World Kidney Day 2014: CKD and the Aging Population
2014; Elsevier BV; Volume: 63; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1053/j.ajkd.2014.01.003
ISSN1523-6838
AutoresMarcello Tonelli, Miguel C. Riella,
Tópico(s)Global Health Care Issues
ResumoYouth, which is forgiven everything, forgives itself nothing: age, which forgives itself everything, is forgiven nothing.George Bernard Shaw, Maxims for RevolutionistsThe proportion of older people in the general population is steadily increasing worldwide, with the most rapid growth in low- and middle-income countries.1World Health OrganizationGood health adds life to years: global brief for World Health Day 2012. World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland2012Google Scholar This demographic change is to be celebrated, because it is the consequence of socioeconomic development and better life expectancy. However, population aging also has important implications for society—in diverse areas including health systems, labor markets, public policy, social programs, and family dynamics.2Wiener J.M. Tilly J. Population aging in the United States of America: implications for public programmes.Int J Epidemiol. 2002; 31: 776-781Crossref PubMed Scopus (188) Google Scholar A successful response to the aging population will require capitalizing on the opportunities that this transition offers, as well as effectively addressing its challenges.Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an important public health problem that is characterized by poor health outcomes and very high health care costs. CKD is a major risk multiplier in patients with diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and stroke—all of which are key causes of death and disability in older people.3Couser W.G. Remuzzi G. Mendis S. et al.The contribution of chronic kidney disease to the global burden of major noncommunicable diseases.Kidney Int. 2011; 80: 1258-1270Crossref PubMed Scopus (876) Google Scholar Since the prevalence of CKD is higher in older people, the health impact of population aging will depend in part on how the kidney community responds.March 13, 2014 will mark the celebration of the 9th World Kidney Day (WKD), an annual event jointly sponsored by the International Society of Nephrology and the International Federation of Kidney Foundations. Since its inception in 2006, WKD has become the most successful effort to raise awareness among policymakers and the general public about the importance of kidney disease. The topic for WKD 2014 is "CKD in older people." This editorial reviews the key links between kidney function, age, health, and illness—and discusses the implications of the aging population for the care of people with CKD.Epidemiology of AgingThe key drivers of population aging are socioeconomic development and increasing prosperity—which result in lower perinatal, infant, and childhood mortality; lower risk of death in early adulthood due to accidents and unsafe living conditions; and improving survival of middle-aged and older people with chronic disease. The resulting increases in life expectancy (together with the lower birth rates that typically accompany socioeconomic development) mean that older people account for a larger proportion of the general population.1World Health OrganizationGood health adds life to years: global brief for World Health Day 2012. World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland2012Google Scholar The extent of the resulting changes in population characteristics can be startling, especially for developing countries (Fig 1).In contrast to the situation even 2 generations ago, people can expect to live for many years after the usual retirement age. For example, UK men and women aged 65 years in 2030 can expect to live until age 88 and 91 years, respectively.4Select Committee on Public Service and Demographic ChangeReady for aging?. House of Lords, London, United Kingdom2013Google Scholar Predicted life expectancy for today's children is controversial, but experts estimate that 50% of UK children born in 2007 will live to at least 103 years.4Select Committee on Public Service and Demographic ChangeReady for aging?. House of Lords, London, United Kingdom2013Google Scholar Although it is clear that people are living longer, it is uncertain how much of the increased life expectancy will translate into years of good health. These demographic changes have dramatic potential implications for conditions such as CKD, for which the prevalence increases with age.CKD Is Common in Older People and its Prevalence Increases in Parallel With AgeIt has been known for decades that estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) declines in parallel with age.5Davies D.F. Shock N.W. Age changes in glomerular filtration rate, effective renal plasma flow, and tubular excretory capacity in adult males.J Clin Invest. 