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There are a variety of factors responsible for the significant increase in the number of patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). Patients over the age of 65 exhibit distinctive and peculiar clinical characteristics. Nephrologists have to consider the frequent clinical complications associated with ageing, such as nutritional deficiencies and weight loss, cognitive decline, dependency, walking impairments, and depression. In light of all of these considerations, geriatric nephrology was born. As a result of the widespread prevalence of diabetes and heart disease in the elderly, geriatric nephrology must take into account poor prognosis, mainly due to cerebral cardiovascular disease. In order to select the most appropriate therapeutic approach for each individual patient, the most effective everyday clinical practice should include an accurate evaluation of each affected individual. This includes their quality of life. In addition, it is imperative to use drugs cautiously and reasonably in the elderly.
The Challenges in the Treatment of Geriatric Patients
Most nephrologists treat elderly patients, a fact they are aware of and experience on a daily basis based on the epidemiological facts described above. What aspects of nephrology are specifically affected by age, and how does age affect diagnosis and therapy? Some of these issues have been addressed by recent reviews.
Nursing care for geriatric patients is unique, and there are some important issues that need to be addressed like knowledge gaps regarding pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment.
It is critical to address unanswered questions regarding kidney disease in the ageing population. As discussed briefly above, is Chronic Kidney Disease in elderly patients the same condition as Chronic Kidney Disease in younger patients? If so, should the CKD staging system be applied equally across all age groups? Fibrosis, cellular senescence, etc., affect kidney function with ageing? Are these changes inevitable or can they be reversed? Why does GFR not decline with age in some elderly patients? We currently use inaccurate markers of CKD and ESRD progression in elderly patients. Could there be more accurate markers? What are the relationships between CKD and other comorbidities in the ageing population, such as cognitive impairment, frailty, cardiovascular disease, and others? Dialysis or other CKD therapies affect older adults' functional status and quality of life? Geriatric patients are typically excluded from clinical trials, so what is the impact of applying clinical trial findings to them? The rapid expansion of the adult population requires answers to these critical questions. In order to apply clinical modalities and methods optimally, these age-related concerns require further investigation. Geriatric Nephrology in Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore is available at Manipal Hospitals, visit today.
Geriatric Nephrologists' Role
Despite the fact that the need for geriatric medicine is increasing, the number of physicians seeking specialty training in the field may be decreasing. Additionally, primary care physicians themselves find it challenging to care for elderly patients. Typically, three reasons are cited: medical complexity and chronicity of conditions, coordination of medical and nonmedical conditions, and administrative burden. These reasons are particularly relevant to elderly patients with Chronic Kidney Disease. Patients with chronic kidney disease who are elderly are more likely to experience complications such as cardiovascular disease, anaemia, hypertension, malnutrition, and bone disease. Additionally, the obstacles to effectively caring for these conditions increase (such as interacting comorbidities, impaired physiologic reserves, cognitive impairments, and limited economic and social resources). Nephrologists will need to address the interacting effects of ageing and kidney disease as primary care physicians seek assistance in managing elderly patients with CKD and other kidney problems. Book an appointment at our multi-specialty hospital today.
The specialty of geriatric nephrology promotes early diagnosis and rapid treatment, as well as incorporating aspects of geriatric and palliative care that emphasise independence and functionality.
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