Acute renal failure: a study of elderly patients.

Two hundred and forty-six patients over the age of 65 years treated for acute renal failure (ARF) between 1960 and 1987 are reviewed. Although the fatality has apparently not changed over the duration of the study, it is possible to identify groups with a relatively good prognosis with renal replacement therapy. This particularly applies to patients with an underlying medical illness or with urological problems (excluding neoplasia). ARF following surgery with perioperative sepsis continues to carry a poor prognosis. We would recommend early referral of elderly patients with acute renal failure to a specialist unit, as a substantial proportion of survivors will regain normal renal function and quality of life.