The management of uraemia in the elderly: treatment choices

The particularity of geriatric medicine and the lack of information due to the fact that geriatric nephrology dates back only 10 years explains why the management of chronic uraemia among the elderly presents itself as a succession of difficult dilemmas. (1) Should causes of chronic renal failure be systematically determined and treated? Risk-benefit assessments of the investigations and treatments involved in preventing or slowing down the evolution to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are required to answer this question. (2) In cases of ESRD, should dialysis always be considered? The fact that life expectancy is limited for the aged does not justify depriving them of treatment. Nevertheless, in some borderline situations, conservative treatment may be preferable. (3) When should dialysis be started? Currently the mortality before the 90th day of dialysis is very high among elderly patients. To improve results it is probably necessary to determine appropriate criteria for starting treatment before complications occur. (4) What is the best method for the first treatment? There is much controversy about the respective advantages of haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. The choice depends on the individual's medical and social conditions. (5) Should dialysis treatment be stopped, and, if so, in this case, when? The large acceptance rate of elderly patients for dialysis implies that withdrawal of treatment must sometimes be considered. Fears linked to this dilemma probably explain why some physicians choose to exclude elderly patients from dialysis. It seems to us more ethical to treat this group of patients and assume responsibility for stopping treatment should it be necessary.