Gender disparity in fistula use at initiation of hemodialysis varies markedly across ESRD networks—Analysis of USRDS data

Abstract

Adjusted odds ratio for AVF use was significantly lower in women compared to men, independent of time of nephrology care and other predictors. The gender disparity was most pronounced for black women and also varied from 20% to 46% lower odds for AVF use in women for different ESRD networks, after controlling for possible confounding variables, suggesting that practice based factors may be of importance in explaining this important finding.