Abstract
Biocompatibility of the dialyzer membrane has been thought to affect the nutritional status in patients receiving chronic hemodialysis. In a series of patients treated in an outpatient dialysis unit, serum albumin was measured before and after changing the dialyzer membrane from one of cellulose to one of polysulfone. There were 48 patients (25 men and 23 women) who had been on dialysis for a mean duration of 78.6 months. The follow-up period was at least 6 months for each type of membrane. Delivered dose of dialysis was higher using the polysulfone membrane but serum albumin was not affected by a change to the more biocompatible membrane. Nutritional considerations are not important in choosing a membrane for dialysis.
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