Background: End-stage renal disease (ESRD) on long-term dialysis is a substantial problem in Reunion because of the high incidence and prevalence of this disease due to non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and systemic arterial hypertension.
Subjects and methods: In 1996 the renal study group of the Indian Ocean Society of Nephrology established a regional registry of end-stage renal failure (ESRD) on long-term dialysis. The present report summarizes data obtained from this registry.
Results: In 1996, there were 125 patients who were initiated on long-term dialysis, 657 patients on dialysis with a mean age 52 +/- 17 years, and 110 patients with a functioning kidney graft. The incidence rate of ESRD was 188 per million population (p.m.p.) and the prevalence rate of this pathology was 1155 p.m.p. The sex ratio (F/M) was 1.4/1. The two most common causes of ESRD were NIDDM in 33.6% and systemic arterial hypertension in 27.5%. The mean Kt/V value was 1.47 +/- 0.23 and the mortality rate was 8.1% per year.
Conclusion: The results demonstrate high incidence and prevalence rates of ESRD mainly as a result of NIDDM and systemic arterial hypertension.