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Peritoneal dialysis is appropriate for elderly patients.
1Division of Renal Disease and Hypertension, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, Colo., USA.
Contributions to Nephrology
|May 25, 2006
Summary
Elderly patients are suitable candidates for peritoneal dialysis (PD). Concerns about PD in older adults are medically unfounded, showing comparable survival and better quality of life than hemodialysis.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Geriatrics
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Peritoneal dialysis (PD) utilization declines with increasing age.
- Concerns exist regarding the suitability of PD for elderly end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the medical validity of concerns surrounding PD in elderly patients.
- To assess the appropriateness of PD as a treatment modality for older adults with ESRD.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review and synthesis of existing studies.
- Analysis of data on PD patient compliance, complications, adequacy, survival, and quality of life.
Main Results:
- Most elderly patients possess the necessary manual and cognitive skills for PD.
- Elderly PD patients demonstrate excellent compliance, comparable infectious complication rates, and good technique survival.
- Nutritional status and patient survival are comparable to hemodialysis, with potentially superior quality of life.
Conclusions:
- Elderly patients with ESRD are appropriate candidates for peritoneal dialysis.
- Excluding older adults from PD consideration based on age alone is medically unjustifiable.
- PD offers a viable and effective treatment option for the aging ESRD population.