The epidemiology of end-stage renal disease in the Baltic countries: an evolving picture.

INTRODUCTION: The epidemiology of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and renal replacement therapy (RRT) is under continuous evolution all over the world. Of particular interest is the development of RRT in the countries of the former Soviet bloc which underwent great political and socio-economical changes in the last decade. We report here the epidemiological analysis of ESRD and RRT in the three Baltic countries: Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia. Subjects and methods. This epidemiological report is based on data from centre questionnaires which were collected from 1996 onwards, with a response rate of 98-99%. RESULTS: The prevalence/incidence of RRT patients in 1999 were 213/99.5 p.m.p. in Lithuania, 186/45.5 p.m.p. in Estonia and 172/55.8 p.m.p. in Latvia. Haemodialysis (HD) was the most common RRT modality in Lithuania (60% of prevalent patients), but not in Estonia (29%), while in Latvia it was nearly as common as renal transplantation (45 and 46%, respectively). Home HD was not performed. The proportion treated by peritoneal dialysis (PD) was very low in Lithuania (4% of RRT patients), while the percentage was higher in Latvia (9%) and Estonia (20.4%). The percentage of patients on RRT treated by renal transplantation was high throughout, representing the main modality of treatment in Estonia (50.5% of RRT prevalent patients, 94 p.m.p.) and in Latvia (46%, 79 p.m.p.) and being high in Lithuania (36%, 77 p.m.p.). The main renal diseases leading to ESRD were glomerulonephritis, pyelonephritis and diabetes. CONCLUSION: The epidemiology of RRT in the Baltic countries is undergoing rapid changes. Transplantation has reached an impressive level. A high percentage of RRT patients live with a functioning graft.     

Changing pattern of end-stage renal disease in central and eastern Europe.

BACKGROUND: The epidemiology of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is changing all over the world. Particularly dramatic changes of the epidemiology of ESRD have occurred in central and eastern Europe (CEE). The aim of the present study was (i) to document the further expansion of renal replacement therapy (RRT) noted in recent years in CEE and (ii) to analyse in some detail treatment modalities and underlying renal conditions. METHODS: Three independent surveys were performed in 1995, 1997 and 1998. Fifteen CEE countries participated. The data were mainly obtained from national registries which are based on centre and patient questionnaires. RESULTS: The data collected from 15 CEE countries document further expansion of RRT in this region. The report includes data on the availability of RRT in Byelorussia, Estonia, and Russia which have become available for the first time. The epidemiology of dialysed patients has changed remarkably. In the majority of countries the number of diabetic patients has increased, most dramatically so in the Czech Republic (31% of all dialysed patients), in the majority of the other countries 10-14%. The number of ESRD patients with the diagnosis of hypertensive nephropathy has also increased and this was accompanied by an increase in proportion of elderly (>65 years) patients, i.e. 46% in the Czech Republic and 12-25% in most other countries. CONCLUSION: Dramatic changes of the availability of RRT treatment have occurred in central and eastern Europe. The proportion of diabetic nephropathy and elderly patients has risen. Large differences in RRT exist between individual CEE countries and this appears mainly dependent on the level of economic development.     

Renal replacement therapy options from an Indian perspective: dialysis versus transplantation

In developing countries such as India, the management of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is largely guided by economic considerations. In the absence of health insurance plans, fewer than 10% of all patients receive renal replacement therapy (RRT). Hemodialysis (HD) is mainly a short-term measure to support ESRD patients prior to transplant. Infections are common in dialysis patients. The majority of patients starting HD die or are forced to abandon treatment because of cost constraints within the first 3 months. The cost of peritoneal dialysis (PD) is two times higher than that of HD, fewer than 2% of patients are started on PD. Among the three RRT options available, renal transplant is the preferred mode, as it is most cost-effective and provides a better quality of life. But due to financial constraints and nonavailability of organs, only about 5% of ESRD patients undergo transplant surgery. Though the removal of organs from brain-dead patients has been legalized, the concept of donation of organs from deceased donors has not received adequate social sanction. Only 2% of all transplants are performed from deceased donors. Due to limited access to RRT, the ideal approach should be to reduce the incidence of ESRD and attempt preventive measures. Preemptive transplant, reducing the duration of dialysis prior to transplant, use of immunosuppression for only up to 1 year, and availability of more deceased donor organs may be helpful to make RRT options within the reach of the common man.     

Influence of a pre-dialysis education programme (PDEP) on the mode of renal replacement therapy.

