Aim CHA2DS2‐VASc and modified‐CHADS2 score can easily estimate the risk of stroke in atrial fibrillation. Study's purpose was to evaluate these in haemodialysis patients, and assess the effect of diabetes mellitus (DM). Methods The scores calculated in 237 haemodialysis patients, 121 diabetics (58 females) and 116 non‐diabetics (41 females). Results correlated to cardiovascular events (acute myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation, heart failure, peripheral arterial disease, stroke, mortality). Results CHA2DS2‐VASc score correlated with the occurrence of stroke and heart failure (p < .01, p < .01), (p < .01, p < .01), respectively in diabetics and non‐diabetics. CHA2DS2‐VASc score could predict the risk of all‐cause mortality in both groups, p = .03, p < .01, respectively, however, the risk of cardiovascular death could be predicted in non‐diabetics, p < .01. Modified‐CHADS2 score associated with heart failure (p = .04), cardiovascular (p < .01) and all‐cause mortality (p < .01) only on non‐diabetics. C statistics indicated that the first score showed modest discrimination in patients with and without DM, for stroke and all‐cause mortality. The second score performed modestly only on patients without DM for all‐cause mortality. Both scores showed poor calibration. Stroke was a common cause of cardiovascular death (OR = 3.52, 95% CI = 1.92–6.47, p < .01) and associated with central venous catheter (OR = 2.19, 95% CI = 1.12–4.27, p = .02) and pre‐existing atrial fibrillation (OR = 1.94, 95% CI = 1.06–3.58, p = .03). Conclusion CHA2DS2‐VASc score correlated with stroke, heart failure and all‐cause mortality in haemodialysis patients with and without DM. The risk of cardiovascular death could be predicted only in non‐diabetics patients. Modified‐CHADS2 score correlated with heart failure, cardiovascular and all‐cause mortality only on non‐diabetics. Both had modest discrimination and poor calibration.

Background and Aims Mortality in hemodialysis patients significantly exceeds the one observed in general population. Identifying and early management of risk factors is essential for improving survival of these patients. Aim of the study is to assess survival and evaluate factors related to mortality in hemodialysis population. Method We retrospectively studied 237 patients [99 ♀, median age 76 (69-84) years] undergoing hemodialysis in a single Dialysis Center for a 10-years period of time (from 1/2/2010 to 31/1/2021). Demographics, comorbidities and laboratory parameters were recorded and analyzed. Median survival, mortality rate and factors that may affect them were evaluated. Results The mortality rate was 9.28% in the first year and 36.29% in five years after starting dialysis, respectively (Figure 1. Kaplan-Meier survival curves for the study population). Elderly patients (&gt;65 years) had a lower median survival compared to younger ones (63 versus 103 months, p = 0.031). Survival of diabetics undergoing on-line hemodiafiltration was twice versus those undergoing hemodialysis (87 versus 42 months, p&lt;0.001). Most common causes of death were cardiovascular diseases (32.38%), infections (20.95%) and cancer (18.1%) (p&lt;0.001). Multivariate analysis identified as important predictors of mortality, the existence of: diabetes mellitus [hazard ratio (HR) = 2.387, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.278-4.46, p = 0.006], peripheral arterial disease (HR = 1.875, 95% CI 1.12-3.139, p = 0.017) and central venous catheter (HR = 2.421, 95% CI 1.297-4.518, p = 0.005). In contrast, absence of vascular access thrombotic episode (HR = 0.289, 95% CI 0.158-0.527, p&lt;0.001) and body mass index &gt;20 kg/m2 (HR = 0.517, 95% CI 0.294-0.909, p = 0.022) had a favorable effect on survival. Conclusion Mortality rate in our cohort was measured 9.28% in first year and 36.29% in five years after starting hemodialysis. Survival was lower at elderly and diabetic patients undergoing hemodialysis. Our study identified some mortality factors potentially modifiable, such as body weight, type of vascular access and method of dialysis treatment.