Highlight• Worldwide, there has been a 165% increase in dialysis treatments for ESRD over the past two decades.
Newswise — Atlanta, GA (November 7, 2013)—The prevalence of dialysis therapy for kidney failure is increasing much faster than population growth in most parts of the world, according to a new study. The findings, which will be presented at ASN Kidney Week 2013 November 5¬–10 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA, highlight the importance of early detection and treatment of kidney disease.
Various chronic diseases have detrimental effects on the kidneys. Rapidly rising global rates of chronic diseases portend a consequent rise in kidney failure—or end stage renal disease (ESRD)—but the change in global burden of treated ESRD has never before been quantified.
To accurately report the trajectory of treated ESRD rates at the global and regional level between 1990 and 2010, Bernadette Thomas, MD (University of Washington, in Seattle) and her colleagues examined data from the Global Burden of Disease database, the largest existing database for global causes of illness and death. They also analyzed data from national and regional ESRD registries and performed a literature review of studies from 1990 and 2010. Data from 26 countries that lack routine access to dialysis were excluded. Data from 23 countries providing 100% dialysis access and 138 countries providing partial dialysis access were included.
Among the major findings:• Worldwide, there has been a 165% increase in dialysis treatments for ESRD over the past two decades. • The global prevalence of ESRD treatment with dialysis for countries with universal dialysis access increased by 134% after adjusting for population growth and aging (145% in women vs 123% in men). • For countries whose populations lack universal dialysis access, adjusted prevalence increased by 102% (116% for women vs 90% for men). • The five world regions not experiencing a substantial increase in dialysis prevalence include Oceania, South Asia, central sub-Saharan Africa, Eastern Europe, and tropical Latin America.
The findings indicate that the significant growth in dialysis therapy is strikingly out of proportion to population growth for a majority of regions in the world. “This emphasizes the need for early chronic kidney disease detection and treatment targeting ESRD prevention, since continued rise in prevalence of maintenance dialysis may not be sustainable,” the investigators wrote.
Study: “The Rapidly Growing Global Burden of End-Stage Renal Disease – An Analysis of the Change in Maintenance Dialysis Prevalence between 1990 and 2010” (Abstract 4163) Disclosures: Rajnish Mehrotra is an ad hoc consultant for Baxter Healthcare, Novartis, Shire, Johnson & Johnson; receives research funding from DaVita; and honoraria from Amgen, Baxter, DaVita, Shire, Takeda, and Vifor. Jonathan Himmelfarb is a consultant for and receives honoraria from Ardea Biosciences, Thrasos Innovations, Abbott, Affymax, Xenon; has an ownership interest in Thrasos; and receives research funding from POM Wonderful, Bristol Myers Squibb.
ASN Kidney Week 2013, the largest nephrology meeting of its kind, will provide a forum for 14,000 professionals to discuss the latest findings in renal research and engage in educational sessions related to advances in the care of patients with kidney and related disorders. Kidney Week 2013 will take place November 5–10, 2013 in Atlanta, GA.The content of this article does not reflect the views or opinions of The American Society of Nephrology (ASN). Responsibility for the information and views expressed therein lies entirely with the author(s). ASN does not offer medical advice. All content in ASN publications is for informational purposes only, and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions, or adverse effects. This content should not be used during a medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health care provider if you have any questions about a medical condition, or before taking any drug, changing your diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment. Do not ignore or delay obtaining professional medical advice because of information accessed through ASN. Call 911 or your doctor for all medical emergencies.Founded in 1966, and with more than 14,000 members, the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) leads the fight against kidney disease by educating health professionals, sharing new knowledge, advancing research, and advocating the highest quality care for patients.# # #
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