Chronic kidney disease and ageing

D. Gojowy; A. Więcek

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Chronic kidney disease and ageing

D. Gojowy A. Więcek

Department of Nephrology, Transplantation and Internal Medicine, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland

Chronic kidney disease Ageing Renal replacement therapy

Abstract

In recent decades, life expectancy has significantly extended, and the number of elderly people in each population increases significantly during the subsequent years. Ageing is associated with a physiological deterioration of kidney function, however, in patients with additional diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity, there is often stronger severity of kidney damage. It has been estimated that the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the older population is several times higher than in the general population. It is considered that in addition to the mentioned above comorbid the socio-economic factors also increases prevalence of CKD. The occurrence of CKD significantly increases the mortality, deteriorating the quality of life of these subjects and is also severe financial problem for the health care system because of the high costs of renal replacement therapy. For this reason, renal replacement therapy in elderly patients is expensive and not always
brings measurable benefits.