Prevalence and severity of metabolic acidosis in patients on maintenance hemodialysis in India

Aim: Metabolic acidosis is a feature of chronic kidney disease (CKD) due to the reduced capacity of the kidney to synthesize ammonia and excrete hydrogen ions. Among the many goals of hemodialysis (HD), the role in correction of metabolic acidosis is an important one. To assess the prevalence and severity of metabolic acidosis in the Indian patients of CKD, who are on maintenance HD (MHD). Methods: This is a cross-sectional study on 35 patients conducted at two centers in Western part of India. The demographic, clinical, and laboratory assessments were done on chronic stable patients receiving MHD. The prevalence and severity of metabolic acidosis were evaluated. Results: Metabolic acidosis was found in 22 out of 35 patients (62.85%), with mean predialysis serum pH and HCO3 of 7.32 ± 0.083 and 20.37 ± 4.94 mmol/L, respectively. Conclusion: Metabolic acidosis is significantly prevalent in patients on MHD in India