| Theme | How to Correspond to Chronic Dialysis Patients in End-of-Life Stage | |
|---|---|---|
| Title | General clinical course and causes ofdeath in elderly dialysis patients | |
| Publish Date | 2009/09 | |
| Author | Shigeko Hara | Kidney Center, Torano-mon Hospital |
| Author | Kenichi Ohashi | Kidney Center, Department of Pathology, Torano-mon Hospital |
| [ Summary ] | The average age of patients undergoing dialysishas increased over the past few decades. Moreover, the number of elderly patients receiving dialysis has also increased. In elderly dialysis patients, cardio and cerebrovascular complication are observed in a higher frequency than in younger patients. The main causes of death for these patients are cardiovascular and infectious diseases. Cardiovascular diseases affect survival rates after the initiation of dialysis. Early evaluation of cardiovascular disease and cardiac intervention therapy improve survival rates. As a result, earlydiagnosis and treatment is necessary. The nutritional states of dialysis patients indicate hypoalbuminemia and low levels of BMI. In elderly long term dialysis patients, secondary hyperparathyroidism and dialysis amyloidosis are often observed. Social and physical ability may be diminished. At this time the number of nuclear familiesis increasing. Therefore, support systems for elderly dialysis patients are inadequate. These factors are problem to deal with elderly dialysispatients very difficult. | |