Factors associated with higher Δ serum albumin levels during the HD and HDF periods included diabetes (64 % vs. 23 %, p = 0.04), lower serum albumin in HDF1 (33.2 ± 3.9 vs. 35.7 ± 3 g/L, p = 0.01) and lower convection volumes (20.8 ± 2.5 vs. 22.9 ± 2.4 L, p = 0.04). This evidence concerns the gene ALB and diabetes mellitus.