Renal replacement therapy in Europe: the results of a collaborative effort by the ERA-EDTA registry and six national or regional registries.

BACKGROUND: In June 2000 a new ERA-EDTA Registry Office was opened in Amsterdam. This Registry will only collect core data on renal replacement therapy (RRT) through national and regional registries. This paper reports the technical and epidemiological results of a pilot study combining the data from six registries. METHODS: Data from the national renal registries of Austria, Finland, French-Belgium, The Netherlands, Norway, and Scotland were combined. Patients starting RRT between 1980 and 1999 (n=57371) were included in the analyses. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to predict survival. RESULTS: The use of different coding systems for ESRD treatment by the registries made it difficult to merge the data. Incidence and prevalence of RRT showed a continuous increase with a marked variation in rates between countries. The 2-, 5- and 10-year patient survival was 67, 35 and 11% in dialysis patients and 90, 81 and 64% after a first renal allograft. Multivariate analysis showed a slightly better survival on dialysis in the 1990-1994 (RR 0.94, 95% CI 0.90-0.98) and the 1995-1999 cohort (RR 0.88, 95% CI 0.84-0.92) compared to the 1980-1984 cohort. In contrast, there was a much greater improvement in transplant-patient survival, resulting in a 56% reduction in the risk of death within the 1995-1999 cohort (RR 0.44, 95% CI 0.39-0.50) compared to the 1980-1984 cohort. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides support for the feasibility of a "new style" ERA-EDTA registry and the collection of data is now being extended to other countries. The improvement in patient survival over the last two decades has been much greater in transplant recipients than in dialysis patients.     

Renal replacement therapy and orthotopic liver transplantation: the role of continuous veno-venous hemodialysis

BACKGROUND: The need for renal replacement therapy (RRT) either before or after orthotopic liver transplant (OLTX) has been reported to be a poor prognostic indicator for survival. Use of continuous veno-venous hemodialysis (CVVHD) for RRT has been reported in three series of OLTX patients with high 90-day mortality rates of 57-60%. We have examined our patient population to determine the effect of necessity and type of RRT on patient survival after OLTX. METHODS: We analyzed 1535 OLTX that were performed at our institution from 1985 through 1999, 1037 from 1985 to 1995 (period I) and 498 from 1996 to 1999 (period II). Combined liver-kidney transplants were excluded from analysis. Hospital dialysis unit records and a prospectively maintained database on all OLTX patients served as the source of data. Patients were classified into groups defined on whether or not they received RRT, when they received RRT, and the type of RRT. Groups were compared for preoperative intensive care unit status, time on the waiting list, laboratory variables, 90-day postoperative mortality, 1-year patient survival, and absolute survival. RESULTS: Use of RRT increased from 8.29% in period I to 12.45% in period II, along with increased median waiting times. In period I, patients receiving preoperative RRT had a 90-day mortality (0%) and a 1-year survival (89.5%) almost identical to those patients who never required RRT (1.7% and 90.6%). Patients who developed acute renal failure postoperatively requiring RRT, however, had a 90-day mortality of 28.6% and a 1-year survival of 55%. In period II, patients requiring RRT had a 90-day mortality of 39.7% and a 1-year actuarial survival of 54.5% compared with 6.9% and 88.6% in patients never requiring RRT. Patients treated with CVVHD had a 90-day mortality of 42% compared with 25% in patients treated with hemodialysis alone. However, patients receiving CVVHD both pre- and postoperatively had a 90-day mortality of 27.7% vs. 50% in those patients who only received CVVHD postoperatively. Patients who developed acute renal failure postoperatively, which required RRT, regardless of therapy, had a 1-year survival of only 41.0% compared with a 1-year survival of 73.6% in those patients started on RRT preoperatively, P=0.03. CONCLUSIONS: The need for RRT has increased along with waiting time in OLTX patients. Patients developing the need for RRT postoperatively have an increased 90-day mortality and lower 1-year survival with the highest being present in patients receiving CVVHD, which was started postoperatively. These findings may reflect a trend toward a sicker population awaiting OLTX and emphasize the negative impact of renal failure on survival after OLTX.     

Outcome of renal replacement therapy in the very elderly.

