High-flux hemodialysis significantly improves uremia treatment efficacy, reduces inflammation, and enhances nutritional status

Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing chronic hemodialysis often suffer from persistent microinflammation and protein-energy wasting (PEW), which are significant contributors to increased morbidity and mortality. Conventional hemodialysis, while life-sustaining, may not adequately remove larger uremic toxins or effectively mitigate the chronic inflammatory state. This leads to a cycle of poor nutritional status, heightened inflammation, and increased risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. There is a critical need for dialysis modalities that can more effectively address these complex issues, improving patient outcomes beyond mere toxin clearance.

This case-control study randomized 120 chronic hemodialysis patients into two groups at Qinhuangdao Haigang Hospital. The experiment group (n=60) received high-flux hemodialysis (HFHD), while the control group (n=60) underwent conventional hemodialysis. Researchers compared clinical efficacy (response rate), inflammatory factors (IL-6, CRP, TNF-a), macromolecular toxins (β2-microglobulin, parathyroid hormone, cysteine protease inhibitor), and nutritional indices (serum transferrin, albumin, hemoglobin) after 6 months of therapy. All patients were followed for 1.5 to 2 years to assess the incidence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events.

High-flux hemodialysis demonstrated superior clinical efficacy, with a response rate of 93% in the experiment group compared to 80% in the control group (P = .03). After 6 months of treatment, the HFHD group showed significant reductions in key inflammatory biomarkers and macromolecular toxins. Levels of IL-6, CRP, TNF-a, β2-microglobulin, parathyroid hormone, and cysteine protease inhibitor were all significantly lower in the experiment group compared to controls (P = .00 for all). Concurrently, nutritional status improved markedly, with serum transferrin, albumin, and hemoglobin levels significantly higher in the HFHD group (P = .00 for all).