The influence of water purification system on anemia in hemodialyzed patients

Many complications have been reported concerning the use of non-treated tap water for diluting concentrated dialysate. Recently, water purification systems, especially, reverse-osmosis systems have been widely used for this reason. We investigated the effect of treating water by reverse-osmosis on anemia in hemodialyzed patients, compared with a water treatment system without reverse-osmosis. In 10 out of 21 patients, hemoglobin levels apparently increased, and red blood cell counts and hematocrits values were also ameliorated during the period when using reverse-osmosis system. There were no statistically significant differences, however, in any of the biochemical and hematological parameters a in the present study. Further investigations are needed.