Association of Middle Molecules Clearance With HDF Volume

Overview

HDF is a dialysis technique which involves diffusion and convection. HDF with high convection volume has consistently shown to improve survival in dialysis patients in number of robust RCTs. The precise reason of this survival benefit remains unclear. The investigators hypothesize that this survival benefit with high volume HDF is related to enhanced middle molecule clearance and hemodynamic stability. However, this relationship has not been studied so far. This observational study is aimed to understand the relationship between HDF convection volume with middle molecules (Beta 2-Microglobulin) clearance during HDF. Exploring the relationship of HDF volume with middle molecules clearance has significant clinical ramifications. Only a minority of patients are able to achieve target convection volume. Understanding these relationships can rationalize the HDF prescription from convection volume-based prescription to β2-Microglobulin clearance-based prescription which may be applicable to wider range of patients. The relationship between pre-dialysis β2-Microglobulin levels and RKF offers the prospect of dispensing with pre- and post-dialysis urea and creatinine measurements and interdialytic urine collections, currently necessary for estimating RKF, thus simplifying its estimation. β2-Microglobulin reduction ratio and its component pre and post-dialysis β2-Microglobulin levels could therefore provide a composite estimate of small and middle molecule clearance and RKF.

People with severe kidney failure need treatment by dialysis or transplantation to stay alive. In the UK there are 25,000 people receiving treatment with haemodialysis (HD). Conventional haemodialysis works on the principle of diffusion for removal of toxins. Haemodiafiltration (HDF) is a technique of dialysis which implies the principle of convection in addition to diffusion. Large clinical trials comparing haemodiafiltration with conventional haemodialysis have reported better survival in patients having haemodiafiltration with large convection volume. The mechanism of survival benefit with high convection volume remains unclear. The investigators hypothesize that the benefit of high convection volume haemodiafiltration is due to enhanced removal of large sized toxins called 'middle molecules'. Additionally, it may also be due to better blood pressure control and less inflammation when dialysing using this technique. The literature so far has been inconsistent to confirm this. Understanding the relationship of haemodiafiltration convection volume with middle molecules removal and clinical parameters is crucial for adoption of this mode of treatment. Additionally, it can potentially transform the presently imperfect dialysis prescription based on small molecule removal to clinically relevant middle molecules removal. In this single centre cross sectional study, the investigators aim to recruit 400 adult participants who have been on haemodiafiltration for at least 3 months. Once consented, the participants will be observed in a single routine dialysis sessions (study visit) to record all the standard care clinical parameters and dialysis related information including dialysis convection volume from haemodiafiltration. Participants will also have routine blood tests at the start and end of the observed dialysis session and additional blood tests to measure the removal of middle molecules at the same time. The relationship of these observed clinical and measured toxins removal parameters with convection volume will be determined from the collected data.