1 in 6 Outpatient Dialysis Patients with Acute Kidney Injury Lasting More Than 90 Days Still Recover Kidney Function, According to New Data from Fresenius Medical Care North America

WALTHAM, Mass., Jan. 24, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Fresenius Medical Care North America (FMCNA), the nation's leading renal care company, announces preliminary results from an analysis of new data on more than 9,000 patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) treated at Fresenius Kidney Care outpatient dialysis centers.

The results of the analysis suggest that about one-third of patients (36 percent) with AKI requiring outpatient dialysis will recover kidney function within 90 days of starting in-center hemodialysis and 1 in 6 patients (16 percent) with persistent AKI at 90 days will recover kidney function by day 150. Overall, 38 percent of individuals with AKI requiring outpatient dialysis treatment recovered kidney function within 150 days of initiating outpatient therapy.

Fresenius Medical Care began collecting this new data in 2017 after the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) authorized outpatient dialysis centers to provide treatment for Medicare beneficiaries with AKI requiring dialysis.

"This groundbreaking data holds enormous promise for developing further insights into the treatment of acute kidney injury and is the first time significant data of this type has been available anywhere," said Dr. Frank Maddux, Chief Medical Officer and Executive Vice President for Clinical and Scientific Affairs at Fresenius Medical Care North America. "This is an exciting step in our ongoing efforts to improve the treatment of people with acute kidney injury and create more personalized care so that patients are more likely to recover kidney function."

In addition, the preliminary analysis examined other clinical measures including the type of vascular access used, ultrafiltration rates and biochemical measures in the first 90 days of outpatient dialysis therapy. The data also suggests that 1 in 5 patients (20 percent) who begin outpatient in-center hemodialysis are diagnosed with AKI and 44 percent of those patients transition to ESRD within 150 days of starting outpatient hemodialysis. Further analysis will be needed to provide additional insights into recovery and other clinical data.

The preliminary data analysis was first presented to registered nephrologists, clinicians and renal researchers on January 23, 2019 in San Diego, Calif. at Medical Office Live, a series of interactive webinars on the latest clinical and scientific advances in renal care, presented by Fresenius Medical Care and hosted by Dr. Maddux.

To view a replay of the FMCNA Medical Office Live presentation on acute kidney injury, please visit here.

About Fresenius Medical Care North America
Fresenius Medical Care North America (FMCNA) is the premier healthcare company focused on providing the highest quality care to people with renal and other chronic conditions. Through its industry-leading network of dialysis facilities, outpatient cardiac and vascular labs and urgent care centers, Fresenius Medical Care North America provides coordinated health care services at pivotal care points for hundreds of thousands of chronically ill customers throughout the continent. As the world's largest fully integrated renal company, it offers specialty pharmacy and laboratory services, and manufactures and distributes the most comprehensive line of dialysis equipment, disposable products and renal pharmaceuticals. For more information, visit the FMCNA website at https://fmcna.com.

Media Contact:

Fresenius Medical Care North America
Brad Puffer
Director of Public Relations
[email protected]
(781) 699-3331

SOURCE Fresenius Medical Care North America