BACKGROUND: The distribution of renal replacement therapy (RRT) modalities among patients varies from country to country, and is often influenced by non-medical factors. In our department, patients progressing towards end-stage renal disease (ESRD) go through a structured Pre-Dialysis Education Programme (PDEP). The goals of the programme, based on both individualized information session(s) given by an experienced nurse to the patient and family and the use of in-house audio-visual tapes, are to inform on all modalities of RRT, in order to decrease anxiety and promote self-care RRT modalities. METHODS: To evaluate the influence of our PDEP on the choice of RRT modalities, we retrospectively reviewed the modalities chosen by all consecutive patients starting a first RRT in our institution between December 1994 and March 2000. RESULTS: Two hundred and forty-two patients started a first RRT during the study period. Fifty-seven patients, median age 66 (24-80) years, were directed towards in-centre haemodialysis (HD) for medical or psycho-social reasons (seven of whom were not involved in the PDEP); the remaining 185 patients, median age 53 (7-81) years, with no major medical complications, went through our PDEP. Eight of them (4%) received a pre-emptive renal transplantation. The therapeutic options of the other 177 patients were as follows: 75 (40%) patients, median age 65 (20-81) years opted for in-centre HD, while 102 patients opted for a self-care modality; 55 (31%) patients, median age 56 (7-77) years, chose peritoneal dialysis, 30 (16%) patients, median age 49 (21-68) years, chose to perform self-care HD in our satellite unit, and 17 (9%) patients, median age 46 (19-70) years, opted for home HD. Interestingly, in the whole cohort of patients, the cause of ESRD was associated with the RRT modality: the proportion of patients with chronic glomerulonephritis or chronic interstitial nephritis on self-care therapy was significantly higher than that of patients with nephrosclerosis, diabetic nephropathy or unknown cause of ESRD. CONCLUSION: In our centre offering all treatment RRT modalities, a high percentage of patients exposed to a structured PDEP start with a self-care RRT modality. This leaves in-centre HD for patients needing medical and nursing care, or for patients refusing to participate in their treatment. Additional large studies, preferably with a randomized design, should delineate the cost-benefit of such a PDEP on the final choice of a RRT modality.     

The renal epidemiology and information network (REIN): a new registry for end-stage renal disease in France.

The French Renal Epidemiology and Information Network (REIN) registry began in 2002 to provide a tool for public health decision support, evaluation and research related to renal replacement therapies (RRT) for end-stage renal disease (ESRD). It relies on a network of nephrologists, epidemiologists, patients and public health representatives, coordinated regionally and nationally. Continuous registration covers all dialysis and transplanted patients. In 2003, 2070 patients started RRT, 7854 were on dialysis and 7294 lived with a functioning graft in seven regions (with a population of 16.5 million people). The overall crude annual incidence rate of RRT for ESRD was 123 per million population (p.m.p.) with significant differences in age-adjusted rates across regions, from 84 [95% confidence interval (CI): 74-94] to 155 [138-172] p.m.p. The principal causes of ESRD were hypertension (21%) and diabetic (20%) nephropathies. Initial treatment for ESRD was peritoneal dialysis for 15% of patients and a pre-emptive graft for 3%. The one-year survival rate was 81% [79-83] in the cohort of 2002-2003 incident patients. As of December 31, 2003, the overall crude prevalence was 898 [884-913] p.m.p, with 5% of patients receiving peritoneal dialysis, 47% on haemodialysis and 48% with a functioning graft. The experience in these seven regions over these two years clearly shows the feasibility of the REIN registry, which is progressively expanding to cover the entire country.     

End-stage renal disease in the El-Minia Governorate, upper Egypt: an epidemiological study

We had earlier conducted two cross-sectional studies on the epidemiology of endstage renal disease (ESRD) in the El-Minia Governorate. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence, etiology and risk factors for ESRD in the El-Minia Governorate during the year 2006. Patients on renal replacement therapy (RRT), numbering 1356, were recruited into this study. A standardized questionnaire was completed including demographics, family history, risk factors for ESRD, environmental exposure to toxins, work conditions, social history and causes of death. Only 800 (59%) of the 1356 patients agreed to participate in this study. Their mean age was 46 ± 13 years, median 43 (range 18-80). The male vs. female ratio was 65% vs. 35%. The etiology of ESRD was unknown in 27%, hypertension in 20%, chronic glomerulonephritis in 11%, obstructive uropathy in 12%, bilhaziasis in 3%, analgesic nephropathy in 5%, chronic pyelonephritis in 5%, diabetic nephropathy in 8% and others, e.g. lupus in 9%. The overall prevalence of ESRD was 308 per million population (pmp). The modalities of RRT used on the study patients included hemodialysis (HD) in 1315 (97%), peritoneal dialysis (PD) in 27 (2%) and renal transplantation in 14 patients (1%). The death rate was 190/1000. Our study suggests that the epidemiology of ESRD in the El-Minia Governorate is different from that in European countries and the US and thus, region-specific interventions must be developed to control the epidemic of ESRD in the world.     

Assessment of management and treatment responses in haemodialysis patients from Tehran province, Iran.

