Background: Kidney transplantation is generally regarded as the best treatment option for patients with end-stage renal disease. Because of an increase in the elderly population, the number of elderly patients with end-stage renal disease is expected to increase. The scope of this paper is to present existing knowledge about the survival after kidney transplantation of patients over 70 years of age at the time of transplantation.
Material and methods: The paper is based on existing literature retrieved through a systematic search in MEDLINE as well as on the authors' own experience and research.
Results: Among patients who fulfill the established medical criteria, kidney transplantation results in better survival than lifelong dialysis treatment. The best prognosis is achieved if time on dialysis prior to transplantation is reduced and acute rejection episodes are avoided after transplantation.
Interpretation: Kidney transplantation is a safe treatment for selected elderly patients with end-stage renal disease. Given a sufficient supply of organs, selected patients over 70 years of age with end-stage renal disease should be offered kidney transplantation following a standard medical assessment.