Life expectancy with kidney disease can depend on the stage of the disease at diagnosis, the general level of health and age of the patient, and what type of treatment the patient receives. Patients facing a diagnosis of kidney disease should ask their medical provider for a full description so they understand their options and the various prognoses. It is also important to weigh quality of life issues, as a patient might live four years with one treatment and two years with another, but might have a better quality of life with a shorter prognosis.
Medical professionals classify kidney disease from one, the least severe form, to five, the most severe. They also differentiate between acute and chronic diseases. In acute disease, the kidneys quickly become overwhelmed by a problem such as an infection or exposure to a toxin. Chronic disease develops over time and represents slow organ failure. With an acute condition, the prognosis can actually be quite good if the patient receives supportive care. Dialysis may be necessary to take care of the kidneys initially, and the patient may make a full recovery. Chronic disease involves permanent damage and may be less survivable.
The lower the stage of kidney disease at diagnosis, the better. A patient with stage two disease may be able to control it through medication, diet, and other measures to keep the kidneys working well into old age. Stage five kidney disease, on the other hand, has a much shorter life expectancy. Patients with comorbidities, such as diabetes or heart disease, also have lower life expectancies because their bodies are already under stress.
Treatments may include medications, diet, exercise, dialysis, and kidney transplants. Life expectancy with kidney disease can be improved with more advanced treatment, but quality of life can become an issue. An older patient may find dialysis three times a week, for example, intolerable and may prefer more conservative treatment. In contrast, a relatively healthy young patient might be willing to undergo dialysis and be on the waiting list for a kidney transplant.
Age is another key factor, and kidney disease patients older than 65 years have a decreased life expectancy. Black patients also tend to have shorter life expectancies, as do those from lower economic classes. These patients may not receive a diagnosis until they have more advanced disease and may have access to fewer treatment options. Ultimately, a patient's life expectancy depends on how well they adhere to treatment. Most patients die of secondary cardiovascular disease caused by kidney problems.