Position Statement of the Brazilian Society of Nephrology on incremental dialysis.

Abstract

Incremental dialysis, applicable to both hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD), is an individualized approach. It consists of offering a dialysis dose adjusted to the patient's residual renal function (RRF) in order to achieve the same clinical outcomes observed with full doses, while improving quality of life and reducing exposure to the risks associated with the dialysis procedure. This Position Statement of the Brazilian Society of Nephrology (SBN) aims to present recommendations on eligibility criteria, prescription, monitoring, and safe implementation, as well as to report the clinical results already described with this approach. Eligibility includes a residual diuresis ≥ 500 mL/24h in HD or ≥ 100 mL/24h in PD and/or a urea clearance (Kru) ≥ 2.0 mL/min/1.73 m2, as well as clinical stability and adequate volume and metabolic control. Monitoring with regular reassessment of RRF is recommended. Indicators for dialysis dose intensification include hypervolemia, uremic symptoms, worsening of nutritional status, hyperkalemia, hyperphosphatemia, refractory metabolic acidosis, and laboratory findings of subdialysis. The implementation of incremental dialysis requires well-defined institutional protocols, systematic education of patients and families, a properly trained multidisciplinary team, and a shared decision-making process. Scientific evidence suggests that incremental dialysis is safe and effective, attenuating the loss of RRF, and can reduce hospitalizations, while maintaining or improving quality of life, without increasing mortality. Additionally, it may contribute to cost reduction and greater sustainability of the healthcare system, and should be considered an integral part of the contemporary therapeutic armamentarium.