Multidisciplinary predialysis education decreases the incidence of dialysis and reduces mortality--a controlled cohort study based on the NKF/DOQI guidelines.

Background: Observational studies have demonstrated that multidisciplinary predialysis education (MPE) improves the post-dialysis outcomes of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. However, the beneficial effect of MPE remains unclear in prospective controlled studies.

Methods: All CKD patients who visited the outpatient nephrology clinics at two centres of the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in 2006-07 were enrolled. The incidence of dialysis and mortality were compared between MPE recipients and non-recipients. The content of the MPE was standardized in accordance with the NKF/DOQI guidelines. Prognostic factors for progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and all-cause mortality were analysed by using the Cox proportional hazards model.

Results: Of 573 patients, 287 received MPE. Dialysis was initiated in 13.9% and 43% of the patients in the MPE and non-MPE groups, respectively (P < 0.001). The mean follow-up period was 11.7 +/- 0.9 months. The overall mortality was 1.7% and 10.1% in the MPE and non-MPE groups, respectively (P < 0.001). Cox regression analysis revealed that diabetes, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and MPE assignment were significant independent predictors for progression to ESRD. Independent prognostic factors for mortality included age, diabetes, eGFR, hs-CRP and MPE assignment.

Conclusions: MPE based on the NKF/DOQI guidelines may decrease the incidence of dialysis and reduce mortality in late-stage CKD patients.