Transplantation in the elderly patient

Clin Geriatr Med. 2013 Aug;29(3):707-19. doi: 10.1016/j.cger.2013.05.010.

Abstract

During the last 2 decades, the number of kidney transplants performed in the candidates older than 65 years has grown dramatically. For selected geriatric patients with end-stage kidney failure, kidney transplantation has emerged as a potential option for treatment of their end organ failure. Aging is associated with functional changes to the immune system known as immunosenescence, and this age-related decline in immune function has important implications for immunosuppression in this subgroup of kidney transplant recipients.

Keywords: Elderly; Immunosenescence; Immunosuppression; Kidney transplantation; Selection; Survival.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Aging*
  • Geriatric Assessment
  • Humans
  • Immune System
  • Immunosuppression Therapy* / adverse effects
  • Immunosuppression Therapy* / methods
  • Kidney Function Tests
  • Kidney Transplantation* / methods
  • Kidney Transplantation* / statistics & numerical data
  • Organ Dysfunction Scores
  • Patient Outcome Assessment
  • Patient Selection
  • Renal Insufficiency, Chronic* / diagnosis
  • Renal Insufficiency, Chronic* / immunology
  • Renal Insufficiency, Chronic* / mortality
  • Renal Insufficiency, Chronic* / surgery
  • Risk Assessment
  • Survival Analysis