6448 IMPACT OF PRE-DIALYSIS FOLLOW-UP ON OUTCOMES IN DIALYSIS PATIENTS

Abstract Background and Aims Pre-dialysis care aims to slow down the decline in kidney function and to prepare patients for their potential start of renal replacement therapy. Patients who received attention earlier showed reduced mortality and hospitalization, better uptake of peritoneal dialysis, and earlier placement of arteriovenous fistula for hemodialysis. The objective of this study is to analyze the impact of pre-dialysis care in dialysis patients from Fresenius Medical Care Latin America (FME LatAm). Method Patients incident to dialysis that started treatment at FME LatAm between January 2019 and December 2022 were included in this retrospective observational study. They were classified according to whether they received pre-dialysis care or not as CKD (more than 10 days of follow up;) or No CKD (less than 10 days). CKD group was subclassified regarding the length of stay in pre-dialysis care in 10 to 45 days (10-45), 45 to 90 days (45–90), and more than 90 days (>90). Demographic variables, vascular access, and lab variables were compared between CKD and No CKD, and within subgroups during the observation period. Values are expressed in mean ± SD. Values compared using Student t-test or ANOVA accordingly. Results CKD patients were older than No CKD (CKD: 61.5 ± 16.6 vs NoCKD: 60.6 ± 17.2; p = 0.02), with lower male prevalence (CKD: 57.5% vs NoCKD: 60.2%; p=0.001). No significative differences in prevalence of diabetes were found. Patients under pre-dialysis treatment showed a higher rate of PD referrals (CKD: 44.6% vs NoCKD: 7.3%; p