Discontinuation of life-sustaining dialysis therapy led to death in 282 of 5,208 patients who started therapy for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in Michigan during 1980–1985 with a follow-up through 1986. Based on life table estimates at 60 months after initiation of therapy, 9.4% of patients overall died due to termination of dialysis, 11 % of females versus 8 % of males (p = 0.02), 0.1–3.4% for ages 80 years, 12% for white versus 4% for black patients (p