BACKGROUND: In a retrospective case-note and computer database analysis we assessed the outcome of very elderly patients (> or = 75 years old) with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on renal replacement therapy (RRT). METHODS: Fifty-eight individuals aged 75 or over (group 1) commenced RRT between 1 January 1991 and 31 December 1995. Comparisons were made with other patients commencing RRT who were divided into two groups: group 2 (201 individuals 65-74 years old) and group 3 (379 patients <65 years old). All subjects were followed up until the point of assessment (30 June 1998), the time of death, or withdrawal from dialysis. Survival rates in the three groups were compared using Kaplan-Meier method. The number of hospital admissions, length of in-patient stay, and complications rate on RRT were assessed for group 1. RESULTS: One-year survival rates in groups 1, 2 and 3 were 53.5, 72.6, and 90.6% respectively and the 5-year survival rates were 2.4, 18.8, and 61.4% respectively. The very elderly spent 20% of their time in hospital, 46% had two co-morbid factors at the outset, and 26% developed multiple complications while on RRT. Withdrawal from dialysis remained the most common cause of death in this group of individuals (38%), followed by cardiovascular causes (24%) and infections (22%). CONCLUSION: Very elderly ESRD patients on RRT have a very poor outcome and, since they are the largest growing group of RRT patients, this has important implications for future health policies.     

Renal replacement therapy in children: data from 12 registries in Europe

In June 2000 the ERA-EDTA Registry office moved to Amsterdam and started collecting core data on renal replacement therapy (RRT) entirely through national and regional registries. This paper reports the pediatric data from 12 registries. The analysis comprised 3,184 patients aged less than 20 years and starting RRT between 1980 and the end of 2000. The incidence of RRT rose from 7.1 per million of age-related population (pmarp) in the 1980–1984 cohort to 9.9 pmarp in the 1985–1989 cohort, and remained stable thereafter. The prevalence increased from 22.9 pmarp in 1980 to 62.1 in 2000. Hemodialysis was the commonest form of treatment at the start of dialysis, but peritoneal dialysis gained popularity during the late 1980s. Pre-emptive transplantation accounted for 18% of the first treatment modality in the 1995–2000 cohort. The relative risk of death of patients starting dialysis in the period 1995–2000 was reduced by 36% {adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) 0.64 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.41–1.00]} and that of those receiving a first allograft by 42% [AHR 0.58 (95% CI 0.34–1.00)], compared with patients in the period 1980–1984. The prevalence of RRT in children has continued to rise, while its incidence has been stable for about 15 years. Patient survival has improved in both dialysis patients and transplant recipients. The development of this pediatric registry will form the basis for more-detailed and focused studies in the future.     

Survival and transplantation outcomes of children less than 2 years of age with end-stage renal disease

Background

Young children with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT) have traditionally experienced high rates of morbidity and mortality; however, detailed long-term follow-up data is limited.

Methods

Using a population-based retrospective cohort with data from a national organ failure registry and administrative data from Canada’s universal health care system, we analysed the outcomes of 87 children starting RRT (before age 2 years) and followed them until death or date of last contact [median follow-up 4.7 years, interquartile range (IQR) 1.4–9.8). We assessed secular trends in survival and the influence of: (1) age at start of RRT and (2) etiology of ESRD with survival and time to transplantation.

Results

Patients were mostly male (69.0 %) with ESRD predominantly due to renal malformations (54.0 %). Peritoneal dialysis was the most common initial RRT (83.9 %). Fifty-seven (65.5 %) children received a renal transplant (median age at first transplant: 2.7 years, IQR 2.0–3.3). During 490 patient-years of follow-up, there were 23 (26.4 %) deaths, of which 22 occurred in patients who had not received a transplant. Mortality was greater for patients commencing dialysis between 1992 and 1999 and among the youngest children starting RRT (0–3 months). Children with ESRD secondary to renal malformations had better survival than those with ESRD due to other causes. Among the transplanted patients, all but one survived to the end of the observation period.

Conclusion

Children who start RRT before 3 months of age have a high risk of mortality. Among our paediatric patient cohort, mortality rates were much lower among children who had received a renal transplant.     