1950; 29: 496-507Crossref PubMed Scopus (803) Google Scholar The prevalence of CKD among females in the Chinese general population increases from 7.4% among those aged 18-39 years to 18.0% and 24.2% among those aged 60-69 and 70 years, respectively.6Zhang L. Wang F. Wang L. et al.Prevalence of chronic kidney disease in China: a cross-sectional survey.Lancet. 2012; 379: 815-822Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (1420) Google Scholar Relative increases in the prevalence of CKD with age are equally striking for populations in the United States, Canada, and Europe,7Coresh J. Selvin E. Stevens L.A. et al.Prevalence of chronic kidney disease in the United States.JAMA. 2007; 298: 2038-2047Crossref PubMed Scopus (3847) Google Scholar, 8Zhang Q.L. Rothenbacher D. Prevalence of chronic kidney disease in population-based studies: systematic review.BMC Public Health. 2008; 8: 117Crossref PubMed Scopus (706) Google Scholar, 9Arora P. Vasa P. Brenner D. et al.Prevalence estimates of chronic kidney disease in Canada: results of a nationally representative survey.CMAJ. 2013; 185: E417-E423Crossref PubMed Scopus (226) Google Scholar although there are between-country differences in the absolute prevalence.At older ages, an increased proportion of prevalent CKD cases has low eGFR alone (as compared to albuminuria alone, or both low eGFR and albuminuria).10James M.T. Hemmelgarn B.R. Tonelli M. Early recognition and prevention of chronic kidney disease.Lancet. 2010; 375: 1296-1309Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (445) Google Scholar Although this might suggest that many older people with CKD can expect lower rates of kidney function loss, available data are inconclusive—and current knowledge does not allow clinicians to reliably distinguish between those whose CKD will and will not progress.As for other age groups, the incidence of dialysis-dependent kidney failure has steadily increased among older people over the last few decades: in the United States, a 57% age-adjusted increase in the number of incident octogenarians and nonagenarians was noted between 1996 and 2003 alone.11Kurella M. Covinsky K.E. Collins A.J. et al.Octogenarians and nonagenarians starting dialysis in the United States.Ann Intern Med. 2007; 146: 177-183Crossref PubMed Scopus (438) Google Scholar Despite this increase, patients older than 80 years are still less likely to initiate dialysis than those aged 75-79 years—although a large recent study suggested that the risk of developing very low eGFR (<15 mL/min/1.73 m2) is similar for older and younger adults.12Hemmelgarn B.R. James M.T. Manns B.J. et al.Rates of treated and untreated kidney failure in older vs younger adults.JAMA. 2012; 307: 2507-2515Crossref PubMed Scopus (121) Google Scholar It is uncertain whether this discrepancy is due to between-age differences in the true rate of progressive kidney function loss, the risk of death due to competing causes, patient views about dialysis, or physician practices.12Hemmelgarn B.R. James M.T. Manns B.J. et al.Rates of treated and untreated kidney failure in older vs younger adults.JAMA. 2012; 307: 2507-2515Crossref PubMed Scopus (121) Google Scholar, 13Keith D.S. Nichols G.A. Gullion C.M. et al.Longitudinal follow-up and outcomes among a population with chronic kidney disease in a large managed care organization.Arch Intern Med. 2004; 164: 659-663Crossref PubMed Scopus (1355) Google Scholar Regardless of the explanation, the aging population will likely lead to continued increases in the number of older people with severe CKD.CKD Is Harmful but Treatable if Patients at Risk Are IdentifiedLike younger people, older people with advanced CKD are at increased risk of death, kidney failure, myocardial infarction, and stroke compared to otherwise similar people with normal or mildly reduced eGFR.14Hemmelgarn B.R. Manns B.J. Lloyd A. et al.Relation between kidney function, proteinuria, and adverse outcomes.JAMA. 2010; 303: 423-429Crossref PubMed Scopus (799) Google Scholar, 15O'Hare A.M. Bertenthal D. Covinsky K.E. et al.Mortality risk stratification in chronic kidney disease: one size for all ages?.J Am Soc Nephrol. 2006; 17: 846-853Crossref PubMed Scopus (315) Google Scholar Although death is by far the most common of these adverse outcomes, this does not mean that older patients with clinically relevant CKD cannot benefit from timely specialist referral.With appropriate management, patients with advanced CKD (regardless of age) may benefit from slower loss of kidney function (potentially preventing kidney failure); better control of metabolic consequences such as acidosis, anemia, and hyperphosphatemia; lower risk of cardiovascular events; and (for those who are interested in renal replacement) a more informed choice of renal replacement modality, including timely creation of vascular access.16Stevens P.E. Levin A. KDIGO Chronic Kidney Disease Guideline Development Work GroupEvaluation and management of chronic kidney disease: synopsis of the kidney disease: improving global outcomes 2012 clinical practice guideline.Ann Intern Med. 2013; 158: 825-830Crossref PubMed Scopus (1572) Google Scholar The aging population will likely lead to continued increases in the number of older people who might require such referral, which should be considered in assessments of future nephrology workforce capacity.Dialysis Can Benefit Older People With Kidney FailureIn developed countries, the default management strategy for older people with kidney failure appears to have shifted from conservative management to initiation of dialysis.17Thorsteinsdottir B. Montori V.M. Prokop L.J. et al.Ageism vs. the technical imperative, applying the GRADE framework to the evidence on hemodialysis in very elderly patients.Clin Interv Aging. 