| Theme |
Current Problem of Clinical Studies in Dialysis Therapy |
| Title |
Chronic dialysis as a final step of CKD treatment strategy |
| Author |
Tohru Mizumasa |
Nephrology & Dialysis Center, Fukuoka Red-Cross Hospital |
| Author |
Hideki Hirakata |
Nephrology & Dialysis Center, Fukuoka Red-Cross Hospital |
| [ Summary ] |
Marked increases in the number of elderly dialysis patients due to complications from diabetes and nephrosclerosis are a common problem in developed countries. These patients usually have cardiovascular complications, in association with deterioration of renal functions. Dialysis as a renal functional replacement therapy may therefore be delayed to the time of endstage renal failure. Ideally, co-morbidity, especially cardiovascular-related events, should be treated in parallel with renal protective therapy. The idea that CKD should be combined with other subspecialties, such as diabetologists and cardiologists, in order to achieve higher clinical outcomes in these patients is presented. In this context, it will be necessary to evaluate the effects of earlier initiation of dialysis (at CKD stage 5) on survival as well as quality of life. |