Peritoneal dialysis in centenarian patients: no age limitation?

Background: The majority of dialysis patients are elderly, and the trend towards even more elderly people with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) will further determine the dialysis field in the future.

Method: If these elderly ESRD patients do not opt for conservative ESRD care, they may still qualify for peritoneal dialysis (PD), which may be assisted or unassisted.

Results: Although they may be more frail and have a greater co-morbidity burden compared to their younger counterparts, elderly patients with ESRD may still be able to maintain a good functionality level with adequate quality of life by performing PD, which may be assisted (treatment performed or supported e.g. by partner or nurse) or unassisted (without support). PD may indeed further contribute to maintaining autonomy, and enhance quality of life compared to in-center conventional hemodialysis. In order to illustrate this strategy, we hereby describe a centenarian patient with ESRD who received assisted PD successfully.

Conclusions: With appropriate management and infrastructure, (very) high age is not a contra-indication for PD.