Implications of levels of serum mineral metabolism markers, albumin and C-reactive protein for treatment costs of patients on maintenance dialysis.

Background: Secondary hyperparathyroidism, malnutrition and inflammation have been reported to associate with adverse outcomes in dialysis patients. However, little is known about the implications of these conditions for treatment costs.

Methods: The cost data of all adult patients who had entered dialysis therapy at Tampere University Hospital between 1991 and 1996 and had remained on dialysis for at least 1 year were collected.