[Chronic dialysis in advanced age patients: a reasonable therapeutic alternative?].
Thirty two elderly patients (mean age 68.8 +/- 6.95 years) were treated by maintenance hemodialysis or intermittent peritoneal dialysis. 28.1% were diabetics and no survivors in this group were observed after 24 months. Median survival for non diabetic patients was 72.4 months vs 9.03 months in diabetics (p < 0.01). The main cause of death was discontinuation of dialysis (33%) or cardiovascular disease. Thus, chronic dialysis is a reasonable treatment for elderly patients with end stage renal disease. However, diabetes is associated to a poor prognosis.
Departamento de Nefrología, Hospital Naval de Valparaíso, Chile.
J
J
Duclos
B
B
Cubillos
M C
MC
Salgado
C
C
Olea
D
D
Casanova
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002423:Cause of Death; D002677:Chile / Q000453:epidemiology; D003928:Diabetic Nephropathies / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010530:Peritoneal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000401:mortality*; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality*; D016896:Treatment Outcome