Abstract:

Objective To evaluate the survival and functional status of the aged patients during the first year after initiation of hemodialysis. Methods Incident patients with end stage of renal disease starting hemodialysis between 1 July 2009 and 30 June 2011 were included in the study. The clinical data of the aged patients(≥65 years) and non-elderly patients(18~65 years) were collected. Activities of daily life (ADL) scores were measured at the initiation of dialysis and at 3,6,12 months after the initiation of dialysis. Results A total of 51 patients were included in this study. Elderly MHD patients accounted for 75%. There were no difference in complications,the levels of eGFR,serum albumin and Hb(P>0.05). Sixteen patients in the elderly group died during the first year. The main causes of death contain infection,cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease. At the first time of dialysis, the ADL scores of the aged patients were significantly lower than those of the non-elderly patients(P<0.01).Twelve months after the initiation of dialysis, the ADL scores had been maintained in 90% of the 20 surviving patients in the aged group.Conclusion The aged patients account for the main population of ESRD patients initiating hemodialysis. Higher mortality rates were seen in the aged HD patients in the first year, especially in the first 3 months of treatment. The main causes of death contain infection and cardiovascular disease. The ADL scores of 90% of the aged group had been maintained during the first year after initiation of hemodialysis.

Key words: hemodialysis, the aged, survival, activities of daily life