Geriatric nephrology and urology最新文献

The structural changes observed in the normal aging kidney support a concept that one should expect a decline in renal function as one ages. Reports by renal physiologists, however, suggest that this is not always true. The suggestion is made that vascular adaptations to structural changes may help to preserve glomerular filtration rate by producing a state of hyperperfusion and hyperfiltration in surviving nephrons.

The aim of this study was to determine treatment preference, commitment to choice of therapy, and the influence of physical disability on treatment choice in a geriatric group of males with erectile dysfunction (E.D.) of various etiologies. Eighty-nine patients aged 65 to 83 years (mean 69.5 years) were assessed and followed at our erectile dysfunction clinic from July 1991 to September 1996. Etiology of ED was based on clinical assessment. Available treatment options included oral medications, vacuum devices, injection therapy, penile prostheses, sex counseling and testosterone when indicated. Median follow-up since initial consultation was 9 months (range 1 to 63 months). Data was retrieved in a retrospective fashion from chart review and selective telephone follow-up. Clinical assessment yielded the following distribution of etiologies: vasculogenic (57.2%), neurogenic (7.9%), hormonal (1.1%), psychogenic (2.2%), and multifactorial (32.6%). The most popular initial treatment choices were injection therapy (30.3%), vacuum device (27.0%), and oral medication (20.2%). Of the 84 patients who chose to be treated, 34 (40.5%) elected to switch to a different form of therapy after a median time of 7.5 months (range 1 week to 63 months). Five patients tried a third form of therapy and two proceeded to a fourth. The remaining patients have continued with their original choice for a median time of 7 months (range 1 to 63 months). A greater drop-out rate (78%) amongst those who initially chose oral medication was statistically significant when compared to drop-out rates for injection therapy (48%) and vacuum devices (29%), p = 0.044 and p = 0.005, respectively. Significant physical disabilities in eight patients did not appear to influence their treatment selection. In conclusion, the elderly are a unique group of patients who are more likely to have an organic etiology to their erectile dysfunction. When they do present with erectile dysfunction, they are inclined to pursue treatment. The choices made by this group of men did not differ from impotent men in general. When unsatisfied with one form of therapy they were inclined to pursue an alternative treatment. A significant physical disability did not preclude a therapeutic choice.

Mortality and morbidity on dialysis remains high regardless of age in spite of technological improvements. While some of this is explainable and acceptable and related to co-morbid problems such as heart disease, malignancy, diabetes, etc. much is also preventable. Data from the literature would indicate that the provision of adequate dialysis as determined by a Kt/V (urea) of > 1.2 or a urea reduction rate (URR) > 65% will improve outcome. Attention to the nutritional status of the patient should also have impact. Low serum levels of urea, creatinine, albumin, anion gap, ideal body weight, and a low dietary protein intake as suggested by a reduced protein catabolic rate, are bad prognostic features. The elderly are more likely to have these features. While many factors may contribute to or cause protein malnutrition, underdialysis should be one easily recognized and reversible cause. Underdialysis will inevitably lead to poor nutrition and have an adverse effect on outcome.

The association of baseline characteristics with long-term survival (7 years past baseline interview) was investigated in a prevalent sample of 349 dialysis patients aged 60-87 at baseline. In primary diagnosis, treatment modality, and months on dialysis, the sample was representative of all patients aged 60+ living in the state of Georgia. There were 38 surviving patients at a 7-year follow-up. At their baseline assessment, long-term survivors were significantly younger and less likely to report cardiovascular comorbidity. With age and cardiovascular comorbidity controlled, long-term survivors were more likely at baseline to desire a transplant, and reported needing less time to "recover" from HD treatments. Survivors' physical functioning resources at baseline included less health limitation of activity, lower functional impairment, and more frequent activity/exercise. Psychosocial well-being resources included higher self-esteem, higher sense of mastery, and higher self-rated health status. Ongoing assessment of these resource variables, with targeted interventions, might contribute to improved survival as well as improved functioning and well-being for older patients.

