| [ Summary ] |
We can clearly recognize transitions in the characteristics of hemodialysis (HD) patients in Japan from the statistical survey of the Japanese Society of Dialysis Therapy (JSDT). These patients have been aging at a rate which exceeds that of the general population. The average age was 67.2 at the introduction of HD and was 65.3 at the end of 2008. Diabetic nephropathy accounted for 43.2 % of the cases, and raced past chronic glomerulonephritis (23.0 %) of the primary disease conditions. In addition, patients over 80 years old account for 17.8 % of the population, and patients with dementia account for 8.7 %. As a result, a huge increase is expected in the number of these patients.
Because of this, the JSDT should take action to produce guidelines for the introduction or cessation of HD. |