Acute Renal Failure in the Elderly: Particular Characteristics

Overview

Journal Int Urol Nephrol

Publisher Springer

Specialty Nephrology

Date 2006 Dec 13

PMID 17160631

Citations 15

Authors

Carlos G Musso

Vassilis Liakopoulos

Iraklis Ioannidis

Theodoros Eleftheriadis

Ioannis Stefanidis

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Elderly individuals comprise the faster growing patient population group and acute renal failure (ARF) is quite common among them, although exact numbers are not known. We reviewed the literature with regards to the characteristics of ARF in elderly patients and describe some useful guidelines. The ageing kidney is characterized by many structural and functional changes, which are mainly due to various chronic disorders, such as hypertension, diabetes and atherosclerosis, which are highly prevalent in these patients. A number of structural and functional changes characteristic of the ageing kidney make elderly people especially prone to renal damage. ARF in the elderly is frequently of multifactorial origin and often with an atypical presentation, like the "intermediate syndrome", which combines characteristics of pre-renal azotemia and acute tubular necrosis. Physical examination and laboratory blood and urine indices may sometimes be misleading occasionally leading to misdiagnosis. Prophylaxis remains the preferred approach to therapy: one should avoid nephrotoxic drugs and poly-pharmacy, adjust drug doses and achieve adequate hydration of the patient as cautiously as possible. Dialysis therapies can be used for treatment of ARF irrespective of age and carry a good prognosis.

Citing Articles

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Excessive Oxidative Stress Contributes to Increased Acute ER Stress Kidney Injury in Aged Mice.

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Estimating renal function in old people: an in-depth review.

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Risk factors for developing acute kidney injury in older people with diabetes and community-acquired pneumonia: a population-based UK cohort study.

Jain A, McDonald H, Nitsch D, Tomlinson L, Thomas S BMC Nephrol. 2017; 18(1):142.

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