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Kidney disease in elderly minorities
Chamberlain I Obialo1, Sharon Allison-Ottey
1Department of Internal and Geriatric Medicine, COSHAR Medical Inc, Lanham, Maryland, USA. obialoc@msm.edu
Journal of the National Medical Association
|August 3, 2002
Summary
The aging kidney is vulnerable to injury. Chronic kidney disease, including end-stage renal disease (ESRD), disproportionately affects elderly ethnic minorities, necessitating targeted interventions.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Geriatrics
- Public Health
Background:
- Aging kidneys exhibit altered physiology, increasing susceptibility to acute and chronic kidney injury.
- The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) rises with age, exacerbated by comorbidities like hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
- ESRD incidence disproportionately affects ethnic minority populations, indicating complex contributing factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the increased risk of kidney disease in the elderly, particularly within ethnic minority groups.
- To underscore the need for specialized strategies to address kidney disease in this demographic.
Main Methods:
- Review of physiological changes in the aging kidney.
- Analysis of epidemiological data on CKD and ESRD prevalence across age and ethnic groups.
- Exploration of multifactorial influences including environmental, socioeconomic, and genetic elements.
Main Results:
- Kidney disease incidence and prevalence, including ESRD, significantly increase with age.
- Ethnic minority populations experience a disproportionately higher burden of age-related ESRD.
- A complex interplay of factors contributes to disparities in kidney disease outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Kidney disease in elderly ethnic minorities is a critical public health concern.
- Targeted strategies are essential for improving disease management and treatment outcomes in this high-risk population.