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Chapter One
Epidemiology of Chronic Kidney Disease
William M. McClellan & Friedrich K. Port
Introduction
End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is defined by the cessation of effective
kidney function and the substitution of renal replacement
therapy (RRT), such as hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, or kidney
transplantation, for native kidney function to sustain life. During
the last 3 decades, an epidemic of ESRD has occurred in both industrialized
and developing countries. The epidemic increase
in ESRD was initially attributed to the dissemination and adoption
of RRT with the attendant extension of productive life. Although
there is evidence that the rate of increase in ESRD incidence has
abated in the USA, continuing increases in ESRD incidence rates
after access to RRT becomes available to an entire population of a
particular country have been documented by registries throughout
the world.
The public health impact of the epidemic of ESRD is substantial.
In the USA, it is estimated that the lifetime risk of being treated
for ESRD is 2.5% for white men, 1.8% for white women, 7.3% for
blackmen, and 7.8% for bla ... read full excerpt from Evidence-Based Nephrology ebook
