Comorbidities, Hospitalization, and Living Status of Dialysis Patients Over 80 Years

Abstract

Background: An increasing number of patients start dialysis when they are over 80 years or reaches their eighties on dialysis. The burden of dialysis can affect their quality of life. Methods: Clinical and social data of all patients aged 80 years or older who underwent chronic dialysis treatment in a single center were analyzed. Results: Fifty-nine patients aged between 80 and 92 years were in chronic dialysis treatment on December 31, 2015. Median time on dialysis was 57 months (3-330 months). Hospitalization rate and days in hospital were lower in this group than in younger patients (1.05 vs. 1.34 hospitalizations; 8.3 vs. 9.0 hospital days per patient and year) despite the presence of many comorbidities. The median patency of the currently used arteriovenous shunt was 70 months (6-194 months). Social status was comparable with the population of the rest of the same average age range. Conclusion: Dialysis patients aged ≥80 years have a satisfactory quality of life with no more complications than younger patients.