Seminars in dialysis
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Seminars in dialysis · May 2008
EditorialPalliative care: misconceptions that limit access for patients with chronic renal disease.
There is an urgent need to incorporate palliative care into the treatment of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). These patients have a shortened lifespan and face end-of-life decisions as renal function declines and renal replacement therapy becomes necessary. ⋯ Why, then, do patients with ESRD rarely receive expert palliative care services that have been shown to enhance the quality of life of patients with other life-limiting illnesses? The lack of access to palliative care can be attributed, in part, to misconceptions about its philosophy and goals. It is hoped that clarification of these misconceptions will facilitate integration of palliative care into routine nephrology practice.
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Seminars in dialysis · Sep 2004
Editorial Comparative StudyInadequate treatment of cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular disease risk factors in dialysis patients: a commentary.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Despite its significant impact on health outcomes, which would imply a need for aggressive intervention, both CVD and CVD risk factors are inadequately treated in this patient population. The reasons for this inadequate treatment are unclear. This article reviews the contribution of traditional risk factors to the burden of CVD in ESRD patients, outlines the evidence regarding undertreatment of CVD and traditional CVD risk factors, and identifies potential factors that may be responsible for inadequate cardiovascular care in ESRD patients.