Renal replacement therapy for diabetic end-stage renal disease: data from 10 registries in Europe (1991-2000)

BACKGROUND: There is concern about the rising prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus and of the resultant nephropathy. This study uses data from the European Renal Association-European Dialysis and Transplant Association (ERA-EDTA) Registry to provide information on the epidemiology and outcome of renal replacement therapy (RRT) for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) due to diabetic nephropathy (DN). METHODS: Data from the following 10 registries: Austria, French-speaking Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Norway, Scotland (UK), Catalonia (Spain), Sweden, and The Netherlands were combined. Average annual changes (%) were estimated by Poisson regression. Analyses of mortality were performed by Cox regression. RESULTS: An increase in patients with type 2 DN entering RRT has been observed (+11.9% annually, P < 0.05), while large differences in RRT incidence in this disease continue to exist between countries in Europe. There was a reduction in mortality during the first 2 years on dialysis therapy among patients with type 2 DN (AHR 0.96, 95%CI 0.94-0.97 annually). The mortality among transplant recipients decreased for both type 1 DN and nondiabetic ESRD (non DN) within the 1995-1998 cohort (type 1 DN: AHR 0.49, 95% CI 0.35-0.68; non DN: AHR 0.79, 95% CI 0.69-0.90) compared to the 1991-1994 cohort. CONCLUSION: This report has shown that during the last decade there has been a marked increase in the incidence of RRT for type 2 DN. Survival analysis showed that over the period 1991-1999 the mortality rates of all dialysis patients and of type 1 diabetic and nondiabetic renal transplant recipients have fallen.     

Renal replacement therapy in elderly patients*

Abstract. 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 199 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.     

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.Part of the data in this paper has previously been published in Transplantation Proceedings 20: 367–369, 1988     

Renal replacement therapy for end-stage renal failure before 2 years of age.

This report concerns 296 children (67% males and 33% females) from 24 countries who started renal replacement therapy (RRT) for end-stage renal failure between 1969 and 1988. Children under 2 years of age represented 3.6%, 4.4%, and 8.9% of all children under 15 years of age who started RRT in 1978-1982, 1983-1985, and 1986-1988 respectively. During the first 2 years of life, the most frequent causes of end-stage renal failure were renal hypoplasia and dysplasia (24%), and haemolytic-uraemic syndrome (17%). During 1986-1988 the initial therapy for ESRF was continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) in 60%, haemodialysis 25%, intermittent peritoneal dialysis 8%, and 7% were transplanted without prior dialysis. Between 1978 and 1988, 139 of these children were grafted; 53 received a graft (39 cadaveric, 10 living donor, 4 donor uncertain) below, and 86 (71 cadaveric, 14 living donor, 1 donor uncertain) above 2 years of age. One-year graft survival was 54% in the 53 children grafted below 2 years of age and 65% in the 86 grafted above 2 years of age. Only two of the 24 living donor grafts were lost during the first year after grafting. These results compare favourably with the 67% 1-year graft survival of all 278 children aged 2 to less than 6 years at grafting in 1978-1988 on the Registry's file. The 3-year survival of all children aged less than 2 years at start of RRT was 65% in 1978-1982 and rose to 78% in 1986-1988. Twenty-three percent of all deaths were caused by infections.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Paediatric dialysis and renal transplantation in the state of Rio Grande do Sul,Brazil

Renal replacement therapy (RRT) for Brazilian children with uraemia has been utilized since 1970 in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. One hundred and eighty patients receiving this therapy between 1970 and 1988 have been reviewed. The annual acceptance rate of new paediatric patients in this period increased from 0.6 to 6.5 patients per million child population. Glomerulonephritis (36.1%) and pyelonephritis including urological anomalies (31.7%) were the most frequent causes of end-stage renal disease. Outpatient hospital haemodialysis was the primary form of dialytic treatment in patients 5–15 years of age. Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis was more often used in patients less than 5 years of age. The survival after 1 year on dialysis was 79.9% for children aged 5–15 years starting dialysis during the period 1985–1988. Fluid overload with congestive heart failure and infection were the main causes of death in children on dialysis. Eighty-four children received 93 grafts; only 14 (15%) were from cadaveric donors. One-year patient and graft survival of first living-related donor transplants were 92.2% and 78.5% respectively during the period 1985–1988. Infection accounted for 43.5% of deaths after transplantation. We conclude that RRT is becoming increasingly successful for children in our region but that greater emphasis upon patient compliance with all forms of RRT and upon cadaver kidney donation is needed.     

