PRISM flow chart of the systematic review of human studies examining the compartmental kinetics of beta 2 microglobulin.

<p>A total of 58 studies were identified through a database (Medline) and other sources (examination of references of qualifying articles from the literature review, previous narrative review. A total of nine studies met all inclusion and none of the exclusion criteria.</p

Simulated changes in β₂M and predicted Relative Risk (RR) of death associated with enhanced dialytic removal.

<p>At each level of residual renal function (<i>K</i>_<i>R</i>) we calculated: i) the percentage of patients with a change in the cumulative β₂M concentration (categorically classified as <27.5 mg/l, 27.5–35 mg/l, 35–42.5 mg/l and >42.5 mg/l) between techniques of higher and lower dialytic removal of β₂M ii) the associated prediction for the RR.</p

Simulated changes in β₂M and predicted Relative Risk (RR) of death at different levels of renal function.

<p>For each dialysis regime we calculated: i) the percentage of patients undergoing a change in their cumulative predialysis β₂M concentration (categorically classified as <27.5 mg/l, 27.5–35 mg/l, 35–42.5 mg/l and >42.5 mg/l) for the different levels of residual renal function (<i>K</i>_<i>R</i>) relative to the baseline measurement when <i>K</i>_<i>R</i> = 10 ml/min ii) the associated prediction for the RR. Within each dialysis modality, the referent is the state with <i>K</i>_<i>R</i> = 10 ml/min</p

Mean pair wise difference in the Time Averaged Concentration (TAC) of β2 microglobulin (in mg/L) and associated 95% confidence interval as a function of residual renal clearance.

<p>Mean pair wise difference in the Time Averaged Concentration (TAC) of β2 microglobulin (in mg/L) and associated 95% confidence interval as a function of residual renal clearance.</p

Relation between mid-week simulated predialysis and weekly time averaged β₂M concentrations at different levels of residual renal clearance and dialysis regimes.

<p>Correlation coefficients (r²) and regression equations relating the two measures of exposure (gray line) are shown. LF: Low Flux Dialysis, HF: High Flux Dialysis, SD: Short Daily Dialysis with High Flux dialyzers (6 times a week, ~ 2 ½ hrs per session), LD: Long Daily Dialysis with High Flux dialyzers (6 times a week, 6 ⅓ hrs per session), HDF = post dilution online hemodiafiltration. Cp: predialysis plasma concentration, TAC: Time Averaged Concentration.</p

Simulated β₂M concentrations at different levels of residual renal clearance and dialysis regimes.

<p>LF: Low Flux Dialysis, HF: High Flux Dialysis, SD: Short Daily Dialysis with High Flux dialyzers (6 times a week, ~ 2 ½ hrs per session), LD: Long Daily Dialysis with High Flux dialyzers (6 times a week, 6 ⅓ hrs per session), HDF = postdilution online hemodiafiltration.</p

β2 microglobulin population kinetic parameters and quantile values.

<p>β2 microglobulin population kinetic parameters and quantile values.</p