Economic evaluation of dialysis therapies

Key PointsEvidence indicates that peritoneal dialysis (PD) is the most economically efficient dialysis modality, but is underused in many settingsHome haemodialysis (HD) might offer compelling advantages over in-centre HD, although these benefits may only be realized if patients move from in-centre to home HDIn developing nations, PD is generally similar or less costly than other dialysis modalities, and might become more attractive if optimized, for example, through local manufacturing of materials used in the procedureProvision of dialysis therapy might not be the best use of the finite health-care resources available to low-income nationsPolicies and incentives should be aligned with the economic efficiencies of dialysis to ensure sustainability of both the care of patients with end-stage renal disease and the health-care system overall