The impact of major perioperative renal insult on long-term renal function and survival after cardiac surgery

Temporary renal replacement therapy (RRT) facilitates recovery from a major perioperative renal injury and, although RRT can improve the hospital outcome, it is not known as to whether it mitigates long-term renal sequelae. Therefore, we investigated the risk of long-term dialysis after RRT post-cardiac surgery. We analysed prospectively the data collected for all hospital survivors who received RRT following cardiac surgery between March 1996 and July 2010, excluding those on dialysis preoperatively or with a functioning renal transplant. The follow-up data were obtained for all surviving patients. The mean age of the 82 patients was 68.6 ± 9.9 years, and 60 (73%) were male. Severe pre-existing renal dysfunction with a serum creatinine level of >200 μmol/l was present in 15 (18%) patients and diabetes in 31 (38%) patients. Operative procedures included redo surgery (n = 11, 13%) and thoracic aortic surgery (n = 9, 11%). During a 13.4-year follow-up, there were 38 late deaths. Only three patients with severe preoperative renal dysfunction received dialysis. The Kaplan-Meier 5- and 7-year survival rates for this patient cohort were 54% and 38%, respectively. In conclusion, a major renal insult requiring temporary RRT after cardiac surgery does not increase the risk for renal dialysis in the long term for patients with normal renal function preoperatively.     

Nephrology and renal replacement therapy in Romania

BACKGROUND: In the context of the transformation of the Health Systems of Central and Eastern European countries, the role of professional associations is increasing, especially as regards data collection, analysis, and implementation of programmes for development of nephrology and renal replacement therapy (RRT). METHODS: The Romanian Renal Registry sent questionnaires to the heads of Haemodialysis and Nephrology Centres. The need for renal replacement therapy was deduced from the annual incidence (127 patients p.m.p.) of chronic renal failure. RESULTS: Although the rates of increase in the numbers of Nephrology Departments (+82%), HD Centres (+142%), and total number of patients alive on RRT (+196%) from 1991 to 1995 were higher than the European mean, only 27-30% of the incident patients (459 of 1000-1200 patients) could be provided with RRT. Sixty-two percent of the need for RRT in the age group 25-44 years was met, while only 20% of children (age < 15 years) and people over 55 years requiring RRT received this treatment. Primary renal diseases in patients on RRT were glomerulonephritis (49%) or interstitial nephropathies (23%); diabetic nephropathies, nephroangiosclerosis and systemic diseases were rare (4, 2, and 1% respectively). Most of the CRF patients (88%) were treated by HD. Renal transplantation and peritoneal dialysis were seldom performed (8 and 4%). The cost of HD treatment in Romania (87 USD) is low, even though dialyser reuse is not common practice. CONCLUSIONS: The increase in renal replacement therapy in Romania was mainly due to the expansion of the number of haemodialysis centres. Although a significant progress was realized, only one-third of the patients needing RRT could be treated in Romania in 1995.      

Patients with Fabry disease on dialysis in the United States.

BACKGROUND.: Fabry disease results from an X-linked deficiency of lysosomal alpha-galactosidase A and is a rare cause of end-stage renal disease. Little is known about the characteristics of patients with Fabry disease that initiate dialysis in the United States, although data from Europe suggests these individuals have a poor survival. METHODS.: Using the United States Renal Disease System database, we first studied in detail 42 Fabry patients who initiated dialysis between April 1995 (following the introduction of the new detailed HCFA 2728 form) and July 1998. To examine crude survival in a larger cohort, 95 Fabry patients were studied who initiated dialysis between 1985 and 1993, similar to the European Registry. Diabetic and non-diabetic controls matched by age, gender, race, year of dialysis initiation, and initial dialysis modality were examined for comparison. RESULTS.: During the years 1995 to 1998, the mean age of Fabry patients that initiated dialysis was 42 years, 83% were Caucasian, and 10% were African American. Despite the X-linked inheritance of Fabry disease, 12% of Fabry patients on dialysis were female. At initiation of dialysis mean serum albumin and creatinine were significantly higher and mean body mass index was significantly lower among Fabry patients, but mean glomerular filtration rate was similar to controls. Fabry patients tended to have a lower three-year survival compared to non-diabetic controls, but the results were not significantly different. In a larger cohort of Fabry patients who initiated dialysis between 1985 and 1993, the three-year survival of Fabry patients was significantly lower than non-diabetic controls: 63% (95% CI, 50 to 75%) versus 74% (95% CI, 67 to 80%; P=0.03). CONCLUSION.: End-stage renal disease is associated with significant morbidity and mortality among patients with Fabry disease. Recent evidence that progression of Fabry disease may be attenuated by enzyme replacement therapy necessitates increased awareness of Fabry disease and its comorbidities.     

