OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study is to review our experience with patients over 80 years of age with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) treated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). DESIGN: The records of all patients over 80 years of age treated in our unit with CAPD since 1979 were reviewed. SETTING: Out-patient CAPD facility. PATIENTS: Eighteen patients over 80 years of age were identified and studied. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The duration of CAPD therapy, duration of CAPD training, mortality rate, hospitalization rate, peritonitis rate, and family assessment were reviewed and analyzed. RESULTS: The mean +/- SD duration of therapy was 20 +/- 17 months. Nine patients expired, 3 transferred to hemodialysis, 1 recovered renal function, and 5 remained on CAPD therapy. Peritonitis rates were 1.7 episodes/patient year. Of the organisms causing peritonitis, 56% were gram-positive bacteria. The average hospitalization rate was 13.9 days/patient year. The most frequent causes of hospitalization were peritonitis and cardiovascular disease. CONCLUSION: CAPD therapy is a reasonable therapeutic option for patients with end-stage renal disease over 80 years of age.

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