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Renal Disease in the Elderly

Article information

J Korean Med Assoc. 2004;47(3):258-267
Publication date (electronic) : 2004 March 31
doi : https://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2004.47.3.258
Moon-Jae Kim, M.D.
Division of Nephrology & Kidney Center, Inha University College of Medicine & Hospital, Korea. nhkimj@inha.ac.kr

Abstract

Aging is a normal degenerative biologic process that affects many organs, of which the kidney is one of the most prominently affected. Physicians who treat elderly patients must be aware of the decline in renal function that accompanies the aging process. The findings of urinary abnormalities or a decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in elderly patients should alert clinicians to fully evaluate the renal function. GFR decreases steadily, starting in the middle age. Evaluation of elderly patients should include careful consideration of possible fluid and electrolyte disturbances. Acute renal failure is most frequent among the aged, mainly due to the comorbidities and the intervention they require. Diabetes and renovascular diseases including hypertension now account for most of the cases ofchronic kidney disease. The elderly are the fastest growing population of patients requiring renal replacement therapy in this aging society. This represents one of the great public health issues.

Keywords: Aging process; Renal function; Urinary abnormality; Acute renal failure; Chronic kidney disease

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Article information Continued

Copyright © 2004 Korean Medical Association

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Shaded area identifies patients who have chronic kidney disease ; unshaded area designates individuals who are at increased risk for developing chronic kidney disease. Chronic kidney disease is defined as either kidney damage or GFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2

Abbreviations : GFR , glomerular filtration rate ; CKD, chronic kidney disease ; CVD, cardiovascular disease