The current status of hemodialysis in Baghdad

This study aims to assess the different aspects of hemodialysis (HD) in Baghdad in-cluding the population on dialysis, dialysis dose, nutritional status, and comobidities. We studied the HD patients recruited from five major hospitals in Baghdad from July 2008 to February 2009. There were 86 patients (mean age 46.05 ± 14.28 years). We evaluated their social status, co-morbidities, adequacy of dialysis, and nutritional status. The mean duration of patients on HD was 2.2 years, only 14% are currently employed, hepatitis was present in 43%, and other co-morbidities were present in 35%. Dialysis time was 6.4 ± 1.9 hours/week and Kt/V was 1.02 ± 0.2. Malnutrition was present in 63.5% of patients (moderate in 45.9% and severe in 17.6%) with no significant sex difference. We conclude that dialysis in Baghdad is below the standards with low adequacy and frequency of sessions. Malnutrition is prevalent, especially the severe forms, and requires more attention and re-evaluation of the dialysis prescription.