Clinical journal of the American Society of Nephrology : CJASN
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Clin J Am Soc Nephrol · Jul 2016
ReviewThe Relevance of Geriatric Impairments in Patients Starting Dialysis: A Systematic Review.
With aging of the general population, patients who enter dialysis therapy will more frequently have geriatric impairments and a considerable comorbidity burden. The most vulnerable among these patients might benefit from conservative therapy. Whether assessment of geriatric impairments would contribute to the decision-making process of dialysis initiation is unknown. ⋯ Geriatric impairment across multiple domains at dialysis initiation is related to poor outcome. However, information in the elderly is sparse, and a systematic approach of multiple domains with respect to poor outcome has not been performed. Because a geriatric assessment has proved useful in predicting outcome in other medical fields, its potential role in the ESRD population should be the subject of future research.