2013; 8: 797-807Crossref PubMed Scopus (42) Google Scholar On average, life expectancy after initiation of dialysis is relatively short for older patients: median survival among incident US dialysis patients aged 80-84 years is 16 months—and is only 12 months among those aged 85-89 years.11Kurella M. Covinsky K.E. Collins A.J. et al.Octogenarians and nonagenarians starting dialysis in the United States.Ann Intern Med. 2007; 146: 177-183Crossref PubMed Scopus (438) Google Scholar At the same time, these median statistics reflect a bimodal distribution of survival time in older dialysis patients: although a large proportion die within 6 months of commencing dialysis, a substantial minority may live for years. This heterogeneity in mortality appears to be driven by differences in baseline comorbidity. For example, analyses of a small UK cohort of people with advanced kidney failure suggested that initiation of dialysis was not associated with increased survival for those older than 75 years and with 2 or more comorbid conditions.18Chandna S.M. Da Silva-Gane M. Marshall C. et al.Survival of elderly patients with stage 5 CKD: comparison of conservative management and renal replacement therapy.Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2011; 26: 1608-1614Crossref PubMed Scopus (293) Google Scholar, 19Murtagh F.E. Marsh J.E. Donohoe P. et al.Dialysis or not? A comparative survival study of patients over 75 years with chronic kidney disease stage 5.Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2007; 22: 1955-1962Crossref PubMed Scopus (509) Google Scholar Similarly, the presence of 2-3 comorbid conditions in US dialysis patients older than 65 years was associated with substantially increased mortality compared to those in better health.11Kurella M. Covinsky K.E. Collins A.J. et al.Octogenarians and nonagenarians starting dialysis in the United States.Ann Intern Med. 2007; 146: 177-183Crossref PubMed Scopus (438) Google Scholar When functional status is lower at baseline, initiation of dialysis often signals the onset of further declines: among 3,702 nursing home residents initiating dialysis, 58% had died and 87% had experienced additional loss of function at 1 year.20Kurella Tamura M. Covinsky K.E. Chertow G.M. et al.Functional status of elderly adults before and after initiation of dialysis.N Engl J Med. 2009; 361: 1539-1547Crossref PubMed Scopus (742) Google Scholar Although available data have limitations, quality of life appears reasonable among selected older dialysis patients—and can remain stable despite moderate or high levels of comorbidity.21Lamping D.L. Constantinovici N. Roderick P. et al.Clinical outcomes, quality of life, and costs in the North Thames Dialysis Study of elderly people on dialysis: a prospective cohort study.Lancet. 2000; 356: 1543-1550Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (327) Google Scholar, 22Unruh M.L. Newman A.B. Larive B. et al.The influence of age on changes in health-related quality of life over three years in a cohort undergoing hemodialysis.J Am Geriatr Soc. 2008; 56: 1608-1617Crossref PubMed Scopus (77) Google ScholarThese data suggest that dialysis is an appropriate treatment option for well-informed older patients with kidney failure—especially for those with good baseline quality of life. On the other hand, the very poor outcomes experienced in those with more comorbidity or lower functional status at baseline clearly demonstrate that dialysis does not improve clinical outcomes for all older people with kidney failure, and that good clinical judgment and careful communication will be increasingly required as the general population continues to age.Kidney Transplantation Can Also Benefit Older People With Kidney FailureIt is generally accepted that older age alone does not preclude kidney transplantation in otherwise suitable candidates. However, older patients with kidney failure are more likely to have absolute and relative contraindications to transplantation, and are less likely to be placed on the kidney transplantation waiting list. Unsurprisingly, patient and graft 5-year survival probabilities are lower among US kidney transplant recipients aged 65 years or older as compared to those aged 35-49 years (patient: 67.2% vs 89.6%; graft: 60.9% vs 75.4%, respectively).23Knoll G.A. Kidney transplantation in the older adult.Am J Kidney Dis. 2013; 61: 790-797Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (136) Google Scholar In addition, older people who are potential kidney transplant recipients