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Life expectancy with kidney disease varies based on the stage at diagnosis, overall health, age, and treatment. Medical professionals stage kidney disease from one to five, with chronic disease causing permanent damage. Treatments include medication, diet, exercise, dialysis, and kidney transplants. Age, comorbidities, and access to treatment also impact life expectancy. Adherence to treatment is crucial, as most patients die from secondary cardiovascular disease caused by kidney problems.
Life expectancy with kidney disease can depend on the stage of the disease at the time of diagnosis, the general level of health and age of the patient, and the type of treatment the patient receives. Patients facing a diagnosis of kidney disease should ask their treating physician for a comprehensive overview so they understand their options and various prognoses. Quality of life issues are also important to assess, as a patient might live four years with one treatment and two with another, but may have the best quality of life with the shortest prognosis.
Medical professionals stage kidney disease between one, the least severe form, and five, the most severe. They also distinguish between acute and chronic disease. In acute disease, the kidneys are rapidly overloaded by a problem such as an infection or exposure to a toxin. Chronic disease develops over time and represents slow organ failure. With an acute condition, the prognosis can actually be quite good if the patient receives supportive care. Initially, dialysis may be needed to replace the kidneys, and the patient may make a full recovery. Chronic disease involves permanent damage and may be short lived.
The lower the stage of kidney disease at diagnosis, the better. A patient with stage 2 disease may be able to control it through medication, diet, and other measures to keep the kidneys working well into old age. Stage five kidney disease, on the other hand, has a much shorter life expectancy. Patients with comorbidities, such as diabetes or heart disease, also have a shorter life expectancy because their bodies are already under stress.
Treatments may include medications, diet, exercise, dialysis, and kidney transplants. Life expectancy with kidney disease may improve with more advanced treatments, but quality of life can become an issue. An elderly patient may find dialysis three times a week intolerable, for example, and may prefer more conservative treatment. Conversely, a relatively healthy young patient may be willing to undergo dialysis and be placed on a waiting list for a kidney transplant.
Age is another key factor and patients with kidney disease over 65 have a reduced life expectancy. Patients of color also tend to have shorter life expectancies, as do those in lower economic classes. These patients may not receive a diagnosis until they have more advanced disease and may have access to fewer treatment options. Ultimately, a patient’s life expectancy depends on how well the patient adheres to treatment. Most patients die from secondary cardiovascular disease caused by kidney problems.
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