Z-coded social determinants of health and cardiovascular risk among patients receiving dialysis

Introduction Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death among patients with kidney failure on dialysis. Social determinants of health may worsen this risk but are seldom incorporated into prognostic models. ICD-10 Z-codes provide standardized documentation of social determinants of health, yet their prognostic value in dialysis populations remains uncertain. This study examined whether Z-coded social determinants of health are associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes and mortality among patients receiving dialysis for kidney failure. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the TriNetX Research Network (2010–2024), encompassing de-identified data from 103 institutions. Adults with kidney failure on chronic dialysis were stratified by the presence of ICD-10 Z-codes (Z55–Z65). Propensity score matching (1:1) balanced demographics, comorbidities, medications, and laboratory values. Primary outcomes were all-cause mortality and hospitalization; secondary outcomes included acute heart failure, myocardial infarction, stroke, cardiac arrest, bradyarrhythmias, and ventricular tachycardia. Results After matching, mean age was 62 years, and 42.4% were female in the Z-code cohort versus 41.2% in controls. Over one year, mortality occurred in 12.5% versus 10.9% (hazard ratio [HR], 1.22; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.15–1.29) and all-cause hospitalizations in 57.3% versus 53.1% (HR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.19–1.26). Cardiovascular complications were consistently higher in Z-coded patients, including heart failure (24.3% vs 20.5%; HR, 1.29), myocardial infarction (8.0% vs 7.1%; HR, 1.19), stroke (6.6% vs 6.2%; HR, 1.13), cardiac arrest (3.8% vs 3.1%; HR, 1.29), and bradyarrhythmias (6.9% vs 5.5%; HR, 1.33). Discussion Among patients with kidney failure, documented Z-coded social risk factors were associated with greater mortality and cardiovascular morbidity. Incorporating social determinants of health documentation into nephrology care may improve risk stratification and inform targeted interventions.