Abstract: FR-PO1056
High Burden of Diabetes Among Patients with Incident ESRD Recruited into the Incremental Hemodialysis in Veterans (INCHVETS) Randomized Controlled Trial
Session Information
- Hemodialysis: Clinical Challenges, Patient-Centered Outcomes, and Quality of Life
October 23, 2026 | Location: Exhibit Hall A, Convention Center
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: Dialysis
- 801 Dialysis: Hemodialysis and Frequent Dialysis
Authors
- Kalantar-Zadeh, Kamyar, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, California, United States
- Kovesdy, Csaba P., VA Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee, United States
- Unruh, Mark L., The University of New Mexico Prevention Research Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
- Kraut, Jeffrey A., VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, California, United States
- Geller, David, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, United States
- Goldfarb, David S., New York University, New York, New York, United States
- Rastegar, Mandana, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, California, United States
- Rifkin, Ian R., Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
- Tong, Lili, VA Long Beach Healthcare System, Long Beach, California, United States
- Tran, Diana, VA Long Beach Healthcare System, Long Beach, California, United States
- Simon, Lewis, VA Long Beach Healthcare System, Long Beach, California, United States
- Mathew, Roy O., Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California, United States
- Schwartz, Gregory G., VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System, Aurora, Colorado, United States
- Crowley, Susan T., Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, United States
- Rhee, Connie, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, California, United States
Group or Team Name
- INCHVETS Study in Veterans
Background
The USRDS data suggest that approximately 45-50% of incident end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients in the United States have diabetes mellitus (DM). Veterans initiating dialysis may carry an even higher burden of diabetes and related comorbidities. We examined the prevalence of DM and associated clinical characteristics among participants recruited into the Incremental Hemodialysis in Veterans (INCHVETS) randomized controlled trial.
Methods
INCHVETS is a pragmatic, multicenter randomized controlled trial conducted across multiple VA medical centers examining incremental versus conventional thrice-weekly hemodialysis during the first year of dialysis initiation. Baseline demographic and comorbidity data were examined among enrolled participants who signed informed consent between 2023 and April 2026.
Results
Among the first 162 enrolled participants, mean age was 70±10 years; 95% were male, 49% Black, 19% Hispanic, and 41% Caucasian. Diabetes mellitus was present in 104 participants (67.5%), substantially exceeding the prevalence reported in national incident ESRD cohorts. Other common comorbidities included hypertension (94.2%), coronary artery disease (25.5%), systolic heart failure (20.7%), malignancy (18.5%), atrial fibrillation (11.2%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (9.3%), liver disease (8.8%), cerebrovascular disease (8.2%), and peripheral vascular disease (6.0%). As of April 2026, 161 participants had been recruited across 8 participating VA sites.
Conclusion
In the first recruited participants of the INCHVETS trial, diabetes mellitus affected more than two-thirds of incident ESRD veterans initiating dialysis in the Veterans Health system, substantially higher than reported national averages. These findings underscore the exceptionally high cardiometabolic burden among Veterans transitioning to dialysis and support the importance of innovative dialysis strategies and population health interventions in this vulnerable population.
Funding
- Veterans Affairs Support