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Dialysis

'Early' dialysis start based on eGFR is no longer appropriate

The randomized, controlled IDEAL study reports no survival advantage of 'early' dialysis initiation and data from this study support an estimated glomerular filtration rate of around 7 ml/min/1.73 m2 as a guideline for dialysis initiation. The results of the IDEAL study supplement data from eight observational studies involving over 1.2 million patients which showed a comorbidity-adjusted incremental survival disadvantage of 'early' dialysis initiation.

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Figure 1: Percentage of patients initiating dialysis 'early' in the USA during the years 1996–2008.

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Correspondence to Steven Rosansky.

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Rosansky, S., Glassock, R. 'Early' dialysis start based on eGFR is no longer appropriate. Nat Rev Nephrol 6, 693–694 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrneph.2010.131

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