Physical and psychosocial resource variables related to long-term survival in older dialysis patients

The association of baseline characteristics with long-term survival (7 years past baseline interview) was investigated in a prevalent sample of 349 dialysis patients aged 60-87 at baseline. In primary diagnosis, treatment modality, and months on dialysis, the sample was representative of all patients aged 60+ living in the state of Georgia. There were 38 surviving patients at a 7-year follow-up. At their baseline assessment, long-term survivors were significantly younger and less likely to report cardiovascular comorbidity. With age and cardiovascular comorbidity controlled, long-term survivors were more likely at baseline to desire a transplant, and reported needing less time to "recover" from HD treatments. Survivors' physical functioning resources at baseline included less health limitation of activity, lower functional impairment, and more frequent activity/exercise. Psychosocial well-being resources included higher self-esteem, higher sense of mastery, and higher self-rated health status. Ongoing assessment of these resource variables, with targeted interventions, might contribute to improved survival as well as improved functioning and well-being for older patients.