Abstract

No consensus has been reached about how cognitive performance evolves in patients receiving hemodialysis (HD). Aim: to analyze the cognitive performance of patients with end-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD) undergoing conservative medical management or HD. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study. The cognitive performance of both groups was assessed through the INECO Frontal Screening (IFS) instrument. Results: 6 patients were analyzed in each group (n= 12). A significant difference was observed for the total IFS score, with 14.4 +/- 6.29 points in the HD group and 21.5 +/- 3.96 points in the conservative management group (p<0.05). Regarding the specific domains of the IFS, a significant difference was found in the domain of verbal inhibitory control, with an average of 1.83 +/- 1.17 points in the HD group and 4 +/- 0.89 points in the conservative management group (p<0.05). No associations were elucidated on the abbreviated MMSE, ACE-III, TMT-A and B, Grober and Buschke Test, Stroop Test and Boston Test Nomination Test. Conclusion: Patients with terminal CKD on HD (even those with a normal MMSE result) show an impairment in their executive functions compared to those who underwent conservative management.