MO684: Dialysis-Network Variability in Home Dialysis use not Explained by Patient Characteristics. A National Registry-Based Cohort Study in France

Abstract BACKGROUND AND AIMS Although associated with better quality of life and potential economic advantages, home dialysis use varies greatly internationally and appears to be underused in many countries. This study aimed to estimate the dialysis-network variability in home dialysis use and identify factors associated with (i) the uptake in home dialysis, (ii) the proportion of time spent on home dialysis and (iii) home dialysis survival (patient and technique). METHOD All adults ≥18 years old who had dialysis treatment during 2017–9 in mainland France were included. Mixed-effects regression models were built to explore factors including patient characteristics or residence and dialysis network associated with outcomes. RESULTS: During 2017–9, 7728/78 757 (9.8%) patients underwent dialysis at least once at home for a total of 120 594/1 508 000 (8%) months. The heterogeneity in dialysis networks regarding the uptake or total time spent on home dialysis was marginally explained by patient characteristics or residence and dialysis-network factors. Heterogeneity was less for home dialysis survival. These results were similar when the analysis was restricted to home peritoneal dialysis or home hemodialysis. Income inequity and housing were associated with reduced home dialysis uptake and reduced proportion of time on home dialysis. Home dialysis use was not affected by the number of self-care HD units in the administrative district of residence. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that to increase home dialysis use in France, one should focus on home dialysis uptake rather than survival. Financial incentives and a quality improvement program should be implemented at the dialysis-network level to increase home dialysis use.