Rehabilitation of young adults during renal replacement therapy in Europe

Abstract

The educational status, employment rate and social situation were studied in 617 patients between 21 and 35 years of age who started renal replacement therapy (RRT) as children. The data were derived from a special questionnaire concerning disability and rehabilitation sent to dialysis and transplant centres reporting to the EDTA Registry. Fifty-six percent of patients completed secondary school and one in three went on to vocational training. Eleven percent of patients attended university, and 16% were reported to have gone to a special school for the handicapped. Up to one-third of patients who attended different school types failed to complete their education. There were notable geographical differences in schooling and in employment. Fifty-six percent of all patients were employed. Lack of schooling was considered to be a major reason for unemployment. Sixty-one percent of patients with disabilities and 34% without disabilities were receiving invalidity payments. The place of residence of these patients aged 21-35 was usually the parental home. Compared to the general population of similar age, only a few patients were married (13.5% of the total study group) and 8% had children. In summary, the present report shows that the major factors influencing rehabilitation on RRT are the presence of disabilities, the method of treatment, geographical factors, duration of RRT, and the underlying primary renal disease.

Trends in treatment and outcomes of survival of adolescents initiating end-stage renal disease care in the United States of America

“…Survivors of childhood ESRD have been noted to be less likely to complete secondary school, attend a university, or be employed as young adults [24,32,33]. Recently though, in a selected US pediatric transplant cohort of mostly White subjects who had survived to adulthood, 50% were married, 82% were employed, 95% reported fair-to-good health and 60% were without any or had only minor physical limitations [34].…”

Chronic Renal Failure: An Overview from a Pediatric Perspective

“…Social and cultural status plays a role in the rehabilitation of patients with chronic renal failure. The European experience in renal transplantation showed that the country of origin of the patients was a contributing factor for determining the rehabilitation progress in the children [191]. Anxiety is manifested by the patients by refusing to leave home or go to school and exhibiting a bad temperament.…”

Adolescent dialysis patient transition to adult care: a cross-sectional survey

“…Thirty-four percent without disabilities were receiving invalidity payments. Most of these young adults still lived in the parental home, and few were married [17].…”