Patients on renal replacement therapy for 20 or more years: a clinical profile.
BACKGROUND
Long-term survivors are living evidence of the goals and limits of renal replacement therapy (RRT).


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was performed on all cases (188 patients) with RRT follow-up >/=20 years in Piemonte, northern Italy (4 350 000 inhabitants, 22 dialysis centres). Study included revision of clinical charts and assessment of functional (Karnofsky scale, Ks) and nutritional status (subjective global assessment, SGA). According to treatment history, patients were sorted into three groups: group 1, 56 patients always on dialysis; group 2, 40 patients on dialysis with previous graft; group 3, 92 grafted patients.


RESULTS
Age differed between group 1 and groups 2 and 3 (59.5+/-11.5 vs 51.5+/-7.9 and 51.0+/-9.0 years; P=0.001). Prevalence of comorbidity was higher in groups 1 and 2 (94.6% and 95%) compared with group 3 (81.5%), reflecting selection during follow-up. Twenty-two cases (11.7%) had no comorbidity; these patients were younger (44.3+/-8.5 years) and 17 out of 22 had a functioning graft. The most common comorbidities were vasculopathy (73.4%), bone disease (72.9%) and cardiopathy (33.5%). Severe visual impairment was a common problem (18%), with a higher prevalence in patients with cardiovascular comorbidity (32%). Severe depression was found in 13.3% of cases. Despite comorbidity, functional scores (Ks) were good (higher in group 3 (88.1+/-15) than in groups 1 and 2 (67.9+/-21.9 and 75.5+/-18, respectively); P=0.000) and 64% of patients were well nourished. The combination of cardiovascular comorbidity, bone disease and visual impairment may reflect the premature ageing of RRT patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite the high prevalence of comorbidity, long-term follow-up may promote good clinical conditions at least in some patients, highlighting the therapeutic potentials of dialysis in an era of reconsideration of open acceptance of RRT.
Piccoli
Giorgina Barbara
GB
Dialysis Centres of Piemonte, Cattedra di Nefrologia, University of Torino, Italy. gbpiccoli@hotmail.com
Mezza
Elisabetta
E
Anania
Patrizia
P
Iadarola
Anna Maria
AM
Vischi
Margherita
M
Torazza
Maria Cristina
MC
Fop
Fabrizio
F
Guarena
Cesare
C
Martina
Guido
G
Messina
Maria
M
Jeantet
Alberto
A
Segoloni
Giuseppe Paolo
GP
Piccoli
Giuseppe
G
D000328:Adult; D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology; D007558:Italy; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology; D018579:Patient Selection; D015995:Prevalence; D017582:Renal Replacement Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D013997:Time Factors; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology