Risk of Serious Falls Between Hemodialysis and Peritoneal Dialysis Patients: A Nationwide Population-based Cohort Study

• Published in: Scientific reports 2020-05, Vol.10 (1), p.7799-7799, Article 7799
• Main Authors: Wang, Hsi-Hao, Wu, Jia-Ling, Lee, Yi-Che, Ho, Li-Chun, Chang, Min-Yu, Liou, Hung-Hsiang, Hung, Shih-Yuan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 692/308; 692/4022; 692/499; Accidental Falls - statistics & numerical data; Adolescent; Adult; Age; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Cohort analysis; Comorbidity; Diuretics; End-stage renal disease; Female; Health risk assessment; Hemodialysis; Humanities and Social Sciences; Humans; Incidence; Kidney diseases; Kidney Failure, Chronic - complications; Kidney Failure, Chronic - epidemiology; Kidney Failure, Chronic - therapy; Male; Mathematical models; Medical personnel; Middle Aged; multidisciplinary; Peritoneal dialysis; Peritoneal Dialysis - adverse effects; Peritoneum; Population studies; Population Surveillance; Population-based studies; Renal Dialysis - adverse effects; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Statistical analysis; Young Adult
• ISSN: 2045-2322; 2045-2322
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-64698-7

The association between serious falls and dialysis modality [hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD)] is unclear. A nationwide population-based retrospective cohort study with 127,823 end-stage renal disease patients aged over 18 years was conducted with the unmatched cohort of 101,304 HD and 7,584 PD patients retrieved from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database during 2000–2013. A total of 7,584 HD and 7,584 PD patients matched at 1:1 ratio by propensity score were enrolled to the study. Serious falls were defined by the diagnostic codes, E code, and image studies. Cox regression model and competing-risk model were used for statistical analysis. HD patients were older and had more comorbidities at baseline than PD patients. After matching and adjustment, HD patients had a higher risk of serious falls than PD patients [sHR 1.27 (95% CI 1.06–1.52)]. Females, elders, a history of falls before dialysis, comorbidity with stroke or visual problems, using diuretics, α-blockers, and mydriatics were associated with higher risks of serious falls among dialysis patients. The risk of serious falls was higher in HD patients than PD patients. Health professionals should create age-friendly environments, reduce unnecessary medications, and raise patients’ awareness of falls in daily life.