Adolescents and Emerging Adults with Chronic Kidney Disease: Their Unique Morbidities and Adherence Issues

Abstract

Medical advances have increased the survival rates of adolescents and emerging adults with chronic kidney disease and end-stage kidney disease. Patients in these two age groups share many characteristics: their brain will fully develop in their late 20s; they have cognitive impairment related to disease severity and duration, are at greater risk of nonadherence, and need to learn to manage their complex medical condition and comorbidities while trying to achieve independence from their parents. The medical and psychosocial characteristics of these patients are discussed, and possible strategies for their care suggested.