Epidemiological study on chronic renal failure elderly patients on hemodialysis

Hemodialysis shows an increased prevalence in elderly patients, a population which often presents poor nutrition, high prevalence of cardiovascular neurological and osteoarticular diseases and psycho-social problems. The objective of this epidemiological, cross-sectional and multicenter study, in patients older than 65 years (n 625) and > 75 years (n 558) from 29 Spanish medical institutions was to perform an epidemiological analysis It included demographic information, as well as data regarding chronic renal failure, functional and psychological abilities (Katz Index, Lawton and Karnofsky Scales), dialysis logistics and clinical parameters. The study analyzed data from 1,183 patients (678 female), mean age 75,4+/-5,5 years; mean duration of dialysis 4,3+/- 5,1 years (57,7% were referred by the GP: general practitioner). The most frequent etiologies were diabetic nephropathy (21,2%) and vascular renal disease (20,9%). The main comorbilites were high blood pressure (75,6%), Diabetes Mellitus (32,9%) and vascular (29,0%) and osteoarticular (27,3%) diseases. The great majority of patients lived at their family home (85,0%), travelled to their dialysis units alone (80,8%) and by ambulance (56,7%), and it took them less than an hour to arrive (87,5%). Over 75% of patients were fully functional (79,4% under 75 years and 71,6% over 75); meanwhile 10,5% were partially impaired and 13,8% severely impaired. Kamofsky performance scale scored less than 70 in 59,4% of the patients. Analytical parameters rated Hb >= 11 g/dL for 81,7% of patients; ferritin >= 100 ng/dL for 98,5% PTH 150-300 pg/mL for 31,9%; albumin > 3,5 g/dL for 75,6%; and serum phosphor < 5,5 mg/dL for 70,6%. For the dialysis Kt/V the mean value was 1,4 0,3 with a mean duration of dialysis session of 11,7+/-4,0 hours/week. High permeability membranes were used in 52,3% of patients and internal arteriovenous fistula in 74,0%. Around 75% of elderly patients on hemodialysis fulfill age-suitable daily living activities and display adequate dialysis quality parameters.