Peritoneal dialysis in older individuals.
Peritoneal dialysis is a viable alternative to hemodialysis for management of elderly patients requiring renal replacement therapy. Peritoneal dialysis confers several advantages over hemodialysis for the elderly--namely independence, home treatment and perhaps preservation of residual renal function. Although there are a few contraindications, these are minimal and can largely be overcome with attention to special training and the use of healthcare partners to perform the technique of peritoneal dialysis exchanges.
Winchester
J F
JF
Department of Medicine, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA. jwinch@ix.netcom.com
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000628:therapy*; D010530:Peritoneal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects; D011788:Quality of Life; D016896:Treatment Outcome