The Overuse, Underuse, and Misuse of Dialysis in ESKD Patients with Dementia

Abstract

The profile of patients on chronic dialysis has shifted. There is a growing group of older patients with comorbid dementia and ESKD, who are at risk of overuse, underuse, and misuse of dialysis. Policy is lacking to help guide treatment decisions in this group. This paper explores clinical considerations specific to patients with comorbid ESKD and dementia. These include: the impact of comorbid dementia on dialysis effectiveness and feasibility; burden of care issues that are specific to patients with dementia; and capacity, autonomy, and consent. A better understanding of these issues may help guide discussions and decision making about treatment. For some older patients with multiple comor..