Good Patient and Technique Survival in Elderly Patients on Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis

The aging population has significant implications for the community. The increasing number of elderly end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients presses the renal team to find an appropriate management plan. We used a retrospective analysis to study the effectiveness of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) in elderly ESRD patients. Of the 328 CAPD patients recruited for the study, 121 were in the elderly group (≥ 65 years of age), and 207 were in the control group (under 65 years of age). Median age in the elderly group was 71 years, and in the control group, 51 years. The elderly group had a higher prevalence (54.5%) of diabetes mellitus. The 2-year and 5-year rates of patient survival were 89.3% and 54.8% respectively in the elderly group and 92.2% and 62.9% in the control group (p = 0.19). The 2-year and 5-year rates of technique survival were 84.0% and 45.7% respectively in the elderly group and 80.9% and 49.1% in the control group (p = 0.75). The probability of a 12-month peritonitis-free period was 76.6% in the elderly group and 76.5% in the control group (p = 0.75).

One hundred elderly patients (82.6% of the group) performed their CAPD exchanges by themselves. We observed no significant difference in clinical outcome—including patient survival, technique survival, and peritonitis-free period—between the elderly self-care CAPD and the elderly assisted CAPD groups.

In elderly ESRD patients, CAPD is an effective dialysis modality. A slightly longer training time is to be expected for elderly patients. Self-care CAPD for elderly patients who are capable of performing their own exchanges provides them with an independent home life.