A nationwide study has provided new information on the survival rates of patients undergoing haemodialysis across India and associated factors.

The study, which used de-identified individual-level data from 193 dialysis centres across the country which are part of the NephroPlus network, examined the survival of patients receiving haemodialysis treatment. Spanning from April 1, 2014, to June 30, 2019, the study evaluated a cohort of 23,601 patients, of whom 29% were women.

The researchers aimed to establish the nationally representative survival rates on hemodialysis treatment in India, quantify the variation in survival between centres, and measure how much of this variation was explained by centre-level characteristics. 

According to the study, in the overall cohort, the raw 180-day survival rate was 71%, suggesting that about 7 of every 10 patients survive for over 6 months.

India has one of the highest numbers of long-term dialysis patients globally, with an estimated 175,000 individuals in 2018. The number of dialysis patients is on the rise. Amongst all procedures covered under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, the government spends the most money on dialysis procedures.

Despite this burden, there has been limited data on the clinical outcomes of dialysis patients in India. Previous studies were either small, single-center, or over 10 years old. Before this study, there was no national benchmark for survival in hemodialysis patients, and no study had examined survival differences between dialysis centers.

As India expands access to dialysis, continuous and collaborative quality improvement initiatives will play a vital role in ensuring that patients receive best possible outcome during care. 

By establishing a national benchmark for survival rates and identifying key factors influencing survival, this research paves the way for targeted interventions and improved care for dialysis patients across the country.