Dialysis Adequacy and Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative Goals Achievement in an Iranian Hemodialysis Population

Introduction. We conducted this study to measure hemodialysisadequacy and determine to what extent some Kidney DiseaseOutcomes Quality Initiative (KDOQI) goals are achieved in ourpatients.Materials and Methods. In a cross-sectional study in Fars province,Iran, we assessed 632 patients on hemodialysis in 15 dialysis centers.The Kt/V was calculated, and data on serum levels of albumin,cholesterol, and triglyceride, hemoglobin level, blood pressure,body weight, and body mass index were collected. The values werecompared with the KDOQI recommended target values.Results. The mean age of the patients was 54.36 ± 16.34 years.The mean Kt/V was 0.97 ± 0.42, which was significantly higherin those who received 3 dialysis sessions per week than those on2 dialysis sessions per week (P = .03). Only 32.1% of all patientsachieved the Kt/V goal. Seventy-four percent of the patients hada serum albumin equal or greater than 4 g/dL. Hemoglobin levelswere between 4.6 g/dL and 16.8 g/dL, and half of the patientshad attainment of the hemoglobin target. Cholesterol target wasreached in 40% of patients. Only 43 patients (6.8%) attained alltargets recommended by the KDOQI guidelines.Conclusions. The target values, except for serum albumin, werenot reached in our patients. We conclude that it is necessary toprovide essential equipment of dialysis centers such as dialysismachine and trained staffs, and also to raise awareness of KDOQIgoals among patients and physicians