AUTOSOMAL-DOMINANT POLYCYSTIC KIDNEY-DISEASE - THE PATIENT ON RENAL REPLACEMENT THERAPY

In Europe similar to 6% of all patients on chronic renal replacement t herapy suffer from polycystic kidney disease. Survival of patients wit h polycystic kidney disease on renal replacement therapy is better tha n for other primary renal diseases, despite a similar cardiovascular r isk profile. We documented a significantly higher erythropoietin level in polycystic patients even in advanced uraemia and on dialysis. A be tter haemoglobin level seems to improve long-term survival because of a possible beneficial effect on cardiac function. There is no increase d risk of renal cell carcinoma in patients with autosomal dominant pol ycystic kidney disease. Polycystic patients on dialysis should be foll owed for cardiac valve abnormalities and cerebral aneurysms.