The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) has published a report which shows that the number of Australians treated with dialysis or kidney transplantation for their end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) has almost tripled between 1991 and 2009.

 

ESKD is the most severe form for chronic kidney disease, where dialysis or kidney transplantation is considered necessary for the survival of the patient.

 

The Dialysis and kidney transplantation in Australia report states the reasons behind the boom in such treatment are myriad and complex and an increase in diabetes-related cases of ESKD is likely to play a large part. The report largely draws on data from the Australian and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant (ANZDATA) registry.

 

“Diabetes-related kidney damage was the leading cause of treated ESKD in 2009, accounting for 33% of new cases compared with 13% in 1991,” said AIHW spokesperson Dr Lynelle Moon.

 

Another factor is progressively greater numbers of older people are being treated for ESKD—the average age of people starting kidney replacement therapy (KRT) has risen from 44 years in 1991 to 61 years in 2009.

 

“Better survival for patients on KRT is a possible contributor,” said Dr Moon.

 

From 1991 to 2009, the number of transplants performed each year increased from 470 to 772, largely due to a rise in donations from living donors.

 

The full report can be found here