Abstract: Objectibve  To explore the risk factors of death in elderly patients with maintenance hemodialysis (MHD), and to provide reference for improving the prognosis of dialysis patients and reducing mortality.  Methods   The related data of elderly MHD patients (aged ≥ 80 years) in multiple centers were collected and retrospectively analyzed, and they were divided into death group and control group. Univariate analysis and logistic regression model were used to analyze the risk factors of death. RESULTS: a total of 112 elderly patients with MHD were included, including 26 deaths (23.214%). The first cause of death was cardiovascular events in 9 cases (34.615%). The type of vascular access (χ2= 4.825, P=0.028), primary disease (F =24.243, P=0.004), white blood cell count (t =-4.869, P＜0.001), lymphocyte count (t=3.400, P＜0.001), eosinophil count (t =2.895, P=0.005), albumin (t=3.089, P=00.003), prealbumin (t=3.247, P=0.002), total cholesterol (t = 2.037, P=0.044), cholinesterase (t=2.595, P=0.011) was statistically different between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that diabetic nephropathy(OR=67.196,95% CI:5.034～896.973, P=0.001), hypertensive nephropathy (OR=15.577, 95% CI:1.765～137.477, P=0.013), high-level white blood cell count (OR=1.661, 95% CI:1.117～2.469, P=0.012) were independent risk factors for death in elderly patients with MHD. The high level of lymphocytes in the normal range (＞3.556×1012/L)(OR=0.120, 95% CI: 0.014～0.986, P=0.049) was the protective factor of death in elderly patients with MHD.  Conclusion  In this study, the main cause of death in elderly patients with MHD is cardiovascular events. Diabetes nephropathy, hypertensive nephropathy, high level of white blood cell count and lymphocyte level are independent related factors of death in elderly MHD patients.

Key words: Advanced age, Hemodialysis, End-stage renal disease, Death, Risk factors