A reassessment of the prognosis of diabetic patients treated by chronic hemodialysis (CHD).

Our early results in 25 diabetics treated by CHD prior to 1972, compared to results in a further 66 diabetics starting CHD since 1972, show an improvement in survival related to a reduction in deaths from myocardial infarction and sepsis. There has been a reduction in complications requiring hospital admission, related to a lower incidence of sepsis. Access survival has been markedly improved since the introduction of the bovine fistula.