Treatment of end-stage renal failure in a defined geographic area.

The treatment of end-stage renal failure was studied in southern Connecticut from 1967 to 1975 by (1) calculating survival rates for center and home dialysis patients and cadaver and living related donor transplant recipients and (2) assessing the quality of life with structured interviews and psychological tests. While the survival rate for our home dialysis and transplant recipients were similar to previously reported data, mortality for our center dialysis patients was slightly higher than previously reported. Quality-of-life testing, disclosed that dialysis patients had a substantial impairment in all parameters. Transplant recipients achieved a better degree of rehabilitation. Physicians and patients should be aware of the problems that they are likely to face; otherwise, expectations and goals may be raised to unreachable and ultimately frustrating levels.