[Quality of life of the elderly patient on dialysis]

When elderly patients with end-stage renal disease start dialysis their quality of life, and particularly the emotional aspects of it, are very similar to those of age-matched controls. However, as the treatment becomes chronic the quality of life will decline not only with regard to the physical aspects (due to comorbidities) but also the emotional aspects. Dialysis-related stress episodes and the peculiar interrelationships in the dialysis facility setting may cause psychological discomfort which on the one hand reduces the patient's quality of life and on the other may unfavorably impact on the family and the health-care personnel. An integrated psychological approach involving the patient from the beginning of dialysis throughout the treatment process as well as the healthcare personnel and the family can reduce the patient's psychological discomfort, thereby improving quality of life.