Purpose: 1. To review current knowledge about patient and graft survival, complication rates, patient selection and management protocols in patients aged 60 years or more with a renal transplant. 2. To review the advantages and disadvantages of cadaveric organ retrieval from older donors.

Data sources: Evidence was obtained from published articles identified using a MEDLINE search from 1976 to 1996; expert opinion and citations from previous review articles.

Results: Survival rates have improved with time and now range from 54 to 75% 5-year patient survival and 52-74% 5-year graft survival. The most common reason for graft loss is patient death as both acute and chronic rejection is less commonly seen in older patients. Censored graft survival (if death with a functioning graft is treated as censored data) is higher in elderly patients compared to younger ESRD patients. Based on cohort data from an administrative database a survival advantage is seen in older dialysis patients accepted for transplantation even after matching for comorbidity. Post-transplant morbidity is mainly attributable to infectious complications and an increased prevalence of malignancy. There is insufficient data about the most optimal immunosuppression regime and further research is required in this direction. The evidence currently supports the use of kidneys from older donors because of a relative lack of cadaveric organs from younger donors although a worse patient and graft outcome is recognized in the long term. Insufficient evidence exists to support a firm conclusion regarding age matching or targeting of older organs to special groups.

We reviewed our experience of surgical and radiological intervention in 43 patients between 1987 and 1994 with angiographic renovascular disease. We retrospectively compared the effect of angioplasty with stenting versus reconstructive surgery on renal function and blood pressure in those patients with significant atherosclerotic renovascular stenosis. Twenty patients with moderate/non ostial stenosis (less than 60% stenosis) and two with fibromuscular displasia underwent renal angioplasty only. Indications for intervention were refractory hypertension (n = 20), flash pulmonary oedema (n = 8) and/or renal salvage (n = 31). All patients were hypertensive. Angioplasty with stenting was performed in ten patients, (2 female, 8 male), mean age 69 years, 9 with bilateral disease. Plasma creatinine was greater than 240 mumol/L in seven patients. A unilateral procedure was performed in 9 patients. Unilateral reconstructive surgery was performed in eleven patients (4 female, 7 male), mean age 63 years. Plasma creatinine was greater than 240 mumol/L in eight patients. Ten had bilateral disease. In the angioplasty/stenting group there were three technical failure. The mortality rates in the angioplasty/stenting group and surgical group were 10% and 27% respectively. Fifty-one and 165 patient months had elapsed in the stenting and surgical groups respectively. Blood pressure fell in each group, mean decrease in mean arterial pressure (MAP) 16 mmHg (p = 0.025) and 30 mmHg (p < 0.01) respectively. Improvement or stabilisation of renal function was achieved in 67% and 91% of cases respectively. Two surgical patients were able to discontinue haemodialysis. The two methods of treatment appear to be equally effective in lowering blood pressure. Reconstructive surgery offers greater improvement in renal function with the possibility of withdrawal of dialysis, at the expense of a higher mortality rate.

Dehydration is a common clinical syndrome associated with many illnesses and treatments in the elderly. Prior studies have shown diminished sensation of thirst during water deprivation. It is currently unclear whether age-related decreases in thirst perception impair the defense against a hyperosmolar challenge. To examine the impact of water ingestion during hyperosmolality, young and old subjects were allowed free access to water during and after an intravenous infusion of 5% hypertonic saline. Cumulative water intake and serum osmolality were compared between seven healthy young (20-28 yrs) and seven healthy old (72-89 yrs) volunteers during and following a two hour hypertonic saline infusion at a rate of 0.06 mlxkg(-1) min(-1). Serum osmolality and water intake were markedly different between the two groups. In the old group, serum osmolality increased by 17 mosmol/kg above baseline despite free access to water. In contrast, serum osmolality increased to only 7 mosmol/kg above baseline in the young group and did not rise further. By ingesting water, the young were able to defend against an additional increase in serum osmolality. The young drank approximately twice that of the old during the infusion period. Healthy older individuals drink less than young despite a significantly increased serum osmolality. This hypodipsia in old individuals increases their susceptibility to hypertonicity.