Demographic Analysis of Renal Failure Patients Presenting to the Emergency Unit

BackgroundThe incidence and mortality of renal failure remain high. Dialysis continues to be a major supportive intervention in renal failure, but late referral is associated with the risk of higher morbidity and mortality.MethodsWe investigated the demographic data of renal failure patients requiring dialysis who presented to our emergency unit between August 2003 and June 2005. Demographic characteristics, presentation complaints, current treatment, initial laboratory values and vascular access type were determined.ResultsNinety patients (52 male, 38 female; mean age, 56.63 ± 17.33 years) were included in the study. The most common presenting complaints were dyspnea, weakness and edema. Twenty (22.2%) patients had acute renal failure and the other 70 patients had chronic renal failure. Only seven (7.7%) patients had the necessary documents for dialysis treatment, and only six patients had available radial arteriovenous fistula. During follow-up, eight (8.8%) patients died. We found inadequate hemodialysis readiness in our end-stage renal disease patients.ConclusionImproving the quality of pre-dialysis care might improve long-term survival, so appropriate timing for nephrology referral is important in patients with end-stage renal disease. [Hong Kong J Nephrol 2007;9(2): 82–5]