Outcomes

The primary outcome of this study was a review of all-cause mortality. For each death, the principal investigator at the given institution completed a form recording the cause of death according to the CRC registry for ESRD study classification. The median follow-up duration was 24.4 months (3 to 81 months), and the dates and causes of mortality were immediately reported throughout the follow-up period. Additionally, the secondary outcomes of this study were CVD-related mortality, all-cause hospitalization, and CVD-related hospitalization. A report of CVD-related mortality or hospitalization referred to death or admission due to a cardiovascular event, such as heart failure, arrhythmia, ischemic cardiovascular event, or stroke.