| Theme |
Geriatric nephrology and dialysis |
| Title |
Current geriatric medicine topics : sarcopenia and frailty in CKD and maintenance hemodialysis patients |
| Author |
Yoshitomo Hamano |
Department of Nephrology, Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital and Institute of Gerontology |
| Author |
Wako Yumura |
Department of Nephrology, Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital and Institute of Gerontology / Department of Nephrology, International University of Health and Welfare Hospital |
| [ Summary ] |
Frailty and sarcopenia are common clinical syndromes in geriatric medicine. Sarcopenia is defined as the loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength in old age, while frailty is a multidimensional construct reflecting a decline in health and functionality ultimately resulting in risk of disability, hospitalization, institutionalization or death. It has been revealed that frailty and sarcopenia are more prevalent in patients with chronic kidney disease, particularly advanced disease. These two syndromes make it difficult for ambulatory hemodialysis patients to visit hospitals for maintenance hemodialysis, which compels them to be hospitalized.
Renal rehabilitation (RR) consists of coordinated, multifaceted interventions designed to optimize renal patients' physical, psychological, and social functioning, in addition to slowing renal deterioration. RR is expected to create not only improvements in physical capacity for patients but to extend their lives at home and provide better QOL. |