This eBook from Blue Heron Health NewsBack in the spring of 2008, Christian Goodman put together a group of like-minded people – natural researchers who want to help humanity gain optimum health with the help of cures that nature has provided. He gathered people who already know much about natural medicine and setup blueheronhealthnews.com. Today, Blue Heron Health News provides a variety of remedies for different kinds of illnesses. All of their remedies are natural and safe, so they can be used by anyone regardless of their health condition. Countless articles and eBooks are available on their website from Christian himself and other natural health enthusiasts, such as Julissa Clay , Shelly Manning , Jodi Knapp and Scott Davis. |
Long-term outcomes of renal replacement therapy
Here’s an overview of the long-term outcomes of renal replacement therapy (RRT), including both dialysis (hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis) and kidney transplantation:
Long-Term Outcomes of Renal Replacement Therapy
1. Survival Rates
Kidney Transplantation
Generally offers the best long-term survival and quality of life.
5-year graft survival rates typically range from 70% to 90%, depending on donor type and patient factors.
Transplanted patients usually live longer than those on dialysis.
Hemodialysis (HD)
Median survival ranges from 3 to 5 years, but varies widely based on age, comorbidities, and care quality.
Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of mortality.
Peritoneal Dialysis (PD)
Survival comparable to HD in the first few years.
Technique failure (loss of peritoneal membrane function) and infections can affect long-term outcomes.
2. Quality of Life
Transplant recipients typically report better quality of life, with fewer dietary restrictions and greater physical function.
Dialysis patients may experience fatigue, dietary and fluid restrictions, and frequent healthcare visits.
PD offers more flexibility and independence compared to in-center HD.
3. Complications
Cardiovascular Disease
Leading cause of death in dialysis patients due to hypertension, fluid overload, and vascular calcification.
Infections
Access-related infections in HD; peritonitis in PD.
Bone and Mineral Disorders
Common in all RRT patients, affecting morbidity.
Anemia
Requires management with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents.
Psychosocial Impact
Depression and anxiety are common in long-term dialysis patients.
4. Technique Survival
PD catheter or membrane failure can limit long-term use.
HD vascular access complications (fistula failure, infections) affect treatment continuity.
5. Economic and Social Impact
Transplantation is more cost-effective long term despite high upfront costs.
Dialysis involves ongoing substantial healthcare resources and patient time.
Summary
Kidney transplantation offers superior long-term outcomes but is limited by donor availability.
Dialysis sustains life but with lower survival and quality of life compared to transplantation.
Managing complications and optimizing care can improve outcomes for all RRT patients.
Would you like information on strategies to improve long-term outcomes or specifics on transplantation eligibility?
Here’s an overview of renal replacement therapy (RRT) considerations in elderly patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) or end-stage kidney disease (ESKD):
Renal Replacement Therapy (RRT) in Elderly Patients
1. Challenges and Considerations
Comorbidities:
Elderly patients often have multiple health issues (cardiovascular disease, diabetes, frailty) that complicate RRT choice and outcomes.
Functional Status:
Cognitive impairment, mobility limitations, and social support affect treatment feasibility and adherence.
Life Expectancy and Goals of Care:
Treatment goals may focus more on quality of life and symptom management rather than solely on prolonging survival.
Dialysis Tolerance:
Elderly are at higher risk for dialysis-related complications such as hypotension, vascular access problems, and infections.
2. Dialysis in Elderly
Hemodialysis:
May be physically demanding due to frequent visits and fluid shifts.
Vascular access creation may be challenging.
Risk of intradialytic hypotension and cardiovascular stress is higher.
Peritoneal Dialysis:
Can be more flexible and home-based, but requires patient or caregiver ability to perform exchanges.
Risk of peritonitis remains a concern.
Conservative Management:
For some elderly with limited life expectancy or frailty, conservative (non-dialytic) care focusing on symptom relief may be appropriate.
3. Kidney Transplantation in Elderly
Eligibility:
Transplant may be offered selectively to healthy elderly patients without significant comorbidities.
Older donor kidneys may be considered (expanded criteria donors).
Benefits vs. Risks:
Transplant can improve quality of life and survival but comes with surgical and immunosuppression risks.
Careful patient selection and pre-transplant evaluation are critical.
4. Decision-Making Factors
Patient Preferences:
Understanding goals, values, and willingness to undergo invasive treatments.
Functional and Cognitive Status:
Ability to manage dialysis or post-transplant care.
Support System:
Availability of caregivers and social support.
Prognosis and Comorbidities:
Considering overall health and expected outcomes.
Summary Table
Aspect Considerations for Elderly Patients
Dialysis Increased risks, tolerance issues, requires support
Transplantation Selective eligibility, improved outcomes if appropriate
Conservative Management Symptom-focused care for those unsuitable for RRT
Decision Factors Patient goals, health status, social support, prognosis
If you want, I can help with guidance on how to discuss RRT options with elderly patients or their families.
The Chronic Kidney Disease Solution™ By Shelly Manning It is an eBook that includes the most popular methods to care and manage kidney diseases by following the information provided in it. This easily readable eBook covers up various important topics like what is chronic kidney disease, how it is caused, how it can be diagnosed, tissue damages caused by chronic inflammation, how your condition is affected by gut biome, choices for powerful lifestyle and chronic kidney disease with natural tools etc.
Blue Heron Health News
Back in the spring of 2008, Christian Goodman put together a group of like-minded people – natural researchers who want to help humanity gain optimum health with the help of cures that nature has provided. He gathered people who already know much about natural medicine and setup blueheronhealthnews.com.
Today, Blue Heron Health News provides a variety of remedies for different kinds of illnesses. All of their remedies are natural and safe, so they can be used by anyone regardless of their health condition. Countless articles and eBooks are available on their website from Christian himself and other natural health enthusiasts, such as Shelly Manning Jodi Knapp and Scott Davis.
About Christian Goodman
Christian Goodman is the CEO of Blue Heron Health News. He was born and raised in Iceland, and challenges have always been a part of the way he lived. Combining this passion for challenge and his obsession for natural health research, he has found a lot of solutions to different health problems that are rampant in modern society. He is also naturally into helping humanity, which drives him to educate the public on the benefits and effectiveness of his natural health methods.