Assessment and follow up of diabetic patients in hemodialysis Diabetes y hemodiálisis. Caracterización de una cohorte y seguimiento a cuatro años

Background: Despite a better management of the variables that influence the development of diabetic nephropathy, there is a progressive increase in the prevalence of terminal renal failure among diabetics, whose cause is not clear. Aim: To study, in a group of patients in hemodialysis, the quality of diabetes control previous to the entry to dialysis, their physical condition and their evolution. Material and methods: Diabetic patients with at least three months of hemodialysis answered a questionnaire about diabetes control quality previous to dialysis and had physical and laboratory assessment. They were followed for at least four years thereafter. Results: Fifty seven patients aged 62±11 years were studied. Eighty four percent had some degree of disability. Eighty seven percent had high blood pressure and 73% had to enter dialysis as an emergency. Mean glycosilated hemoglobin was 7.7% and 58% had a dialysis dose with a Kt/V of less than 1.2. Fifty eight percent died during follow u