Elderly Kidney Failure Patients More Likely Than Ever Before to Get Transplants

Just the other day I was half-listening to NPR. They were chatting about the likelihood of getting kidney transplants in South Africa. Possible recipients used to be grouped according to age, motivation, BMI, and other factors and complications.

In an October 28, 2010, news release from HealthDay News by Robert Preidt, "elderly kidney failure patients in the United States are twice as likely to get a kidney transplant as they were in the mid-199o's, although the likelihood is still low."

48% of the half a million people who suffer kidney failure are 60+ years of age. This age group should not discount transplantation as chances of finding a living donor or older deceased donor are greater than ever.