Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis in the elderly: a seven-year experience.

This is a retrospective comparison of the status among the elderly (> or = 60 years, 23 patients) and younger patients (< 60 years, 31 cases) who initiated continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) between January 1986 and December 1992 at the National Taiwan University Hospital. The distribution of underlying renal diseases differed in the two groups with diabetes (56%) as the most common disease in the elderly, in contrast to glomerulonephritis (60%) in the younger patients. Haemodialysis intolerance and patient preference were the main reasons leading to the use of CAPD in both groups. Social rehabilitation status was poorer in the elderly group. The difference in cumulative risk of the first peritonitis episode and the technique failure rate were not statistically significant. The major causes of mortality were of vascular origin in both groups. In conclusion, similarities in the technique failure rate and the cumulative risk of peritonitis imply that CAPD is an acceptable alternative long-term dialysis therapy for geriatric patients.

The milk-alkali syndrome caused by betelnuts in oyster shell paste.

BACKGROUND: The carcinogenic effect of betelnut chewing leading to oral cancer is well known. Betelnut chewing may also affect the autonomic nervous system. In this report, we present another potential hazard of betelnuts, milk-alkali syndrome. CASE REPORT: Two patients who had chewed a large quantity of betelnuts developed hypercalcemia, metabolic alkalosis, and renal insufficiency. They ingested a large amount of calcium carbonate from a local special paste used for betelnut preparation, the main ingredient of which is ground oyster shell. The symptoms and metabolic abnormalities disappeared promptly after abstinence from betelnut chewing and administration of saline solution. Improvement of renal function was observed in both patients. Analysis of the calcium content of the paste suggested that the patients might have ingested 9 g and 6 g of calcium carbonate per day, respectively. CONCLUSION: This is the first report of milk-alkali syndrome not caused iatrogenically, but by recreational usage of oyster shell preparations of betelnuts.

Effects of age and diabetes on blood flow rate and primary outcome of newly created hemodialysis arteriovenous fistulas.

To study the feasibility of creating a radiocephalic hemodialysis fistula in elderly and diabetic patients, we prospectively studied 176 patients undergoing the first permanent vascular access creation and followed the outcome of fistula until primary failure or success was assessed. Color duplex ultrasonography was used to measure the blood flow rate. Fistula blood flow rate was significantly smaller in elderly patients, however, it was > 400 ml/min in over 78% of the elderly patients with successful fistulas. There was no difference in fistula blood flow rate between nondiabetics and diabetics. Dialysis adequacy (Kt/V) via fistula was the same between age groups and between diabetes mellitus status. Old age or diabetes per se did not significantly predispose a new fistula to primary failure, but concurrent old age and diabetes markedly increase the risk. In conclusion, a good primary outcome of newly created radiocephalic fistula and adequate dialysis via fistula were demonstrated for elderly and diabetic patients. However, the longevity of fistula in elderly and diabetic patients needs further study.