Dialysis dose and body mass index are strongly associated with survival in hemodialysis patients.

Low dose of hemodialysis (HD) and small body size are independent risk factors for mortality. Recent changes in clinical practice, toward higher HD doses and use of more high-flux dialyzers, suggest the need to redetermine the dose level above which no benefit from higher dose can be observed. Data were analyzed from 45,967 HD patients starting end-stage renal disease (ESRD) therapy during April 1, 1997, through December 31, 1998.