Dialysis in the elderly patient: a challenge of the XXI century--narrative review

J Bras Nefrol. 2013 Apr-Jun;35(2):132-41. doi: 10.5935/0101-2800.20130022.
[Article in English, Portuguese]

Abstract

With the increase in life expectancy, the improvement of therapeutic arsenal, knowledge and control of chronic degenerative diseases, the world population has reached older age groups. As advanced age is a risk factor for chronic kidney disease (CKD), along with the bonus of increased survival, today we are experiencing the greatest burden of progressive incidence of elderly patients on renal replacement therapy (RRT). Dialysis in elderly patients, which for three decades was considered out of question, today is a routine for nephrologists, who face the challenge of providing care to elderly patients with CKD stage 5 with dialysis indication. In fact, what we see nowadays are dialysis incidents elderly patients as the fastest growing group on RRT. Although without reaching a consensus, it seems indisputable that for elderly patients with CKD, the most important is the quality of life. In this paper we discuss the dialysis in the elderly patient.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Humans
  • Peritoneal Dialysis
  • Quality of Life
  • Renal Dialysis*
  • Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / mortality
  • Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / therapy*
  • Survival Rate