Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 8, 2026

06:27
A Retrograde Implantation Approach for Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter Placement in Mice
Published on: July 20, 2022
Peritoneal dialysis in the elderly--is its underutilization justified?
Summary
Peritoneal dialysis (PD) offers comparable or better quality of life for elderly patients compared to hemodialysis. These findings support increased use of PD in older adults.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Geriatric Medicine
- Quality of Life Research
Background:
- Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is underutilized in the elderly population.
- Limited data exist on PD's comparative outcomes and quality of life versus other dialysis modalities in older adults.
Discussion:
- The BOLDE study compared quality of life (cognitive function, deprivation, illness intrusiveness) in elderly patients on PD versus hemodialysis.
- Matched patient cohorts (age > 65) were analyzed in this cross-sectional study.
Key Insights:
- Quality of life was similar, and potentially better, for elderly patients treated with PD compared to hemodialysis.
- Cognitive function and illness intrusiveness did not differ significantly between PD and hemodialysis groups.
Outlook:
- Findings suggest PD is a viable and potentially advantageous dialysis modality for elderly patients.
- Increased utilization of PD in older individuals is warranted based on these quality-of-life outcomes.
Related Concept Videos
Peritoneal Dialysis II: Peritoneal Dialysis Systems and Complications
Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a medical process that removes waste products and excess fluid from the body using the peritoneal membrane as a natural filter.Peritoneal Dialysis MethodsSeveral methods can be used for peritoneal dialysis, including Acute Intermittent Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis, and Automated Peritoneal Dialysis, also known as Continuous Cyclic Peritoneal Dialysis.Acute Intermittent Peritoneal Dialysis (AIPD) is used for patients with uremic...
Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Excretion
In geriatric patients, renal physiology undergoes significant changes, including diminished renal blood flow and a lower glomerular filtration rate (GFR), leading to alterations in medication clearance. Drugs such as aminoglycoside antibiotics, lithium, and digoxin, which rely on glomerular filtration for removal from the body, particularly impact pharmacokinetics. These drugs tend to have slower clearance rates in older adults, necessitating careful dosage considerations.Evaluation of renal...
Peritoneal Dialysis III: Nursing Management
Peritoneal dialysis, or PD, utilizes the peritoneal membrane as a filter to eliminate excess fluid and waste products. Effective nursing management is essential for ensuring patient safety, preventing complications, and promoting optimal function of the peritoneal dialysis process.Assessment and MonitoringNurses must thoroughly assess the patient before, during, and after each dialysis session. Regular monitoring includes vital signs, daily weight, fluid intake and output, and laboratory values...
Drug Dosing: Geriatric Patients
Elderly individuals encompass a diverse population with varying degrees of age-related physiological changes. Defining the elderly presents challenges, as the geriatric population is often arbitrarily categorized as individuals older than 65. However, many individuals in this group lead active and healthy lives, with an increasing number surpassing 85 years and falling into the older elderly category. Physiological changes associated with aging impact performance capacity and homeostatic...
Peritoneal Dialysis I: Introduction and Procedure
Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a procedure that facilitates the exchange of solutes, waste products, electrolytes, and excess fluid between the blood in the peritoneal capillaries and a dialysis solution introduced into the peritoneal cavity.Principles of Peritoneal Dialysis (PD)Diffusion: Waste products such as urea and electrolytes move from high concentrations in the blood to low concentrations in the dialysate across the peritoneal membrane. This mechanism is driven by the concentration...
Dialysis
Renal failure occurs when the kidneys lose their ability to filter waste products from the blood effectively. It can be classified into two types: acute renal failure (ARF) and chronic renal failure (CRF).
Acute kidney injury develops suddenly and can be caused by pre-renal causes (e.g., hypovolemia, shock), intrinsic renal causes (e.g., acute tubular necrosis), or post-renal causes (e.g., urinary obstruction). In contrast, chronic renal failure progresses gradually over time and is often...
Acute kidney injury develops suddenly and can be caused by pre-renal causes (e.g., hypovolemia, shock), intrinsic renal causes (e.g., acute tubular necrosis), or post-renal causes (e.g., urinary obstruction). In contrast, chronic renal failure progresses gradually over time and is often...