The triad of renal function, erythropoietin and haemoglobin in old age

Abstract

Knowledge of physiological changes in renal function, EPO and haemoglobin level and their impact at old age are essential for clinicians especially those working with older patients. The results of the studies presented in this thesis provide more insight in the physiological aspects of age related decline in renal function and the relation with erythropoietin production and the maintenance of haemoglobin levels at old age. Furthermore, these results allow us to speculate about the predictive value of renal function, EPO and haemoglobin as markers of mortality in a clinical population of oldest old patients. Proper knowledge of these markers could contribute to increased attention of clinicians for the increased mortality risk of their oldest old patients. Furthermore, knowledge of these markers could be helpful in tailor made medicine, individual prognostication and decision making procedures, in the oldest old patients.