PD in the elderly--a challenge for the (pre)dialysis team

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Geriatrics

Background:

• Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is often preferred by elderly patients but is not widely applied in this demographic.
• Existing data suggest PD can be a viable option for older adults requiring renal replacement therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current restrictions hindering PD application in elderly patients.
• To explore potential solutions and strategies for increasing PD use in this population.
• To assess patient preferences, quality of life, and outcomes associated with PD in older adults.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on PD in elderly patients.
• Analysis of contraindications and indications for PD in geriatric populations.
• Evaluation of patient-reported outcomes, including quality of life and treatment preference.

Main Results:

• Elderly patients often express a preference for PD over other dialysis modalities.
• Barriers to PD application in the elderly include perceived and actual contraindications, as well as healthcare provider biases.
• Data indicate that PD can offer comparable or improved quality of life and outcomes for carefully selected elderly patients.

Conclusions:

• Assisted peritoneal dialysis presents a potential solution to overcome application barriers in the elderly.
• Addressing contraindications and enhancing patient and provider education can facilitate PD use in older adults.
• Optimizing PD delivery models is crucial for improving renal replacement therapy options for the aging population.