Clinical advantages of a newly launched anti-thrombotic PMMA membrane for the nutritional status and dialysis-related symptoms in older chronic dialysis patients: a multicenter pilot study

Abstract Background Malnutrition that is associated with inflammation a key factor of poor outcome in chronic hemodialysis patients, especially older dialysis patients. Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) membrane has been reported to improve the inflammatory status by removing pro-inflammatory cytokines via adsorption. However, patients occasionally have multiple uncomfortable dialysis-related symptoms, which decrease their quality life and survival rate. We investigated whether new PMMA membrane, Filtryzer NF, can malnutrition symptoms Methods Patients over 70 years age who were dialyzed using polysulfone (PS) enrolled randomly allocated into one two groups: control or NF. In NF group, PS dialyzers changed whereas was continuously used. The primary malnutrition–inflammation score (MIS). Secondary outcomes C-reactive protein, normalized protein catabolism rate, percent creatinine generation arm circumference, eight symptoms. secondary measured every 3 months for 1 year. Results Fifty-four assigned group (n = 28) 26). During 12-month study period, 11 10 withdrawn from groups, respectively. There no significant difference MIS between groups during beginning end within each group. For outcomes, there reduction total but not significantly decreased 6 (range, 1–16) 0–11) (median [minimum–maximum], p < 0.05). Other different study. Conclusions This showed advantage nutritional compared PS. our results indicated may several To clarify this clinical finding, large-scale prospective randomized trials are required. Trial registration registered Clinical Trials Registry University Hospital Medical Information Network (registration ID, UMIN000032990 ).