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Studies confirm improved dialysis-patient survival
Bad Homburg, Germany – Based on data from two studies, Fresenius Medical Care announced an increased effectiveness of online hemodiafiltration (OL-HDF) modality in the treatment of patients with renal failure. The findings of two multicenter trials were presented in a scientific symposium that took place during the 2011 European Renal Association/European Dialysis and Transplant Association (ERA-EDTA) congress in Prague, Czech Republic (June 23-26).
The evidence presented resulted from examining the survival rates of dialysis patients treated with OL-HDF, a treatment method recognized for higher efficiency in removing uremic toxins from the blood of patients with renal failure.
In a study involving 782 patients in 10 dialysis clinics conducted in Turkey under the direction of Professor Ercan Ok at the EGE University in Izmir, patients treated with high-volume HDF displayed a better chance of survival compared to those treated with high-flux dialysis. Patients treated with substitution volumes greater than the median of 17.4 liters showed a 46% lower overall risk of mortality during the two-year study. Moreover, patients treated with OL-HDF required 20% lower dosage of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (EPO) than patients in the high-flux group while maintaining the hemoglobin level at 11.5 g/dl. Ok’s findings, based on a prospective, controlled, randomized clinical study, confirm the results of two previous observations supported by data analyzed from thousands of patients.
Another multicenter trial (CONTRAST; CONvective TRAnsport STudy) presented in Prague compared OL-HDF with low-flux dialysis. Conducted in three countries, its results also showed that patients treated with higher substitution volumes displayed a survival benefit.
The use of OL-HDF is increasing worldwide, with 15% of dialysis patients in Europe already benefiting from the advanced treatment option to which numerous other advantages are attributed. Several publications report reduced morbidity and improved patient well-being. Improved anemia and blood-pressure control as well as reduced inflammation, the underlying mechanism of many chronic diseases, are just some of the reported benefits that may contribute toward improved patient survival with OL-HDF.
Fresenius Medical Care has been a pioneer in advancing HDF therapy and has developed its 5008 therapy system and new Cordiax dialyzers specifically to facilitate this treatment option. In Fresenius Medical Care’s European dialysis centers, over 50% of the patients already receive HDF treatment.
“The positive results of these new studies validate our efforts to offer innovative dialysis products and advanced therapies such as hemodiafiltration. Based on the new study findings, we plan to further increase application of this therapy substantially in the future,” said Dr. Emanuele Gatti, Fresenius Medical Care CEO for Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa. "We are proud that the study performed under the direction of Professor Ok used dialysis centers operated by Fresenius Medical Care. And we shall continue to strive for improved outcomes of chronic kidney disease patients who depend on dialysis therapies,” he added.
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Contact:
Matthias Link
Corporate Communications
Tel.: +49-6172-608 2872
Fax: +49-6172-608 2294
e-mail: pr@fmc-ag.com
http://www.fmc-ag.com
Fresenius Medical Care is the world's largest integrated provider of products and services for individuals undergoing dialysis because of chronic kidney failure, a condition that affects more than 2 million individuals worldwide. Through its network of 2,769 dialysis clinics in North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia-Pacific and Africa, Fresenius Medical Care provides dialysis treatment to 216,942 patients around the globe. Fresenius Medical Care is also the world's leading provider of dialysis products such as hemodialysis machines, dialyzers and related disposable products.
For more information about Fresenius Medical Care, visit the company’s website at http://www.fmc-ag.com.
Legal Disclaimer:
This release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements due to certain factors, including changes in business, economic and competitive conditions, regulatory reforms, foreign exchange rate fluctuations, uncertainties in litigation or investigative proceedings, and the availability of financing. These and other risks and uncertainties are detailed in Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA's reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA does not undertake any responsibility to update the forward-looking statements in this release.
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