Document Classification

Section Type: RESULTS

Text: While the arterial acid base status of the total study population did not change during the study period and no significant difference was observed between the two treatment groups, the acid-base status of patients in the bicarbonate group entering the study with a metabolic acidosis significantly improved (mean + / - SD ; blood pH : baseline = 7. 361 + / - 0. 05, week 12 = 7. 380 + / - 0. 04, P < 0. 05 ; week 24 = 7. 388 + / - 0. 03 P < 0. 05 ; plasma bicarbonate : baseline = 19. 49 + / - 3. 01 mmol/liter, week 12 = 21. 16 + / - 2. 63 mmol/liter, P < 0. 01 ; week 24 = 21. 51 + / - 2. 42 mmol/liter, P < 0. 01).