Abstract: SA-PO0914
Association Between Gait Speed Change Trajectories and Mortality in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis
Session Information
- Health Maintenance, Nutrition, and Metabolism
October 24, 2026 | Location: Exhibit Hall A, Convention Center
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: Health Maintenance, Nutrition, and Metabolism
- 1500 Health Maintenance, Nutrition, and Metabolism
Authors
- Harada, Manae, Sagami Junkanki Clinic, Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
- Imamura, Keigo, Tokyo-to Kenko Choju Iryo Center, Itabashi, Tokyo, Japan
- Yoshikoshi, Shun, Tsukuba Daigaku Taiikukei, Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan
- Watanabe, Takaaki, Tokyo Iryo Gakuin Daigaku, Tama, Tokyo, Japan
- Suzuki, Yuta, Kokuritsu Hoken Iryo Kagakuin, Wako, Saitama Prefecture, Japan
- Yamabe, Sachi, Nihon Iryo Daigaku, Sapporo, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan
- Matsuzawa, Ryota, Hyogo Ika Daigaku, Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan
- Matsunaga, Atsuhiko, Kitasato Daigaku Iryo Eisei Gakubu, Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
Group or Team Name
- THRIVE-D: Transformative Health through Rehabilitation, Initiative, Vitality, and Exercise in Dialysis
Background
Slow gait speed is associated with a range of adverse outcomes, making regular monitoring imperative in clinical settings. However, evidence on how longitudinal changes in gait speed relate to mortality among patients on hemodialysis remains limited. This study aimed to identify gait speed change trajectories in patients undergoing hemodialysis and evaluate their association with all-cause mortality. We hypothesized that patients undergoing hemodialysis would follow distinct gait speed trajectories and that those with declining trajectories would have a higher risk of all-cause mortality.
Methods
This was a retrospective cohort study of outpatients receiving maintenance hemodialysis at two centers in Japan. Gait speed was measured at the usual pace. Trajectories from baseline to 36 months were modeled using group-based trajectory analysis. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality, assessed using Cox proportional hazards regression to examine associations with gait speed trajectory groups.
Results
A total of 419 patients (mean age, 64.4 years; 60.1% male) were included. The trajectory in gait speed was calculated from 1367 data points (average 3.3 times) and three distinct gait speed trajectories were identified: maintained (35.7%), gradual decline (58.0%), and marked decline (6.3%). Over a median follow-up of 50 months, 148 deaths occurred. Compared with the maintained group, both the gradual decline (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.91, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.58–2.30) and marked decline (HR: 3.03, 95% CI: 1.14–8.01) groups showed higher mortality risk. When the gradual decline group was used as the reference, the maintained group demonstrated a lower mortality risk (HR: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.43–0.63), whereas the marked decline group showed no significant association.
Conclusion
These findings enhance the clinical interpretation of longitudinal gait speed assessments in patients undergoing hemodialysis and suggest that early intervention to mitigate gait speed decline may help reduce adverse outcomes, even when the decline appears modest.
Funding
- Clinical Revenue Support