Prospective Comparative Evaluation of Lung Function in ESKD Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis Versus Kidney Transplantation

Introduction. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global health problem with an increasing prevalence. Retrospective studies have shown associations between CKD and several pulmonary complications. This study was conducted to compare lung function in ESKD patients receiving kidney transplantation versus undergoing maintenance hemodialysis.Methods. This prospective comparative study included 50 patients with ESKD. Patients were divided into two groups: those undergoing routine hemodialysis and those who underwent kidney transplantation. Demographic data were recorded, and participants underwent spirometry at baseline. The same measures were repeated after six months and compared.Results. Spirometry parameters including Forced Expiratory Volume (FEV1), Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC, Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR), Forced Expiratory Flow between 25% and 50% of the vital capacity (FEF25-75%) were compared betweenhemodialysis group and kidney transplantation group. The PEFR parameter was the only index that significantly increased in the hemodialysis group compared to kidney transplantation group both at baseline and six-month follow-up. It was observed that all the parameters significantly increased after six-month follow-up in hemodialysis group. In contrast, only three parameters FEV1, FVC and FEV1/FVC improved significantly in the six-month follow-up in the kidney transplantation group.Conclusion. Spirometric parameters including FEV1, FVC, FEV1/ FVC, PEFR, and FEF25-75% improved significantly after six months of maintenance hemodialysis, whereas FEV1, FVC, and FEV1/FVC improved significantly six months following kidney transplantation. These findings suggest that both treatment modalities may be associated with improvement in pulmonary function, although the pattern of improvement differs.