Abstract
BACKGROUND End-stage kidney disease patients who need hemodialysis for more than 3 months are less likely to be able to discontinue dialysis. Patient care, however, can play a role in improving kidney function. In this study, we showed that even a patient on hemodialysis for 8 years can discontinue or reduce the number of weekly dialysis sessions through kidney care. Here, we report the effect of patient care on the ability to cease dialysis or reduce dialysis sessions, discuss such cessation or reduction in chronic hemodialysis patients, and describe proper follow-up procedure for a patient whose dialysis has been discontinued or reduced. CASE REPORT Here, we present a 77-year-old man who had undergone hemodialysis 3 times weekly for 75 months, after which dialysis sessions were gradually decreased and terminated within 21 months while undergoing Toprak's Kidney Care, a kidney care program. The patient went without dialysis for 10 months. Then, hemodialysis was started once weekly for 46 months, as the glomerular filtration rate values decreased significantly. Following this period, he underwent hemodialysis 3 times weekly for 19 months. During these follow-up periods, 2 hospitalizations were required due to pneumonia and atrial fibrillation. There were no major adverse cardiac events. The patient is still in our follow-up care. CONCLUSIONS Gradual termination of an 8-year period of hemodialysis through a kidney care program without kidney transplantation is very rare. In end-stage kidney disease patients with adequate urination, kidney care should be considered to terminate hemodialysis or reduce the weekly dialysis sessions.