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NDT Advance Access originally published online on August 22, 2005
Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation 2005 20(11):2446-2452; doi:10.1093/ndt/gfi012
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© The Author [2005]. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of ERA-EDTA. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org

Original Article

Withholding or withdrawing dialysis in the elderly: the perspective of a western region of France

Renaud Clement, Pascal Chevalet, Olivier Rodat, Vincent Ould-Aoudia and Michel Berger

Hôpital Saint-Jacques, Maison Pirmil, Chu de Nantes, 85 rue Saint-Jacques, 44093 Nantes Cedex, France

Correspondence and offprint requests to: Renaud Clement, Hôpital Saint-Jacques, Maison Pirmil, Chu de Nantes, 85 rue Saint-Jacques, 44093 Nantes Cedex, France. Email: renaud.clement{at}chu-nantes.fr

Background. In the US and Canada, dialysis discontinuation is one of the more frequent causes of death in elderly patients on haemodialysis, particularly after the age of 75. The aim of this study was to analyse the practices of some French nephrologists, 17 of whom (in six nephrology units) were interviewed for this study.

Methods. A questionnaire was formulated on the basis of a bibliographical search of the topic. A series of questions, initially open and then more targeted, regarding scientific and non-scientific factors influencing the decision to discontinue or refuse haemodialysis in elderly patients, were put to nephrologists.

Results. Psychological and physical deterioration emerged as the principal factors governing decisions to refuse or discontinue treatment. The interviewees felt that severe dementia (15 out of 17 nephrologists), irreversible neurological sequelae of a CVA (11 out of 17) and, paradoxically, patient refusal (10 out of 17) were factors to be taken into account in the decision to discontinue haemodialysis. Although the main reasons for refusing dialysis were cognitive disorders, severe dementia and irreversible neurological conditions, none of these factors where actually found to be in and of themselves decisive.

Conclusions. This study has shown that refusing or discontinuing dialysis are practices accepted by the vast majority of nephrologists in one region of France. Patient refusal is not a basis for denial or discontinuation of dialysis in elderly patients. Our investigation has demonstrated a consensus regarding decisions to refuse or discontinue dialysis.

Keywords: elderly; haemodialysis; refusal; renal insufficiency; withdrawing; withholding


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Differences between physicians in the likelihood of referral and acceptance of elderly patients for dialysis-influence of age and comorbidity
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