ABSTRACT

Prospects for Vascular Access in an Aging Society

Department of Urology, Osaka Metropolitan University School of Medicine Author: Yoshiaki Takemoto

The number of elderly dialysis patients in Japan has been steadily increasing over the years. At the end of 1991, the average age of dialysis patients was 54.53 years, and this number is projected to rise to 69.67 years by the end of 2021. Moreover, the average age of patients starting dialysis in 2021 alone is 71.09 years. It is evident that Japan’s dialysis patient population is rapidly aging, with 56.6% of patients being 70 years old or older. However, it is anticipated that the growth rate of dialysis patients in Japan will be less than 1%, and a decline in the number of dialysis patients is expected in the coming years.

As the population ages, the number of patients with compromised autologous vessels is expected to rise. Consequently, the number of patients relying on autologous vascular access is likely to decrease. In contrast, there is an anticipated increase in patients utilizing artificial vascular access and long-term indwelling catheters.

To assess the situation thoroughly, the Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy has conducted nationwide surveys on vascular access in dialysis patients in 1998, 2008, and 2017. Based on the findings from these three surveys, this report outlines the projected outlook for vascular access in an aging society.