Survival rates for patients on dialysis are better than those for patients receiving renal allografts in the following circumstances:

D. None of the above.

DISCUSSION: Patients receiving chronic dialysis have a mortality rate of 6% to 20% per year, every year. The mortality rate is as high as 11% to 25% per year in diabetic dialysis patients. Patients undergoing renal transplantation have an operative mortality rate of less than 2%, and the 1-year survival for recipients of living related kidneys is better than 95%. Survival is greater than 90% for recipients of cadaver kidneys. The 5-year patient survivals are approximately 80% for nondiabetic recipients of living related and cadaver kidneys, and 60% to 70% for diabetic recipients. Thus, a well-functioning renal allograft provides a greater chance for a longer life than does chronic dialysis.