face several potential disadvantages compared to their younger counterparts (Box 1).Box 1Unmet Needs for Kidney Transplantation in Older CKD Patients•Addressing the organ shortage and the paucity of live donors•Developing organ allocation policies that appropriately weight likelihood of benefit from transplantation and chronological age•Ensuring appropriate referral of potentially suitable older recipients for transplantation assessment•Addressing ethical concerns regarding offering a kidney to an older patient versus a younger one•Developing an optimal immunosuppressive regimenBased on Mohanlal and Weir.29Mohanlal V. Weir M. Kidney transplantation in the elderly: it's not all gloom and doom.ASN Kidney News. 2011; 3: 15-17Google ScholarNonetheless, transplantation appears to reduce mortality among patients of all ages. For example, among those aged 74 years, receiving a deceased donor transplant was associated with a hazard ratio of mortality of 0.67 (95% confidence interval, 0.53-0.86) as compared to remaining on dialysis.23Knoll G.A. Kidney transplantation in the older adult.Am J Kidney Dis. 2013; 61: 790-797Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (136) Google Scholar Use of expanded-criteria deceased donors24Merion R.M. Ashby V.B. Wolfe R.A. et al.Deceased-donor characteristics and the survival benefit of kidney transplantation.JAMA. 2005; 294: 2726-2733Crossref PubMed Scopus (540) Google Scholar, 25Cohen B. Smits J.M. Haase B. et al.Expanding the donor pool to increase renal transplantation.Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2005; 20: 34-41Crossref PubMed Scopus (141) Google Scholar as well as more liberal use of older living donors26Gill J. Bunnapradist S. Danovitch G.M. et al.Outcomes of kidney transplantation from older living donors to older recipients.Am J Kidney Dis. 2008; 52: 541-552Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (133) Google Scholar also appear to reduce mortality among older people with kidney failure, as compared to similar patients who remain on the transplant waiting list (Box 2). These latter 2 strategies are especially appealing for use in developing countries, where growth in the prevalence of older people has been most pronounced. However, because transplantation surgery itself temporarily increases the risk of death, the mortality benefits associated with kidney transplantation (regardless of donor type) are restricted to those with reasonable baseline life expectancy and without dramatically increased perioperative risk.27Gill J.S. Tonelli M. Johnson N. et al.The impact of waiting time and comorbid conditions on the survival benefit of kidney transplantation.Kidney Int. 2005; 68: 2345-2351Crossref PubMed Scopus (152) Google ScholarBox 2Meeting the Growing Demand for Kidney Transplantation in Older CKD Patients•Enlarging the donor pool by accepting expanded-criteria donors (≥60 years old, or ≥50 with 2 or more of the 3 following characteristics: history of hypertension, serum creatinine ≥ 1.5 mg/dL, cerebrovascular accident as cause of death)•"Old for old": preferentially transplanting organs from older living donors to older recipients•Transplanting a pair of marginal kidneys instead of oneBased on Mohanlal and Weir.29Mohanlal V. Weir M. Kidney transplantation in the elderly: it's not all gloom and doom.ASN Kidney News. 2011; 3: 15-17Google ScholarResearch NeedsAlthough much is known about CKD in older populations, a great deal remains to be learned. Many trials of therapies for CKD have excluded older patients28O'Hare A.M. Kaufman J.S. Covinsky K.E. et al.Current guidelines for using angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II-receptor antagonists in chronic kidney disease: is the evidence base relevant to older adults?.Ann Intern Med. 2009; 150: 717-724Crossref PubMed Scopus (107) Google Scholar—and most do not provide guidance on how to manage comorbid conditions that often accompany CKD but may lead to competing therapeutic priorities. More information is needed on how to accurately identify people who will progress to kidney failure—and among these, the subset of individuals who can expect reasonable life expectancy and quality of life if they opt for dialysis treatment. Future studies should test new ways to communicate information about the risks and benefits of dialysis (as compared to conservative management) to facilitate informed patient decisions. Above all, we need more studies that demonstrate how to optimize quality of life and manage symptoms in elderly people with CKD, including those who have chosen conservative management.The Way ForwardThe aging of the general population means that older people now account for a much greater proportion of patients with or at risk for kidney disease and kidney failure. The tremendous clinical heterogeneity within this population indicates the need for more discerning management. Chronological age alone will not be sufficient as the basis for clinical decisions, and a more nuanced approach is required—based on the comorbid conditions, functional status, quality