The great East Japan earthquake affected the laboratory findings of hemodialysis patients in Fukushima

BACKGROUND The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of the Great East Japan Earthquake on laboratory findings in chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients in Fukushima. METHODS Changes in laboratory findings and cardiothoracic ratio (CTR) between before and after the earthquake were retrospectively analyzed in 90 adult HD patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Two hospitals located within 80 km from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, where American government recommended to evacuate from the area, participated in the study. HD duration was shortened by 0.5-1 hour for 1 month after the earthquake. Multivariate analyses were performed to identify the factors contributing to change of measurement values. RESULTS Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) value was significantly transiently decreased for 1-2 weeks after the earthquake (P=0.002). In multivariate analysis, age showed a tendency to be related to the decrease of BUN level (P=0.05). Hematocrit value was significantly elevated after two months compared with that at baseline (P=0.02), although the elevation was small. The other measured values and CTR were not significantly changed compared with those before the earthquake. CONCLUSIONS Laboratory findings and CTR did not worsen despite the shortening of HD duration. Hence, in this disaster, as far as chronic HD patients with ESRD were concerned, it was possible for the duration of HD treatment to be safely decreased.