The Change of Lung Diffusing Capacity for Dialysis Duration and Membranes in Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients

Kim, Hyun Jung; Park, Dong Jun; Lee, Jong Deog; Chang, Se Ho

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Pulmonary fibrosis is the most common pulmonary complication in patients with end stage renal disease undergoing hemodialysis. The diffusing capacity is sensitive and reliable methods for diagnosis for pulmonary fibrosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the change of diffusing capacity for dialysis duration and membranes (synthetic vs cellulosynthetic) in maintenance hemodialysis patients. METHODS: We evaluated prospectively pulmonary diffusing capacity (DLCO/VA) of the patients who had been receiving regular hemodialysis for a period of at least 3 months at Gyeongsang National University Hospital from April 1, 2002 to June 30, 2003. Seventy one patients were divided into two groups by dialysis duration: less than 24 months; more than 24 months. Also, we divided patients into two groups by dialysis membrane: cellulosynthetic membrane (Hemophan); synthetic membrane (Polysulfone). RESULTS: The diffusing capacity and dialysis durations were presented for negative correlation [r= -0.321 (p=0.01) in DLCO/VA]. According to dialysis membranes, DLCO/VA values were significantly decreased in patients in Hemophan group rather than Polysulfone Group [92.4+/-20.5% vs 107.5+/-19.3%, (p= 0.01)]. According to dialysis durtation and membranes, DLCO/VA values were significantly decreased in patients in Hemophan group rather than Polysulfone group at duration for more than 24 months [84.9+/-20.1% vs 105.2+/-20.8%, (p=0.003)]. CONCLUSION: Patients undergoing long-term maintenance hemodialysis showed a gradual reduction in lung diffusing capacity for dialysis duration. Our results suggested that lung diffusing capacity was more severely reduced in hemodialysis patients using bioincompatible membrane rather than biocompatible membrane.