Kidney Transplant vs Dialysis: Comparing the Costs, Quality of Life, and Life Expectancy
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People with serious kidney diseases have two treatment options: either undergoing dialysis or having a kidney transplant. Dialysis machines work like natural kidneys and remove impurities from the blood. On the other hand, in a kidney transplant, a healthy kidney is replaced by a failed one. In this article, we have explained how long the kidneys will survive after dialysis and transplant, how dialysis is done, how much each treatment costs, etc.
What Is Dialysis?
Dialysis is a medical treatment to filter the blood and control its electrolytes. This machine works as an alternative to the kidneys and keeps the patient healthy and alive for years. It also prevents the accumulation of toxins in the body, just like a natural kidney.
Usually, the patients go on dialysis when their kidneys cannot balance the chemicals, fluids, and electrolytes without medications. In other words, when the kidneys can no longer remove excess materials (such as creatine, urea, and acids) from the blood, the doctor orders dialysis.
In this treatment, the pollutants are removed from the blood using machines and medications. This process should be repeated every day or a couple of days a week. Remember that dialysis can be both a long-term and short-term treatment, but many patients see it as a temporary treatment until they receive a donor kidney.
Dialysis Types and Steps
Depending on the chosen tools, dialysis is done in two ways: hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. In hemodialysis, the blood is taken out from the patient’s body via a narrow tube, and then, the impurities and excess blood are removed from it via an artificial filter. After that, the clean blood enters the veins via narrow tubes connected to the dialysis machine. In peritoneal dialysis, a type of purifying liquid is injected into the abdomen to absorb the toxins. A few hours later, the liquid and the harmful substances are drained out.
How Is a Kidney Transplant Different from Dialysis?
- In most cases, the transplanted kidney lasts longer than a kidney undergoing dialysis.
- The mortality rate is lower in people getting a new kidney than in those undergoing dialysis.
- The quality of life in people who received a new kidney is much higher than that of the other group. It means that they are more satisfied with their lives than the ones going on dialysis.
- People with a donor kidney are physically healthier than those on dialysis.
- People with a donor kidney have fewer dietary limitations than those on dialysis and require fewer checkups and hospital visits.
- People with a donor kidney are more satisfied with their jobs, as their condition is more stable. Also, their productivity at work is significantly higher than that of those on dialysis.
- Patients undergoing dialysis suffer less from cardiovascular problems. However, there is not much difference between the two groups in this field.
Dialysis | Transplanted Kidney | Parameters |
Lasts shorter (5-10 years) | Lasts longer (15-25 years) | Kidney’s survival rate |
Moderate | High | Quality of life |
Low | High | General health |
High | Low | Dietary limitations |
Many | Few | Hospital visits |
Low | High | Job satisfaction/quality |
Low | Low | Cardiovascular problems |
When Is Dialysis Needed after a Kidney Transplant?
If the transplanted kidney does not start working right after surgery, the patient needs dialysis. This condition is called delayed graft function (DGF). It can happen because of poor blood circulation, inflammation, or immune system problems. Other reasons for dialysis after surgery include:
- Acute kidney injury (kidneys suddenly stop working)
- Infection of the kidneys
- Poor function of the transplanted kidney
- Hemodynamic shock
- Transplant failure
Dialysis vs. Kidney Transplant: Costs and Life Expectancy
At first, a kidney transplant might seem more expensive than dialysis. However, it usually costs less in the long run. The quality of life and life expectancy of patients with transplanted kidneys are usually higher than those of dialysis patients. Look at the picture below to see a full comparison between dialysis and a kidney transplant.
Kidney Transplant | Dialysis | Index |
High | Low | Cost in the first year |
Lower and decreases over time | Higher and permanent | Long-term costs |
Long | Short | Life expectancy |
Almost like healthy people | Low due to the ongoing treatment | Quality of life |
Almost like a healthy, natural kidney | Depends on constant blood filtration | Kidney’s function |
Less | More | Cardiovascular problems |
Shorter with fewer post-op care | Longer due to frequent sessions | Treatment time |
What Do Patients Say about These Two Treatments?
Based on a study by Canadian researchers, the mortality rate in patients with transplanted kidneys is about 68% lower than in those going on dialysis. For example, if the annual death rate in dialysis patients is 10%, it is about 3% in the other group. Kidney transplant also lowers the risk of cardiovascular problems by 40–50% and increases the quality of life by 60–70% compared to dialysis.
Therefore, most people who undergo a kidney transplant are generally healthier and live longer than dialysis patients. In other words, they are more satisfied with their life, job, and treatment. Dialysis sessions are extremely unpleasant, time-consuming, and costly. But fortunately, all these problems can be resolved with a kidney transplant.
Get a free consultation, precise treatment planning, dedicated support, and a personalized medical travel roadmap. Contact the experts at Iran health agency today.
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FAQs
Is a kidney transplant better than dialysis?
Yes. A kidney transplant is a better treatment than dialysis because it increases life expectancy and quality of life. Also, its results are more durable (15-25 years).
Will I still need dialysis after a kidney transplant?
If your surgery is successful, you don’t need dialysis anymore. However, you will need dialysis if your kidney is accidentally injured, the new organ doesn’t operate immediately, or the transplanted kidney is rejected.
Can you get a transplanted kidney before starting dialysis?
Yes. As soon as a matching donor is found, the patient can get a new kidney, even before dialysis starts. In fact, this increases their life expectancy and quality.
Is dialysis better than a transplant for the elderly?
A kidney transplant is always better than dialysis, no matter the age. However, if the patient is of a higher age and has life-threatening diseases, the doctor may find dialysis a better option.
Does dialysis repair the kidneys?
Unfortunately no. Dialysis cannot restore the failed kidneys. It only helps filter the blood and remove the toxins.
How many years can you get dialysis?
Some patients can get dialysis for years, even decades. However, most dialysis patients live about 5 to 10 years, which is shorter than patients who receive a donor kidney.
What happens if dialysis does not work?
If dialysis doesn't work, toxins and excess water accumulate in the body. This can cause heart problems, kidney failure, and death. In such cases, the patient must undergo a kidney transplant immediately.
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