| [ Summary ] |
Home hemodialysis (HHD) was included under national health insurance coerage in Japan in April 1998, but as of December 2003 it still accounted for 0% of dialysis in Japan. Spread of its use has clearly been slow. Reasons for this are considered to be problems inherent in HHD, such as the need for a helper, patient's self-management ability, and training for the introduction of HHD. Another problem is the low level of insurance payments.
However, the survival prognosis with HHD is remarkable, and the rate of return to active roles in society is high as well. HHD should play a major role today because the number of patients who receive under hemodialysis therapy for thirty years or more is increasing. This article will introduce an analysis of HHD by the Japan Society for Dialysis Therapy, together with an analysis based on HHD data from the author's hospital. Promising developments in HHD are expected. |