Age and gender-related incidence of chronic renal failure in a French urban area: a prospective epidemiologic study

OBJECTIVE.: To determine the age- and gender-related incidence of chronicrenal failure in a French urban area. METHODS.: Prospective study of adult patients newly identified as havingestablished, chronic renal failure defined by serum creatinine(Scr) 200 µmol/l, with the cooperation of all nephrologyand dialysis units in the Ile de France district (10,660,000inhabitants) during a 1-year period. RESULTS.: 2775 patients (1780 males, 995 females) were referred with Scr200 µmol/l between July 1991 and June 1992, an overallincidence of 260/million population. 847 had advanced renalfailure (Scr 500 µmol/l) and 541 patients (19.5%) were75 years of age. The age-related incidence was 92, 264, 523and 619/million population in the age groups 20–39, 40–59,60–74 and 75 years old, respectively. The annual incidencewas twice as high in males than in females up to 75 years andthree times as high in patients 75 years (1124 vs 356/millionpopulation). Based on the proportion of patients reaching end-stagerenal failure within one year of referral, the minimal estimationof the need for supportive therapy is 81/million/year. CONCLUSIONS.: This epidemiological study in a large French urban area indicatesan incidence of 260 patients per million population annuallyreferred to nephrology units for chronic renal failure definedby Scr 200 µmol/l, with a marked preponderance of malesand a dramatic increase of incidence with age in both genders.