1996 Hong Kong Renal Registry Report

Summary: This report was based on the data from the Renal Registry of the Hospital Authority of Hong Kong and accounted for approximately 90-95% of all the patients on Renal replacement therapy (RRT) in Hong Kong. Patients receiving treatment under the private sectors were not included in this report. the data were as of 31 December 1996. There were 15 renal units (2.4 unit per million population [pmp]) and four major renal transplant centres. the number of patients on RRT was 3337 (530 pmp), of which 56% (299 pmp) were on peritoneal dialysis (PD), 15% (79 pmp) on haemodialysis (HD) and 29% (152 pmp) with functioning kidney transplants (TX). the net increase in the number of patients on RRT was +12% from the previous year. the incidence of end stage renal failure was 640 (102 pmp). the median age of patients on RRT was 49 years, of which 27% were above the age of 61 years. For new patients who commenced on RRT during 1996, the median age was 56 years, of which 36% were above the age of 61 years. the causes of renal failure were glomerulonephritis 37%, unknown 30%, diabetes 13%, inherited and congenital 5%, infection/reflux 3%, hypertensive/renal vascular disease 3%, urolithiasis 2%, obstructive 1% and others 5%. For new patients entered into the programme during 1996, 25% were due to diabetic nephropathy. Ten per cent of all the patients on RRT were serologically positive for hepatitis B infection (PD 12%, HD 6%, TX 9%). 5% of all the patients on RRT were positive for hepatitis C infection (PD 3%, HD 12%, TX 7%). Seventy-nine per cent of all the patients on dialysis were on PD (1885 patients, 299 pmp), of which 96% were on CAPD. Thirty-eight per cent of the patients on CAPD were on straight-line systems, 35% on disconnecting systems and 20% on UV flash systems. Four-hundred and ninety-five patients (79 pmp) were on HD, of which 59% were on hospital based HD, 15% on satellite centre based HD, 10% on charitable centre based HD and 5% on home HD. Nine-hundred and fifty-seven patients (152 pmp) had a functioning kidney graft. 542 (57%) were transplanted in Hong Kong, of which 50% were cadaveric kidney transplantations. During 1996, 121 patients (19 pmp) received a kidney transplantation. Eighty-four transplants were performed in Hong Kong, of which 58 were with cadaveric kidneys and 26 with living related kidneys. the annual mortality rate for all RRT was 7.3% (10% for PD, 8% for HD and 1% with TX). the major causes of death were infection (28%), cardiovascular (26%) and cerebral vascular accident (9%). Outcome indicators were on patients entered into the RRT programme during 1995, thus allowing for 1 year of follow up. For CAPD as the first RRT, 1 year patient and technique survival (censored for death and non-technique failure) were 94% and 93%. For living related kidney transplants performed in Hong Kong, 1 year patient and graft survival (censored for death) were both 100%. For cadaveric kidney transplants, 1 year patient and graft survival were 98% and 96%     

Dialysis in Israel, 1989-2005--time trends and international comparisons.

