A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine sheds new light on the complex decision-making process for older adults with chronic kidney failure. The choices, either starting dialysis or continuing standard medical management, come with distinct outcomes.
To help patients select a treatment plan that best reflects their individual goals, researchers from the Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System examined more than 20,000 veterans diagnosed with chronic kidney failure. All study participants were 65 years or older and were not on the waitlist or referred for a kidney transplant.
The study’s key findings reveal a nuanced picture of treatment outcomes:
- Survival advantage: Patients who began dialysis generally lived longer than those who continued with regular medical care.
- Home time trade-off: Despite living longer, dialysis patients spent more time in hospitals and medical facilities, while those opting for standard care enjoyed more days at home.
- Age and severity factors: For individuals 80 years or older and those with more advanced kidney failure, the survival benefits of dialysis were more pronounced over a three-year period.
These results highlight the delicate balance between extending life and maintaining quality of life for kidney failure patients. While dialysis offers a survival advantage, it comes at the cost of increased time in medical settings, potentially impacting patients’ daily lives and independence.
The researchers emphasized the importance of these findings for informing treatment decisions. This study provides crucial information for patients and healthcare providers to make more informed choices, while considering not just survival rates but also quality of life factors.
The research team hopes these insights will improve patient-doctor discussions about treatment options, allowing for more personalized care plans that align with individual goals and preferences.
