Dialysis survivors: clinical status of patients on treatment for more than 10 years.
BACKGROUND
Although there are increasing numbers of long-term survivors on dialysis, there is remarkably little information about their medical and social wellbeing.


METHODS
A group of 46 current survivors of long-term dialysis at a single centre were identified and asked to complete a structured interview; selected routine blood tests were also reviewed. The group's background and renal replacement history are described, along with frequencies of various complications.


RESULTS
Younger age and non-diabetic renal disease are associated with longer survival. Substantial morbidity accumulated over the time on dialysis, particularly vascular disease (57%) which was strongly linked to smoking history, as well as musculoskeletal complications (78%) and nutritional decline (80%). Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis developed in 4 patients, after between 9 and 13 years of peritoneal dialysis.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite accumulating morbidity, a surprisingly stable and socially well-adjusted group is revealed, with low rates of hospital admission in the majority. The pattern of complications may be influenced by modality choices.
Ashby
Damien
D
Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, West London Renal and Transplant Centre, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK. d.ashby@imperial.ac.uk
Smith
Colin
C
Hurril
Roopkishor
R
Maxwell
Patrick
P
Brown
Edwina
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008131:London / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D017741:Survivors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*