Conservative Kidney Management: When, Why, and For Whom?

Deciding between dialysis and conservative kidney management (CKM) in an elderly or seriously ill per-son with kidney failure is complex and requires shared decision making. Patients and families look to their nephrolo-gist to provide an individualized recommendation that aligns with patient-centered goals. For a balanced and considered decision to be made, dialysis should not be the default and nephrologists need to be familiar with rele-vant prognostic information including survival, symptom burden, functional trajectory, and quality of life with dialysis and with CKM. CKM is a holistic, proactive, and multidisciplinary treatment for kidney failure. For some elderly comorbid patients, CKM improves symptom burden and aligns with quality-of-life goals, with modest or no loss of longevity. CKM can be provided by a nephrologist alone but ideally is managed through partnership with a dedi-cated supportive or palliative care service embedded within the nephrology practice. Treatment decisions are best discussed early in the disease trajectory and occur over many consultations, and nephrologists should be upskilled in communication to better support patients and families in these important conversations. Nephrologists should remain actively involved in their patients' care through to end-of-life care. Semin Nephrol 43:151395 & COPY; 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Deciding between dialysis and conservative kidney management requires shared decision making and considering relevant prognostic information. Conservative kidney management can improve symptom burden and align with quality-of-life goals for elderly comorbid patients without significant loss of longevity. Treatment decisions should be discussed early and involve effective communication to support patients and families.