BACKGROUND: A universal increase in the incidence of renal replacement therapy (RRT) was reported in developed countries during the 1990s, especially among the elderly and diabetic patients. We studied trends in RRT incidence and mortality in Israel between 1989 and 2001-2005. METHODS: The end-stage renal disease (ESRD) registry holds data on all RRT patients in Israel. Age-adjusted incidence rate ratios (RRs) were estimated comparing 2001-2005 with 1989. We compared incidence data between Israel and elsewhere using standardized incidence ratios (SIRs). Survival analysis was conducted by the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox's proportional hazards regression was used to compare survival of diabetic with non-diabetic ESRD patients. RESULTS: The mean incidence rates per million population increased from 99 in 1989-1991 to 179 in 2003-2005. In 2000, Israel was the second leading country for incidence of RRT. Age-adjusted incidence rates increased by 67% [95% confidence interval (CI): 49-87%], from 1989 to 2001, but the trend was attenuated between 2002 and 2005. The increase in incidence was positively associated with age, the largest increase being among the elderly aged > or = 75 years (RR: 3.18, 95%CI: 2.72-3.70). Diabetes accounted for 41% of RRT in 2001 vs only 19% in 1989. There was no increase in 1-year survival between the beginning and the end of the study period. Patients with diabetes-associated RRT had 57% increased risk of 1-year mortality (adjusted HR: 1.57 95% CI: 1.51-1.63). CONCLUSIONS: Despite a similar proportion of RRT attributed to diabetes in Israel and other countries, the age-adjusted incidence in Israel is considerably higher than most countries.     

Outcome in a post-cardiac surgery population with acute renal failure requiring dialysis: does age make a difference?

BACKGROUND: Acute renal failure (ARF), requiring dialysis (ARF-d), develops in 1-5% of patients undergoing cardiac surgery and is associated with higher in-hospital mortality. Age is one of the known risk factors for the development of ARF. As the ageing population is increasing, the nephrologist will be faced with a large population of elderly patients requiring dialysis following cardiac surgery. The aim of our study was to evaluate the influence of age on and the risk factors for in-hospital mortality. METHODS: Eighty-two patients with ARF following cardiac surgery and requiring dialysis between January 1997 and October 2001 were included. Two groups of patients were studied: the younger population (<70 years, 42 patients, mean age 59+/-10) and an elderly population (>/=70 years, 40 patients, mean age 76+/-4). Severity of disease was evaluated using the SAPS (Simplified Acute Physiology Score), the Liano score and the SHARF (Stuivenberg Hospital Acute Renal Failure) score. RESULTS: Overall mortality in the population with ARF-d was 56.1%. No difference in mortality rate was found between the younger (61.9%) and elderly patient group (50.0%). The two groups were very similar in baseline and procedural characteristics with exception of body weight (P=0.02) and preoperative glomerular filtration rate (P=0.0001). No significant difference was found in the scoring systems between the old and the young (SAPS P=0.52; Liano P=0.96; SHARF T0 P=0.06; SHARF T48 P=0.15). Mortality in the elderly was significantly correlated with hypotension before starting renal replacement therapy (RRT) (P=0.002), mechanical ventilation (P=0.002), presence of multiorgan failure (MOF) (P=0.0001) and higher scores in the severity models (SAPS: P=0.01; Liano: P<0.0001 and SHARF: P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: The outcome in the elderly requiring dialysis due to ARF post-cardiac surgery is comparable with the outcome in a younger population. No significant difference was found in severity of disease between the elderly and the younger. Variables predicting mortality in the elderly are the presence of MOF, mechanical ventilation and hypotension 24 h before starting RRT. These findings indicate that at the time the nephrologist is called for an elderly patient requiring dialysis due to ARF following cardiac surgery, age per se is not a reason to withhold RRT.     

Malaysian Dialysis and Transplant Registry Report

SUMMARY: This report summarizes data for dialysis and transplant patients up to the end of 1995. We estimate coverage to be about 30% of dialysis patients and near complete ascertainment of transplant patients. On the 31 December 1995, there were 2224 patients on renal replacement therapy (RRT), comprising 50% on haemodialysis (HD), 12% on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and 38% with functioning transplants. the prevalence rate for dialysis was 68 per million population (p.m.p.) and that of transplant 42 p.m.p. the new dialysis acceptance rate was 15 p.m.p. and transplant 5 p.m.p. Forty-seven per cent of new patients had unknown primary renal disease and 30% was due to non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. Mean age of prevalent HD patients was 42 years, CAPD 46 years and 34 years for transplant. Patient survival on CAPD was 85% at 1 year and for HD was 88%. One year transplant patient survival was 94% and graft survival 91%.     

