Renal impairment in the elderly: A review

Abstract

Renal impairment is common in elderly patients. In one survey of acute admissions to a geriatric unit, 20% of all patients had quite significant renal impairment (Kafetz & Hodkinson 1982). This problem is most often caused by the interaction of the fall-off in renal function which occurs with age and the propensity for dehydration amongst the elderly. There are differences in the approach to the assessment of renal impairment in older patients as well as in the nature of its causes. Renal failure in the elderly is usually prerenal in origin.