of life, and preferences of each individual patient. Clinicians can be reassured that dialysis and kidney transplantation can increase life expectancy—and will allow reasonable quality of life in selected older people with kidney failure. Perhaps more importantly, clinicians, patients, and their families can be comforted by the knowledge that timely specialist evaluation can help to improve outcomes and reduce symptoms in older people with advanced kidney disease—whether they have selected conservative management or dialysis as their treatment plan. Youth, which is forgiven everything, forgives itself nothing: age, which forgives itself everything, is forgiven nothing.George Bernard Shaw, Maxims for Revolutionists The proportion of older people in the general population is steadily increasing worldwide, with the most rapid growth in low- and middle-income countries.1World Health OrganizationGood health adds life to years: global brief for World Health Day 2012. World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland2012Google Scholar This demographic change is to be celebrated, because it is the consequence of socioeconomic development and better life expectancy. However, population aging also has important implications for society—in diverse areas including health systems, labor markets, public policy, social programs, and family dynamics.2Wiener J.M. Tilly J. Population aging in the United States of America: implications for public programmes.Int J Epidemiol. 2002; 31: 776-781Crossref PubMed Scopus (188) Google Scholar A successful response to the aging population will require capitalizing on the opportunities that this transition offers, as well as effectively addressing its challenges. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an important public health problem that is characterized by poor health outcomes and very high health care costs. CKD is a major risk multiplier in patients with diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and stroke—all of which are key causes of death and disability in older people.3Couser W.G. Remuzzi G. Mendis S. et al.The contribution of chronic kidney disease to the global burden of major noncommunicable diseases.Kidney Int. 2011; 80: 1258-1270Crossref PubMed Scopus (876) Google Scholar Since the prevalence of CKD is higher in older people, the health impact of population aging will depend in part on how the kidney community responds. March 13, 2014 will mark the celebration of the 9th World Kidney Day (WKD), an annual event jointly sponsored by the International Society of Nephrology and the International Federation of Kidney Foundations. Since its inception in 2006, WKD has become the most successful effort to raise awareness among policymakers and the general public about the importance of kidney disease. The topic for WKD 2014 is "CKD in older people." This editorial reviews the key links between kidney function, age, health, and illness—and discusses the implications of the aging population for the care of people with CKD. Epidemiology of AgingThe key drivers of population aging are socioeconomic development and increasing prosperity—which result in lower perinatal, infant, and childhood mortality; lower risk of death in early adulthood due to accidents and unsafe living conditions; and improving survival of middle-aged and older people with chronic disease. The resulting increases in life expectancy (together with the lower birth rates that typically accompany socioeconomic development) mean that older people account for a larger proportion of the general population.1World Health OrganizationGood health adds life to years: global brief for World Health Day 2012. World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland2012Google Scholar The extent of the resulting changes in population characteristics can be startling, especially for developing countries (Fig 1).In contrast to the situation even 2 generations ago, people can expect to live for many years after the usual retirement age. For example, UK men and women aged 65 years in 2030 can expect to live until age 88 and 91 years, respectively.4Select Committee on Public Service and Demographic ChangeReady for aging?. House of Lords, London, United Kingdom2013Google Scholar Predicted life expectancy for today's children is controversial, but experts estimate that 50% of UK children born in 2007 will live to at least 103 years.4Select Committee on Public Service and Demographic ChangeReady for aging?. House of Lords, London, United Kingdom2013Google Scholar Although it is clear that people are living longer, it is uncertain how much of the increased life expectancy will translate into years of good health. These demographic changes have dramatic potential implications for conditions such as CKD, for which the prevalence increases with age. The key drivers of population aging are socioeconomic development and increasing prosperity—which result in lower perinatal, infant, and childhood mortality; lower risk of death in early adulthood due to accidents and unsafe living