Kidney: A Review on End Stage Renal Disease, Dialysis and Transplant

As more and more people become dependent on dialysis, the incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is rising globally. For people with ESRD, dialysis is a life-saving treatment, but compared to kidney transplants, long-term survival rates are still poor. There are various dialysis treatment options available, and patients often select one based on their preferences and way of life. Each type of dialysis has its advantages and hazards. Although kidney transplants are linked to higher survival rates, the likelihood of receiving one is still low due to the high demand for organ donors. Xenotransplantation is an intriguing area of transplantation, but it is still in its early phases and has several drawbacks. Future research should concentrate on these issues. This review seeks to improve understanding of kidney disease, dialysis and transplant and identify future areas of research to improve kidney outcomes in end-stage renal disease population. Highlights: The ESRD population is growing rapidly in the United States and worldwide. Dialysis irrespective of modality remains critical and life-saving for the ESRD population. Kidney transplant is associated with better survival rates but the process needs to be streamlined to improve availability and affordability of donor kidneys. Xenotransplantation of the kidney is an early and exciting field that needs more focus for future