Measuring and predicting outcomes in ESRD patients.

To test the feasibility of using general health status as a practical dialysis outcome measure, in a longitudinal pilot study, two well-validated instruments were administered to patients from our dialysis unit or clinic. The instruments were administered three times, at eight-week intervals for seven months to 41 hemodialysis (HD) patients. Forty-five transplant (Tx) patients were surveyed once as a validating control. Sociodemographic, imaging and biochemical data were tested as outcome predictors. Unexpected hospitalizations and adverse intercurrent events were used as additional outcome measures. Preliminary analysis shows HD patients scoring low, while Tx patients scored higher (healthier). These preliminary results suggest that assessment of general health status is a valid and practical outcome measure.