title: [Optimal care for chronic renal failure in the elderly].
abstract: Incidence and prevalence of chronic kidney disease in the elderly are growing steadily in developed countries. Progression to end-stage renal failure in this age class is currently a major public health problem. Elderly subjects with chronic renal failure (CRF) are referred to nephrology units too late, leading to less than optimal medical care. Efforts should be made to: 1. identify kidney disease early; 2. slow down progression of CRF; 3. prevent or treat CRF complications i.e. hypertension, anemia, phosphocalcic disorders, acidosis; 4. control comorbidities, particularly cardiovascular disease; and 5. inform patients and families about renal replacement therapies (RRT) and prepare patients if RRT is indicated. The main objectives are retarding or avoiding RRT, decreasing morbid-mortality, and maintaining good quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Service de néphrologie, hôpitaux de Brabois, CHU de Nancy, 54500 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy. m.kessler@chu-nancy.fr
authors.forename: Michèle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kessler
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*