Highlights

  • In older adults initiating dialysis at 17 centers in Netherlands, 40% experienced a decline in functional status, 34% remained stable, 18% improved, and 8% died within 6 months.
  • The risk of functional decline or death was higher in participants who were older and those who were frail.
  • The percentage of caregivers reporting a high burden of care increased from 23% to 38% after dialysis initiation.

Newswise — Washington, DC (June 27, 2019) — A new study published in CJASN found that functional decline within the first 6 months after initiating dialysis was highly prevalent in older adults at 17 centers in Netherlands, and the risk was higher in those with advanced age and frailty. The study also revealed an increased burden for caregivers after their loved ones started dialysis.

Increasing numbers of older adults are initiating dialysis for the treatment of kidney failure, but little is known about how this affects their functional status—or their ability to carry out activities essential to independent living. This includes tasks needed for self-care (such as bathing, dressing, and continence) and more complex tasks that support independent living in a community (such as shopping, housecleaning, and telephone use). 

To investigate, Namiko Goto, MD (Dianet Dialysis Center and University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands) and her colleagues analyzed information on 187 adults aged 65 years and older who had kidney failure and were initiating dialysis. At the start of dialysis, 21% of the participants were independent in functional status, 52% were mildly/moderately dependent and 27% were severely dependent.

After 6 months, 40% of participants experienced a decline in functional status, 34% remained stable, 18% improved, and 8% died. The risk of functional decline or death was higher in participants who were older and those who were frail. 

“We showed that age and frailty were both risk factors for the composite outcome of functional decline and death. Furthermore, we have shown that functional decline in older adults is highly prevalent and is mainly due to a loss of independence in instrumental activities of daily living—activities such as medication intake, laundry, and food preparation,” said Dr. Goto. “In addition, 6 months after the start of dialysis, more caregivers experienced a high burden compared with the start of dialysis.” Specifically, the percentage of caregivers reporting a high burden of care increased from 23% to 38% after dialysis initiation.

The authors noted that it is important to use the pre-dialysis phase to explore individual’s health-related goals (such as living at home or engaging in social activities) and current quality of life. This could be useful for physicians, patients, and caregivers as they discuss whether to start dialysis. In addition, interventions such as physical activity programs may be initiated to prevent functional decline in patients at high risk.

In an accompanying Patient Voice editorial, Daniel Abel describes the struggles he and his family have endured over the past 26 years. “It is not just the elderly who feel the effects of kidney failure and dialysis. Age may make it all worse but it is hard to imagine feeling less functional than I did after starting dialysis at 38 years old,” he wrote. “Old or young, frail or strong, the physical ramifications of our lives on dialysis can be devastating in life-changing in ways that are unique and individual.” 

Study co-authors include I.N. van Loon, MD, PhD, F.T.J. Boereboom, MD, PhD, M.H. Emmelot-Vonk, MD, PhD, H.C. Willems, MD, PhD, M.L. Bots, MD, PhD, L.E. Gamadia, MD, PhD, E. van Bommel, MD, PhD, P.J.G. van de Ven, MD, PhD, C. Douma, MD, PhD, H.H. Vincent, MD, PhD, Y.C. Schrama, MD, PhD, J. Lips, MD, E.K. Hoogeveen, MD, PhD, M.A. Siezenga, MD, PhD, A.C. Abrahams, MD, PhD, M.C. Verhaar, MD, PhD, and M.E. Hamaker, MD, PhD.

Disclosures: The work was made possible by Dianet Dialysis Stichting, the Cornelis de Visser Stichting, Stichting Medicina et Scientia, and AstraZeneca. The funding sources had no role in the design, data collection, analysis, manuscript preparation, interpretation, or decision to submit the manuscript for publication.

The article, entitled “Association of Initiation of Maintenance Dialysis with Functional Status and Caregiver Burden,” will appear online at http://cjasn.asnjournals.org/ on June 27, 2019, doi: 10.2215/CJN.13131118.

The editorial, entitled “Functioning on Dialysis: An Oxymoron?” will appear online at http://cjasn.asnjournals.org/ on June 27, 2019.

The content of this article does not reflect the views or opinions of The American Society of Nephrology (ASN). Responsibility for the information and views expressed therein lies entirely with the author(s). ASN does not offer medical advice. All content in ASN publications is for informational purposes only, and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions, or adverse effects. This content should not be used during a medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health care provider if you have any questions about a medical condition, or before taking any drug, changing your diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment. Do not ignore or delay obtaining professional medical advice because of information accessed through ASN. Call 911 or your doctor for all medical emergencies.

Since 1966, ASN has been leading the fight to prevent, treat, and cure kidney diseases throughout the world by educating health professionals and scientists, advancing research and innovation, communicating new knowledge, and advocating for the highest quality care for patients. ASN has more than 20,000 members representing 131 countries. For more information, please visit www.asn-online.org or contact the society at 202-640-4660.

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CITATIONS

CJASN (doi: 10.2215/CJN.13131118)