[Dialysis therapy for end stage renal disease in octogenarians].
End stage renal disease (ESRD) patients aged 80+ years raise the most difficult problems with respect to indication and dialysis therapy management because of the burden of heavy comorbidity, frequent cognitive disorders/and presumed short life expectancy. Some patients are withheld dialysis and follow a "conservative" treatment. However, most elderly patients are started on a chronic dialysis program and experience a substantial prolongation of life, with a satisfactory mental perception of the quality of life. Still, much remains to be done in this field: early nephrologic referral and psychosocial support should improve both the process of decision-making and the overall results of renal replacement therapy in this age group.
Joly
Dominique
D
Service de néphrologie Hôpital Necker, Paris. joly@necker.fr
D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D006435:Renal Dialysis