Author/Editor		Hojs, Radovan
Title		Končna odpoved ledvic in nadomestno zdravljenje pri starostnikih
Translated title		End-stage renal failure and replacement treatment in the elderly
Type		članek
Source		In: Hojs R, Krajnc I, Pahor A, editors. Zbornik predavanj in praktikum 11. srečanje internistov in zdravnikov splošne medicine Iz prakse za prakso z mednarodno udeležbo; 2000 maj 19-20; Maribor. Maribor: Splošna bolnišnica Maribor,
Publication year		2000
Volume		str. 73-86
Language		slo
Abstract		The treatment of end-stage renal failure is extremely costly. For various forms of replacement therapy (different dialysis methods and kidney transplantation) for end-stage renal failure, developed European countries have spent 2% of their health services state budget which equals the funds spent for cardiac bypass operations. In most industrially developed countries, the number of patients treated with one of the replacement therapy methods is constantly increasing. In 10 years this number is doubled. It is significant that the age structure of these patients is changing in favor of elderly patients. The yearly increase in the percentage of persons over the age of 75 amounts to 15%. Unfortunately these patients mostly require the more costly forms of treatment, transplantation is rarely possible. Associated diseases are also more frequent in the elderly, at least in part they are the result of renal failure (accelerated atherosclerosis, etc.) which additionally renders the treatment of these patients more difficult and costly. From the above we may conclude that it is necessary to augment the means for the treatment of these patients. It is possible to augment the means designed for health services within the gross national income, to allocate these means within the budget for health services, ensure early access to suitable specialists, thus increasing the possibility of chosing cheaper treatment and improving prophylaxis in patients with renal diseases. All this will require a close cooperation of experts from the medical as well as other professions, of politicians and the patients themselves.
Descriptors		KIDNEY FAILURE, CHRONIC AGED HEMODIALYSIS KIDNEY TRANSPLANTATION HEALTH CARE COSTS