The Benefits of a Kidney Transplant versus Dialysis

The Benefits of a Kidney Transplant versus Dialysis
It is often assumed that kidney transplantation is the last resort for CKD patients or patients suffering from Chronic Kidney Disease.However, research shows that patients with kidney transplant often live 10-15 years longer than those on hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis

If you are suffering from chronic kidney disease and are on dialysis or if your doctor is considering dialysis, considering a preemptive or early kidney transplant, depending upon your individual situation could offer many benefits and drastically improve quality of life with a more active lifestyle.

Most patients on dialysis think they can live forever. Most patients on dialysis live to 5 years however patients who receive a kidney transplant typically live longer than those who stay on dialysis.  The transplanted kidney usually functions immediately and functions effectively for 12-20 years from a living donor.

A deceased donor kidney functions from 8 to 12 years.

Kidney Transplant survival rates are 90% at 5 years from a deceased donor and at 96% at 5 years.

Many Kidney Transplant patients live between 15-20 years post-transplant from a living donor.
On the other hand, Dialysis works only up to 10% the efficiency of a living kidney and hence can cause serious complications.

• Anemia
• High Blood Pressure
• Heart Disease
• Nerve Damage
• Infection

Patients on dialysis have restricted lifestyles, suffer from fatigue and unpredictable ups and downs and as a result, the average life expectancy for a patient on dialysis is generally five years.
On the other hand,  kidney transplant patients live much longer.

Patients who get a kidney transplant before dialysis starts live an average of 10 to 15 years longer than if they stayed on dialysis.

The younger the patient, the more is the benefit from a transplant. However, even adults as old as 75  are able to extend lifespan by an average of four-five more years post-transplant than if they had stayed on dialysis.

New kidneys work much longer in patients transplanted before they start dialysis. Spending a long time on dialysis before transplantation may also compromise the life of the new kidney graft once transplant occurs.

Patients who have been on dialysis for 6 months or so much better than those on dialysis for 2 or more years. Patients who receive their new kidney when their health is generally good,  have better kidney function and hence better health and increased life expectancy.

However, getting a transplant is still a better option even if the patient has been on dialysis waiting for a donor’s kidney due to health complications arising due to dialysis.

Even though kidney transplant is major surgery, in comparison to dialysis,  it offers an opportunity for an increased life expectancy and a healthier, active, less restricted lifestyle.

Kidney Transplant in India is offered by some of the best hospitals at reasonable costs compared to the west and even Africa and middle east.

General cost estimates vary from US$ 14000 to US$ 16000 depending upon whether the transplant is a robotic surgery or otherwise.

Assignment Details:

This Assignment is helpful in developing the groundwork for understanding and integrating evidence-based practice in healthcare throughout the rest of the course. In this Assignment, you will have the chance to see how the research you look for can be applied to the work you do in your practice.

Overview:

You will select a topic relevant to your practice area, post the topic to Discussion Board 2 for feedback, research the topic, and write a scholarly paper. My Topic is “The Benefits of a Kidney Transplant versus Dialysis”

From the chapter readings and discussion, formulate a 3–5 page scholarly paper in APA format, providing an overview of the terms and function of EPB. An introduction, discussion, and conclusion is expected in the overview on this topic

Directions: