Production of urea nitrogen and creatinine in chronic azotemia and effect of hemodialysis.

Abstract

Summary1. The daily rate of urea nitrogen and creatinine production was determined in 7 patients with chronic stable azotemia and 3 normal subjects, maintained on a reduced protein intake. In addition, the effect of hemodialysis on urea nitrogen and creatinine production was observed in all the azo-temic patients. 2. In 7 cases predialysis urea nitrogen production was similar to that found in normal subjects and averaged 55% of the nitrogen intake. In 2 cases urea nitrogen production was elevated, being equal to or exceeding the dietary nitrogen. The rate of creatinine production in the azotemic patients was slightly lower than that found in normal subjects. 3. Postdialysis urea nitrogen production increased significantly in 5 cases whose predialysis PUN ranged from 42 to 73 mg%, and decreased in 4 cases with predialysis PUN of 87 to 192 mg%. Creatinine production decreased in all but one case.