The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs, each about the size of an adult fist, located on either side of the spine just below the rib cage. These organs perform many functions that maintain balance throughout the body, including filtering waste and excess fluid from the blood, regulating blood pressure, and producing hormones for red blood cell production and bone health. When the kidneys fail, the body’s ability to perform these functions is severely compromised, leading to end-stage renal disease (ESRD).
Survival Without Medical Intervention
Without medical intervention, toxic waste products rapidly accumulate in the body. This buildup, known as uremia, quickly becomes life-threatening. A person in this situation can typically survive for only a few days to a few weeks. During this time, the body experiences increasing levels of fatigue, nausea, and fluid overload.
Living with Dialysis
Dialysis is a medical treatment that takes over the filtering function of the kidneys when they can no longer do so effectively. It removes waste products and excess fluid from the blood, mimicking the natural process of healthy kidneys.
There are two primary types of dialysis: hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Hemodialysis involves using a machine to filter the blood outside the body, typically performed several times a week at a clinic or at home. Peritoneal dialysis uses the lining of the abdomen to filter the blood, with a special fluid introduced into the abdominal cavity, often done daily at home.
Life expectancy for individuals on dialysis varies significantly, influenced by age, overall health, and other existing medical conditions. The average five-year survival rate for dialysis patients is approximately 35-40%, though many individuals live much longer. Younger patients generally have better outcomes, with a five-year survival rate of about 85% for those under 45 years old. Some patients have lived for 20 or even 30 years on dialysis.
Living with a Kidney Transplant
Kidney transplantation offers another life-sustaining treatment for end-stage renal disease, involving the surgical placement of a healthy kidney from a donor. This procedure can significantly improve both the length and quality of life compared to long-term dialysis. The transplanted kidney takes over the functions of the failed kidneys.
The lifespan of a transplanted kidney, known as graft survival, varies depending on the donor type (living or deceased) and other factors. One-year graft survival rates are high, often exceeding 90%. Five-year graft survival rates can range from approximately 78% for deceased donor kidneys to over 88% for living donor kidneys.
Patient survival rates after a kidney transplant are also generally high. For example, the patient survival rate at one year can be as high as 91.27%, and at five years, it can be around 81.17%. After ten years, the patient survival rate can be about 78.15%. Transplant recipients must take immunosuppressive medications lifelong to prevent their bodies from rejecting the new organ, which can lead to complications.
Factors Affecting Longevity
Several factors influence how long an individual with end-stage renal disease can live, regardless of whether they receive dialysis or a transplant. A person’s age plays a substantial role, with younger patients generally having longer life expectancies. The presence of other health conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease, significantly impacts outcomes and can shorten lifespan.
Adherence to treatment plans is important for longevity. This includes consistently attending dialysis sessions, taking prescribed medications, and following dietary restrictions. Access to quality medical care and ongoing support contributes to better long-term outcomes for patients managing kidney failure.