Renal replacement therapy in elderly patients.

The results of renal replacement therapy (RRT) in elderly patients in Norway were evaluated. During the 5-year period between 1981 and 1985, 368 patients at least 60 years of age (mean, 66.7 years) at the start of RRT were included and followed until 15 February 1987. Transplantation was planned for 249 patients; of these 127 were not grafted. The actuarial survival in this group was 64%, 44%, and 7% at 6, 12, and 48 months, respectively. Survival in 122 grafted patients was 93%, 87%, and 62%, respectively, and the corresponding graft survival was 70%, 67%, and 48%. The remaining 119 patients were allocated to long-term dialysis, with a survival of 63%, 48%, and 13%, respectively. Our results describe the outcome of a treatment program available to the entire elderly population accepted for RRT. In two-thirds of the patients transplantation was planned, and one-third of all patients were actually grafted, with good patient and graft survival. The results suggest that transplantation is the treatment of choice for most elderly patients.