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are emerging as globally important public health problems, and will necessitate improvements in health-care policy. ESRD incidence/prevalence data are not available from large parts of the developing world. The main objective of this study is to describe and assess the current clinical practices for patients on maintenance haemodialysis (HD) living in the province of Tehran. METHODS: In December 2005, an observational study was performed with 2630 patients (1505 males and 1125 females) from 56 different centres in the province of Tehran (the entire HD population), which has a population of 13.5 million inhabitants. RESULTS: The prevalence/incidence of HD was 194.8/77.3 p.m.p. The leading causes of ESRD were diabetes and hypertension. Population of 90.3 and 9% received three and two sessions per week, respectively, with a KT/V mean value of 0.97+/-0.25. All centres used synthetic membranes, and 68% of the sessions were performed using bicarbonate as a buffer. The type of vascular access was autogenous arteriovenous fistula in 91% of patients. Our findings indicated that compliance with the K/DOQI recommendations for calcium-phosphorus management is difficult to achieve. Only 1.8% of patients achieved all four target laboratory tests. For the management of anaemia, ferritin was the most commonly performed measure of iron status (76.7%). Iron deficiency was seen in <20% of patients (ferritin 相似文献   

Shorter waiting times for hepatitis C virus seropositive recipients of cadaveric renal allografts from hepatitis C virus seropositive donors

Introduction. The purposes of this study were: 1) to analyze the early results of cadaveric renal transplantation from either hepatitis C virus seropositive (HCV+) or hepatitis C virus seronegative (HCV−) donors into HCV+ recipients; and 2) to determine whether HCV+ patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) might benefit from receiving renal allografts from HCV+ donors.
Methods. From January 1997 to June 1999, 28 patients with ESRD and HCV infection underwent 29 cadaveric renal transplants. The data were reviewed retrospectively. Nineteen of the renal transplants were performed with allografts obtained from 15 HCV+ donors and 10 with allografts obtained from 10 HCV− donors. The median follow-up was 16.2 months, with an average of 15.4±2 months.
Results. Recipients of HCV+ renal allografts had shorter waiting times for transplantation. On average, patients who received a kidney from HCV+ donors were transplanted 9±3 months after being placed on the transplant list, compared to 29±3 months for patients who received a kidney from a HCV− donor. Shorter waiting times were noted in every blood type group. There were no significant differences in rejection episodes, infectious complications, renal function, liver function, graft survival, or patient survival.
Conclusions. The use of renal allografts from HCV+ donors for HCV+ recipients shortens the waiting time for these patients, with no short-term differences in renal and liver function, graft loss, or patient survival.     

Nationwide survey of adolescents and young adults with end-stage kidney disease

Aim: To better understand the health‐care needs of adolescents and young adults (AYA) with end‐stage kidney disease (ESKD), we sought to describe the demographic characteristics of a national cohort. Methods: Data were retrieved from the Australia and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Registry. We included all patients aged 15–25 years, living in Australia and receiving renal replacement therapy (RRT) on 31 December 2009. Data included race, aetiology of kidney disease, postal code, transition and migration history. Results: A total of 495 AYA were receiving RRT in Australia giving a prevalence of 143 per million age‐related population. Sixty‐three per cent had a functioning transplant, 24% were receiving haemodialysis and 13% peritoneal dialysis. Median current age was 22 years (interquartile range (IQR) 19–24). The most prevalent cause of ESKD was glomerulonephritis (33%). The majority of patients lived in capital cities. Indigenous patients were more likely to live in more remote areas. Eighty‐five per cent of patients were currently receiving care at an adult unit and 35% of these patients had transitioned from a paediatric unit since starting RRT. The median number of patients per adult unit was 5 (IQR 3–10). Conclusions: The majority of Australian AYA with ESKD are managed in adult units; however, the number at any one unit is low. As most live in the capital cities there may be an opportunity to establish centralized services designed to cater for the needs of AYA patients. However, the needs of patients living in more remote areas, including a significant proportion of Indigenous patients, may not be met by such a model.     

Glomerular pathology of allograft kidneys in Hong Kong

AIMS: Our goal was to define the spectrum of glomerular diseases in allograft kidneys and to correlate them with clinical parameters. METHODS: Eight hundred ninety-one renal graft biopsies and 43 graft nephrectomies from 1980 to 2004 were obtained from 442 allografts transplanted to 425 patients. RESULTS: Glomerular diseases were diagnosed in 33% of kidney grafts. Indications for biopsy were baseline assessment (23 biopsies, 2.5%); renal dysfunction (790 biopsies, 88.7%); proteinuria (154 biopsies, 17.3%); hematuria (11 biopsies, 1.2%); and study protocol (four biopsies, 0.4%). The median time to take a biopsy was less than 8 months posttransplant. The mean time posttransplant when the biopsy diagnosis was made was 70 months for IgA nephropathy (IgAN); 66 months for transplant glomerulopathy (TG); 65 months for focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSG); 55 months for mesangiocapillary glomerulonephritis (MCGN); 45 months for membranous glomerulonephritis (GN); 49 months for mesangial proliferative GN; and 101 months for diabetic nephropathy. Recurrent glomerular disease was documented in 31 (7.0%) grafts. Specific glomerular diseases were diagnosed by biopsies in 106 (89.1%) of 119 proteinuric allografts. CONCLUSIONS: Glomerulopathy was common in allografted kidneys. IgAN, TG, FSG, mesangial proliferative GN, and membranous GN were the majority. A higher proportion of grafts from donors related to the recipients than from unrelated donors showed IgAN (P < .05), suggesting that genetic factors might play a role in the pathogenesis of IgAN. Recurrence of glomerulopathy underlying ESRD was frequent for IgAN, FSG, and MCGN, but this was rarely seen in membranous GN.