Characteristics of long-term (14 years) survivors of maintenance dialysis

The characteristics of 25 men and women who have been maintenance dialysis patients for at least 14 years (average 15.7 years) were tabulated on the basis of a survey instrument. In addition to repeated problems with vascular access surgery, the most common medical problems surround difficulties with musculoskeletal system. The most severe manifestation of this was a fibrosing arthropathy and repeated pathologic fractures. Cardiovascular morbidity was less prominent. As a group, these patients were characterized largely as 'independent, organized and cheerful'. The average calculated dose of dialysis for this group was 27 m2. h/70 kg body weight per week.