Characteristics of Dialysis Patients in Hemodialysis Centers in Isfahan

Background: Chronic kidney disease is a health problem in today’s world and hemodialysis is an alternative method for patients with chronic renal failure. Preparing provincial and national information on the situation of patients can play a significant role in improving the quality of services provided to patients undergoing hemodialysis. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of patients on dialysis in hemodialysis centers in Isfahan and some other centers (up to 30 km distant). Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 1,024 patients on dialysis in 13 dialysis centers in the early part of 2013. Studied variables were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire with Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.86. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square test by SPSS version 22 software. Results: The results of 1024 patients undergoing hemodialysis includes the following: 60% (610 people) were male with a mean age of 54±17.67 years, and 92% (867 patients) had a private house. The family history of hemodialysis was positive in 24% (229 patients). In this study, 38% of patients (365 patients) were illiterate and the most common cause of kidney disease was diabetes in 42% (436) of the patients. Vascular access was venous-arterial fistula in 52% (519 people) with a mean hemodialysis of 52 months. Chronic renal failure was estimated at 300 per one million inhabitants in Isfahan Province (based on the last census in 2011 with the population estimated at 4,815,863 persons). Conclusion: Majority of the studied population variables was somewhat similar to the studies conducted in other provinces; the only major difference was the most common cause of chronic renal failure leading to dialysis.