<b>OBJECTIVESb>: To determine the effect of the timing of nephrology referral, whether early (ER) or late (LR), on morbidity and mortality of dialysis patients Study Design: Cohort, retrospective

<b>MATERIALS AND METHODSb>: We retrospectively reviewed all patients with CRF who were dialyzed for the first time in the Center for Kidney Diseases of the University of Santo Tomas Hospital from January 1 to December 31, 2000. Included cases were classified as either early referral or late referral patients. Excluded in this study were patients with severe acute renal failure (ARF), those who had undergone acute peritoneal dialysis for whatever cause, those with malignancies, those who transferred to another dialysis unit and those who were lost to follow-up.

<b>RESULTSb>: Among 104 patients, 45 (43.3 percent) were included in the study. Sixteen cases (35.6 percent) were timed as ER and 29 (64.4 percent) as LR. There was no difference in the age, sex, comorbid illness and type of renal diseases in both groups. The mean values of BUN, serum creatinine were higher in the LR group. Majority (50 percent) of the ER group had creation of AV fistula at the onset of the first dialysis. The initial morbity was longer in the LR group (mean, 20.48 +/- 11.55 days). The need for emergent dialysis was similar in both groups. There was no difference in the mortality rate in both groups (ER 75 percent, LR 62 percent). Likewise, survival analysis showed no difference in the two groups at twelve months.

<b>CONCLUSIONb>: To our knowledge, this is the first study in the Philippines that focused on CRF patients early or late referral status, and its effects on morbidity and mortality. Further studies are needed to determine whether these results are linked with dialysis modalities, psychosocial conditions and socioeconomic factors. Widespread dissemination of clear guidelines for general practitioners and non-nephrologists, interventions to promote early diagnosis and adequate pre-dialysis follow-up and development of educational programs for the patients need to be evaluated since they appear to be important in improving the survival of CRF patients.

Human ; Male ; Female ; Nephrology ; Renal Dialysis ; Creatinine ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Peritoneal Dialysis ; Morbidity ; Survival Analysis ; Acute Kidney Injury ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Neoplasms ; Fistula