Acute renal failure in the elderly can have a good prognosis

Acute renal failure in the elderly is generally held to have a poor prognosis. Since January 1982, 22 patients aged 65 or over have presented acutely in renal failure requiring dialysis. Although nine of these patients had an underlying malignancy, the outcome was favourable, with survival in 14 (64%) patients, 12 of whom achieved an independent existence. As a significant number of these patients can survive with a good quality of life, and there are particular problems with their assessment and management, early referral to a renal unit is warranted.