measured by Visual analogue scale and SF-36 |
Castellano, 2006 | Spain Retrospective N = 117 Follow-up: 6 months | Non-programmed - started for an emergency condition or not appropriate to delay for more than 24 hours | 44% | Hospital admission. Death. |
Couchoud, 2007 | France Retrospective N = 2816 Follow-up: 2 years | Unplanned hemodialysis - begun in an emergency basis (life threatening requiring dialysis within 24 hours) in patients over 75 years | 39% | Death. |
Gorriz, 2002 | Spain Retrospective N = 362 Follow-up: 3 years | Unplanned dialysis - any dialysis start without a vascular or peritoneal access ready to use | 49% | Hospitalization Death Direct medical cost (dialysis, hospitalization, physician) during first 6 months. |
Loos, 2003 | France Cross-sectional observational N = 169 Follow-up: none, survey at baseline. | Unplanned dialysis in patients over 70 years - not clearly defined | 46% | QOL SF-36 |
Marron, 2005 | Spain Retrospective N = 1504 Follow-up: none, survey at dialysis start | Non-planned - not scheduled, even if a permanent dialysis access in place. | 46% | Age, pre-dialysis follow-up time, rate of PD, rate of permanent access, renal function, biochemical status. |
Metcalfe, 2000 | Scotland Prospective N = 532 Follow-up: 90 days | Unplanned - follow up by nephrologists for 1 month, steady progression to end stage, no permanent access | 24% | Mortality during first 90 days. |