Table 4. Biochemical primary reasons for dialysis initiation in 446 patients as stated by prescribing physicians (n = 84) and how these reasons relate to the corresponding measurements in presence or absence of stating these reasons as a cause to start dialysis.
| Term | Present | Absent | P | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Mean ±SD | Median (IQ range) | No. | Mean ±SD | Median (IQ range) | ||
| High creatinine (μM) | 30 | 781 ±333 | 707 (545–947) | 282 | 675 ±343 | 635 (495–790) | (0.06) |
| (corresponding eGFR (ml/min/1.73 m2)) | 6.5 ±3.3 | 5.6 (4.3–8.4) | 7.2 ±3.5 | 6.6 (5.0–8.7) | NS | ||
| Low eGFR (ml/min/1.73 m2) | 51 | 6.1 ±2.1 | 5.9 (4.8–7.4) | 251 | 7.6 ±3,7 | 6.9 (5.1–9.4) | <0.01 |
| (corresponding creatinine (μM)) | 719 ±258 | 669 (576–825) | 678 ±317 | 627 (575–825) | NS | ||
| Falling eGFR (ml/min/1.73 m2/yr | 11 | 9.2 (2.4–47.6) | 238 | 11.7 (4.3–22.5) | NS | ||
| High urea (mM) | 30 | 42.2 ±15.6 | 39.6 (33.0–49.2 | 298 | 32.0 ±11.2 | 29.5 (24.9–38.5) | <0.001 |
| High potassium (mM) | 22 | 5.7 ±1.3 | 6.0 (4.5–6.5) | 364 | 4.3 ±0.7 | 4.3 (3.9–4.8) | <0.001 |
| Acidosis (mM) | 10 | 16.0 ±8.7 | 13.6 (10–19) | 305 | 21.7 ±4.9 | 22 (18–25) | <0.001 |
| Low calcium* | 15 | 0.96 ±0.11 | 0.96 (0.86–1.02) | 402 | 1.14 ±0.12 | 1.15 (1.08–1.22) | <0.001 |
| High phosphate* | 44 | 2.17 ±0.57 | 2.04 (1.83–2.33) | 367 | 1.97 ±0.55 | 1.92 (1.56–2.30) | <0.05 |
*primary, secondary and other reasons combined.