Population

This study will include approximately 600 patients with ESRD (aged ≥18 years) receiving HD treatment two times per week or three times per week. Written informed consent will be obtained from all the participants (online supplemental file 1). Patients will be eligible to be included in the study only if all of the following criteria are applicable: (1) patients are aged ≥18 years at the time of signing the informed consent; (2) patients with ESRD and on HD; (3) the HD treatment frequency is ≥2 sessions per week; (4) capable of giving signed informed consent.

bmjopen-2021-055770supp001.pdf

Patients will be excluded from the study if any of the following criteria are applicable: (1) acute kidney injury; (2) expected to receive renal transplantation within 6 months; (3) intracranial haemorrhage or elevated intracranial pressure within 1 month before enrolment; (4) a traumatic experience that cannot be corrected by drugs within 1 month before enrolment; (5) failure to establish vascular access; (6) has been receiving peritoneal dialysis; (7) not suitable for this study as judged by the investigators.