Changes in the quality of life of patients with end-stage renal disease treated with high-efficiency bicarbonate hemodialysis in Mexico

In accordance with the epidemiological changes in Mexico, the results of this study are intended to contribute to the evaluation of the end-stage renal disease (ESRD) program of the health services in Mexico. We measured the quality of life of 21 ESRD patients before and after 6 months of exposure to treatment with high-efficiency hemodialysis with bicarbonate (HEHD/bicarbonate). We cross-sectionally assessed the Quality Adjusted Life Year (QALY) index and the biochemical status of the subject pool. The QALY score for patients undergoing HEHD/bicarbonate after 6 months was significantly higher than with the previous dialysis modality (0.95 and 0.74, respectively, p = 0.02). The marked similarities of the biochemical status variables indicated there was little or no effect in the improvement of the quality of life of patients. Dialysis modality likely exerts an important influence on the quality of life of chronic dialysis patients; thus we believe HEHD/bicarbonate does offer greater benefits than hemodialysis alone. Longitudinal studies are needed to better ascertain the effect of the case mix, the treatment approach, and the characteristics of the dialysis in relation to the improvement of the quality of life of ESRD patients.