Renal transplantation  is also an option for patients over 70.
BACKGROUND
Kidney transplantation is generally regarded as the best treatment option for patients with end-stage renal disease. Because of an increase in the elderly population, the number of elderly patients with end-stage renal disease is expected to increase. The scope of this paper is to present existing knowledge about the survival after kidney transplantation of patients over 70 years of age at the time of transplantation.


METHODS
The paper is based on existing literature retrieved through a systematic search in MEDLINE as well as on the authors' own experience and research.


RESULTS
Among patients who fulfill the established medical criteria, kidney transplantation results in better survival than lifelong dialysis treatment. The best prognosis is achieved if time on dialysis prior to transplantation is reduced and acute rejection episodes are avoided after transplantation.


CONCLUSIONS
Kidney transplantation is a safe treatment for selected elderly patients with end-stage renal disease. Given a sufficient supply of organs, selected patients over 70 years of age with end-stage renal disease should be offered kidney transplantation following a standard medical assessment.
Clinic of Internal Medicine, Telemark Hospital Skien, Norway. kristian.heldal@sthf.no
Kristian
K
Heldal
Anders
A
Hartmann
Torbjørn
T
Leivestad
Bjørn
B
Lien
Aksel Espen
AE
Foss
Karsten
K
Midtvedt
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000401:mortality; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000401:mortality; D009664:Norway; D018579:Patient Selection; D011379:Prognosis; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000401:mortality; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome