How long can you live with kidney failure
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Life Expectancy with Kidney Failure: Insights from Recent Research
Pediatric Kidney Failure Life Expectancy
Life Years Lost in Children with Kidney Failure
Children with kidney failure face significant reductions in life expectancy. A study involving 2013 children in Australia and New Zealand found that life expectancy increases with older age at the onset of kidney failure. However, children who develop kidney failure at a younger age, particularly females, experience the greatest loss of life years, ranging from 16 to 32 years compared to the general population. Most children in the study received a kidney transplant after initiating dialysis (74%) or had a preemptive transplant (14%).
Long-Term Outcomes Post-Acute Renal Failure in Children
For children who survive acute renal failure (ARF) and are discharged from the hospital, the 3-5 year survival rate is approximately 79.9%. However, the overall survival rate, including those who died during initial hospitalization, is 56.8%. Additionally, 59% of children assessed for long-term sequelae showed signs of residual renal injury, such as microalbuminuria, hyperfiltration, decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and hypertension.
Adult Kidney Failure Life Expectancy
Dialysis vs. Non-Dialysis in Older Adults
In older adults (65+ years) with kidney failure, dialysis treatment significantly reduces the risk of death within the first three years compared to non-dialysis care. However, this survival benefit does not extend beyond three years, and dialysis is associated with a higher risk of hospitalization. This information is crucial for shared decision-making regarding the treatment of kidney failure in older adults.
Long-Term Survival Post-Kidney Transplant
Kidney transplantation offers a substantial improvement in life expectancy for patients with kidney failure. Data from the United States show that the median survival for deceased donor transplants increased from 8.2 years (1995-1999) to 11.7 years (2014-2017), and for living donor transplants, from 12.1 years to 19.2 years in the same periods. The introduction of cyclosporine and other immunosuppressive therapies has significantly improved both short-term and long-term graft survival rates.
Health-Related Quality of Life and Long-Term Survival
Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is a significant predictor of long-term survival and graft failure in kidney transplant recipients. A study following 347 kidney transplant recipients for 12 years found that physical QOL impairment increased the risk of mortality and graft failure, even after adjusting for sociodemographic and clinical risk factors.
Conclusion
The life expectancy of individuals with kidney failure varies significantly based on age, treatment type, and other factors. Children and younger patients generally face a greater loss of life years, while older adults may benefit from dialysis in the short term but not beyond three years. Kidney transplantation significantly improves long-term survival, with living donor transplants offering the best outcomes. Continuous monitoring and improvement of HRQOL are essential for enhancing long-term survival and graft function in kidney transplant recipients.
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