Long-term hemodialysis for patients over 50.

Hemodialysis can hodl end-state renal failure at bay and enable patients to lead a relatively normal life-regardless of their age. In a 10 year retrospective study of 574 patients, the 154 patients over 50 had about the same survival rates as younger persons for the first three years of dialysis. After that, the older patients had higher mortality. Patients who dialyzed themselves at home-with a relative or friend to help-had much better results than those who were dialyzed at the center. This in part reflects the selection process, since patients with severe medical problems usually weren't allowed to try self-dialysis. Older patients did particularly well on home dialysis, which was attributed to their maturity and dependability. Older patients with cardiac instability may require carefully monitored dialysis at the center and frequent blood transfusions. In general, though, patients over 50 needed fewer transfusions and fewer days in the hospital than younger patients.