Longitudinal Study of End-Stage Renal Disease

Colsher, Patricia L.

Abstract

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is a chronic life-threatening condition which requires long-term, intensive medical care and support services. Elderly persons are one of the fastest growing groups of treated ESRD patients, and may be more complex to treat as a result of age-associated comorbid conditions. Problems of availability and accessibility of health care services associated with rural residence may present additional challenges to older ESRD patients. A preliminary cross-sectional study conducted by our University of Iowa Teaching Nursing Home found significant impairments of physical health and function status among treated ESRD patients 50 years of age and older. Anecdotal reports suggested that some older rural ESRD patients have difficulty obtaining transportation to treatment centers and home health care assistance, and as a result may be forced to relocate or enter a nursing home. The proposed longitudinal study will follow a cohort of recently-diagnosed, treated older ESRD patients. A standardized telephone questionnaire will be administrated to obtain information about physical health and function, affective status, cognitive function, and lifestyle. Changes in these variables will be related to rural/urban residence, distance from treatment center, and other measures of health care accessibility.

Funding Agency

• Agency: National Institute of Health (NIH)
• Institute: National Institute on Aging (NIA)
• Type: Exploratory Grants (P20)
• Project #: 1P20AG009682-01
• Application #: 3802936
• Support Year: 1
• Fiscal Year: 1991

Institution

• Name: University of Iowa
• DUNS #: 041294109
• City: Iowa City
• State: IA
• Country: United States
• Zip Code: 52242

Publications

Kaboli, P J; Doebbeling, B N; Saag, K G et al. (2001) Use of complementary and alternative medicine by older patients with arthritis: a population-based study. Arthritis Rheum 45:398-403

Petersen, R L; Saag, K; Wallace, R B et al. (1999) Influenza and pneumococcal vaccine receipt in older persons with chronic disease: a population-based study. Med Care 37:502-9

Saag, K G; Doebbeling, B N; Rohrer, J E et al. (1998) Variation in tertiary prevention and health service utilization among the elderly: the role of urban-rural residence and supplemental insurance. Med Care 36:965-76

Cerhan, J R; Chiu, B C; Wallace, R B et al. (1998) Physical activity, physical function, and the risk of breast cancer in a prospective study among elderly women. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 53:M251-6

Saag, K G; Doebbeling, B N; Rohrer, J E et al. (1998) Arthritis health service utilization among the elderly: the role of urban-rural residence and other utilization factors. Arthritis Care Res 11:177-85

Wakefield, D S; Tracy, R; Einhellig, J (1997) Trends and implications of visiting medical consultant outpatient clinics in rural hospital communities. Hosp Health Serv Adm 42:49-66

Wakefield, B; Buckwalter, K C; Collins, C E (1997) Assessing family satisfaction with care for persons with dementia. Balance 1:16-7, 40-2

Lowe, L P; Long, C R; Wallace, R B et al. (1997) Epidemiology of alcohol use in a group of older American Indians. Ann Epidemiol 7:241-8

Cerhan, J R; Wallace, R B (1997) Change in social ties and subsequent mortality in rural elders. Epidemiology 8:475-81

Cerhan, J R; Wallace, R B; el-Khoury, G Y et al. (1996) Risk factors for progression to new sites of radiographically defined osteoarthritis in women. J Rheumatol 23:1565-78