conditions; and improving survival of middle-aged and older people with chronic disease. The resulting increases in life expectancy (together with the lower birth rates that typically accompany socioeconomic development) mean that older people account for a larger proportion of the general population.1World Health OrganizationGood health adds life to years: global brief for World Health Day 2012. World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland2012Google Scholar The extent of the resulting changes in population characteristics can be startling, especially for developing countries (Fig 1). In contrast to the situation even 2 generations ago, people can expect to live for many years after the usual retirement age. For example, UK men and women aged 65 years in 2030 can expect to live until age 88 and 91 years, respectively.4Select Committee on Public Service and Demographic ChangeReady for aging?. House of Lords, London, United Kingdom2013Google Scholar Predicted life expectancy for today's children is controversial, but experts estimate that 50% of UK children born in 2007 will live to at least 103 years.4Select Committee on Public Service and Demographic ChangeReady for aging?. House of Lords, London, United Kingdom2013Google Scholar Although it is clear that people are living longer, it is uncertain how much of the increased life expectancy will translate into years of good health. These demographic changes have dramatic potential implications for conditions such as CKD, for which the prevalence increases with age. CKD Is Common in Older People and its Prevalence Increases in Parallel With AgeIt has been known for decades that estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) declines in parallel with age.5Davies D.F. Shock N.W. Age changes in glomerular filtration rate, effective renal plasma flow, and tubular excretory capacity in adult males.J Clin Invest. 1950; 29: 496-507Crossref PubMed Scopus (803) Google Scholar The prevalence of CKD among females in the Chinese general population increases from 7.4% among those aged 18-39 years to 18.0% and 24.2% among those aged 60-69 and 70 years, respectively.6Zhang L. Wang F. Wang L. et al.Prevalence of chronic kidney disease in China: a cross-sectional survey.Lancet. 2012; 379: 815-822Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (1420) Google Scholar Relative increases in the prevalence of CKD with age are equally striking for populations in the United States, Canada, and Europe,7Coresh J. Selvin E. Stevens L.A. et al.Prevalence of chronic kidney disease in the United States.JAMA. 2007; 298: 2038-2047Crossref PubMed Scopus (3847) Google Scholar, 8Zhang Q.L. Rothenbacher D. Prevalence of chronic kidney disease in population-based studies: systematic review.BMC Public Health. 2008; 8: 117Crossref PubMed Scopus (706) Google Scholar, 9Arora P. Vasa P. Brenner D. et al.Prevalence estimates of chronic kidney disease in Canada: results of a nationally representative survey.CMAJ. 2013; 185: E417-E423Crossref PubMed Scopus (226) Google Scholar although there are between-country differences in the absolute prevalence.At older ages, an increased proportion of prevalent CKD cases has low eGFR alone (as compared to albuminuria alone, or both low eGFR and albuminuria).10James M.T. Hemmelgarn B.R. Tonelli M. Early recognition and prevention of chronic kidney disease.Lancet. 2010; 375: 1296-1309Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (445) Google Scholar Although this might suggest that many older people with CKD can expect lower rates of kidney function loss, available data are inconclusive—and current knowledge does not allow clinicians to reliably distinguish between those whose CKD will and will not progress.As for other age groups, the incidence of dialysis-dependent kidney failure has steadily increased among older people over the last few decades: in the United States, a 57% age-adjusted increase in the number of incident octogenarians and nonagenarians was noted between 1996 and 2003 alone.11Kurella M. Covinsky K.E. Collins A.J. et al.Octogenarians and nonagenarians starting dialysis in the United States.Ann Intern Med. 2007; 146: 177-183Crossref PubMed Scopus (438) Google Scholar Despite this increase, patients older than 80 years are still less likely to initiate dialysis than those aged 75-79 years—although a large recent study suggested that the risk of developing very low eGFR (<15 mL/min/1.73 m2) is similar for older and younger adults.12Hemmelgarn B.R. James M.T. Manns B.J. et al.Rates of treated and untreated kidney failure in older vs younger adults.JAMA. 2012; 307: 2507-2515Crossref PubMed Scopus (121) Google Scholar It is uncertain whether this discrepancy is due to between-age differences in the true rate of progressive kidney function loss, the risk of death due to competing causes, patient views about dialysis, or physician practices.12Hemmelgarn B.R. James M.T. Manns B.J. et al.Rates of treated and untreated kidney failure in older vs younger
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