Hispanic dialysis patients more susceptible to infections

Hispanic and African Americans need to be aware of their risk for infection post-dialysis. According to new research, these two groups have the highest rates of dialysis-related infections requiring hospitalization. They are also the least likely to visit a specialist for pre-treatment care.

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Older Hispanics had the highest rates of dialysis infection requiring hospitalization at 30 percent, though African Americans had the highest percent of infection for all age groups at 20 percent.

Researchers from the School of Medicine at UCLA indicate the correlation between Hispanic and African American infection rates and the low percentage of individuals seeing a specialist prior to dialysis treatment is no coincidence. Because dialysis is typically done when there is little or no kidney function left, experts say it is very important to receive pre-planning instruction from a specialist regarding nutrition and a prolonged treatment plan.

Individuals who will undergo dialysis generally require the insertion of an AV fistula (AVF), made by joining an artery and vein in the patient’s arm. According to the National Institutes of Health this procedure requires pre-planning because it can take several months for the fistula to form properly.

Hispanics and African Americans skipping out on seeking specialist care may miss important details about how to properly take car of themselves and how to improve their outlook through dietary management.

“Even when hospitalizations were lower overall, we still saw these high rates of infection-related hospitalizations for Hispanics and blacks,” said lead study author Dr. Keith Norris as reported by Modern Healthcare. “Too many patients don’t get a fistula as early as they should. There are some specific issues that we need to try to address to improve care and reduce costs,” Norris said, “If we know there are high rates of infections among certain populations, then we have to try to figure out why.”

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Norris and his team say the standard barriers for minorities are likely the same ones that likely contribute to the numbers when it comes to dialysis infections. A lack of health insurance may make it difficult for patients to afford an AVF procedure. When a patient cannot have AVF done, a less desirable method of dialysis prep called an AV graft might be used. This alternative method is associated with a higher rate of infection.

Overall, researchers noted there were unexpected differences by race, age and cause of hospitalization. For example, Hispanics had lower rates of both all-cause hospital stays and hospital admissions overall, but those age 60 and older were more likely to be admitted for infections. Similarly, blacks had a lower rate of all-cause admissions, but when it came specifically to catheter-related infections, their risk was higher.