Bicarbonate HD Study

The primary goal of this single centre observational study is to look at factors that affect serum bicarbonate levels in patients on maintenance dialysis. This will be done by collecting demographic information, relevant medical history, dialysis history, potential renal acid load from diet by recording different foods consumed over 2 days in a food diary and bicarbonate levels at 3 intervals, pre and post dialysis session 1 and pre dialysis session 2.

Bicarbonate levels are of significant interest as an indicator of metabolic acidosis in CKD dialysis patients. This study will allow us to understand the efficacy of different dialysis modalities in controlling bicarbonate levels. It will also enable us to understand the idea of individualizing dialysis for patients in terms of not using a standard concentration of dialysate for all patient undergoing dialysis in this center.