Differential behavior of diabetic patients compared to non-diabetic on hemodialysis, at the provincial hospital in Camagüey, Cuba

Abstract Introduction: Currently, Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is considered an epidemic. Patients with this disease are at high risk of developing diabetic nephropathy. Previous studies have reported that between 20% and 50% of diagnosed patients are at risk of developing chronic renal failure which requires hemodialysis treatment or kidney transplant. Objectives: The aim of this paper is to evaluate the differential behavior of diabetic patients compared to non-diabetic patients on hemodialysis at University Hospital Manuel Ascunce Domenech in Camagüey, from August 2009 to January 2014. Methodology: The descriptive study of cohort of 174 hemodialysis patients (stage 3b, 4 and 5) was performed. A sample of 90 patients, including diabetics and non-diabetics, was studied, considering inclusion, exclusion, and exit criteria. The survey was the primary source of information and clinical records of patients on hemodialysis were the secondary source. Age, sex, comorbidity, time on hemodialysis, nutritional status, type of vascular access, number of attempts at attaining vascular access, complications resulting from hemodialysis, and factors impeding the realization of a kidney transplant in diabetic patients, were the variables studied. Results: This study indicates that male patients, older than 60 years and with hemodialysis periods less than one year, were predominant. The main comorbidities found were arterial hypertension, ischemic heart disease and liver disease. In diabetic patients, underweight and overweight prevailed. Conclusions: This research has shown that diabetic patients showed the highest number of dual-lumen catheters and more attempts at attaining vascular access. The main complications that resulted from hemodialysis were hypotension, hypoglycemia and infections. Furthermore, it was found that cardiovascular diseases and advanced age were the factors that prevented the realization of a kidney transplant in diabetic patients.