Modifiable factors predicting patient survival in elderly kidney transplant recipients

BACKGROUND: Elderly transplant candidates represent an increasingly important group on the waiting list for kidney transplantation. Yet the factors that determine posttransplantation outcomes in this population remain poorly defined. METHODS: We performed a population-based retrospective cohort study involving all patients aged 60 years or older who received a first cadaveric kidney transplantation between 1985 and 2000 in the province of Quebec. The main outcomes were patient survival, overall graft survival, and treatment failure (patient death or graft loss within the first posttransplant year). Survival analyses were performed using a Cox proportional hazard model. Logistic regression identified factors predicting treatment failure. RESULTS: On multivariate analysis, the modifiable factors associated with patient survival were active smoking at transplantation [hazard ratio (HR) 2.09, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.22-3.60)], body mass index (BMI) (HR 1.34 for a 5-point increase, 95% CI 1.05-1.67), and time on dialysis before transplantation (HR 1.10 for a 1-year increase, 95% CI 1.02-1.18). The only modifiable factor associated with graft survival was active smoking at transplantation (HR 2.04, 95% CI 1.24-3.30). Treatment failure was associated with time on dialysis before transplantation (odds ratio for dialysis >/=2 years 3.28, 95% CI 1.34-7.9). CONCLUSION: Our results show that active smoking, obesity, and time on dialysis before transplantation are modifiable risk factors associated with an increased risk of mortality after transplantation in elderly recipients. They represent potential targets for interventions aimed at improving patient and graft survival in elderly patients.     

Regional effects of satellite haemodialysis units on renal replacement therapy in non-urban Ontario, Canada.

BACKGROUND: To provide better dialysis care to rural communities, the Ministry of Health chose to build satellite haemodialysis (HD) units, which are affiliated with, but are distant to, a main renal centre. We considered whether constructing such units in rural regions of Ontario, Canada, alleviated under-service of rates of renal replacement therapy (RRT) locally, decreased patient travel distance and decreased local peritoneal dialysis (PD) utilization. METHODS: We compared two groups of rural regions at two time points (years 1995 and 2002) in a before and after cross-sectional study. These regions were either already serviced by a satellite unit in 1995 (control group, 10 communities), or had new satellite units built between the years 1995 and 2002 (exposure group, 24 communities). RESULTS: The exposure group had a slightly greater increase in prevalent rate of RRT over time, but this did not reach statistical significance (control group increased 401 per million, exposure group 436 per million, P = 0.8). The mean weekly travel distance was reduced by 210.6 km after the construction of new satellite units (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference between the groups in reduction of PD proportion (P = 0.4). There was a significant increase in the number of elderly receiving RRT once local access was provided. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, constructing satellite units increased access to renal care for elderly patients and reduced travel time for HD patients living in rural communities.     

Factors affecting the outcome of acute renal failure among the elderly population in India: a hospital based study

The spectrum of acute renal failure (ARF) in the elderly population and the factors predicting poor outcome in these patients are not well defined in literature. Identification of risk factors and poor prognostic markers in these patients can help in planning strategies to prevent ARF and to prioritise the utilization of sparse and expensive therapeutic modalities, especially in a developing country like ours. We retrospectively analyzed data of 454 elderly patients (age ≥60 years), detected having ARF in a tertiary care super-speciality hospital in North India, from April 2000 to March 2004. The mean age of this population was 66.4 years with 70.5% being male. 64% patients had more than one precipitating factors for ARF, with volume depletion being the most common precipitating factor (33% cases). Infection/sepsis (21.6%) and drugs (11.5%) were other important precipitating factors. 31.8% were recorded as having oliguric ARF (urine output <400 ml/day) and 33.5% required renal replacement therapy (RRT). Acute peritoneal dialysis was the most frequent form of RRT given (62.5%). Mortality was 41.2% (187 cases), of whom 56 (29.8%) died inspite of recovery from ARF. Among the survivors, 103 patients (22.7%) had complete renal recovery, 141 (31.1%) had partial renal recovery, while 23 (8.6%), remained dialysis dependent. The factors which were found to be associated with increased mortality were; age ≥70 years, presence of previous chronic illness, ARF precipitated by cardiac failure and infection, need for RRT, oliguria and increasing numbers of failed organs. To conclude, ARF among elderly is a common problem in nephrology practice at our institute and is responsible for 48.9% of nephrology admissions/consultations among elderly patients. Majority of these patients are prone to multiple renal insults. Underlying chronic illness, presence of cardiac failure and sepsis, oliguria, need for RRT and increasing number of organ failure is associated with poor outcome.