Abstract: Objectives To evaluate the effect of ultrafiltration rate on the hypotension during hemodialysis session in patients with end stage diabetic nephropathy. Methods Seventy-three patients with end stage diabetic nephropathy receiving maintenance hemodialysis were selected in the study. They were treated with different dialysis modality, dialyzer, blood flow and ultrafiltration rate according to the individual condition. The occurrence of hypotension during hemodialysis session was analyzed. Results The intradialytic hypotension rate was 19.8% in patients with the individual ultrafiltration rate <10 ml/kg/h, and was 25.5% in patients with the rate >10ml/kg/h. Logistic regression analysis indicated that the individual ultrafiltration rate was an independent risk factor for intradialytic hypotension in patients with end stage diabetic nephropathy receiving maintenance hemodialysis. Conclusion A lower individual ultrafiltration rate can effectively reduce the occurrence of hypotension and can improve the tolerance to hemodialysis in patients with end stage diabetic nephropathy.

Key words: Hemodialysis, Hypotension, Individual ultrafiltration rate