Study Reveals Dialysis May Not Be Ideal for All Elderly Patients
The study reveals that dialysis may not be ideal for all elderly patients, as it extends hospital stays and offers limited lifespan benefits.
Dialysis Feasibility for Older Adults: A New Study
A recent Stanford University study highlights that dialysis may not be a feasible option for all elderly patients with kidney failure, particularly those aged 75 or 80. The findings suggest that the decision to start dialysis should be made with careful consideration for this age group.
India has one of the highest numbers of patients undergoing chronic dialysis worldwide, with an estimated 175,000 individuals receiving treatment in 2018.
Impact of Dialysis on Lifespan and Hospitalization
The study indicates that while dialysis can extend the lifespan of elderly patients by an average of one week, it also increases the time spent in the hospital by two weeks or more. This trade-off may not always be beneficial for the patients or their families, according to the research team.
Study Methodology - Immediate Dialysis Vs Delayed Treatment
The research used electronic health records to create a simulated randomized clinical trial. Patients were split into two groups:
- One group began dialysis immediately
- Other group delayed treatment by at least one month
Over the three-year study, about half of the patients in the delayed group chose not to start dialysis at all. This design helped the researchers compare the outcomes of immediate versus delayed dialysis in a controlled setting.
Study Results
- Patients who started dialysis immediately lived, on average, nine days longer than those who delayed treatment. However, they also required thirteen more days of hospitalization.
- For patients aged 80 and older, immediate dialysis extended their lives by an average of 60 days but also increased their hospital stay by 13 days.
- In contrast, patients aged 65 to 79 who began dialysis right away lived 17 fewer days and spent 14 additional days in the hospital compared to those who delayed treatment.
Understanding Dialysis: Benefits and Trade-Offs
Maria Montez Rath, senior research engineer at Stanford University, notes that while prompt dialysis may improve survival chances slightly, it also leads to longer treatment durations and increased hospitalizations. The study emphasizes that dialysis is often perceived as a life-or-death choice, which can lead to an overestimation of its benefits. Presenting dialysis as a symptom-relief measure rather than a definitive life-extending procedure may help patients better understand the associated trade-offs.
Conclusions
The study concludes that while immediate dialysis may offer a slight increase in survival for elderly patients, it significantly prolongs hospital stays and may not always provide substantial benefits. For patients aged 75 and older, the trade-offs between extending life and increasing time spent in the hospital must be carefully considered. The findings suggest that dialysis should be approached with caution in this age group, and presenting it as a symptom-relief option rather than a definitive life-extending procedure may help patients make more informed decisions.
Source: Inputs from various media SourcesÂ
