University of Bristol

ILD127

Most people with kidney failure need blood cleaning treatment (haemodialysis) 4 hours 3 times a week at a hospital/ clinic. This is for the rest of their life unless they are able to receive a kidney transplant. Survival and quality of life on haemodialysis are poor. The addition of filtration (the removal and replacement of fluid) to regular haemodialysis is known as haemodiafiltration. The additional filtration does not noticeably change the dialysis procedure as far as the patient is concerned but it requires changes in equipment and nurse practice. It also requires a greater volume of high quality water. By removing toxins more effectively, haemodiafiltration may improve survival, but it might remove essential proteins or introduce toxins or infections from the water supply. We want to find out if haemodiafiltration results in benefits to patients, is safe, and justifies any additional financial and environmental (e.g. water) costs. This study will randomly allocate patients in one of 20 centres in the UK to either continue on haemodialysis or switch to haemodiafiltration. We will look at clinical information and quality of life information in relation to these patients. The trial should provide evidence about whether high-volume haemodialfiltration is superior to the current standard of care. If high-volume HDF proves to be superior then all patients should be offered this treatment; if not then scientists and clinicians will be able to divert their scarce resources to funding new ways of delivering haemodialysis that do improve outcomes for patients.

14/12/2023