What Is The Life Expectancy Of Stage 4 Kidney Disease Patient?

Posted on Sat, 10 May 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 10 May 2014 Answered on

Fri, 30 May 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : What is the life expectancy of a patient who has been at stage 4 kidney disease for 5 years and is 69 years old with type II diabetes and high blood pressure?

Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Hi

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Good day. I must say that this is a difficult question to answer. A doctor can only make an assessment taking many things in to consideration.

Most of the people with kidney disease die from heart disease rather than kidney problems. That is the fact. .

Is the person on dialysis ? Any plans for kidney transplant? Smoking status?

How good is blood pressure and cholesterol controlled. IS he on blood thinning medicines like aspirin?
All these questions are important to decide on the life span.
Usually life span is limited to 2-3 years if no renal replacement treatment ( dialysis or transplant) done. If on dialysis alone, life can be prolonged to 2-3 years more. If transplanted early, I have seen people living well over 15-20 years.

HAVING SAID ALL THESE I MUST SAY THAT GOD MAKE THE FINAL DECISON.

Regards
Binu

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar