ABSTRACT

Objectives:

In aging hemodialysis patient population new mortality and morbidity risk factors may develop. Frailty is one of these rising risk factors. Frailty is associated with higher prevalence of mortality in elderly population while we do not yet have a consensus at identification of frailty and risk factors in hemodialysis patients. Our aim was to estimate frailty prevalence in elderly hemodialysis population and its influence on outcomes.

Materials and Methods:

A study of 120 hemodialysis patients aged 65 and older was designed. Frailty was estimated through the Edmonton Frail scale and patients were grouped as frail patients and non-frail ones. Demographic and clinical data, laboratory parameters in last six months, medications and hypotension attacks during dialysis sessions were recorded.

Results:

Forty-nine patients (40.8%) of 120 were frail in study population. Frailty was more often in women and with increasing age. In laboratory parameters serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, serum albumin, urine volume and serum potassium level after dialysis were lower in frail patients. Hypoalbuminemia, low handgrip strength test and low urine volume were found as risk factors related to frailty (p=0.035, p=0.005, p=0.009).

Conclusion:

Hemodialysis patients present higher frailty prevalence compared to normal elderly population. Preserving residual renal function and correction of malnutrition parameters such as hypoalbuminemia is important to prevent frailty. In this way its poor outcomes and higher rates of mortality would be undercontrol.