BACKGROUND: The characteristics of patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) who are recipients of public assistance in Japan, and the adequacy of their medical care have not been reported previously. METHODS: The records of patients with CKD stage G5 who visited nine facilities in Japan from April to June 2013 were retrospectively reviewed to compare the characteristics and care of recipients of public assistance with those of non-recipients. Receiving a presentation of kidney replacement therapy (KRT) options and polypharmacy were used as indicators of suboptimal medical care. RESULTS: Of the 592 patients included in this analysis (mean age, 69.6 years
male, 59.3%), 56 (9.5%) were recipients of public assistance and 536 (90.5%) were non-recipients of public assistance. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus, unmarried status, and living alone were higher in recipients of public assistance. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, compared with non-recipients of public assistance, recipients of public assistance were less likely to receive a presentation of KRT options (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.31
95% confidence interval [CI], 0.17-0.56), and were more likely to receive ≥ 10 (aOR, 1.92
95% CI, 1.05-3.51), and ≥ 15 (aOR, 2.78
95% CI, 1.23-6.26) types of medication. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with advanced CKD receiving public assistance were less likely to receive a presentation of KRT options and more likely to receive ≥ 10 and ≥ 15 types of medication, suggesting that recipients of public assistance are more likely to receive suboptimal medical care.