Which infection complication is most prevalent among dialysis patients?

Vascular access infections are indeed the most prevalent among dialysis patients, particularly those receiving in-center hemodialysis. This is primarily due to the fact that patients undergoing dialysis require frequent access to their bloodstream for the purpose of dialysis treatments. These access points can become entry sites for pathogens, leading to infections.

Patients often use either an arteriovenous (AV) fistula, AV graft, or central venous catheter as their vascular access. Among these, central venous catheters are particularly associated with a higher risk of infections due to their formulation and the inability to establish a natural access point as in fistulas or grafts. Additionally, the frequency of needle insertion and the need for meticulously maintaining cleanliness during the dialysis process contribute to the risk of infection at the vascular access site.

Furthermore, dialysis patients often have compromised immune systems, owing to their underlying kidney disease and other comorbidities, making them more susceptible to infections overall. Therefore, the combination of the necessity of vascular access and the increased risk factors in this patient population culminates in vascular access infections being the most prevalent infection complication among dialysis patients.