Catheter access for hemodialysis defines higher mortality in late-presenting dialysis patients

Background: This study explores the relationship between mortality and late presentation for dialysis, focusing on the role of catheter access for hemodialysis (HD). Methods: We analyzed data from a cohort of 286 patients commencing dialysis in 2000-2001. Survival and factors associated with death were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analysis. Dialysis access was considered in three groups: HD-AVF, HD-Catheter, and peritoneal dialysis (PD). Late referral (LR) was defined as first review by a nephrologist less than 90 days before dialysis. Results: One-year mortality was low at 10.1%. HD-Catheter patients were older (p < 0.001), more hypoalbuminemic (p < 0.001), more anemic (p = 0.005), and more likely to be LR (p < 0.001). HD-Catheter patients did not have significantly higher comorbidity (p = 0.128). HD-Catheter was strongly associated with late presentation (75% LR vs. 28% early referral, p < 0.001). Factors associated with death by univariate analysis included age (p < 0.0001), comorbidity (p < 0.0001), HD-Catheter (p < 0.0001), LR (p = 0.0001), hypoalbuminemia (p = 0.0011), and diabetes (p = 0.02). When corrected for these factors, HD-Catheter was associated with death (HR 2.226, 95% CI 1.314-3.772, p = 0.003) but LR was not (p = 0.38). Conclusions: A predominant feature of LR that predicts mortality is the use of catheter access for HD. This may be modifiable in those LR patients who do not present as uremic emergencies.