High-Cost Life Prolongation: The National Kidney Dialysis and Kidney Transplantation Study
Authors: ROBERT A. GUTMAN
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1988)

Editorials1 June 1988High-Cost Life Prolongation: The National Kidney Dialysis and Kidney Transplantation StudyROBERT A. GUTMAN, M.D.ROBERT A. GUTMAN, M.D.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-108-6-898 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptEnd-stage renal disease requiring maintenance dialysis or transplantation is the only disease for which diagnosis alone entitles Americans to Social Security medical benefits (if they or family members have contributed to the system for a period of six quarters). Diagnosis leads to governmental medical support for only a few diseases: leprosy, tuberculosis, and venereal disease are examples. Entitlement to support for care for those diseases continues to be a public health issue.The end-stage renal disease program was inaugurated because of the overwhelming cost of prolonging life, and it came as no surprise, therefore, that the program was very expensive....References1. RETTIG R. The politics of health cost containment: end-stage renal disease. Bull NY Acad Med. 1980;56:115-38. MedlineGoogle Scholar2. EVANSBLAGGBRYAN RCF. Implications for health care policy: a social and demographic profile of hemodialysis patients in the United States. JAMA. 1981;245:487-91. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. EGGERSCONNERTONMCMULLEN PRM. The medicare experience with end stage renal disease: trends in incidence, prevalence and survival. In: Health Care Financing Review HCFA Pub. No. 03169. Washington, D.C.: Health Care Financing Administration. 1984;5:No. 3. Google Scholar4. EVANS R. Health Care Financing, special report, findings from the national kidney dialysis and kidney transplantation study. In: HCFA Pub. No. 03230. Washington, D.C.: Health Care Financing Administration. 1987. Google Scholar5. GUTMANSTEADROBINSON RWR. Physical activity and employment status of patients on maintenance dialysis. N Engl J Med. 1981;304:309-13. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar6. RENNIE D. Renal rehabilitation—where are the data? [Editorial]. TV Engl J Med. 1981;304:351-2. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar7. EVANSMANNINENGARRISON RDL. The quality of life of patients with end-stage renal disease. N Engl J Med. 1985;312:553-9. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar8. EGGERS P. Effect of transplantation on the medicare end-stage renal disease program. N Engl J Med. 1988;318:223-9. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: ROBERT A. GUTMAN, M.D.Affiliations: Duke University Durham County General Hospital Durham, North Carolina PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byMore Merriment: A Rejoinder to OverallPervasive Failed Rehabilitation in Center-Based Maintenance Hemodialysis PatientsFunctional and vocational rehabilitation of hemodialysis patientsOrganic Anxiety Disorder Secondary to Hyperthyroidism in a Hemodialysis PatientModern Medicine as a Risk to SocietyBlood transfusions and renal transplantationModern haemophilia treatment: medical improvements and quality of lifeQuality of life assessment and the treatment of end-stage renal diseaseAssessing the quality of life—a study in newly-diagnosed breast cancer patients 1 June 1988Volume 108, Issue 6Page: 898-899KeywordsLeprosyMedical dialysisPrevention, policy, and public healthRenal diseasesRenal failureRenal transplantationSexually transmitted diseasesTransplantation ePublished: 1 December 2008 Issue Published: 1 June 1988 PDF downloadLoading ...