Assessment of Dialysis Initiation by a Fuzzy Mathematics Equation

The optimal time of dialysis initiation is still controversial. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) which is now widely used as the assessment of timing of dialysis is lack of specificity. Some clinical factors such as heart failure, volume overload, malnutrition also determine the dialysis time. But these subjective judgements do not have a standard. So there is no quantitative assessment of timing of dialysis initiation. The research team developed a novel equation named DIFE (Dialysis Initiation based on Fuzzy mathematics Equation) with data from a retrospective multicenter cohort by fuzzy mathematical methods to combine these clinical factors and lab indexes. The DIFE was confirmed to be more accurate and convenient to use in clinical practice than eGFR only at the assessment of dialysis initiation time in the internal validation. For further validation of the DIFE, the team will conduct a multicenter randomized controlled trial. Patients who need hemodialysis will be randomized to optimal start dailysis group or late start dailysis group by the assessment of the DIFE. Based on the comparison of the two groups, this trial will provide evidence for the optimal timing of dialysis initiation in patients with end-stage renal disease by the DIFE.