[Relevant factors concerning phenomena related to the process of initiating dialysis in elderly patients with chronic renal failure: predicting the outcomes of subsequent phenomena at the stage of the initial phenomenon].

Aim: We previously investigated the relevant factors concerning each individual phenomenon related to the process of initiating dialysis in elderly patients with chronic renal failure. Background factors that were identified as relevant factors were significant in terms of enabling us to predict the outcome of each phenomenon in new patients. However, the significance of these factors in predicting the outcomes of subsequent phenomena at the stage of the initial phenomenon was unclear.

[Refusal of initiation of dialysis by elderly patients with chronic renal failure].

Aim: Refusal of dialysis is not uncommon in elderly patients with chronic renal failure. In this study, we retrospectively inspected our dealings with patients who refused our offer to initiate dialysis. In addition, we discussed how to grasp the meaning of this phenomenon.

[A pitfall in analyses of relevant factors concerning phenomena in the process of initiating dialysis: alterations in the characteristics of subjects diminish the significance of age].

In our previous studies, relevant factors concerning the main phenomena related to the process of initiating dialysis were examined in elderly patients with chronic renal failure. Examined phenomena were as follows: (1) the acceptance of dialysis; (2) the urgency of initiating dialysis; (3) short-term outcome; (4) returning home. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine relevant factors.

[Analyses of factors concerning the short-term outcome of elderly patients beginning dialysis].

The aim of the present study is to clarify relevant factors concerning the short-term outcome of elderly patients beginning dialysis. One hundred nineteen patients aged 60 years and over who had newly started dialysis at our hospital were studied. The male/female ratio was 70:49.

[Acceptance of dialysis therapy in elderly patients with chronic renal failure].

The aim of the present study is to clarify relevant factors concerning acceptance of dialysis therapy in elderly patients with chronic renal failure. Patients with advanced renal failure aged 60 years and over (152 cases) were investigated. The male/female ratio was 85:67.

[Differences in features between young-old and old-old patients beginning dialysis].

We investigated differences in features between young-old and old-old patients beginning dialysis. Patients aged over 60 years who had newly started dialysis (121 cases) were studied. These were 71 men and 50 women.