Income is a very important independent variable that affects survival of patients with ESRD.
ASN 30th Annual Meeting, San Antonio
J Am Soc Nephrol (Sep) 8:197A 1997
Income is an important independent variable that may affect survival of patients with ESRD.
Transplant and dialysis patients were categorized according to income level and followed for a mean of 30 months from time of interview. Twenty three percent of the 358 subjects died during the period of follow-up. Income, studied as a categorical and continuous variable, was positively correlated with cumulative 15 year survival: 80% for those with annual income > $40K and 10% for those earning < $10K. Not surprisingly, "rich" patients (>$20K) were more likely to be young, male, educated, transplanted, married, employed, happy, active, and had higher hemoglobin and creatinine levels. "Poor" patients (<$20K), however, were not more underdialyzed, malnourished, or nonwhite. "Rich" income, together with age, Karnovsky index, diagnosis and comorbidity, was an independent significant variable predicting survival.
Comment: Income level and variables associated with it appears to be an important consideration in analysis of survival . This study provides valuable additional information for those interested in evaluating ESRD outcomes. (Rick L. Latos, M.D., Wheeling, WV)
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ASN 30th Annual Meeting, San Antonio
CRF: Problem Areas : Outcomes (Morbidity, Mortality)